Rochester- Days 27-30

Day 27 (Thursday)

Lunch with Ms. K

 Today was the official start of working my way back to Washington. I left Wehle in the morning and had lunch in Syracuse with a former colleague, amazing friend and wonderful human- Ms. K We had lunch at The Retreat in Liverpool.  As I came in to town I was blown away by the new Amazon fulfillment center- it's massive.  So much has changed in Syracuse since I left 6 years ago.  There are some days I cannot believe it was that long ago, and others it feels so much longer.  

    

After lunch with Ms. K I made a stop at what use to be a favorite Winery- Montezuma.  But over the course of the las 6 years I've gone from liking wines with high residual sugar contents to wanting residual sugars between 1-3%- many of Montezuma's wines have over 6%- they are just too sweet for me now- so maybe it's good I'm on the west coast as many Finger Lakes wines are sweet.  I did pick up a bottle of Maple Liqueur- I know it sounds really sweet and crazy after the comment I just made, but its so good added to maple syrup- it really amps up the french toast or bread pudding game. 

After the vineyard I made my way on to Pittsford and my grandma's place.  I dropped off my things, changed and we left for dinner at Lento in Rochester with 2 of my cousins (H and A). They all had the steelhead- which looked amazing, but I decided for full on comfort food in the form on pillowy soft gnocchi.  They also have a great cocktail menu, we all got something different and on Tuesdays they have $1 Oysters if that's your thing (not mine). 

After dinner I was very tired, so we came home- I unloaded the dishwasher from grandma- She hurt her shoulder and is very limited in terms of movement right now- so I'm happy to help in return for the free place to stay and we headed to bed early. 

Day 28 (Friday)

Every day feels like the weekend when you are on the road this long - 4 weeks now.   So I find it's best if I write the day of the week next to the day I am posting about to keep myself focused 

I did not sleep well last night.  On the nights I sleep well I sleep all through the night, on the nights I don't I'm consistent in the lack of sleep- Usually get to sleep around 9:30- Up at 1:30, Up again at 4:30- at this point I'm usually just up and feel like I'm dragging most of the day, or until I can catch a nap (90 minutes at least) 

Lunch was at Genesee Brew House for a tasting flight and a Zweigles White Hot with Pepper and Onions.  The combination of the onions peppers and citrus beers unfortunately left me with heartburn and the feeling of getting old, but nothing is better than a White Hot in the summer in Upstate NY- maybe salt potatoes. 

White Hot and beer flight
Rochester, NY

After lunch I came back to grandma's to take a much needed nap, so that I could enjoy my cousins in the evening. 

Bath Bomb Beers at Fifth Frame
Rochester, NY

After my much needed nap (at least 90 minutes) I headed over to my cousin H's place.  She has a home that looks like a little English Cottage. The inside is perfect for her and very instagram worthy.  We went out for beers at Fifth Frame in Rochester.  I have gotten their Bath Bomb Fruit smoothie beers in my Tavour* box before and was excited to try more options.  I got 2 4oz pours of the 2 Bath Bombs that they had on Tap-  Guava Guava Raspberry and Pineapple Orange Banana.  I was able to get a 4 pack of the Guava to go- which is good because I have significantly depleted my 903 beers.  I'll only have 4 left to go home with me to Minnesota- Not planning for any to make it back to Washington- they've been really fun to share. 

Feeling just hungry enough for small plates we tried a few other venues before settling on Sheffield Tavern.  I got a can of an unfiltered Cider- that reminded me why I prefer unfiltered- so good (Downeast Cider) and the three of us split 3 apps.  The Corned Beef Poutine was really good- not Canadian good, but still tasty. 

We headed back to Holly's house after dinner and drinks and took Marley (the dog) for a walk before I headed home to grandma's. Tonight was a late one- not in bed until after 10:30- Wowza I've gotten old. 

Day 29 (Saturday) 

Lake Life & Hank Hugs

Holly's Parents- Deb and Steve have a place on one of the local finger lakes next to Deb's dad who I am happy to adopt as an additional grandparent.  Additionally we had Holly's do Marlee and the family dog Hank- who I love so much and really miss when I'm not in Rochester. So I was good to be able to get some Hank snuggles on this trip. 

Holly and I drove out Saturday by 1pm I had a drink in my hand and we enjoying lake life at it's finest -- Thanks and Shout out to uncle Steve for keeping the beer fridge stocked! 

Holly and I started a puzzle before going out on the boat for a lake tour- we should have done a better job covering it up as when we came back about 1/3 of the puzzle was missing--- the culprit---Hank the dog. 

Such is life.  We started a second puzzle on a higher table before dinner and quickly got the edges worked out.  A little before dinner our cousin A came to the lake to join us.  We had an AMAZING dinner- aunt Deb enjoys cooking for us, and we enjoy eating it!  Potatoes, onions and squash, grilled chicken, veggies and rice and local sweet corn. The corn wasn't Minnesota Sweet, but it was good. Tillamook Ice Cream for dessert was a little taste of home- Yummy! We finished up the puzzle before turning in for the night. 

I got another great night sleep.  With the exception of a lightning strike in the wee hours of the morning that was so bright it woke up the whole house, I slept wonderfully.  I love listening to the water hit the shore line while I sleep. Seriously something to aspire for. 

Day 30 (Sunday) Last day

After getting a wonderful night sleep I woke up around 8:30 to the offer of an amazing breakfast and Chai Tea the same way I make it - with a little milk/cream and honey.  Thank you again to aunt Deb. 

Breakfast was great- bacon, eggs toast, and more tea. 

Before the lake got too hoppin' for the day, Holly and I went out on the paddle boards.  I'll be honest, I'm not a great swimmer, so my biggest fear is always falling off and not being able to get back on.  But I am pleased to say, I fell off and was able to pull myself back on the board without issue.  I spent about 1/3 of the time standing, 1/3 sitting and 1/3 kneeling.  I felt most stable kneeling on the board.  It was a great work out for my whole body- hopefully it's something J and I can do together next summer in Washington. 

We relaxed inside for a bit and gave my aunt some make up tips and suggestions before taking a dip in the water.  It's cold as you enter, but feels refreshing quickly there after.  We stayed outside for about an hour- alternating between conversations and catching up with each other and throwing the ball to the dogs in the lake. 

We ate a large salad before packing up and heading out.  It was a great 24 hours at the lake with family that I love and I miss it already. 

Dinner: Pittsford Pub with grandma, uncle J and his with T. We had a few drinks and dinner and nice catch up conversation.  I had a Beef on Weck- another Upstate staple food- (A typical beef on weck is made from slow-roasted rare roast beef that is hand-carved in thin slices, served on a kummelweck roll topped with salt and caraway seeds.)

 Drinks with Cousin Z, his fiancée L and my cousin Holly at Lock 32 for a beer and conversation.  It's been so long since I've seen Z and L that it was just nice to have time to sit and catch up on some of the happenings of life and upcoming travel plans. Hopefully they can visit Seattle in the next few years- we'd love to have them. 

Off to bed- tomorrow I hit the road again. 

-C

* Use my referral code for Tavour to get $10 off your first box- 358560