Tales of the Traveling Tote #46

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie-Childs tote bags have taken us.  Beginning this year we will post only three times a year and write a connected post about the places we have been.  We always offer a MacKenzie-Childs giveaway, so read on....

Tales of The Traveling Tote #44

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. We have built incredible friendships through our blogs and we hope you enjoy our tales as much as we do!

To read about how it all began, go HERE

The Tales of the Traveling Tote #41

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been.

To read about how it all began, go HERE

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Fall in Central NY is just a wonderful time; the air is crisp and the sun is still warm, the leaves are turning colors and fluttering through the air and there are many local activities and festivals.  

Here's what kept us busy this past fall:

The Tales of the Traveling Tote #40

 September 2024

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been.

To read about how it all began, go HERE

Here's what Miss Kenzie and I have been up to the last 3 months:

It was a summer filled with family, friends and fun:

I have been working a few special events for MacKenzie-Childs and enjoyed working in the Aurora store during the in store Barn Sale.  If you have never been to Aurora, NY, add it to your Bucket List - you wont be disappointed!

My totes and bags have enjoyed their adventures this summer. We live about 1/2 hour from Lake Ontario and this "ocean girl" can get a quick fix here!  I truly miss the ocean, the smell, the waves and there are days that the Lake can resemble it, and this day was one of those days:

There is nothing like being on a rooftop lounge on a summer day, especially overlooking the Oswego River:

We spent a week in Ohio: some mother/daughter time, happy hours, card games, soccer games and playing with food:

On the way home from Ohio we crossed the border, over the Rainbow Bridge, into Niagara, Canada:

We spent the night in Canada and enjoyed dinner and the casino, pictured below.  I love the feel of Canadian money, especially when I win!!

Every night, at 10:00 there are fireworks over the Falls, so we walked down STEEP Murray Street again to see the nightly lights and the full moon!

The walk down the steep hill, again, to the Falls early the next morning, after breakfast, was quiet and peaceful as most of the tourists were still in bed!

One of our favorite stops for an afternoon cocktail and snack is Queen Victoria Place, overlooking the Falls:

Dinner up in the Skylon, with a revolving dining room, is another favorite place of ours.  The view is amazing and the elevator ride up is exhilarating!

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Many Saturday mornings were spent at the Farmer's Market - lots of flowers, baked goods, fruits and veggies

The New York State Fair is always a reminder that the summer is coming to a close.  This year I was on the hunt for Peachey's Donuts - if you can imagine eating a sugary cloud - they are by far the best I have ever had!!

Again, this year, we saw the Herman's Hermits concert AND, you can't leave the fair without having a wine slushy!

And that is my summer wrap up!

As always, we offer a MacKenzie-Childs giveaway and this time Jenna is hosting, so leave a comment on her blog for a chance to win this To Go Tote:

  Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

  GIVEAWAY:  Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Bookish Dilettante  

We'll be back on Dec 1st:

The NY State Canal System

My friend Deb notified me of the most fascinating event happening on the Erie Canal.  

The Ralph Wilson Park Bridge was being transported through the Canal System from NYC Harbor to Buffalo this week on two large barges.  

Apparently it was too large to travel by the NYS Thruway without causing closures.

It arrived in NYC harbor from Italy in June and has traveled through the Erie Canal this month, with anticipated arrival in Buffalo around July 15.

Today (July 10) I watched it travel through Lock 23 in Brewerton NY.  The two barges were separated for each to travel through the lock individually due to their length.  

Inside the lock:

Watching the locks operate is intriguing,  the water lowering almost 7' and each barge being flushed out of the lock.

The second gate to be opened to release the barge:

From the other side:

The second barge entering the lock, with the tug boat behind it:

Reconnecting the two barges:

This took about 45 minutes for both to pass through and be reconnected.  It travels about 5 miles per hour.

And off to the next lock in Baldwinsville:

We were so close we actually could have jumped aboard and become stowaways!

