About an hour and a half north of New York City inside the Shawangunk Mountain ridge is one of the most  beautiful parks in NY State. Lake Minnewaska is still frozen with just the edges melting away. There are patches of snow and ice along the trails and the ice caves are still frozen and closed for the season. I have not ventured upstate since I was a kid and still lived on the Island. It was jaw droppingly gorgeous! Just what I need for my one free day in NY. My friend Emily came up from Northport and whisked my husband and I away. I was comically unprepared for ice and cold, and of course it was dreary, but we still managed a slippery hike to an amazing waterfall, Awosting Falls.

The Gunks are a popular climbing destination. I sent a gazillion snapchats to my daughter and her best friend while I was there. This park is a rock climbing paradise. It is not my thing but it is completely my daughters. She is a "rock" star! NY has so much more than the city. Check out this award winning blog belonging to my friend, pictured here. It is full of NY adventures!