September 7, 2016 - W2GW - Long Island Bicycle Tours AND Fun things to do in September in SoCal

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Long Island Bike Tours & Rentals

Happy Hump Day.
Boy, this week is moving right along.  Second day of school, went off without a hitch!

Today, I decided to make Lemon Chicken, since I'm trying to embrace the healthiness of this citrus fruit in my daily life!!

It's a really easy recipe - fry up chicken cutlets (with egg & bread crumbs); transfer to a baking pan; mix white wine, chicken broth and the juice of one lemon and pour over the chicken; cover with lemon slices and parsley and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Voila

Lemon Chicken (credit:kraftrecipes.com)

Moving right along...
With today being W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday), and in light of Tanya just returning from her Magical Anniversary Trip, part of which consisted of biking through Scotland, it got me thinking about local biking right here on Long Island!

Whether you live here on Long Island and are thinking of new and fun things to do right in your own backyard, or you are visiting, or if you live within the Tri-state area, Long Island has some of the nicest bikeways and biking tours.

New York Bike Tours, based in Melville, Long Island, is one such company that offers a variety of bike tours to some iconic Long Island destinations.

Their most popular trip is an off the beaten path look at the scenic North Fork. This casual bike tour   led by knowledgeable, local Tour Guides escorts riders through Long Island Wine Country.

Pedaling along scenic roads at a leisurely pace, the tour includes stops at three boutique wine tasting rooms along the way.

Food is also part of the tour package. Fresh Cheese / Fruit & Cracker platters. (Served at first winery); Gourmet fresh picnic lunch on the vineyard grounds. (Served at second winery); Fresh fruit & desert platters, and unlimited cold water & drinks along the tour.

Services available are vehicle support for wine purchase pick-ups as well as roadside assistance.

Guests can book according to existing tour dates or with groups of six or more, schedule private tours. 
The cost is $145 per person. 

(Credit: longislandbicycletours.com)

If you are not into the touring scene, you can just rent bikes and ride along some of Long Island's best Bikeways!

Bethpage Bikeway (credit:www.alltrails.com)

Bethpage Bikeway rentals takes riders through the Massapequa Preserve - 423 acres of woodlands, ponds, lakes, freshwater wet-lands, and home to hundreds of species of plants and animals;  Bethpage State Park and Trailview State Park.

Jones Beach Bikeway (credit:www.alltrails.com)

​Jones Beach Bikeway rentals offers a pedaling adventure along a traffic free, scenic coastal drive. The Bikeway is a wide, paved surface that meanders for up to 10 miles through a variety of coastal environments with great views of the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean along Long Island’s southern shore.
 
Check their website for more information.
​
Long Island Bicycle Tours
Phone: 631-824-3360
Email: [email protected]
www.longislandbicycletours.com 

Cousins Niagara & Toronto Road Trip - at Roger's Stadium at Toronto Blue Jays Game (c)travelincousins.com CLICK PHOTO TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS TRIP!

I just think this would be an amazing way to spend a beautiful Fall day!!

You know, it's local "to do's" like this that makes me so sad that Tanya and I do not live closer to one another (insert sad face).

My FAM is not the most adventurous or outdoorsy bunch, but Tanya is full of the adventurous spirit so I miss not having my baby cuz close for these kinds of excursions!  Just knowing we could do some impromptu local things together would truly be a joy.

Well, thank goodness, we are going to have a few days together next month as both of our gangs head for a little family reunion and October birthday celebration in Disney World. (Who's birthday? well, both me and Tanya's sweet little Cosette will be celebrating!)

Last Cousins Road Trip to Niagara Falls & Toronto on the Maid of the Mist (c)travelincousins.com

Niagara Falls (c)travelincousins.com)

SOAKED! (c)travelincousins.com

The last time we were all together was on our Cousins Road Trip to Niagara & Toronto last summer (July 2015)

Spending the day on Centre Island, Toronto, Canada (c)travelincousins.com

The view from the Ferry towards Centre Island (c)travelincousins.com

Skyline of Toronto from Ferry (c)travelincousins.com

At White Meadow Maple Syrup Farms in Catharine, Canada (c)travelincousins.com

And just to end my blog today...Do you know the expression "to tell people or someone where to go"?  Weeelllll...

As I'm approaching the year mark of having separated, I'm reminded of the pain and heartache I experienced this past year - not necessarily from my divorce, which is never easy - but from all the so-called friends who turned out to be nothing of the sort.

A year later, I'm wiser, happier, calmer and leading a whole new life, without quite a number of these "so-called" friends in my life.

