New York!

Well, Charlotte and I have enjoyed exploring the West, for sure.  But we'd be lying if we didn't say that, often, our vagabond shoes are longing to stray right to the very heart of (Upstate & Downstate) New York, where we're from!  For the first 11 days of August, our wish was granted!  We began our journey by returning to Oneonta, NY (and Hartwick College), for a wedding.  If you didn't already know, Charlotte and I both attended college there, and so it was a great chance to see some places we haven't visited for over four years!

After a wonderful time in Oneonta, we headed to Latham to visit Mike's family and hometown.  The yard was looking lush, so we spent lots of time playing lawn games with the family and enjoying the outdoors!

In between games of ladderball, croquet, bocce, and playing with the neighbor's cat, we found time to visit some of Mike's old stomping grounds, including: the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail (which passes just down the hill from La Casa Angstadt)...

...Lock 7 on the Erie Canal (a little further down the same bike path)...

...Siena College, where we visited some parents during their workday...

...and even Hoffman's Playland, Mike's childhood amusement park!

After our tickets for rides at Hoffman's ran out, we headed to Otisville, where we kept ourselves similarly occupied with fun things.  As we began some of the prep work for our wedding next summer (at least the fun parts), everyone was busy helping!

Almost everyone, that is...

Fortunately, despite the "hard work," we found time to head out and enjoy the surroundings, including a wonderful hike at the "Basha Kill," a large wetland preserve near Charlotte's house!

After such a great time, it was hard to say farewell to the places and people we love.

We'll be back before long, though!  In the meantime, stay tuned, because in our next installment, we're going for a hike!