Happy New Year!!!!!

Personally, I couldn't be more excited that 2009 is here! I have great hopes for this year to be the best one yet! After trying so many adventures this past year, I am looking forward to having even more fun during 2009! There are already some exciting winter activities coming up in January that I am really looking forward to. I can't wait!

I wish you all a very happy (and safe!) New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! Happy 2009 everyone!!!

Holiday Wishes!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! Tis the season for time with family and loved ones! This year might not feel as cheery with the economy and all, but you don't need to spend lots of money to enjoy time with those close to you! I plan to enjoy time visiting my family and having our traditional holiday treats. I can't wait!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Fridays at the Rubin Museum of Art

Just because the Outdoor Bound event at the Rubin Museum of Art is now over, doesn't mean you can't take part in their special Friday night offerings. The K2 Lounge located within the Rubin is a great spot to get an after work cocktail. They have happy hour (buy one get one) from 6-7pm on Fridays. Even though drink prices are on the higher end, with wine and cocktails in the $9-$11 range, entry to the museum is free after 7pm which is a nice bonus. While relaxing with a glass of wine, I enjoyed sampling from their appetizer menu. I loved the special pizza they served which had a spicy tomato sauce and was covered with paneer cheese. It was delicious!

Having never been to the Rubin before, I was happy to discover that this museum will become a regular place to visit from now on. Even after the private tour I went on with Outdoor Bound, I still need to go back so I can further examine all of the art that the Rubin holds. We had an excellent tour guide who really went into detail on the pieces we looked at and it was a perfect way to get introduced to the meanings behind the beautiful visuals of the art. It is quite evident that there is so much more to learn about the pieces on display than what can be covered in the hour of time we had during the tour. I was quite impressed with the space too - it used to be the location of the first Barney's department store. Now it has been transformed into an excellent showcase of Himalayan Art and a center for cultural learning.

Along with the impressive art and the K2 lounge, the Rubin has an art film to view at their Cabaret Cinema every Friday at 9:30pm (admission is free with a $7 bar purchase!). There are also cultural concerts performed during happy hour as well. I had such a great time during this first visit that am definitely looking forward to another Friday night at the Rubin Museum again sometime soon.

The Rubin Museum of Art is located at 150 West 17th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). For information on how to visit and for all the details on what they offer, please visit their website at http://www.rmanyc.org/.

Art, Music, Film & Drinks! All in One Night!

Outdoor Bound is hosting an event called Himalayan Happy Hour at the Rubin Museum this Friday, December 19th, 2008. This one sounds too interesting to say no to!

For those of you who might not want to do some of the more physically challenging activities Outdoor Bound offers, this might be right up your alley. This event at the Rubin includes: Happy hour with drink specials, a private tour of the exhibit which features sacred art from Bhutan, music from a series of Himalayan art-inspired jazz concerts and an optional movie on-site in the Cabaret Cinema.

According to the website, there are still some spots left, so I thought I would share it with you in case you were interested! It sounds like a great way to end a work week to me! Here is a link to the event on http://www.outdoorbound.com/: http://www.outdoorbound.com/index.php/events/sub/himalayan_happy_hour_at_the_rubin_museum/

Warm Yourself Up with Some Delicious Deals

One of my favorite restaurants, Bistro 33, is back after a brief holiday hiatus. Making their return extra special is the announcement of a new winter menu. Their nightly specials have also been updated and are sure to satisfy people's appetites while giving them a great deal at the same time.

Tuesdays will continue to have the fabulous 2 for $10 special which includes various small plates, sushi, wine and beer that you can order in any combination. And now Wednesdays will be called Wine Wednesdays as every second glass you order while having your dinner will be free! I can't wait to try the new menu and enjoy these specials! Visit their website for more details at http://www.lilbistro33.com/.

Click here to read my previous post on Bistro 33: http://liveitupnyc.blogspot.com/2008/08/fine-dining-at-fine-price.html

Saving Money In This Economy is Key...

If you are searching for a great Happy Hour bargain then look no further than KeyBar, located at 432 East 13th Street (between 1st Ave and Ave A). KeyBar has one of the best happy hours around and it is not your typical run-of-the-mill offer. Every beverage they serve is two for the price of one - which includes a wide variety of unique specialty cocktails and shots, as well as their impressive beer selection. This special goes on every day usually from 6pm- 10pm!!!

KeyBar's cozy but subsequently small space features a real fire burning stove to keep you warm on a chilly night. On the exposed brick walls you will see a gallery of art work and each night there is a different DJ spinning to enhance the atmosphere. Some of the special cocktails you can order include the Huckleberry Sin and the Tangerine Queen. The Rolo, Black Sea Jellyfish and Brain Damage are just a few of the shots they are known for serving up.

I met up with my happy hour group at KeyBar the other day. We all quite enjoyed sitting near the fire while listening to some great tunes and sampling from the fantastic drink selection. Even with so many people there for the happy hour special, the bartenders were fast and attentive. Another highlight of our visit was the beer glasses. Each beer is served in the specific glass it was meant to be served in. I was enamored of the Delirium Tremens glass, which had tiny pink elephants painted all around it! All these little details only further enhanced what was a wonderful night out with friends and I definitely plan to head back again sometime soon.

You can get all the details on the website at http://www.keybar.com/. On their site, they have posted pictures of some of their more interesting looking shots and a list of DJs and specials for each day. Check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and delicious treats. I am certainly thankful for a chance to spend some time with my family and to take a moment to reflect on all the blessings I have been able to experience this year. I am looking forward to a large serving of pumpkin pie too! Happy Thanksgiving!

Go Horseback Riding - In Brooklyn!

On a city street just outside of Prospect Park in Brooklyn you might be surprised to find a Horseback Riding Stable. Kensington Stables is located at 51 Caton Place in Brooklyn and is one of the closer venues for NY city dwellers to learn to ride. They offer group trail rides and lessons, carraige rides, as well as private instruction.

When I went, I had signed up for a group trail ride so we were scheduled to depart at a certain time. I used to ride when I was younger but it has been many years so I was a little nervous. I was amazed at how the stable was just on the street corner amidst regular buildings! Because of my prior riding experience, they put me on one of the more eager horses. This horse was ready to go! The entire group had our horses brought out to us while we waited outside the stable on the street. Once everyone was ready, we were lined up and it was time for our guides to lead us to Prospect Park for our trail ride. Honestly, I was freaked out at the fact that we had to cross a busy traffic circle to get to the park. I was worried the horses would get jumpy and run off with us but the guides were experts at getting us safely across to the park.

