Cross Ridge Hike to Sam's Point

Hiking has always been a thing that the mister and I hold dear.  Our first date was a long hike, we were married at a hiking place, and we life gets tough... we hike.  This past weekend was no exception.  We were due for a long hike (the wet spring and summer cramped our hiking) and when the opportunity came up to cross from Minnewaska State Park Preserve to Sam’s Point we jumped at it. 

{warning picture heavy post!}

We drove to Sam's Point.  Beautiful morning with a slight chill in the air.

Here is the conservatory lodge.  The very same one we were married in.  Awww!

Getting reacquainted with my friend.  I have a picture of me doing the very same thing in my wedding dress.

The bus came to take us to Minnewaska.  Still can't think of how long it had been since I rode on a big yellow bus.  High school?

 We got started on Mossy Glen Path.  Normally a nice stroll over and along a small stream.  Do you see that sign?  Bridge out?  Most of this area had been closed just a few weeks ago due to the hurricane damage and the constant rains.  Let's see what were are in for?

Here is the stream we had to hop across.  Rocks are your friends... and so is keeping three points of contact.

We meandered along the stream after that.  Do you see all those trees down and up rooted?  That's not normal.

We ate lunch at Castle Point.  The views were just breath taking.  And it was fun to point off in the distance to where we were to end our adventure later that day.

Along the trail the ridge terrain changes many times.  Up hills, over big rocks, and down into valleys we went.

Once in awhile you could look back to see where you had been.  This shows Castle Point (our lunch spot).

We went by many lakes.  Most were full to the brim.

One of the rewards at the end was the view of Vanderkill Falls.  It was roaring with all the rain water pouring over.  I've seen this falls a bunch of times and it never fails to amaze me.  It's a tough hike out, but this re-energized me!

This is that second reward I was talking about.  These are blueberry bushes turned bright red for the fall.  It was really something to look as far as possible and see fields of red a glow from the setting sun. 

This re-energized me too!

Near the end of the hike now.  Less than 1/2 a mile to car --whhoooohhooo!  I find myself always taking this picture of the edge of Sam's Point rock from the bottom up. 

And then were back to the lodge.  In one piece.  No worse for the wear; ok, maybe a little sore. 

Hard to really pinpoint what it is about hiking that is so rewarding, but I am so thankful to be able to get out like this and soak in as much of the great outdoors as I can. 

And how far was this hike you might be asking?  We went for about 11-12 miles.  It was a hardy hike, but conquering things like this really reminds me just how much I am capable of.

When and where was your last hike?

You've Got to Smile

"When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile"

-- Anne Byrn, award-winning cake baker!

I was looking through my draft blog entries this morning and found these cupcake pictures just begging to be posted!  I still in shock that I haven't put these up yet!!

These are the Cocoa-Strawberry Cuppies that I made for my birthday (two weeks ago -- where has time gone?)

I took a chocolate base and made it more rich by adding extra cocoa and a pinch or five of cayenne pepper.

Then I topped these sweet delights with a homemade strawberry buttercream. 

I didn't follow any specific directions. Or rather, I didn't follow them well.

My buttercream ended up being a little more runny than I had hope, but it was jam packed with flavor and real bits of little diced strawberries!  Not bad for only the second time of making homemade buttercream.

A blueberry made the perfect topper to finish them off!

I can still taste the moist cake and sweet frosting now. 

I'm still kicking myself for not throwing a few in the freezer for a later date; maybe I'll remember to do that next time around!

Hope your having a sweet Monday!

Wild Blueberries

Finding and eating wild blueberries on a hike = happiness!

In NY, blueberries grow in the wild! On a recent hike I was lucky enough to happen upon a few bushes that were ripening. Wild blueberries are smaller than the store bought kind, but let me tell you they are sweeter than the store ones have ever dreamed of being!

Some sort of primal instinct kicks in when I see these wild sweets. My palms start to sweat, my brain looses focus, and my arms and fingers reach out to pluck the berries. Nothing better than popping a handful of wild blueberries in your mouth and chewing slowly!

Gives you a burst of energy and a huge guilty smile on your face!