Pretty Trees

Vermont in the fall is like living in a world that is on fire… not literally, but the trees, all the colors. It's freaking crazy amazing and no matter how many years I have lived here (all my life) I still am in awe of of the beautifulness of it all.

Being the good  Vermonters that we are, the mr and I have taken to the road a couple times for some leaf pepping.  We pack a picnic lunch, a few layers of clothes,  get in the car and fallow the color. The music goes on(or NPR), a little bit of heat blowing from the dash, and settle in for an adventure. I bring my camera and he brings his fishing pole (just in case) Sometime we find a nice hiking trail, or sometimes we stay in the car cause it's pouring rain and freezing out. We always stop somewhere and get ourselves big hot cups of coffee and maybe stop at a quaint antique store (or salvation army) along the way. We also like to find our dream homes in the cuties little towns nestled in the valleys between the mountains all on fire. (someday!) It's just so much lovely and nice. I can never get enough. 

Ah Vermont… I love you. 

So needless to say, I have taken a crap-load of pictures over the past couple weeks. I figured I would share a few of my favorites.

Enjoy, and if you live where the trees turn, go watch.. it's freaking fantastic!

NEW YORK CITY

The mr and I took off for NYC for the weekend to get us in some fun times, to hang with his brother, see some art, and basically just to get out of town. 

What we do when we go down is pretty much  always the same. We are big into art, and the mr is especially into street art (or "graffiti" as some may call it), and what better city is there to see amazing art? So when we are there, most of our time consists of walking around and taking in the sense. And walk we did. The second day were were there, we ended up walking from the east village, across to the west, all the way up to central park, and back down again. The little walking guy on google map said that our route (without all the side streets that we weaved through) was 11.5 miles. So yeah, we walked our asses off.  But it felt good cause, well, I like to walk and after the past few visits I feel like I am starting to get the hang of where I am and where I am going. (as a friend pointed out, the city is a grid.. but still)

We also got to spend a little quality time hanging with the mr's little brother. He has been living in NYC for a few years now and has gradually turned unto a cool dude hipster that works like crazy running his own online business, but plays just as nuts. His friends came over for the "pre game" and left us for sleep at around 1 in the am… and his return home was a bit later.  I mean, 5:30 am is a normal time to come home right? And of course when you get home, you must play some mid 90's Seal  before drifting off to sleep. Mind you, he lives in a one room tiny apartment, Oh Ev.. you are such a little shit, but I love you. 

To list a few of the highlights. Osgemos street art (the mr has a hug boy crush on these guys) and all the other ssrteet art around the city. Seeing some live action taping of the new Ghost Busters movie which was cool las hell. Walking the high line (again, but I will do it every time I go) Strands book store, Dick Blick art store and all the little shops and coffee shops we stopped in along the way. Oh, and shaving the ass of his brothers cat (it needed to be done, the knots were just out of control!) 

All in all, another successful trip to the city. Nothing was lost, no one was hurt,  we did what we wanted to do.

Love you New York!

Mills River

The past few weeks, whenever the mr and I have a free couple of hours, we have been hitting the countryside, in such of the best rivers (for me to play in and for him to fly fish) 

We have been to many, but this one is my new favorite. There is shade to sit in, sun to bath in, and hiking trails to hike. There are little wading pools, deep spots that are great for fishing, and lost and lots of the most amazing rock formations. And bonus, the was not a mere person in site, only a few cute little frogs.

 No matter that I think I broke the bottom of my foot walking barefoot in the water and jumping hard onto a rock, or that the mr came back with a touch of poison ivy (poison something). We still both love it and are looking forward to our next trip back with shoes and long sleeves!

You got any plans this weekend? If not, I am recommending that you hit a river. Bring a book, bring a picnic, and bring a little bucket for your river treasures. Soak up the last bits of the summer, take a break from the crazy, and just go. Trust, you will be happy you did.

-C

Belvidere VT

Every year, the second weekend in August, the Stem family , siblings,  cousins, even my 94 year old grandmother makes the trip from Easton PA,  come  together at, what we call, "the cabin." (It's more a house, but it started out as a cabin) . Its a little crazy, but such a good fun time.

This cabin, oh this place is  magic. The air, the tree's the streams, the mountains, and of course the people.  It's all the things that I love about life. Some of my earliest memories are from this place. Hanging out with my siblings, running around the meadow or through the woods. Playing in the swinging holes. My grandfather pulling taffy or making orange juice box houses with my grandmother. The giant rocking chair that my uncle made and all of us kids used to play on.  So many camp fires and s mores. There are just so many memories because it's been a part of my life, my whole life. It's one of my favorite places in the world. 

A little background on the place (what I can remember) Sometime in the late 70's, my uncle and my grandparents bought a big chunk of land on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere Vt.  After doing  some clearing of trees, they went to building a cabin. (my aunt, grandmother, and dad helped a bit too). It was amazing, but quaint. A 2 story situation with a kitchen living area and one door to get in and out. At some point  my grandparent ended up selling their share to my uncle and he took over the entry of the place. Over the years my uncle, (who is a carpenter, furniture designer,design professor,  and all out crazy amazing person), continured to work on the place. He has added on a kitchen, a second floor bathroom, new this, and that, but never has it once felt like a patchworker pieced together place. And now the place is more like a amazing craftsman home, with just the right touches of cabin, but with two running toilets, a beautiful kitchen, electricity and running water ( There is even internet access, which sucks, but still).It is a little gem nestled on a side of a tiny mountain in one the most beautiful places. 

So an awesome cabin in the woods with a bunch of crazy, but awesome people= Stem family reunion. 

Here are some pictures of the shenanigans.. 

Little River State Park

This past weekend, the mr, the pup, and I grabbed our stuff, chucked it into the back of the car and took of to the wood. 

We ended up in Waterbury, at Little River State Park. Campsite 77 (the last one they had available!!) And from that we think, the best spot in the park. 

First things first, set up camp. which involved the mr. popping up the tent and me making coffee and setting up the table.. Just cause we are in the woods doesn't mean we can't have a fruit bowl, right.

Then we spend the afternoon kicking around.. Into the woods we went. This place had so many hiking trails, we just let the pup lead the wayHe usually knows where he is going.

After a long afternoon of hiking and romping, we make our way back to our outdoor home for food. Dinner consisted of potato and sweet potato, squash and onions, kale, salsa and beans.  It couldn't have been any better. We did forget plates, but no matter, we managed.

Of course we needed to take an after dinner hike to the river and swim the pup. (We think he might be part fish)

He spent about an hour fetching stick and making sure that he couldn't possibly smell any worse.

Playing with my camera and sticks. Then off to the tent for the three of us. (holy hell did the dog smell like shit)

Good morning sunshine!

Another morning hike and some time spent just hanging on the river. The mr fished, the pup swam and I collected rocks.

And then we went home, washed off the filth, and assed out…Then Washer got sick, but that's a whole other story.

Camping is the best. I could live in a tent all year long. (not really all year long.. I would surely freeze to death)

So if you are thinking of camping, I highly recommend going to Little River State Park.

-C