Kutztown Folk Festival

Hey stranger! It's been a while! (Totally, 100% my fault.) As always, life has been happening, and I've been trying to enjoy it. I have a few posts planned for this month: Orioles Baseball, 4th of July, and then today. I'm also going to Louisville at the end of the month, and hope to have some great things to share with you then. How fast has this summer gone by?! I mean, seriously!

Anyway, so yesterday, my mom and I had one of our mother-daughter dates and this time, our adventures took us to Kutztown, PA. It's home to a university (who knew?), and also the Kutztown Folk Festival, which has been in operation since 1949. It celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch culture through the showcasing and selling of fine crafts, farming essentials, trades, quilts, and food. It's fantastic! It was a 2.5 hour drive for us, but it soon proved to be well worth the trip. Admission is $14 for adults, and gets cheaper from there. You can also find $2 off coupons online. The best part: parking is free! You can walk your dogs as you browse, and there are tons of things for children to do. Almost every station has an interactive element to get kids involved. There's also the only mule-powered carousel in the world. I took a picture, but I felt so bad for the mule . . . so I'm not going to post it. However, it's something for the kids, if they'd enjoy it.

Once you get into the Festival, there are just so many things to look at. You have blacksmiths, wood turners, metal workers, quilters, copper sprinklers, jewelry, pottery . . . literally everything you can imagine. Not to mention the food - fresh brick-oven baked breads, cinnamon rolls, pies, pretzels, meats, freshly brewed root and birch beers and sarsaparilla. Oh. My. Goodness. We could have stayed forever. It was so cool! And what honestly made it cool was that everyone that was there represented their craft, whether that was woodworkers, doormat makers (out of tires), bee cultivators, whatever. There was a glassblowing presentation. Each vendor sits and works on their specialty as you browse so you can see that the things you are buying are legit. 

The Quilt Barn was literally like a museum - for real, people were sitting on chairs and admiring the quilts. This is because Quilters pride themselves on doing every stitch by hand, if you're the real deal. My great-grandmother used to make quilts, and they are prized possessions in my family. This is why they're so valuable. You can cheat and do them on sewing machines, but deep down in your heart, you'd know you were a cheater. Anyway, every July 4 weekend, there is a massive quilt auction. Last year, one quilt sold for over $15,000!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the food that we had, but on the list was a GIANT cinnamon roll, eggplant fries with marinara, and an all-beef hot dog with sauerkraut. As well as fresh birch and root beers. Trust me, ALL diets were harmed in the making of this post ;) Enjoy!

 

 

 

Bloglovin'!

If you've never heard of Bloglovin', and you have multiple blogs that you follow, you're seriously missing out. I know I'm a little late to the party, but it's made blogging and catching up with all of my favorites so much easier. Also, I recently just added my blog to it as well! If you search my URL (www.audaciouslyadventuring.blogspot.com), it should come right up :)

Anyway, just a quick post to say - check out Bloglovin'! It's awesome and organized and definitely minimizes the amount of tabs you have in your favorites bar because everything is in one place! Think Pinterest for your blogs :) You can also save certain posts and categorize them. It's an organizer's heaven! Haha. The user interface is super easy, and navigation is no problem.

Stay happy, healthy, and warm! We're over here receiving snow, so tea and a good book are certainly in order for me.

Happy Adventuring! xoxo

Longhorns and Legacies

A week ago today, I was in the air on my way back from a wonderful trip to Texas. The high school I work at was taking their students to a basketball tournament at Southwestern Adventist University, and I happened to secure an extra ticket. I didn't go as a chaperone, a sponsor, or anything remotely affiliated with HVA, because, well, I had other intentions. Some of my students from JCA now attend Southwestern, the ticket price was cheap, and I just couldn't pass it up. I accurately managed to convince them I wasn't coming down, and then surprised everyone. It was such a perfect trip that filled my heart to the brim with love, laughter, and joy. I was able to see my students and old co-workers who still live in the DFW area. I left feeling incredibly fulfilled and like maybe, just maybe, I could make it through the rest of the school year.

While I was down, my old roommate and I took a day to explore a few things from Fort Worth and Dallas. We only had a day, so we didn't see a ton, but what I did see left me excited for a more in-depth experience the next time. I've been into downtown Dallas before, but not much in Fort Worth. So, here's my tips on what to see and do next time you find yourself in the DFW area!

