Peaceful Destinations Immersed in Nature

The Catskill and Adirondack Mountains have been the backdrop for business discussions and personal exploration recently. We set off to meet new people in unique places and enjoy small town charm, the tranquility of back roads, and luxurious destinations immersed in nature - a valuable combination as owners of a handcrafted artisan business. We’re pleased to share a few distinct travel discoveries with you below.

The Great Porch at Wildflower Farms is a beautiful stop for stunning views and farm fresh plates. The spacious, open porch welcomes you with cozy sofas and chairs, a place to connect with guests and visitors in a peaceful atmosphere. The Shawangunk Mountain Range (otherwise known as The Gunks) is on full display from the porch, inviting you to rest and recharge by the oversized fire pit. It’s a property infused with elegant artisan style.

Our journey continued into Kingston, a lively town in the midst of the Hudson Valley. Thanks to the locals’ generous sharing (hat tip to Clove & Creek), we discovered Rough Draft Bar & Books for a coffee boost, and sipped sparkling German wine with sardine pate at the natural wine bar, Brunette.

Next, an intentional drive on long, windy roads led us to Fellow, in the mountain town of Hunter. This friendly sandwich and coffee stop offers tables inside and a charming wrap-around porch for visitors and seasonal skiers. And it’s just down the road from Scribner’s Lodge and Deer Mountain Inn.

In the Adirondacks, boaters were thrilled to have another sparkling water weekend to race across Lake George. Quieter souls chose to glide by on their paddle boards and kayaks in the early morning hours. A drive to Vergennes, Vermont, introduced us to delicious toffee bark at Daily Chocolate (Oh my!) and yet another coffee shop and bakery (notice a theme here?) called the Laundry.

During our downtime, we listened to the loons calling, and watched as flocks of geese began their flight south. The temperatures dropped at night enough to unpack our beloved flannel shirts, kick back by the fire, and partake in the spicy flavor of ginger-infused (hard) Citizen Cider (Dirty Mayor) or the seasonal non-alcoholic Oktoberfest by Athletic Brewing.

It was a productive and refreshing week, filled with local stops, interesting people, and destinations we recommend for those seeking simple luxuries surrounded by nature.

Photos L to R: Rough Draft, Fellow, Daily Chocolate box, the Laundry, Lake George

Urban Explorations of Creativity & Craftsmanship

With a whirlwind 24-hour plan, I boarded the train to NYC for a dose of inspiration and a chance to explore artisan studios and boutiques. (Full disclosure: It’s also an opportunity to spend time with our Brooklyn-based daughter, a talented interior designer in her own right.) Many of you have shared your interest in unique experiences - gifts, travel, and entertainment, so today, we’re highlighting a few stops along our urban adventure with a side dish of dining details.

The city offers the opportunity to expand our perspective on trends and styles and experience first-hand the designs captivating global consumers. Trips like this are a critical reminder to think differently and be open to new forms of creativity and craftsmanship.

Here are a few highlights from the streets and studios:

custom sterling accessories at RW Guild

The jewelry studio of Roxanne Assoulin exudes a cheerful vibe at its location just off Madison Park. Stepping off the elevator, you’re met with jars brimming with brightly colored beads, opening to a view of the streets below through oversized windows trimmed in exposed brick. The rooms showcase colorful stacked and beaded rings, bracelets, and jewelry to mix and match. Festive patterns invite you to celebrate an afternoon brunch with friends or a lively evening out on the town. If more formal dress and dining are the plan, you’ll also find jeweled necklaces and sparkling bracelets more suited to the attire. The @roxanneassoulin space is ready for the casual, stylish shopper embracing a fun fashion statement.

On Canal Street, the Roman and Williams Guild offers a different experience. Here, you’ll find designs of upscale, earthy pieces, including hand-blown glass, sterling silver accessories, and elegant ceramic dinnerware. The owners are a highly regarded couple known for their global design experience (Think: Ace Hotel in NY, the NoMad London, the Tin Building, and Ben Stiller’s private residence, to mention only a few.). With decor priced at the upper tier, their beautiful pieces inspire artists to hone their craft for well-heeled buyers. One unique element about this retail space is its co-location with their French restaurant, La Mercerie. It’s interesting to navigate around bustling tables to get to the design gallery, but with space at a premium, @RWGuild makes the most of its location in lower Manhattan.