Once in the park, there were still plenty of people walking by and riding bikes since it was a lovely day outside. But the horses were used to this and were pretty much unfased. My group was a mix of beginners and other levels so we maintained a nice walking pace during most of the trail. It was beautiful walking through the park and exhilerating to do so on horseback! The group trail rides last for about an hour. I'll admit it was hard to turn back since I was having so much fun. As someone who used to be an advanced rider, I felt ready to take it to the next level the next time I signed up to ride. But for those who have never been on a horse before and are looking to get started, this is a great way to get out there.

Kensington Stables has all their information on pricing and the services they offer on their website: http://www.kensingtonstables.com/. The people who work there are friendly and very helpful in making sure you enjoy your horseback riding experience.

A Divine Addition to Astoria

This past Saturday evening, a friend and I had the pleasure of going to try a new Astoria restaurant - Vesta Trattoria and Wine Bar. We were both completely won over!!! Located on the corner of 30th Avenue and 21st Street, Vesta is a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Word of mouth is spreading fast about how delicious this place is so we ended up arriving just in time before the crowds. Since there were so many people coming in, they asked if we could sit at a table for two instead of the table for four we had initially selected for ourselves. We were happy to oblige as they offered us a free round of drinks to make up for the table move.

Once we settled into our seats, it was time to decide what to order. I am not the best at selecting a good wine (I prefer a dry red) so I went with their suggestion - the Aglianico. It was a perfect match for me and I stuck with this selection for the rest of my evening. As for our dinner choices, I wanted to try the Margherita thin crust pizza to start while my friend chose the Antipasto Plate, containing manchego cheese, hot sopressata and fig spread. Both were delicious and were devoured promptly. The pizza was much larger than I had anticipated but because the crust was so thin and crisp, I was able to enjoy half of it, share some with my friend and have room to try an entree. We both quite enjoyed these appetizers.

After much internal debate, my friend helped encourage me to try the Baked Gnocchi with chanterele mushroom and cream for my entree. It was definitely the right choice! The gnocchi melted in my mouth and everything in the dish perfectly complimented each other. I made sure to savor each bite and finished the entire serving, even though it meant no room for dessert for me. I was too happy to care! My friend enjoyed the Asparagus & three sisters Serena cheese which had a hint of lemon to it. Although I didn't have room for dessert, my friend got to try the Tiramisu. Everything we sampled during our visit was excellent! When it was time to leave, I can definitely say that we left quite content.

There are plenty of items on the menu that I am still eager to try, so I plan to go back as soon as I can. Vesta also serves lunch weekdays and offers a brunch menu on the weekends. For those looking for a place to go for the holiday, they will be open on Thanksgiving serving a special holiday menu. For all of their details, visit them on the web at www.vestavino.com.

Ready to Hit the Slopes this Winter?

I have been living in NYC for many years now. I have always wanted to go skiing at one of the nearby mountains but for many different reasons it has not happened yet. Well, this year I am determined to go skiing on at least one day trip. The company I went wine tasting with in October, Zogsports, also offers a few day and weekend ski trips during the winter season. On Wednesday I went to their Pre-Season Happy Hour to get more information about the trips they have available. I decided to sign up for the one in January that includes a one hour lesson (in the ski level of your choice) and rentals. Your transportation to the mountain and lift tickets are also included. Of course if you already have your own skis there is a way to sign up without renting. If all goes well with my first trip, I also hope to sign up for another one later in the winter too!

You can find out what trip might work for you on their website at www.zogsports.com. This is a great way to go skiing with other fun NYers without the hassle of arranging your own transportation, etc.! The wine tasting was so much fun that I am sure I will have a blast skiing with this company as well.

While learning about these great ski trips and meeting people, I was enjoying the setting at the Black Bear Lodge. This is a great Happy Hour spot! During Happy Hour you can get $3 Guinness(!!), drafts, and frozen margaritas in addition to $4 well drinks. What a great deal!

Black Bear Lodge is located at 274 3rd Ave (Btwn 21st and 22nd Streets). Check out their website for all the details at www.bblnyc.com.

Not Your Typical Mac and Cheese!

Bet you never had macaroni and cheese like this as a kid! This establishment will keep you coming back for more with their scrumptious varieties of this classic dish.

I was at Boxcar Lounge with my happy hour group enjoying their Buy One - Get One Drink special when some of us got rather hungry. After perusing the menus, it was decided to order from Sarita's Macaroni and Cheese, also known as S'Mac. (It didn't hurt that a couple had brought in a serving to eat upon arriving at the bar. It smelled so good it was hard not to order from the same place that they had!) From the moment of delivery my new addiction had begun. I had the opportunity to sample the more traditional four cheese which was delicious but my heart was sold when I tried the Parisienne. Described as 'Mac-n-Cheese for the "upper crust"' this dish consists of creamy Brie, roasted figs, roasted shiitake mushrooms & fresh rosemary. These are things I would not ordinarily think of mixing up but when I took my first bite it was evident that they belong together! S'Mac has many other varieties to try or you can choose your own ingredients and create your own. I cannot wait to order from them again!

Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese is located at 345 East 12th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. You can view more details on their website at www.smacnyc.com.

As for the Boxcar Lounge, located at 168 Ave. B (between 10th and 11th Streets), it is an excellent Happy Hour spot. They have a more extended happy hour special than most which goes till 10pm or 8pm depending on the day of the week. Their drink special is Two for One drinks per person on most items at the bar.

This lounge is appropriately named as it is a rather narrow space with a bar in front followed by some seats to lounge in towards the back. There is also a heated outdoor garden so there is plenty of room for all the happy hour revellers to gather and let off some steam after work. For more info check out their website: www.boxcarlounge.com.

Learn How to Mix it Up

This past Wednesday, I decided to see what things looked like on the other side of the bar stool. I signed up for an Intro to Bar Tending class through MMA. We were to get an hour long learning session and then have an hour of open bar mingling afterwards.

The class was held at The Village Pourhouse and it was quite evident that our bar tender knew his stuff. We began by going over where to find everything behind the bar and then it was time to learn how to pour a perfect pint! As a huge fan of beer, I eagerly volunteered to try my hand at this part of the lesson. I was a little nervous since I was up in front of a crowd, however it was a lot of fun to actually be on the pouring side of the tap!

