Howe Caverns Humanity & Connection Series
Spring 2025
Meet Hafeza, a mother, wife, and a woman shaped by love, resilience, and the spirit of Bangladesh
She moved to the United States in 2010 with her husband, Yasser, carrying hopes for a new beginning. Today, they are raising two spirited boys who are growing up between cultures, values, and dreams. While balancing the beauty and challenges of motherhood, Hafeza is also working full-time while continuing to build a life rooted in purpose and love. With pride, she calls herself a “boy mom.” It’s a title that speaks to both her strength and her heart. In her homeland of Bangladesh, Hafeza earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. After arriving in the United States, she continued her path forward, earning an MBA in Business Administration. Her journey across two continents is a reflection of her determination, strength, and unwavering belief in growth. She said, “Leaving Bangladesh wasn’t easy. When I left, I was heartbroken. I not only left behind my homeland, but my culture and my people.” In her hometown of Chittagong, a scenic coastal city known for its close-knit communities, life is deeply communal. Friends, neighbors, and relatives are always close by, always offering support. Life in America, while full of opportunity, can feel isolating. She said, “Over time, something shifted. I don’t even know when this became home, when it truly became feeling like home. Bangladesh is still home—but now, somehow, here is too.” She shared this reflection while on an underground adventure with her family here at Howe Caverns. Deep within our winding stone chambers, her voice echoed with truth. “In Chittagong, we speak Bengali (Bangla), a language so deeply loved that Bangladesh once fought a war to defend it,” she explained. When Bangladesh was still East Pakistan, the government tried to impose Urdu as the national language. But Bangla was the soul of the people. In 1971, a powerful resistance rose up, leading to a war of independence. Bangladesh emerged victorious—and with it, the right to speak its mother tongue with pride. That legacy lives on every year on February 21st, now celebrated worldwide as International Mother Language Day. It is a day born from the spirit of the Bangladesh people, a people who refused to be silenced. Hafeza’s journey from Chittagong to America has taught her that the world opens up when you open your heart. She encourages others to embrace change, even when it’s hard. Today, Hafeza carries Bangladesh in her heart. It lives in every Bengali word she speaks with pride, in the warmth she brings to her home, and in the strength she passes on to her sons. The fight for language in 1971 wasn’t just about words. It was about dignity, identity, and love. That story, just like hers, continues to echo—quietly, powerfully, beautifully. She says, “Roots are not anchors. They are reminders of where we began, even as we grow in new soil. You don’t lose your roots when you leave home. You carry them with you, woven into who you become. To uproot is not to forget. It is to replant, to grow again, and to bloom in unfamiliar soil.” Through her journey, Hafeza hopes the world understands this, “Leaving home doesn’t mean leaving behind who you are. It means choosing to grow, and to build something beautiful, wherever you land.” Thank you so much for visiting!
They live on five peaceful acres in Duncan, Oklahoma. Wendy’s life has been rich with love, animals, and resilience — a tapestry of cherished moments and lasting memories. Her love for animals runs deep. Horses were her first therapy — powerful, gentle, and grounding. She spent years surrounded by them, at one time caring for seven of her own. Some of her fondest memories were made on horseback, whether she was trail riding through her home town woods of Northern Indiana or participating in her community’s beloved Christmas parade. Now, at 72, she finds peace not just in the wide-open Oklahoma skies but also in the loyal eyes of her beloved dogs and one tiny miniature horse. She is the mother of four, grandmother to ten, and great-grandmother to eleven. She carries with her a story as rare as it is touching — her twin daughters were delivered by the very same doctor who brought her into the world. That full-circle moment speaks to the quiet magic that has shaped her life. But even with such rich family roots, Wendy has faced challenges that tested her strength in new ways. Once confined to a wheelchair due to balance issues, she refused to let disability define her — and that’s where her Great Danes stepped in, not just as companions, but as life-changing partners in her journey toward freedom and healing. With a laugh she says, “Sometimes when I bend over, I forget to stop—but Isis reminds me.” That playful spirit, paired with an iron will, gave her the freedom to leave her wheelchair behind. Because of Isis, she’s not just mobile, she is living a vibrant life. She and Isis recently took a tour of Howe Caverns, something that once seemed impossible. Isis is more than a helper—she’s a lifeline. At four years old, she has been a certified service dog for two years, trained entirely by Wendy. Isis has a six-month-old puppy named True and a seven-foot-tall sister-in-training named Phoenix, who’s preparing to become a service dog as well. Another one of Wendy’s Danes, Chewbacca, lovingly called “Chewy,” visits the local library as a reader dog, helping children build confidence through companionship and calm. Though not part of her own pack, Wendy speaks with deep admiration about Apache, the half-brother of her Great Dane, Isis. A towering 256-pound USO therapy dog, Apache serves where words fall short — offering quiet comfort to grieving military families, returning soldiers, and children facing unthinkable loss. At Arlington Cemetery, he has stood beside children saying goodbye to a parent, his calm presence a silent source of strength. Wendy knows that kind of healing well. For much of her life, horses were her therapy — not just animals, but spiritual companions. Although many of her most cherished memories live in the saddle her Great Danes now carry that same torch of comfort and connection. Whether helping her walk again, easing a child’s anxiety, or simply offering a steady heartbeat in a chaotic world, these dogs remind us that therapy comes in many forms. Wendy’s story is one of many. It is a reminder for people all over the world who may be enduring trying times. She says, “Healing often arrives in the most unexpected places. Sometimes it not through conversation, but through the quiet companionship. Sometimes the greatest healing comes on four legs. You don’t always need words just a heart that listens.”
Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Kim and Grayson, mother/son duo from Florida who are currently soaking in every pitch, play, and priceless memory at the Cooperstown Dreams Park tournaments this 2025 season. As the summer games ramp up, Dreams Park is welcoming around 104 teams per week and a projected 17,000 people over the course of the season! For families like Kim’s, this is about much more than baseball—it’s about tradition, connection, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Kim, originally from Missouri, is the proud mom of two boys. Her husband, John, a lifelong baseball player who once suited up for the University of Central Florida, passed down his passion for the game to their sons. While John is currently in Atlanta supporting their older son Braden at another tournament, the family is set to reunite in Cooperstown this week to cheer on Grayson, the youngest, as he takes the field with the same teammates he’s played alongside since he was just seven years old. “When you join a travel team like ours,” Kim says, “the families don’t just become friends—they become extended family.” That deep bond stretches beyond the diamond. The group has shared spring breaks in Europe, ski trips out West, and now, the iconic summer pilgrimage to Cooperstown—John’s dream destination ever since he picked up a glove as a kid. For him, stepping onto the grounds of Dreams Park is more than a check on the bucket list; it’s a reminder of how sport unites generations. Just down the road, families will escape the summer heat here at Howe Caverns, with a constant 52°F underground adventure—perfect after a week of action-packed games. No visit to Cooperstown is complete without stepping into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the ultimate shrine to America’s pastime. From Babe Ruth to Jackie Robinson to Mariano Rivera, the legends enshrined there remind everyone what’s possible with heart, hustle, and a love for the game. This July, the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is expected to bring 28,000 visitors to the area—many of whom, like Kim’s family, are making lifelong memories while exploring everything the Schoharie Valley has to offer. Asked what message her family would want to share with the world, Kim smiles and says, “Take the game seriously—but never yourself. That’s how you win on and off the field.” In Cooperstown, where dreams are born and memories are made, that’s exactly the kind of legacy they’re building—one swing, one smile, and one unforgettable summer at a time! Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Hadia, a devoted mother, Seerat, her kind-hearted sister-in-law, and Hadia’s two daughters, bright little Aisha, 4, and baby Isra, just 10 months old from Gaida, Pakistan
Together, they form a warm, close-knit family that embodies the spirit of togetherness. Tonight the Strawberry Moon signals the continuation of Eid al-Adha, a special celebration of faith, sacrifice, and community. Traditionally the holiday begins with morning prayers in the local mosque, followed by warm embraces, visits to neighbors, and the sharing of meals that have been lovingly prepared. Families adorn their best clothes, and homes are filled with the aroma of traditional dishes like biryani, kebabs, and sweet treats such as sheer khurma. Eid al-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and willingness to sacrifice for God. Across the world, families come together not just to celebrate, but to reflect. They offer prayers, share food with those in need, and cherish time with loved ones. Today the family began their celebration by visiting Howe Caverns. This beautiful family has one message for the world today, “Eid Mubarak!” Or “Blessed Eid!” Let their journey remind us that no matter where we are in the world, whether it be a village in Pakistan or deep in a cavern beneath the earth, this is a time to connect, to give thanks, and to celebrate the bonds that tie us all together. Let their warmth and joy inspire us to come together in compassion, celebration and in peace. Thank you for visiting!
Meet Al from Rhode Island, Bob from Idaho, and Rob from Ohio—three friends brought together by a shared love for the open road and the Winnebago View/Navion. They are members of a vibrant Facebook group with over 17,000 enthusiasts who live for the freedom and adventure of RV travel. Through this community, they’ve forged deep friendships, shared countless stories, and often meet up across the country. Their latest stop? Howe Caverns and then off to a gathering of 20 RVs and friends at Al’s home in Rhode Island. Through their thriving Facebook community they are all bonded by their love for one specific motorhome: the Winnebago View/Navion. What started as a space for sharing tips and photos has grown into a deeply connected group of adventurers who collaborate online and often meet up in real life. This week, that meeting is taking place at Al’s home in Rhode Island. The are gathering for a celebration of community, travel, and friendship. Each member brings a unique story, but today we had the honor of sitting down with this inspiring trio. Al, a two-time retiree, built his career as an entrepreneur. He first owned a window business and later, alongside his brother, owned all of the Five Guys Burgers and Fries franchises in New Mexico. After stepping away from the business world, Al turned his sights to the outdoors. “I’ve always loved camping,” he said. “But these days, I can’t really sleep in a tent comfortably anymore.” That’s when he discovered the View/Navion—a compact, luxury Class C motorhome built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, known for its smooth ride, fuel efficiency, and cleverly designed living space. Now, Al travels with his Bernese Mountain Dog, Heidi, embracing the kind of freedom he once only had time to imagine. Bob, along with his wife Kathy, brings a lifetime of adventure to the road. His love for the outdoors was sparked as a child on family camping trips to Yellowstone, and it never left him. “There’s so much of the world to see,” he said. “Why sit at home when you can be out adventuring?” Over their 37 years of marriage, Bob and Kathy have driven their RV from New Orleans to Washington D.C., through New York City and into the boondocks of back woods country. They’ve traveled across Canada and even made it to the Arctic Circle. This marks their seventh trip across the U.S. in their RV. Bob, a licensed pilot, has even designed their current journey to end at Oshkosh in July, home to the world’s largest aviation event. With their dogs, Tucker and Bogey, in tow the couple lives with intention, taking in every mile like it’s the first. Then there’s Rob, a retired officer from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. After decades of public service, Rob chose to trade in his badge for a life on the road with his wife Leanne, his partner of 38 years, and their 15-year-old toy poodle. “When I retired, I decided life would be better spent traveling the country and seeing the world,” he said. Rob’s kindness and creativity are evident in every mile he drives—he brought custom cowboy hats for Al and Bob, a symbol of the deep friendship they’ve formed through this journey. For Rob, this lifestyle isn’t about escaping—it’s about embracing everything life still has to offer. Across this tight-knit group, one theme shines: adventure is best when shared. Whether traveling with partners, pets, or old friends, the road becomes more meaningful when experienced together. The View/Navion, with its modern design, comfortable amenities, and sense of possibility, serves as the perfect home base for their travels. And while each story is unique, they all echo the same truth. “Life is short,” they say. “Find the time to slow down, spend time with people you enjoy, relax, and enjoy the ride.” Thank you so much for visiting!
She is a young woman who is rewriting a narrative that so many from her community have quietly carried for generations. She is a radiant 21-year-old Puerto Rican woman who just graduated with her degree in psychology. To her it is a milestone that means more than a diploma. It marks the beginning of a purpose-filled journey of healing, resilience, and transformation. From the outside, her life might look like a success story: a college graduate with big dreams and a bright smile but behind that smile is a deep well of emotion and lived experience. “At nine years old, my consciousness developed quickly. I started feeling things a lot deeper than I could really understand at that age.” Those feelings, vivid and heavy, didn’t come with a manual, especially in a culture where emotional pain is often buried under the surface. “In families of culture, especially in mine, it’s kind of taboo to talk about mental health,” she said. “They don’t talk about it. They don’t really understand it.” Growing up, she was often labeled as dramatic or lazy by those who couldn’t see the internal battles she was fighting. “Labels are hard to manage,” she admitted. “Honestly, I was just processing and reasoning how to navigate what I was going through on my own.” Her turning point began in high school, around the time the world came to a halt during COVID-19. The silence of the pandemic allowed her the space to reflect and begin naming what she was feeling. Still, the work of unlearning cultural silence and learning to embrace emotional authenticity hasn’t been easy. “In our culture we’re taught to be steadfast and perfect all the time,” she said. “That is a very clean cut, cookie cutter image of the human experience. But emotions are real, raw, and sometimes messy.” While the world may only applaud the bright and the joyful, Analya is learning to sit with all of her emotions — even the uncomfortable ones — and she wants others to know that they are not alone. “It’s okay to feel your emotions. It’s a very human experience,” she emphasizes. One of her greatest supports has been her girlfriend, a source of strength, patience, and gentle encouragement. “On my hardest days, it is my girlfriend who has helped support me,” she said with a soft smile. “She’s the one that encourages me to open up and have the hard conversations.” With her girlfriend by her side, Analya is discovering that healing doesn’t have to be a solitary path. That vulnerability is not weakness, but bravery. Creativity has also become a powerful outlet for her. With a minor in music and a love for art therapy, she’s found that expressing herself through music and art helps bring her peace and clarity. “It’s something that helps give me peace of mind,” she said. Her art is more than a hobby; it’s a form of survival, expression, and self-love. Now, as she steps into the next chapter of her life, Analya wants to share a message; a message that is being learned with the care and wisdom of someone who’s understanding how to tend to her own inner world with compassion. “Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself. Try something new that you haven’t done before. Get out of your box, break your cycles and routines. It truly does help. Be gentle with yourself. Your life and mind is like a garden. Tend to it with care.” Analya’s story is not just about personal growth. It is about cultural change. It’s a call to listen to our pain, to talk openly about our struggles, and to honor every piece of our emotional truth. In doing so, we don’t just heal ourselves we pave the way for others to do the same. Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Amadeus from the heart of the Bronx, New York, where the rhythm of the streets hums with resilience and raw creativity. As a young artist he is painting his own path, one bold soulful brushstroke at a time. He is a rising junior at the University at Albany and is majoring in art. His decision to major in art is rooted in something deeper than college credits or career paths. For him, art isn’t just a skill. It’s the language he’s always used to navigate the world. “Throughout my life, I’ve always had a hard time expressing myself with words,” he said. “But drawing? Creating? That always came naturally to me.” His journey started as a young boy filled with wonder, imagination and frustration. He would often ask his uncle to draw comic book characters. One day his uncle declined the request and Amadeus’s frustration boiled over. “I threw a toy telephone on the ground. I was a mess,” he laughs now, but something magical happened that day. He picked up a notebook and began drawing his own stick figures. That simple act, childlike and spontaneous, became the spark that would ignite a lifelong passion. From those humble stick figures, his talent blossomed. In sixth grade an art assignment turned into a defining moment. He painted a monkey. A playful nod to a nickname his mom lovingly gave him, “chunky monkey.” That painting was so well received that it was put on public display during a presentation. “I was there with my family,” he remembers. “It felt so good. The feeling of something I created having been seen. I felt heard. That moment resonated with me.” He realized art wasn’t just something he did. It was who he was. His younger self once imagined being an engineer building robotic limbs — “until I realized it meant taking math!” — but the creative spark never left. A recent painting class with his sister rekindled that fire even more. “It’s tedious. It takes a lot of patience and care,” he says. “It’s taught me to slow down, to be present with my work and with myself.” For Amadeus, art is about more than technique. It’s about growth, persistence, and grace. “If you want to be successful in art, you have to take the highs and lows. You have to give yourself grace while learning,” he says. And he’s learning every day — not just how to mix colors or master form, but how to embrace the journey with an open heart. He’s also dreaming beyond the canvas. From painting to fashion, from museum walls to film. He is inspired by his father’s love for cinema. He sees no limits to what art can do. “I never want to be put in a box. I want to paint, but I also want to do more. I want to be everywhere. I want the world to experience and feel my art.” He doesn’t just want to create art. He wants to give back with his art. He is a living testament to what passion, perseverance, and purpose can look like. “I want to inspire others,” he says. “I want to be the person I needed when I was younger. A positive voice for our youth. I want to show them that they can do whatever put their minds to.” One of his greatest sources of motivation? His little cousin Eli, who he affectionately calls his “mini me.” Eli has become a quiet reminder of how influence begins at home. “He follows me everywhere. I used to be annoyed by it. One day I realized that he follows me around because he looks up to me and loves me. He makes me want to be better for him and for others like him.” Amadeus’s story is one of self-discovery, resilience, and unfiltered creativity. He paints not just with brushes, but with intention. With a desire to leave a legacy that transcends galleries and speaks to the hearts of those who see his work. The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “Not everyone who makes you feel bad is your enemy, and not everyone that makes you feel good is your friend.” Wise beyond his years and bursting with overflowing potential, Amadeus is proof that when you follow your passion with purpose, the world truly becomes your canvas. For him, a boy from the Bronx who just wanted to draw comic books, this is only the beginning. Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Rachel and Kash, from Rockland County, New York and Tennessee. Rachel is a recent graduate from University at Albany with a double major in English and History. She is a young woman from Rockland County, New York, whose life story is as full of heart as it is hope. At just 21 years old, she’s already learning what it means to truly love, grow, and care—for both herself and the lives she touches. She is an only child raised in a close knit family. She said, “Growing up, I used to tell my parents that there was a hole in my heart that only the love of a puppy could fill,” Her mom held onto those words for years, until one Saturday morning, she surprised Rachel with a road trip. The reason? A new car, or so Rachel thought. “We drove for hours,” she remembers. “I was so annoyed to be up early.” When they pulled into a backyard full of playing puppies in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Rachel’s annoyance melted away. “Then I saw my uncle there, and I realized something was up. My parents told me to pick a puppy. Chase ran right up to me and then he came home with us.” Chase, an English golden retriever, quickly became Rachel’s best friend and more. “He’s like my little brother. He can’t talk, but I swear he understands everything I say. His love is so kind, and he is so pure.” Now eight years old, Chase still lives at home with Rachel’s parents but Rachel and her girlfriend recently opened their hearts to a new family member. Kash, an almost one-year-old rescue from Tennessee. They adopted Kash through Homeward Bound, an animal rescue organization. “We were on the fence about getting a dog, but then I saw Kash’s picture online and he looked exactly like my dad’s old dog, Sammy-the one that made me want a dog in the first place. I knew immediately. That’s the one. We had to get him.” When they met Kash, he was shy and withdrawn. “He wasn’t like most dogs, no excited greetings, no wagging tail. At first, we didn’t know what to make of it.” Adjusting wasn’t easy. Kash was nervous, especially around men, and his fear often got in the way of social gatherings. “At first we were frustrated. But then we realized—he’s not trying to ruin anything. He’s just scared.” That shift in perspective changed everything. “Over time, we’ve learned how to work with him, not against him. He’s taught me patience in a way nothing else has. He’s shown me how to be okay with things not being okay. I’m learning to meet him where he is.” Kash’s birthday is coming up on June 14, and though he’s still skittish, his playful personality is emerging. He loves to run, play fetch, and despite being afraid of his own shadow he’s finding his confidence, one small victory at a time. For Rachel, being a dog parent is nothing short of life-changing. “Having a dog is a full-time commitment. It’s like having a child. They can’t speak for themselves, so you have to learn to listen differently, to love more patiently. Kash is teaching me that. Every single day. Rachel and her girlfriend do everything they can to include Kash in their lives. “If we go somewhere, we try to take him. If we leave him home, that’s his whole day, he doesn’t get to do anything. So we bring him with us, so he can have the life he deserves.” Despite her youth, Rachel carries a depth of wisdom beyond her years. “I’m only 21,” she says, “and I still have so much to learn. But if I could tell the world one thing, it would be this: Life isn’t just about what you accomplish it’s about what you experience. Go out there. Live. Feel. Learn. Love. That’s what makes it all matter.” Thank you for so much visiting!