In addition to the design studios, another quality we appreciate about New York City is its ability to take the ordinary and make it feel different and cool. After hours of walking, we made our way to @parcellewine. From our seats at the green picnic tables, I sipped chilled orange wine, described as “perfect for the front porch.” A lively Friday afternoon crowd surrounded us amid neighborhoods and high-rise buildings as the sun began to set. Locals filled the outdoor tables up and down the intersections of Ludlow, Division, and Canal streets. While it wasn’t luxurious, the surroundings sure made it feel special.

One final note: I have to mention our fabulous dinner at K’Far, an Israeli eatery in the Hoxton Hotel, Brooklyn. Here, the energy and music are turned up a few notches. Our trio shared plates of grilled corn tzatziki paired with fish, a bowl of bright, spicy hummus, baklava made with peach, haloumi and pistachios, and a Tunisian tuna crudo. It all tasted amazing and was a far cry from my canned tuna and tomato slice lunches. A refreshing celery, gin & tonic (yes, it was green) capped a delicious, full day in NYC.

Photos (left to right): Beads inside Roxanne Assoulin studios; RW Guild glassware; Parcelle Wines and the Division Street cityscape.

Leaning into Leisure

Is your passport stowed, the cooler packed, or is your escape in the pages of a great book? With July’s arrival, we are leaning into leisure and embracing summer’s invitation to rest and recharge our creative energy. Some of you plan to explore new places, while others return to beloved destinations.

To get your travel juices flowing, we’re sharing photos from a few of our favorite travel experiences in the U.S. - from mountain trails to thrill-seeking fun to peaceful water views. We’ve also included a fabulous dining destination and a glorious patio scene for afternoon refreshments.

We hope these pictures inspire you to slow down at the scenic overlook, shift gears for a single-day adventure, or set sail for a long weekend.

• Paragliding, Teton Village, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

• Summertime on the back patio at the Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing, Lake George, New York.

• Morning hike along the Jud Wiebe trail, Telluride, Colorado.

• Sunset at Peaks Island, Maine, looking back at the lights of Portland.

• Dinner at the Conservatory, Maker Hotel, Hudson, New York

• Sailing off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island.

• The autumn view from Mt. Battie overlooking Camden Harbor, Maine.

Seven Tips for Successful Van Life Vacations

If you’re exploring new ways to take to the open road for a long weekend or an extended trip, consider an adventure off the beaten path. A travel experience, unlike the average vacation, with scenes accessed only by roads less traveled, this is the lure of the camper van lifestyle. From desert landscapes to remote beaches and snow-topped mountain passes, van life offers a unique journey.

The options and amenities available with camper vans are far different than in years past. Our old camper hitched onto the back of a Plymouth Volare, with two beds sliding out to the side to sleep: no kitchen, table, or extras. Now, you can outfit a vehicle to your specific needs. While a camper van has a desired rugged appeal, it also allows certain luxuries to come along for the ride.

a Red & rugged custom serving board that doubles as a traveling sink cover.

You may be curious about exploring by van or researching to see if it’s for you. We asked one of our long-time customers, who recently began their van life adventures, to share a few tips and recommendations. This couple recently returned from a cross-country trip in their Ford Transit 250 Hi-Top, an AWD vehicle they fondly call, The LukeNest. Many thanks to @betluke for sharing the following thoughtful tips.

Here are seven tips, along with a few resources, to help you decide if van life is your road to more inspiring travel:

1. If you think camping in a van or an RV is for you, rent one first. We rented four different vans over the course of a few years before buying one. We learned a lot about van design preferences and which amenities we really wanted by doing this.

2. Go on a trip longer than a weekend to make sure you like your camping partner(s) enough to be in a small space for an extended period of time.

3. Mapping the trip. How many hours a day do you want to drive? Whatever your map app says it’s going to take, add at least an hour for stops. So many car trips are just about getting to a destination. Being in a van can be about the whole experience - or not.

4. Meal planning. You can actually cook good meals in a van, depending on your kitchen setup. We cook a lot of one-pot meals to conserve the number of dishes we then have to wash (which also conserves water). The quick rice packets are handy to add to, soups are easy too. Believe it or not, instant coffee works well. This is not a brand endorsement, but the Starbucks packets of instant coffee taste good and are so easy. There are many kinds available now, so try a few. Maybe your local coffee shop is making some?

