Thursday, October 2, 2008

Blog Around the World: In a New York State of Mind

Greetings and welcome to New York, BATWers! So glad you could stop by today and visit our great state. Now, I know the other hostess for NY is a city girl, but I'm here to represent the rest of the state. While New York City certainly is fantabulous (I am originally a Jersey Girl and grew up within an hour of NYC - my first real job was in Manhattan and NYC remains one of my most favorite cities ever), there is a lot more to the state than just those five delightful boroughs. I'll leave the city tour to her, and show you around upstate. As our state motto says, Excelsior! (That means "ever upward" in case you can't recall your high school Latin. I know I can't - I had to look that up!)

There are several great places to visit in New York.
We've got vineyards and apple orchards and farms aplenty. We've got mountains - the Adirondacks, Catskills and Alleghenies (which are part of the Appalachian Mountain range) all go through our state. We've also got lakes, including a couple of the Great ones (Lake Ontario, where I live, and Lake Erie, too). We've got dibs on one side of Niagara Falls (though, props to the Canadians for having the better side - though that was just luck of the draw on the border, eh?). Some slightly less massive, yet still amazing and beautiful waterfalls can be found all over our state, along with the gorges they cut into the land - gorgeous! Oh yeah, and we've also got kind of a famous canal, that runs right through my town....



Is the sightseeing making you hungry? There are loads of "good eats" that originated here in NY! For example, we all know and love Buffalo wings (or just plain old "wings" as we call 'em around here). A delicious sandwich you may not have heard of that also comes out of Buffalo is the Beef on Weck, which is a roast beef sandwich with horseradish on a Kimmelweck roll. Closer to my neck of the woods, there's a little dish known as the Garbage Plate. Despite its name, it is delicious, if a bit messy.
Salt Potatoes are native to central NY, and you can find them at fairs, festivals and summertime BBQs and picnics across the state. Another delicious dish with NY ties is Chicken French, though veal and artichokes can also be done French and are all equally tasty.

Besides our land and our food, there are lots of cool things to do in upstate NY. Each August, you can visit the Great New York State Fair over in Syracuse. That is a can't miss trip for my kiddo and me every summer. We have music festivals aplenty - Rochester and Syracuse both have annual jazz festivals, for example, oh and there's a little music festival you might of heard of called Woodstock - that's a NY thing, too! There are many great arts and crafts festivals, along with the music festivals. For example, Rochester is home to the Lilac Festival, which is lots of fun and another can't-miss for my family. We have one of the top children's museums in the country right here in upstate New York, not to mention several terrific zoos and 176 state parks to visit. New York is home to several great educational institutions, from Cornell (if you're feeling Ivy-ish) to the SUNY schools, to Syracuse University (have to plug it - Hubby and I are both Orange! Yes, I know, our alma mater's mascot is a citrus fruit, what can I say, we didn't pick it and he is pretty cute!). West Point is also in NY, to give a shout out to our military. And did you know that the women's rights movement has its birthplace in upstate NY? Yep, the first ever Women's Rights Convention was in 1848 in Seneca Falls.

What else can I tell you? Our state insect is the ladybug and our state flower is the rose. We are, of course, the Empire State. So, please enjoy your visit to our great state, and be sure to pop by NYC and check out that wonderful corner of the state, too!

62 comments:

Shannon said...

Mmmm... salt potatoes look yummy!

Great info on NY... isn't it funny that most people's first thought of New York is NYC? There is ALOT more to the state, as you have stated so well! Enjoy your BATW day!

WheresMyAngels said...

I was driving to Maine from Missouri a few years ago and all of a Sudden I noticed NEW YORK on a patrolman car. I had no idea I was in New York. If I wouldn't of noticed that, I don't think I would of realized I had to drive thru York to get to Maine.

Gombojav Tribe said...

I love the quote from which you get your blog title! It's beautiful and so true!!!

Daja, visiting from BATW!

Heathahlee said...

My husband has been to upstate New York many times for business and LOVES it. He would like to take me there in the fall or spring to see the Catskills in full color or bloom. If I didn't hold him still, he'd probably like to move up there...but y'all have entirely too much snow! : )

I'd love to make Chicken French for him sometime...what can I substitute for the sherry, if anything?

This was a great tour! I'll tell my husband I got to visit without even having to leave my desk!

Frizzy said...

Wow! Your post was a like the perfect travel agent's guide. I love it and can't wait to get out there some day.

I Love Purple More Than You said...

I always think of NYC when I hear "New York", so I enjoyed the education and reminder that there is so much more to New York than just NYC. Visiting from L.A.

Julie said...

thanks for taking time to share with us other parts of New York... it was fun to read and I would love to see some day, thanks!

Jennifer P. said...

This place looks familiar :)......

Fun to catch you in this forum too!
I {heart} NY!

~Jennifer

Heather said...

