Wander the World - A determined, rain-or-shine birthday adventure through Costa Rica — from night walks in the Monteverde cloud forest to ocean views in Manuel Antonio, ziplining, snorkeling, gourmet farm meals, and tropical relaxation, all shared with Catherine and Karen. The trip ended in Dallas with visits to Grapevine and the Fort Worth Stockyards — and miraculously, my badly sprained ankle healed by the time I got home.

Te Anau and the Southlands of NZ - the wildest part of our NZ Adventure.

Winter in St Petersburgh Florid - a chilly but beautiful month in St. Petersburg — biking through coastal towns, visiting museums and performances, escaping to sunny Hollywood for a long weekend, welcoming Ben and Bailey for beach days, and sharing a condo full of quirks, laughter, and unexpected memories with my siblings and Serge.

Winter biking in the Finger Lakes — riding through quiet, frosty landscapes with new cold-weather gear, hauling my sturdy bike trailer for errands, and learning to love the stillness and strength of cycling all season long.

Sip & Shop – A Cozy Winter Tradition With Friends

Decking the House for the Holidays - Nov 2024

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.