 Get-Away for Parents
By Sue Henninger
What's not to love about being a parent? But, as much as you might want to spend every waking moment meeting the physical and emotional needs of your children, a time will come when you and your partner realize that you can't seem to find anything to talk about that isn't child-related. Somehow the two of you have managed to stray far away from the romance that was so important when you first met.
What's a Couple to Do?
The first step is to find a reliable babysitter for the day or (if you're lucky!) overnight. The second step is to try to remember how you used to have fun together and what initially attracted you to each other as a couple. Did you enjoy long, leisurely dinners by candlelight? Or did your ideal date involve doing something active outdoors or attending a concert or festival? Whatever it was, summers in the Finger Lakes are a perfect time to de-stress and rekindle your passion. No need for elaborate plans, just get in the car and go!
Taking a break doesn't mean you love your kids any less; it just means that having a healthy and happy relationship is a priority for both of you.
Act Like an Adult
There are some things parents have to put on hold when their kids are young, like finishing a sentence uninterrupted, eating a meal without something spilling on the table, or going into shops that have highly breakable items in them. For those of you who want to reclaim your previous life, a day trip to Canandaigua might be the perfect solution. There you can get a taste of regional art, community history, and fresh, local food and drink, all in one easy outing.
Start your escape with a visit to the Wizard of Clay in Bloomfield, just outside of the city. The pottery is made on site and you can often catch the artist at work in his studio. Many of the pieces incorporate leaves found on the adjacent nature trail, giving them a unique Finger Lakes look. The clay pieces run the gamut from functional (pie plates and casseroles) to decorative (lamps and vases) but one thing is guaranteed – you'll be sure to find something that you can enjoy yourself or give to someone as a special gift.
Next, stop by the New York Wine and Culinary Center (WCC), where you can "get a taste" of all that New York has to offer! You can begin in the attractive tasting room, sipping on a wine flight which features several different types of NYS wines, or head straight to the restaurant upstairs. Meals are served every day but Monday, starting at 11:30 am, and feature fresh seasonal ingredients with suggested wine and beer pairings for each. For busy parents constantly dealing with multiple daily decisions, this added service can be a vacation unto itself.
If you're both into cooking, as we were before we had kids, the WCC offers a wide range of classes that can be lots of fun for couples to take together. Summer courses frequently focus on creative ways to prepare and serve the abundance of produce found at local farmers markets.
End your day in a peaceful oasis, the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park. Stroll hand-in-hand through the nine formal gardens while taking in the exquisite landscaping, smell, and color scheme of each. You can also take a trip back in time with a tour of Mary Clark Thompson's magnificent home, which includes old-fashioned luxuries like a Billiard and Trophy Room and a Drawing Room.
Be Someone Else for a Day
The Sterling Renaissance Festival is fun with kids but it's even more fun without them. The festival grounds are designed to resemble a medieval village, complete with a jousting field, endless entertainment, and all the food and drink you could possibly want.
If you really want to get in the spirit, you and your loved one can dress up in some of the fun clothes from the time period (be sure to take pictures!) or you can just dress as yourselves and enjoy the local color.
Once you've paid at the gate, leave your cares and responsibilities behind and let it all hang loose. Have a drink, eat a giant turkey leg, laugh at the off-color jokes, or play a part in the interactive skits. Above all, feel free to act like a kid yourself ! Don't forget to buy yourselves a souvenir so that on your darker days you can take it out and return the smiles to your faces. For the more romantic, there's a special "Renewal of Vows" package in the Festival Chapel complete with cake, champagne, and a one of-a-kind marriage certificate. This popular event sells out each year so make your reservations early.
Take to the Water
Kayaks are only made for two – not three, four, or five. With that in mind, head out to Ithaca's Cayuga Lake Inlet where, for a reasonable fee, you can rent a colorful boat anywhere from two to eight hours. Then explore Cayuga Lake from a different angle, keeping an eye out for the numerous great blue herons that hang out along the shores. If you're anything like us, you'll find it highly enjoyable to spend time looking at the different styles of homes and summer cottages that line the shores as well.
Follow up your paddling with a nautical culinary adventure right around the corner at the Boatyard Grill. This waterfront favorite has all sorts of entrees, including the Seafood Splash-Down Tower, all served in a casual, atmosphere guaranteed to make you feel like you’re dating again.
Head North
Sometimes to really escape life as you know it, you need to take out your passports and leave the country. For my husband and I, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect destination for this. Situated where the Niagara River and Lake Ontario meet, just across the border in Canada, this jewel of a town has always been a special mini-vacation for us.
Our first stop is always the theater. Since 1962, the Shaw Festival has produced and presented the work of George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) and other playwrights who were writing during Shaw's lifetime. The Festival has four theaters – the Royal George, the Court House, the Festival, and the Studio – that offer approximately 800 performances of 10-12 different plays per season for their audiences to enjoy.
We also love to shop on Queen Street and one of our favorite places to begin is Maple Leaf Fudge. There's a reason they've been in business since 1967 and a visit to Canada would not be complete without purchasing maple sugar candy, maple cookies, or maple syrup; all of which make great gifts for the little ones you left behind. Additionally their penuche fudge is
some of the best we've ever tasted.
If you want to take a more lasting memory of Niagara-on-the-Lake home with you, one of Kenneth Lane Smith's galleryphotographs on canvas might be just what you're looking for. Many of his breathtaking images feature local scenery, nature, or events.
Bored with your current look? With over six thousand traditional and unusual hats in stock, BeauChapeau Hat Shop is sure to have a headpiece that suits you and makes your partner take a second look.
No matter where you go or what you do, treat yourselves well and enjoy doing it. Trust me, taking the time to nurture yourselves as a couple will make you an even better Mom and Dad!
Sue Henninger is contributing writer to Rochester Area & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. She lives in Upstate NY. Contact her at www.fingerlakeswriter.com
Genesee Valley Parent Magazine Copyright.
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