July 24, 2015

Good Day Everyone and GREETINGS from Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire!

Today is Friday, making it FOODIE FRIDAY click HERE for the new feature!

I gotta tell you, I am coming off of such a HIGH from yesterday...

I had an absolutely AMAZING time at Ramblewild Tree to Tree Adventure Park!!!

And as they put it:
"Whether you’re a fitness buff who loves an outdoor workout, a tentative thrill-seeker looking for safe, revitalizing fun, or just someone eager to escape from the city to a new adventure, Ramblewild will put a smile on your face. Hardcore challenge achiever? We’ve got you covered, too."

I don't know in exactly which category I fall into, but what I do know is that I could do this everyday!

Both Elisa and I have a fun feature article review that we will be publishing in the weeks to come on all aspects, POVs, comparisions, and details of our visit - you are not gonna want to miss this one, so be sure and bookmark this page or subscribe (if you haven't already) and then look for the link in your email inbox!

Yesterday started out in Albany and as you know I am a real stickler for keeping schedules, so although we got to bed pretty late the night before, I was up and at 'em ready to head on out to take the kids to see the capital building, which is also a historic landmark! 

It was at this point that I received a text from Elisa informing me that her group had wanted to leave a bit later than planned, and that the girlies were so sleepy that they were practically crying. 
So at that I figured that I would just stay on schedule and leave with Dominic & Cosette, and plan on meeting them at the park.

We loaded up, checked out and headed on over to Capital Hill. Upon arriving we saw the very striking and might I add HUGE capital building, we parked, got out and had to take a looksie around...

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: NEW HAMPSHIRE

What an AMAZING day!!!!!

After checking out the exterior, the surrounding buildings, we went inside to descend the famous Great Western Staircase, better known as the Million Dollar Staircase...

It took an unheard of 14 years to construct, from 1883-1897 and cost, more than one million dollars.  The staircase contains 444 steps and reaches 119 feet high, is renowned as an outstanding example of American architectural stone carving excellence.

And although I could've spent more time there it was time to get back on the road and meet Elisa and gang at Ramblewild.

We got over to Ramblewild in good time, and were only about 10 minutes behind Elisa.

I couldn't wait! This was definitely the one thing on this entire trip that I was looking most forward to!

After doing the safety review, gearing up, and practicing on "ground school" it was time to hit the trees and I could barely contain my excitement!

With 8 different courses being rated similar to ski trails, they offered 2 yellow, 2 green, 2 blue, 1 black, and one double black (for 16yrs and over ONLY)!

Since we had a few newbies with us, we chose to start off on a yellow course. It was me and the four kiddies, and then Elisa and Tedd went to do a separate yellow course on their own.

All four kids were doing AWESOME and we were having so much FUN!

Gianna maneuvering the obstacle

And once I arrived at the zip line and although we were only on a yellow course I saw the drop and immediately thought about Tedd and his fear of heights, and how I thought this might be a problem...
Have you know that I was quite shocked that he even agreed to do any of this, as I imagined he would've just watched us from down below.

But next thing ya know, we heard him as he was going across the zip line and seemed to be doing quite well! KUDOS to him for going beyond his comfort zone!

From obstacle to obstacle we all continued having a good time. And then all of a sudden I saw the ground crew urgently heading over with ladders to the other yellow course - where Tedd and Elisa were!!

They were done - finished - over it!

As we began joking from our trees to theirs, I thought that perhaps it was only Tedd who had enough. He was "so done!" But then I realized that Elisa was also throwing in the towel! 

The whole situation had reminded us of cats being rescued out of a tree by the fire department!

I was so glad that the girls weren't as fearful as their parents. I had even joked around that they must've adopted these brave little cousins of mine!

But in all actuality it was Tedd and Elisa who had instilled the girls the confidence to do such things and not to be scared! 

The rescue!!!

Elisa carefully coming down the ladder.

However I could see it in both Kelsey and Gianna's eyes as they watched their parents both call it a day and need to be "rescued" from the platform in the tree that it made an impact, and that they too could not go any further. 
I know that in their hearts that they wanted to be up there with Dominic, Cosette, and me, but after knowing that their mom and dad got scared - it kinda freaked them out, and they wanted down too. 

