A Fly-By Vacay

 Hot Mess: Diary of a Road Trip, Part III 

F R I D A Y ,   A U G U S T  7

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 

They say the meaning of life can be found in a bottle of wine. Hubby and Second Daughter haven’t found that bottle yet, but they’re enjoying the search.

It was time for another adventure, this time at WAGNER VINEYARDS ESTATE WINERY, one of the oldest, most recognized, wineries and one of the region’s most popular wine tasting destinations since opening in 1979 in the Finger Lakes Region.

 

Family owned and operated, the fourth and fifth generation Wagners are in the vineyards and in the cellar to bring customers the best quality reds, whites and blushes crafted from 20 grape varieties, all grown by Wagner Vineyards. 

The winery is especially recognized for its selection of Riesling wines, from fully dry to dessert sweet ice.

Working nine to wine. 

Time for lunch at GINNY LEE CAFÉ.

All menus have been designed to complement and enhance the medal-winning estate wines of Wagner Vineyards and craft-brewed beers from Wagner Brewing Company.

It's not healthy to keep things

bottled up.

Good night! Don’t let the bedbugs bite… unless you’re into that sort of thing.

S A T U R D A  Y ,   A U G U S T  8

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 

I don’t know what my purpose is in life. Perhaps, to be a good example to others? Just kidding, it’s to have fun!

And that was what I exactly had today shopping at the WINDMILL FARM AND CRAFT MARKET.

It is home to over 175 indoor and outdoor shops offering great food, fresh produce, fashion and accessories, and handcrafted items.

Saved the best winery stop for last: KONSTANTIN FRANK WINERY where in 1958 Dr. Konstantin Frank planted the first vinifera vines. 

For over sixty years, the winery has been producing highly-acclaimed traditional method sparkling wines, crisp and aromatic white wines, and rich red wines.

We only drink wine on days that end with a 'y.'

INTERESTING! To First Daughter’s attention:

The winery features LENA RESERVE 2022 (most expensive in the barrel selection), a deep ruby wine that reflects the heart and heritage of the Frank family.

Named for daughter LENA, this wine opens with an inviting bouquet of black cherry, ripe plum, and dried rose petals, interwoven with hints of cedar, baking spice, and crushed graphite.

Elegant yet bold, it is crafted with precision, aged with patience, and inspired by the enduring spirit of LENA FRANK.

Another day down, our last adventure awaits tomorrow. Good night for now!

S  U  N  D A  Y ,   A U G U S T  9

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎,

Couldn’t/wouldn’t miss this final site.

PRESQUE ISLE PARK is located in the Upper peninsula of Pennsylvania on the coast of Lake Superior.

The park is itself a small, oval-shaped peninsula  surrounded by sandstone cliffs, marshes, rocky outcrops, secluded coves, and pebble beaches.

At the park’s entrance is TOM RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER. 

It features a two-story structure of brick, glass, and steel; a 75-foot observation tower; and 7,000 square feet of exhibits, orientation theater, research center, gallery, and gifts.

A trail, approximately 2.5 miles, offers beautiful views of Lake Erie and opportunities for birdwatching and fishing. 

 

You know that feeling you get after vacation when you’re just so happy to get back to reality? 

Me neither.

No road is long with good company.

But, it was time to go home…

I'm realso pooped today, I might not [yawn] ’ven...

                

 

Hey - Resurrection Day! A final hurrah to this vacation!

Where to next??!! I think the answer to life is always having a vacation booked.

I’d like to raise a toast to Second Daughter for an intoxicating and heartwarming vacation!

                     

And to you, 𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, thank you for listening.

Onward to the next adventure!

Look Who's 4-Teen!

August 18, 2026

We blinked and our Fav Grand/D was suddenly a toddler…

Mama's Princess. Comfest (?)

… and now a gorgeous, stunning 4-teen.

Congrats on another year of being fabulous!

You think you are special just because it’s your birthday today. 

No way, you’re special every day.

May your eyeliner be even and your birthday be spectacular.

It’s your birthday. Dream big!

Allen Brothers NY Strip and Mac n Cheese Dinner,

The Barn

Frozen Mudd Pie dessert: chocolate, vanilla and coffee ice cream, hot fudge, brownie, Oreo crust, peanuts

All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. – Charles Schultz

You are what you eat, so eat dessert.

I’ll never turn down dessert.

DEAR FAV GRAND/D – YOU’RE AWESOME AT ANY AGE!

We hope your birthday is like no otter.

May your special day be filled with good vibes, great friends, and zero awkward family photos.

May your selfies be flawless

and your phone battery last all day.

          HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Travellin' On

Hot Mess: Diary of a Road Trip, Part II 

W E D N  E  S D A Y ,   A U G U S T  5

Wine is bottled poetry. – R.L. Stevenson

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 

I must confess.

Wine tasting has become our favorite sport. In the past days, wine has been constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.

Today, we trekked on the off-the-beaten-path to BOUNDARY BREAKS VINEYARD AND WINERY. Just north of Lodi Point State Park, the winery offers an expansive, uninterrupted view of Seneca Lake.

Me, pretending to understand wine-tasting notes: Yes… I, too… detect hints of um… grapes.

Hubby, enjoying dry Reisling: Wine improves with age. The older I get, the more I like it. 

Second Daughter: Wine is the answer. What was the question? 

Fav Grand/D: I would like to confirm that I do not care.

Early morning-after at GENEVA ABnB

Hubby: Taking a break… before getting back at it. 

Second Daughter: It’s wine o’clock somewhere. 

Fav Grand/D and I: Who needs love when there's this thing called shopping? 

Me: Ditto.

I didn’t know what it was, but it was on sale.

Haul (top right inset): puppy mug and giant cinnamon roll (from Second Daughter) and Dalmatian jasper bracelet

The EASTVIEW MALL in VICTOR and FARMINGTON is a super-regional retail mecca with 180 stores and services.

You can always find something you want.

I’m drifting off here. But before I do, I just want to wish you a good night!

T H U R S D A  Y ,   A U G U S T  6

In wine, there is wisdom. In beer, there is freedom. In water, there is bacteria. – Ben Franklin

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎, 

I thought it was going to be just another day of not being rich and famous. Actually, it was, but today’s itinerary made it interesting.

To another winery we went!

A cornerstone of Finger Lakes winemaking, HERMANN J. WIEMER VINEYARD was founded by German-born Hermann J. Wiemer, one of the first to plant vinifera grapes in the region.

It quickly earned a reputation for producing world-class dry Rieslings.

Friends don't let friends wine alone.

First sip: Hmm...

Second sip: Interesting.

Third sip: I'll take 12 bottles.

Sip happens.

Wine o’clock!

Good night. It’s snuggle down time. Wishing you a restful night. Sweet dreams!

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 to document 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!

Whee! 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.

Awesome! 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 of GENEVA, a charming city situated at the northern end of Seneca Lake, known for its beautiful landscapes, historic sites, vibrant community, and multi-ethnic restaurants.

Standing at the edge of LAKE ONTARIO, with blue water stretching to the horizon, we could easily have forgotten 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 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!