Fort Worth
1. Go to the historic Stockyards. When my roommate, Melissa, told me about how LIVE Longhorns are taken down the center of the street in the Stockyards, I almost lost my mind. "Really?! Live cows down the center of the street?!" She looked at me as any person would look at a slightly deranged tourist and replied, "They're not cows, Ashley. They're Longhorns." This was such a cool thing to see! And it's exactly how it sounds. Of course, it's solely a touristy thing, but it was certainly an experience worth the time. Also around the Stockyards is Billy Bob's, which is Texas's largest honky tonk; The White Elephant Saloon, where the first major gun fight in Ol' Texas broke out and where some episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger was filmed; Leddy's Boots and Saddles, which literally has wall-to-wall selections of boots, saddles, suits, and other fine items; and, if you're lucky, you can drop in on a live auction - fast-talking auctioneers and all.

Loved photographing this guy! He had the perfect Texas accent, and was such a trooper! Totally ready for a photo-op!

2. Sundance Square. In the spring and summer, this beautiful city square seems idyllic for coffee and a nice evening with friends. The mural, the water, and the overall atmosphere makes you feel like you're not in the center of a huge metropolitan area, and gives you the opportunity to pleasantly recharge amid the bustle. According to Melissa, it's also a great place to sit and enjoy the live music you can hear wafting through the streets on summer evenings.

3. Fort Worth Water Gardens. These were beautiful! Even though the leaves were all off the trees, this would probably be the Central Park to my New York City if I lived in Fort Worth. The movement and the sound of rushing water is lovely. Visiting convinced me to work on my photography so that next time, I can get those wonderful shots of water rushing in a long-exposure picture. It's going to happen. Anyway, it's definitely worth a visit and from atop of its highest point, you can get some stunning panoramas of the city.

Dallas

1. Dealy Plaza & the Sixth Floor Museum. Even though I have mixed feelings about John F. Kennedy, seeing one of the most iconic places in US History is certainly worth the stop. It's almost breath-taking when you see the X's on the road where the gunshots were fired. Although we didn't go through the museum (which costs $16) due to time, just walking around the site and reading the plaques was fine by me. If you're into conspiracies, look for people standing on the sidewalks adjacent to the fatal X holding newspapers. They're ready and willing to tell you what they know about the assassination that took place there.

2. Meyerson Symphony Center and the Art District. Although I didn't go this time, in the years that I worked in Texas, it was an annual thing to go to the Meyerson for a concert (put on by our own students). It is a magnificent concert hall with fantastic acoustics and overall sound delivery. If you want to get dressed up and go to a symphony, do it here. It's amazing! Also, a place I will visit next time is Klyde Warren Park. Abundant with food trucks, an outdoor library and a dog park, it seems like the perfect green space in the midst of what can be a chaotic Dallas.

3. Pioneer Plaza. I only say this because I love Longhorns. I mean, I was literally squealing like a little girl in Fort Worth. These 49 bronze Longhorn statues are a dedication to Texas's lengthy "cowboy" history, and apparently one of the most photographed parts of the city. If you're not into that, I guess you could go to Arlington to check out the Dallas Cowboys' monstrosity of a stadium too . . .

Anyway, as I mentioned before, I had such a wonderful time in Texas. There are SO many things to do and see. I picked up a million and one pamphlets on the DFW area that I'll be sure to study for next time. There's the Dallas Zoo, and Six Flags Over Texas -- the list seems never-ending. And don't get me started on the cuisine! Exquisite barbecue (can exquisite even be used in front of barbecue?), live music, and quaint hole-in-the-wall coffee shops. The diversity is endless! If you're in the area, tell me what you experienced and loved, so I can add it to my list!

A glimpse at the Water Gardens.

Melissa, my former roommate and awesome tour guide.

Happy Adventuring! xoxo

Why I Still Act Like a Tourist in DC.

As a life-long Maryland resident (except for those 3 years in Tennessee and those two years in Texas), I've visited DC so many times, I've lost count. While most of my excursions have taken place in or around the National Mall, I could probably drive my way to the Tidal Basin blindfolded at this point in my life. I've gone during the summer in the scorching heat, in the winter with the bitter cold, and during spring nights when the air is fresh and alive. I've visited for field trips, dates, personal fulfillment and even now as a faculty member chaperoning students.


But every time I visit, I almost always make sure to still act like a tourist. Why? Because I've realized something during my travels that has always made me sit back and scratch my head.

Locals act indifferent. Joggers run on the National Mall only paying attention to their breathing and the path in front of them, but I rarely see any of them looking around them at where they are, the architecture of the buildings, the groups of people they pass by. Drivers - well, they're a whole different breed. I understand you can't always take in the sights while dealing with DC traffic, but that doesn't necessarily dictate the attitude in which you handle it. Businessmen and women jet in and out of passersby, head down, walking to lunch or back to the office.

