Where Do You Want To Go?

Where Do You Want To Go?

That is something I often ask myself. I have day and night dreams about all the places I want to go. I can smell the ocean breeze, feel the sand and hear the waves. I know that my dreams are not the same as the dreams of others. Some people aspire to much different things, but still have a dream of going somewhere, someday. That is why one of my favourite questions to ask people is: "Where do you want to go?". There are two common ways people answer: a quick, decisive pronouncement; or a long, drawn-out bucket list.

No matter how people answer, the answers are always fascinating - as is the seemingly innate desire most seem to have to see and experience this magnificent world in which we live.

Over the past year people have started asking me this and other questions. "Where are you off to next?" "Any travel plans coming up?". So for those fine people who care, here is what I hope to do this year:
the summer will be full of camping. Several trips, both planned and impromptu, will be spent with family. I'll also be doing the requisite outdoor adventures with friends which will surely include as much fishing as possible. Then, in the mid-fall, I will be taking off to check out Europe - exploring Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece.

Trevi Fountain Rome, Italy - Photo From Travelling Editor

Athens, Greece

So now you know. And now it's your turn. I want to know where you want to go. Would it be tasting fresh bread in Paris and taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower? Or will that selfie be at the top of Empire State Building in New York City with a slice of pizza in hand? Perhaps your plans don't include selfies. Perhaps it's just the sound of the ocean that you are after? Or a drive down the winding scenic roads of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way? Maybe free drinks and cute cabana boys? Please, leave a comment below letting us know where you plan to go, or just where you want to go in the coming months. We really want to know.

Insert Selfie Here

Or Here

Here at Real Man Travels, we want to share our travel experiences and share in yours. After all, it's a great big world full of endless opportunities.

Chris

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Cooperstown, NY - Brewery Ommegang

a Scott F post

After a few days in New York City catching the sites and sipping on Brooklyn Lager and Brown Ale, we took the scenic route back towards Ontario that brought us through Cooperstown, NY. Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown is the definition of a quaint little American town.

After checking into the Landmark Inn, a remarkably clean and comfortable bed and breakfast in the heart of town (the manliest B&B in town, of course), we strolled down the road to the main street looking for a bite to eat. We found our way to The Pit at the Tunnicliff Inn, lured in by the promise of $15 steak and crab and a selection of local libations. The highlights of the meal were two beers they had on tap, both from Brewery Ommegang, which just so happened to be 15 minutes down the road in the rolling hills of Cooperstown.

After visiting Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard the next day and picking up some of their famed sweet hard cider we meandered our way towards the brewery. Situated, appropriately, on a former hop plantation (evidently New York was once a hot bed of hop production), Brewery Ommegang’s facilities feel about as far from the United States as one can get.

 

And the beer is distinctly non-American as well. Brewed using traditional Belgian methods, Ommegang beers fuse carefully chosen hops with a variety of other spices (from Coriander to orange peel to grains of paradise!) to create some of the most unique and flavourful beers I’ve ever experienced. I can hear all the country boys out there saying “I don’t want no fancy herb concoctions in ma’ beer buoy!” but fear not my fair-weather friend. Ommegang balances these flavours masterfully so that they all enhance the hop profile without overpowering or even being utterly discernible on the tongue.

With six staple beers in arsenal along with a variety of seasonals and a selection from their parent company lead by the fantastic Belgian ale, Duvel; the variety achieved while staying within one category (Belgian-style ales), is almost mind blowing.

Two clear standouts from the collection that sat particularly well with my pallet were their Rare Vos and Hennepin. Rare Vos, an amber ale at 6.5% ABV, was one of those beers that makes you turn the bottle, stare at the label and say “wow” after your first sip (you’ve done it, and seen it done). You get a slight orange citrus taste but the spice and hop notes are what make this beer one of a kind. Hennepin, otherwise known as “that beer I’d choose with my final meal on death row,” is an exceptional ‘farmhouse ale,’ 7.7% ABV, that again features a complex spice mix that achieves an exceptional balance and mouth feel. It’s hoppy, refreshing, and completely delicious.

I'm always impressed when brewers push the envelope with their beer marketing and packaging. Brewery Ommegang has gone to exceptional lengths to provide a unique story for each of their brews; ranging on topics from brewers on stilts to pigeon races. Check out ommegang.com to read all of the engaging stories. The stories are supported by beautiful packaging and labels. 