From the vast cattle lands of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to the snowy hills of Maine, Aldaiane’s journey is one of strength, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. She was raised by her grandparents whom she lovingly calls her true mother and father. She grew up watching resilience in action. Her grandmother’s selfless love and her grandfather’s tireless work shaped the foundation of her strength. Now a mother herself, Aldaiane is building a life in the U.S., running her own cleaning business. It was an idea she envisioned and brought to life with bold determination. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” she says, “but I’m grateful to share my life with Duncan.” Duncan, a former cage fighter turned realtor, grew up in Maine with a deep respect for strong women—especially his mother. His mother once had a dream of him marrying a Brazilian woman. Her voice and that dream guided him years later to a dating app where he met Aldaiane. Despite a blizzard, he drove 115 miles to see her on their first date. Now, three years into marriage, he says, “She’s the calm in my storm. The rock.” Together, they raise their children across borders, share laughter, and nurture dreams. Aldaiane loves Duncan’s humor and warmth; he admires her deep passion for life and her fearless authenticity. “She makes everyone around her want to be better,” he says. With Aldaiane’s cousin Kelly visiting from Brazil, learning English and seeing New York City for the first time, their life is a mosaic of cultures, courage, and connection. Their message is simple but powerful. “Push yourself, no matter how hard things get. Pressure makes diamonds. Character is built in the struggle. Trust that God has a plan—and never lose faith in it.” Thank you so much for visiting
They have built a remarkable life together; one that celebrates resilience, love, and the power of believing in the impossible. Laura grew up in Belgium, with roots stretching to Norway through her mother. At eighteen years old, together with her twin sister, she embarked on a bold adventure. With no knowledge of English, and with a fierce determination to succeed, the two moved to the UK for college. They studied English eight hours a week. Laura said, “We chose the UK for its esteemed education system. Earning our master’s degrees in a language was not native to us was quite the challenge.” The sisters pursued their dreams despite the daunting challenge of studying in a language that wasn’t their own. Laura earned a master’s degree in business management, while her sister obtained hers in law. Their journey was not just about academics; it was about forging new friendships and embracing every opportunity to grow. Agustín’s path is equally as inspiring. Raised in Spain, he earned his master’s degree in civil engineering before pursuing further studies in business accounting and finance in the UK. It was in London, at Mastercard, where fate intertwined their lives—Laura’s first job after graduation and the place she met Agustín. Life’s unpredictability soon tested their bond. When Laura’s father was diagnosed with cancer, she returned to Belgium to care for him, pausing her career dreams. Her strength and dedication paid off as eight months later, her father entered into remission and Laura was able to then pursue her dream job as a United Nations diplomat. Her first assignment took her to Kenya, a land so distant and vibrant, it unfolded before her like a story yet to be told. Despite the distance and challenges, their love endured. Agustín split his time between the UK and Kenya, determined to support Laura’s ambitions. Finding work in Kenya wasn’t easy, but their commitment never wavered. They chose to make sacrifices for each other, proving that true love thrives on support and shared dreams. In a breathtaking moment that captured their adventurous spirits, Agustín proposed to Laura in August 2023—at a frozen waterfall in Iceland. Roses scattered across the ice set the scene. As the couple approached the falls, Laura noticed the roses and said, “It looks as though someone is about to propose. Should we leave?” The roses were a testament, a symbol of their journey marked by unexpected beauty and unwavering devotion. Now married, Laura and Agustín recently moved to Manhattan. Laura continues her vital work with the United Nations, while Agustín pursues his career in finance at Mastercard. Together, they have lived, loved, and grown across continents, inspiring those around them with their story. What makes their partnership extraordinary? Agustín admires Laura’s boundless sense of wonder and adventure. Laura treasures Agustín’s eternal enthusiasm and his ability to find silver linings- no matter the storm. Their message to the world is simple but profound: “The word ‘impossible’ literally says ‘I’m Possible.’ Believe in your dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. Keep going. Stay focused. Stay dedicated. Your dreams are possible.” Laura and Agustín’s journey reminds us all that with courage, determination, and love, no dream is out of reach—and sometimes, the most incredible stories begin when we dare to believe the impossible is possible. Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Majed (father), Nouf (mother), and Abdulrahman (eldest son) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
In the heart of Jeddah, where the call to prayer rises with the sea breeze and ancient trade winds still whisper stories of the past lives a family lineage steeped in tradition, resilience, and love. A love that was not born at first sight, but one that grew like the date palms of their homeland, strong and steady over time. The family gathered recently in New York City, thousands of miles from the warm coasts of the Red Sea, to celebrate a remarkable milestone. Huda, their middle daughter, has earned her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the prestigious Columbia University. The journey that brought them to this day, began thirty two years ago as Majed boarded a flight from Jeddah to Riyadh. He was nervous about blending two different families from two different cultures. In Saudi Arabia, tradition and family honor the pillars of society, such meetings are not merely about two people—they are about two families intertwining. Jeddah and Riyadh, though bound by the same flag, are shaped by vastly different landscapes—one coastal and bustling, the other perched on the arid Najd Plateau, pulsing with the rhythm of the capital.
Majed remembered that day vividly. he said, “I met her grandmother first, then her mother. I fell in love with them both before I even saw her. That’s when I knew everything was going to be okay.” When he finally laid eyes on Nouf, he was sure. “I wanted to marry her—not just because she’s the most beautiful woman in the world, but because I could see our families becoming one.”
For Nouf, the moment wasn’t as instant. “I wasn’t attracted to him,” she admitted. “I was scared. I told my mother, and she told me, ‘Looks fade. What matters is how he treats you.’” She decided to give him a chance. Over time, that chance turned into a deep, enduring love. “People often mistake me for being younger than I am,” Nouf laughed. “I’m nearly fifty.” Majed grinned and replied, “That’s because she has a good husband and she is happy. Happiness is the fountain of youth.” Majed comes from a long line of lawyers—his grandfather, his father, and now two of his children, Abdulrahman and Nada, have followed in those footsteps. Even Huda, the scholar they have come to celebrate, married a lawyer. Law, for this family, isn’t just a career. It’s a calling, a commitment to justice and truth that has shaped their identity for generations. Abdulrahman, the eldest, watched his parents with admiration. “They are a beautiful example to the world,” he said. “One day, I hope to find a love as pure as theirs. My father is a leader and a protector. Following in his footsteps will be no easy task.” (Yes ladies, he’s 29 and still single, just in case you’re wondering.)
For Majed and Nouf, the values they’ve passed down to their children are simple, but profound. They said, “Kindness is reciprocal. When you give it, it comes back to you.” Even more than that, they believe in the journey. “It doesn’t matter how long the journey takes. It’s the destination that matters most. It’s about spending time with those you love, and gathering happiness along the way.” As the interview wrapped up, Abdulraman could be seen waving across the Schoharie Valley to his family, watching the front lawn of Howe Caverns from the window of their Airbnb. Thank you so much for visiting!
They just made Howe history by being the very first to purchase our brand new and exclusive gemstone mining bag
HOWE exciting!
Meet Jeffrey and Kiamara and their children, Melanee, Karter, and Kristian from Brooklyn, New York. In Brooklyn, the brownstones tell stories of generations, stoops echo with laughter and dreams. Jeffrey and Kiamara were both born and raised in Brooklyn. Their story however began not in their hometown, but hundreds of miles away in an unexpected twist of fate. Sixteen years ago, they were two strangers who were invited on a ski trip to Baltimore, Maryland. Each invitation came from a mutual friend—one who unknowingly held the key to a beautiful future. The women on the group trip were set to stay in one hotel room, the men in another. Neither Jeffrey nor Kiamara knew that this random pairing would be the beginning of their life together. At the time Kiamara was living in Clermont, Florida. During the trip their connection to Brooklyn was discovered and a friendship sparked. What followed next was a love story written through long-distance calls, visits during family trips to New York and their first official date to a cozy Manhattan lounge called Madame X. On that night they were tucked away in the heart of the city. Outside, the night hummed with horns, the flicker of taxi lights and the hurried city. Inside, everything slowed. Crimson velvet, low candlelight, and music that felt like a whisper. Kiamara said, “I felt safe. He had a good vibe.” Jeffrey said, “It was a relief, a joy to finally have her there with me.” Years later, that joy became the foundation of a home. A family. A sanctuary of love and purpose. Their blended family is a portrait of devotion and unity. Melanee, Kiamara’s “daughter in love,” is 18, full of grace and ambition. Inspired by her parents’ kindness and work ethic, she’s studying to become an anesthesiologist. “They’re so thoughtful and hardworking,” she said. “It’s something to aspire to.” Karter, who is 10, is full of life and energy. A lover of sports—especially basketball. When asked what one of his favorite things in life is, he lit up as he said, “When my mom makes my favorite meal!” He went on to say, “My dad is a wonderful provider. I never worry. He’s a protector.” Kristian, 12, is the quiet thinker, the friend with a big heart and a fierce jump shot. Whether playing video games or shooting hoops, his joy comes in moments shared. Warmth and love is the soundtrack of this household. Kiamara glows when she talks about Jeffrey. “He’s incredibly intelligent, always calm, and just… cool.” And Jeffrey, with eyes full of admiration, said, “Her heart is gold. She’s selfless. She’s thoughtful. She’s intentional. And she’s an amazing mother and wife.” In their home, love is not just spoken—it’s lived. It’s in shared meals, after-school hugs, and dreams nurtured quietly and fiercely. They know what matters. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Spread love. The world needs a little more of it. What matters most begins at home. Family means everything. Protect it with unwavering love.” Thank you so much for visiting!
His story winds through the Schoharie Valley rolling pastures, echoes in cavern walls, and lingers in the laughter of children chasing ponies through fields. Born into a time when the roads welcomed hooves over wheels, Jim’s roots run deep in the limestone heart of the Schoharie Valley. From the early 1950s to the mid-1960s, Jim’s family owned a dairy farm that abutted Howe Caverns property. His childhood was stitched together with the rhythms of the land. Springtime meant tilling soil with his father and picking rocks from the fields, joking all the while that the largest stones surely guarded the path to the Garden of Eden.
Life in Howes Cave was a tight knit community. The neighboring families were the Nethaways, Vannattens, and Sagendorfs. He drove a team of horses for the Nethaway’s and learned to ice skate on a pond nestled on the Vannatten’s land. He spent endless days riding around the village on horseback or exploring the caves with the other local children. At just five years old, Jim was entrusted with a pony named Nip. His parents believed that Nip’s sense of self-preservation would protect their son better than any bicycle on roads being frequented by tourists. Jim, Nip, and another pony named Tuck, were a familiar sight, trotting through the village or tied outside the local luncheonette while the local children enjoyed a treat. Sometimes, Nip and Tuck would escape. They would be lured by the scent of tourist snacks in the Caverns’ parking lot, prompting a wild chase across the fields to retrieve them.
When Jim was thirteen, his family sold the farm and built a new home across the Schoharie Creek. In 1969, at sixteen years old, Jim donned the uniform of a Howe Caverns tour guide. During the late 1960s the tour guide uniform consisted of olive colored, wool pants and an “Eisenhower” jacket, named after General Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was a uniform that he proudly cared for and kept safely tucked away as a symbol of pride and purpose. That same year, Rich Nethaway, our Cave Historian, began his own journey with the cave as a tour guide. Jim spoke of Rich with admiration. “There are only two true keepers of the history and stories of Howe Caverns, the cave walls and Rich Nethaway.” He said, “We would guide 3 to 4 tour groups a day. We led groups of 40 people into the cool 52°F, echoing, cavern. Those days were magical. It was a great job for a teenager. It paid well. It taught me public speaking. It introduced me to people from all over the world. It sparked a lifelong passion.” With the guidance of experienced caver Bill Dodge, Jim and his friends explored caverns on private lands, within the surrounding area. Even though he didn’t learn to ride a bicycle until he was eighteen—thanks to his parents worries about speeding tourists—Jim never felt he missed out. He had the valley, his ponies, the caves, and a sense of wonder that most never find. His three other siblings also worked at the caverns. The girls in the snack bar, as back then girls weren’t allowed to be tour guides. The boys went underground. Later, even his nephews joined the legacy. Now, at 72 years old, Jim lives near Utica. but the cave remains etched into his soul. He said, “In those quiet moments underground, alone or with a small group, felt as if we were the first to ever walk those ancient corridors.” Jim has a message for young and old alike: “If you’re blessed with the opportunity to explore—to spelunk, to guide, to share something as wondrous as Howe Caverns—savor it. Because the moment will soon become memory. And one day, you’ll look back and realize just how precious those years really were.” And so, the light that Jim once carried into the cave—through laughter, wonder, and stories—still shines. Not from a lantern, but from the spirit of a boy who grew up where the earth breathes magic, and from the man who never let that magic go. Jim came back with family to visit the cave and to return his time-honored uniform to our historic archives. We were honored to host him in the cave on another magical walk beneath the surface of the earth. Thank you so much for visiting.