Oh it is true that we do get a LOT of snow in the further upstate part of NY...... I'm talking about not only having to trick-or-treat with snowpants jammed on over a costume, but even Easter Egg hunting with snowpants jammed on over the Easter dress some years!!

But I promise, no one will toss a snowball your way on today's tour! :D

Cheers!

Susie said...

Greetings from Wisconsin! Congratulations on your BATW feature! I hope you enjoy your second day in the sun.

Thank you for sharing the rest of the state with us. I was lucky enough to visit the falls about 10 years ago. They are spectacular!

Unknown said...

I grew up in CT and we had several fun vacations to upstate NY. Catskill Game Farm, Lake George, and wineries are the biggies I remember.

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Ah...upsate New York, NYC and Long Island. I miss New York SOOOO much!!! I was born in Patchogue and lived in Medford until I was 13. Then my parents decided to move to Arkansas. Crazy!! Thanks for the tour!!!

Dawn said...

Hi from Louisiana! Thanks for the great tour!!

Nonnas News said...

Here from Texas!! Thank you for the tour! Congrats on being featured!!

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Oh man, I want one of those beef sandwiches with the salt fry thingys NOW. Wait, I can't have it now. Darn you for making me crave it:)

I haven't been to your area yet, but I want to go so bad!

Elisabeth said...

Now I really want to leave my Chicago burbs behind and come and visit! It sounds wonderful...and with so many places to visit! As for Seneca Falls--that would be a big stop for me! Maybe one day....

Becky W said...

Glad I got to come back again this week! What a week for you! SITs and BATW!!! I hope you have a great day!

Debbie said...

WHO KNEW upstate NY had all that! Wow! I just think of snow and snow and more snow. This is one of my favorite parts of BATW, learning about new places and the things they offer. You were a most delightful hostess and I really really appreciate your willingness to participate!

Unknown said...

Mr. B & I have talked about going to upstate New York (both my girls said You Nork when they were little) for a vacation sometime... it sounds absolutly beautiful! Thank you for the tour!!!

Indiana Angel said...

Wonderful tour of NY State!!!

Rebecca said...

Thanks for the tour. My husband has always wanted to go visit Cooperstown. Maybe we will make it one day.

Lauren W said...

Great tour :)
My dad grew up in Buffalo, but I haven't been there since I was a baby. It's definitely on my list of places to visit :D

~Trish~ said...

Great blog :)

The Nice One said...

You took me home.
I grew up near Rochester (Raaachester). Now, the only thing I would have added is some Tom Whals burger pictures and perhaps Buffalo Wings from the Anchor bar.

Go eat some grape pie for me.

Are't you fabulous to be featured twice in 2 days! Go you!!!

taratoons said...

What a great tour! I've visited NY twice, but I need to get out of the city and see more of what you guys have to offer!! :) I hope you enjoy your BATW love today! Thanks for hosting us!

Cant Hardly Wait said...

You totally forgot to mention CHICKEN SPIEDIES!!! I was born and raised in NY. Near Binghamton. Loved the post! =)

Gaspegirl said...

Hubby and I have been talking about going to NY for years... I may just have to now ;)

Unknown said...

What a great tour! I am from NY too but downstate. Nice to hear all about what upstate has to offer! Congrats on your BATW day!

Joy said...

I went to upstate NY on my senior trip in highschool. We were a bunch of FL kids looking to spend time in the snow. We went to KissingBridge Ski resort. Very beautiful. Thanks for the tour,
Joy in Texas

New Girl on Post said...

I'd love to visit New York again. It's been a long time since I've been up there. Almost 10 years!

Paige said...

Is NY like Illinois where the non-city people take it personally that the rest of the world does not know they exist? We are trying to get Chicago to secede from the state but it is taking a while!

My BIL went to West Point, so I have been there- and my dear friend teaches at Cornell Vet School, and I am visiting her soon---but that is all I know of not-NYC in NY

oº˚ Homeschool Mom˚ºo said...

Stopping by from BATW -- have fun being featured today. Thanks for sharing -- What fun living in New York -- Much Love

Anissa

Tamie said...

i've been to ny once. and it was upstate too :)
i was a counselor at a girls' camp north of albany while i was in college--so really upstate. i LOVED it there. it seriously is so picturesque it is insane! i actually did not make it down to the city, but i guess that i'll save that for another trip. thanks for sharing and --some of that food sounds delish!

Me (aka Danielle) said...

I visiting today from BATW! I enjoyed seeing you on SITS as well! Way to work the bloggy world my friend! I love your posts!

Ronnica said...

Aren't we loved? Last week was my BATW, this week was your SITS and today is your BATW AND my SITS. Crazy, eh? I'm (almost) blogged out, so I'll come back and actually read this post later, but I just had to say, "Wahoo!" (Because I say that so often...)

Sarah said...

Enjoyed the tour. I have family that recently moved to NY which has opened my eyes to seeing it as much more than NYC. Loved all different parts of the tour.

Caution/Lisa said...

