Ithaca Walks

My second trip upstate last month took me to Ithaca and my alma mater, Cornell University, for the wedding of a good college friend.  S, N, and I took an excruciatingly early bus to Ithaca on the Friday before the wedding, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the day upon arriving.  We first needed some brunch and coffee, though, so we started things off at Stella's, one of our old college haunts.  This was where we'd go if we wanted a slightly swankier experience than the local dive bars and bagel shops could offer, and it gives you the feeling that you're nestled in some sort of artsy cavern.

S ordered a chicken confit sandwich, N got an omelet, and I went for the softshell crab benedict, with mimosas and coffee all around.
Once the food and caffeine had made us feel mostly human again, we decided to go for a quick hike in nearby Cascadilla Gorge.  One of the great things about Ithaca is that you can seriously stumble upon a gorge and a waterfall at nearly every turn.

I'm not sure that I fully appreciated all of this natural beauty around campus when I was in college.....I think that classes, exams, and keg stands socializing probably got in the way.  But I certainly appreciate it now, especially in contrast to living in New York City, where natural sights, smells, and sounds can be hard to come by.

It had been a cloudy day so far, but on our way back up out of the gorge, the sun came out in full force and made the water sparkle.

After ascending from the gorge, we walked around campus for a bit, as S and I reminisced about the all the good days and silly adventures that we had there, while N (who didn't go Cornell) politely pretended to be very interested in and entertained by all of our stories.

We ended the afternoon by collapsing at the Statler Hotel's bar, where we reunited with some other friends as well as the bride and groom for a mellow pre-wedding catchup session.

Feeling re-energized by the next morning, we had breakfast and then set off for another walk through campus.  We skirted Beebe Lake....

 and then made our way to the Cornell Plantations.  Part botanical garden, part arboretum, and part nature preserve, the Plantations are full of interesting plants and serene beauty.

We walked for over an hour, enjoying the scenery, breathing in the fresh floral air, and then cursing our allergies in the same breath (the sneezing was all very glamorous, I assure you).  Then it was time to head back to our hotel and trade in our sneakers for our dancing shoes and watch our friends get hitched.

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Foodie Friday

An impressive veggie omelet from the kitchen of the Hudson City Bed & Breakfast.

Happy Weekend!

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Hudson Highlights, Day 2

On my second day in Hudson, I woke up to a very sunny and warm morning.  I wanted to get a bit more exploring time in before the wedding that afternoon, but first, breakfast was in order.  It's the second B in B&B, after all, as as such, it shouldn't be forgotten.  (Not that I would ever forget it.  Who are you people who aren't hungry enough in the morning to eat breakfast???)

I sat down in the dining room, chatted with some fellow guests, and waited for whatever was emitting the heavenly smell that wafted in from the kitchen.

Barry, the innkeeper, soon emerged victoriously and presented me with a plate of his famous waffles with blueberry syrup.
These were fantastic:  light, fluffy, and full of robust flavor, which, if my taste buds were to be trusted, involved some lemon zest and buttermilk.  Much better than your run-of-the-mill continental breakfast. 

After fortifying myself on these and lots of coffee, I set out through Hudson again. 

While checking out the town map the day before, I had noticed that there was a lake on the outskirts of town, so I set off in that direction. After about a 20 minute walk, I could see the water peeking through the trees.

After circling the lake, I came to a quiet spot that would have been the perfect place to sit down and dig into a good book or a picnic.  Must plan ahead better next time.

I did sit for a while and enjoy the view, but eventually I made my way back to town.  After checking out the local farmers' market and some shops, it was time for lunch, and I decided to try out Tanzy's. I had noticed this cute little cafe and teashop during my explorations the night before, and it seemed like the perfect spot to grab a light bite.  You enter through the shop section, which boasts a tempting pastry counter, and then find a seat in a cheerful room reminiscent of an old farmhouse kitchen.

