A most perfect weekend of hiking, camping and swimming!

Keuka Lake State Park was a wonderful way to celebrate the close of summer and all our hard work.  Dre and I enjoyed every minute of our long weekend!  Campfires and smores, swimming in the crystal clear Keuka Lake, cooking outside and sleeping by the fire.  

We arrived Friday early afternoon, set up camp and dashed to the lake for a quick swim!  Sausages, squash and potatoes, onions and peppers were on the menu and what a feast we had, followed by trivia pursuit of course!  We plotted out our hike and read up on the history of the Keuka Outlet Trail.

Saturday Dre made Ha-lo Ha-lo (spelling?) for breakfast and we prepped for an adventure.  We were determined to hike from one Finger Lake to another so began our journey on the Keuka Outlet Trail, a 7 mile hike connecting Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake.  The trail was beautiful and mostly shaded, following the "Old Crooked Canal."  Some of our photos are posted below.  We saw some old mills, 2 waterfalls and wildlife to include 2 herons, a praying mantis, and some other interesting insects.  A picnic lunch at a waterfall, wading in the canal to cool off and an $8 taxi ride back to our car was SO worth it!  We concluded our hike with a swim back at our campground/Keuka Lake and entertained friends for a campfire and cookout.

Sunday was a day to enjoy a nice breakfast, pack up camp and take advantage of the beach at the park.  We swam all day and played lacrosse and frisbee!  When it was almost time to head home we drove through  Bluff Point, visited Chapel on the Mount aka The Garrett Memorial Chapel, The Esperanza Mansion and we had to check out Big Doug's Meaner Weiner!  We headed home, unpacked and enjoyed some leftover hot dogs and smores on the grill.  

Quite perfect.  

Old Railroad bridge at the beginning of our hike 

Milo's Mill - 1.7miles in, home of the praying mantis!

Seneca Mills Falls - 3.8 miles in, where we stopped for lunch!

Cascade Falls - 4.8 miles in, where I got tired!

We Finished! 7 miles - Lake to Lake

Garrett Memorial Chapel/ Chapel on the Mount - Keuka Lake, Bluff Point

Art Focus

Last week I had my first official Etsy sale.  I have sold orders to family and friends, but this was a turning point in my etsy store!  I have been designing and making original onesies for almost 2 years now.  IT was an idea that started because one of my friends was pregnant.  She is funky and different and nothing in the stores would do, or so I told myself...and so I designed 5 original onesies (two of which are featured in my store).  She liked them so much that I decided to start selling them online.

Well last week I expanding my product line to include baby bibs.  Today is another turning point for the store....I am selling my photographs.  Slowly the store is expanding and my artwork is getting out there in the world.  It's a process, but a very rewarding one.  I would love to sell my artwork as a part-time job, or ideally for a living and this store fulfills part of a larger dream and allows me to thank that one day....one day it may just come true.  I will slowly be adding more artwork, as time permits!  Thank you for your support and interest!

Check out BeeDZigns Etsy Shop Here!

This past week

This past week and weekend, more so than usual, I have embraced my summer.  The last summer for awhile I imagine that I will not be working... I have made pickles, salsa and stewed tomatoes all with my mom; visited my parents and relaxed, while eating great food and laughing; took advantage of the nice weather to include a beach day with friends (possibly one of the last for the season), went walking and running and even got a pedicure!  I enjoyed my wonderful boyfriend cooking breakfast, enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared at a friend's house with conversation and catching up with long-lost friends; we cooked meals in preparation for the week and even enjoyed housework.

To sum it all up...it's been a great week/weekend!  I am thankful for my life and my love and my family and friends.  :)

One Shoe, Five Shoes

It was a great weekend for people to lose shoes, which means a great day to take pictures.  Park Ave Fest is notorious for craziness and fun, so lost shoes are to be expected.

Lone Shoe: Park Ave Post-Park Ave Fest

Brunswick Pair

Righty Lefty