Ithaca, NY

Ithaca, NY.  We went to Ithaca, NY in September 2012.  We went cabin camping in Robert H. Treman State Park. The reason we came up was to hike, so while we didn't get to see the town much, we thouroughly explored and enjoyed the wonderful park that we were in. We only had two days to stay there, during a long weekend. This place was amazing, and hard to believe, until you see it with your own eyes.  While NJ, NY and PA offer many beautiful places to visit and see, I honestly didn't expect something like this so close to where we live.  It is breathtaking!

We got there by about 3 in the afternoon. The cabin wasn't ready yet, so instead we went to the swimming area. It's right under a waterfall, and the water was cold, about 60 F. It was the last day to swim. Despite the cold, it was an amazing place to swim. The water was so clean, and just beautiful.

The cabins were simple, just 4 beds and a small fridge. It was raining, but that never stops us from enjoying things. There was a playground nearby with a good old fashioned seesaw. The kids had a blast on it, with the two of them on one end and me on the other. I am surprised that thing didn't break under our combined weight. We took a few small hikes around the swimming area with our umbrella and a rain jacket, it was lovely. We had a nice fire going outside. The kids roasted hot dogs on long forks. It was a nice evening. Right before bed time we were visited by a skunk. Everyone stayed really quiet, and then slowly moved into the cabin for night time. No one got sprayed.

 

The night was tough. I think a combination of an unfamiliar place during the night, plus the excitement and how tired we were from the ride. The kids had a hard time falling asleep, but once they did they slept the night through more or less. My husband and I couldn't fall asleep, and then couldn't stay asleep. I think we sleep better in a tent as a rule.

 

 

In the morning we woke up, and since it was not raining we decided on making the hike we came there to do right away. We didn't have much breakfast, but packed a few sandwiches, cereal bars, and water, just in case.
We set out on the Rim Trail. It goes all along the rim of the cliff, hence the name. It opens up some really beautiful views onto the waterfalls below:

The Rim Trail goes all uphill for the most part. About a half way through we came to a small detour toward this lovely little waterfall, where we were able to cool off, and rest:

We headed back to the trail. From there on it was all the way up. It was green, the air was amazing. At some point we came to a staircase. It is called the 'Cliff Staircase'. We almost turned around because of how daunting they looked. I am really glad we decided to keep going. Many amazingly beautiful steps:

On the top of the stairs there were some unbelievable views onto the Lucifer Falls and the gorge below.

The rest of the Rim trail went a bit downhill, and was easier. Finally we came to an old mill, there were bathrooms and a parking lot. It's the Upper Park of the state park. Behind the mill there was a small waterfall. I had a calendar as a kid with the picture of that waterfall on it. I always felt like the pictures on the calendars were in far off, unattainable places.

 

We crossed the lot, went across a bridge, passed the camping/cabins area and got on the Gorge Trail. The vista that opened up was beyond anything that I have ever seen. The trail was going on the side of a cliff, with a bridge over the falls, and then more cliff trail. Again really high, and the water was amazingly clear.

The treck was long and with two kids it was not easy, but worth every step of the way!  I hope to come back there again soon!

Stony Hill Farm Corn Maze.

We went to Stony Hill Farm and Market to their 10 acre corn maze in Chester, NJ. It was great. We got lost in the yellow part and kept walking in circles. I had a bit of claustrophobia. Corn was everywhere.  We came out eventually, giggling wildly and happy to be out. 

They also had a miner maze for the kids. We got 4 bags of dirt with gem stones and spend some time sifting it, while having coffee and apple cider. It was fun for all of us. We even brought a bag of dirt home for grandpa to sift through.

They have a few other activities and mazes.  You can see them on their website here: http://www.stonyhillgardens.com/

It is a great place to go on a sunny fall day!  We were there on a week day.  I am pretty sure on a weekend it is way more busy.  I like the empty field all to ourselves though!

Liberty Hall Museum in Kean University

"Built in 1772 and home to generations of Livingstons and Keans, Liberty Hall traces the history of America through its 50 rooms and exhibits."-- retrieved on 2/21/2013, from http://www.kean.edu/libertyhall/photogallery/

Even though fall is a busy time for us with learning, and regular activities like art and soccer, we did squeeze in a trip to the Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University. We were very pleasantly surprised at how much fun the trip turned out to be. My boys are usually boisterous and like to run around a lot, so a structured lecture about American History, no matter how interesting the setting, is usually not something up their alley. This was a complete break from the norm for us.

Let's begin with the fact that it was free with a library pass for us and our friends. The tour started with a short video about Livingstons and Keans. After the video we went ahead to the rest of the property. We had a private tour because we were the only ones there. Our guide was an elderly history buff who was wonderful and serious, and kid friendly at the same time. They have a great collection of old and completely restored fire engines, including one that kids could climb on, we especially enjoyed that one. The gardens were beautiful, complete with small paths for kids to run on and release some of that energy, and wonderful flowers. They also had apple orchard there and a small operational farm. Very unexpected so close to NYC. We were offered to go apple picking after the tour, but couldn't this time. Next time we will give it a try.

The house was most definitely haunted, which the kids enjoyed a lot. It difficult to wrap your mind around how much this house has seen. It is soaked with history and energy that makes it seem alive. It is very carefully preserved and there are no photos allowed on the inside. All the furnishings, the dishes, the clothing, the toys, it all speaks of how people lived during their time. The kids especially noticed that humans, in general, were much smaller back then, based on sizes of beds. The kitchen is completely preserved as it was and wonderful to see. There are so many portraits of previous owners that look at you as much as you look at them. There is also a famous ghost story associated with the house that you'll just have to hear from the guide!

It was an educational, American History close up kind of experience. I highly recommend it. We all took the time to soak it all in, and enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

After the tour was done, we spend quite a bit in the gift shop on the replicas of the Constitution, Bill Of Rights, and Declaration Of Independence.

Here is the website of the museum with information: http://www.kean.edu/libertyhall/
On this site you will find a photogallery of the inside of the house: http://www.kean.edu/libertyhall/photogallery/

Of course a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are just a few below that I took that day.

Duke Farms in NJ

We finally made it there after the renovations!  It used to be guided tours in the green houses. That was a beautiful place to go, especially in the middle of February, when you walk inside and smell summer in the middle of winter. Now they remade the place, and you can go hiking through the grounds. It is also beautiful.  I think I like it better now, mostly because it is outdoors and unguided!  They kept an orchid green house open for visitors. It is a great place to visit.

We went on a four hour hike through the grounds on a nice September day.  It was not too hot, but not cold yet, just perfect weather.  What a lovely place.  So many wonders to see.  I took over a 100 photographs that day.  After the hike we were pretty hungry,  the visitor center has a good menu of light foods, sandwiches and salads type.  We wound up having lunch right there.

They also have a bike rental, where you can borrow a bike for free!!! You have to be over 60 inches tall though.  We have our bikes that we love to ride, and this place inspired us to get a bike rack and come on our bikes. A lot of ground to cover. We did it on foot, and it took a good 4 hours, hoping that on bikes it will be faster and fun.  Another plus is no cars, and I will feel a lot better about my wild 11 year old on the bike there.

Oh, and one of the days when my boys are all grown up I am coming back with a canvas and paint, and spending the day with my hubby painting there.

The place also offers a whole bunch of classes and workshops.  Here is their site: http://dukefarms.org/

Doris Duke also has an interesting biography, which the big kid and I spend the night reading. Certainly shows that money doesn't buy happiness.