Next up, we learned how to mix well drinks, followed by martinis. We finished off our lesson with some fun (and tasty) shots. For each segment, different class members got a chance to come up and prepare drinks which were then passed on to the classmates who had ordered them. Needless to say, we had a chance to sample many of the beverages we were learning to make and it was great that everyone got their turn to participate. Afterwards, we all got to enjoy an open bar where our only responsibility was to relax and enjoy.

Since this was an intro course, I would still need to study a bit more before I would feel completely comfortable behind the bar but I definitely feel like I learned a lot. It was a really fun learning experience and I enjoyed it so much that I might sign up for another class in the near future.

You can find out more about the Village Pourhouse at http://www.pourhousenyc.com/.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Today, Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 is election day. Make sure you get out to your local polling station and exercise your rights by placing your vote! Turn out is supposed to break records so be prepared for long lines. It is worth the wait to make sure you get a say in who becomes the next President of the United States of America. Get out there and VOTE!

You can find out if you are officially registered and also look up where to go on http://www.canivote.org/.

Happy Halloween!!

Its the one night when you can dress up to become anything you want. This city really comes alive tonight and you never know who you will see walking around, on the subway or at your favorite haunt. There are so many fun things to do in the city this weekend. I hope all of you get out to have some Halloween adventures tonight whether it is watching the infamous Village Halloween Parade, going to a costume party, handing out treats, or simply frightening yourself with scary movies.

I hope you all have a frightfully fun Halloween!

Climb to New Heights!

This weekend I decided to try my hand at indoor rock climbing. In addition to their many other great facilities, Manhattan Plaza Health Center has a climbing gym for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. I signed up through MMA so there was a group of about 15 of us ready to learn on this particular outing. After putting on our climbing shoes and harnesses, we were split into groups of four so that our instructors could help us to learn in smaller groups.

I'll admit that when I looked at how high the walls went, I was a bit frightened but I was here to climb and was determined to learn how. Our instructor went over in detail how we needed to tie the knots to the climbing safety rope and also how to belay (which is when you are responsible for making sure the ropes are properly handled to keep the person climbing safe). Once we had gone over the basics it was time to try our hands at the real thing. The first time I actually tried to climb the wall, I realized the challenge I was in for. These walls were high! Once you have more experience there are specific paths that you can navigate on up the wall. I tried to aim for the beginning paths but at times would go for whatever hold I could get! The first time felt a bit petrifying but I did make it to the top successfully. As we took turns, each time got a little less scary as I felt more secure in what I was doing. When it was my turn to belay, I was worried about being responsible for the weight of the climber but discovered how secure and safe the equipment really was. As you go along with your climbing efforts, you realize that you are working your muscles both while climbing and also while belaying. After our group had all had enough training with the instructor, it was time to climb on our own.

The climbing gym has many varied surface walls to climb, in addition to the area where you try to climb on your own without ropes - which is for the more advanced climbers. It was really fun to explore the different wall sections and see how much high we could reach on the different levels of difficulty. I ended up staying till 5pm and was one of the last pairs to leave from our group. It was a challenging day but a fun one!

Upon returning my rental equipment, I asked about how one could come back without a group. If you already know the basics you can buy a day pass for $20 and pay extra for renting shoes and a harness if you need them. They also offer orientation and learn to climb packages for those interested in learning everything from scratch like I did. More details about Manhattan Plaza Health Center and the Climbing Gym can be found at http://www.mphc.com/.

Indoor rock climbing is definitely a great way to challenge yourself, get a great workout, and try a new activity. I hope to be able to go again sometime soon.

Lychee Martinis Galore!

In times like these it is always great to find a fantastic happy hour spot in the city. Well, Verlaine is such a place. Verlaine has happy hour daily (even on weekends!!) from 6-10pm. Their popular happy hour special includes $5 Bloody Marys, Sangria and the favorite Lychee Martini. Beer, wine and well drinks are also half price during happy hour. I recommend you get there as early as you can because it can get crowded as the night wears on.

There is a lounge area for larger groups to gather and then a bar and table section as well. The times I have gone the DJ always gets it right with good tunes and the ambient atmosphere is enjoyable. I am always amazed at how fast they serve their martinis because they are so delicious and affordable that everyone keeps coming back for more. When the crowd is at its fullest you feel like you are in a sea of lychees because they are everywhere. I tried this specialty cocktail for the first time and it was worth all the hype. You can see a half finished one in the picture above. It was delicious! Verlaine also has a menu of South Asian Tapas to savor while enjoying your beverages. I have tried the Portabella Mushroom Fried Dumplings which were quite tasty. So if you are looking for a happy hour spot that stands out among the rest definitely head to Verlaine.

Verlaine is located at 110 Rivington St. (Between Ludlow and Essex).

A Day of Fall Wine Tasting

It is the perfect time of year to get away from the city and head to the North Fork Vineyards on Long Island for some wine tasting and farm fresh produce. This Saturday I had the pleasure of going on a fun filled day trip organized by Zogsports. Our agenda featured tastings at three vineyards, lunch, a hay ride and pumpkin picking.

We left from the Penn Station area at 8am and made excellent time to our first destination, the Peconic Bay Winery. It was a perfect sunny day and our group of 50 was set up at 2 long tables outside. The presentation was rather formal but also comfortable. Our host gave us an enthusiastic, detailed description of each wine and what distinguished it from the others. As someone who has limited wine knowledge I feel like I learned quite a bit. The wine was of excellent quality and most of us were eager to buy a few bottles to bring home.

After taking in the views of this vineyard and snapping some pictures it was time for our next destination, Harbes Family Farm. This is the perfect place to go in the fall season. There were large wagons full of pumpkins, lovely mums lining the walkways everywhere you look and a real country feel to everything you saw. The first thing our group did was to sit down for some lunch. I wasn't sure what to expect and based on past group trips I didn't have any high hopes regarding the food. Luckily, I was quite surprised with how appetizing this lunch was. We started off with fresh roasted sweet corn - a Harbes specialty. It was so delicious and fresh! Then we had mozzarella and tomato sandwiches followed by an apple. Overall, I was really impressed and quite happy with this lunch.

