ITHACTOBER DAY 2: The Farmer's Market

Starting Ithactober off with a bang, the Ithaca Farmer's Market is undoubtably the best farmer's market in the country. It's true, I've done scientific studies!

Alright, fine, the scientific studies mostly involve me eating freshly baked cider donuts and hot breakfast burritos, buying armfuls of shiny peppers and eggplants, all while listening to local artists playing original music... so I rest my case.

It. is. beautiful.

Part of what makes the Ithaca Farmer's market so great - aside from its sheer size and amazing community support - is the fact that attending it feels like an event.

You can, of course, just stop by for your weekly food shopping. There's enough fruits and vegetables to stock any fridge drawer, in addition to breads, honey, popcorn, locally raised meat, and more.

But you can go to the Ithaca Farmer's Market... and you can go to the Ithaca Farmer's Market.

Don't just rush past the stands, stop to talk to people. Just last week I bought an aloe plant from a woman who told me all about the care and keeping of the plant, before I'd even made up my mind. A man let us have free samples of his exotic flavored jelly. Local artists sold clothing, photography, jewelry, and crafted pottery. The smell of hot, delicious foods of various ethnic origins floats past your nostrils.

The Ithaca Farmer's Market is something you do not want to miss.

Need a further motivation? Ithaca had a farmer's market before it was cool.

That's right, 1975!

Gotta see more? Check out their facebook, flickr, and website!

ITHACTOBER DAY 1: Introduction

Approximately eight months every year, I live in a place called Ithaca, New York.

There it is!

It's one of the most unique, enjoyable cities in the world.

Over the past few years I've had plenty of time to experience this place at all seasons times of the year (winter, more winter, spring like winter, and contstruction), types of weather (cold, windy, cold and windy, oh my god that's the sun), times of the day (running to class at 8AM, late night froyo runs, lunches on the grass), and all sorts of fun places.... and despite all that, I have determined October to be the best time of year in Ithaca.

I want to share that with you.

Twice a week for the month of October, this travel log will be dedicated to Ithaca alone. The restaurants, the events, the gorges, the places you won't want to miss, and the little things you might have missed even if you've been here already.

Let Ithactober* begin!

All photos taken by yours truly!

ITHACTOBER is not copyrighted in any way, shape, or form. It's not even half as clever as I think it is. Cheers!

I Went Here: I've Seen It Raining Fire in the Sky

This is the first in a series of posts chronicling my visit to Denver, Colorado this past July. My brother and his then-fiancé (now wife!) live in the mile high city. Until this visit, the farthest west in the USA I had ever been was Pennsylvania. Quite a jump, eh?

As you could probably tell from my dream-cations, I love anything midwestern and mountainous... so naturally, we took a trip out to Rocky Mountain National Park. Unfortunately, it rained.

The clouds and rain should have ruined the trip. It didn't.

RMNP doesn't have one particular attraction to view. My brother and I made a day of it, and simply drove around the park area for the majority of the afternoon, using towns on a map as guidelines for not getting lost. We drove through run-down towns, breakneck turns, foggy campsites, and beautiful views. We pulled the car over for a little picnic (sandwiches, sparkling lemonade, and sweet potato chips!) and just took in the view.

He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below

He saw everything as far as you can see

And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun

And he lost a friend but kept his memory

Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams

Seeking grace in every step he takes

His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand

The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake

And the Colorado rocky mountain high

I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky

You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply

Rocky mountain high

(John Denver)

Past Travels: First Airplane Ride

July 2011. 
18 years old. 

First plane ride: USA to Germany.

Featuring fellow globetrotter Karolina.

All photos unedited.

Dream-Cation: Western European Heritage Tour

I’ve always marveled that one of the characteristics unique to Americans is that we don’t always identify as “American” first. In a single classroom alone you will find Italian, Polish, Mexican, Chinese, and other individuals. In many cases, we would prefer to identify ourselves by the nation of our origin instead, and are proud of where we “come from.”

Since most of my ancestral heritage stems from one particular area of Europe, I’ve always imagined visiting these places in one shot. A few weeks, a few train rides, plus one plane would be enough to get a sampling of the places I can trace myself to: England, Scotland, and Ireland.

1. London, UK

London is at the absolute top of any travel bucket list of mine. In fact, instead of simply visiting I would much rather live there for an extended period of time. However, in lieu of that option at the moment, I will make it the first stop on my trip. I’ll see the main attractions – London Eye, Big Ben Tower, Trafalgar Square, British Museum, et cetera—and return another time for a more immersive experience.

2. West Yorkshire, UK

This particular stop is unique because it is the town to which my last name can be traced. My last name means, “enclosed by woods” and, interestingly enough, is believed to originate in current-day West Yorkshire County.  A quick Google search tells me that the region contains various castles, museums, and other places of interest.  The main attraction for me will simply be taking in the countryside and air of a place I know that, somehow, I am descended from.

3. Edinburgh, Scotland

And thus the Scottish leg of the trip begins! My heritage is primarily Irish and British, but there is also an indeterminate amount of Scottish in there. And, heritage aside, Scotland seems beautiful. In particular I wish to visit Edinburgh. From various travel blogs’ photos, Edinburgh appears to be an almost fairytale-like city to visit.

4. Dublin, Ireland

Ireland is another country that I wish I could someday live or spend an extended period of time in, so for this “heritage tour” I’ll keep my visit to Dublin specifically, with perhaps an excursion into some areas more known for natural beauty. Anyone who is Irish has a tremendous amount of pride, and I eagerly look forward to experiencing the reason for this firsthand.

*See the full trip on Google Maps!
[Picture credits: UK 1, 2, 3, Scotland 1, 2, Ireland 1, 2]

Past Travels: Long Beach Island Snapshots

As a Jersey girl, I'm obligated to show my pride for the Jersey Shore - the real Jersey Shore. Not the kind you see on television, but the one that represents so many fond memories to everyone who has spent time there. 

My family doesn't often take vacations, but many years ago we spent two weeks at Long Beach Island. These are a collection of snapshots taken by my Uncle. Because they were digital and never developed/shared, I only saw these photos for the first time a few months ago. 

(For context: This was back in the day when I could barely multiply and divide, The Da Vinci Code was the hottest summer read, and digital cameras were somewhat new.)

If you've never stayed at the Jersey Shore, I hope these photos will give you a glimpse of how beautiful it can be.

 And if you are a shore-goer, I hope these feel like coming home.

As mentioned previously, all photo credit goes to my Uncle. I have not edited any of these images.