Tanya's Daily Scoop
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Elisa's Daily Scoop
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TRAVELIN' COUSINS BLOG HAS BEEN RANKED #7 IN
BRAND BALLOT'S TOP 100 MOM BLOGS FOR 2018!!
BRAND BALLOT'S TOP 100 MOM BLOGS FOR 2018!!
Sandy Ridge Trail System in Oregon
Hello everyone!
Sorry to kinda be MIA somewhat this week. As you know, I was up in Oregon on a mountain biking trip. Well, I made it back safe and sound... However on our last day there, I actually took a tumble. OUCH! Luckily I have a hard head because I slammed into a rock chin first! There was no blood and guts, but I was a bit banged and bruised up. Here are a few pictures from that Sandy Ridge ride: (which btw accident or not still happens to be my favorite trail system) 
Ready to ride (c)travelincousins.com
Trail system map (c)travelincousins.com
Description of the trails (c)travelincousins.com
Where to go (c)travelincousins.com
So beautiful (c)travelincousins.com
Trail simplicity (c)travelincousins.com
A little bit of attitude (c)travelincousins.com
Amazing views (c)travelincousins.com
Looking at the view (c)travelincousins.com
Colorful socks and shoes (c)travelincousins.com
Time for a much needed break (c)travelincousins.com
Trail (c)travelincousins.com
Wild Berries (c)travelincousins.com
Stopping for a picture (c)travelincousins.com
Ready to rock and roll (c)travelincousins.com
There ya have some views from my day.
I'll be sharing more from the rest of my Oregon trip, so stay tuned. For now, I'm gonna watch the New York Yankees play the Los Angeles Dodgers - and hopefully win!! Ciao 4 Now, -Travelin' Tanya |
Gamelan Dharma Swara at Wave Hill, 10 Historic Bronx Destinations and Cauliflower Tikka Masala
HAPPY FRIDAY!!
Hope you are doing wonderful! Today is Kelsey's last day of her summer Catholic high school entrance exam prep course and I'm pretty sure she is glad to have it end. This morning, my fur bestie, Punkin rode shotgun after we dropped off Kelsey. Together, we went through the Starbucks drive thru and headed back home. 
Punkin riding shotgun after dropping off Kelsey at her high school entrance exam prep class (c) travelincousins.com
Let me tell you about my night at Wave Hill!
My first visit yesterday evening to this absolutely gorgeous Bronx public gardens was truly breathtaking. Although the foremost reason for our visit was to spend the evening in the Aquatic Garden within this 28 acre venue for their weeklyTwilight in the Garden, Gianna and I were mesmerized by the beauty of our surroundings upon entering. We could not help but take our time strolling and stopping for photos along the way to the Aquatic Garden where the evening's events were taking place. 
The onsite parking facility was closed due to construction, so all visitors were directed to temporary off-site parking down the road. Fortunately, there were complementary shuttle buses provided for guests as to avoid the hilly six minute walk.
As I mentioned, this was my first visit to this garden oasis located in the Riverdale section of The Bronx. Although the estate had been either owned or leased to a number of notable people since the original Wave Hill House, a gray fieldstone mansion was built in 1843 by lawyer William Lewis Morris, it was bought in 1903 by George Walbridge Perkins, a partner of J. P. Morgan, along with adjacent property. The estate stayed in the Perkins-Freeman family until 1960, when it was deeded to the City of New York. As of 1983, the estate was added to the roster of the National Register of Historic Places and its no wonder why. This place is absolutely gorgeous and quite an oasis in the middle of an otherwise urban setting. 
Wave Hill House in the distance (c) travelincousins.com
(c) travelincousins.com
Although I was blown away by the beauty and tranquility of this place, it was everything and more than I had expected. However, I was pleasantly surprised at Gianna's reaction to its beauty!
She was so eager to take photos and pose with the backdrop of flowers and the view of the Hudson River in the background. Between the map, signage throughout and a very navigable layout, we made our way around with ease and found ourselves stopping to admire the beautifully designed plantings as we traversed the grounds. Our goal was the Aquatic Garden for the evening's Twilight in the Garden event featuring Sonic Experience-Gamelan Dharma Swara. The ensemble 
Loving the gorgeous view of the Hudson and Palisades (c) travelincousins.com
(c) travelincousins.com
Strolling the gardens (c) travelincousins.com
Beautiful views (c) travelincousins.com
The sun setting over the Hudson (c) travelincousins.com
Perkins Visitor Center & Shop (c) travelincousins.com
Gianna amidst the beautiful foliage (c) travelincousins.com
(c) travelincousins.com
The main reason for our visit was to see the beauty of Wave Hill in the late afternoon/evening and to enjoy their Twilight in the Garden featuring Gamelan Dharma Swara.
Dharma Swara is a 25-person ensemble was founded in 1989 and is one of the leading Balinese gamelan and dance ensembles in the United States. founded in 1989, Dharma Swara is one of the leading Balinese gamelan and dance ensembles in the United States, After a rather leisurely stroll through the grounds and stopping to take numerous photos, we arrived about five minutes into the performance. Set in the lovely Aquatic Garden, visitors were comfortably seated around the performers, forming a circle of onlookers both on the cool summer grass and on adjacent benches which surrounded the performance area. Gianna and I walked around, garnering numerous views, as we felt like we had been transformed to Bali with the soft, mesmerizing music that filled the air. 
Gamelan Dharma Swara performers featured in the middle of the Aquatic Garden at Wave Hill. (c) travelincousins.com
 Musical instruments (c) travelincousins.com
With the sounds of the enchanting music, we watched most of the show, but left the area a few minutes prior to its completion to continue investigating the Wave Hill grounds.
There is really just too much to take in and to fully enjoy at this spectacular place that one must visit often and spent several hours roaming about each time. Me and my girl did managed to visit the Cafe and snag a few iced teas. In a few words, this visit was both enchanting and relaxing. We will be returning for sure in the Fall. And while I was worried about whether my 15-year old would find the outing enjoyable, I was pleasantly surprised at her excited reaction from beginning to end about how beautiful it was!! The musical performance was not necessarily her thing, but she did take it in and was open to the experience. 
(c) travelincousins.com
Absolutely unique looking flowers (c) travelincousins.com
So lush - everywhere you walk (c) travelincousins.com
(c) travelincousins.com
(c) travelincousins.com
I've already added Fall Birding at Wave Hill on September 8th (Saturday) to my calendar!
Another Friday and Another article about The Bronx, which I hope you will completely enjoy... 
(c) travelincousins
10 Bronx Destinations on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Most people traveling to New York City, are unaware of the historic gems that lie a short distance north of Manhattan. The Bronx, home to the world renowned major league baseball champs, The NY Yankees, is one of the most underrated Big Apple boroughs, and much more than Yankee Stadium...Whether you’re driving through or taking a short subway ride, you will be enamored by these 10 Bronx Destinations on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. read more... 
(photo credit: eatingwell.com )
With all the blogging today, don't think that I have forgotten that it happens to be Foodie Friday and I have my weekly vegan recipe for you.
This week it's Cauliflower Tikka Masala, compliments of EatingWell.com. What I like about this recipe is that its really flavorful and different from the normal preparations of cauliflower. It's also super quick and easy to prepare! Ingredients
Instructions
Well, I'm off - have a great one!! -Travelin' Elisa xoxo |
