We are slowly settling into a new fall rhythm.  Jay is still traversing multiple time zones per week and racking up air miles like it is a business, but as for me I am transitioning into a steady pace of life and loving it.  So as we ease into autumn it has me reflecting on the truly spectacular summer we had.  On top of graduating grad school, landing a brand new (amazing) career and celebrating five years of marriage, we got out of the city to explore the greatness that sounds us as much as possible.  A dear friend, Pat, mused that Jameson and I have left no stone unturned in our first year in New York.  This summer that especially rings true.   This summer alone has led us through eight different states.  Here is the short list of some of our favorite getaways, and some of the highlights of each adventure.

1. Upstate Camping

This trip was spurred by Jay competing at Wodfest in the Wild, where he and his team were amazing (all bias aside).  We decided we needed to take the opportunity to savour some wilderness and soak in the fresh air, so we decided to spend the weekend camping in the Upper Delaware River national park.  Since we are New York transplants all our camping gear is tucked into storage back home, so instead of tent camping we found Rockview Valley Campgrounds, where we could rent small, minimal wooden cabins. The staff was so kind, and they and their site have  our glowing recommendation.  So after the days events we tucked into our cabin and roasted marshmallows over a fire (that we started on our own thank you very much! Even though the locals avidly voiced the skepticism about our outdoors-y prowess).

2. Boston

We managed to fit in a number of Boston trips this summer.  You may recall from last winter just how much Jameson and I love Boston.  We managed to wrangle a stop on our Northeast Road trip, as well as a few tag alongs during Jay’s business trips.  Each and every foray into Boston always calls for a stop at BoLoCo for Chiptole-eque bowls and L.A. Burdick for the most decedent iced mochas crafted from real french chocolate.   We tried our hardest to nab a burger at Mr. Bartley’s again, except they are sadly closed Sundays.

3. Maine

Our exploration was one of the highlights of our entire summer.  Mostly because of the people we shared our time with, but also because it looks and feels so much like the Pacific Northwest.  We ventured on a week long Northeast road trip where we wound up in Bar Harbor, Maine.  It is an adorable little seaside town with great beaches, fresh lobster and marvelous hiking.  We also loved our stop in Portland, Maine with its abundance of coast line and avid joggers. Check out an in depth, detailed account of all the best aspects of Maine in our previous post.  For now I will just leave you with the those few tidbits of places we enjoyed.

4. The Hamptons

The Hamptons are gorgeous.  We explored both Southampton and Easthampton but spent most of our time in Montauk.  The beach was incredible, with water bluer than I had yet to experience in North America.  Red Hook Lobster had great seafood chowder, and Naturally Good Food had great smoothies and beach snacks.  As you can tell all we really did was eat and lay on the beach.

5. Providence, Rhode Island

We LOVE Providence. There is something about idyllic, small college towns that warms me to the core.  There are moments that I would pack my bags in an instant and move to Providence.  Every time we are in town we make a stop at Brown University to soak in all the ivy league collegiate goodness.  Followed by a stroll down Thayer Street, where a stop at Ben and Jerry’s and East Side Pocket are mandatory.  Really we love all the College Hill neighbourhood has to offer with it’s cute architecture and awesome public art.  Go and explore, you won’t regret it. If you don’t feel as charmed as we do with Providence, than Newport is just a drive away and it surely will blow you away.