upstate NY and fall goods

I try to get back in the north east at least once a year for a visit. My favorite time to visit is mid fall as the leaves are changing, although this trip happened a little earlier than expected but still excited me for what's to come this season. I grew up in Albany, NY so when I go back east I always make time to spend with my family and friends in my home town. This September marks four years for me as a Nevada resident, and I never would have thought when my family and I took that cross country road trip back in September 2011, that I'd stay this long. These visits back east always do make me miss parts of home, especially during this season. Really there is no fall that compares to fall upstate!

During this past visit I took a drive out to Middleburgh, NY with my aunt, mom, and grandma which is where we used to go on day trips for all the farmer and antique markets when I was a kid. I hadn't been on this drive in over twenty years.. so it was quite a trip down memory lane. The drive out to this part of the country is just so beautiful there really are no words to describe it. I hardly captured any photos during my travels back east, but on this day I did. I wanted to remember all those simple things..  those little things that I grew up around and forget how much I miss when I'm back in Vegas. Hoping I can make it back for another visit before this year ends, there are still so many faces I didn't get to see and miss so much. Here's to a new season.. and a preview of some fall goods to come!

-A day in Middleburgh, NY-

Summer Stories - Grand Canyon, AZ

The last stop on my summer travels was to the north rim of the grand canyon. I've been to the south rim once before but never this side of the canyon. I remember thinking the last time I was there how hard it was to capture a photo of Grand Canyon's beauty, and even with my canon T2i with me this time a photo does not do this canyon justice. It's one of those places you just have to visit at least once in your life. I'd say there weren't as many tourists as there were on the north rim vs. south rim which I enjoyed and the temperature is a lot cooler. I took a short mile hike out to one of the view points on my own when I first arrived. You wouldn't guess it from the photos but it's over 8,200 feet in elevation and coming from some one who isn't a fan of heights I had to let go of some fear walking out alone on these ledges. The view was worth it though. It was the perfect end to the trip. There was so much to reflect on from all the places, people, and things I saw in just a couple weeks. After two and a half weeks on the road with little to no wifi, outhouse showering, sleeping on air mattress, picnic table bench setups and too many fast food stops lets just say I'm happy to be home and back on the real bench. Although, that road is always calling.. and I can't get New Mexico out of my head. I will be going back there very soon. In the meantime I'm looking forward to working with those new turquoise gems..

As always thanks for following the story. New jewels in the works. Stay tuned..

Summer stories - Torrey, UT

Honestly I don't have a whole lot to say of the tiny town of Torrey. There really wasn't much to do or see in this town, but it was a much needed break from the non-stop adventures we were taking daily. It rained most of the time we were in Torrey which was perfect, relaxing and peaceful. We stayed at a campground on a ranch and every morning and late afternoon the horses and cows would be out. That was one of my favorite things about Torrey. Animals everywhere and homemade pie shops. Definitely enjoyed a couple pies while in this town. The peach pie was my favorite. Oh and I went apricot picking one day! That was my first apricot picking adventure.  I forgot my camera that day to capture, although there are a couple posted on my personal insta page (@nrosano) of these apricot trees. The next visit was through Bryce Canyon - unfortunately we didn't end up stopping because we were short on time. But the drive through was insanely gorgeous. Last stop: Grand Canyon, AZ.

Summer stories - Moab, UT

Moab was such a rad town. The Arches national park which is located right in Moab was one of my top favorite nat'l parks I've been to out west. It was that similar feeling I had when I was in Valley of Fire where I felt like I was on another planet. We ended up in Moab on the 4th of July and took a very memorable hike that day with my parents to see the famous delicate arch. It was quite the intense trail uphill in 90 degree heat, but I know at the end of it we were all glad we did it. I have to say after seeing these photos, the arches don't even capture all that well. You have to experience them in person. There's still so much left in that park that we ran out of time to see. You could really spend a week here. We only spent three days in Moab. Definitely saw a lot of rocks, unfortunately no fireworks - it ended up storming the night of the 4th but honestly the lightning storm over Moab was even better than fireworks. On the last day in Moab we went off roading in the jeep to see the petroglyph sites which was rad. We bought this petroglyph guide map book with pinpoints of all these hidden petroglyph rocks. Some where very hard to find.. but we found some of these hidden gems on the off road adventure. On our way back we made a happy hour stop at Castle Creek winery and then stopped for dinner at the Moab Brewery. Dinner was okay. Lets just say I wouldn't recommend that brewery for food. The beer was good. In other news, I finally joined the snapchat! Since photos don't capture the size of these rocks well.. check out my latest stories snapchat: nikdreamer

Enjoy all the Moab rock below!

Summer stories - Durango, CO

This was my first visit in Colorado - and it was exactly as I pictured it would be, green and gorgeous! The air was so crisp and smelled so good. I wish I could have bottled that smell in a jar to take home. It was quite refreshing to get a break from that summer desert heat and be back in the land of pine and trees. We camped at a campground right off the Animas River. Durango is a very small town but in the summer it does turn in to a tourist stop for white water rafting adventures and Mesa Verde National Park. I did spend one afternoon in the Mesa Verde Nat'l park to see the pueblos. We stayed two nights in this town. I got a lot of work done on this stay since there wasn't a whole lot to do and see in this town. It was quite enjoyable setting my work bench up on the riverside. Another memorable part of this town was dining at the Yardbird eatery. That place had the best fried chicken I've ever had, and coming from someone that doesn't usually like fried chicken - that is kind of a big deal! This cute little quaint restaurant is owned by a very sweet couple. We met one of them while we were there and she explained how everything is made in house from scratch including the corn bread, fried chicken, and I even splurged for desert to try the banana pudding. That meal was so good, we ended up eating there both nights on our stay. Here's a photo diary of my time in the sweet little town of Durango.