Next up we had a combination hayride and educational wine tasting. While a local farmer drove the tractor, guiding our wagon around the farm, we heard about and sampled some of the local wines produced at Harbes Farm. Their vineyard is relatively new and it was fun to be doing our tasting while driving by pumpkin patches and the actual vineyards where the grapes are grown. After the hayride tasting we went into the Wine Barn to taste their more reserved wines. We then had an hour of free time to pick pumpkins, run through the corn maze, buy some produce and just enjoy the Farm.

Our last destination was the Jamesport Vineyard where we not only had our group tasting but we also got to partake in the Oyster Festival going on this particular day. There was live music and a variety of fresh oysters to sample for $1 per oyster. I have not had them before (except the fried kind which is definitely not the same) so I made sure to try a few oysters. They were quite good. It was a different type of eating experience than I am used to but I was definitely glad I tried them!

At 5pm it was time to get back on the bus and return to city life. While we drove back many of us enjoyed some of our new wine purchases. I even saw someone dig in to the pumpkin pie they had bought. It was a relaxing trip home after such a fun filled day.

So that concluded our day trip to the North Fork of Long Island. I highly recommend signing up with Zogsports because it was so well organized and so much fun! You get to enjoy the vineyards and farms without any stress and all transportation is arranged for you. This particular group was not as inclined to mingling as other groups I have been in but we all still had a lot of fun. I spoke with someone who had gone on other trips with this company and they said past outings had more mingling so I guess it just depends on who signs up for your trip. Zogsports also offers ski trips, hiking and white water rafting outings. I plan to go skiing with them at some point this winter. They also have numerous sports league teams you can join. Check out their website for more info at http://www.zogsports.com/ .

Are You Brave Enough to Ride the Bull?

If you want to try your hand at being an urban cowboy/cowgirl than head to Johnny Utah's. I went last night and it was so much fun! Enjoy a wide range of beverages and southwestern cuisine while the music and atmosphere help you forget that you are in the heart of NYC. While you are at your table or even just mingling in the bar area it is impossible to miss the main attraction - the mechanical bull! Before anyone had tried their bull riding skills the bull would occasionally roar into action demonstrating some crazy moves that would throw even the toughest rider off with ease. I definitely needed some liquid courage before I was ready to sign up and ride.

Essentially, anyone who wants to ride the bull must sign up by presenting a driver's license and signing a waiver. Then once you get your stamp you can go up to the bull pen whenever you are brave enough. This is helpful if you need to muster up some courage before you are ready. My advice is to be brave early on because as the night goes on the bull is increasingly less patient with newcomers. I waited a bit and felt like my ride was a bit more challenging than some of those who started the night off. However, I had so much fun and so did everyone in the group I was with. You can even go as many times as you can gather the strength to do it. I plan to go back again for sure!

The nightly running of the bull at Johnny Utah's starts at 7:30pm. Then on Monday's they have a bull riding challenge that goes from 10pm - 2am where industry professionals show what they are made of and battle to be called the best of the night! I have heard that lots of bachelorette parties are in attendance on weekends so be prepared. When I went on a Tuesday there were lots of after work folks and it was a pretty good crowd. We didn't have a long wait for the bull but I'd imagine that might be different on weekends.

If you need an extra boost of confidence MMA offers a singles bull riding event at Johnny Utah's on their site. That way you have a group of people to mingle with and then to cheer you on when you get up on the bull. So definitely check it out on their site if you are interested. http://www.meetmarketadventures.com/

Johnny Utah's is at 25 West 51st Street - right next to Rockefeller Plaza. Check out all the details and some video footage at their website: http://www.johnnyutahs.com/

A Night of Acoustic Music at Crescent & Vine in Astoria

This Sunday, October 5th, there will be a live music showcase at Crescent & Vine from 7-9pm! Shannon, My Divided Unity, AM Preacher and Two Seconds To Midnight are all scheduled to perform and trust me when I say that it is a great line up.

Crescent & Vine held another acoustic show a few months ago and it was simply divine to hear great music while sampling the fabulous wine and beer offerings at one of my favorite wine bars. They also have cheese/meat platters you can order to accompany your wine samplings as well as delicious sandwiches, appetizers and desserts. I cannot go there without getting the Tartufo panini and the bruschetta. It is so yummy! This is a cozy venue so get there early to get a seat so you can really enjoy the dark yet candlelit atmosphere while hearing this local music showcase.

After the bands have all played, everyone will head over to another favorite place of mine - Fatty's Cafe. This is another amazing Astoria restaurant that has one of the best brunches in the area and an amazing dinner menu as well. Fatty's is the place to go for late night drinks in an artistic yet still laid back atmosphere. Local artists take turns having their works on the walls so there is always something new to see and the bar is illuminated with a blue light which sets the tone for the space. When the weather is nice the outdoor patio is open to accommodate more people. There is always a great mix of music playing while you are there enjoying your dinner/brunch/drinks too. I love this place!

So plan to make your Sunday a night of wine, beer, food and music by coming to Crescent & Vine for the showcase and then mingling at Fatty's Cafe afterwards. It is sure to be a lot of fun!

Fatty's Cafe is located at 25-01 Ditmars Blvd (corner of Crescent St.) and Crescent & Vine is right next to it.

Dining Out At Mojave

Mojave is a wonderful new addition to the Ditmars Blvd. and 31st Street area in Astoria. Their cuisine is described as Southwestern. Last week I went there with a large group which allowed me to sample a bit more appetizers than I normally would have. I enjoyed a sampling of the Hand Hacked Hass Avocado Guacamole and also the Corn Crusted Calamari Cracklins - both were great. Each table got their own plate of chips with 2 different salsas. Each salsa had a distinct flavor and was quite good. I only wish I could have had more as the serving size of the salsa was a little small.

Mojave has a varied specialty drink menu with many options to choose from. Some brave friends of mine sampled a spicy margarita which had jalapenos in it. Too spicy for my taste but they enjoyed them. For my entree, I had the Tejas Blue Crab,Chilis and Cheese Quesedilla. It was delicious and also quite filling. There were so many items I wanted to try on the menu, I will have to go back another time again soon.

The dining area at Mojave is decorated quite nicely with dim lighting brightened by many candles. It is a very enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere. There is also outdoor garden seating for when the weather is nice.

Mojave offers a weekend brunch menu and has a pre-fixe lunch available. Head there on a Thursday and you get a complimentary margarita with dinner. There are also tequila tastings and live music on Thursdays. Happy Hour at the bar is from 4-7pm with $5 House Cocktails, Wine and Sangria along with $3 Draft beer.

