4th of july fireworks

Happy [belated] Independence Day, everyone! For the past few years, the big NYC fireworks show has been held on the Hudson River, catering to the west side of Manhattan and New Jersey. Finally, this year, they have been moved back to the East River near (and on) the Brooklyn Bridge to be shared with the legit boroughs. Kurt's parents were in town for the 4th, so they requested we get an up close view of the show from Brooklyn Bridge Park. The show was great and amazing and impressive (although surprisingly quiet), but there were just so many people there! Getting to the park and then returning home ended up being a bit of a hassle. (During the show, we could see cars parked on the BQE because traffic was so bad!) It was fun to experience the show up close, but next year I think I will try to find a nice, relaxed rooftop viewing spot. Or maybe a vacation outside the city!! Who knows!!

holidays in alabama

Kurt and I arrived in Alabama the day after Christmas. This was the first time ever I wasn't at home with my family on the day of and it was kind of weird. I missed our Christmas morning tradition of getting up and having a big waffle breakfast (and maybe some mimosas like last year) then opening presents while listening to Christmas music. I guess these are the sacrifices you make when splitting up the holidays. 

We still fit in lots of animal bonding time though! This is my parents cat, Pumpkin. He looks so much like Aubie but about twice the size. Soooooo fat!

My Dad recently retired from his job of 39 years, so he brought home all the stuff from his office. This picture of my sister and me was probably sitting on his desk for 20 years! Aren't we cute?!

My mother's highlight of our visit was her chance to make us "Bang Bang Shrimp", a knock-off recipe from a restaurant she and my dad like. Great job, Mom!

One day, Kurt and I set out for a drive around North Alabama. Our first stop was the Belle Chevre Creamery in Elkmont. It is the teensiest town but we were able to pick up some tasty goat cheese from the out of place cheese shop. Sometime I'd like to go back and take the creamery tour where you get to meet the goats!

Kurt and I had high hopes for our drive through Muscle Shoals because of its rock n roll past, but it was a terrible place of strip malls, fast food, and Wal-Mart. Avoid it until you record your next album at one of their famous studios. However, nearby Tuscumbia is cute and old and is the birthplace of Helen Keller. We drove by and got a shot of her house.

We finally made it to our destination of Florence, Alabama. We had lunch in the charming downtown before wandering around the campus of the University of North Alabama.

They have real lions on campus! Luckily we were there while their trainers were around so the animals were running around playing.

Of course we had to check out the football stadium.

Florence is also home to the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Alabama. We swung by the Rosenbaum House and took some photos from the outside.

Check out that cantilever! 

It's not a trip to Alabama without a visit to Mellow Mushroom. We got some pizza and local beer for lunch before heading to a matinee showing of The Hobbit. 

One day while out shopping, my mom, Kurt, and I stopped into the brand new Huntsville Brewery for an afternoon drink. They have tons of beers on tap and lots of local options. They even plan to brew their own in the near future. Huntsville has certainly gotten much cooler since I left! Keep it up!

And pretty soon it was time to head back to NYC. Our flight out of Nashville was delayed which gave us just enough time to swing by Jeni's for some ice cream. It was so good, somebody might have even ordered seconds :)

Thanks for the great trip, Mom and Dad! Always fun but much too short!

christmas in west virginia

Kurt's parents own a ski condo at Snowshoe in West Virginia, so we traveled down there for Christmas before heading on to Alabama to see my family. It was great to spend time with Kurt's parents as well as his brother, Erik, and his girlfriend, Silvia.

West Virginia is tough to get to from New York, so we decided the train was our best mode of transportation. After taking a nap, reading, watching a few TV shows, and gazing out the window, the 10 hour ride went really quickly. I would choose a train trip over a driving any day. So much more relaxing!

Sadly, I don't ski (yet) but Kurt, his brother, and his mom hit the slopes a couple days.

One day we went riding in these off-road go-carts. Muddy thrill riding isn't exactly my thing but it was still pretty fun.

A couple days were really cold. It was my first experience with single digits temperatures. The frigid air hurt my delicate Southern skin but made for beautiful scenery. The way the snow clung to the trees made them look fake.

There isn't a ton to do at the resort but one afternoon we visited the pool and hot tub. I was appalled to learn they were outside! We had icicles on our hair and eyelashes! 

Another day, while Kurt was skiing, I visited the spa at the resort for a massage. It was outrageously expensive but a nice way to relax over the holidays. 

We spent some time playing fetch with the dogs in the snow.

We always play this game called Joker with Kurt's family. In the past, our board could only fit four players so all six of us could never play together. As a Christmas present, Kurt's parents made us a flexible board that could expand and fit a larger group. It was a hit and we played several rounds together!

And it wouldn't be a travel post without some food pictures! We ate most meals at the condo but made it to the village once for shrimp and grits.

Next up, our trip to Alabama!