Sept. 24 – Letchworth State Park

September 27, 2018, 4:45 am

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“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru

We finally had a chance to drive over to Letchworth State Park, it's known as the "Grand Canyon of East". The park runs 17 miles along the Genesee River and is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The river roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs as high as 600' and is surrounded by lush forests. The Genesse River is one of only 33 north-flowing rivers in the world, others that we have been on are the Oswego River, the St. John's River in Florida and the Richelieu River in Quebec.

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Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival

September 30, 2018, 4:36 am

≫ Next: Finger Lake Wineries & Breweries (Part IV)

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"I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves." -Ann Drake

Fall has officially arrived in Ithaca...the leaves are beginning to change color, the temperatures are falling, boats are beginning to leave the marina and fall festivals are everywhere. The little roadside vegetables stands that were full of fresh corn this summer are now full of pumpkins and gourds.
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Finger Lake Wineries & Breweries (Part IV)

October 2, 2018, 10:53 am

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“Have you considered that if you don't make waves, nobody including yourself will know that you are alive?" —Theodore Isaac Rubin 

When I started this post I thought we hadn't made it to many new wineries/breweries this season. As soon as I started looking through our photos I could see we had actually made it to quite a few. Maybe not as many as last summer, but still quite a few. We don't do tasting anymore, we enjoy buying a bottle of their driest white wine, relaxing on the winery's deck and enjoying their view with a picnic or small snack. I think the heat this summer slowed our visits down, but we still have a couple of weeks left to squeeze in a few more.
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Change of Seasons

October 5, 2018, 4:48 am

≫ Next: Oct 5 – Boundary Breaks Vineyard

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“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

Fall brings all kinds of changes...the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing color, the days are getting shorter and it's almost time for us to put The Pearl away for the winter. We feel like we have the best of two worlds, a beautiful place to escape the hot Texas summers and another to escape the long cold winters of upstate New York. The bonus is we have family in each place that we can play with and share our life with. I thought I'd share a few pictures of our marinas...we like them both.
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Oct 5 – Boundary Breaks Vineyard

October 8, 2018, 6:08 am

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Wine is sunlight held together by water. — Galileo Galilei

Friday was beautiful day so we took advantage of having one last picnic on the lawn of a winery. We chose Boundary Breaks Vineyard on Seneca Lake. They have a gorgeous place over looking the lake. The wine was wonderful, the scenery amazing, the food was enjoyable, but company was the best part of the day. 
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Summer’s Over

October 18, 2018, 6:35 am

≫ Next: Clearing Customs with CBP ROAM App

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“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” –William Cullent Bryant

Our last three days on Cayuga Lake were beautiful...the last warm days of Indian Summer. On Tuesday (10/9) Stan had a perfect day to move The Pearl up the lake to her winter home and he enjoyed the time on the water. While he moved the boat, I moved our car, stopping at two of my favorite parks along the lake and doing a little shopping in Aurora. Our relaxing day turn to a busy evening as we started winterizing the boat and packing the car.
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Clearing Customs with CBP ROAM App

October 22, 2018, 7:05 am

≫ Next: Nov. 20-22 Winter Visitors

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“Go, fly, roam, travel, voyage, explore, journey, discover, adventure.”

I didn’t take the time to report on the process of our check in when we returned to the U.S. after our visit to the Thousand Islands and Canada. Years ago while we were in Florida we went through the process and interview to acquire our Small Vessel Reporting System numbers. For years this was the quickest process for return to the U.S. from a foreign port, but the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made it even easier now with their new CBP ROAM (Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile) app. As soon as we anchored in U.S. waters and had data on our phones, I reported our return through the app...no need to go ashore and no inspection. If you're docking at a marina, you can either use the app on your phone or check in via one of the CBP computers located at the marina. I believe most phones have been removed and there are now signs telling boaters to use the ROAM app.
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Nov. 20-22 Winter Visitors

November 26, 2018, 8:07 am

≫ Next: Dec. 2 – Beautiful Weekend

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“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” —Henry David Thoreau

We had friends from upstate New York come down to Rockport for a visit. Our weather wasn't great but it was quite an improvement over what they left behind. Having company is always fun and it gave us a chance to play tourist for a little while...rediscovering things in our own back yard.
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Dec. 2 – Beautiful Weekend

December 3, 2018, 6:25 am

≫ Next: A Day by the Sea

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“May the waves kiss your feet, the sand be your seat and your friends outnumber the stars.” —Author Unknown

The first weekend in December was amazing here in Rockport...lots of sunshine, light winds and amazing temperatures. We enjoyed lots of community activities, visiting with friends at the winery, playing with our little girls and walking on the beach...I wish the weather every day could be this nice. People were out everywhere enjoying this beautiful weekend and the birds seemed to enjoy it just as much. Here are a few pictures of the entertaining pelicans I saw on my beach walk.
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A Day by the Sea

December 11, 2018, 7:21 am

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“Vicinity to the sea is desirable, because it is easier to do nothing by the sea than anywhere else.” —E.F. Benson

Our weather in south Texas has been dreary and cold lately, but today we were given the gift of a beautiful day. I guess we appreciate them more when they are harder to come by. We spent the day with our friends John and Janice at their beach house at Indianola. Their house sits on the point, the inlet of Powderhorn Lake on one side and Matagorda Bay on the other. It's a spectacular place to watch dolphins play, try your luck at fishing, birdwatch or just relax. It was a wonderful day...with a breathtaking sunset to finish it off.
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Merry Christmas

December 20, 2018, 6:20 am

≫ Next: 2018 Travel Stats

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“Whatever you do, live a life of adventure and meaning so brilliant that, like a Roman candle, it lights up the world. Dazzle us. Astonish us. Be extraordinary.” —President George H.W. Bush

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...2018 was another wonderful year and we feel blessed to enjoy the life we have. We're fortunate to be able to spend six months a year in upstate New York and six months in Texas...it's the best of both worlds. In both places we get to enjoy being on the water and the company of our family. 
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2018 Travel Stats

December 27, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Looking Back at 2018

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Click here to go to The Pearl's travel map.

