This blog post should be named Astraea Ashore since it really has nothing to do with the boat. After two days of travel Natalie and I made it to the finger lakes region in New York for Lizze and Chris’s wedding. Our flight out of San Diego was delayed and we arrived in Baltimore very late. The next morning we drove up with Grandma and Grandpa Ness. Someone forgot to pick up the wedding cake from Brown’s Orchards so Mom and Dad drove back to pick it up. Uncle Scott picked the cake up and met Mom and Dad in York with it, the day was saved!

The finger lakes are home to lots of wineries and Lizze chose to have the wedding at Glenora Wine Cellars. On our way there we stopped for a taste of the local wines. I prefer California reds to the reds of this region because the flavor is much fuller. They do make very good blush wines that are easy drinking when chilled. It was interesting to find out that the finger lakes are connected to the Erie Canal. We could take our boat up through the canal and stop here during our time cruising. I never really imagined that!

After the winery we checked out a Finger Lakes Distillery on the way to Glenora. They use 80% local ingredients and make a variety of liquor. Dad and I sampled their bourbon, rye and pot still whiskey. My favorite was the bourbon. It was smooth and rich. The secret to the great taste? The bourbon is finished in oak chardonnay casks. I brought a bottle back to California for more through analysis.

We made it over to Glenora and met up with Lizze and Chris and his family at the winery tasting room. The wedding ceremony that followed was beautifully simple. Congratulations on a happy life together!

The next morning the happy couple snuck out early to go pick up their new puppy before heading out on their honeymoon. His name is Cutty and he’s awesome. I think the name will stick because of Cutty Sark Scotch Whiskey. Adam and Lindsay came in from Pittsburgh for Natalie’s baby shower on Sunday and visited with us the night before. It was good see them and catch up.

Thanks to Nicole and Mom for planning a great baby shower for Natalie. It was held at our church, Emanuel UMC, in Loganville. It was well attended by friends and family. It was great to see everyone, including Matt and Anna from Philly.

While the shower was going on the guys hung out at my house, eating Mom’s famous taco dip. My cousin Jason loves that stuff, so any time we’re together the taco dip comes out.

When the baby shower was wrapping up the guys went up to church to join the girls for an interesting event, a baby bottle beer chugging contest!

Thank you everyone for the great presents! It was another whirlwind trip to Loganville and thanks for being a part of it!

After the baby shower we headed back home to shoot balloons with the BB gun. Yup, that’s how we roll! I leave you with the following sign we found at a winery in New York.