Sunset Hike on Stewart Mountain || Loon Lake, NY

 Hike: Stewart Mountain near Loon Lake, NY
Distance: Less than 1 mile round trip, out and back trail, 200 feet of elevation gain
Details: This is a very quick & easy hike in the Adirondack mountains, very close to Loon Lake, NY. It was a perfect after-dinner walk for us and we enjoyed watching the sunset from up top. The short distance makes it ideal for sunset, because we didn't have far to walk back in the dark!

The entire trail was well-marked with the classic yellow NY trail markers. 

There was a great information sign at the top to let us know just what we were looking at!

Perfect spot for a beautiful view of the sunrise - and we had it all to ourselves!

Parking: The parking for the trail is right along White School House Road. There is a small area to park that fits about half a dozen cars. However, we only saw one other car in the lot.

Trail Conditions: There were a few rocky parts and a decent climb for such a short hike, but definitely doable for anyone in half-decent shape.

Final Thoughts: This is a super quick hike that boasts beautiful views. Our suggestion would be to go at sunset, but any time of day would be nice. This hike is also part of the Chester Challenge, a series of eight family-friendly hikes in Chester County, NY. Mike & I have completed three of the hikes and hope to go back and finish the challenge next summer!

Emerald Lake Hike || Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Hike: Emerald Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Distance: 3.1 miles round-trip, out-and-back trail, 700ft of elevation gain

Details: This was one of the first hikes my husband and I completed when we got to Colorado. The trail head sits at around 9,500ft, so we knew the elevation would effect us, but we weren't sure how badly we'd feel it. This was a great first hike in the park and the elevation gain was so gradual that we felt absolutely fine. There were people of all ages and fitness levels enjoying the hike (and views)!

 Although the trail is called the Emerald Lake Trail - it actually features three different lakes! The first is Gem Lake, then Dream Lake (pictured above, our favorite) and at the end of the trail is Emerald Lake. The farther you go, the less people there is. 

 

A few other details on the hike..

Parking: The parking at Bear Lake (where the trail head is) fills up very quickly in the morning. If you're not up there by 7am, park at a lower lot and take the free RMNP shuttle bus to the top. Not only will it save you gas, but you can enjoy the views as a passenger while someone else drives!
Trail Conditions: Check out the weather forecast before you go, but be prepared for anything. Afternoon thunderstorms are an almost daily occurrence in the Rockies, so be sure to pack a rain coat and get down off the mountain by early afternoon.
Final Thoughts: The trail was a little crowded for our taste, but we still enjoyed this hike and would do it again. The views were beautiful, the aspens were perfectly golden yellow, and all three lakes were beautiful.

Apple Picking at Weaver's Orchard

I am a big fan of embracing all the seasons - looking for tulips and new flowers in the spring, building a snowman when the first winter snow falls, swimming and enjoying the warm in the summer, and collecting leaves and picking apples in the crisp autumn weather. Mike & I have enjoyed apple picking at Weaver's for a few years and always have a good time. We enjoy the variety they have and the prices aren't bad either! 

  

 We get a little silly sometimes..

 

 At Weaver's Orchard, you pay up front for one of two sizes of bags. I like this method because it means there are no surprises at the end when you learn that you accidentally picked 40lbs of apples haha! Although the bags they provide are sturdy, we found them a bit annoying to carry from row to row. We brought our L.L.Bean tote and it was much easier.

  

A trip to Weaver's isn't complete without a few of their delicious apple cider doughnuts! We brought home close to twenty pounds of three different varieties of apples in total. We are planning to make apple pie, possible some crisp, and applesauce this weekend!

Mike & I really enjoy doing different activities for our date nights throughout the year. It's safe to say that apple picking is always a favorite for both of us!