(expand the drop downs on the right side of the map for more information)

This blog post is best viewed on a computer.

Stan and I both keep logs of information about our travels. Mine are more about the places we've been and the places we've stayed, his are more technical (engine hours, maintenance etc.). For information on where we've docked and anchored, please refer to my Travel Logs. This year we took two short trips from Ithaca. We spent two weeks traveling west on the Erie Canal and almost three weeks in the the Thousand Islands. Not as many miles as we use to put under the keel...but an adventure just the same. The totals below are from the time we left home in 2011 till the end of 2018.

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Looking Back at 2018

December 30, 2018, 6:13 am

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“Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine.” –Alan Turing

In January we decided to get away from our cold wet winter in Texas. We headed to Costa Rica for ten days of relaxation and adventure. 

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Happy New Year 2019

January 1, 2019, 5:52 am

≫ Next: Jan. 21 – Back to Costa Rica

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"The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals." —Melody Beattie

Happy New Year...I hope 2019 brings happiness, health and adventure to all of you. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on where we've been, the things that are important to us and what we'd like to achieve in the future. With each passing year the months seem to pass faster than the year before and it's hard to imagine how so many years and wonderful events have past so quickly. We look forward to the new adventures and events of the coming year. I hope it brings nothing but good things to all our friends and family. 

Jan. 21 – Back to Costa Rica

January 21, 2019, 5:51 am

≫ Next: Jan. 22 – Quepos, Costa Rica

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“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all — the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” – Randy Komisar

Last year I did a blog post about traveling...what it is and how it makes a person feel. Traveling is life, it's unpredictable, it's freedom, it's like a drug – the more you travel the more you want to travel, it's the exploring of new places, having no limits and being who you want to be. All those statements are very true for Stan and myself, so it's time for a little adventure, a little walking on the beach, a little relaxation and most of all the exploring of somewhere new.
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Jan. 22 – Quepos, Costa Rica

January 23, 2019, 6:18 am

≫ Next: Jan. 23 – Playa Biesanz (Secret Beach), Costa Rica

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“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb

Our first stop along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is the town of Quepos, considered the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. The town's unique blend of beauty, history, wildlife and culture have combined to create an idyllic rainforest community, which draws international visitors seeking adventure, those wanting to fish for marlin or those visitors that just want to relax on the beach. We plan to do a little exploring and a lot of relaxing.
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Jan. 23 – Playa Biesanz (Secret Beach), Costa Rica

January 24, 2019, 5:22 am

≫ Next: Jan. 24 – Manuel Antonio National Park

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“In Life, It’s Not Where You Go, It’s Who You Travel With” –  Charles Schulz

We had a slow start to our day...breakfast by the pool over looking the marina. No monkeys showed up, but we did see a few later in the day.

We walked through town and found a place to get a sim card for my phone. People are so amazing here in Costa Rica...they go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. It's fun just talking to people in the stores and restaurants. They are very welcoming.

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Jan. 24 – Manuel Antonio National Park

January 25, 2019, 5:54 am

≫ Next: Jan. 25 – Los Campesinos Ecolodge

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“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” —Gustav Flaubert

The main tourist attraction in this area of Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio National Park. It's popular for a reason...it has lush jungle, abundant wildlife and exquisite beaches. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing day on one of four pristine beaches or hike through the vibrant, green rainforest. From tide pools alive with crustaceans to endangered monkey species to stunning scenic vistas, the park is a spectacular destination.

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Jan. 25 – Los Campesinos Ecolodge

January 26, 2019, 7:06 am

≫ Next: Jan. 26 – Dominical, Costa Rica

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“Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.” —Gabby Basora

Stan and I like to look for activities that are a little off-the-beaten-path. We're not the normal tourist that like to visit every museum or touristy place, in fact those are the places we try to avoid. So after our adventure yesterday at Manual Antonio National Park, it was time to get away from the crowds. 

I do research to find local places and things that will lead us to something different and less crowded. In my research I found Los Campesinos, it's a little known community-based ecotourism organization deep in the mountains north of Quepos. It took us about an hour to get there, up a mountain road that was a bit bumpy and steep, but no wear near as bad as the road to Rio Celeste last year. The drive itself was part of the adventure...it took us pass charming Tico (local) villages and we saw some beautiful lush green sights.
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Jan. 26 – Dominical, Costa Rica

January 27, 2019, 8:54 am

≫ Next: Jan. 27 – Catching Up

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“To escape and sit quietly on the beach – that’s my idea of paradise.” –Emilia Wickstead

We moved today to Dominical, our second stop along the Pacific coast, it's a beach-front town about 28 miles south of Quepos. The town began as a small fishing village but has grown into a tourist attraction, mostly for surfers. We're actually staying about five miles north of Dominical in a wonderful house that over looks the ocean...a little out of the way, but very relaxing. The area between Quepos and Dominical is dotted with African oil palm plantations which produce palm oil.
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