We Did It!!!

Jake and I have been talking about doing an overnight backpacking trip since our dating days and this summer...we finally did it!  We drove six hours to the Adirondacks Mountains here in New York and it was SO worth the trip.  I have to say that I thought myself capable of anything regardless of the shape that my body is in and to be truthful, I wasn't expecting much of any mountain if it is in New York (It's no Wasatch Mountain Range!), but those mountains kicked me pretty hard in the butt not to mention that they were beautiful and full of little critters that were so friendly they would come right up to you in order to chew through your bags of food.  We hiked about 18 miles total of which included a pretty nasty stretch up to what is called Pharoah Mountain. After we got home I slept in as long as I wanted and ate as many pop-tarts as my heart desired because well...I felt like I deserved it. Here are some picks from our trip.

Our campsite at Cranberry Lake where we spent the night before our hike (I look like an alien invader in this pic).

Our campsite came right up to the lake...it was awesome.

On our way to the hike.

As you can see...we didn't pack too well.  Luckily my man carried most of the weight because I realized right after I put my bag on how much of a wuss I really am.

One of the many lakes we passed on the hike...this one had a big rock in it.

The lean-to where we spent the night.

Here  I am...all excited to begin our stretch to the peak.

Here we are THINKING we made it to the top...

And...here I am...still climbing to get the top after we took that picture.

OK, finally at the top but a little too tired to really care.

The REAL top.

Aaaand the murky water we had to cross to get back the car...not home free QUITE yet.

Utah!!

Utah will probably always be home in my heart.  Here are some pics of some of the highlights of our trip to Utah this summer (in no particular order.)  We had a great time seeing my brother off for his mission to Guatemala and spending some time with Jake's family boating at Pineview.  I just want to thank both of our families for everything while we were in Utah.  We love and miss you and can't wait to see you again!

Buffalo Happenings-Art Festival and La Tee Da

Here are some pics of a few things that we have been up to lately in Buffalo.  We spent an afternoon at an art festival held in a historic district downtown.  Although it was an art festival I think we may have been more impressed with the food as that is primarily what we took pictures of.  I have to say that Buffalo festival fare is much different than what you will find in Utah...I couldn't find a corndog anywhere, however, I did see plenty of fried balogna which I tried for the first time.  I figure that either one of those things will kill you at a young age, so whatever...that's what festival food is really all about right?

The night before the art festival we tried a restaurant I have been wanting to go to for awhile...La Tee Da.  One great thing about restaurants in Buffalo in the summer is that they have some great patio dining.  One strange about this place though is that they had bubbles on our table...not quite sure what that was for other than my entertainment...

...the end of the Cassata cake filled with ricotta cheese.  Mmm...

Summer Nights and Ingrid Michaelson

Last night we went to a free concert downtown to see Ingrid Michaelson.  I think I MAY have enjoyed the concert a little bit more than Jake and that may or may not have anything to do with the fact that I sang along to just about every song.  She was great live and she looked fabulous too.  She did a cover of Brittany and the audience and myself went crazy!  Check it out.

Allegany State Park Weekend

Last weekend Jake and I went to Allegany Park for a little "camping" weekend getaway if you can call spending the night in a cabin camping.  The park was beautiful and we had a wonderful time going for a trail run and short hike while we were there.  We are excited to plan a trip there this winter to try out some cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on some of the trails!

Our home for two days

Some of the aftermath after the rain.

Memorial Weekend

Jake and I had a great memorial weekend.  We went to Beaver Island Beach and got some sun and to Letworth State Park the next day which is only about an hour and a half away from us.  The next day we got together with some friends for a BBQ and some s'mores around their firepit.  Why can't all weekends by like this?

Jake and I at the beginning of the trail ready for an outdoor adventure (finally!).  We were all geared up in our grungy hiking boots and camelpacks only to discover that a lot of the trail we were on was nicely paved, but we still had an awesome time.

Umm...so this is me reading my handy dandy guidebook.  Jake thinks it's funny that I enjoy guidebooks as much as I do.

Me on the bridge...still reading my guidebook.  We were a little confused where to go at the beginning of the trail.

Obviously we figured it out though.  Here is a view of one of the falls.

Jake and I at the top of a big railroad bridge.  I was a little freaked!

The "Grand Canyon of the East"