Anniversary Getaway

It was 4 years ago Thursday (past) that wifey and I took the plunge into matrimony. What better reason than an anniversary to get acquainted with the Virginia wine scene!?

We called The Inn at Meander Plantation ‘home’ for the weekend and really enjoyed it. Part of the fun was trying to keep Jake out of trouble. The young lad wanted nothing more than to go investigate ALL of the other animals on the plantation. We were on constant watch while walking around the grounds – if it wasn’t the horses that kept us on our toes, then it was the skunk, fox, rabbit, groundhog, or other dogs.

We stayed in one of the little shed/hut things that weren’t attached to the main house. The horse pasture was directly behind us. You can see the fence in the background of this picture. This is where the horses (Lightfoot and Gizmoe) would say, “hello” to us each morning.

 
We visited two fine establishments while in Virginia wine country. The first was the Belmont Farm Distillery (my choice). This was really cool in an ol’ moonshiners-sort-of-way. In fact, this place is just a little bit famous for being in the show, appropriately titled, Moonshiners.

 
This place was cool. Whether deliberate or not, it feels like they’re doing something not entirely legal. They are, however, quick to point out all of the various ways that they’re complying with VA ABC rules and regulations. We brought home a bottle of Kopper Kettle Whiskey, Virginia Lightning Cherry Whiskey, and a mug. Who doesn’t need one more mug??

Of the wines that we tasted while in VA, we liked the Cab Franc from Old House Vineyards the most. We stopped by that vineyard on our way out of town. There will be no pictures of the Old House Vineyards posted today – they’re earned a place on the ‘jerk’ side of the room. …we still bought their wine though.

That's a Big Apple

Ali and I headed south for a long weekend in New York City to celebrate our second wedding anniversary.  Ali lived in Manhattan for a few years and I've never been down (except for work).  Who needs a better reason than that?!

We had a packed schedule and were worried about checking everything off of our list.  The trip got off to a bad start when the four hour drive turned into seven and a half.  We rolled with the punches though.  Instead of a longer sit-down dinner, we cruised over to one of Ali's favorite NYC pubs: Plug Uglies.  It didn't take me long to understand why this was such a good place for a couple of girls to go:

1. male to female ratio HEAVILY favors the women
2. pool table, a juke box, and a shuffle board table
3. they don't serve food.  wait...what?

This is pretty common in NYC and it's kinda genius.  No kitchen means that the bar area is bigger and they can welcome more people.   Even better, the bartenders will give carry-out menus and call-in the order for you.  That's right, anyone who delivers is on the menu at Plug Uglies!  It's really pretty cool.

Saturday was packed with touristy activities.  We cruised from Liberty Island to Ellis Island, to the NYSE, to the Charging Bull, to the 9/11 Memorial.  My Ancestry.com interest made Ellis Island my favorite stop.  Obviously, they've done a lot of work to the island since Wasyl & Maria passed through in 1913 & 1914 but a remarkable amount of the main processing building has been restored and/or hasn't changed AT ALL.

As visitors, we're welcome to walk through the exact same rooms that Wasyl, Maria, and Ali's Great Great Grand Parents walked nearly 100 years ago.  During processing, migrants were required to walk up a long set of stairs to the second level.  The purpose of this was so that doctors could easily spot anyone with an injury or disability.  The point?  If you weren't of a physical condition suitable for work, America didn't want you.  In which case, you were in danger of being returned to your country of origin.  Ali and I walked up those same steps!  ...we didn't get deported.

There's another, slightly happier set of stars on the opposite side of the second floor.  These steps led to the train station, New York City...or the detention facility.  Being directed down the left or right sides of these stairs meant that you were permitted entry into America.  The stairs were the site of many goodbye's, hence their name, the Stairs of Separation.  Ali and I walked down those same steps too (we steared clear of the center staircase).

We really enjoyed the visit.  It made us think about generations gone by, their nightmare of a journey across the Atlantic, the prospects of a new life in a new country, and the movie "Hitch."

Click over to the NYC photo album to see more pictures and details from the trip.