What a great tour! Thanks for taking the time to do it. Hey, I hope George Clooney does hire you :)

Jenkins said...

Here from BATW.
I have never been to NY City but spent many a summers in up state NY. I love the summer weather by the lakes, the cool evenings...
Absolutely beautiful.
I noticed the you worked for a nonprofit for people with disabilities. My youngest son, only 17 months, is severaly disabled and we have had a crash course in the disability world. So many terms, resources, therapies, doctors, equipment...
A non-profit for vocational rehab sounds very interesting and a great way to assist people.

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

Hi from MA! And hi to another Mama for Obama. My 18 month old points out all of the lawn signs in our neighborhood and when anyone political comes on TV he yells, "Obamee!" Too cute.

Where in Jersey? My husband grew up in Montclair.

I was born in Boston, so it's a mixed faith marraige, as you can imagine. Thank goodness the baseball season is almost over!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour! Loved it!!

A said...

Thank you for the wonderful look at New York. You have a great blog. Enjoy your BATW spotlight!

Sarahviz said...

Hey - saw you featured on BATW. I grew up just outside Corning and went to college in Geneva (William Smith)!

Lynda said...

Thanks for such a delightful tour - I truly enjoyed every minute of it!

Lady Dorothy said...

Hello from way over here in California!

I think I would REALLY like those Salt Potatoes!

Aubrey said...

Coming from SITS one day and BATW on another! Then, there are my regular stop-ins Just Because! LOL

Great tour. I think the Lilac Festival would be a must annual attraction for me!

Mandy said...

you crack me up! i couldn't stop reading - and i have a ton of things i need to be doing right now. i watched the video at the bottom and kept waiting for them to say "guacamole!" that's always a fun word for me - but i am from texas. you are really fun to read.

Leslie said...

Hi from BATW! Thanks for the tour, and wonderful reminder that there's more of New York than what we normally see. Great post! Enjoy your day.

Betty said...

Sounds like there is lots to see, if I were to visit.
Happy BATW day!

illahee said...

visiting from BATW. thanks for the tour! it's certainly beautiful!

Michelle said...

Hey! I feel like I was just here... oh wait, I was! :) What a fun week for you.

I remember going to the Catskills when I was younger and seeing llamas... don't ask me where though! And I learned about the ladybug. That's definitely a cool state insect.

Anonymous said...

Great tour. Enjoy your BATW day!

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Heather..

Thank you for this wonderful tour I really enjoyed it, and meeting you as well.

Brian and Staci said...

So sorry for my tardiness!!! Ms. Oklahoma here! CRAZY past two days!!!! Great post on your GREAT state! We've been to New York one time for just a day and I would LOVE to go back! Enjoy your day in the spotlight :)

lynn said...

Congrats on another feature this week! I enjoyed your tour of NY! Have a great night!

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your travelogue!Congratulations on being chosen to feature this week. Hubby and I lived and worked Woodside, NY for almost a year before he took a position in western Canada. We loved visiting our church members throughout your fabulous, gorgeous State. There is no fall like it! What amazed me then is that people would actually commute hours from their residence in Upstate NY to their work in NYC and think nothing of it.The best 'thing' that we took away with us from NY was our daughter Evi,(keeping up with yesterday) who was born in Flushing Memorial Hospital. We had a wonderful time in your beautiful State! Thanks for refreshing the memories.

Tracy P. said...

Wow, wonderful tour! You're gonna be exhausted after all your visitors.

I am curious when fall arrives in your neck of the woods. We came to NYC at Thanksgiving one year (but not ON Thanksgiving!, yikes!) and were stunned that the leaves were in full color so late!

Amy Kay said...

Congratulations on your spotlight yesterday from BATW. I'm sorry I'm late. I had to take a later flight due to sports and kids. :)

I enjoyed your tour also. YOu ohave an amazing state, I hope to visit someday. Thanks for all the information.
Hugs from Georgia,
Amy ;)

Laural Out Loud said...

Now I want to try a Beef on Weck! Might have to trek out to NY sooner than planned, lol. Great post and tour!

Ronnica said...

Okay, this is your official BATW visit. Who cares that I've already know you, already commented on this post, and still have 3 other posts from sitting in my reader ready for me to devour? Sorry I couldn't officially make the tour yesterday, but my fans kept asking for autographs. =)

Darcy @ m3b said...

Waves from Iowa via BATW (a little late!)

Thanks for the tour. I worked out of Whiteplains until very recently and share your love for the rest of the state. :)

Thanks for the tour!

Jen said...

Better late than never. Thanks for the tour of NY State. Very informative.

Rela Pantaleon said...

late BATW visitor here...

My husband and I
Aarrggh... YouTube is not cooperating right now so I can't see your video. Gotta reboot the PC to view this...

Anyway, husband and I are bringing his parents to NYC/DC by the end of the month. Will hit the city tourist spots but won't go upstate this time. So I will just have to be contented with watching your video for now (or should I say for later???) :)