This was a very special visit for all of us- especially, for Rich, the elder of our cave. We are having Jim’s uniform framed, with a plaque with his name, and it will be displayed in our Main Lodge sometime this summer.
Meet Mary and her daughter, Molly, from the Tri-State area. Their bond is stitched together not just by love, but by a legacy of land, grit, and the unshakable will to grow beyond the past. Mary was born in New York, raised in New Jersey, and began building her own life in Connecticut at the age of 23. But her heart still beats for a special place tucked away in Sullivan County, New York. It’s a rustic 1800s farmhouse that sits on 30 acres of apple orchards, blueberry bushes, a big pond, and serene woods. She spent her summers growing up on the land. There was no TV, no phone and barely any electricity. Resources consisted of a generator to pump water, and an outhouse beneath the stars. Her family camp, though primitive, was where Mary first felt the sacred pulse of nature and where some of her most cherished childhood memories were born. It was where she learned life’s hard-earned lessons. How to live off the land, to cook from scratch, to make with her hands what others bought in stores. It was a beautiful, simple life but it wasn’t without hardship. Beneath the laughter and fresh air lay a quiet sorrow, sadness and generational trauma. From an early age, Mary knew one thing for certain, when the time came, she would break that cycle. Inspired by her own mother’s compassion Mary became a nurse. She began her career in an HIV unit at Yale New Haven Hospital in 1995 and later moved to the emergency room. She has worked at Yale ever since, quietly changing lives, one patient at a time. She is a single mother, raising her two children, Molly and James, without financial help. She bought her home by herself. She taught her children the values she carried: strength, independence, and self-reliance — not through words, but through example. Molly, her daughter, is now studying Earth Science at Southern Connecticut State University. Like her mother, she grew up running through the same fields in Sullivan County, summers filled with pond swims, berry picking, and the music of crickets in the evening. The camp that once shaped Mary now helping to shape Molly and her brother, James. It gave Molly not just a love of nature, but a purpose. Molly has become a leader among her peers, serving as an ambassador in her science department and actively exploring how to communicate the value of Earth to others. Her passion stems not just from academic curiosity but from a deep, emotional connection to the land and a growing concern for its future. She said, “I think my generation is experiencing climate anxiety. We are experiencing a growing concern for the future of our current environmental state.” Molly has taken that anxiety and turned it into action by planning for a future helping to protect and educate future generations about having a sustainable relationship with our planet. When Molly speaks of her mother, her words are filled with reverence: “It’s not just one thing I love about her. It’s everything. She’s strong, resilient, adaptable. She’s overcome so much. She’s kind. She’s beautiful. She doesn’t just think of herself — she thinks of others.” When Mary speaks of Molly she is in awe of how far the both of them have come in being able to break generational trauma. She sees so much of herself in Molly-her strength and her adaptability. She believes Molly has gone even further than she has in her own life. “She’s spiritually intelligent and emotionally intelligent. I see in her the healing of wounds that I carried. That’s how I know we broke the cycle.” Mary’s son, James, now 23, graduated from the University of Connecticut and works at Otis Elevator Company. Like his sister, he carries forward his mother’s grit and independence. Together, their family has built something beautiful out of humble beginnings. They are not defined by what they lacked, but by what they created: love, resilience, purpose, and peace. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “You will find your spiritual grounding in the Earth. A peace deeper than anything material or even religious can provide. We all come from the earth and one day we will all return. Your truth is in the soil, the trees and the stillness. In that stillness, you will find yourself.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Nabule, Pannajota, and Visuta-Buddhist monks from Burma
In the serene hills of Burma, where mist curls gently over ancient pagodas and birdsong greets the morning sun, lives a minimalistic community of disciplined men. Each of their hearts beat with the same rhythm of compassion, wisdom, and peace. Nabule, Pannajota, and Visuta are not ordinary monks—they are Sayadaw, revered teachers of the Way, the noble path that leads toward enlightenment. In the eyes of their community, they are quiet beacons who have turned away from worldly ambition to walk the ancient road first taught by the Buddha more than 2,500 years ago. Their daily lives are models of discipline, simplicity, and mindfulness. From pre-dawn meditation to barefoot alms rounds through nearby villages, every act is infused with presence and purpose. Their teachings echo with gentle clarity: that to be enlightened in the Buddhist sense means not to accumulate wisdom as one gathers possessions, but to awaken—to see reality as it truly is. Enlightenment is not about becoming someone new, but about unbecoming. The releasing the illusions of ego, desire, and aversion that cloud the heart. It is the radical act of letting go. Letting go of identity, attachment and fear. In doing so, one finds a peace that is not dependent on conditions. Like skillful gardeners, they tend not just to their own hearts and minds but to the hearts and minds of those who come seeking shelter, wisdom, or even just a moment of peace. When asked if they had one thing to tell the world what would it be? They responded, “Not one, three. Do not do bad. Do good. Beautify your mind.” They show that within each of us lies a seed of clarity, kindness and awakening. That seed blooms only when we water it with stillness and care. They ask for no recognition, no reward. They do not call themselves enlightened, though they walk the path of the awakened. They simply live, breathe, and teach—quietly transforming the world, one mind at a time. Thank you for visiting! Mingalapar-May you be blessed
Thank you so much for visiting
P.S. Watch our page for a later announcement. We are planning a meditation session in the cave with these amazing monks for this summer.
The couple met through a hiking club located in the heart of New York City. When they met, they were two souls, each carrying the weight of their pasts. Rebecca, born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, is the middle child between two brothers. As a high school art teacher in Brooklyn, she lives a life filled with color and creativity, yet behind her warm smile, is a woman who has weathered deep struggles, years of feeling unseen, and unwanted. She chose to meet that pain with strength, turning toward therapy, self-acceptance, and a journey of self-love. It’s a path that hasn’t always been easy, but one she walks with grace. On hard days, she finds healing in movement: hiking, sensory therapy, and moments of stillness in nature. Seif’s journey began across the ocean in Algeria. The second eldest of five, he grew up surrounded by the love of his siblings in a country torn by conflict. Ten years ago, Algeria was grappling with post Civil War reconstruction and economic challenges. The country was still recovering from the “Black Decade,” and faced unemployment, and poverty. The scars of growing up in an environment, which was constantly struggling to survive, is still etched in his memory, but so is his enduring resilience. He learned early on in life to hold onto positivity, even when the world around him crumbled. After a decade as a fireman in Algeria, Seif moved to the U.S. in 2023, where he now works as an electrician in Manhattan. Compassion runs deep in Seif’s veins. When his youngest sister was being bullied at school, he encouraged her to create bracelets; simple tokens, representing yin and yang, to pass out to friends. Seif said, “Yin and yang represents the balance of light and dark on our lives journey. It is a message that often goes unseen. When times become dark, it is easy to fall into the shadows and to not be able to see your way out. Many of us get trapped in the darkness, struggling, afraid, and waiting to be saved. The only way out is to be the light.” His heart beats for others, and it’s this spirit that captivated Rebecca. By the time they had met, Rebecca had made peace with the idea of walking life’s path alone, but the universe had other plans. In Seif, she found a kindred spirit—one who didn’t ask her to shrink, to change, or to earn love. His love came softly and wholly, a gift without condition. In Rebecca, Seif saw a woman who is courageously honest—a kind of honesty that doesn’t wound but illuminates. She speaks the truth with clarity, never abandoning herself to please others. They fell in love not in grand gestures, but in quiet moments—feet pressed into the earth, breaths shared under tree canopies, stories exchanged on winding trails. Nature became their sacred space, a place where they discovered the depth of their connection and the truth of who they were. Less than 48 hours ago, they stood hand-in-hand, promising forever. Their trip to Howe Caverns was the start of their honeymoon weekend in the mountains together. The future stretches wide before them, full of dreams of travel, family, and continued growth. But no matter where life leads, their guiding philosophy remains the same. “You are your wisest counsel. You don’t have to conform yourself or your life to what others perceive of you. Follow your heart. It knows where to lead you.” Rebecca and Seif—two hearts shaped by resilience, healed by love, and forever bound by the wild beauty of nature. Thank you so much for visiting!
In the quiet hills of Otsego County, there’s a special place where individuality and potential shines through in every smile and every step forward. It’s called Pathfinder Village, a community built on the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live, learn, and thrive, no matter their challenges. Among the vibrant residents of Pathfinder are these four remarkable individuals. Each one of them brings a unique light to this inclusive community. Pathfinder is a place where people with disabilities come together to support, grow, and uplift one another. Pathfinder it isn’t just a place, it’s a purpose. Kaiya lit up when asked about her experiences while living at Pathfinder. She said, “We do some pretty awesome stuff,” What stands out most to her isn’t just the activities or the beautiful campus, it’s the sense of belonging. “I love it here because we’re all like-minded people. We understand each other.” Many residents are attending Otsego Academy, a college experience offered through Pathfinder. It teaches skills for independence, offering an education not just in academics, but in life itself. Whether it’s learning how to cook, finding a job, or managing their own daily needs, the students are turning their dreams into everyday victories. Pathfinder is gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year! Splash Path, a colorful 5K run that celebrates ability, community, and inclusion. It is an open event offered to the community. No one is left behind. No one is judged. Everyone is celebrated. Kaiya has a powerful message for the world. “Everyone has a disability in some way,” she says. “But if we put our minds to it, we can learn to live with with our disabilities. We can learn to cope, and even overcome.” One thing the group wants to tell the world is, “We believe in a world beyond labels, a world where people are accepted just as they are. A world where differences don’t divide, they unite. Where independence isn’t just a goal, it’s a journey walked together. A place where love, respect, and acceptance are not ideals, they are daily acts.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Wayne, a spirited explorer from Southern California whose life has been defined by a love of the outdoors, a thirst for adventure, and a deep commitment to inspiring others. In the beginning of his life, he traveled around the country in the backseat of a 1950s sedan, in a plywood playpen that his father constructed. Wayne was born while his father was attending college in Maryland. After graduation, the family moved to Michigan, where his father started a career with Ford. He is the eldest of four. He and his siblings were introduced to travel early on in life. His father’s passion for adventure and travel became infectious. By the age of eight, Wayne had visited every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii. Fueled by these road trips and his parents’ love of nature, Wayne developed a deep connection to the outdoors. He didn’t want to experience nature passively, he craved adventure. Inspired by the daring spirit of James Bond, Wayne’s definition of adventure is extreme sports. He has ice climbed in Alaska as a member of the Anchorage Mountaineering Club. He is a licensed pilot, an avid skier, and certified scuba diving instructor. As a teenager, after high school, he drove across the country to Florida with a good friend, to apply for a job at Disney World during its first season of operation. He was hired as Jungle Cruise skipper. He said, “I once set a record by riding the attraction continuously for 13.5 hours (66 loops) with guests on board and without a bathroom break!” From a young age, he thrived on pushing the limits of his endurance. During his time in Florida, he became a certified scuba diver. He loved it so much that he worried about affording the gear and training required to continue. His solution? Get a job in the diving industry. By chance, discovered that U.S. Divers Aqua Lung (founded by Jacques Cousteau) was located near his college. He began working for the company giving scuba diving lessons. He eventually was given the opportunity to meet Jacques Cousteau, and then worked closely with Cousteau’s son Philippe. During this time he pursued a degree in ecology and environmental science from the University of California, Irvine, and UCLA, where his academic interests aligned with his love for the natural world. Eventually, he met a beautiful woman, named Karen, and married her. On their honeymoon, he taught her how scuba dive. She fell in love with it immediately. He said, “While on our honeymoon, directly after a scuba diving excursion, she looked at me and said, “I want to do this all the time.” We took a leap of faith, quit our jobs in California, moved to St. Lucia and set up a diving operation at a resort. For five years, we lived out that dream while shooting underwater photography. Our images were so good that we began teaching guests how to shoot underwater photography. Back then it was quite complicated as everything was film. Eventually, we moved into developing the film ourselves for our guests. Then we began selling the images to outside companies for marketing. A chance encounter with a woman at the resort changed our lives. She introduced us to the world of school assemblies where we could use our photography and knowledge to educate children around the world about the planet. It was the beginning of turning our passion into purpose. We eventually launched TheOceanAdventure.com, combining stunning underwater photography with environmental science education. Our work caught the attention of expedition cruise companies. They now hire us to work for them for a few months out of the year. We travel to remote corners of the world as marine biologists and naturalists on expedition ships. We have done excursions in Russia, the far East, Japan, the Caribbean and we are currently working in Antartica. We have spent years exploring, photographing, and educating. These trips not only give us the content to create compelling school programs but also reaffirmed our commitment to conservation and education.” Wayne’s story is one of reinvention, risk, and reward. He has lived a life driven by passion, fueled by curiosity, and sustained by a desire to share that passion with others. His adventures have taken him across continents and into classrooms. His message remains simple but profound. The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “Figure out what you like to do and then figure out how to get paid for it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Her journey is a testament to the power of following your arrow, embracing creativity, and seeking freedom through the arts. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Meesha’s passion for design and creation led her to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Tyler School of Art. The real journey began not in a classroom, but on the roads less traveled. After graduation, Meesha ventured beyond the confines of traditional education and immersed herself in the cultures of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico. There, she met artists from all walks of life, each with their own stories and techniques. She quickly grew intrigued by the lifestyle of traveling artists. The freedom of living, working, and creating while moving throughout the world became her life. In Guatemala, she began street vending. Armed with a strong foundation in drawing, she taught herself how to create caricatures and portraits, using the faces of her fellow travelers as subjects. Her work was met with enthusiasm, and soon she found herself honing her craft, earning money, and exploring the world. This was just the beginning of her transformation. In 2006, Meesha took her street vending skills to Rome, Italy, where she met a talented street artist from Mexico. He introduced her to the world of jewelry-making—teaching her the basics of using pliers, creating earring hooks, and reimagining objects from local markets into wearable art. This new medium ignited her creative spirit, and her jewelry quickly became a sensation on the streets of Rome. Slowly but surely, jewelry took over her creative practice, and she became known as a skilled metals artist. Returning to Philadelphia in 2008, she brought her street vending business back home. Her art was met with even greater appreciation. It was here that she crossed paths with a renowned German jewelry artist. His mentorship—five years of one-on-one lessons in silversmithing, stone setting, and lapidary—refined her craft and expanded her understanding of metals. His teachings deepened her connection to jewelry-making, and their friendship grew into a lifelong bond. Meesha’s artistic journey didn’t stop at jewelry. Under the guidance of a mechanical engineer and sculptor from Philadelphia, she learned 2D and 3D software skills, which opened new doors for her artistic exploration. With access to cutting-edge technology at she was able to push the boundaries of her sculptural work, combining traditional hand-crafted techniques with modern innovations. She began selling her art across various U.S. cities, from San Francisco to New Orleans, and continued to travel, letting her materials guide her creative process. In 2020, she took a bold step towards her lifelong dream of natural building and permaculture. She left Philadelphia and moved to the Finger Lakes region with her lifelong partner. They purchased raw land and began building structures made of cob, straw, and clay harvested from a nearby river. Her love for working with natural materials has blossomed as she is crafting spaces and objects that feel deeply connected to the earth. As she puts it, “My inspiration comes directly from the materials. I strive to work in harmony with these elements in order to expose the nature within them.” Today, Meesha’s work spans a wide array of techniques—from old-world hand fabrication to cutting-edge technology. She continues to draw inspiration from the materials she works with: metal, crystals, wood, and minerals. With each piece she creates, she strives to capture the essence of the material, creating a sense of peace and harmony that resonates with the observer. Through her art, she embodies the freedom and fulfillment she sought all those years ago—living a life of creation, connection, and transformation. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Hold a strong to your spirit and fight for what is right for you. Even when all the odds are against you. Stay the course. It will bring great rewards of happiness and spiritual fulfillment. If you live to satisfy others perceptions of your life, you will forever live in disharmony. If you stand by what you believe in, you are going bring harmony to yourself and those around you.” Howe inspiring! Thank you so much for visiting!
