EXPLORING: GROSSINGER'S RESORT

Yesterday Justin and I went on a mission for possible photo shoot locations. We drove down to Liberty, NY to check out Grossinger's Resort. Or, more specifically, the shell of what once was Grossinger's Resort. It used to be a super sweet summertime destination in the 60s and 70s (see postcard above)...but it eventually closed in 1986 and has been abandoned ever since. The years have not been kind...but there is something undeniably magical about the state of decay.

TRADITIONS

Justin and I got our tree on Sunday! We went back to Saltsman Christmas Tree Farm since our experience there last year was so awesome. (We scoped out another place in the name of research, and can confidently say that the vibe at Saltsman's is unbeatable. If you live in the area it is TOTALLY where you should be getting your tree.)

Last year we got a blue spruce...which wins hands-down in the looks department...but MAN, that thing was prickly. We had to wear GLOVES to put the lights on...and had battle wounds after hanging the ornaments. So we changed it up and went with a Fraser fir this year. It doesn't have the dreamy blue-green color that the spruce did, but it is still a VERY handsome tree. And it smells amazing. And it doesn't try to bite you when you touch it.

FIELD TRIP: ROUND TOP, NY

At 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon Justin and I decided it would be fun to take an impromptu overnight field trip. By 4 o'clock the car was packed and we were on our way to Round Top, NY, a forgotten oasis just 45 minutes north of Kingston. The whole town is basically a big old-school German Catskills resort area. So...you know...there is a lot of this going on...

And this...

Basically, the whole place is like a portal to some awesome 1960s vacationland.

We ended up staying at the Winter Clove Inn which looks more 1860s than 1960s...but I'm pretty sure it has the nicest accommodations in town.

The rooms have a vaguely Victorian thing going on. Vintage floral wallpaper, dark wood four post-bed, lacy curtains. A little on the granny side...but the original wide board floors are pretty amazing and so is the view out the windows.

And you don't feel like you are on the set of Vacancy. Which is nice.

But don't worry...It also has a rec hall with wood panelling, a ping pong table, a juke box...and this...

Yes, that is indeed a straight-up vintage bowling alley. Paper score cards and all. So the Winter Clove is pretty much bringing 19th and 20th century awesomeness to the table.

And it's perched right at the foot of a state forrest...

So there is a lot of sweet wilderness to explore...including a postcard-worthy swimming hole with a waterfall AND a covered bridge.

So all of this is pretty awesome...right? And I haven't even told you about the best part! The Mountain Brauhaus.

As far as I'm concerned this is Round Top's shining gem. I mean...look at it...

I LOVE it! Deer heads and paint-by-numbers hung without a hint of irony! And as if this place could get any more amazing...just wait until the regulars start showing up. Unfortunately I was too busy drinking delicious hefeweissens and getting dance lessons from little old German men to take pictures of it in full swing. But trust me. It's the beer hall of your dreams.

WATCHING THE LEAVES CHANGE

Fall is truly magical upstate. I love waking up each morning and seeing the bright, beautiful leaves out my bedroom windows. And with all of the trees up here it's like every room in the house has a brand new view!

This is what I see when I walk out the front door...

And this amazingness is right around the corner...

I'm not that into the earthy palette usually associated with fall---browns, burnt oranges, yellows, maroons---but I REALLY respond to the crazy neon oranges and electric reds that I see on these trees around town. Apparently it's impossible to capture with my camera...but I swear, they look radioactive.