Getting Outdoors & Catching Some Fresh Air...

Rock City Park. Olean, NY.

Over the course of these last 8-9 weeks I’ve visited some “hiking spots” around the WNY region. One of the only things helping me not spiral into a very deep depression is getting outside, getting some fresh air and being in nature. It’s really helped clear my head, not think about reality (even if its just for a few moments) and just be.

Some of these spots may be well known to most, some may not consider them real hiking places, and some may not be aware of any of these locations or have never been, regardless of any of those things, below I break down where I’ve been so far and my opinion of each place.

Hemlock Canadice State Forest. No Shoes. No Problem.

Hemlock Canadice State Forest (Canadice Haul Road Trail) - located in the Finger Lake region (about an hour and a half from Buffalo) this was a tricky place to find. There wasn’t one spot per say where you could enter and exit from a trail, at least not noticeably. I took my niece and nephew with me and we found a few spots off the sides of the road that seemed like they were hiking entrances but it didn’t look clear enough. After driving around for a little bit, we came to one spot where we got out and walked a short distance to the lake. I let the kids put their feet in the water and throw some rocks before we headed back to trying to find a more defined trail. Eventually, as I was just about to give up, we came across the Canadice Haul Road Trail, it was a nice trail, clean, quiet and not overly populated with people. We made it about 20 -30 minutes in before the kids said their legs were getting tired so we turned around. I have to remind myself they are kids and not adults.

Overall verdict, a little tricky to find a trail but once we found one it was worth it. It is a drive so I would plan this as a whole day trip, pack some water and snacks (especially if you have little ones you’re bringing with you). Another note - once we found the Canadice Haul Road Trail my cell service was very limited and spotty, keep that in mind as you plan ahead.

Rock City Park

Rock City Park - Located in the southern tier (Olean, NY) this park features an array of rock formations and hiking trail(s) that will leave every visitor happy. There is an admission to this park - $5 for adults/teens $3 for children 6-12 years old and hours of operation are 9-6pm daily (last admission to the park is 5pm). This place was easy to get to, about a hour and a half from Buffalo and was a lot of fun. My sister and I took my niece and nephew and they had a blast. For the most part adults and kids can crawl, walk, climb through, above, and in-between various rock formations that are throughout the trails within the park. They provide you with a trail map so you know what rock formations you are looking at and you get a little bit of history with each one. This is a great place to go whether or not you have kids. Its dog friendly too, as long as your dog remains on a leash. There are some steep steps and uneven, rugged terrain so if you’re looking for a nice, relaxing hike this may not be the best trail to walk.

Overall - fun, dog and kid-friendly, there is a cost to enter, definitely a place to go for those looking for an adventure.

Akron Falls - About a 35 minute drive from Buffalo this is a nice, big park and has a playground area (even though we didn’t go there). The trails are easy for the most part and the view of the waterfall is very nice. Only downfall I would say - the people crowding near the waterfall to take pictures, it made it hard to safely social distance. My niece and nephew really liked this location. The accessibility and ease of walking around I think they favored. The waterfall was a perk.

Knox Farms - About a 40 minute drive from Buffalo, this is a favorite of mine (and Harlie’s). The park is big enough to walk the trails, have a picnic or simply sit on a bench and just stare out at the beautiful scenery. Now that the dog park is open you can also let your best pal run around in the designated areas if you so choose. I like the ability to properly social distance yourself at this park. I also like the little reading library along one of the trails. My niece and nephew have been here a few times throughout the summer and they enjoyed it very much. Harlie loves when I take her for walks here, its one of the first spots I took her to as a puppy and she still loves it to this day.

Reinstein Woods - About a 15-20 minute drive from Buffalo, Reinstein Woods is bigger than what I thought it would be. it has multiple trails with beautiful lily ponds, its really forestry in a residential area where you may not think it would be and they have great directional signage at the main entrance so people are properly entering and exiting the trails and staying socially distanced. My niece and nephew liked this place up until they saw signs to be cautious of ticks and then they thought they were going to get one on them so it made it not so pleasant. No dogs are allowed here, but overall I thought it was a nice place, close to home and I would definitely go back.

Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park - Located in Erie, PA Presque Isle was about a two, to two and a half hour drive. My sister and I took my niece and nephew to go to one of the many beaches on site, but they have an abundance of trails that you can bike, walk, run or roller blade on and beautiful views of the Lake Erie. The kids loved the beach, even though it was one of those extremely hot days, they loved being in the water and playing in the sand. This was a great day trip, and cost next to nothing (outside of gas & toll money really). It’s definitely a place I’d go back to and spend more time at. As we were leaving the park a turtle was crossing the pavement and it was pretty cool to see it trucking along.