Info on the NYS Canal System can be found here: CANAL

Info on the bridge, it's purpose and design can be found here: BRIDGE

Tales of the Traveling Tote #37

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of 10 bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. We also offer a fabulous MacKenzie-Childs giveaway on one of the 10 posts each quarter.  We have built incredible friendships through our blogs and we hope you enjoy our tales as much as we do!  To read about how it all began, go HERE

Tales of the Traveling Tote #36

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of 10 bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. We also offer a fabulous MacKenzie-Childs giveaway on one of the 10 posts each quarter.  We have built incredible friendships through our blogs and we hope you enjoy our tales as much as we do!  To read about how it all began, go HERE

Here is what I have been up to all summer:

The Tales of the Traveling Tote #34

"THE TALES OF THE TRAVELING TOTE"

A few times a year 10 of us write a connected post about the places our MacKenzie-Childs tote bags have taken us.  They might include business trips, shopping adventures, weeklong vacations or simply every day escapades! Follow along with our quarterly adventures and join us on Instagram on the 15th of each month!

Here is what I have been up to for the last 3 months:

Tales of the Traveling Tote #33

Welcome to the Tales of the Traveling Tote #33

One reason travel is so addicting and invigorating is the ability to see and experience something for the very first time

Tales of the Traveling Tote #32

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is where a group of bloggers publish linked posts quarterly, sharing where the adventures of their retired MacKenzie-Childs Large Tote has taken them!  

Read on to see where mine took me this summer!

Tales of the Traveling Tote #31

MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Bistro Tote...

Buy Now

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The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. We have built incredible friendships through our blogs and we hope you enjoy our tales as much as we do!

To read about how it all began, go HERE

Spring 2022

It was a quiet spring for my Traveling Tote, but here's a recap of a few fun things we did:

Tales of the Traveling Tote #30

My tote hasn't been many places since November, so I decided to create a wrap up of the last 7 years and re-visit the places Miss Kenzie has been.  Join me as I walk down memory lane!

Tales of the Traveling Tote #29

                    

Welcome 

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of 10 bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. We also offer a fabulous MacKenzie-Childs giveaway on one of the 10 posts each quarter.  We have built incredible friendships through our blogs and we hope you enjoy our tales as much as we do!  To read about how it all began, go HERE

The Tales of the Traveling Tote #28 and a giveaway!

          The Tales of The Traveling Tote

This has been a great summer, but it flew by so quickly!  Here's how my Traveling Tote and I spent the time:

Tales of the Traveling Tote #26

The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us.  Four times a year a group of bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. We have built incredible friendships through our blogs and we hope you enjoy our tales as much as we do!

To read about how it all began, go HERE

March 2021

This map shows the places Miss Kenzie and I visited last year, 2020 - most of the travel taking place before the Covid shutdown!

December 2020

It was a hectic month and my tote never left the closet!  My Mom took a terrible fall, but was able to spend Christmas Day with us.  The holidays were very different this year due to the pandemic and we missed a lot of traditions and family gatherings.

January 2021

This was a cold and dreary month and the good news was that Covid vaccinations would soon be available!

A winter walk at Durand Beach on Lake Ontario:

Another winter walk at William's Beach on Oneida Lake:

February 2021

This month was even less traveled as I have been caring for, and planning a move for my elderly mom since December.  She had Pneumonia, Coronavirus, and is now fully vaccinated!  She will be moving into assisted living in March.

It's been a challenge for all of us, and my tote hid in a closet not wanting to be a part of any of this!

I think everyone has had their share of challenges the past 12 months.  I am so thankful for John, the friends who have supported me, and the many cards and prayers sent my Mom's way.  It is so warming to have so many people who care!  

I am also happy to share that I have been fully vaccinated and John will be soon!

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Jackie, at Purple Chocolat Home is hosting this quarter's giveaway, so be sure to stop by and leave a comment to be entered!

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Stop by to visit the rest of the Traveling Tote gang to see what they have been up to, I am sure it will be more exciting than my tale this time!:

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box. YOU ARE HERE

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women  

Follow us on Instagram on the 15th of each month!

@ppultorak

Here is hoping for exciting travels in the future filled with lots of wanderlust!