Bike the Erie Canal — July 8–16, 2023

In July 2023, I completed my first major group bike tour: PTNY’s eight-day, 400-mile Cycle the Erie Canal ride from Buffalo to Albany. It was a beautiful mix of history, adventure, and small-town charm as we visited museums, wetlands, lift bridges, and canal-side villages along the way. Although I brought my camping gear, I chose hotels most nights to stay rested for the miles ahead. Each day offered something new—scenic trail sections, friendly riders, and unforgettable stops in towns like Seneca Falls, Syracuse, Rome, and Schenectady. It was the perfect introduction to long-distance bike touring and one of my most meaningful summer adventures.

Building the Peace Cabin Garden — A Sanctuary of Stone, Soil, and Stillness

Benjamin and his team created a meditative garden around our Peace Cabin, complete with flagstone paths, sculptural elements, and plantings that transform the space into a living sanctuary.

Fourth of July on Canandaigua Lake — Our Annual Floating Family

Our long-standing July 4th tradition at Kershaw Park and on Canandaigua Lake — boats, floats, food, and a whole community of friends celebrating summer together.

I spent six days in Asheville, North Carolina on a Trek Travel cycling getaway, riding a comfortable Trek Verve+ e-bike through the Blue Ridge Mountains and exploring Asheville’s vibrant downtown. The three-day guided bike tour included scenic climbs on the Blue Ridge Parkway, peaceful routes through Pisgah National Forest, and rolling country roads along the French Broad River. I stayed at The Foundry Hotel, a beautifully restored historic property that became the perfect base for both adventure and relaxation. It was the ideal mix of challenging rides, Southern charm, and slow, luxurious evenings in one of the most artistic cities in the South.

My first solo bikepacking trip — 62 miles out, 40 miles deep in the woods, a fall, a repair, and a test of grit.

We spent a beautiful spring weekend in Boiling Springs, PA with Shayna for her first wedding dress shopping trip, and we turned it into a full luxury getaway. We stayed at the Allenberry Resort—an unexpected gem that I’ve returned to many times since—complete with peaceful grounds, an onsite spa, and incredible dining. After brunch in Carlisle and a joyful morning of dress shopping, we indulged in massages and facials for a full spa party. It was a relaxing, meaningful weekend filled with good food, laughter, and the excitement of watching Shayna begin her wedding journey.

Wellington, Hobbiton, and Rotorua - eventful exploration in New Zealand.

New Zealand, Queenstown - a place for adventure.

The first leg of our NZ Adventure, in Auckland.