On the 1st we set out for New York State. We had been invited to my nephew's wedding, and were greatly anticipating the experience of a Buddhist wedding ceremony. We needed to be at the bride's parents' house at 5 PM, cutting it close since traffic was a bear. We arrived at the motel (about 30 minutes from the house) at about 4:10. We were met by my sister, got to our room, hurried to shower and change and we were off to find the party.
Noy's family are lovely, hard working, warm people, and we had a few hours to simply sit and chat. Brian was a gracious host to all. After the rehearsal dinner, we all returned to our various motels, it was a bit of a shame that we weren't staying near each other, but Carol and Elmer, Tina and Will and Lar and I were in the same motel, so we had a bite to eat and hung out together talking for a couple of hours.Next day we met for breakfast before getting off for the 40 minute drive to the wedding venue. 
We took the opportunity to take some pictures of ourselves before leaving...we are not often dressed up when together!
When we reached The Barn, I had to take the opportunity to snap a Blog Picture!
Sagey - Brian's dog was dressed to kill in his "best man" tux!
The ceremony was really interesting, and we wished we could know even more about what was transpiring during this festive, colorful event. Brian looked so cute in his traditional garb and the white suit into which he changed, and Noy was beautiful, in both her traditional dress and then her more familiar white wedding gown. This picture is of the happy couple and their parents. That's my brother, Chick, 2nd from the right.
Lar and I actually got up the courage to get onto the dance floor for one or two dances. Mostly due to the encouragement of Noy's aunt - shown with both of us above.
As we all sat around, eating, drinking (including the freely flowing cognac!) we enjoyed the beautiful picture album Noy had had printed as a gift to Brian of their time together. In the album I was delighted to find a few pictures from our open house - the celebration of our retirements. I "stole" them by taking pictures of the pages. They will make a nice addition to our memory book.
After the wedding, we returned to the motel, and after getting changed, bidding farewell to Tina and Will, Carol and Elmer, Lar and I walked across the street for an ice cream and then hung out in their room for an hour or so chatting. It was so nice - I don't get the opportunity to spend that kind of down-time with my sister often.
Next day we were slow getting going - Carol and Elmer had already left, and I had a chance to take some pictures of the grounds - just beautiful!
Once again, Sunday the 3rd we were on the road - this time further up into New York to the Finger Lakes area. One stop we made was at the Taughannock Falls. I have even better pictures, but this one shows, if you look carefully, the size by comparing the falls to the bridge below...look in the foreground!
We were pretty road-weary by the time we came to the Sheldrake Point Vineyard along Cayuga Lake. Not only is the site gorgeous, but the wines are great and the food, offered by Samantha Buyskes in Simply Red is wonderful! It is very much an artisan menu - and we loved it! Lar had a tuna sandwich, I had fresh mozzarella - and we enjoyed the Rooibos Iced Tea. They had run out of the Lavender Lemonade, but our server kindly told me how to make it. I am looking forward to doing so.
Apparently you can see Sam on "Chopped" as she is a Season 6 premier competitor. You can go to simplyredbistro.com for more information.
Our motel was in Waterloo...and a better facility we've never really seen. The place is pretty new, I'd think, in wonderful condition, and the employees are so kind and welcoming. The dining room offers wonderful, home-style cooking. We enjoyed the pool and the fitness center is very nice, tho' we had no time to utilize it.
On Monday, the 4th we were off, as Lar says, "to see the Wizard" or to put it another way, to enjoy the scenery along Seneca Lake and to taste some NY wines.
Our first stop was at the Ventosa Vinyard. They are such nice people there and we really enjoyed the beauty and the wines. We had two passes for a free tasting for two, so Lar kindly shared with another couple who had driven in at the same time. We are learning that California might be making some fabulous reds, but if you want unbelievable whites, New York is the place to go. I set out seeking to taste and buy some red wines - normally my favorite - but ended up with pretty much a car full of whites!
Next stop - Three Brothers. If you get to the area, do not, I repeat, do NOT miss them. What a fun place - and what good tasting. You'll have the delight of tasting some wonderful whites, a fabulous white merlot, and some ales the like of which you've never tasted, ie., their Riesling Ale.
Our motel kindly provided box lunches for both days, so we were able to stop at great locations to have picnics. The first day we did so at Sampson State Park. Couldn't have been a more appropriate location for the 4th of July!
This stunning sculpture was dedicated to the service people from Sampson Air Force Base who served in WWII.
And then we headed home. We stopped for another picnic at Yaman Park in Cortland NY. This kind of step back in time is a beautiful town facility - a man-made lake - the water is continuously recycled and chlorinated - and you can tell it is greatly enjoyed by all the town folks.
No comments:
Post a Comment