Gianna was trying her best to push through and go on, but a few of the elements had freaked her out and she was mature enough to know that it just wasn't the right time to complete the course. 

I really hope that in the future both of these girls are interested enough to come and join us in other adventure in the trees!

The girls wanted down.

But for the time being it was just gonna be the three of us "die hards"!
 
We said our "Good Byes" from the trees and Elisa and her gang had left and were on their way back home!

Our group of 7 is now a group of 3!

Once we had completed the easy yellow course, we were ready to move up in ranks and do a green course. The obstacles got higher, wobblier and more difficult, which if you ask me meant more fun!

My Rockstar!

My Superhero!

Selfies in a tree!

I LOVE this place!

But once we reached the very last element on the course we chose it was enough to freak anyone out (I had done a similar element in Switzerland, and it took me forever to overcome my fear and JUST DO IT). 
And it was after this point that Cosette decided that she did not want to move up in ranks and do a "blue" course (which would be even more difficult), so she opted to watch us from the ground and watch several other people all freak out an "THE" last obstacle we had all just conquered!  

At this point the battery in my camera had died and it was just Dominic and me making our way through the course (with Cosette following us at ground level).
On this course there were even a few elements that Dominic had a tough time getting past, but he pushed through and successfully completed! 

I had used knowledge from Rock Climbing that I had shared with the kiddos as to what to do to maintain balance in certain situations, but I don't think that Dominic was focusing on my tips and pointers while he was on the element that he "HATED". 
And although it was a very difficult element, I had made it through with no issues - other than my freakin' wonky knees wanting to totally give out on me - which would not have been good - (past knee injuries - torn MCL on one and torn ACL on the other). 

By the time we had completed the blue course our timed ticket was up. BOO
I so wished that it was an all-day ticket. 
But I can understand that there would probably be a much higher risk at having people out there climbing for more than 3 hours.

Anyhow, although I wanted to do more, play more, and have more fun, I knew that my body needed at least a short break - as we did not take any breaks in between any of the courses that we did.

I seriously wish I had this park in my backyard!!

So back to the lodge, and then on our way we went...

*JSYK (just so you know) we definitely want to and need to return to this AWESOME park...
I'm thinking that next time we'll spend a weekend up there playing around!

All done for the day,

I still had over 3 hours of driving to do before we would arrive at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

Streets of Vermont

I'm always tiring these kids out!!!

Driving through Vermont

Giant Chair

Once we got here, we reunited with my dad and grandma, told stories about our wonderful day, took a nice beach stroll, had dinner, and played Apples for Apples for hours!!! 
Cosette was victorious in our extended game! 
Then it was finally bedtime!

Today will be spent at the lake, and then later tonight we'll be heading to my cousins house in Bedford, NH.

As usual, I'll let you know how it all goes today in tomorrows SCOOP!

Catch ya on the flip side,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: SEPTEMBER 

Home Sweet Home

Hello there!! GREETINGS from Long Island!
Yes, that's right, I'm back home today.

Well, it's Friday again and Tanya is going to be bringing us a great Foodie Friday Feature today.

I need to apologize folks -- I was REALLY remiss in posting my Foodie Friday feature last Friday.  I had all good intentions - working on it a little each day vowing to complete it each evening.

Then I'd be so wiped from the Niagara-Toronto Road trip by the time I finished dinner and got my Daily Scoop done, I just didn't have the energy to work on my article about Kidó in Prague.

So, please accept my apologies.  I will tell you that it is currently 100% complete, so I'll be posting it for next Friday for your reading enjoyment!!

So, moving onward, let me tell you about yesterday and our trip to Ramblewild Tree to Tree Adventure Park.  

Let me preface this with a very important fact...this Travelin' Cousin is not as outdoorsy as her partner in travel crime.  

Additionally, while Tanya was a real tom-boy, sportsy type growing up, this cousin was doing dance, playing piano and  doing artsy things - most of which were indoors. 

So, going to an adventure park like Ramblewild was a reach for Elisa, but I'm also open to trying things, so I was very enthusiastic about our visit!

