Aug15 On The Road Again!

Hot Mess: Diary of a Road Trip, Part I

August is the season finale of Hot Mess: Summer Edition (just nod and sip your iced coffee).

For a change in blog style, I thought that I'd use a diary format for our recent road trip to Finger Lakes.

Here goes.

M O N D A Y ,   A U G U S T  3

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. – Douglas Pagels

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 

This was how it started. Second Daughter said, Road trip to FINGER LAKES. 

The FINGER LAKES are a group of eleven long, narrow, roughly north–south lakes located in New York.

Seneca, Cayuga, Skaneateles, Owasco, Keuka, and Canandaigua are considered the major lakes, while Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, and Otisco are considered the minor ones.

I love road trips. It’s like doing something without actually doing anything.

Note to self: You got this. Snacks, crossword book, phone, and lots of pit stops.

Don’t forget the lap tray for snacks, plilows (as Favorite Grand/D used to say it, and blankies.

Heed these road trip rules:

* Driver (Second Daughter, for the most part) – Drive. Focus on the road. Don’t kill us.

* Front seat passenger (Hubby) – Navigate. Stay awake.

* Backseat (Fav Grand/D and I) – Hand out snacks. Complain about leg room. Nap.

Woohoo! 

And just like that, we were on our way through the Great Lakes Seaway Trail to everywhere.

LUNCH BREAK. You guessed correctly.

After a three-hour drive, we paused and picnicked. It was good for the soul.

Lettuce have a picnic.

Good vibes and picnic times!

Yay! We made it to TONOWANDA.

TONOWANDA is a city in Niagara County, New York. It means swift-running water in the Seneca language.

Did someone say beef on weck for dinner? We were curious, and found out exactly what it was at the BAR-BILL TAVERN dinner in Clarence.

Formerly known as the Old Red Mill, the structure was built in 1858. It opened to the public in 2020, serving its world-famous chicken wings and beef on weck.

Beef on weck, a traditional sandwich from Buffalo, New York, features roast beef served on a kummelweck roll characterized by its salted crust and caraway seeds.

The sandwich typically includes thinly sliced, rare roast beef and horseradish.

Eat the weck! Life is too short for self-hatred and celery sticks.

Yay! We made it to our lodging. Day 1 is done. Now, let’s see how many more bathroom breaks we can fit in.

See you tomorrow!

T U E S D A Y ,   A U G U S T  4

Making memories, one road trip at a time. - Anonymous

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 

I do look cool in the mirror. Pretty much one of the best people I know. But ugh… Why do I look dumb in pictures, especially selfies.

Reality check: Finally figured out the reason why. It was my face.

The selfies I had deleted were the real me.

So, why capture a self-portrait? I just needed to unmask my true self, I guess.

Shine bright.

Be yourself for today’s tour in GENEVA, a charming city situated at the northern end of Seneca Lake, known for its beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and vibrant community.

Standing at the edge of LAKE ONTARIO, with blue water stretching to the horizon, it was easy to forget we weren't at the ocean because of the steady break of waves along the wide sandy shoreline.

HIGH FALLS, a 96-foot waterfall in the center of downtown Rochester, is the tallest of the three waterfalls on the Genesee River.

Striking views could be enjoyed from the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge, or from the rooftop of the Genesee Brew House.

Picnic lunch at DURAND EASTMAN BEACH

The beach boasts boasts 5,000 feet of Lake Ontario waterfront, steep wooded slopes, and spring-flowering trees and foliage. 

 

Checking the weather, I guess today’s forecast (and for the next five days or so): 99% chance of wine, as we were off to first of five wineries on our itinerary.

 

THREE BROTHERS WINERIES AND ESTATES serves its award-winning dry Riesling and popular sweeter dessert wines amid a beautiful scenery and view of spectacular Seneca Lake. 

Wine flies when you’re having fun.

One glass of wine is good for you.

Two is even better.

After that, who needs a doctor?

This wine is awful. 

Get me another glass!

The day is done. Think of all the good moments of this day and keep a smile for tomorrow.

Good night!

Sunnies On!

 Hot Mess

August has me spiraling, with sunglasses on. - Anonymous

August is like the Sunday of summer.

As it rolls in, we cling to any last-minute vacay and summer memories before fall whispers its pumpkin spice truths.

Whether you’re poolside, road-tripping, or just trying to survive the heat wave without becoming a sweat puddle, here are some summer stuff to savor sun-drenched August days.

I've always been obsessed with sunglasses.

They allow you to stare at people without getting caught.

It’s like Facebook in real life.

Ravinia Highland Park: Illinois, July 2025

Sunglasses are like eyeshadow. They make everything look younger and pretty. – Karl Lagerfeld

Culinary School and Barefoot Cafe: Waikiki, 2025 

Me, myself, and I.

They call it a selfie because narcissistic is too hard to spell.

I’ve got my sight set on YOU.

Keep rocking when your sunglasses are talking. 

Hawaii Kai, 2025

Rockin’ our shades and rollin’ with the breeze!

Rosen Inn: Orlando, Florida, 2025

Right: Mother's Day, Marie Callender's: Columbus, 2024

Rightmost: Duke's: Waikiki, 2024

Eye got 99 problems but sun ain’t one!

Leftmost: Michigan, 2025

 Left: Columbus Fish Market: Ohio, 2026

Sun's out, fun’s out, shade on.

Be a little more fabulous with your sunglasses!

P.S. The cutest Sunnies pics just came in from a faithful reader. ¡Oye, mira estos!