Mojave

22-36 31st Street

http://www.mojaveny.com/

Art Crawl in Soho!

Tomorrow, September 24th, Artlog.com and Soho Night are having an Art Crawl event in Soho. I went to the one this past June and it was a really great time. Here is how it works...

When you pick up your ticket you are handed a map of all the participating galleries. You then get to pick and choose which ones you want to see or if you are really ambitious you can try to visit all of them during the hours of the crawl. Most of the galleries offer some beverages and there is an after hours party once the crawl is over at Naked Lunch (at Grand and Thompson). There are a lot of small gallery spaces so you get a chance to really look at everything at each location you attend. They are all within short walking distance from each other so you will get to see quite a few galleries if you plan your timing right. Overall, it's a wonderful way to mix and mingle while seeing a variety of artistry. I am not able to attend this one but am looking forward to the next event they host. If you are free tomorrow, I highly recommend that you try the crawl yourself!

To purchase tickets and see a map of the galleries go to http://artlog.com/collectsoho.

Football Fun at Phebe's

This Saturday I went to help cheer on a friend's college football team at Phebe's Tavern & Grill (359 Bowery at East 4th Street) . The game started at 1pm so we got there in time for the brunch special. I ordered the breakfast burrito and it really hit the spot! After my brunch mimosa, I was able to enjoy $3 Miller Lite Drafts for the duration of the game.

The space was arranged nicely. The alumni group was set up in a sectioned off area with a perfect view of the TV and lots of seating for everyone. Meanwhile, there was plenty of room at the main bar and surrounding front tables for everyone else who was there to enjoy the other sports events being played, order brunch, etc..

In general, Phebe's is great place to watch your favorite sporting events. They have the expected bar food options, lots of TVs in different spots so you can always keep your eye on the game, and plenty of drink offerings. If you still follow your college team it is likely you can find their games on one of the big screens here.

Check out their website at http://www.phebesnyc.com/ for all the details on their happy hour in addition to the daily drink and food specials.

Experience Beertopia!

Last night I headed to the Village Pourhouse (64 Third Ave at 11th Street) for one of their popular beer tastings. For their monthly Beertopia event, people are able to try samples of beer for the affordable price of $1 per tasting or $10 for 12 tastings from 7pm-9pm.

There was a wide variety of beers to choose from. My friends and I leaned towards trying some of the beers we were less familiar with which included sampling the Hitacho Ginger, Kona Fire Ale, Pripps Carnegi and Carib Lager to name a few. We weren't sure if the 12 samples would be enough as we have a tendancy to be quite thirsty. However, it turned out it was the perfect amount of sampling for us.

In addition to the nightly drink specials, the Village Pourhouse offers many fun events such as Wii Mondays, Rock Band/Guitar Hero Tournaments every Tuesday and Trivia Nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are also other tasting events to try such as a Ginger Cocktail + Sushi class and the upcoming Maker's Bourbon Tasting on 9/23. Check out their website for details on when these are scheduled and all of their other special offers. It's a great space and is definitely worth checking out sometime!

www.pourhousenyc.com

Hiking in the Moonlight

This Saturday night, when most people were getting ready to plan their evenings out on the town, I was getting myself ready to enter the wilderness. I had signed up for a Full Moon Hike through Outdoor Bound. So I gathered my new headlamp, my water bottle, some snacks and my backpack. I was ready to go.

I had been worried about the weather since showers were in the forecast. All day it looked dreary and cloudy. I wondered how I would be hiking in the moonlight if there was no visible moon? But the trip was still a go so I met up with my group at 7pm. We ventured out of the city and were on our way to Harriman State Park in upstate NY. It was about an hour drive away from the city.

As we drove, there were some rain showers and only cloudy skies. I just hoped the weather would hold out when we got there. Luckily as we were driving up the mountain it looked like the rain had stopped! Hopefully it would stay that way while we were out in the woods.

We went up a small winding road and when the van was parked and we turned out the lights it was pitch black. All you could hear was the chirping of all of the surrounding nocturnal insects. It was then that the reality hit me of what I had signed up for. I was about to head into the middle of the forest with 12 other people with nothing but our headlamps/flashlights and our hiking guide to lead the way. It was exhilarating and a bit scary.

As we started out, I quickly adjusted to the ways of night hiking. You could only see what your headlamp revealed directly ahead of you, along with the trail of lights ahead where the others were walking in front of you. If you wanted to see the surrounding area, you really needed to watch your step since your light would no longer be guiding your feet! As I walked, I kept thinking to myself - WOW! I am in the middle of the woods, in the dark, and if I turn off this light I will be in complete darkness! Not only that but we were climbing steep trails and slippery rocks since it had rained so much before. It was hot and muggy so any rain drops that fell through the trees were actually welcome.

We made our way to the lake where if it hadn't been raining you would light a fire and roast marshmallows. This wasn't possible for our group with all the rain that had occurred but it might have been even better this way. This way you got to fully appreciate the surrounding darkness. To my happy surprise the full moon had made itself known through some thinner clouds. Shining brightly in the sky it had an illuminating glow over the lake and surrounding forest. It was beautiful! We had been prepared for a possible night swim in the lake but the water was a tad chilly. So those of us who were so inclined went in to wade in the shallow water. I could have stood there for hours. It was such a peaceful experience. Most of us had turned off our lights and our eyes had adjusted to the moonlight while we rested. I really enjoyed our time by the lake.

Soon it was time to get back on our way. For the rest of the journey we encountered some steep inclines, had to climb some rocky sections (which is why they suggest using a headlamp so you have the use of both hands), and were able to hear some owls, see a family of deer and hear the surrounding wildlife. I felt a million miles away from civilization. When I turned off my light and looked around I could see no other lights at all. We were that far away from any stores, houses and lights. I loved it!

Our hike was completed at around 1am. I was sad when we returned to the van and had to head back. But my body was a bit sore from all the activity so I guess it was for the best. All I know is, I had an amazing time and cannot wait to go on another night hike. I was also extremely thankful that the weather had held out for us. Once back in the van we had more showers to drive through and I was happy to be sheltered again when that happened.

Outdoor Bound has another full moon hike offered in October. That is the last one for this season but they will have more next season. I know I will be signing up next spring/summer! It is a wonderful experience and I highly recommend giving it a try.