I will say, since this kind of thing was new to me, I had a different idea of what we were in for.  I had more of an obstacle course type park in mind.  Why? I don't know. The name of this park (Ramblewild "Tree to Tree" Adventure Park) sort of gives one a good indication of what it's about.

In any case, I will tell you -- I am SO HAPPY I didn't know what to expect because I kind of just went with it...to a point. lol - but read on.

The staff was amazing - both in the office and in the field!  And the grounds were immaculate and impeccably kept!

We were told to leave phones and cameras and any other belongings that could drop back at our cars, so that's exactly what I did.  I didn't want to take a chance with my camera, though I did feel naked without it, unable to take photos of our adventure.

A short 5 minute hike up the hill and we arrived at Ground School getting suited up and learn the basics of how the equipment works to do our  "tree to tree" obstacle courses.

Now, at this point, I was SUPER PSYCHED for zip lining!  Always wanted to do this.  After a quick practice, (which by the way Kelsey and Gianna did amazing!!), we were off to the courses.

I sort of knew as soon as I saw the courses that this was not my thing.  Just not a strong interest.  Now, in spite of this, I was excited to try it, but in my gut, I knew, this was not the kind of thing that floats my boat.

For the sake of the girls, I was being enthusiastic and so thrilled to see they were gung ho and moving full speed ahead.  

Now, at this point, I was fine - getting up the ladder to the top of the tree platform...as I was about to step off to walk across the start of the course, I got a glimpse down - maybe 50 feet - and I just couldn't do the walk.  It's like knowing i had to look down to see where my feet were going next, I'd be seeing below me and I couldn't get past it.  

I then, decided to go the opposite way on a "course" that had a netted bottom and made my way across to where the zip line was.  Now, that I totally enjoyed!!!  For some reason the height didn't bother me when being whisked across the cable.

When I got to the other side, I didn't quite grab on ok and I floated back into the middle of the cable and had to be pulled across to the platform by the ground crew with a rope.  It was pretty funny, but just dangling in the middle of the cable, I found very cool.

So, once on the other side, I saw the rest of the course, and just knew this was not for me.  I know Tanya said I was "fearful" on her side - it just was not something that held my interest enough to keep going. (Canyon Ranch Spa up the road would have kept my interest for many hours lol)  


I'm glad I tried - I would zip line in an instant and I'm happy I tried it and learned how to use this amazing harness equipment.

The girls had some issues of their own, after doing an amazing job through the course thus far.  Gianna slipped walking across one of the courses and it just gave her a little scare that she didn't have the gumption to go on.  I think the fact that Tedd and I decided to call it quits, made her less inhibited to say she wanted to stop. Kelsey, once seeing her sister stop, followed suit.

What I can say is that different strokes for different folks.  The important thing for me is that you try something that gets you out of your comfort zone. 

But, I'm always true to myself and what turns me on. My kids made me totally proud!! 


While this is not my thing,  I cannot say enough good things about Ramblewild.  If you are into this kind of adventure, this place is the place to go!!!

Thanks to Katie at Ramblewild for inviting us!!! 

Backtracking in the day, my gang was supposed to meet Tanya and the kids at the NY State Capital but we were moving a little slow so we passed on meeting up at the Capitol and we just opted to go straight to Langsborough, Massachusetts to the Adventure park and meet up there.

I will take my kids there another time, as I visited years ago and even spent time at the Governor's Mansion for long weekends, when my high school friend's father was Governor (Mario Cuomo) back in the 80's. 

Please read Tanya's side for the fun time that she, Cosette and Dominic had at the state capital and her low-down on Ramblewild.  

Tanya brought her camera so she captured some great photos up in the trees!!!

I arrived home back to Long Island at around 5pm yesterday and proceeded to do laundry, straighten my house, go through mail and re-pack for the week ahead when we'll be spending intermittent time out east in Remsenburg.

The kids will be heading out early this afternoon with Tedd and I'll catch up with them later this evening as I have a bunch of errands and pampering to do back here in Nassau County.

Here's to an enjoyable, relaxing weekend!!

-E
xoxo

At Ramblewild Tree to Tree Adventure Park - ready to do some obstacle courses and zip lining!!