 

Chasing Sunsets

 Secret To Summer Happiness

And last, but not least, in summer’s secret to happiness…

Watch more sunsets than Netflix.

June, when every sunset feels like a mini celebration of life!

Sunset, the sun’s fiery kiss to the night

When the sky breaks like an egg into full sunset and the water catches fire

 All photos: V.E.V. Waikiki: 2019, 2020, 2022 and January 31, 2026

Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank. -  Amish Proverb

Birthday by the Sea: a year as beautiful as the evening sky. January 31, 2026

Breath-taking view of sunset at PROSPECT PEAK, ranked by National Geographic as one of the top five scenic vistas in the Eastern United States. Photo: I.T.V. July 2026

Located about three miles west of Berkeley Springs, the view includes the three states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia and drops nearly 1,000 feet into the Potomac River at this point.

View the sunset with wonder, like childhood. Simply chase it and chill.

May each sunset be an opportunity to reset.

Let’s do it. Bring it.

Chicago: A Summer Hiccup

July 10-15, 2026

I felt like a zombie during most of the trip, dark nights interspersed with chatter-filled activities. It was like being caught in the endless maze of Chicago’s underground alleys, hoping to eventually rise for air. 

It had all been surreal to me, but here are a few highlights in order not to lose those few moments when I felt alive.  

A not-to-miss Chicago-style pizza

LOU MALNATI’S PIZZERIA is an American restaurant chain known for its deep dish pizza. Its signature buttercrust features vine-ripened California tomatoes, Wisconsin mozzarella cheese, and sausages baked to perfection.

Youngest Brother’s 50^th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Family rendition, DAHIL SA IYO (Because Of You), a love song from the Philippines. Simply  enchanting.

DAHIL SA IYO is a song by Mike Velarde Jr., written in 1938 for the movie Bituing Marikit (Beautiful Star) and sung by Rogelio de la Rosa. A version with English-Tagalog lyrics, recorded in 1964, was a hit in the United States and continues to be popular in Filipino communities on American soil.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO TOUR

951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, Ill 60302

The home was the first over which Wright had complete artistic control, and he would use it as an opportunity to experiment with design concepts that contained the seeds of his architectural philosophy.

The house emphasizes an interest on pure geometric forms, natural materials, and connection to the land.

The exterior of the house, which he would later refer to as “Seaside Colonial,” reflects his early interest in the Shingle style.

FILIPINOS KNOW HOW TO EAT!

Sa fiesta, kahit anong luto, basta may sawsawan, panalo na!

(In a fiesta, any dish is a winner as long as there's a dipping sauce!)

CHICAGO RIVER BOAT ARCHITECTURAL TOUR on the Riverwalk

The 90-minute experience presented an in-depth, expert architectural-based river boat tour of the design and building treasures that make up the Windy City today.

That awkward moment when a zombie is looking for brains, and it walks right past you.

I needed a vacation from this vacation.

Couldn’t wait to get home

and do absolutely nothing! 

Chill

 Secret To Summer Happiness

Life  is so much easier when you just chill out.

Adopt a laid-back style or easy demeanor. It often means to relax or take it easy.

Too chill to break a sweat

Omm… omm…

We fought the nap, and the nap won.

It’s a good day to have a chill day.

Florida!

 Secret To Summer Happiness

The most beautiful things in life are not things. They are people, places, memories, and pictures. Feelings and moments. Smiles and laughter. - Anonymous

Our family celebrated one such memorable time this year at Grandson’s AAU Boys Volleyball Nationals which ran July 3-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. 

All our bags were packed.

We were ready to go.

Florida mode: activated

Stunning Sunrise. Photo: A.V.H.

It might be fun to do a FLORIDA ACROSTIC to capture the moment, so here goes.

F - is for FANS who remain loyal whether the game is a loss or win.

 

Being loyal is simple if you genuinely love someone.

L – is for LOADING UP on food.

As Virginia Woolf alleges, one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.

FORD'S GARAGE is a neighborhood burger and beer joint. Inside the Garage is  a 1920's service station vibe which includes vintage Ford vehicles, gas pumps, prohibition-style elements of old brick, rich wood, and hand-hammered copper bar tops. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

So are we eating our feelings or drinking our feelings today?

CHEDDAR'S SCRATCH KITCHEN is all good food, made well. Its secret ingredient, cooking from scratch, makes for great tasting food. 

Where there is food, there is love.

SHAKE SHACK serves elevated versions of American classics using only the best ingredients. It's known for its delicious made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, and hand-spun milkshakes.

My mind says ‘abs,’ but my heart said cheese fries.

O – is for ORDINARY DAYS made extraordinary…

... By little girls who fill life with sunshine and your heart with love.

... By Grand/Ds taking in the sunshine and lake water.

... By a hunk of a Dad.

How long do you actually have to wear a muscle shirt until you get muscles? Photo: A.V.H.

R – is for our REIS, athlete extraordinaire!

What an incredible reach! Photo: A.V.H.

I – is for the INCREDIBLE sights of the sunshine state.

Weather forecast: 100% chance of fabulous.

WEST CONVENTION CENTER. Photo: I.T.V.

It’s all about the palm trees and the 80 degrees.

When life gives you rain, demand a rainbow.

D – is for team SAS’ DAZZLING teamwork

The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team. – Paul Jackson

There is no “I” in team.

Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.

Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.

A – is for an AMAZING time with ohana (family) where nobody gets left behind or forgotten.

We passed our driving test.

Shell-abrate the good times!

 The time we spent together was a party, like confetti for the soul, adding bursts of joy to life.

 FLORIDA, you had our heart. You croc our world!