[4/29/2020] Champion Park

We couldn't resist this beautiful weather today. After kids took a nap, I decided to take them to one of our favorite parks - Champion Park (3830 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613)

<They love climbing the rock>

It was our lucky day. A lizard was laying under the sun, and Yuna and Noah got to see him and be amazed by how fast he can run away from us. Yuna is such an explorer. She was trying to follow the lizard under the bush which was a bit spiky. She is so brave and not afraid of anything. I don't know if this is good or bad, but sometimes it worries me. 

<A lizard is trying to run away from us when Yuna started chasing him>

We also found a secret trail. It's so interesting how kids observe things differently than adults. I came to this place many times but never realized there was a side path along the main trail. Once again, our adventurous Yuna wanted to go there. I kept telling her that we may get lost, but she cared less. And Noah is always willing to follow wherever his big sister decides to go.

<A secret trail we discovered and explored, loved the shade>

Tomorrow is my husband's birthday. I've been telling this to kids for a few days, so they know Daddy's birthday is coming. When she saw a pretty wild flower, she remembered Daddy's birthday and picked up the flower for Daddy. She is such a sweetheart.

<She looked everywhere very carefully to pick up the perfect one for Daddy>

It's not easy to go outside during this pandemic time. I have to make sure that we don't go to places that are too crowded. We saw a few people exercising and biking, and we tried to maintain social distance so that all can be safe. I wish we could go back to our normal daily routines and lifestyles, though it must take some time and may never be the same. 

One of a kind - Burlington, Vermont

When I was in school, one of my friends made a trip to Burlington, VT and told me so many great things about this place. I've always wanted to go, but the distance was holding me back from visiting that beautiful city in Vermont (nearly takes 6 hours one way from Long Island to Burlington).

After I moved to upstate, traveling to Burlington cut down to three hours one way, and it was totally great chance to finally be able to visit. Personally, I think the autumn is the nicest season to visit Burlington because of all the beautiful scenery of the Lake Champlain region on the way. It's about 45 miles south to the Canada border, and I saw a lot of tourists from Canada as well.

 

www.lakechamplainregion.com

Unfortunately, I went to Burlington in March, which was still relevantly chilly at that time because of the long winter this year. But I could still enjoy the lake from afar, though water was frozen at that time.

Frozen lake, can you believe it is March?

1. Magic Hat Brewery

5 Bartlett Bay Rd, South Burlington, VT 05403

www.magichat.net

Just before entering the Burlington downtown, I stopped by the Magic Hat Brewery. There are many fun and great breweries around the area, and the Magic Hat Brewery was one of them. 

The front of the Magic Hat brewery

This is a hallway leading to the brewery. The monitor shows how the beer is made. The interior is decorated very nicely. So much to see already!  

 

They also offer free beer tasting. you can taste as many as you want. I am not a huge fan of beer, so I didn't end up buying any. But I gave the server a few dollars of tip after trying one small shot. There is also a gift shop that sells many cool stuffs.  

 2. Burlington Downtown 

   

Downtown Burlington day and night! It is a gorgeous city with so much things to do! Shops, restaurants and bookstores and more! I could feel the city has its own characteristics and beauty. Parking! It's not bad at all. There are a few public parking spaces you can go for free for certain hours and minutes. You can also street park using the parking meter.

3. American Flatbread

115 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT

This place is awesome. By the time we arrived at Burlington, it was almost lunch time. This place has an awesome review, so we just decided to have lunch at American Flatbread (brick baked flatbread)! All the fresh ingredients are local vegetables, and the salad tasted so fresh and healthy. Of course, the main menu - flatbread - was one of a kind.

 4. Ben&Jerry's Ice cream

36 Church St, Brulington, VT

I love Ben&Jerry! And Ben&Jerry is originally made in Vermont! My favorite flavor is "Chuncky Monkey". We had two scoops of ice cream and went again to get another sundae! 

