Six Flags and Pentatonix

This is the boys' last week of summer vacation, so I surprised Brad with a trip to Six Flags at Darien Lake! He rode most of the rides, and got to ride the coaster he missed out on last year for being too short. My friend Brigid came with us for some fun!

One of the wilder coasters left him a little sore from the harness, so we stopped by the first aid station for some Ibuprofen and a heat pack...

After that we dropped Brad off at home and us girls hit the road for an outdoor concert by Pentatonix!! They are a great a cappella group and sound just as amazing live as they do on a recording.

Rachel Platten opened for them, and she was good as well.

Hamlin Beach, then some Rock n Roll

Last week we had a fabulous Friday! Me and my girls Brigid and Jessica had tickets to an outdoor concert that evening, so we decided to pack up a big picnic and start the fun on the beach! Nick and the boys came with us too, so it was a group excursion. 

The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, and the water was peaceful.

After that we dropped the boys off at home and hit the road for a girl's night at Darien Lake Ampitheater for a rock concert by Billy Idol and **my favorite** Bryan Adams!!!!! This was my 3rd time seeing Bryan.

We got there a bit early, and rain closed the rides at the park so we just set up in the parking lot and tailgated until concert time!!! Don't judge my disposable grill---the hotdogs were delish. I also grilled pineapple!

We had a grand ole time then claimed our spot on the lawn for the show! They were handing out sunglasses, so obviously we had to all get some!

Billy Idol was just amazing, and he rocked it even at the young age of 63! After him was a short intermission, then the main act came out and it was on!!!!

A freak rain shower blew threw right after he came on, and we just danced through it! A little water just cooled us off.

It was an absolutely great concert, and after finally escaping the parking lot and driving back home, it was well after midnight!

Until next time Bryan!

Hiking NY

This week my friend Jessica and I got a bunch of hiking in! We started out with a short hiking day on Wednesday. We put in about 4 miles of easy to moderate hiking at Eternal Flame, as well as the next hike at Hunter's Creek.

Eternal Flame is well known for the natural gas leak behind a small waterfall that stays lit. It's a pretty short and easy hike along a scenic creek bed. Hunter's Creek was a more rustic and primitive hike through the forest with a small creek running through it.

We did our own cairn here by the flame. Cairn is a gaelic word meaning "heap of stones", and in hiking it can symbolize the correct trail, or simply mark your presence there.

 On Thursday we planned an all day hike of much longer distance and more elevation changes. We started at Letchworth State Park in the morning and began halfway through the Gorge Trail to see the Lower, Middle, and Upper Waterfalls. They were just beautiful! Toward the Upper Falls and the train bridge there was a thunderstorm moving in toward us...

...where we then proceeded to get DRENCHED by a downpour for about 30 minutes of hiking. We connected to a different trail for our way back through the forest. Thankfully the rain moved off, but it left our trail very muddy!

We made it back to my truck in decent time after about 8 miles hiking and had lunch before our next hike!

After lunch we hit the road for another scenic but more intense hike at the neighboring Stony Brook State Park. This hike follows along a beautiful creek with many small waterfalls down in a Gorge. At the end of the Gorge Trail, we connected to a different trail on the East Rim which led us up and down many elevations at the top of the Gorge.

This hike totaled about 4 miles, bringing us to a total of 12 miles of hiking on Thursday!! We headed home in the evening feeling sore but satisfied with our adventures.