This weekend was perfect. Kath and I made great time on our drive up to Keuka. I was so sleepy, but managed to get us up there in one piece. We listened to great music, caught up on life and started James Patterson's audiobook "Toys". Although Autumn had begun to tiptoe into Maryland last week, it had already swept through the Finger Lakes and set up shop. The nights were chilly and required blankets and layers. It was the perfect sleeping weather though - there is nothing better than piling on lots of blankets to sleep.
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| Kath and me at the first vineyard |
Our first morning, we cooked a huge breakfast of eggs, sausages, and potatoes. Not to worry, we went on a long hike to work it all off!
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| The group at the second vineyard |
The air was so crisp and clean. I have asthma and something about the air up there made it so much easier to fill my lungs. It wasn't so cold that our noses dripped, but it was just cool enough to keep us comfortable as we picked up our pace. I saw the most darling little chipmunk, but he scurried off before I could snag a picture.
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| Gorgeous Dahlia |
Hills and hills of vineyards surround Keuka Lake. The local wineries offer a Fall Harvest Food and Wine Tour. We took our Golden Chariot (a Kia minivan) and spent the day sampling amazing foods and wines.
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| I love the richness of the color in this flower |
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| Does anyone know what type of flower this is? |
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| Keuka Lake |
The ride between vineyards was full of dancing, singing and general silliness. We stopped at the grocery on the way home. A couple girls stayed in the car, a couple went in and a couple of us got out of the car to stretch our legs in the parking lot. A guy came up to Mary in the parking lot and asked her if we had all just gotten back from a wine tour. She asked why he would say that, and his response was priceless: "Well, those girls are hanging out in a minivan drinking wine."
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| Our Golden Chariot |
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| I found the seed in the grape! |
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| Perfectly ripened grape bunch |
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| Fitting for a girls' weekend, but a very ugly shirt |
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| The views were breathtaking |
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| Fourth vineyard |
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| Artichoke Dip from scratch |
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| Sweet Home Alabama |
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| Cannot wait to make a trip to the pumpkin patch for some Autumn decorations! |
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| He was so peaceful |
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| View on our hike |
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| Sea Plane! |
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| View from Esperanza Mansion |
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| Driving home |
Sunday, we went on our last hike of the weekend and stopped for a leisurely lunch on the patio at Esperanza Mansion. The way a weekend flies by never ceases to amaze me. I can't wait to go back next season! Once the crazy cold retreats, I'll head up there as quickly as possible.