4. Lake Champlain Chocolate

65 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401

The store offers good coffee, hot chocolates, gourmet chocolate truffles, gift baskets, and much more. I had a dark hot chocolate. The sweetness is perfect and very thick. Loved it! I also had two truffles and they are truly special. There are not many seats in the store though.

5. Penny Clause Cafe

169 Cherry St, Burlington, VT 05401

This place is a MUST GO brunch place. I'll stand by the fact that this is probably the best brunch place I've ever been. You can't make a reservation, and there is a super long line. We were told to wait for 40 minutes to be seated. I didn't mind after I tasted the food! 

There are so much more to do and see in Burlington, VT. If you go there in right seasons, they have different kinds of festivals, biking around the lake, tourist, etc. Visit http://www.vermont.org/visitors to get more information on events and tours you might be interested!

Affluent and Beautiful city of Saratoga Springs, NY

Today, I am going to introduce one of the beautiful and vibrant cities full of characteristics. It is Saratoga Springs in New York!!

Saratoga Springs is located north of Albany, which is the capital region of New York state. According to the Movoto, the national online real estate brokerage, Saratoga Springs is the 10th ranked city for the top 10 best places to live in New York. 

I moved to the capital regions about six months ago from the NYC. Even though NYC has lots to do and see and located not so far from here, it is not easy to travel back and forth to NYC every weekend. I asked my colleagues where is the good place for a getaway close to Albany. Almost everyone says Saratoga Springs. 

Since then, I've been there for several times. There are a few cultures, eateries, and places I would like to share with you.

1. Horse Racing

267 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Springs is very famous for the horse track and racing, usually lasts six weeks from late July to Labor day. I remember paying $5.00 for the entrance ticket and stamp on your hand so that you can even go out and come back within that same day. If you pay additional $5.00, you can watch the horse racing in the shade with more far view of the place. There are betting instructions, schedules, winning rates for each racing horses, and more when you go inside. Below is the website with more information on horse racing.

http://www.saratogaracetrack.com/

2. Springs & Spa

Saratoga Spa State Park: 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Springs, as the name indicates, is famous for the natural mineral springs and attract so many people for the quality of relaxing and enjoyable time. The place I have visited is Saratoga Spa State Park. This place accommodates hotel, pools, mineral baths, Saratoga Performing Art Center, picnics, hiking, and mineral springs. I didn't go there for the spa. But visitors are also free to bottle the public spring water for personal consumption. Below is the link where some spa information and reservations can be found.

http://www.saratoga.com/guide/healthandbeauty_mineralspas.cfm

3. Saratoga Casion

342 Jefferson St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Another fun place to try when you are at Saratoga Springs. It is located not far from the horse racing track. What more can I say...? You know the rule! :) Have fun and hopefully earn some!

4. Saratoga Downtown

I love to walk down the Broadway street in Saratoga downtown. The restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream stores, and any shops are just too neat and lovely to pass by. They make you want to just go inside without thinking about why you stepped in. 

Saratoga Gelato is a small store and has beautiful flavors. The one I had was hazelnut and it wasn't too sweet and just right! 

Uncommon Coffee sells coffee, beverages, and some baked goodies. What I love about the place is the atmosphere. It's so cozy, woody, and spacious.

 

Horse! Just famous just because!

I love bookstore! I can stay more than four hours. Northshire Bookstore is two story and just feel so special once you go inside.

Broadway Street of Saratoga Springs downtown is always clean, well organized, and beautiful. I remember once I asked my friend here, "where should I go for lunch in Saratoga downtown?" She replied, "Just go anywhere. They're all good~" I don't have a doubt!

5. Ripe Tomato An American Grill

2721 U.S. 9, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Two of my friends from Long Island visited me this summer. Of course, I was taking them to Saratoga Springs. On our way there, we stopped by this local restaurant called Ripe Tomato. They use the fresh ingredients and just cook perfectly. We were very satisfied with our big portion of brunch. It's locally famous and no wonder why!