The adobe houses

How could you not love the adobe houses...  while in Santa Fe I got to visit the "oldest house in the USA" which is an adobe home that was built in 1646. I also got a tour of the inside which was full of some of the furniture that had been found in the home. So inspiring to see this homes history, especially seeing that it was at once an Indian and Mexican arts & crafts shop. During my stay I also checked out some of the local neighborhoods to get a view of some of the adobe homes. I really want to own one some day with a big turquoise door!

Summer Stories - Santa Fe, NM

Three days in Santa Fe. I've always had a dream of moving to Santa Fe and living in an adobe house without even having visited this city before but now I know why. This city is a gem. Very high in elevation, which I didn't realize before visiting. It is known as the oldest and highest state capital in the US. In the short time I spent in this city I got to experience lots of different parts. The local flea market on Sunday, a handful of really good authentic Mexican restaurants (so many enchiladas and tacos), El Santuario de Chimayo, the loretto chapel, the museum of contemporary Native Arts, a local winery and chocolate tasting, a full moon, and meetings with some of the local native american silversmiths. Here's a photo diary of my time in Santa Fe.

Summer Stories 15'

8 cities. 20 days. The summer adventures in the RV started here. The first 3 days on the road we made it through Flagstaff and Albuquerque. Of course I would have loved to stay in both these cities longer then just a day but they were only quick stops for us on the road. I had been to Flagstaff a few years prior and this time was just for a late afternoon and one night stop. I think what I enjoy most about this town is that it reminds me of Woodstock, NY where I visited a lot to when I lived in NY. Flagstaff does not feel like Arizona at all with all the green, trees, and cooler temperatures. It was nice to get out of the desert heat. When we started our travels that morning it was 90 degrees at 8am in Vegas. Flagstaff temperature was in the low 70s. I got to enjoy my first hot coffee of the summer in Flagstaff at Fire Creek cafe which was located off route 66, also located right next to my favorite crystal shop called Crystal Magic. For dinner we ate the Black bart's steakhouse. The only restaurant I've ever been to where the wait staff sing and dance on stage during your meal. They all are students at a local art/music performance school which made for a very interesting atmosphere to eat in. I enjoyed it, and of course the steak and wine. The next morning we left early for Albuquerque. Oh, Albuquerque. I wish I could have stayed longer. I LOVED this town (I think even more than Santa Fe) but I only got to spend one day here. We went into old town that evening, where I had the best enchillada dish at La Placita. The people I met here in this town were so friendly and every corner was full of turquoise and old pawn shops. I did pick out some sweet turquoise gems during this short visit. Quite overwhelmed with the amount of turquoise and jewels the city hoards. I will get back to this city soon, if I don't end up moving there sooner. Seriously add this one to the list... Next stop was Santa Fe - post to follow.

Only pic I got from RV park in Flagstaff, AZ.

Hiking in Sedona, AZ

This past weekend one of my best friends I met in college, Erika came to visit and we took a road trip to Sedona, Arizona for a little summer getaway. We'd both been to Sedona before so we wanted to make sure to try and see new things we'd never done before which included some hiking. On our first morning we woke up at 7am and took the West Fork Trail. We had heard from some people in town that it was the best hike to take in the summer season because it was mostly a shaded hike in the canyons and the trail made you feel like you weren't in Arizona, and that I would definitely agree with. That trail was so green I couldn't believe it! I felt like I was back in NY, in the adirondacks! It had just stormed right before we headed out on those trails, so all the trees and leaves had fresh drops of rain on them and the smell was one I wish I could have bottled up and taken home with me. Mother nature at her best.

The second hike we did was later in the day, called cathedral rock. This hike was a little more intense especially since it was during prime hours the sun was directly above and beating on us. Not recommended in 100 degree temperatures - unless you have lots and lots of water! Lets just say I did not make it to the top of cathedral rock. I stopped midway and took some time to myself. Erika made it a little further than I did.. but I enjoyed stopping and collecting some personal moments for myself. Even though our Sedona trip was quite short, it was the perfect getaway to clear the mind and cleanse the soul. Sedona is probably one of the most sacred and spiritual places to visit. We also got to enjoy some good food, psychic readings, vortex visits, and crystal shopping during our stay. Here's a little photo diary from our hikes.

Oh yes and we had this little man along for the adventure! He was such a trooper. #romanthepup

Ghost Town

Just an hour outside Vegas - southwest of Boulder City you'll wander upon the littlest town off the highway called Nelson. I recently went mining with a friend who mentioned this town aka Ghost Town. Now I can see why. There is a private property that is now a historical landmark right in the middle of this town. It used to be an old gold mine, and they do offer mining tours on weekdays. I went on a Sunday, but would love to go back in the upcoming week to check out one of these tours. Although this location even without the tour was a dream.. everything from antique cars, school buses, vintage gas pumps, old barns with every random piece you can imagine to find in a junk barn. It was like I wandered right in to a time machine. Such great inspiration, I adored this place a lot. Looking forward to adventuring the gold mine next time. Here's a little photo diary from my day in Nelson.