5. Finding camping spots. There are several kinds - State Parks, National Parks, dispersed camping, State Recreational Areas, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to name a few. What part of the country you are in will likely influence where and how you camp, also the kind of vehicle you have. If you need hook-ups for an RV, you will be in parks that have more amenities or a private RV park. Another thing I Iearned along the way is how often your camping partner (and you) “need” to take a shower influences where you stay. All National Park reservations are handled online; make them early. Most states have some kind of online reservation system too. There are also several apps that can be used, e.g., Harvest Host, The Dyrt, and iOverlander.

6. Be ready to chat. People who are traveling generally like to engage in conversation. This will happen most anywhere you stop, especially in Rest Areas. Be open to chatting. You learn stuff.

7. Packing preferences. You probably need less than you are trying to pack. A key item is shower shoes, though. A variety of items that can be layered and worn singly is useful. Take your puffy vest unless you are starting and ending in the summer and will not be in the mountains.

Consider the above points before you drive into the sunset in a new van. Be honest about your preferred travel style(s) and what you want to accomplish on a trip. The answers to these questions will clarify if camper van travel is a route you want to take.

Inquire about a Custom serving board, or select one of the handcrafted serving boards in our Marketplace.

Notes on a Napkin: Tales and Tips from Tortola, BVI

Each week in our communications with you, we share unique ideas and opportunities to elevate experiences, whether it’s in gift-giving, entertaining, or treating yourself in your home or haven. Today, we’re doing something a bit different; we’re sharing tales and tips from our travels to help you decide if the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a place you want to experience or, perhaps, revisit.

Tortola is an island that invites you to shed your layers. The relaxed, peaceful setting allows you to peel back to your natural self and slow it way down. We spent seven days on our trip celebrating a milestone birthday, enabling us to experience the local culture and the tropical vibe. Each day, we made time to swim in gorgeous ocean waters, breathe in the laid-back atmosphere, and taste-test the legendary rum painkillers.

Before we dive in, it’s important to provide some context around our trip so you know the basis for these reflections. We did not stay at a resort; we rented a hillside villa in Long Bay, West Tortola. We wanted to explore multiple islands and experience the local flavors and culture. The warm breeze, beautiful views, and two beach restaurants just a short walk down the hill made this an ideal location for our family. And the long stretch of soft white sand, ideal for slow, restful sunrise walks, was only a few steps away. 

Here are tips, a few photos, and reflections for your consideration as you plan future excursions. (These opinions are our own and are not sponsored.) 

A launch location.
Tortola is a great home base with sparkling beaches, multiple ferries, and marinas to access other islands. With approximately 60 islands across the BVI, you’ll want to select different destinations to experience. While we thoroughly enjoyed the beaches on Tortola, there is too much to see to anchor yourself on one island for the entire stay.

Keys, please. 
If you want to explore Tortola, you’ll want a vehicle, preferably one for rugged terrain. It’s costly and limiting to rely on calling a driver for each beach excursion, boat day, and trip to the market or marina. We had a car delivered to our house, which was perfect. While a vehicle makes exploration easier, you may need to get comfortable driving on the left side of the road. Fortunately, the roads are not congested, and the pace is slow. A bigger adjustment is the steep switchbacks as you travel over the mountains. Those took some getting used to. We learned that two beeps of the horn, as you pass blindly over a mountain top, helps alert drivers. 

Beaches and boats.
Book at least one boat day to get out on the water, more if you can. We chartered a private catamaran, aptly named the Day Dream, from Kuralu Catamaran Charters and loved it so much we chartered another trip with them later in the week. There are too many islands to miss the gorgeous scenery, unique beach bars, and snorkeling or diving options. Each destination has a distinct feel. You will find lively, rocking beaches, or you can enjoy quiet, peaceful coves. Below are a few beach highlights.

SMuggler’s Cove

Before you head out: Look up the cruise schedules on a website like cruisemapper.com before you pick your beach. You’ll want to know which cruise ships are coming to what ports, on what days, and how many people the ships hold. Some ships carry 300, some 3000 people; that’s a big difference on a beach. 