Speaking with the guides at the brewery we found out that Brewery Ommegang was pushing out beer at capacity in the Northeast United States which likely means we won’t see the beers at the LCBO or Beer Store anytime soon. If you find yourself in upstate New York, though, Brewery Ommegang, and the beautiful town of Cooperstown in which it resides, are definitely worth a visit and a savour.

And for HBO fans, don’t miss their Game of Thrones-themed beer Iron Throne, and their just announced follow up Take the Black Stout.

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New York City

NYC Skyline taken from Hoboken NJ

    Have you been to New York City? Where did you stay? How did you get around?

    When I went to New York with my family we decided our legs were our best mode of transpotation, even though 6 of our 10 legs happened to be pretty small, but that was the way it was having 3 daughters under 5. After all walking is one of the best things you can do with your family and it was a good/cheap way to get around and see the sights on a budget.  I'll share with you how I spent a lovely afternoon with my family walking 37 blocks of New York's Concrete Jungle.

    It was a beautiful Saturday in May. We stayed in Hoboken NJ to save some money. After looking at all of our options of getting  to Manhattan, we took the Path transportation underneath the Hudson River to the very surprisingly busy and a little bit confusing streets of New York City, our plan was to walk as far as we could towards 5th Avenue and Central Park in hopes to take a carriage ride in Central Park



FDNY Crews in Times Square

     After we gathered our bearings and asked which direction to go, we took in the view, of the very tall Empire State Building (look wayyyyy up). We pointed our noses towards Times Square and walked in baby steps. We stopped at a souvenir shop so I could get a NYC Snow globe. Then Continued the trek of 36 more blocks. Sounds completely crazy I know, but that day my kids were great, they walked their little hearts out. When we finally reached Times Square there was so much to look at and take in all at once. There was a movie being filmed, there was FDNY Hazmat squad at one building, so many distractions but we stuck to our plan and kept moving, passing a gentlemen’s club with a large black man at the door. He seen that I had 3 daughters and gave me a sympathetic "how are you" head nod or the "man you are screwed in 10 years" head nod, I'm not sure which one it was, I get them mixed up all the time.

Time Square Banner Art

     All jokes aside we went down a side street just past the Disney Store, after spotting a Tim Horton’s! (O Canada!) this is no joke we grabbed some Coffee and Bagels, just like we were at home. We walked a block or 2 over to 5th avenue and much to my surprise we ended up walking right past Rockefeller Center and more important to me the place where Kevin finds his Mom in Home Alone 2!

  

      When we made it to 5th avenue we passed massive Churches that had weddings in progress (really neat).  We were nearly 2 blocks from Central Park and I thought that it was almost time to celebrate our journey was near its end and my feet were sore. I said to my daughters "Lets buy you guys a shirt from a 5th avenue shop!" with all the fancy stores around you might think I am nuts! Well no i am not fully nuts (just a little). We bought "I Love NYC" shirts right on the corner of 5th avenue, off of a street vendor for 10 bucks a shirt! (haha)

Girls Showing off their new Shirts

     When we made our way into the park the Movie scenes started flashing through my head. It was movie geek heaven! The kids who were very good the whole way had become tired of walking,  just in time for the long awaited carriage ride. The price for a Carriage Ride was $50 cash plus tip. It is a very unique thing to do, the weather was perfect and the kids loved it. For me I thought the movies make it look a lot more romantic and was a little dissapointed. However, I was still very happy we went on the ride and I will never forget it.

After the Carriage Ride I spotted an empty cab and paid the driver 25 bucks to get us back to the PATH station. Talk about an adventure! That cab ride was wild! We spotted 3 cool things during the cab ride. 1. Broadway Ave. lit up like a circus. 2. A S.W.A.T. Team running into a building. 3. A NYPD cop directing traffic with Aviator Sunglasses on. (Classic)

Overall we had a great day in NYC. Here is a look at what we spent - What we spent for the day - $20, path tokens Hoboken to NYC. $10, Snow Globe. $10, Tim Hortons. $30, I LOVE NYC kids shirts. $50 plus tip, Horse and Carriage Ride at Central Park. $25 Thrilling Cab Ride from Central Park to Path Station. Overall $150 spent.

If you decide to walk - Tips for Walking distances with kids - A few things you will need are Sense of humor, Patience,  A Plan, A Backup Plan in case of bad weather, Water, food, sunscreen and lots of breaks, dont make it seem like work. Keep them busy by pointing out different things.

A little fun fact - What took us 3 hours to walk took 12 minutes by cab. 

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