Scott was born in Rochester, NY and raised in Schenectady, NY. After graduating high school, at 18 years old, he enlisted in the United States army. His first assignment was in Germany. Sylwia was born and raised in Poland. At 15 years old, her parents moved her to Germany for better opportunities. Thirty three years ago, the couple met while attending a party with mutual friends in Germany. Sylwia said, “Actually, when we met, I wasn’t very nice. I told him that I wasn’t interested in having an American boyfriend. At the end of the evening, we both went our separate ways. A week later, we ended up attending birthday party together. From there, we became good friends.” Scott said, “At the time, I was in no place to have a relationship with Slywia. I was seeing someone back home in the United States. We were young. On leave for the holidays, I would return home to the United States. One particular holiday when I returned home, the person I was seeing broke up with me. There were no hard feelings and it was an amicable separation. I already knew where my heart was. After that, I pursued Sylwia and our friendship blossomed into a beautiful relationship.” Sylwia said, “I was in college at the time to become a medical assistant. When Scott finished his service in Germany, he was sent to serve in Texas and I could not follow him. Having long-distance relationship is incredibly hard. It was even more difficult back then when cell phones weren’t as popular as they are now. Much of our correspondence was through handwritten letters. Sometimes we would buy long distance calling cards and set up specific times to call each other from phone booths.” When Sylwia graduated college, she came to the United States to spend the summer in Texas with Scott. At the end of summer, she returned home to Germany and began working as a medical assistant. She worked for a few months and then decided she had two choices in life that she could make. She said, “I knew I could continue living and working in Germany and live a happy life, but I also knew in the back of my mind that I would always wonder what “would’ve been”if I didn’t take the chance to move overseas to be with Scott. So. that’s what I did. I left everything that knew behind for the man that I loved.” The couple has been married for 30 years and have two children together. Their 26-year-old son, Zachary, works for the US Government in Hawaii. Their 22-year-old daughter, Maya, just graduated from Syracuse University with her degree in social work. During their marriage, they have lived in Texas, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Maryland, Japan, Germany (multiple times), and they are currently living in Hawaii. They said, “Home is where your heart is. To us, home is each other and family. We are currently working on becoming assigned to Italy. After that, who knows where we will go, but we are open to any opportunity. Life is for experiencing. Moving from country to country and place to place is definitely not something that is easy. There are cultural differences and language barriers. Being a foreigner in a new place, whether it be a new state or new country, is challenging. The challenge is worth it. Books are a great form of education but they are no comparison to the education of experience.” They believe that their relationship works so well because they are very opposite. Scott is very aggressive and organized. Sylwia is more of a go-with-the flow kind of person. She can connect with anyone she speaks with. They believe that communication is everything. Sylwia and Scott honor each other’s individuality and independence. While they love spending time together, they also do things separately. Saturdays are usually that day for them. Sylwia loves to go hiking and be in nature and Scott loves to go golfing. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Don’t be afraid to live life. Don’t hold back. Take chances. What you are not changing you are choosing.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Vincent and Michelle from Connecticut. Vincent was born and raised in Connecticut. His father was born and raised in Slovakia and immigrated to the United States in 1947. His mother was born and raised in Granville, New York. He has 10 siblings. The majority of his family still lives in upstate New York and he often comes to visit. He said, “My family and I have been coming to Howe Caverns for as long as I can remember. I came here as a child and can recall so many magical memories from this place. Now I bring my children and grandchildren.” Vincent has spent over 45 years in the medical industry. He is a paramedic and a nurse. At 42 years old, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At the time of his diagnosis, his four children were all under the age of ten. He said, “I was devastated. I had cared for patients with multiple sclerosis so I knew how debilitating it was. Some days are good and some days are not. There are days when I cannot care for myself. It’s incredibly humbling. I truly do not think I would have mentally and emotionally survived if not for my wife, Michelle. When I became overwhelmed with my diagnosis and didn’t think I could carry on she said, “Let’s just take this one moment at a time. The future doesn’t matter. Let’s just be present in this moment.” She fearlessly and fiercely cares for me, even in the moments when I cannot care for myself.” The couple has been together for 38 years and married for 35. With the love and support of his family and his colleagues, Vincent is able to live a healthy and sustainable life. He is still working, traveling and being the best dad, husband and grandfather that he can possibly be. The one thing the couple wants to tell the world is, “It’s not the challenges in life that make or break us. It’s how we deal with them that define us. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy every minute of your life, because tomorrow is not promised.” Thank you so much for visiting
Meet brother and sister duo, David and Jessica from Milan, Italy
With its fashion history dating back to the 16th century, Milan is widely recognized as a major fashion capital in the world. Many prominent Italian fashion brands are headquartered in Milan, including Giorgio Armani, Versace and Prada. Its landscape is a striking blend of historical architecture, modern skyscrapers, and green spaces. Its unique geography and urban design create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, balancing the historic with the modern. David is 31 years old and Jessica is 29. David graciously translated for Jessica during their interview. They are on holiday with family while visiting family. Their father was born and raised in the United States. Their mother is Italian. They are beyond grateful for the memories they’re creating on this trip. About a year ago, Jessica woke up from a normal night of rest fighting for her life. She struggled to move and and speak. She was immediately rushed to emergency care where it was discovered she was having a stroke which was brought on by rare heart defect. David said, “At first, I was in shock, and my mind wouldn’t accept the reality of it. I just kept thinking that she had slept wrong, or that her diet was lacking the nutrients she needed. When reality finally set in, I began to worry about her. She is my only sibling. As her big brother, it is my job to help protect her. I felt helpless.” Jessica said. “ I, too, was in shock, and couldn’t believe that my body would not function the way that I needed it to, especially since I am so young. My recovery was long and hard. While I was in the hospital, there were times that I was afraid. It was truly the other patients that got me through. Watching them on their journeys, gave me strength, inspiration, and gratitude. Some of them were suffering more than I was. Almost a year later, I am still on the road to recovery. I have a hard time writing, and my vision is not what it used to be. The greatest lesson that I have learned from all of this is that the mind is a powerful thing; it can make or break you, especially in moments of darkness. Gratitude changes everything. I truly believe that is what saved my life.” David said, “Jessica is one of the strongest women I know. Anything that she’s faced with in life, when she puts her mind to it, she can overcome.” Jessica said, “My favorite thing about David is everything. He’s by my side through thick and thin, and he constantly keeps a smile on my face.” While watching the two interact anyone can see an unspoken love that could never be expressed through words. They have a brother/sister bond that will live on far beyond this lifetime. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “The only thing to fear is fear itself. Live fearlessly.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Side note: we don’t believe that anything in life is a coincidence. Unbeknownst to Betsy, David & Jessica, while they were doing their interview, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the faithful for the first time as the 267th Pope. History and heart strings connected the United States & Italy in Vatican City and at Howe this afternoon!
Meet sisters Selena and Lili, and their significant others, Garrett and Michael, from Texas. Selena and Lili are of Guatemalan and Japanese heritage. Before hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, New Orleans was their home. As the Hurricane approached New Orleans, they were forced to evacuate and leave everything behind. They moved to Texas and built a new life there. After high school, Lili moved across the country to Philadelphia, putting over a thousand miles between the two sisters. Their mother was born and raised in Verona, New York. After serving 20 years in the Navy, she retired and moved back home, where she was born, to take care of her elderly parents. When her parents passed away, she bought their home and moved in. The sisters said, “Life has a funny way of working out and leading you back to those you love, and ultimately, your home.” The group makes it a point to come to upstate New York at least once or twice a year to visit the girls’ mother. They also make it a priority to travel to see each other as much as possible. Fun fact: the sisters are exactly six years apart but share the same birthday! Their favorite thing about being sisters is that they have an incredibly strong bond. No matter how much time they spend apart, whenever they come back together, they said that it feels like they are with their other half. They will always be best friends. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Our time here is short. Don’t take life too seriously.” Thank you so much for visiting!
This is her first time in rural upstate New York. She said, “The landscape here is much different than where I am from. Iowa is very flat. Growing up in a small town helped me to develop an interest in people. In small towns, interpersonal connections tend to be strong and close-knit. People are more likely to know each other, have regular interactions, and rely on each other for support. This creates a sense of community and shared identity, but it can also create pressures to conform. I became fascinated with with those connections and understanding people as a young girl. It gave me the desire to get out into the world and further my understanding and exploration of the world and the people in it.” At 19 years old, she left her small town and moved to Minnesota for college. She double majored in theater and psychology. She said, “I knew I wanted a career in mental health. Rural communities have less access to mental health resources. I’m passionate about bringing awareness and resources to that cause. I also have a passion for theater. While researching for careers, I wanted to see if there was a way I could use both of my passions to help others. I found something called Expressive Arts Therapy. It uses various art forms, like painting, music, drama, and movement, to help individuals explore their emotions, gain self-awareness, and promote healing and personal growth. It’s a therapeutic approach that leverages the power of creativity to express and process feelings, especially when verbal communication is difficult.” After receiving her undergraduate in Minnesota, Paige moved to Boston to study for her graduate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. She said, “For the past five years, I’ve been living and working in Boston. Three of those years were spent at school. It’s been a long five years and I’m ready to head home to my small town. My parents have been married for 32 years and I have an older sister. I’m looking forward to spending the summer with them and then moving on to land my dream job in Colorado.” What she wants to tell the world is, “Part of being curious about people is being curious about the world, and how we all interact with each other. There is beauty in seeing different perspectives. Stay curious. Always be willing to find something new. Be open, to change, adaptation, growth, and different perspectives. Say yes and say it often.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Marc was born in Somerset, Massachusetts. He has both a younger brother and sister making him the eldest son. Erica was born in Hawaii and has one younger brother. Marc’s parents were married for 45 years before his father passed away in 2015. Marc said, “My favorite thing about my father was that even though he said “no” to things, he was very reasonable and decisive. His “no” always came with an explanation as to why. He was a good man.” Erica‘s father was a naval submarine engineer. Her family traveled to wherever her father’s work took them. After Hawaii, they moved to South Carolina and from there, they moved to their forever home in New Hampshire. She said, “When I was a child, my father and I used to work on cars together. Those are some of my favorite memories. Today I joke that if my job as a hairdresser doesn’t work out I’ve got another career that I can fall back on.” Marc graduated with his biology degree from Stonehill College in Massachusetts. He currently works as a lab manager for Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The couple met four years ago. Their first date was to the Tap House Grille in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Erica is painfully shy and Mark was already aware of this before the date. He said, “I knew it was a good date because Erica opened up and we had a wonderful conversation throughout dinner.” Erica said, “I felt incredibly comfortable and safe with Mark.” They both agreed that the second date was truly where it all began. Marc said, “I took Erica for a ride to go pick up some signs that I had ordered at local general store. Then we had lunch at a restaurant on the lake. After lunch, we went for a walk near where my family would vacation when I was a child. As we were standing on the dock, overlooking the lake, I kissed her for the first time.” The couple has been married for three years. They have both been married before, and they consider their relationship a second chance. Erica said, “My favorite thing about Mark is that he keeps me smiling.” Marc said, “She allows me to be myself. She loves me in ways that no one has ever shown me before.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “When you find someone who loves you exactly as you already are, hold onto them. Protect them with everything you’ve got. Love like that is rare and should not be taken for granted.” Before they left Marc, showed Betsy a leather key chain that Erica had made for him. On it are the geographical coordinates of where their love began. Thank you so much for visiting
Carson is Carter‘s uncle even though they are only four years apart in age. They said, “Being uncle and nephew is all we’ve ever known. The best thing about being about it is we get to grow up together. We are best friends. We will always have each other.” They both enjoy the outdoors, riding ATV’s, and chicken farming. Just before coming to the cave Carson gifted Carter a rooster for his flock of 20 chickens. Carson has his own flock of 50 chickens. He said, “I really enjoy building things with my hands, and I really enjoy tending to the chickens. I even sell the eggs. When I grow up I hope to stay a farmer.” Both boys are homeschooled and their favorite subjects in school are math and science. Their aunt and uncle brought them to the cave on a field trip. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Live life wide open! Embrace life with boldness and vulnerability. Say yes to new experiences.” Thank you so much for visiting!
At 16 years old, she’s an artist and loves horseback riding. She said, “I have been around horses my whole life. I started riding very young.” She has two younger sisters whom she adores. She is here in New York on holiday and her aunt brought her to explore the underworld today. She said, “My school is pretty amazing. They give us a lot of freedom so I’m not on spring break, I’m just taking a break to spend time with family. I’m currently taking AP courses at school to prepare for college in advance. After high school, I hope to attend law school. My goal is to become a Law Guardian. I want to help represent children so that their voices can be heard in our legal system. It’s something I am very passionate about.” When asked who inspires her, she said, “My parents are my biggest inspiration. When I grow up, I hope that I can live a life as beautiful as theirs. They are not only wonderful parents, but they also are an amazing example. They have a beautiful marriage and are incredibly happy together. They are best friends and they truly love and respect each other. Their love fills whatever space they are in. It’s both contagious and inspiring. When I watch them, I can see how strong their love is. When I grow up I won’t settle for a love that’s anything less than the example they have set for their children.” The one thing that Dakota wants to tell the world is, “If you can be anything in this life, be your authentic self. It allows us to be vulnerable and build strong, fulfilling relationships. When you honor your authenticity you hold the key to the kingdom of love.” You are wise beyond your years Dakota! Thank you so much for visiting
P.S. while taking Dakota’s photo, she mentioned to Betsy that she always wanted to be a model. If anyone knows of any modeling gigs, Dakota just might be the one for the job!
She has two older brothers. Her father was an outdoorsman. He loved kayaking, hunting, and fishing. He would often bring her along on his outdoor adventures. Leslie said, “He had his PhD in environmental biology. He absolutely loved history and geology, and he definitely would’ve loved visiting Howe Caverns.” Her mother was a homemaker. When Leslie was around 11 years old, her mother was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She remembers throughout a lot of her childhood her mother not feeling well. She would often take care of her. Leslie was married at 19 years old and had two children by the age of 22. She was married to her husband for about 15 years. Eventually, they both went their separate ways and divorced. She said, “From that marriage, I gained a daughter and a son. I also have four grandkids.” She’s currently in New York, visiting her wife. She said, “When I met Karen. She worked in New York and I lived in Utah. Karen managed a team in Utah and she would often fly to Utah for work. We first met remotely through work interactions. One day the stars aligned and we met in person on one of her Utah trips. We started dating in 2013. Our first date was at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. We were together for about five years, and then life happened. We were both going through some major life changes and decided to take a break. We owned a house in New Jersey together throughout the separation. We rented it out to tenants so we would communicate about once a month to catch up. Then, Karen’s mother passed away. I had always felt very connected to Karen’s mother and I had known that kind of loss having lost my own mother too soon. I decided to reach out to Karen and offer my condolences through sending a poem about grief and loss. Moments before Karen picked up her phone to read the poem she had picked up her mother’s class ring from being refitted. That was the moment that we reconnected and we have never separated since. The loss of a parent is incredibly hard. When I lost my mother, everything changed. There’s an inherent connection we have with our parents. I feel like that connection lives on long after our time here on earth is through. Our loved ones come to us with little signs to let us know that everything is okay. When my mother passed away, I began seeing ladybugs everywhere, even in the middle of winter in Utah. Ladybugs are my mother’s way of connecting to me. We will always be divinely connected to the energy and souls of our loved ones.” Leslie’s favorite thing about Karen is that she doesn’t jump to conclusions. She always considers the whole situation and as many perspectives as possible. She’s very funny and is calm in any storm. The one thing Leslie wants to tell the world is, “Be kind. Don’t judge. We are all in this together. Carry that with you everywhere you go, not just through specific moments together. All of us are going through life together.” Thank you so much for visiting!