Tanzy's is run by two sisters, and the friendly family feeling is obvious as soon as you walk in the door.  My waitress greeted me and led me to a table like I was a long lost cousin and immediately offered to get me a glass of blueberry lemonade.  How could I refuse?

As for my lunch, I went with the Turkey Pesto Melt, with American cheese on a foccacia roll.

It may not look like much, but the pesto and the herbs in the focaccia roll injected some excitement into the turkey and made for a very satisfying sandwich.  As I ate, I chatted with the waitresses and listened as another couple asked them for recommendations about local berry-picking places.  Not only did they offer the recommendation, but they also called the farm personally to make sure that they were open. To say that the service is excellent here is a bit of an understatement.

Before long, it was time to return to the B&B to get ready for the wedding.  All of the waitresses bid me farewell and gave me well wishes for the wedding.  I left feeling as if I had just left a family gathering, with people that I had known for years.  If you're ever in Hudson, give Tanzy's a try.  Although I just wanted a light lunch, their breakfast specials sounded amazing too, and they also serve afternoon tea.  And it's worth it for the friendliness alone.  You'll leave in a better mood, I promise.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at the wedding, which was as beautiful and romantic an event as I had ever been to.  I left most of the photo-taking to the professional photographer who was there, but I did snap this picture of the setting at twilight.  As you can see, it was a rather magical place and a rather magical night.

Sadly, the spell had to be broken the next day, by the fact that I had to catch the train back to the city.  That, or by the massive headache that greeted me upon waking up.

I'm blaming it on all the fresh country air and my allergies.

It couldn't possibly have been everything on offer at the open bar.

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Foodie Friday

A beautifully-plated crab cake appetizer at a friend's recent wedding.

Happy Holiday Weekend!

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Hudson Highlights, Day 1

June has been a busy month of travel for me, taking me upstate for two weekend weddings and then to central PA to visit family.  The first of the wedding trips was to the town of Hudson in the Catskills.  

Just a two-hour trip from NYC by train, it might as well have been a world away.  Upon getting off the train, I was greeted by the wonderful smell of fresh air and honeysuckle, and the loudest noise that I could hear was birdsong, not people or cars.  Feeling more relaxed already, I made my leisurely way to the Hudson City Bed & Breakfast, which was to be my home for the weekend.  I checked in and was shown to my room, which was full of antique furniture and charm.

I did a bit of unpacking and then went out to the front porch for a chance to chat with Barry, the innkeeper, and admire the leafy view.

After getting a few recommendations from Barry, I headed into town to explore.  Having been told that Warren Street was Hudson's main hub, I made my way there, enjoying the quaint feel of the place.

Warren Street is chock full of antique stores and galleries, most of which had closed for the evening by the time that I arrived.  I did duck into The Spotty Dog Books & Ale, a fun bookstore/pub combo, and then, since it was time for dinner, I went to Baba Louie's.  I had come across some good reviews for the wood-fired pizza place while searching for things to do in Hudson earlier in the week and decided to give it a go.

The interior was roomy and the atmosphere was very friendly.  It seemed like a great sort of place to gather with a big group of friends and family.

But let's get to the important part:  the pizza.  There are several specialty pizza options on the menu, all of which boast delicious-sounding combinations, as well as a seemingly endless list of toppings so that you can customize your own if you wish.  After much intense deliberation, I went for the Dolce Vita:  tomato sauce, wilted spinach, fresh mozarella, figs, gorgonzola, prosciutto and parmesan, topped with rosemary infused olive oil.

Perhaps it was due to the romantic mood of the wedding weekend, but I was ready to run off with this pizza.  It was gorgeous, satisfying, and best of all,  I had it all to myself.

    

After showing an utter lack of restraint with the pizza, I strolled through the town's side streets, many of which reminded me of Stars Hollow.

I eventually made my way back to the B&B and called it a relatively early night, knowing that there were more explorations, good food, and wedding festivities in store for the next day.

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