A good day for soup?

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Renee
It might be 60 degrees, but we thought it was a good day for soup. We went to the original location of the Seinfeld "soup nazi." Lobster bisque is always good.

It might be a balmy 60 degrees, but we thought it was a good day for soup.
We went to the original location of the Seinfeld “soup nazi.”
Lobster bisque is always good.

Know what soup you want, order it, pay, then step to the left. OR, no soup for you! No mulligatawny today, but they did have a good mushroom barley.

Know what soup you want, order it, pay, then step to the left. OR, no soup for you!
No mulligatawny today, but they did have a good mushroom barley.

We headed into Central Park. Oh right: do not enter EXCEPT BIKES!!!

We headed into Central Park.
Oh right: do not enter
EXCEPT BIKES!!! yay.

Ron's always a good one to find the sweet sports in the park.

Ron’s always a good one to find the sweet sports in the park.

He's a happy guy on his home turf. Funny only-in-NY story: there was a wedding taking place on the bridge behind Ron. A stern-looking wedding planner-type yelled out: "Keep moving people! Nothing to see here!" Well, don't get married in public if you don't want the public to be part of it. We were simply trying to get across the bridge they were blocking!

He’s a happy guy on his home turf.
Funny only-in-NY story: there was a wedding taking place on the bridge behind Ron. A stern-looking wedding planner-type yelled out: “Keep moving people! Nothing to see here!”
Well, don’t get married in public if you don’t want the public to be part of it. We were simply trying to get across the bridge they were blocking!

Ron is there across the Lake with the bikes... (while I looked for a garbage can)

Ron is there across the Lake with the bikes…
(while I looked for a garbage can)

A pano of Ron..

A pano of Ron..

Reverse pano.

Reverse pano.

They are setting up for the New York Marathon this Sunday!

They are setting up for the New York Marathon this Sunday!

As the sun goes down, we head home via Fifth Ave. Tomorrow we'll bike again...

As the sun goes down, we head home via Fifth Ave.
Tomorrow we’ll bike again…

Categories: Bike & BIte, NYC | 1 Comment

A pause for pancakes

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Renee
A ride in the countryside seemed perfect for today.

A ride in the countryside seemed perfect for today.

We stopped off to see the downhill riders at Mountain Creek...

We stopped off to see some downhill riders at Mountain Creek…

And made our way to a local firehouse for their special breakfast.

And then made our way to a local firehouse for their special breakfast.

Kitty welcome mat.

Kitty welcome mat.

The Halloween all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast is apparently not a secret.

The Halloween all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast is apparently not a secret.

Is it a seasonal thing that all the food is brown?? Pancakes, french toast sticks and home fries.

Is it a seasonal thing that all the food is brown??
Pancakes, french toast sticks, homefries and syrup.

Ron said this looks like Planet of the Apes.

Ron said this old warehouse looks like Planet of the Apes.

Spooky.

Spooky.

VIP parking.

VIP parking.

Gorgeous!

Gorgeous!

Categories: Bike & BIte, New Jersey, NYS | 7 Comments

Winternights Festival

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Renee
It's a beautiful (but cold) Sunday, and we're ready for the Winternights Viking Festival...! Bruce inspired the idea and our friend John came along too.

It’s a beautiful (but cold) Sunday, and we’re ready for the Winternights Viking Festival…!
Bruce inspired the ride and our friend John came along too.

When we depart, it's only in the 40s, and we notice that a lot of the leaves have fallen with the recent rain.

When we depart, it’s only in the 40s, and we notice that a lot of the leaves have fallen with the recent rain.

The views are majestic and the skies are bright blue.

The views are majestic and the skies are bright blue.

And Ron found me a pear!

And Ron found me a pear that had fallen from a roadside tree!

New Jersey heading into New York.

New Jersey heading into New York.

Our friend John hadn't seen the onion fields in Pine Island so we took a little detour to show him.

John hadn’t seen the onion fields in Pine Island so we took a little detour to show him. Looks like harvest time!

Another fun stop.. Pochuck Valley Farms.

Another fun stop.. Pochuck Valley Farms. Ron and I shared a very delicious Golden Delicious apple.

