Cabot Goes to a Medieval Festival

Cabot had a great time visiting the annual Medieval Festival held at the Cloisters Museum in Fort Tryon Park, New York in September 2012. This is their 28th year!

  


 Cabot met all kinds of exotic looking people!

There were banners and sword makers…

and more exotic people!

  




There was an odd looking dragon that kind of looked like a rat...

  


There were beautiful horses...

  




and a very nice view across the Hudson River to New Jersey.

The Cloisters Museum if the Medieval Art branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It contains parts of many real medieval buildings, brought here and rebuilt.

In the parking lot they were performing scenes from Macbeth.

There were knights on horseback and jousting.

  



At the end of the day, Cabot met a king and his lady.

But the best part of the day was when Cabot met Umber, a beautiful REAL rat! 

Welcome To Maine

From New Hampshire Cabot took a drive into Maine.

Welcome to Maine: the way life should be.

I'm at the top of Kancamagus Mountain. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous.

What a view!

I love making new friends. Here I am with Glenda and her piggy, Lucybelle Lulu, in South Portland, Maine.

Cabot Visits New Hampshire

Late this summer Cabot went to Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Here I am, lounging amongst some lovely lilies.

I went to Market Day in Wentworth, New Hampshire. I made friends with a 10 week old collie. I hope she doesn't lick me to death!

Isn't this car sign great?!

Amelia Goes to Wedgestock

As Nathaniel Rochester reflects on the development of his city. I'll reflect upon the fun I'll have at Wedgestock!

Located in the South Wedge of Rochester Wedgestock is a neighborhood arts, music, and food festival.

Isn't this a cool car?!? Petpalooza is a local animal magazine.

Did you know Rochester has its own roller derby league? The ROC City Roller Derby: because tough girls run in tight circles! I'm practicing a to cheer them on.

Time for ice cream at Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream!

Peach Brandy Blueberry Sorbet-oh my. It's unbelievably fantastic!

I'm having fun at Now and Zen. Can you see me?

My friend, Brian of Now and Zen, and I have an important discussion.

Human kids have camp-why can't dogs?

This neat building actually sells historic house parts! I always enjoy visiting the South Wedge-you should come visit too!

Amelia's Birthday

Today is my birthday! I started my celebration at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery. Their tasting room is just gorgeous.

Mmmm Steampunk cider. It's delicious and the carbonation makes it even more celebratory.

I had a glass of sangria too!

After the wine, I went to Zambistro for lunch.

I had the Mr. November: turkey with cranberry chutney and brie on foccacia with fresh potato chips.

It's fantastic! Mr. November is just perfect for an August afternoon!

I ate the whole thing!

After that scrumptious lunch I took a stroll down Main Street in Medina, NY.

I love the architectural detail.

They're trying to save this building.

This is the opera house. There are so many neat buildings here. I had a great birthday. Thanks for joining me. Here's to many more years of travel and fun.

America's Grape Country Wine Fest

For the third year in a row I traveled to the Chautauqua Country Fairgrounds for America's Grape Country Wine Festival. I met Craig from Thousand Islands Winery on my first visit here. He makes great wine.

These fun loving guys are from Miles Wine Cellars. They have great wine too. They also told me their winery is haunted! I think I'll have to visit.

What's wine without cheese? Look at these delicious cheeses from Yancey's Fancy.

Here I am with Chef Paul Mach. He let me help him make a chilled tomato shooter with shrimp!

All this wine and food talk made me hungry. I decided to grab a bite from this food truck-The Roaming Buffalo.

Maybe I could work in a food truck?!?

Yummm. A durty bird, fresh cut fries and a loganberry to drink. I love coming to this festival-great wine, great food, & great people!

Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary

If you travel down the back roads in the midst of Western New York you'll find Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary.

Run by a dedicated couple, the sanctuary provides a home to over 540 birds and 2,000 koi! Notice the fencing-it goes over the sanctuary as well, protecting the residents from predators.

I'm here in the nursery. Babies are sometimes taken from their mothers in order to protect them. Many of the birds here are rare and endangered.

From the indoor nursery young birds transition to the outdoor nursery.

Soon they're released to the lower aviaries.

There are 3 ponds in the lower level and birds are free to fly up a flightpath to the huge upper pond.

Barns like this one provide shelter and warmth, along with many small dog houses.

Here we are at the upper pond. You can see Nene geese and Barhead geese in front of me.

The Nene goose is the only endangered goose in the US. This bird originates in Hawaii, but was brought to the brink of extinction there, killed by hunters and now threatened by mongoose and feral dogs and cats.

I got to help feed these friendly birds.

Me and my friend.

The male Whistler or Tundra swan has cataracts, but his mate leads him around. This type of swan is the 2nd largest in the world weighing about 25 pounds with an 8 foot wingspan. They come from Alaska.

Look at all those koi. They help keep the pond clean.

These are Barhead geese. These amazing birds can fly over 35,000 feet at 100mph!!! They originate in India.

It's really beautiful here.

What a view! The sanctuary is only open to the public on Sundays during July and August, but if you have the opportunity, it's certainly worth a visit!