Poky Little Wanderer

Slowly wandering my way everywhere

Tag: Day Trip

Views of Manhattan's skyline from Liberty State Park

Visiting Liberty State Park

Published December 5, 2018 / / 6 Comments

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Liberty State Park is a large state park along the Upper New York Bay in the Northeast corner of New Jersey. In addition to providing much-needed green space, there are fabulous views of the Manhattan skyline from the park’s Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. It opened in 1976 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Once a major manufacturing, shipping, and transportation hub, the area has been repurposed to provide green space and recreational facilities in the heavily developed and urban tri-state area. Continue reading

Sculptures at Riker Hill Art Park

Riker Hill Art Park

Published November 21, 2018 / / 6 Comments

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River Hill Art Park sign

Recently, I found myself in Livingston, NJ with some extra time on my hands so I looked up if there was anything to do in the area. During my search I came across the Essex County Riker Hill Art Park which sounded interesting. The 42 acre former Riker Hill Nike Battery Control Area NY-80 Base was sold to Essex County back in 1974 for a whopping $1. Beginning in the 80s, the buildings began to be re-purposed as studios for an artistic community. This community is known as the Riker Hill Artists and there are over thirty art studios for various art mediums. These mediums include ceramics, painting, steel sculpture, glass blowing, pottery, weaving, jewelry, and woodcarving. Continue reading

Harvested apples while apple picking at Smith’s Orchard

Apple Picking at Smith’s Orchard and Cider Mill

Published November 7, 2018 / / 4 Comments

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New York Apples

The 20 acre orchard while Apple Picking at Smith’s Orchard

Apple seeds were brought over to New York from Europe in the 1600s. Today, New York is the second largest apple producing state in the US with many varieties grown across the state. Considering this history (and NYC’s Big Apple nickname), it’s no surprise apples were designated as the state fruit in 1976. 

Western New York is home to many farms and orchards. Many of them welcome visitors to come to pick their own or purchase already harvested apples every fall. I usually go apple picking at Smith’s Orchard and Cider Mill each fall and get some delicious apple cider slushies.

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Sloth crossing sign in Cahuita, Costa Rica

Visiting the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica

Published October 3, 2018 / / 28 Comments

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One of the highlights of my last minute trip to Costa Rica was visiting the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica. This was something I’d read about before going and was actually part of why I wanted to head to the southeastern part of the country!

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2018 Sand Sculpture at New York State Fair

Experiencing the Great New York State Fair

Published September 19, 2018 / / 23 Comments

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Despite having lived in New York State for the first 29 years of my life (excluding when I studied abroad and my internship in the Florida Keys), I had never visited the New York State Fair. Shameful, I know. However,  I finally righted this great wrong in my life, and dragged my bestie along with me. Continue reading

Café Britt plantation using shade grown methods

Taking a Tour of Café Britt Finca & Roastery in Costa Rica

Published August 15, 2018 / / 4 Comments

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While in Costa Rica for a short whirlwind trip, I visited Café Britt Finca and Roastery in Heredia to the north of San José. As with everything I did on that trip, taking the tour there was a last-minute based on what I felt like doing and what I could manage with my limited time in the country. That said, Sunday night after my adventure white water rafting on Río Pacuare, I booked a tour for Monday afternoon to Café Britt, Costa Rica’s first gourmet coffee roaster.

Coffee plantation using shade grown methods
Café Britt plantation
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White Water Rafting Río Pacuare in Costa Rica

Published August 9, 2018 / / 3 Comments

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Poky Little Wanderer white water rafting the Río Pacuare in Costa Rica

On my last minute trip to Costa Rica, I was lucky to book a super last-minute day trip to go white water rafting on the Río Pacuare. Named as one of the Top Five Rivers in the World for class II-IV rafting, it’s a must when visiting Costa Rica.

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Poky Little Wanderer cycling La Ruta de las Cascadas

5 Reasons NOT to Bike La Ruta de las Cascadas in Baños, Ecuador

Published July 25, 2018 / / 4 Comments

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I hate to sound like a Debbie Downer or a Negative Nancy here since I’m not normally one to recommend taking a tour or bus over doing something yourself. However, in this case, I’m making an exception. If you’re thinking about renting a bike while in Baños de Agua Santa to explore La Ruta de las Cascadas: do yourself a favor and at least read through my reasons not to do it.

Poky Little Wanderer cycling La Ruta de las Cascadas
Biking on the cobblestoned ‘old road’ was beautiful but bumpy

During my planning for my trip to Ecuador, I read several blogs and articles about all the fun things to see and do. I was looking forward to Ecuador being an adventurous trip since Baños has so many outdoor adventure activities and I planned to visit the Galápagos Islands as well. Many of the posts I read touted bicycling the road to Puyo, also known as La Ruta de las Cascadas (Route of the Waterfalls), as a great budget activity while in Baños. I, however, would advise you to consider these reasons before renting a bike and pedaling out of Baños.

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