They were both born and raised in the same city in China
Cheryl went to college for building engineering. Jerry went to college for finance. The couple has lived in the United States for 12 years. While living in China, one of Cheryl’s friends had recommended Jerry as someone who could fix her computer. After helping her, they became good friends. Jerry pursued her for a very long time. Cheryl said, “Jerry is very shy. He pursued me in a very a kind and gentle way. When I needed things, such as if I was ill, he would bring me things that I needed and would take care of me.” They have known each other for 26 years and have been married for 25. They have a 24-year-old daughter who will be graduating this summer with her masters in finance. Jerry said, “My favorite thing about Cheryl is that she is not only lovely on the outside but her true beauty lies within. She is gentle, kind and she always treats me with respect.” Cheryl said, “My favorite thing about Jerry is that he is kind and gentle to me, as well. He is always looking ahead to fill a need and doesn’t wait for me to ask. He is incredibly thoughtful.” The one thing the couple wants to tell the world is, “Love. With great love, you can do anything.” Thank you so much for visiting
Meet Yeimmy, Rebeca, and Emilio (Rebecca’s son) from Brooklyn, New York. Yeimmy is a chef in Times Square and Rebecca works independently for a private family in Brooklyn. Yeimmy came to Howe Caverns to celebrate her 40th birthday! She was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia
She is the youngest sibling of four. She has one older brother and two older sisters. Her favorite childhood memories are the times she traveled with her musician father and her family to his shows. She immigrated to the United States three years ago. Rebecca was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador
She has one younger sister. Her favorite childhood memory was a Christmas gift from her mother. She said, “Culturally we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. One Christmas Eve, when I was about seven years old, my mother gave me my very first Barbie. I remember being so overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude that I cried.” She immigrated to the United States five years ago. The hardest thing, that either of them has had to endure in life, was immigrating to the United States. They said, “There are many cultural differences and language barriers. Although we love the life that we have built here in America, we both miss our families, friends and the culture of our home countries.” The couple met, three years ago, in the spring, at a party through a mutual friend. Yeimmy said, “Rebecca stole my heart immediately. To me, she is the most beautiful woman in the world.” Their first official date was to Disney World with Emelio. Yeimmy said, “My favorite thing about Rebecca is that she is our home. When the world seems like it can be too much to handle, she calms the storm. She is our rock.” Rebecca said, “My favorite thing about Yeimmy is that she literally is a human firework! Everything she does is an explosion of passion. She puts her heart and soul into everything that she does.” Two years ago, Yeimmy proposed to Rebecca and she said yes. The one thing a couple wants to tell the world is, “Follow your heart. The most important thing in this life is to find your happiness. When you are happy all that joy and love overflows to those that you love.” Happiest of Birthdays Yeimmy!
Thank you so much for visiting!
Julie grew up in Clifton Park, New York and on Cape Cod. Tom grew up in Syracuse, New York. The couple met 36 years ago at Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois during Sadie Hawkins weekend. Julie and her roommate asked out Tom and his roommate. They all went out to dinner and then to go see the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Julie is a middle school Spanish Teacher and Tom is a Pastor. They have four beautiful children, three of whom are adopted. Two weeks ago, Tom officiated their eldest daughter’s wedding. Tom said, “She married the Youth Director, who works for me at the church. When our hired him, I didn’t realize that I was hiring my future son-in-law. There’s a pretty large age gap between our eldest and our two youngest, Abbie & Kate.” Julie said, “We weren’t opposed to adopting again, but we also weren’t really putting ourselves out there to do so. We were waiting for the opportunity to come to us. When the opportunity to adopt Kate and Abbie was presented to us we sat down and had a family meeting with our two eldest children. We wanted to make sure that everyone was comfortable and that we were all on the same page. It was a unanimous decision so we knew that we had to take the chance. We are very adamant about supporting the relationships between birth families and the children. Tom was part of the Abbie and Kate’s birth mom’s funeral. He also officiated their son, Johnathan‘s, birth mom‘s wedding. To them, it’s what they call, “Wrap Around Care.” The primary focus is loving and supporting foster children, foster families, adoptive families, and the families of the biological families. It’s like a blanket of love extended out to all those who are a part of the children’s lives. Tom said, “My favorite thing about Julie is she creates life experiences that are full of life! Instead of just traveling to my Mom & Dad‘s house for a visit, she decided that we would sleep in a castle and explore caves. She fills our lives with adventure.” Julie said, “My favorite thing about Tom is that he has deep integrity and love. He is steadfast leader.” The one thing the family wants to tell the world is, “Be brave and lead with love. Every child needs a home and a family, and every family has love to give. It doesn’t matter what your family looks like or where their journey started, as long as they are leading each other with love.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Simon was born in Toronto, Canada and raised Tampa, Florida. He studied ballet and was a dance major at a performing arts high school in Florida. Simon went on to college in Amherst, Massachusetts and studied Japanese language, culture, and history. He majored in martial arts sociology. After college, he hitchhiked around Japan for a year. He then moved to New York and studied with several taekwondo pioneering grandmasters. He then became a father and opened his own martial arts school, which has been in operation for 15 years. Valerie was adopted as an infant. In her 20’s, she was diagnosed as autistic. Three years ago, she came close to passing away due to a rare and hard to diagnose medical issue. She now has a medical device implanted in her back that keeps her stomach functioning. She has made it her life’s goal to inspire others with the disability. She is currently on a mission to hike solo through the White Mountains in an attempt to complete all 48 high peaks. She said, “Being a solo disabled female hiker can be terrifying; especially when you’re pushing yourself to the limits. I want to inspire others to know that the goals they have, that may seem impossible, are attainable.” The couple met on Bumble, a dating app, a year and a half ago. Valerie said, “I saw his profile picture and immediately thought he was out of my league. I swiped him anyway. I got off the app to pretend like it didn’t exist. Not even 24 hours later we matched. He began messaging me about my profile. I quickly realized that he had made the effort and took the time to read it. We spent the next next three weeks talking. He never rushed me. I was hesitant. He was gentle. One day I was just like, ‘sure let’s do this’.” For their first date, they met at mountainside deli and then went for a hike. At one point during the hike, Simon asked Valerie if he could hug her. She obliged, and when he did, he felt that she was carrying a self-defense device. He said, “I was impressed and proud of her for taking the initiative to protect herself. She didn’t know who I was and we were meeting to go for a hike alone in the woods.” They continued on and hiked to the summit. At the summit, Simon began taking photos of Valerie so that she could have pictures of herself in the moment. Valerie said, “I run an Instagram, Instagram and a TikTok to help inspire disabled hikers. It meant a lot to me that he took the initiative to do that for me and document the moment.” They came to visit the Howe Caverns today with Simon’s children and one of his childhood best friends, David. He has known David since they were nine years old when they met in Boy Scouts. Valerie said, “My favorite thing about Simon is that he makes me feel safe and he always keeps me laughing.” Simon said, “My favorite thing about Valerie is her adventurous spirit.” The one thing they want to tell the world it is, “Love is not a finite resource. It is meant to be multiplied!” Thank you so much for visiting and for the very fun photos! They capture your vibrant personalities perfectly
Sylvia was born and raised in the bustling, colorful, capital, Lima. She has two older sisters and grew up in a tightly-knit home. Her grandparents, parents, sisters, and uncle all lived under the same roof. Her childhood embraced the comforts of family, security, and freedom. Sylvia’s best friends lived just a few steps from her front door. She remembers having the ability to freely roam around her community. Her days were filled with afternoons in the park, adventures to local establishments, and daily walks to school. There was a sense of independence in Peru that Sylvia only came to truly appreciate after she immigrated to the United States at the age of 20. In Peru, at the age of 18 years old, you’re considered an adult; meaning that you are fully an adult and that you are able to freely enter into adult establishments and participate in adult activities. The responsibility and respect associated with that is something that she truly appreciated. When she moved to the U.S., she felt as though she had been pushed backward. She said, “I was treated more like a teenager than the young adult I had already become. I missed the sense of autonomy, the walkable streets, and the way neighbors naturally became friends and family. The transition was not easy. The language barrier made my world quieter and more distant. I could no longer walk from place to place. It seemed as though to go anywhere a car was required. Life felt more isolated.” When her family arrived, nearly all of them, except for her grandfather, worked together at a McDonald’s. Side by side, they built something new from the ground up. Over the years, Sylvia carved out her own path. Today, she is a preschool teacher, nurturing young minds with the same patience and passion she was taught by her family and that she uses in her own home with her son, Paul. She is the proud mother of two children. Her eldest is 22 years old and her youngest, Paul, is a sweet passionate boy who lights up her world. Though Sylvia and Paul’s father are no longer together romantically, they continue to live under one roof, united by one unwavering priority to be the absolute best parents they can be to Paul. They’ve made the intentional decision to put his wellbeing above all else, offering him a home filled with love, teamwork, and stability. Paul is wise beyond his years. He is deeply connected to his roots and travels to Peru often. At home, Sylvia speaks only Spanish to him, and even though Paul responds in primarily in English, he clearly understands his heritage and culture. He embraces it in every conversation, every dish she cooks, and every story she tells. Sylvia said, “What I love most about Paul is how he goes all in with whatever he does. Whether it’s his passion for jiu-jitsu or his friendships, when Paul commits to something, he dives in with all his heart and soul.” Paul said, “My favorite thing about my mother is how she keeps our heritage alive. She doesn’t just tell me about our roots, we live them every day because of her love and devotion.” The one thing Sylvia wants to tell the world is, “There’s no perfect book on parenting. We’re all living life for the first time. What matters most is to love your children deeply, give them your time, and forgive yourself for the mistakes you make along the way. After all, parenting is just guiding your children to one day be able to live, truly live, without you.” The one thing Paul wants to tell if the world is, “Savor the present moment that you are in, especially if you’re a kid. Don’t rush it. Childhood is magic, but it doesn’t last forever. Blink and it’s gone. So slow down. Laugh more, and don’t let the moments pass you by while you’re living them.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Rina Howe, Don Howe and their granddaughter, Amelia from New Jersey. Amelia is currently their only grandchild. Don says, “She’s the most beautiful girl in the world. She is brave, kind, and confident. This is Rina and Amelia’s first time ever stepping foot in a cave!” Don is only child and proud tool and die maker. His roots stretch all the way back to Scotland. His grandparents and infant father immigrated from Scotland to the United States in 1930s. At 12 years old, Don’s grandfather brought him to Scotland to visit family. For Don, it was a journey across generations. He had researched his last name “Howe” and discovered that it is most likely of English decent. Interestingly enough, depending on the variant and origin the name refers to a “hill” or “knoll.” He joked, “I’m pretty sure my grandfather just brought me along on that trip to be his baggage boy.” Don remembers simpler times from his childhood. He remembers days of returning home from school and just being able to play outside with his friends until dark. They would run through the neighborhood. Free. Safe. Unbothered. He said, “That kind of freedom feels like it has been stripped away from our youth today. I think it’s rare and rarer that children have the opportunity to experience independence and freedom. A little independence and freedom can do children a lot of good. It helps them build self-confidence, good decision-making abilities, responsibility, and relationships.” In 2008, Don lost his first wife to cancer. He was so completely heartbroken that he truly believed he would never be able love again. Two years later, he met Rina on a dating app. She is of Peruvian heritage and had just moved to the Middletown, New Jersey. Don excitedly offered to show her around because he knew all sorts of great places to visit. The only problem was that the day that they chose to meet was New Year’s Day. They quickly realized that they had no idea what was open for the day. They ended up at a local diner. Rina said, “When I first saw Don I felt like he had catfished me. His profile picture was of him with a long hair and a beard which I found very attractive. When we met, he had short hair and was clean shaven. Then, as a gift, he had brought me chocolates. I, personally, do not like chocolate. We were not off to a good start. As we were talking I remembered something that the elder women in my family would say. “Pay attention to the way a man looks at you. He doesn’t even need to speak for you to hear him.” I could tell by the way that Don looked at me that he adored me. That’s how I knew he was the one. The sweatshirt he is wearing today he had made for everyone who attended my 57th birthday.” The couple has been together for 15 years and married for 11. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “What the world needs now is love. Have more compassion and empathy towards each other, especially our youth. Sometimes it’s hard to look beyond present, but we should see that the children are the future. They need our support now more than ever.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Benny (grandfather), Yonit (grandmother), Shakeid (granddaughter) from Israel
Benny and Yonit met in the Israeli Army 45 years ago. Last week they celebrated 41 years of marriage. As children, they both attended boarding schools where they primarily learned about agriculture. In school, Yonit was drawn to art and Benny was drawn to mechanics. When Yonit graduated, she entered into the military as a map painter and Benny became specialized in mechanics. After her service, Yonit went on to have a career in graphic design and now owns her own studio where she teaches modern embroidery. Her art encompasses both modern and traditional techniques. She works with many different styles and mediums. Incredibly, some of her work is painstakingly crafted on delicate leaves. Benny is now a project manager for computer systems at Motorola. They currently are in the United States for two weeks to visit family. Shakeid, her two siblings, and her mother moved to the United States a year ago to flee the war. Her father is still working in Israel and travels back and forth between the two countries to see his wife and children. Shakeid is very musically inclined. She plays piano and violin fluently. She said, “I miss home. I have a dog at home named Pistachio. He lives with my grandparents for now. We couldn’t bring him to the United States. I also have friends back home that I miss very much. I look forward to the day when we can return home.” When Shakeid grows up she hopes to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and become an artist. The language of art is one of the most profound and universal forms of communication. It transcends borders, cultures, and spoken language, while speaking directly to the human experience. It has the power to express what is difficult or impossible to say in words. It captures emotions, injustices, beauty, and complexity in a way that is felt rather than just understood. Through color, form, sound, or movement, it stirs empathy, reflection, or even discomfort. It builds bridges and fosters connection. Whether it’s through shared stories, cultural traditions, or global exhibitions, it creates common ground. In a divided world, the language of art can be a force of unity, creating empathy and mutual understanding where words often divide. It holds memory and preserves the past, reflects the present, and can even project the future. The stories told through cave paintings, symphonies, or virtual reality experiences show that art evolves with humanity, always finding new ways to speak. While art might not “change the world” in a traditional sense like policy or science might, it can spark change in people and people change the world. The one thing Shakeid wants to tell the world is, “Love really does matter. Love creates peace.” Thank you so much for visiting.
Meet Hamlet (dad), Camila,(daughter), Veronica (mom), and Josue (son) from Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Hamlet was born and raised in the Dominican Republic
He was 25 years old when he and his family moved to the United States. Veronica was born and raised in Ecuador
until she was 14 years old. At a very young age her mother left her with her grandparents so that her mother could come to the United States to establish a life. She said, “My grandparents raised me. I did not truly meet my mother until I was 14 years old when she came back to Ecuador to retrieve me. My father did a poor job of being a father. With those hardships I learned strength. I’m at a place in my life where I am not giving others the opportunity to take my peace away from me. I have overcome a lot.” Both Veronica and Hamlet said, “Some of our fondest memories throughout our lives have been with our families. Each of us have families that are very close. That bond is something we cherish.” Ten years ago, Hamlet was working as a corporate chef at a restaurant where Veronica would come for lunch every day. One day he invited her to go to the gym and from there, a relationship bloomed. They now have two beautiful children together but aren’t together as a couple. Two years ago, they decided to go their separate ways. They are very much enjoying co-parenting together and said that these days they get along very well. Veronica said, “My favorite thing about Hamlet is that he has grit! He never gives up no matter what he is going through. He is always trying to improve himself. He is always growing mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s inspiring for anyone to be around. He is also an amazing father.” Hamlet said, “My favorite thing about Veronica is everything. There is nothing not to love about her. She is a beautiful soul. She is a loving mother. She is strong and kind. She is a hard worker and a hustler. She also has grit.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Everyone is fighting their own battles. Sometimes people go through things in life that they struggle with healing from. We don’t know what others are carrying. It is our job to heal ourselves and move beyond the things that weigh us down. Wherever there is great love, there are great miracles. Never ever give up on love.” Thank you so much for visiting!
