#celebrating #easter and the first signs of #spring in #utica NY
The weather finally looks like its raking a turn for spring in Utica NY.
As we prepare for our Easter celebration. I made sure the dogs got to celebrate too. We went on a nice hike and got to play fetch in the creek
Cross country skiing at the Root Glen in Clinton NY
If you’re looking for a safe place to go cross country skiing in the Utica NY area make sure you check out the Root Glen. It’s a close by and has some of the best trails and plenty central NY beauty.
The cross country skiing at the Root Glen is pretty easy, and I’m sure if you’re daring you can test your cross country ski skills by going off the beaten path or down to the ravine. But sometimes easy is good. Especially on a Sunday morning!
What a great day in Utica NY! The January freeze we’ve been in finally started to break. With temperatures breaking. It was a great day to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise.
Many people know about the Root Glen as a place to hike in the Summer and warmer months. But to truly love the place you need to take a hike, strap on some snow shoes or cross country skis and see what the place is like in the winter.
If you have kids longing to get outside, take them to the Root Glen. They will love being outdoors and seeing how beautiful nature is in the winter.
There are several places to park. The front part has a lot of bridges and steep drops so beware and take care. It’s easy to get to. If you live in Utica NY it will take you approximately 15 minutes to get there.
Perfect for the family. Close to home, easy trails, and natural beauty. It all adds up to great central NY living and sure beats staying inside.
The Adirondack Song
One of my favorite things about living in Utica NY is just how close we are to the Adirondack Mountains.
A while back some friends of mine in the band Woodenspoon wrote a song that all ways pulls my heart strings and makes me want to go home no matter where I am. “The Adirondack Song“ this song pretty much sums up the the feeling the Adirondack Mountains gives to people.
Give it a listen and imagine yourself in those Adirondack hills.
So many people come from all around the world to spend time in the Adirondack park and I have the luxury of it being right in my back yard.
Click here to listen to the Adirondack Song
I’m pround of my friends for writing it, and i’m happy to share this song with you so you can hear the love this band has for their home. To me it was an instant classic, I’m sure if you’re a fan of the Adirondacks it will be an automatic favorite.
Proud Member of the 100+ Craft Beer Club at the Nail Creek in Utica NY
When the Nail Creek opened its doors in Utica NY they introduced a challenge to craft beer drinkers. It’s more challenging for some, but its fun for everyone who loves drinking craft beer.
The challenge is simple. Drink 100 different beers at the Nail Creek and document it and you get your name in the craft beer hall of fame.
The difficulty comes in here. I started this challenge when they opened and when first introduced. The beers needed to be bottled. Draft beer didn’t count. I worked my way to almost 50 different bottles of beer. But I found myself missing the freshness of draft beer. The second part that was hard for me is they had to be different beers. I drink a lot of a Utica Club Beer and repetition gets you know where in this game.
So about 3 years later as my wife is pregnant and we’re planning the birth if our first child, I make it a goal to get this done before my baby is born.
Luckily when I got back at it the rules changed a little bit so I could add draft beer into the mix. This made me a happy craft beer drinker.
So I started by stopping in after work and having one new beer as often as I could. What you don’t realize is that beyond the glory of getting your name on the wall you really gain an extensive pallet and learn a lot about beer.
Not only through the challenge of drinking the beer, but from talking to the bartenders, craft beer drinkers and the beer snobs. I definitely know what kind of beers I like, what kinda bartenders are full of shit, and what a beer snob is.
Finally, I made it. I got to 100 beers and they added my name to the wall of fame. It took me three years and a bunch of money, but getting the chance to drink all those craft beers in Utica NY was worth it.
If you like craft beer and live in Utica NY this should definitely something you should try doing. If you’re visiting Utica, make sure to check out the Nail Creek’s craft beer selection.
My Baby Meets Santa for her First Time
Sure it was more exciting for us this year, but its still quite the milestone. My baby’s first picture with the infamous “Santa Clause”.
We didn’t go to the mall or any fancy event. We stayed local. Right in New New York Mills. The Town had its annual tree lighting. It was the first year we ever went, and I’m glad we did. We got there just as they were lighting the tree. It was great! We went with the grandparents, brought some eggnog, and I even wrangled my border collie. Hes always a hit at these things, people love him and he loves them right back.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she loves Santa!
We waited in line and finally got up there and tootsie took a picture of us with the Santa. There were three or four other shots but both Jennifer and I were not looking at the camera, and tending to the baby. This shot came out OK, we were both smiling and Cecilia looked content.
Again, another first with the baby. I’m already excited about next year, and when she really gets into Christmas, Santa and all the family fun.
But don’t grow up to fast baby! I’m gonna miss your baby ways.