• Smuggler’s Cove is a gorgeous sandy beach just around the bend from Long Bay. Patricia’s or Nigel’s beach bar is ready to serve. The waves were slight, great for swimming, and the space was abundant on our visit. Bring cash. 

• Cane Garden Bay is a busier beach with more bars and tends to attract cruise ship passengers. We unpacked our cooler down the beach, away from the crowds. The Callwood Family Rum Distillery is in an old, weathered stone building across the street from the beach. It’s touted as the Caribbean’s oldest continuously operating distillery. Don’t expect a lengthy tour; it’s one small room open to the public. For $1.00, you can enjoy the hostess’ entertaining tales of each of the four rum pours (like the “Boxer Remover”) in a tasting flight. 

• Stoutt’s Lookout was a colorful, unexpected discovery in the hills between Long Bay and Cane Garden. We pulled off the road to partake in what we ultimately voted as one of the best painkillers of the trip. Here, we heard lively stories from the owner, who worked for years at the Sagamore on Lake George, New York, and the Greenbriar in West Virginia. Another patron had just arrived after 23 days of sailing, with three friends, from Spain to Tortola. (He was still adjusting to being off the boat.) A Native American, former New York City ballet dancer, regaled us with his travels and how he had made his home here. Stoutt’s was a terrific find. 

• Soggy Dollar Bar was the most crowded spot, which isn’t surprising given its renowned reputation. Families, friends, and captains anchor close to the shoreline to put their boats and bodies on full display. Get ready to party here. We ferried to Jost Van Dyke for a full day, and Frankie dropped us off via his “taxi.”  (Check out the live webcam, but don’t be fooled, it only shows one small section of the beach.)

• The Baths is a unique National Park. You arrive on this beach by swimming in from your boat. There is no dock nor beach dinghy access. A dirt trail leads you down and around to the massive granite boulders on the shores of Virgin Gorda. (The Baths is the only spot we could have used water shoes.) We swam barefoot to its shores in our bathing suits, where the hot and sometimes rocky trail encouraged us to move quickly! The boulders of all shapes and sizes span over six acres, making it a beautiful destination to splash and swim in the pools of water. One caution, you need to be comfortable in waves that swirl around you as you climb between the rocks and shallow pools. This is not a good spot for those nervous about swimming. Note: It costs $3/pp to enter the Park. Yes, that means you are swimming with money. And if you want photos, you’re swimming with your iPhone. We did both.

Tidbits & Tips  

Leave anything resembling formal, dressy attire at home. Carefree shorts, T-shirts, a few “nice” tees (read: no logos), casual sandals, and flip-flops are all you need for this trip - and water shoes if you’re going to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. BVI is a no-fuss kind of place. The air is warm and humid, so no cumbersome haircare is practical - you’ll want to be in the sunshine and sparkling waters. As for makeup, bring your favorite mascara and Ilia or Jones Road cheek balm that doubles as lip balm, and you’re ready.

Conch and cocktails. You're not visiting Tortola for the wine list. Stick with cocktails or the local beer and try a Painkiller (the local rum beverage of choice) everywhere. The conch fritters are a delicious local seafood appetizer.

There is not an ATM on every corner. Take cash and plan when and where to stop to access an ATM. Often the remote beach bars only take cash, and you’ll need it for drivers, tips, and some restaurants. 

Stick with SPF 45. The sun is intense, and you’ll thank yourself by the end of the week.

Farm and furry friends. You’ll wake every day to roosters crowing on Tortola. (Think: My Cousin Vinny.) Hens, roosters, and a stray cat visited our patio daily (admittedly, I fed the cat :) Goats and miniature ponies were walking along the road as we drove. It’s a rural landscape blended with magical ocean scenery.

Plan to buy jugs of water if you’re on Tortola. We didn’t discover until after we arrived that you can’t drink the tap water. 

There is so much to see and explore; the list above is a sample of our trip. It was our first visit to BVI as a family, and we didn’t get to all the places. However, we hope this helps get you excited about discovering the magical scenery on Tortola and the neighboring tropical islands. 

Bon Voyage!

Photos starting top left: Long Bay West, Soggy Dollar Bar, Boaters Rows at Soggy, Stoutt’s Lookout Owner, Callwood Rum Distillery, Stoutt’s Lookout view, Rugged swimming through the Baths, Cane Garden at sunset.