Buckhorn Island State Park - Located on Grand Island this park is about a 20-25 minute drive from Buffalo and borders the Niagara River. This park was another pretty cool spot with a handful of trails to walk around and some take you right up to the waters edge. Dogs are allowed and its a pretty easy walk, mostly flat in the areas I was. It goes close/alongside the Grand Island Bridge and some of the views are pretty cool to see. I saw some kids fishing and also saw some kayakers and people riding bikes while I was there.

Artpark - about a 45 minute drive from Buffalo, I’ve been to Artpark more times this summer than I think I have been in the last few years. First was to walk around and see the multiple art pieces they have on property, the second was for the drive-in movie series they are hosting this summer and the more recent was for an Art of Walking event where they incorporated a guided walk through the site with nature and creative art performance. It was pretty cool. This place offers not only a nice place to take a walk, but is a good place to take the kids and let your creative spirit come alive. The Public Art they have on display also provides good conversation points if you’re with someone else or with kids and if you’re not, it still offers your creative juices to flow.

Tifft Nature Preserve - located at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, this is a classic spot for me. Not only is there so much nature, natural beauty and wildlife, but my niece and nephew enjoy this spot a lot. With the various trails they never seem to get bored and only want to explore more when they are there. The trails are easy to walk through and its a short drive from the suburbs. No dogs are allowed. They do offer nature programming throughout the year which is nice for anyone looking for something to do other than just walk around at your leisure.

Harlie posing at Chestnut Ridge.

Chestnut Ridge - Located in Orchard Park, another classic place to visit, I love the hills that the Ridge offers, provides for a good workout. I also enjoy the various trails you can go on. When I visited the park was pretty busy, there were outdoor fitness and rec classes, people watching the sunset and people just out for a leisurely stroll or jog. It wasn’t bad but I could definitely see where socially distancing may be hard to do in some areas when you’re passing by people. Harlie enjoyed her walk here.

There are still a handful of places on my list that I want to check out before the weather gets cold. What are some of your favorite hiking spots or places you like to go to get outside and get some fresh air?

Women Who Move Buffalo - The Gals from Love in Motion Yoga

It's been a while since I've posted about my women who move Buffalo series, not because I haven't met some pretty cool people recently, but just because life has gotten in the way. Anyways...last year I was introduced to Kate and Kathleen from Love in Motion Yoga  they started teaching free yoga classes at the Outer Harbor on Wednesday's and Saturday's. Jump to today and what I'll say is you really never know how things will go when you meet new people, sometimes your relationship can be pretty minimal and other times it can grow into something wonderful and that's what I say happened with us. Since then, we've collaborated more, laughed more and they've taught me to just live my life.

{the studio}

On Saturday morning before their busy day full of classes they were kind enough to invite me into to their studio to share their story. Check it out below...

{during our interview - a candid shot of behind the scenes work at LIM}

BP:  How did you two meet?

K&K: Kathleen was in the training process to become a yoga instructor and attended Kate's first yoga class she was teaching in 2008 and the rest is history!

BP: What made you gals want to go into business together?

K&K: It's been 5- 6 years in the making, we've talked about going into business together and knew that was both of our end goals and visions.

BP: How did you both get into the yoga scene?

K&K: Kate: I'm a runner and wanted to stretch {I wish I recorded Kate's response, it is a lot better than just reading it here.} Kathleen: my sister suggested me taking it up after a phone conversation I had with her.

BP: What do you love most about owning your own business?

K&K: We can do whatever we want.  Any idea or vision we have, if we want to make it happen or just go out and do it, we can. The way we can show up in the community and be apart of something great, is a great feeling.

BP: What is your most memorable experience together?

K&K: {through the laughter} the  time we got pulled over at the Canadian border on our way to teaching a retreat. We had a full cooler full of raw food and they stopped us thinking we were smuggling things in.

BP: What do you love about Buffalo? If you had to chose one thing what would it be?

K&K: The community and the collaboration among small businesses. Collaboration is good for everyone and there is a bigger sense of working together here than if you were in another city.

BP: What is one thing you want people to take away from LIM?