As we near our destination 20 miles in, the skies darken and a bitter wind starts to blow.

As we near the festival 20 miles in, the skies darken and a bitter wind starts to blow. It’s feeling like we really are nearing a Nordic winter celebration…

Luckily, our spirits are bright..! We get to the festival and the boys enjoy Swedish meatballs.

Luckily, our spirits are bright..!
We get to the festival and the boys enjoy Swedish meatballs while we listen to a good Nordic/Celtic band.

This is a good crew. I'm happy to be out riding with them.

This is a good crew. I’m happy to be out riding with them.

Back towards home and it's blue skies again!

Back towards home and it’s blue skies again! It’s nice to visit the Nordic winter, but I wouldn’t want to live there. : p

 

Categories: Bike & BIte, New Jersey, NYS | Leave a comment

Moonlight mountain bike ride

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Renee
I had an idea.. a moonlight bike ride through the rail trails of Sussex county! Ron got our mountain bikes all ready and we hit the road.

I had an idea.. a moonlight bike ride through the rail trails of Sussex county!
Ron got our mountain bikes all ready and we hit the road.

What a night!

Such beauty around us!

Bruce and Linda met us, and we rolled towards the setting sun.

Bruce and Linda met us, and we rolled towards the setting sun.

Literally.

Literally.

Ron's a happy guy!

Ron’s a happy guy!

This warm fall day was the perfect time for a cruise through the colorful woods.

This warm October day was the perfect time for a cruise through the colorful woods.

We stopped for a moment to enjoy the view.

We stopped for a moment to enjoy the view of the countryside.

And I got an eyeful when I spied this guy. (KMitchell, you'll be glad to know I let him roam.. hey, it's his woods!)

And I got an eyeful when I spied this guy.
(KMitchell, you’ll be glad to know I let him roam.. hey, it’s his woods!)

Before we knew it, the darkness had settled in.

Before we knew it, the darkness had settled in.

During a little break to sip from two flasks, I learned that these rail trails actually close at dusk. And just about that time a truck pulled up and asked if we were okay. I thought we were busted!!

Halfway we stopped for a little break to sip from two flasks. Apple pie brandy and coconut whiskey should help us warm up for the last 8 miles home.

We found some interesting mushrooms, but rolled on. Our friend Jeannine said they look like edible shaggy mane mushrooms.

We found some interesting mushrooms, but rolled on.
Today our friend Jeannine said they look like edible shaggy mane mushrooms.

Happy times.

Happy times.

Heading into the moonrise..

Heading back, we rolled towards the full moonrise..

Categories: New Jersey | 2 Comments

Biking for books

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Renee
The rain has stopped and we're ready for a little adventure ride.

The rain has stopped and we’re ready for a little adventure ride.

The sun is going down and the moon is coming up, but we're bright and we've got lights.

The sun is going down and the moon is coming up, but we’re bright and we’ve got lights.

We picked up Bruce along the way.. Remember, he had cardiac bypass in July and now he's happily back in the saddle and ready to ride!

We picked up Bruce along the way.. Remember, he had cardiac bypass in July and now he’s happily back in the saddle and better than ever!

Ron has to dodge a state trooper on the way into the library where there is a member-only preview night for their fall used book sale.

Ron has to dodge a state trooper on the way into the library where there was a member-only preview night for their fall used book sale.

Just a sneak peak to find some keepers for our nephew, Jack.

Just a sneak peak to find some keepers for our nephew, Jack.

We found classics like "The Poky Little Puppy" and interesting ones like "How to Trick or Treat in Outer Space." Shhh.. hope Jack doesn't read this blog. He's not even three yet so we're probably good.

We found classics like “The Poky Little Puppy”
and interesting ones like “How to Trick or Treat in Outer Space.”
Shhh.. hope Jack doesn’t read this blog. He’s not even three yet so we’re probably good.

Happy campers with our stash.

Happy campers with our stash. (Some people left with huge shopping bags).

Rocking it home.

Rocking it home.

Home Safe! Happy to reinforce our nephew's early love of books.. xoxo

Home Safe!
So happy to reinforce our nephew’s early love of books.. xoxo

Categories: New Jersey | Leave a comment