I find myself doing it too, but at home. How often have I gone up and down those roads to and from work without actually noticing what's going on in my periphery? I'm sure someone could be standing on a cow riding right beside the road some mornings and I would never even take a passing glance.

DC has always held this sense of wonder for me. It holds knowledge, resonates power, and gives off a vibe of not caring about anyone else. It's a memorial to great leaders, the men and women who have fought and died for our nation, and a promise of democracy and protection. So yes, every time I see the Capitol Building, rain or shine, scaffolding or not, you will see me with my camera in hand preparing to take a picture. I have 100 other pictures exactly like it, but those were from 100 different trips that I took. And I know, I know. Thomas Jefferson's face never changes as he looks out over the Tidal Basin, but that doesn't mean I don't want another snapshot of it.

I've become comfortable with the concept of looking like a tourist wherever I go (but travel safe - don't make yourself a huge target) because that means that I'm attempting to take in all of the beautiful things around me. It's a challenge to see the positives, to look at the same things from a different perspective or angle, and to avoid indifference. I visited DC a week ago today, and even though I could tell all the students where to go to find what they were looking for, no one else would have known by the way I was walking around - stopping to take pictures left and right, gawking at the way the buildings looked against the cool winter sky.

So, if anything, I want to challenge you, fellow travelers, to still act like a tourist. Whether it's in your hometown, any time you visit somewhere new, or even on your drive to work. Try to find something slightly different in your day-to-day. As a student once challenged me, "find the art in everyday." So, what are you doing to find the art today?

Happy adventuring! xoxo

P.S. These pictures are from my phone, sooo that explains the quality.

        

Chattanooga In A Flash

Chattanooga, TN is one of my all-time favorite places on earth. It has that cozy deep-in-the-south atmosphere, downtown is highly photogenic, and everything from its entertainment to its restaurants are full of variety and charm. It was also recently mentioned in National Geographic Traveler's October 2014 issue as one of 50 cities all over the world that offers something surprising. High-speed internet everywhere, and wonderful hiking and biking along the Tennessee River. I love Chattanooga.

I was recently invited to a wedding a week ago from today, to which I enthusiastically responded "yes" to before I even knew the time or (at that point) the date. I vowed that, after having missed two weddings this summer, I was not going to miss this one. When the postcard invite arrived in the mail, I looked at only two things: the location and the date. August 24, at The Well in Downtown Chattanooga. Done. I would be there. I told my friends who were moving down to my Alma Mater that if they needed to leave anything behind, I would be more than happy to take things down. And, of course, they took me up on it. I had a cozy trunk full of things to accompany me. Plus, Robby decided to come along because he'd never been. And his sister was one of these friends moving down there.

However, I failed to look at the time, which was quite tragic. It's about an 8.5 hour drive from my neck of the woods, and school had already started for me (I'm a teacher, in case this hasn't been mentioned before). I hadn't gotten a sub because I was planning on coming back Sunday night right after the wedding. I had assumed (and we know what that makes me) that it would be early to mid-afternoon, and I could leave maybe around 5 at the latest to make it home at a still semi-decent hour to function the next morning. To my dismay, the wedding didn't start until 5:30 PM. It broke my heart to have to tell the lovely bride and groom I couldn't make it, but I still had people counting on me to bring things down.

So, why the heck not. Robby and I made a flash-trip to Chattanooga. We stayed less than 24 hours, and I was able to give him an infinitesimally small taste of the wonderful things the city of my heart had to offer. Of course, now he wants to go back, which was 100% my intention, and next time for much longer. We mostly walked around, stopped at a local brewery (Big River Brewery and Pub), and went back to see our friends and/or family on campus. Here are places I suggest if ever you find yourself in the lovely city of Chattanooga:

• For Great Eats: Stop at places like Thai Smile, Taco Mac, Sugar's Ribs, Mellow Mushroom, Big River Brewery and Pub, The Yellow Deli, and Hill City Pizza in the Downtown area for something a little outside the ordinary.
• For Delectable Desserts: Clumpie's Ice Cream, Milk & Honey, The Ice Cream Shoppe or Rembrandt's Café offer wonderful local atmospheres with great selections that everyone should enjoy.
• Other Enjoyments: the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga is located downtown. If you're there at the right time, you can catch a Mocs game and tour the campus. The Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball team is also another fun summer event to check out. Going to the Tennessee Aquarium, walking through the Art District or hanging out in Coolidge Park are all equally great things that can be done. You could easily spend a long weekend just in Downtown.
• Historical Sites: Lookout Mountain offers a ton of Civil War history, and not too far away is the Chickamauga Battlefield. There are also a lot of Cherokee historical sites in the area. Red Clay Park, outside of Collegedale, offers a great place to picnic that's also rich with Native American history.
• Tourist Attractions: Ruby Falls and Rock City are other places that draw in crowds. I've been to Ruby Falls quite a long time ago. It's a fun experience, and definitely something good for the family.
• Gunbarrel Road: This is the shopping strip. It has your common stores such as Target and Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, and World Market. Hamilton Place Mall is also there, with a great selection of shops, and Barnes and Noble close by. There are also a ton of great places to eat. Some of my favorites in that area are Sticky Fingers, Gigi's Cupcakes, and The Melting Pot ($$$$). My all-time favorite organic grocery store is also on that strip: Earth Fare. 