A Rockin Cruise!

I had the pleasure of going on a super fun concert cruise last night. ROCKS OFF hosts a Concert Cruise Series aboard the Half Moon. The Half Moon is a two level boat. Upstairs there is a sun deck as well as a shaded dance floor while downstairs there is a full bar and an indoor seated area with large windows. The cruise I went on featured live performances by Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears and Via Audio. Both bands were excellent!

The Half Moon departs from Skyport Marina located at 23rd St. & FDR Drive. Boarding for my cruise began at 7pm and we departed promptly at 8pm. The cruise ended close to 11pm and you'll be having so much fun that you won't want to be back on land!

Last night, there was an especially beautiful view of the city skyline. On top of what the river normally offers, we also got a chance to see Olafur Eliasson's Waterfalls (which can be seen till October 13th, 2008) as we floated underneath and past three of the city's majestic bridges. These waterfall installations are particularly fun to see at night when they are all lit up. And the most meaningful view of the evening was seeing the "Tribute in Light" beams as they reached to the sky near Ground Zero. It was an awe inspiring!

As for the cruise experience itself, we got chance to really enjoy the city views and take lots of pictures before the concerts began. Then while we were circling really close to the Statue of Liberty it was time to let loose and listen to some great music. My friends and I were able to enjoy the cash bar on the ship without missing any of the show and they also have a hot food buffet if you get hungry. The concert area is fully enclosed and according to the website this ship runs rain or shine for all their concert events. I know that I personally was having so much fun I didn't want to head back to dock at the marina. I look forward to going on another one of these concert cruises!

You can get all the details about the concert cruise series as well as Rocks Off's other offerings - such as their Mets Game cruises - at their website: http://www.rocksoff.com/

And make sure you get to see Olafur Eliasson's waterfalls before they are gone. More info at http://www.nycwaterfalls.org/ .

Free Pizza with Every Beer? Count Me In!!

In these rough economic times, how about getting a little bang for your buck? Or in this case, a free cheese pizza with every beer you purchase at a fun bar called Crocodile Lounge! There is no limit on how many pizzas - as long as you order a beer you can order a pizza. If you'd prefer something more on your pizza, additional toppings are a couple bucks extra.

While you are enjoying your beverages and food there are lots of fun distractions. The highlight is the Skee Ball machine in the back room and there are a bunch of other fun arcade games to play too. In addition to the indoor space, Croc Lounge has a small outdoor seating area for when the weather is nice.

Monday is Nintendo Night, when video game tournaments are held on the bar's large TVs. And on Wednesdays there is a trivia contest, test your knowledge and win free drinks.

Crocodile Lounge is located at 325 E 14th St (Between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue).

There is also a location in Brooklyn called Alligator Lounge that has the same pizza per beer deal. This Brooklyn location has a pool table and karaoke/band area. It is located at 600 Metropolitan Ave at Lorimer Street.

I have been to both locations and they are lots of fun!

Indigo - All You Can Eat Crab Legs on Weds!!

For a delectable Wednesday night out, try heading to Indigo in Astoria for their All You Can Eat Crab Legs Dinner special. You get your choice of a soup or salad, pasta with garlic bread or french fries followed by all you can eat of delicious snow crab legs! All this is only $23.99!! I love it!

Their regular menu is also full of other tasty options and they offer brunch on weekend afternoons. Friday nights they have Karaoke and on Saturdays there is a live DJ. Indigo is located right off of the 30th Avenue N/W train stop and is open late. So there is lots of fun to be had even if you are not a seafood fan.

I have found out first hand that Indigo is an excellent location for private parties - they have a beautiful upstairs space with a small deck. My favorite place to sit though is in their indoor dining area which has a great atmosphere with a glass ceiling that can be open when the weather is nice. So check out Indigo - especially if you are like me and love all you can eat crab legs!!!

Their full menu and all other details are at their website: http://www.indigobarnyc.com/

White Water Rafting Adventure

Looking for an adventurous day trip? How about going White Water Rafting! I signed up to go through a joint Outdoor Bound and MMA day trip and there were about 40 of us departing from NYC. Our NY group also met up with 20 people from Philadelphia at the location so we had a pretty good number of people.

The bus ride out took about 2 hours and we went to an area in the Poconos for our day of river rafting. The rapids were said to be a class 3 and it was during a weekend dam release so there would be enough water for our trip down the river.

Once we went through basic instruction on land and were split into 6 people per raft it was time to head to the water. This ended up being a short nature hike through the woods to the place where we got our rafts. It was more of a challenge than I anticipated to carry our raft through a rocky creek path to get to our departure point. It was a relief to finally get it into the water!

This is where is got quite interesting. Since most of us didn't know anyone else on the raft, we had to get ourselves working together as a team quickly. This proved to be a bit of a challenge in the beginning for our rafting team but we finally started to get the hang of things. Even with the dam release there were lots of rocks that got in the way of a perfect trip down the river. We got stuck many times but got better and better at maneuvering our way out of the rough spots. Some of us even fell off the boat at times - myself included! - but as a team we were able to work together to get everyone back on the boat where they belonged. We also had some great guides following along to help us through all the water challenges.

Half way down we all pulled over to take a break and eat lunch. Our muscles were sore and it was nice to relax for a bit. Before we knew it, it was time to get back on the water. The good news was that the break was all we needed to really get our act together. The second part of the journey was much better than the first and we had gotten so much better at working as a team and overcoming obstacles as they came along. When we got to the end it felt like quite an accomplishment!

So, if you too would like to head out on a white water adventure, there are many ways to get out there and do it! Outdoor Bound and MMA offer great day trip options. There are also meetup groups that go on white water rafting trips so you can also sign up through them. Most of these options will meet in a central location in the city so anyone in the Tri-state area can partake in the fun! Even one of my local bars has group outings including white water rafting days so just research around your area. I am sure you will find a way to get out and enjoy the water yourself. It is definitely worth it and lots of fun!

NYC Fringe Festival - Don't Miss Out!

Looking for something to liven up the rest of your summer? The New York International Fringe Festival is the largest multi-arts festival in North America and is sure to have something to entertain you. This year's Fringe Festival started on Friday, August 8th and it continues through Sunday, August 24th, 2008. Performances will be from 2pm to Midnight on weekdays, and Noon to Midnight on weekends. There are so many events and performances to choose from, you are bound to find something new and fun to take a look at. There are art events, theater and music performances to enjoy. You can find the schedule and ticket information for all things Fringe NYC at their website: http://www.fringenyc.org/

Two Great Places - One Great Brunch Deal!