At 95 years young, she is the eldest returning guest that Betsy has been privileged to interview in our Humanity & Connections series. She has five of her own children and six great-great-grandchildren. During WWII, from 1942-1946, Carol’s mother moved her to the Schoharie Valley. She said, “The farm I grew up on was near Stony Brook Road. My grandmother and mother grew up there and a lot of our family lived here in the valley. During that time there were no homes available out here in the country. We lived in half of the farm house. When my grandmother was young there was just a smokehouse, icehouse, outhouse and a pump for water. The smokehouse had a fireplace with steps inside the chimney. At night, they would climb the steps into a loft and that’s where they slept until they could get the house built. When we moved here my brother and I would walk a mile every day just to catch the school bus. My grandmother told me that when she went to school she would hop a ride on the local milk truck. I don’t know how she got back home after school. When she was really little, everyone on the farm was so busy with chores, they would tie a rope to her waist and tie the other end to the bed frame so that she wouldn’t take off and get hurt. Could you imagine that today?! When she got older she spent most of her days in the kitchen. There was a big beautiful wood stove that she and the other women would cook every meal on. They didn’t just cook for family. They also fed all of the farm hands. There was no running water. Just a pump, which still stands today, and a bucket with a ladle. At lunchtime, all of the farm hands would come to that bucket and take turns drinking from that one ladle. Then they would go inside and have a huge meal together, which she and the other women had prepared. Even my great-grandmother would help in the kitchen. Her job was to sit at the kitchen table and cut all the vegetables for the meals. She couldn’t do much more than that. Can you imagine all the work that must have been to feed so many people three meals a day? The land on the farm was rocky. As a little girl I remember that there was always bushels of potatoes out by the road for sale. We lived on that farm for years until housing became available.” Carol devoted her life to education and was a primary school teacher for twenty years. She said, “The cave has always been a magical place for our community. During the 1940’s the railroad industry hit a sharp decline. There wasn’t a lot to do out here. Transportation was minimal and there were no amusement parks to travel to like the world has today. Howe Caverns was really the place to be! I have so many fond memories of being here. I remember the boat ride and the winding way. I remember the stalactites and the stalagmites. We came here often and it filled my childhood with magical memories. When my brother Bob was 16 years old, he became a tour guide here and at one point in time, my cousin, Rodney Schaefer, was the general manager. It has always been a proud source of employment for our local community. Carol was not able to take a full tour but she was able to make it down into the cave for a visit to The Vesitbule and to feel the 52°F cave air on her face one more time. When she walked into the cave, her eyes lit up as if she was a little girl all over again. We were honored to host her and her beautiful daughter Kathie! Thank you so much for visiting. We were so honored to meet you. May God continue to bless you with continued good health, Carol. We hope to see you & Kathie again next year
Meet 6 year old Miss Charlotte from Charlotte, North Carolina! She is helping us kick off our Easter Weekend in style! She is visiting family New York for the holiday. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “God is good and the Easter Bunny could hide a lot of eggs on this hill!”
Thank you to you and your family for visiting!
The city is known for its rich maritime culture and history. The Mayflower set sail from its port in 1620, and the later, in 1912, the Titanic departed from there on its maiden voyage. Author, Jane Austen, resided in Southampton throughout her youth. It is said that the city inspired many of her writings. It is a green city surrounded by 326 acres of wetlands, fields, and wildlife. Elli is a primary schoolteacher. She is the youngest child and has an older brother. She said, “My fondest childhood memories are of summertimes at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. My grandparents would often take us there for picnics. It’s a magical place with five hundred acres of rolling landscape and nearly one hundred awe- inspiring sculptures. From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher.” Alex is one of four siblings. He is the second eldest. He said, “My favorite childhood memory is of my father teaching me how to ride a bike. He was so patient with me. Every time I would fall off, he would help me get back on, balance me steady, and see me off. He never gave up.” Alex is a sailor and works on 30,000 to 40,000 ton vessels. His job keeps him out to sea for four months at a time. He then returns home for three months. He said, “I was working a 9 to 5 job and did not feel fulfilled. One day I realized that there was more to life than just punching the clock. I decided that I wanted to travel the world and live a more adventurous life through my work.” The hardest part of their relationship is the time and distance apart from each other. Elli said, “Having a good support system of friends and family while Alex is away helps me endure our time apart.” Alex said, “It’s similar for me, but my support system is the other sailors on the boat. We are all in the same situation. We all miss our families while we are at sea. Technology helps us to stay connected. It also helps that we are out there doing a job that keeps us very busy.” The couple said, “When Alex is home, we make the most of our time together. We don’t take it for granted.” Elli said, “My favorite thing about Alex is that he’s a planner and that he takes initiative to plan our future together. He is always planning beautiful adventures for us.” Alex said, “My favorite thing about my wife is that she is an amazing cook! I love her carbonara. When I am out at sea, I look forward to coming home to her, spending time with her, her cooking, and eating beautiful meals together.” The one thing the couple wants to tell the world is, “Be kind. It seems so simple but the act itself is truly profound. One simple act of kindness creates a rippling effect to which the extent can be life changing for some. Kindness matters” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Matt (dad), Licia (mom) & Phoebe (daughter) from Lancaster, England
Licia is the eldest of three children and has two younger brothers. She was born in Connecticut and moved to Charlton, New York when she was 7 years old. As a child, she spent a lot of time outdoors exploring the woods with her brothers and helping in the family gardens. Licia went to Boston University for astronomy and physics. She currently holds a PhD in astrophysics and planetary science. Today, she is a Lecture in space physics in England. She said, “When I went to college, I went in undeclared. I had no idea. I would end up with a PhD in astrophysics. It’s not something I knew I was fascinated with until I began studying it.” Matthew grew up just outside London, England. He had a similar childhood. He loves the great outdoors and grew up being a Boy Scout. He currently holds a PhD in physics and computing. He said, “I knew at a young age that I was fascinated with computer science and physics. I knew I wanted to study it and make a career of it.” The couple met at Imperial College in London while doing research. They said, “We were friends first before anything. We worked together on a team of researchers. Our team would spend time away from work together. We would often go out for meals or tea. From there our relationship just naturally blossomed.” This June the couple will celebrate 14 years together and in September, they will celebrate 12 years of marriage. Licia said, “My favorite thing about Matt is that he keeps us laughing all the time. He’s very smart, kind, and incredibly supportive.” Matt said, “My favorite thing about Licia is that she sparkles. Every room she walks into she lights it up.” Their daughter, Phoebe said, “I love to read and write. I love school and learning about history and all of the world. My favorite thing about my mother is that she is a very strong woman. My favorite thing about my dad is that he is always very helpful.” The one thing the family wants to tell the world is, “Make sure that you wear your sunscreen!” Thank you for visiting!
She is from a blended family and has 2 full brothers, 2 step brothers, and a step sister. She attended college at Penn State for finance, but instead, decided to pursue a career in teaching, later becoming a high school teacher. She said, “While growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. She had a hundred acres of land and there was a large flat boulder on it that we called, “Picnic Rock.” We would often pack a picnic basket and hike out to the rock to surround ourselves with nature and enjoy conversation. I was always by her side as her little helper. She had beautiful gardens and taught me everything she knew about gardening. I helped plant her gardens, feed her birds, water her plants, and pull weeds. Today, I have over 30 plants all over my home. They bring me so much peace. Every holiday, I was by my grandmother’s side in the kitchen. She was the light of my childhood. My grandmother is the kindest and most pure soul I have ever known. I tell my students to ‘choose kindness’ because our world could use some more of it. I know how grateful I am for the kindness my gram has shown me.” Pam married a man that worked as a welder on the pipeline. She said, “He was the one who brought me to teaching and who brought me to God.” She moved wherever his job took them. She has lived in Colorado, New Mexico, West Virginia, Utah, and Texas. At 20 years old, never having had any children of her own, she became the stepmother to his five children. Pam is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and horseback riding. She said, “My husband and I had been trying to have our own child for two years. Then one year on Mother’s Day, while at church, they called all the mothers in the congregation to come forward. Being a stepmother, I went up. I ended up breaking down in tears. Without a moment’s hesitation, a wave of people from the congregation came forward to embrace and support me. That’s when I realized that was God’s way of saying that everything was going to be okay. Even though I wasn’t going to have the baby that I so passionately desired, I knew it just wasn’t my time for that prayer to be answered. There have been many times in my life when I have felt so alone. Each time, I knew I was never alone – that God always had my back and with Him I could do and be anything I wanted. I went back home to Pennsylvania to visit family for two weeks. While I was there, I realized that I had lost so much of myself in my marriage. I had forgotten what it felt like to truly laugh, feel accepted, and to be genuinely happy. It’s been two years since I left Texas and have been divorced. It has been incredibly eye-opening finding my independence. I am so much stronger now than I ever thought possible. I am beyond proud of who I am and what I’ve endured to get here.” The one thing Pam wants to tell the world is, “There will be some hard decisions to make in your life. Don’t hesitate. Follow your intuition and trust your instincts. They are the best guides. Make sure that whatever you are investing your time into, that you love what you’re doing. Thank you so much for visiting!
Ann is of Spanish, Puerto Rican, English and Irish heritage. She is the youngest of five children. She grew up all over the East Coast and in Puerto Rico. Her father was an accountant. Their family would relocate to wherever the companies that hired him required. She said, “Home was never a place such as a structure or a location. For me, home was wherever my family was.” Gene is of English, Irish, and German heritage. He is one of six. He jokingly said, “I was supposed to be the youngest until my mother, at 42 years, old had twins! They knocked me out of the youngest seat and stole my thunder. Some of my favorite childhood memories took place in Allegheny State Park. Every summer, my parents would pack us up and move us there for four weeks. We lived in a cabin with minimal resources, surrounded by the great outdoors. When the twins came along, my parents bought a washing machine to bring with along with us.” The couple met 50 years ago in a sandwich shop where Ann was working. Gene was working for a landscaping company and would frequent the shop for lunch. At the time, she was dating someone else. As time passed, her boss told Ann that she did not care for the person that she was dating, but that she thought Gene was a great catch. Eventually, Ann became single and Gene took that opportunity to invite her out to dinner. They will celebrate 47 years of marriage in May. Gene said, “After Ann’s childhood of moving from place to place, I became the rock that held her in a stable place. We have three beautiful children that were born and raised in Buffalo and they are still living there with our grandchildren!” Gene is an entrepreneur and owns his own financial company that they both work for. Taking time away from the company has proven to be a challenge. A couple of years ago, one of their son-in-law‘s gave them a shadowbox that had a world map and pins inside. When he gave it to them, he said, “Now when you travel, you’re supposed to put a pin in every place you visit, or you could just put all the pins here in Buffalo!” The couple made a pact to get out and explore the world as much as they could. Last year, for their 46th wedding anniversary, they went to Ireland and just recently they returned from Panama. This past Christmas, Gene gifted Ann 12 beautiful boxes, one for every month of the year. He filled each box with a thoughtfully preplanned adventure away from Buffalo. They are allowed to make adaptations to the plan and allow themselves to just go with the flow. This is how they ended up on an unexpected, underground adventure at Howe Caverns! Ann said, “My favorite thing about Gene is is that he is incredibly kind and patient. He is very faith-based in everything that he does. He is dedicated to our community by teaching through the church.” Gene said, “My favorite thing about Ann is that she is very whimsical. It shows up in everything she does. Especially her art. While she has received monetary compensation for her art, she prefers to donate it to causes that will benefit those in need through auctioning it.” The one thing the couple wants to tell the world is, “Keep it simple. Less is more.” Ann and Gene, thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Matt (dad), Emily (daughter), and Ericka (mom) from Long Island, New York. Matt and Ericka met over 20 years ago while working for the same company. Ericka was friends with Matt’s sister. They would all hang out together and eventually a relationship developed between the two. Ericka said, “My favorite thing about Matt is that he is one of the most supportive people I have ever met in my life and he’s pretty handy!” Matt said, “We are very similar a lot of ways but we also complement each other’s weaknesses. Ericka is a great cook! Before her, I never realized what it was like to have a rock in my life. I think a lot of people don’t get that opportunity in their lifetime.” Their 19 year old daughter, Emily, is a sophomore in college and is part of a sorority. She is currently finishing up this semester and then moving back home to be closer to her family. She said, “I’m currently in a new phase of life. I’ve decided that sorority life is just not for me. Unfortunately, I’ve grown up in a generation of, “iPad kids.” It can be very isolating. I’ve noticed that the majority of my generation has a hard time seeing beyond themselves, socializing in person, or even understanding basic social norms. Most of my generation is constantly connected to a device. I feel that a lot of them had their childhood stolen from them. I am so grateful that I wasn’t one of those kids. My parents were very present and kept me very active. I think that when technology took such a huge leap and became so readily accessible, parents, at the time, didn’t realize what a deep impact it would have on future generations. I hope that my generation identifies that they’re getting lost in technology and social media. I hope that we can all learn to disconnect to reconnect. My favorite thing about my parents that they love me unconditionally. Even when I am unsure of what the next plan is, they are still so incredibly supportive.” The one thing that this family wants to tell the world is, “It’s OK to not know where your future is heading. It’s okay for your plans to change. Take things one day at a day at time. The answers will come.” Thank you for visiting!
Sharrin has three siblings and is the second to youngest. Tyler is the youngest of three older brothers. The couple met at Sharrin’s high school graduation party. She said, “When I met him I thought to myself, ‘there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this man’’.” After the graduation party, the two went their separate ways. Just a little over 3 years ago, they reconnected through social media. Sharrin said, “In the moment I didn’t realize our first date was a date. I just thought we were hanging out and catching up. I didn’t think I was good enough to be with him.” Tyler said, “I didn’t want the date to end. I couldn’t wait to talk to her again.” Tyler took her to her favorite restaurant and after the date she had a conversation with one of her girlfriends about it. Her friend said, “That was definitely a first date!” The couple loves nature. Their trip to Howe Caverns marks the beginning of a new year for Sharrin. She said, “It’s my 35th birthday! (Friday, 4 April) For me, that’s a major milestone. I have struggled with depression my whole life. This is my year to shed everything that no longer serves me and to step into the life that I now know I deserve.” Tyler said, “My favorite thing about Sharrin is that she always keeps a smile on my face” Sharrin said, “My favorite thing about Tyler is that he has shown me a love that I never knew existed before him.” The couple wants to tell the world, “If you are struggling with depression, please remember, it’s just a moment. Even if those moments come often, try to find your silver linings. There is always something to be grateful for, no matter how insignificant it may feel in the moment. You are never alone. There is help and there is no shame in asking for help. Never ever give up on yourself.” Happiest of Birthdays, Sharrin!
May this year be your best year yet! Thank you for visiting!
Jane is of Irish heritage. She grew up in Delaware and is the youngest of four children. Tony was born in downstate Illinois and raised in the mountains of Idaho. He has one younger sister. At a young age, Jane’s teachers identified her as a leader and a rebel. In her senior year, Jane organized a skip day. She said, “The plan for the day was for our small group of participating students to head into downtown. It was supposed to be a sunny day. We were going to sit by a fountain, bask in the sun, and work on our tans. Unfortunately, on that day, it was raining. Instead, we decided to head to the local courthouse and then, proceeded to spend the day in a courtroom, witnessing a murder trial. The experience was fascinating and although we all learned a lot, we still got in trouble.” Once, Jane even planned an event on Earth Day in which students rode their bikes to school! Tony joined the Coast Guard as soon as he graduated from high school. He turned 18 in Boot Camp. He served 5 years on two ships. His first deployment was to Alaska where he served on an ice breaker. During his service, he went to radio school and learned Morse Code. He then served two years in Hawaii. He said, “I grew up being a Boy Scout. When I graduated from high school, I couldn’t imagine anything else for my life other than spending a portion of it serving our country.” The couple met 15 years ago when they were working at the same middle school as sixth grade teachers. They love spending time together in the great outdoors. Tony retired 8 years ago. He is an avid hunter and has hunted all over the country. He also has a camp on Lake Champlain. Jane just retired this past June. She has traveled the world and enjoys visiting friends in other countries. She just got back from visiting a friend in Thailand that she hasn’t seen in 32 years. Although Jane and Tony are not legally married, they are a loving, long-term committed couple. They refer to each other as “life partners”. Tony said, “My favorite thing about Jane is that she can communicate things and move on. She does not hold a grudge and she’s incredibly forgiving.” Jane said “My favorite thing about Tony is his character. He has a great sense of humor. I was attracted to his teaching style with students. He made them think in ways that encouraged and challenged them. He did so in a fun way.” The one thing Tony wants to tell the world is, “You are going to be faced with some tough decisions throughout your life. Some of those decisions will change the trajectory of your life. You can’t wallow and hesitate in making decisions. You just have to make a decision and follow through with it. In the end, everything will work out.” The one thing Jane wants to tell the world is, “Once while traveling in Thailand, I had a good friend’s grandmother sit me down and tell me how proud she was of me for traveling and learning about other cultures. Her granddaughter translated. She said, “It is not going to be governments that make the difference to change the world for the better. It’s going to be the individuals who are getting out there and conversing with each other.” Thank you for visiting!