Chattanooga is a great city. I cannot say it enough. From the southern hospitality to the great barbecue, it's worth a visit any time of the year.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day weekend! So sad to see another summer go, but hopefully this opens the doors to a new set of adventures. Happy traveling!

Eastern Shore Thing

For the past few summers, Robby and I have been wanting to explore Chestertown, MD. Its historical significance, placement along the bay, and presence of the oldest college in Maryland has been enough to peak our interest to visit. Robby's family lives on the Eastern Shore in Rising Sun, and he spent most of his life growing up there. He goes crabbing around that area, but has never taken the time to go into downtown and simply walk around.

Because we went on a Saturday, beach traffic was insane. It still took us about 2.5 hours across the Bay Bridge, but if we had left earlier, we probably could have avoided some of it. If you don't have an EZ Pass, tolls are $6. If you don't want to want in the lines to pay cash, you can bust through an EZ Pass lane and get a $9 ticket in the mail. It's up to you.

The one good thing about going on a Saturday though, is that there are Farmer's Markets in almost all the small towns along the shore. Chestertown's Farmer's Market lasts from 8 am to 12 pm in their central square. When we got there, it wasn't a huge affair, but there was, of course, fresh produce and hand-cut flowers, wool, handmade craft jewelry, professional local pictures, and a pie-eating contest for the kids. It was also Crazy Days this weekend, which means that stores bring items out on the sidewalk to sell for majorly discounted prices. If you're looking to pick up that goose, rockfish, or crab insignia with the MD flag for your car, this would have been the weekend to do it.

The shops are quaint, the sidewalks are brick, and the houses are beautiful. You can follow High Street down to the water and walk along the docks, read about the Schooner Sultan, and spend some time along the Chester River. There are a variety of shops from traditional preppy menswear to shoes to music shops and the Prince Theatre to a bakery with fresh bread from 7 am to 5 pm. There is literally something that can be found for everyone. Even the history buff can read about Chestertown's involvement in the American Revolution all the way to Desert Storm just off the square in a War Memorial.

Before we left, we walked around Washington College's campus for a bit. We were mostly aiming to visit the bookstore and pick up some Flock gear, but during the summer, the store is only open Mondays thru Fridays. They failed to mention that on their website! But it was okay - they have an online store. The campus is beautiful with traditional brick buildings in colonial style mixed with more modern buildings. It's definitely worth a stop if you're driving through - maybe you'll get lucky and see the Lacrosse team doing an open practice!

We headed north up the shore to Rising Sun to see some of Robby's family. If you're ever in Rising Sun, stop at the Greenhurst Market and pick yourself up some crabs or a signature sandwich. Robby's Aunt and Uncle own the store (be aware - they're closed on Mondays), and it has that local Mom and Pop charm. They'll ask you where you're coming from and they'll tell you where to go, if you inquire.  Once we were on our way out, we went to Havre de Grace to see the Concord Point Lighthouse and walk along the Promenade there. It offers wonderful views of the bay and its wildlife. The CPL is the northern most lighthouse in Maryland and marks the spot of prominent activity during the War of 1812. There are informational plaques that span from the time of John Smith to the present as you walk along the planks. We went in the evening, and it couldn't have been a better atmosphere.

If you're in the area for longer, you should look into seeing an Aberdeen Ironbirds game or bask in the local Decoy and Maritime culture by visiting their museums (also in Havre de Grace). There are so many great things that Maryland's Eastern Shore has to offer. From small town charm to activities on the bay, hopefully you can find something you enjoy!

Happy traveling!

Vermont - Day 2

Our second day in Vermont, we focused most of our energy in Waterbury and Montpelier. We took a great route between Smuggler's Notch and Stowe that's usually closed in the winter. It's winding road goes down to an unmarked one lane curving course with boulders blocking your visibility. It was my boyfriend's dream come true to drive, but as a passenger, it was a little intimidating.

