A whirlwind double-wedding weekend: hosting Trace and Shayna’s backyard wedding after a summer of renovations (and a last-minute plumbing disaster), losing and miraculously finding a cherished family necklace, dancing late into the night — then driving to Saratoga Springs the next morning to celebrate Kevin and Meredith’s elegant golf-club wedding. One long, unforgettable celebration of love and family.

Cycle the Hudson Valley – August 2024
A multi-day group ride along the Empire State Trail from Troy to NYC with PTNY. Slept indoors on gym floors, volunteered at the e-bike charging tent, crossed the Walkway Over the Hudson, toured Val-Kill and the CIA, enjoyed concerts, survived a rain-out day, and finished the final stretch into NYC with a dead battery — supported by new friends, especially Holly. A joyful, challenging, unforgettable adventure.

Black Diamond Trail Ride — Ithaca, NY
Biked the scenic Black Diamond Trail with bike club members, adding extra miles by exploring Ithaca and enjoying lunch at the lakeside Ithaca Farmers Market. A peaceful, beautiful summer ride through one of the region’s most iconic outdoor spaces.

Cape Cod Weekend & Meredith’s Bridal Shower — Jul 2024

A girls’ weekend on Cape Cod with Diane: staying at the Lighthouse Inn, biking the Cape’s beautiful coastal trails, cocktails with Meredith’s sisters, and celebrating her bridal shower before a fun night out. A perfect blend of friendship, celebration, and seaside adventure.

Shayna’s Tea Party Bridal Shower — Canandaigua, NY - June 2024
Hosted an Edwardian-inspired tea party bridal shower in a historic home with floral dresses, fancy hats, antique tea cups, a high-tea menu, and a costumed fortune-telling medium. A whimsical, elegant celebration welcoming Shayna into our family with love.

A Spontaneous Escape to Hawaii — Two Weeks of Wonder with Jai

In the middle of a chaotic home construction project, I dropped everything and flew to Hawaii to meet Jai. A spontaneous two-week escape that became a healing adventure across Oahu and the Big Island.

Building a New England Connected Farmhouse Addition

(Spring–Fall 2024)

A two-story barn-style addition, a race against a wedding deadline, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for multigenerational living — this was the year I built our New England connected farmhouse addition

Winter at the Beach — A Month in Hollywood, Florida

A sun-soaked month in Hollywood, Florida with my siblings — biking the Broadwalk, daily breakfasts at our favorite café, exploring downtown, visiting friends, and escaping the stress of home construction for warmth, movement, and connection.

Holidays at Home — Our First Christmas With Shayna

A quiet, cozy Christmas at home with Trace and his fiancée Shayna — cooking, movies, games, gifts, and the beginning of new family traditions.

Toronto vs. Buffalo — KeyBank Center Showdown, December 2023

A border-town rivalry brought to life: brother Chris from Toronto, lake-town hockey memories, and a 9–3 Sabres shellacking — all from seats behind the Leafs box in Buffalo.

A Halloween Night on the Hill — Costumes, Hayrides, and a Porch Party

A festive Halloween with Trace, Shayna, her mom, and our friends — costumes, a haunted hayride at Lincoln Hill Farms, and a cozy porch party full of laughter, dancing, and fall magic.

New England Ports Road Trip — A Dream Journey for Serge

A New England coastal road trip created as a dream gift for Serge — filled with ports, lighthouses, small villages, hurricanes, bike rides, and the charm of Bar Harbor, Portland, Salem, Provincetown, and the Cape.

Biking the Auburn & Lehigh Trails with Roxie

A sunny ride along the Auburn and Lehigh Trails with Roxie — lunch on the trail, a little nostalgia at RIT, and gratitude for the beautiful paths right in our backyard.

Chautauqua Gran Fondo — A Summer Ride Around the Lake

A gorgeous summer weekend in Chautauqua: staying at the lakefront Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, biking the Gran Fondo, and soaking in the beauty of one of New York’s most scenic cycling events.

The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) at Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) on August 11, 2023.

Diane’s 60th Rodeo — A Saratoga Celebration

A cowboy-themed 60th birthday in Saratoga Springs — complete with a glam makeover, rainstorm laughter, family joy, and the unforgettable moment when Diane learned she would soon be a grandmother.

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.