Meet Safa (wife), Yazar (husband) and Amyra (daughter) from Southern India
Today is Safa’s 24th birthday! She said, “My husband is so incredibly thoughtful. He’s always making sure that I am taken care of spiritually and emotionally. I wasn’t going to do anything for my birthday. He surprised me with an adventure today.” Safa was born and raised in Tamil Nadu, Chennai until she was 7 years old, then her family immigrated to the United States. The city is known as the “Land of Temples” and as the gateway to Southern India. Tamil Nadu is home to over 390,000 Hindu temples; some of which date back to over an estimated 2,000 years ago. The city and culture is not only drenched in history and art but also embraces modern advancements and a contemporary urban lifestyle. Safa said, “Other than family, the one thing that I missed about our home in India, was the coconuts. It seems so incredibly simple but the people there climb the trees and pick beautiful ripe coconuts, and cut the tops open to drink fresh coconut water.” The couple has been married for 4 years. In keeping with tradition, their marriage was an arranged marriage. Safa explained, “I think that it is a common misconception that we are forced to be together. In our culture, arranged marriages are a part of our tradition. What it means is that our families had the opportunity to help choose our life partners. We were given the opportunity to meet each other, to get to know each other, and consent prior to becoming engaged. Also, in our culture, women are not forced to wear a hijab. It is a personal choice. Some women are still practicing our faith but choose not to wear their hijab. Sometimes they only wear it during prayer. There is never any judgment about the wearing of our traditional garments. When my husband and I decided to marry, we moved back home to India so that we could be close to family. Our marriage was during the height of the pandemic. After the pandemic, we returned to the United States. Yazar said, “My favorite thing about my wife is that she is my everything. She is my guardian angel.” Safa said, “My favorite thing about my husband is that he is incredibly emotionally, intelligent. He doesn’t wait for me to tell him that I need something. He looks ahead to identify what may be needed and how he can fill the need. He is always protecting me emotionally and spiritually.” The one thing a couple wants to tell the world is, “Whatever problems that you may be facing, take a step back and look at them from a bigger perspective. When something is so intensely close in front of you, it can be impossible to not to find faults. Look at it from an eagle’s view. For instance, Suni Williams, the astronaut who just recently came home from space, said that when she looked at the world, she did not see the separation of countries. What she saw was one world.” Happiest of Birthdays, Safa! May this year be your best year yet! Thank you for visiting!
Meet Chey (left), Riley (center), and Ada (right) from opposite sides of the country! Riley was born and raised in Southern California. Ada and Chey are from Upstate New York. Chey and Ada are sisters. Ada is the older than Chey. Riley said, “Ada and I are good friends that met years ago when we were both working in Hawaii. I just came to New York for a couple of days and a quick visit.” Chey has been to Howe Caverns before but today was Riley and Ada’s first time. The only other cave that Riley and Ada have ever been is the Hana Lava Tube of Maui! When Riley was younger he was a bit of a troublemaker. He said, “I did well in school. I just didn’t enjoy it. Beginning in fourth grade, I started getting in trouble. I would often end up in suspension. In my senior year, I was sitting in suspension and the teacher looked at me and said, “What do you want to do with your life?” I said “I want to be a deep sea diver.” She said, “Go research it.” I went over to the computer and started my research. That day, I found a trade school that offered a year-long program. I made it through my senior year and graduated but to do so, I had to complete summer school. During that summer, I enrolled in the deep-sea diving school I had found during my research. Before being accepted, I had to complete a certification course. My certification course and my summer school, both unfortunately, fell on Saturday. I skipped summer school to attend the certification course. Doing that, only landed me right back in suspension, with the same exact teacher that had been seeing me through my senior year of suspensions. Her name was, Ms. Padilla. After I completed my summer school requirements and my certifications to be accepted into the trade school, I embarked on one of the best educational experiences and one of the best years of my life. I leaned into it with my whole heart. I went on after graduating to work for a dive company in Huntington, California. While I was working there, I began working on my captains license. Once I obtain my captains license, I moved on to upgrade my captains license. To do so, I had to move to Maui. Today, I spend my summers as the captain of a chartered fishing boat in Alaska and in the winter, I do the same in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The one thing I want to tell the world is, never give up on your daydream. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you. Everything you want is on the other side of fear. Don’t spend your life chasing a dollar. Spend your life chasing your dreams.” What an incredible journey!
Thank you so much for visiting!
ON A SIDE NOTE: Ms. Padillla taught 12 years ago at El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California. Riley says he doesn’t think she knows what an incredible impact she had on his life that one day. If we can find her and thank her, that would be amazing! OK, Internet, do your thing! HELP US FIND Ms. Padilla
Lindsay was born and raised in the Capital Region. Ethan is the driving force that saved Lindsay’s life. She grew up in a family that suffered generational trauma from alcoholism. While growing up, she watched her father and grandfather endure a long battles with alcoholism. She said, “As a young girl, I absolutely despised alcohol. I saw first-hand the effects it had on those I loved. I stayed as far away from it as I could. At 13 years old, my parents divorced. I struggled with feeling worthy enough and all of the trauma that comes with your family being ripped apart at such a critical age. At 16 years old, I had my first drink. When I drank it made the chaos and noise in my head stop. I started drinking to the point where I would blackout. I thought the drinking was making the noise and chaos stop but it was only getting louder. I met Ethan’s father when I was in high school. He had already graduated. I was 16 and he was 19. We met at a bar and alcohol was involved. I moved to California and eventually, I moved back home to New York. Upon returning home, I immediately got pregnant with Ethan. I can’t say that I’m a single mom because his dad is involved in his life but I am the sole provider in my home. It’s just Ethan and I. Just before I got pregnant with Ethan, I was attempting to live a sober life. I was 25 years old when I got pregnant. I didn’t know where to go or who to turn to so I asked my dad for help. My father was still drinking and remarried. He told me that he couldn’t help me and told me to reach out to my mom. My mom and I have always had a tumultuous relationship, but she took me in and helped me through the pregnancy. While I was pregnant with him and for 2 1/2 years, I lived a sober life. After giving birth postpartum depression hit me very hard. I turned to alcohol to numb the pain. In August of 2017, I went to rehab. When I came home from rehab, it was really my grandparents that stepped in and helped with Ethan. I work two jobs. I’m a security guard during the week and on the weekends I’m a waitress. As of August, I have been sober for eight years. When I first left rehab, I was going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 2 to 3 times a day. Now I am strong in my conviction of staying sober and I don’t need to lean on that support group as much. Today staying sober is a way of life.” Ethan is 8 and he loves geology and is fascinated with rocks with is what brought Lindsay & Ethan to Howe Caverns. His favorite subject in school is math although he would prefer to be outside and playing. He said, “My favorite thing about my Mom is that she loves me with her whole heart.” The one thing Lindsay wants to tell the world is, “No matter what, you do not need anyone else’s validation you live your life. The one person that you are going to spend the rest of your life with is going to be yourself. Be the person you want to come home to. Be your own best friend. When your mind is at war with itself, it’s the scariest and saddest place you’ll ever be. Never ever give up hope. Give yourself the love that you are seeking. Love yourself as if it was the way you would love another. Show yourself kindness, mercy and grace. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. You are only human. None of us have lived life before. We are all doing the best we can with what we’ve got.” Thank you Lindsay for visiting and sharing your story. May your years of sobriety take you to all places you’ve dreamed of. Keep rising!
Meet Stefan, Lexi and Susan from the Gulf coast of Florida. Susan was born and raised in Jersey until she was seven then her family moved to Florida. Her parents were high school sweethearts and they are still together. They are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. She went to Webster College in Florida to be a medical assistant. Stefan was born in Leesburg, Florida and raised between Florida and Rochester, New York. The family is currently visiting his 87 year old paternal grandmother. Ever since he was 16 years old, he’s had a passion for firetrucks. As a child, he wanted to be a firefighter. This is a second marriage for both him and Susan. His first wife pushed him away from his passion of being a firefighter. Today he sells firetrucks. For 4 years of his life, he sold firetrucks to only the Caribbean. He said, “People don’t often think of the supply chain for how things like that are transported. The fire trucks are placed into large shipping containers and shipped all over the world.” Lexi is 14 years old and is excited to start high school next year. She’s an artist and makes her own jewelry. She also enjoys skateboarding and she is always outside. Every Sunday, their church members get together and do an event like kickball or football. When Susan and Stefan met, they lived on opposite coasts of Florida. Stefan said, “I would travel back-and-forth to her every week. Three weeks in a row, I got pulled over and ticketed by the same exact cop for speeding!” The couple has been married for 15 years. Stefan said, “My favorite thing about Susan is that she is always supportive of my dreams and crazy ideas. We recently bought a 35 foot sailboat. When Lexi graduates from high school we hope to embark on a year sailing expedition around the Caribbean. If after the year I can’t talk her into continuing on, then we are going to purchase a bus and renovate it to travel the country.” Susan said, “My favorite thing about Stefan is that he has a huge heart. He is very helpful with my family- especially with my elderly parents. He’s a dedicated family man. He’s a provider. He is kind and funny and he always lets me get my way.” Lexi said, “My favorite thing about my parents is that my dad brings out the tomboy in me and my mom is my best friend.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Live as of tomorrow’s never going come. Spend every day living like you’re not going to be here tomorrow. Make the most out of your journey.” May all of your adventures be filled with beautiful memories and family! Thank you so much for visiting
She and her family also own a home in Summit, New York, where she hopes to retire one day. Her grandparents lived a similar life, splitting time between urban and rural settings. She said, “My grandparents owned two homes, one in Long Island, and one in Hillsdale, Columbia County. The Hillsdale home was a farm. My grandfather owned a meet packing plant. He was a wholesaler and delivered to a lot of restaurants. My grandmother did all the books for the business and she was also a housewife.” We were honored that Joyce stopped in for a visit and shared the beautiful story of her grandparents and their love for Howe Caverns with Betsy. In her hands, she is holding her grandparents 50th wedding anniversary invitation which is dated June 29th, 1941. Almost, one year later, to the day, the couple purchased their Howe Caverns Club membership cards. Joyce believes that they came to celebrate their one year anniversary during the 100th year of the discovery of the cave. HOWE amazing! She said, “My grandparents just loved everything about the country and nature. I’m not surprised that they chose to celebrate their anniversary by purchasing a Howe Caverns membership and visiting the cave.” Thank you so much, Joyce, for visiting and for donating these beautiful momentos to our historical archives
They will be forever appreciated and cherished!
He was born and raised in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a bustling and vibrant city. It is considered the gateway to the Nepal Himalayas, making it a popular starting point for trekking and mountaineering expeditions. On a clear day, you can see the peak of Mount Everest. His wife has worked for the U.S. Embassy in Nepal for over 21 years. He said, “I met my beautiful wife in college. She was working for a local hotel. One day, I offered her a ride to work on the back of my motorcycle. Today, we have a beautiful 17 year old daughter.” Employees who serve the U.S. Embassy for 20 years or more may apply for a special immigration visa. He and his family moved to the United States just two weeks ago. Pawan said, “Nepali culture differs from American culture in that, in Nepal, it customary for families to live together their whole lives. I was not the easiest child. I used to love to fly kites. Kites in Kathmandu skies carry a message to Indra, the god of rain, with the hope that the valley’s farmers have had enough rain for their crops in the growing season. I wouldn’t just fly the kite from the ground. I would climb to the tallest terrace so that I could get the kite as high as possible. One time, a kite broke free from my grip. I chased it with such reverence that I fell two stories to the ground from the terrace. My poor parents! In Nepal our education is also different. In what is considered the 10th grade we are given a standardized test. That test is a very big deal for families. My family was more excited for me passing that test than they were for me receiving my bachelors degree and then my Masters Degree in Business Management. At 28 years old, I survived being burned in a fire. Over 40% of my body was covered in burns. The doctors told my family that I most likely would not survive. I found the will to live through the love of my family. I am the eldest son. I have two younger sisters that now live in Sydney, Australia. Although, my mother and father are still in Kathmandu. We will continue to visit each other regularly. I feel that it is my duty to take care of my parents as they age. I knew that I had to live so that I could do that for them.” The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “Take care of those who you love and who you’re close to. Tomorrow is never promised. Make sure that whatever you do you do it with love and kindness.” Pawan, thank you for visiting! Namaste!
They are celebrating her 33rd birthday!
They met ten years ago while working for the same company in Plattsburgh, New York. She went to school for supply chain management and he went to school for architecture. Now, they both work in supply chain management. Lauren works for makeup company based in NYC and Russell works for a medical supply chain company. When Lauren was growing up, her father was a park ranger. She grew accustomed to living in two places. She said, “We always had a home base but we would also live wherever my father was assigned to work. I once lived in a lighthouse.” It has always been her life long dream to live and work in Manhattan. She acquired a fantastic job which afforded her the opportunity to do so and she jumped at the chance. For the past year she has been living in between New York City and Vermont. The couple said, “The hardest part of our relationship is the distance. What helps us get through that is we are truly best friends. We have open, honest communication and support each other’s dreams. We want to close the distance gap between us and we think we’ve figured out a way. We are currently modifying a military vehicle so that we can live out of it and explore the United States together with our dog.” Russell said, “My favorite thing about Lauren is that she’s adventurous! She easy easy-going and fun to be around.” Lauren said, “My favorite thing about Russell is that he always keeps me smiling!” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep pushing. Keep moving forward in the direction of your dreams. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Happiest of birthdays, Lauren! May all your wishes find you this year. Thank you for visiting
Angela was born and raised in Schenectady, New York. Elroy was born in St. Thomas and moved to the Bronx, New York when he was five years old. Shortly after relocating, his father passed away. His mother single-handedly raised him and his four brothers. Throughout his childhood, he grew up poor and lived in public housing. During his senior year of high school, his mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. He said, “For about a year my brothers and I stuck together. I was the second youngest of the five of us. After I graduated high school I left the city and moved to Schenectady, New York to attend Union College. That is where I met Angela.” Angela also had to navigate her Father’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis at a young age. At the time, Angela was serving as the Director of the Community Outreach and Science Technology entry program. Elroy had taken on a work study program in the same department. The two built a beautiful friendship. Elroy went on to graduate and then went on to receive his PhD in Nanoscale Science and engineering, from SUNY Albany. Angela holds her MBA. Today the couple has been married for 17 years and have two beautiful boys together, Zane and Micah. They are also committed to giving back and helping those who want to have a financially healthy and secure future. They are the driving force behind, YOU INC., Wealth Education Services. They said, “Life is not always perfect and can at times be messy. It’s important to build a foundation that can withstand the storms of life.” When asked how they do that for themselves, Angela said, “There are many different perspectives, challenges and solutions in life but first and foremost we live by a 3-strand rule; him, me & God. That is our foundation on which everything is built. When Zane was born, he was born with a defect that required surgery. I thought it was going to take a very long time for him to heal so I took time off of work. At that moment, life just pivoted for us. Eventually, we became entrepreneurs and then we chose to homeschool our children. Today we teach people how to stop living day-to-day, paycheck to paycheck, and how to start projecting and building towards a financially healthy future.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Make sure you take the time to enjoy the journey. Remember that it’s okay to pivot. Financial freedom and your dream life is possible, so dream big!” Thank you so much for visiting!