Waterbury is a cute town with popular destinations like Ben and Jerry's, Cabot Creamery Annex, and Green Mountain Coffee. We went to all three of these places and they weren't disappointing. We stopped at Cabot Creamery first and it was awesome. They have all of their cheeses out for you to sample. If you're lactose intolerant, have no fear! Their cheddar cheeses are naturally lactose free, so sample to your heart's content. My personal favorites were the Vermont Cheddar, the Private Stock, and their Artisan Reserve. They suggest serving the cheese at room temperature in order to really savor all of the flavors. And trust me, their cheeses are savory in flavor with lots of complexities and depth. I never considered myself a cheese connoisseur, but I'd like to be one after that! They also have fun flavors like Buffalo Wing, Garlic and Herb, and Smoky Bacon.

Right next door is a Lake Champlain Chocolates store. It's not the original factory that you can tour (that's in Burlington), but they sell pretty much everything that LCC makes. They have a decent selection of fudge, chocolate candies, caramels, hot chocolate, and gift baskets. It's worth swinging around for. I picked up an organic chocolate bar, and it was okay. Growing up on Hershey's, nothing really compares to that - except possibly Cadbury.

A few minutes' drive down the road is Ben and Jerry's. If you get there early enough, you can probably miss the crowds. We came at the brink of it, I think. As we were leaving, which was around 1:00 PM, there were buses full of kids rolling in. It's true what they say about tours filling up quickly. It's a $4 charge, but it's worth it for a tour and a "free" sample at the end. The flavor of the day for us was Cotton Candy . . . and it was delicious. I normally like cotton candy ice cream, but this was better than anything I'd ever had before. Again, though, their factory was like any other you see. A lot of metal objects that mix things together, and package them for mass production. However, it was neat learning about my favorite ice cream flavors and watching the movies that show you how things are done. Ben and Jerry were (and still are) total hippies - and their passion for peace, love, and ice cream is definitely reflected in their business. The people who work there say Jerry stops by a few times during the summer just to see how things are running. We didn't see him, but there's a chance you might be able to if you're there for the warmer months. Apparently Ben is working in DC "trying to save the world." After the tour, there's a gift shop and scoop shop where you can buy to your heart's content. I really wanted to try their signature Vermonster . . . but for $40 a pop, and only two people to eat it, I decided it probably wouldn't be wise after the cheese and chocolate from the stops before. However, you can get a Lil Vermonster for $15. I'll look into it next time around. Also, make sure to stop by their Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects to your retired flavors. I was sad to see one of my favorites, Vermonty Python, there. But at least it had a good spot to rest under the shade of the maple trees.

If you're following your Vermont Brewer's Passport, The Alchemist is also in Waterbury. However, when we stopped, it wasn't open to visitors. I don't really know how you're supposed to get your stamp, but it's right off the main road. They can all of their beer, and I believe their signature brew is The Heady Topper. If you're desperate for a stamp, you can always wait outside until you see someone . . . or probably just give them a call.

We also swung by Green Mountain Coffee. It's in the Waterbury Amtrak Train Station, but it has a neat little museum on Waterbury and also on how GMC gets their coffee. Since it was sold to Keurig, you can stock up on your K-cups while there. They also have free samples of their coffee. I have to admit, they had THE BEST iced coffee I've had to date and the cheapest - just over a dollar! Most certainly worth the trip.

Our last stop was Montpelier. With a population of around 8,000, the capital of Vermont was . . . underwhelming to stay the least. Don't get me wrong, it's Main Street was cute and quaint, very charming. But there doesn't seem to be a lot going on. So, if you're driving to Montpelier with big hopes and dreams, don't get too excited. Our main stop was Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks. It's the oldest maple family in existence in Vermont, with more than 3,000 trees on their property producing syrup, and you can tell. It's touristy, and their gift shop is huge, but their maple syrup selection is also quite extensive. You can sample all four grades and see for yourself if you like the real stuff (the brands you get in your grocery store isn't the real thing . . . sorry folks). Not to mention, you can walk around and see how the syrup is tapped from the tree all the way to being brought to your shelf. They also have Maple flavored everything. I was a little disappointed - their creemees weren't as good as Bob's from Burlington. And yes, I had ice cream twice in one day. However, this is your place to stock up on gifts for the family.

Overall, it was a great day. It was relaxing, and hassle-free. I never felt pressed for time or rushed while in Vermont, which was lovely. Everyone seems to just go about their business at their own pace. If I could Montpelier over again, though, I would definitely stop at their State House and probably take a stroll downtown. There are cute bookstores and restaurants that I would've probably enjoyed going into. So, if you see something you want to do, make sure you take the time to do it! :) And if you're not sure, I'm positive that if you asked a local, they'd be more than happy to give you suggestions.