I had the pleasure of heading to Manhattan for a delicious brunch this fine Sunday. We started out at the Sunburnt Cow but it was so popular by the time we got there that there was a long wait, which lead us to Bondi Road. They are owned by the same people and both have the same fantastic brunch deal on weekends. $15 (or $20 if you choose certain selections) will get you your choice of brunch entree and unlimited drinks during your stay. The wait staff was super friendly and kept up with our drink refills throughout our dining experience.

I had the pleasure of enjoying the Great Barrier Reef Benedict entree which consisted of 2 delicious crab cakes, each topped with eggs benedict and accompanied by fries and a salad. I loved it! There were many other yummy options to choose from so I know I will be back to give them a try another time.

Both bars/restaurants have many other drink and food specials during the week too. Check them out at http://www.bondiroad.com/ and http://www.sunburntcow.com/ (Sunburnt Cow's site has the brunch menu in detail).

The Sunburnt Cow is located at 137 Avenue C and Bondi Road is at 153 Rivington Street. They are walking distance from each other so remember that if there is a long wait for brunch at one of them. And as a plus, they called and put our names down at Bondi Road when the Sunburnt Cow was too busy.

Fine Dining at a Fine Price!

For an excellent dining experience with great prices, you can head to Bistro 33 in Astoria on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for their 2 for $10 food and drink specials. A variety of salads, soup, appetizers, sushi and even drinks are all 2 for $10 on these two days. I have enjoyed a delicious sampling of dishes such as their signature Crawfish Tempura and Tuna Tataki appetizers with many a tasty sushi roll. Other items I have had a chance to indulge in on their regular menu include lobster macaroni and cheese and the crab & avocado salad. Each was a delectable treat for my tastebuds.

Bistro 33 is right on the corner of 21st Street and Ditmars Blvd. It is a block away from Astoria Park too! You have the option to enjoy dining indoors or outdoors. They also serve an excellent brunch on the weekends! Check out their menu at http://www.lilbistro33.com/.

Bistro 33 is excellent any day of the week but even more so for those on a budget every Tuesday and Wednesday. :)

It's Not Too Late to Buy Your Ticket!

Next weekend is the All Points West Music and Arts Festival. Radiohead and Jack Johnson are headlining this three day festival taking place at Liberty State Park, NJ. There will be 3 stages and and the line up has officially been scheduled. You can get all the info on who is playing when and how to get there at http://apwfestival.com/.

Liberty State Park is a great venue and the last shows I have seen there were lots of fun. I am going Saturday and have already bought my ferry ticket (it is definitely a great way to get there and you go right past the Statue of Liberty). I am a huge Radiohead fan so I can't wait! Get your tickets while you can! You don't want to miss out on this great festival!

Party Like a Rock Star - Every Wednesday!

Wednesday is THE night to come to Hells Gate Social for some video game fun and drink specials. It's ROCK BAND night! You always wanted to be a rock star, so come live out your fantasies with this multi player and super fun game. Play the guitar, bass, drums or sing your favorite songs. Enjoy a Miller High Life or Busch beer and a shot of bourbon for only $3! The fun starts at 7pm and goes on till everyone is done letting out their inner Rock Star! Trust me - its a great time :). I played once and became an instant addict.

Also this week at Hells Gate Social, come to hear some great music from some local Astoria bands. On Thursday, July 31st, AM Preacher plays at 9pm and Two Seconds to Midnight play at 10pm. They are both amazing!

And as always Hells Gate has Happy Hour every day from 7pm-9pm daily and a great indoor/outdoor space.

Hell Gate Social is at

12-21 Astoria Blvd

718.204.8313

Low on Cash? How bout trying some Rock and Bowl Karaoke!!

Rock and Bowl was initiated on July 22nd and will now be every Tuesday at Maric Lanes in Astoria.

From 8:00PM till 12:30AM you can get $3 Beer Bottles, $3 Shots of Tequlia, Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort w/ lime, or Kamikaze. It will cost $3 per game to Bowl and you get FREE bowling shoe rental! You can also pay $1 to enter the Strike Challenge Jackpot Raffle. Pretty affordable, right??

In addition to these great drink/bowling prices, there will be Karaoke, Singing and Dancing...all to a new laptop karaoke system with over 100,000 songs to choose from. Feast your eyes on the COSMIC BOWLING VENUE complete with glow in the dark bowling balls! How can you say no!? So gather some friends and get your bowling/karaoke glow on!

Maric Lanes is located in Astoria Queens on 49 Street between 19th & 20th Ave. http://www.starlitekaraoke.com/

How About Dinner and A Movie With Some New Friends?

I am always interested in checking out the latest movies being released and discovered a new enjoyable way to do it. On Meetup.com there are so many different social groups doing exciting things in the NYC area. I had joined the Dinners, Movies, and More Meetup Group (which says singles preferred but all are welcome) and thought that the Dark Knight would be the perfect flick to go see with a fun group of new people.

Since there were so many people interested, this meetup event met at a bar for some drinks before the movie instead of the usual movie then dinner plan. We went to Bar 13 (35 East 13th Street and a block from the theater), which in the evenings is super crowded, but ended up being the perfect spot to go before our Saturday 7:40pm showing at the Regal Union Square 14 theater. There was a 2 for 1 drink special for beer and mixed drinks and a nice roof deck area for us to meet and mingle at.

After a couple of drinks, it was time to head over to get in line for the Dark Knight. Our group organizer had planned out the timing perfectly and we had all gotten to know eachother a bit at Bar 13 so we were ready for the movie. Since we were in line at the right time, we were able to get a group of seats in the same area together.

Needless to say, the movie was intense and fantastic! We all had so much to talk about afterwards that we decided to find a place to eat and converse about it some more. Since it was across the street and it was someone's birthday at midnight, we decided to head over to Max Brenner for some delectable desserts. I was amazed that they were able to accommodate our group so quickly, as we had 16 people interested in hanging out after the film. I had never been there before but every single item looked so delicious that you wanted to try everything. So we enjoyed our varied and delicious treats for a while before it was time to call it a night and go our separate ways.

