For the new year, Mav and I decided we were going to start exploring more of where we live. This is our second year in the city and our 5th/6th year in New York State and we definitely have not even scratched the surface of seeing all the cool things there are to see! Our first exploration of the new year followed a trip to Vassar (Go Brewers!!) and was one I had been wanting to make since I was still a student: Beacon!!

Everyone would always talk about how Beacon was changing and becoming a more hipster-y artistic place with delicious food and cool sights to see, but I somehow never made my way over there. This visit proved that everyone was exactly right!

We started off down by the water, which was actually very lovely and peaceful. There had been a recent freeze, so we sat by the rocks and got to enjoy the sound of ice cracking and shifting under the warmth of the sun. After all of this thoughtful reflection, I decided I needed a snack (preferably one of the sweet persuasion) and we stopped by this adorable gluten-free bakery called Ella’s Bellas! I purchased a couple of cookies (?) and a lemon poppy-seed muffin that I had been craving for what felt like years, and everything was so delicious! Next we wandered in and out of various shops and stores and admired the character of this charming town.

This first stop on our adventure list made me really excited for all of our future travels and discoveries. There’s really so much to see in the (immediate) world around you, and I cannot wait to explore and share with you!