Happy Wednesday! Hope your last week of summer is going well! (Don’t cry too hard summer lovers)
I recently went on a little weekend getaway to Upstate NY and can’t wait to tell y’all all about it! It was a quick two day one night trip to see Alabama live in concert and explore Watkins Glen State Park and the Taughannock Falls!
My friend and I arrived Sunday afternoon to an old, cute little cabin we rented through Airbnb. It had a beautiful view of a lake and trees. Waking up to that alone could wash all your worries away. The rustic experience was VERY REAL though. Now, I have gone on the standard Girl Scout cabin camping adventure, but that was light years ago and your girl hasn’t gone since. Using an outhouse and basically living with every species of bugs that exist on God’s green Earth was quite the adventure. I would do it again for that view though, trust me on that. {Shout out to our Airbnb Host Steve and his stunning property!}
Sunday night we went to see the legendary band Alabama perform at Tag’s Budweiser Summer Stage. It was an amazing experience. To be honest, I only knew one song before this conert (guilty!). My friend is a huge fan and when she asked me to go I said, ‘Why not?!’ I knew how epic of an opportunity it was to be able to see them perform and I’m so grateful I did. I have become a forever fan.
Monday morning came and we enjoyed our coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts (drool) while staring at our view and then headed to Taughannock Falls! You all MUST go. It was absolutely jaw dropping and almost unbelievable to see nature in such a way. I truly encourage you all to get outside and explore as much as you can. Does that mean you have to go to the most desolate area and live off the grid for a bit? No. Take a walk in a local park, go on little hiking trip or simply stare out into your backyard and it will do the trick. I always take the time to look around me and realize that there are much bigger things at play in this world. I stare up at the trees (which are my FAVE part of nature lol), I look up at the starry night sky (second favorite part of nature), I breathe in fresh air just to remind myself of all the good that is around me.
After the Taughannock Falls, we went to explore Watkins Glen State Park. We were there for about an hour or so and were able to see waterfalls hidden in corners and even walk behind one! We took the time to discover the local town as well. We checked out a local beer spot and stopped in at the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop. (because DUH). It was a beautiful town filled with beautiful people and sights. I’m so glad I said yes to this little adventure. I got a whole lot more out of it than just pictures and ice cream.
As I said earlier when I spend time outdoors, it always recenters me and gives me a fresh look into my life. This time however, was a little different. I was really excited to get to exploring, that I was taken aback from all my emotions I was experiencing. I was staring at this waterfall (in Taughannock Falls) just watching the water barrel down into the lake and then I would look back up to the top and watch it fall back in again and again and again. I did this for a few minutes and literally forgot where I was. I remember feeling at peace. I felt like it was God’s way of saying to me, “You’re on the right path. All the decisions you are making and all the fears you are fighting through are all leading you in the right direction.” I have been fighting a lot of emotions this month and I wasn’t thinking about them going into this trip. I was more so trying to run from them. I was so focused on getting away for a couple days, that I forgot the abundance amount of good that could come out of a trip like this. It was the therapy session I never knew I needed. We may not understand it all or even want to accept certain circumstances, but we will rise out of all of them. I will choose to keep my head up, like I did when staring at that waterfall, and be in awe of the endless opportunities God has given me.
Sip of the Week
My Sip this week is actually just a friendly reminder that…FALL. IS. COMING. I can’t wait for all the activities and traditions ahead! Grateful to have ended summer on a positive note, but I’m ready for all the #PSL, scarves, pumpkins and booties! I hope you all have a great end of summer!