Overall, the night was a great success. I got to meet many new people and even make some friends. What a fantastic way to enjoy fabulous drinks, an amazing film, and delicious food all in one night! I would definitely recommend that others give this group a try. I know I plan to go again for another fine evening in the future.

To join this or any other meetups go to http://www.meetup.com/

Check out more details about Max Brenner at http://www.maxbrenner.com/.

Summer Fitness, Art and Film All in One Place!

Summer seems to go so fast! It is already almost August! Before summer slips away completely, there are some excellent opportunities to enjoy some free fitness, art and film in the great outdoors at Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City. There are weekly free Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi classes offered on the park grounds during the week and on weekends.

If you'd rather enjoy a great film, this summer celebrates the 10th Annual Outdoor International Film Festival and there are different films screened every Wednesday through August 27th (weather permitting). Each week focuses on a different country or culture and will feature cuisine from local restaurants for sampling in addition to music performances. Sit on the lawn with a view of the Manhattan Skyline and get transported to another place with all your senses!

And since this is an art center, there are numerous exhibits and classes going on to indulge your inner artist. Check out http://www.socratessculpturepark.org/ for a full schedule of events and all the details!

If that isn't enough to float your boat ;) then the Long Island City Boat House and Partnerships with Parks host free boating from Hallets Cove (the Sculpture Park's beach). You can choose to Canoe or kayak on Sundays through October 12th (weather permitting) and all for free! For more details go to http://www.licboathouse.org/ .

Enjoy Great Music In Astoria This Saturday!

On Saturday, July 26th, head to beautiful Astoria Park to enjoy the first annual Music and Art Festival - Astoria Music Now. Astoria Music Now is an all day long festival of arts and local music featuring Pop Mafia, Bliminal, Little Creatures, The Tarantinos, Gutter and Spine, Kite Operations, The Swedes, Dirty Wings, Bayard Russell and Friends, We Are Darien, Drum Dharma Drums. The weather is supposed to be great and this event is free so you should definitely plan to stop by!

Here is the myspace link with more information and some music samples:

http://www.myspace.com/astoriamusiciansunite

For more treats for your eyes and ears head to Hell Gate Social to experience SubKulture. Astorian locals, DJ Belladonna and DJ Scandal, are teaming up to present SubKulture, a monthly retro rock and classic alternative music party at Hell Gate Social. This Saturday launches this event. This is guaranteed to be a fun night with great music at a very chill location. There will also be art exhibitions by local artists as well as retro music videos and cult movies projected on the walls. There is no cover and Hell Gate Social has a really nice indoor space and also an outdoor garden area to enjoy.

Here is the myspace link which has a sample playlist and more details:

http://www.myspace.com/subkultureparty

Get out there and enjoy!

Anticipation for a Full Moon Hike!

It's official. I have signed up for a September Full Moon Hike offered by Outdoor Bound. The hike is described as a 5.5 mile hike to a mountain top, followed by a lakeside fire for roasting some smores and swimming in the lake for those daring hikers. You bring a flashlight but with the bright full moon in the sky your eyes will eventually adjust so that you can see without any artifical lighting. It sounds like so much fun! I can't wait! Of course, I will have a full report once I get back on how it went! :)

If you are interested, go to http://www.outdoorbound.com/. As of now there were openings in the September and October Full Moon Hiking trips.

Give Some Love to Furry Friends in Need

If you are like me and have a serious love for animals, there is a great way to reach out to help those in need. Through New York Cares - an excellent volunteer organization - you can sign up to spend time volunteering at local animal shelters to give cats and dogs some much needed love and affection. You can sign up to give shelters dogs a nice walk or spend time with the shelter cats to give them attention and love while in their kennel area. I have found both experiences to be extremely rewarding. Since my apartment is small and my 20 year old cat is not fond of having other pets in my household, this has been an excellent way to reach out to other animals. I sign up as often as possible and there is never anything more rewarding than watching a homeless animal find a loving new owner and a new home.

You can go to http://www.nycares.org/ and search under animal care to find volunteer projects available. Or check with your local animal shelter to see what programs they offer and how you can help. Here is the link for BARC in Brooklyn: http://barcshelter.org/volunteer/index.html

Hiking to Van Slyke Castle Ruins

I had wanted to sign up for a hiking adventure for a while but was looking for the right one. Luckily, I found it at the MMA site for a Hike and Swim Majestic Ruins of the Van Slyke Castle in NJ. I couldn't say no! I have not hiked since I was a kid at camp so this would be a new experience for me to do this as an adult. Having had fun at every event I participated in with MMA so far I didn't think I could go wrong.

I showed up with my mom's hiking books (which thankfully she lent me), a new cooling water bottle and a standard water bottle which together amounted to my minimum 2 liter water requirement, and a bagged lunch. I was ready to go! The drive was approximately 45 minutes outside of midtown Manhattan over the GWB. Once we started I immediately started to realize what I was in for... lots of uphill on what I thought was a very rocky terrain. We hiked first to Ramapo Lake and then made our way onto a trail around one of the neighboring mountains. With the hot and humid weather and lack of previous hiking experience, I found the uphill sections feeling a bit endless at times and rather difficult for me without some breaks in the middle. However, once you got to a lookout point you felt the reward of the heights you have climbed to get there. I was immensely thankful for my cooling water bottle too! I definitely needed it and had some envious fellow hikers.

After a lunch by the lake, we finally made our way towards the Van Slyke Castle Ruins. This was what I had been looking forward to the most so I was quite excited, even though I knew it meant more uphill climbing. It was well worth it. As an avid photographer, I took advantage of all that remained of this once glorious building. I would love to come back to view it in the fall or winter when there is less greenery and it will be more exposed.

Once we descended that mountain, our hiking day finished off with a brave swim in the lake. I say it was brave since there was some plant life that seemed to have taken over the water so that if you went in, you would have some interacting with you while you were swimming. I must say though, after all the hard work we did during our hike, most of us quite enjoyed the refreshment of the lake.

All in all, it was a fantastic day. I was encouraged by our trail leader that the more I hike the better I will get at both the uphill climbing and the effect on my knees. I took a rested the following day and my knees were fully recovered from the pain I was feeling immediately after the hike.

This hike was a combined outing with Outdoor Bound and MMA participants. Everyone was really nice and made the experience that much more fun. I would definitely recommend this to someone just starting out with hiking and anyone with an interest in taking pictures of the castle ruins. As I said earlier, I definitely plan to go back sometime!