I want to send a special shout out to these individuals and thank them.  For, if you hadn't shown your true colors when you did, I might still be walking around thinking you actually cared about me, my kids and my well-being.  

I'd like to tell you all "where to go" but I'll leave you with this quote below, which I think says it all...

Oh and on the flip side, thanks to all those who have been my strength, inspiration and support!
I love you all more than you will ever know!! 
​
Toodles,
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 17 DAYS

New pics from Scotland posted!

Well well well it's already Wednesday.
​
And to think that just last Wednesday I was pedaling over the Clisham Pass on the Isle of Harris & Lewis - the highest mountain range in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. 

The views were just outstanding.

(c)travelincousins.com

And due to the ever so poor internet connections I was unable to post ANY pictures from that day.

I'll be correcting that issue and there will be pictures posted from that oh so windy and adventurous day.
 
I figure that I'll share a few shots with you here and give you this link to remind you of my thoughts and to see the rest of the pictures from cycling day #3. 

(c)travelincousins.com

(c)travelincousins.com

(c)travelincousins.com

(c)travelincousins.com

​​Wow what a difference a week makes!

I was glad to get back into the gym yesterday and managed to fill the fridge and cabinets back up. Dominic got back to his night classes, and the search for Dave C's birth certificate continued.

So many more trips on the horizon that my mind and thoughts are bouncing around in my head like a pinball. 

However on the note of W2GW (Where to Go Wednesday) I was thinking about what might be going on, and first and foremost I have to share with you the Los Angeles County Fair. Of which the kiddos will be performing at on this coming Sunday!

Los Angeles County Fair

Summer in Los Angeles may be officially over come September, but the fun has just begun for LA County Fair-goers. Every year, thousands of people make the trip to the Fairplex in Pomona to eat fried foods, take a plunge on a roller coaster and maybe win a prize at one of the many game booths. But there are more attractions at the fair than just the food and rides.

WHERE:
Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA

This year's fair will see some new attractions, including Jurassic Planet, featuring 25 life-sized dinosaurs; Our Body: The Universe Within, an exhibition of 200 preserved human specimens; the Igloo, an arcitic village with an ice ring and sled run, plus an after-hours dance party with occasional snow storms; and Watercolors: the Art of Flowers, which features recreations of famous paintings, dramatic settings and classes taught by floral experts.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Dachshund Weiner Dog Races

The Wiener Dog Races are always one of the most popular attractions at Old World. Races are usually held once a month. But during Oktoberfest you'll enjoy the "Running of the Wieners" every Sunday between 3-4pm.

WHERE: 
7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Every Sunday!!! Wow!
Oh my gosh - this sounds like so much fun, but this Sunday it conflicts with the fair for us. 

During Oktoberfest the Dachshund races are held every Sunday from 3pm-4pm starting September 11 through October 30, 2016.

I'm gonna try not to miss their final day celebration on October 30th, 2016, when they hold their Doggy Dress Up & Kid Costume Party to celebrate Halloweiner. 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Tall Ships Festival

Photo Credit: danapointchamber.com

In celebration of California’s rich maritime history, the Ocean Institute annually hosts a fleet of historic tall ships that sail into Dana Point Harbor.  This extraordinary event takes place each year the second weekend in September.  History comes alive, as crews  from each ship, along with historical reenactors, engage the public in cannon battles, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters , ship tours, and much more.

WHERE:
Dana Point Harbor / Ocean Institute
Shuttle service from Salt Creek Beach Park at Pacific Coast Highway and Selva Road & from Dana Hills High School)

The festival features a spectacular array of family-fun activities including live music, art shows and a variety of tasty food. Interactive living-history encampments including blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists, and the infamous Port Royal Privateers are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages and are not to be missed. Additionally, you can explore the historic tallships and listen to the crew share tails of adventure and life at sea.
​CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Each of these events sure seem like fun and this year at there is even some vegan food at the fair - so that makes it all that much more enticing for us!

I just hope that it's not too hot out on Sunday - as just about each and very year it seems like the our day at the fair is one of the hottest days of the summer! A couple of years ago we were suffering in temps that were ranging around 112F - No Fun.

Be sure that you take a peak at Elisa's column and check out all of the fun bikes rides that Long Island has to offer, as well as all of the fun photos that she's shared with us today! Great memories.

We can't wait until we get to hang out and travel together once again. Counting down the days...

As far as today goes for us, there is nothing too special going on over here. I'll be heading to the gym just as soon as I stop typing away. 

Still need to finish unpacking and doing laundry though - it's a rather large task I have over here.
And Dominic has another class later tonight. 

Any free time I'm sure will be spent on travel plans!

See ya back here tomorrow,
-T