K&K: The sense of coming like you are. Yoga can be fun and there are no expectations, no putting on an act. Its about getting connected and tapping into your body. Its about enjoying the practice, "it's chill."

{nothing but smiles at LIM}

One thing I can say is once you meet Kate and Kath your life will change for the better. They bring out the best in people, they do so much for others in the community and always treat everyone with respect and love. They want everyone to be able to practice so if you are financially in a pinch, give them a call and talk to them.

Like I mentioned above, these ladies do so much for the WNY community. Just this week alone they are doing a feel good series at the Buffalo Zoo to raise funds for animal enrichment and Pause in the Park at Roswell Park. And on Oct. 8th check out LIM looonnggg flow w/Kath.  For a complete list of upcoming events and workshops click here.

I'll leave you all with this.. "there are some people in life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, and live just a little bit better." Kate and Kath do that for me and I can bet money they probably do that for others in this community as well. Thank you ladies for reminding us all to be the best version of ourselves each day.

-B 

{a little advice from the LIM instagram account}

A "thank you" to my work family as we say goodbye to summer

{the "original" Outer Harbor crew}

Its not the "official" end of summer yet, but with school starting back up and these cooler temperatures that have made there way thru to WNY its easy to say Fall is approaching. While we still have a number of events this next month, I must say this summer, especially this last couple of months have been a whirlwind. One thing I've learned is life happens, things change and there will always be problems and sometimes you may not be able to find a solution or answer to those problems, but you need to learn how to move on and be happy with yourself.

{always willing to help me out when it comes to important causes #BisonsFam}

Learning this lesson comes as a real challenge to me as I just want to please everyone whether it be in my professional or personal life, but eventually it will affect you and drive you crazy because you won't always have the answers or know why things are happening the way they are at those specific times. What I want anyone who may happen to read this post to get out of it is simple, changes take place in all different aspects of your life all the time, some times they are small changes, sometimes they are bigger changes and sometimes we may not know why the hell we are going thru them, but we have to accept them and learn to just live.

{fun times with the gals}

When you are in a career like mine you work very long hours and work becomes your second home. Your co-workers become your second family in a way; you fight together, laugh and cry together, but most importantly you have each others backs. When someone is down or needs help you are there to lift them back up and to let them know everything will be okay. If there is one thing I will stand by its that working together has a far greater reward than working by yourself - a lesson a lot of people could use in today's world.

{4th of July}

{Jack Craft Fair}

{Thunder at the Outer Harbor}

There are a lot of awesome things that took place this summer and it wouldn't haven been possible if we didn't work together. So to my work family at the Ballpark, Canalside and the Outer Harbor, thank you for having my back, making these summer months a very memorable one, picking me up and making me laugh when I've wanted to cry and reminding me that "I've got this" when I've second guessed myself. XO

-B

{the boys}

{2nd to last Bisons game of the season}

{Brunch fest}

{typical Brad :) }

Friday Finds

Its been a crazy few weeks and my blog has taken a backseat to other things going on in my life. Since I had a few minutes though I thought I would share some of my finds from this past week. Have a wonderful weekend!

-B

{This yummy Loganberry One Roq vodka drink was the perfect ending to a busy event day. The company was even better!}

{On my way to Tifft Nature Preserve I found one of my new hang out spots this summer at the Outer Harbor}

{Driving behind one of my favorite businesses in town. Their homemade bread is so good}

{One of my favorite days of the summer, this year was event better because I got to see a good friend who is touring with the headliner. Seeing my friends successes makes me happy.}

Venturing through the Inner & Outer Harbor

Saturday I had two of my very good friends back in town and it has been a while since they've seen Canalside, so being the big "Buffalove" advocate I am, we went down to Canalside for the afternoon. The Saturday Artisan Market was in full effect along with live music from a variety of bands throughout the day. We grabbed ice cream from Clinton's Dish, went over to put our name on the 3.5 hour water bike list {which we didn't end up doing} and took some touristy pictures with Shark girl.

We ended up taking the Queen City Ferry over to the Outer Harbor where I showed Michelle and Shanna the Lighthouse before heading back to take them to Buffalo Riverworks where we ended the day. For me, I think I take advantage of Canalside and the development in downtown sometimes because I work down here and I see it on a daily basis.  To have both my Buffalo friends say how they can't believe how quickly the area has changed reminded me of how lucky we are to have these exciting things taking place.

Until next time...

-B

{Just enjoying the Queen City Ferry Ride}

{Canalside on a Saturday}

{Picturesque}