what i did today. oct 25,2009

Lunch was downtown nyc at Aquagrill on Spring street . They have heaters in their outdoor patio but this time we sat at the bar. I had a lobster butternut squash soup with poached shrimp, and apples then a lobster salad (grapefruit wedges and beets), side grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. One complimentary mimosa and we were on our way to Burton to see their new lineup of fashion. Dreamy jackets and pants and goggles with cool graphics. Couldn't try on enough. Only got to leave with one jacket but that's okay season hasn't even started. Next was Quicksilver around the corner for one beanie and a pair of jeans for my son who was at his grandparents today. Today was a treat with an hour massage at a Korean place i've been faithful with for over 5 years. Straight to the point. No robes, no eucalyptus spray. Just walk straight in , lay on a clean cot and nap while your parts are pushed into. Afterwords we had to rush back to westchester to let the dogs out who hate the rain. Didn't take long before we were back in the car and our way to Ritz Carlton in white plains for BLT steak. crab cake and jumbo lump crab special for an appetizer, a filet with parmesan gnocchi, stuffed mushrooms, bottle of red and a lemon meringue desert. Not a bad base before two drinks in Nyack at Lace gentlemens club just over the bridge. Not a bad day at all. If I do say so myself

blue mountain, PA . October 3, 2009

  This is the first year Blue mountain has offered lift service to mountain bikers. They don't yet offer bike rental or have a facility to do bike services like tune-ups or repairs, adjustments. You must arrive here with all your own gear. They sell a minimal amount of junk food as do most other bike parks.Hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken fingers, french fries, bottled water and sodas are all that's offered. At $20 for a lift ticket this is the cheapest bike park with lift service on the east coast.http://www.skibluemt.com/SkiBlue/mountain-biking/index.aspx. I would describe the terrain and the trails similar to Mount Snow,and  Platekill with transverse trails leading you out of the woods and meandering back into the woods to the bottom. i don't recommend going here when it's rained recently. Off-camber rooty trails will be very slippery and even though you aren't dropping off any man made features it will b challenging just balancing your bike. Fun fast flowy tight single track. It's a very short way to the bottom but it looks like even in their first year of opening their planning to add to their already fun dirt jump area with berms and table tops right above the dual slalom area. The lodge is currently a large empty space but maybe with time it will be a shop for bike gear or rentals and a cafe with protein shakes, salad, and sandwiches. Has a lot of potential and the staff is very, very nice

what i did today in Long Island, NY

               Drove an hour out to Smithtown to my favorite family run restaurant, Maureen's.It's completely decorating in everything "cow"! It's awesome. say hit to the cook, a big guy, Kevin. Plenty of places to feel at home. Cow stools at the counter, cow booths, and a screened in wrap around porch. I had a short stack of pumpkin walnut pancakes and an egg white omplette with spinach and swiss. Always excellent food and service. You won't find another menu like this and you won't find a friendlier place.

               Next we drove to a Yamaha store with ATV's and snowmobiles. I'm looking for a Troy Lee helmet and an HD helmet cam for biking. Turns out they had neither but my son had fun looking at all the bikes. So we moved on to White Post Farms on Old Country Road in Melville, NY.Got on a hayride, a train ride and fed some animals.Lastly we drove to Huntington,Ny and had dinner at Hanu.A gorgeous lofty place. Brick walls, high ceiling, red velor curtains, and chandeliers galore.