Ten years ago (3/21/15) they were married on our magical calcite heart
They were Howe Caverns’ Wedding n°668. Thirteen years ago (3/21/12), they were both out at a local pub. Nicole saw Tyler from across the room and was immediately curious. She went home, found him on social media, and reached out to him. He became curious as well and asked her to meet him out for a drink. The rest is history from there. (If you were paying attention, you caught that their wedding date is the same as the anniversary date of the day they met
)They are a blended family and have two children together. The hardest part of their relationship is parenting their five very busy children and making time for each other as a couple. Lately they’ve been focusing more on carving out time for each other. As parents, it can be easy to have parental guilt when we put our own needs above our childrens’ needs. Nicole and Tyler have realized that for them to be able to help, support, and nurture their family, they need to love and support each other first. They recently escaped to Las Vegas on an adventure date. It was their first adventure date in very long time. Tyler said, “My favorite thing about Nicole is her drive to always succeed. Whenever she puts her mind to something, she accomplishes it. Also, I love her smile.” Nicole said, “My favorite thing about Tyler is his corny sense of humor. He has the best Dad Jokes and keeps us all laughing.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Never ever give up hope. There truly is someone out there for everyone. Sometimes you’ve got to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince.” Tyler & Nicole, Happy Anniversary!
Wishing you a lifetime of good health, happiness & love. Thank you for returning to visit on such a special occassion!
They lived very similar childhoods and attended the same high school. They each have one other sibling. Mariah is the youngest sibling in her family and Blaise is the eldest in his. During the summer in between high school and college they began dating. With the summer quickly fading into fall and their college season approaching, Blaise asked Mariah to officially be his girlfriend. She said, “We are both leaving for college in a couple of months. That will only give us a couple of months.” He said, “I’d rather have a couple of months than nothing at all.” Mariah agreed and the relationship lasted right through their college careers. Mariah went on to study psychology and worked in research labs which is where she fell in love with the science behind psychology. She received her bachelor’s degree and then went on to acquire her PhD. When Blaise was a child he was fascinated with the design, mechanics and building of things. He was always playing with Legos, drawing diagrams and in high school he was fascinated with the mechanics of cars. He knew that he wanted to do something with his natural talent. He went on to obtain his Mechanical Engineering degree and was recently hired by a Naval Nuclear Laboratory. In the past year, the couple has graduated with their degrees, gotten married, and moved from Michigan to New York. They said, “The hardest part of our relationship is that we really are from two very different psychological stereotypes. Individuals whose careers focus on psychology are naturally drawn to communicate and honor emotional intelligence. Engineers minds are primarily more analytical and systematic. While stereotypically we are from two opposite mindsets, there is a beauty in that. Between the two of us we help support and fill in the gaps for each other. There’s really never a problem that we can’t solve together.” Mariah said, “My favorite thing about Blaise is everything! I appreciate that he is truly authentic. I love his brain. He’s never hiding anything. What you see is what you get.” Blaise said, “My favorite thing about Mariah is that she is very loving, purposeful, and intentional.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Hold on to what is good.” Mariah and Blaise, thank you for visiting!
Shasha was born in China and to moved to New York when she was just nine months old. Arden was born in Texas and moved to New York when she was in middle school. They said, “We literally lived five minutes from each other while growing up. We kind of took it for granted. We were always together. We thought nothing of it until we graduated high school and went off to college.” Shasha just graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in communication and women and gender studies. Arden is currently attending Austin Community College and is receiving her associates degree in manufacturing. They said, “We never understood how valuable our friendship was until we grew up and went our separate ways. Today we realize we both share many similarities and interests. We are both passionate about women in non-traditional gender roles in the workforce. Women are increasingly participating in traditionally male-dominated fields but significant disparities still persist. Women still represent a smaller percentage in fields like manufacturing and face major challenges in leadership roles across various industries; much of that has to do with representation, resources, biases and opportunities. While the gender gaps are making progress in the workplace, there is still a lot of work to be done.” The friends said, “The hardest part of our friendship is that we live so far apart, but it’s also the best part. Because of that, we now have more opportunity to meet each other at fun destinations to visit. Even though we are only in our early twenties, we would much rather be traveling and adventuring than hanging out at a bar. Our next trip is to Las Vegas and we can’t wait!” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Make sure that you are taking time to slow down and enjoy life. Don’t grow up too fast. You only get to be how old you are right now just once.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Winter 2024-25
Meet sisters Selena and Lili, and their significant others, Garrett and Michael, from Texas. Selena and Lili are of Guatemalan and Japanese heritage. Before hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, New Orleans was their home. As the Hurricane approached New Orleans, they were forced to evacuate and leave everything behind. They moved to Texas and built a new life there. After high school, Lili moved across the country to Philadelphia, putting over a thousand miles between the two sisters. Their mother was born and raised in Verona, New York. After serving 20 years in the Navy, she retired and moved back home, where she was born, to take care of her elderly parents. When her parents passed away, she bought their home and moved in. The sisters said, “Life has a funny way of working out and leading you back to those you love, and ultimately, your home.” The group makes it a point to come to upstate New York at least once or twice a year to visit the girls’ mother. They also make it a priority to travel to see each other as much as possible. Fun fact: the sisters are exactly six years apart but share the same birthday! Their favorite thing about being sisters is that they have an incredibly strong bond. No matter how much time they spend apart, whenever they come back together, they said that it feels like they are with their other half. They will always be best friends. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Our time here is short. Don’t take life too seriously.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Recently, they were talking about their bucket lists. As Jordan was running through her list, she mentioned that she had never seen a cave before and wanted to see one. Katie said, “There’s one right down the road!” When Katie was young she had come to Howe Caverns on a school field trip. Katie is currently studying music at college and has been a drummer for 16 years. She is in four bands! Jordan is studying Biology. The couple met on a dating app and after talking for a while they decided it was time to meet in person. Their first date was at the Autumn Cafe, a small restaurant in Oneonta, New York. Katie said, “Our first date was perfect because the vibes were amazing.” Jordan said, “I finally felt like the stars had aligned.” Katie loves Jordan‘s passion and drive for her future and for just for living life in general. She said, “Jordan’s is super passionate about life and it’s contagious.” Jordan said, “Music is powerful and magical. Katie brings that to my life and it helps me to center my soul.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Kindness matters so please be kind.” Katie & Jordan, best of luck in your studies and in all of your future endeavors. Thank you so much for visiting
They met on Facebook dating this past year. They chatted for a couple of weeks and then Eddie finally got the nerve up to ask Tracy out for a cup of coffee. They met at a local Starbucks and had a wonderful conversation for hours. Tracy said, “The rest is history. We just moved in together two weeks ago. This is a second chance for the both of us. Although we were both married before and those marriages didn’t work out, we didn’t allow that to prevent us from having hope.” They both agree that the most important in their relationship is communication. They said, “Our relationship is pretty easy going. Life is too short to not have open, honest, judgement free conversations.” They are still in the process of unpacking and blending their families. Their house is full these days. They said, “In any relationship it’s important to know yourself well. This helps us to navigate with patience and understanding while adapting to major life changes.” Eddie’s said, “My favorite thing about Tracy is that we are always in sync. We kind of go through life as if it’s a well-rehearsed dance.” Tracy said, “My favorite thing about him is he is incredibly sweet and he’s not afraid to show it.” The couple loves to find new things to do together. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Take a chance. Just go for it! You never know where the road may lead you.” Tracy and Eddie, thank you so much for visiting!
Val is first generation Mexican American. He said, “My parents are very hardworking. When they came to this country, they had absolutely nothing. My Dad started working as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. He worked his way up from a busboy to a cook. With hard work, dedication, and patience, he was eventually promoted into management. Then, he eventually, bought the restaurant and became the owner! My father knew that he wanted better for his children than he had as a child. He worked for that with everything he had. I am proud of him and my family. All of that hard work broke generational poverty and trauma.” Brianne is from a big Irish family. Her parents are both retired NYC Police Officers. Her father worked during the September 11th World Trade Center attacks. She has her masters in therapy and her goal is to be more trauma focused so that she can help to support and provide resources to our United States veterans. The couple met on Bumble. They talked through the app for a little over a week. Then, during the World Series, she gave him her number and said, “Send me a text sometime.” At the time he couldn’t respond because he was out watching the game with family and friends. A couple of days later, he reached out to apologize to her for waiting. He asked her to have dinner with him at The Brixton in Babylon Village, New York. After dinner they went for a walk in Argyle Park. They walked and talked for hours. They both knew it was a good date. They said, “We immediately understood each other. We laughed and joked. We were comfortable and calm. It was a fun date.” Val’s said his favorite thing about her is, “She has good sarcasm. She’s sassy and she matches my energy well.” Brianne said her favorite thing about him is, “He is very loving, compassionate, thoughtful, and caring.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Keep pushing forward. Never give up. Stay in the present, be mindful, and always enjoy the moment.” Thank you for so much for visiting
Marcelline is of Chinese and Indonesian descent. She was born and raised in Indonesia
At 17 years old, she and her family immigrated to NYC. She said, “It was a very hard move for me. I was in culture shock. The thing I missed most about home was the food. Food is something that can bring us comfort. Having a meal together as a friends, family, and community can also do the same. It not only nourishes our bodies but also, our souls. Not being able to find food that you are accustomed to can strip away what feels safe and normal to you. The way I overcame being homesick was by learning how to cook the food I grew up with in my home country. It was a way of bringing myself home even though my new home was in another country.” Hailey said, “She’s actually an amazing cook! So much so that I am taking lessons from her.” Hailey, is of Chinese heritage and was born and raised in Bronx, New York. While, being raised in NYC provides a wealth of resources and plenty to do, he prefers to be climbing mountains. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast and backpacker. He’s currently working on tackling the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks. The highest peak he has summited so far is Mount Haystack. With an elevation of 4,960 feet, it is the third-highest mountain in New York. He got into hiking because during his down time at college he wanted to do more than just sit at home behind a screen. He said, “l enjoy a good challenge. Mountain climbing tests my mental and physical endurance. It pushes me to my limits and leads me on more than just a hike through the mountains. It’s more of a spiritual journey. Once I finally reach the summit clarity sets in and I realize that every single step was worth it.” The couple met at college in December of last year. Hailey is working on his masters for data analytics and Marcelline is working on her bachelors degree in hospitality. He said, “My favorite thing about her is that to her, food is love!” She said, “My favorite thing about him is that he’s a very good man. He is humble, kind and incredibly loyal.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Get out of your comfort zone. Try new things. Explore. Learn how to cook a good meal and then share the love.” Thank you so much for visiting!
These lovely friends came from NYC for an underground adventure on this gorgeous sunny afternoon. Closed-toe shoes are required to take a tour and as you can see,they wore their most comfortable walking shoes. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be kind because it’s contagious. Be confident because you are worth more than you give yourself credit for. Happiness is found in the journey not the destination.” Your beautiful dresses are perfect for manifesting magnificent summer vibes!
Thank you so much for visiting!
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” – Helen Keller.
Namya came to the United States when she was three years old. Andrés came to the United States only two years ago. They met on the street in Brooklyn. He was with a group of friends and she was with her friends. Andrés was so taken by her that he took the opportunity to introduce himself and give her his number. Later that week, she was getting ready to go out on a date but was stood up. She said, “I’m not letting myself get down about this and I put in the work to go out. I’m not letting this go to waste. I’m going out.” She called Andrés and he came over. They sat and talked for a bit but as they were getting ready to leave, he informed her that he had a curfew and he needed to go. The following day, she invited him to a family barbecue and they spent the day together getting to know each other. One month later, they decided to move in together. The following month they were engaged. The month after that, they got pregnant with Ocean. The month after that, they married. A few months later, Ocean was born. The hardest part of their relationship is being new parents and still learning about each other at the same time. They said, “There’s no perfect book on how to parent your child or how to love your person. We take each day one day at a time. We try to be as gracious as possible with each other. We’ve had a lot of life changes and we know because of that, there will be learning curves.” Namya’s favorite thing about Andrés is his gentleness and his patience. Andrés’ favorite thing about Namya is that she is incredibly loving and very happy. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “You don’t have to live your life for anyone else or by anyone else’s rules or standards. You get to define your own happiness and live your life by your own rule book. Live your life to be happy because life is too short not to be.” Andrés and Namya, congratulations on the start to your new family. Thank you for visiting!
“You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.” (Paulo Coelho)
They have been together for 38 years! They met in New York City, in 1987, when Werner immigrated to the United States from Germany. The two met at a local pub by accident. Mark thought Werner was flirting with him from across the room. The story goes, Werner had just gotten new contact lenses and just had put them in before entering the pub. The lenses were bothering him. He kept winking one eye in an attempt to make the lens fall into place. Mark took this as Werner winking at him from across the room. When mark approached him and introduced himself Werner quickly mentioned the new contacts. From there, the two struck up a conversation and laughed the night away. They went their separate ways but continued to run into each other at other local establishments and a friendship began. Mark noticed that Werner had a car. He said, “When you live in New York City and have a car, that means you’re probably doing well. I was like, this is a green flag! Little did I know that the car was a company car.” Werner said, “Mark had an apartment in the West Village. I thought, this is a green flag! Little did I know that he had obtained that apartment because the building manager had just lost the contract to continue further services. He gave Mark an amazing rental rate before he left because he supported the humanitarian work Mark was doing.” The global AIDS epidemic began in the 1980’s. The height of the epidemic hit in 1990’s. Mark devoted 20 years of his life bringing education and resources to his community. For the past ten years, he has worked to support the LBGTQ community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Werner spent his life selling high-end kitchens in the United States and in Germany. Today the couple is retired. Their favorite thing about their relationship is that they are best friends. Mark is the planner and Werner is the, “go-with-the-flow guy.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Pay attention to what is happening in the world.” Mark and Werner gifted us a beautiful stone from Lake Ontario which will always remind us of the light and darkness of life. Thank you for visiting, sharing your story, and for your humanitarian work.
“Life isn’t just about darkness or light, rather it’s about finding light within the darkness.” (Landon Parham)
Joseba is from Bilbao which is world famous for the awe- inspiring Guggenheim Museum, rich Basque cuisine, and strong industrial heritage. Isabel is from Barcelona which is known for its breathtaking architecture, artistic culture, picturesque beaches, and of course, soccer. This amazing duo is cabin crew for Iberia Airlines and at times, they are travel companions. They currently have two days off and flew into Boston from Spain. From Boston, they took a flight to Buffalo, New York and checked off a bucket list item of visiting Niagara Falls. The reason they chose their profession is because they both love to travel the world. They are not only passionate about air travel, but they’re also passionate about nature and the people they meet along the way. They are both outdoor enthusiasts. They said, “Being in nature is like a reset for the soul. It’s a recentering and harmonizing with all the beauty that is around you.” Working in the airline industry has its pros and cons. While traveling may be a wonderful perk, the schedule can be incredibly grueling. You must also be well-versed in customer service and keep safety as a top priority at all times. The team said that the hardest part of their job is the definitely the schedule. They must be fit for duty when they are called to their shift. Joseba once took a three year leave to be able to stay closer to his family and have a more consistent quality of life. While, the three years was a good respite for him, nothing could keep him away from exploring the world. For some, there is something that is captivating about the aviation industry. Maybe it’s magically surfing the clouds. It could be traveling this great big wide planet filled with wonder and curiosity. Truth is that if you are one of those adventurers that’s been bitten by the bug, you will always long to go back to it. The one thing Joseba and Isabel want to tell the world is, “Stop fighting. Be kinder. Less selfish. More compassionate and empathetic. Slow down and appreciate your life. Appreciate nature and really think about how you as an individual impact it. Enjoy each other. Enjoy your time here.” Thank you so much Joseba & Isabel for flying all the way around the world to come see us and share your story
Be safe and travel with love
He said, “Growing up in New York City is a pretty fast paced life. Because of that, my soul is still pretty fast paced. I have six siblings. I’m a middle child. I had a good childhood and loving parents. My mother is one of the strongest women I know. She has the fortitude and strength of steel. She’s incredible. My father is a determined, passionate, hard-working, family, man. He loves sports and so do I. I, unintentionally, picked up the trait of screaming at the television during sports broadcasts from him. I love the Yankees! How can I not? I grew up right next to the stadium.” Lamar is passionate about giving back to the community and making a difference in people’s lives. He works at a prison as a liaison for inmates who are transitioning from incarceration back into society. He said, “When I was young, I didn’t love myself. I didn’t believe in myself. I didn’t feel as though I had value or purpose. I never felt like I was enough. Because of that, I made some very poor decisions. The hardest thing that I’ve ever been through in my life is 21 years of consecutive incarceration. I’m 44 years old. I spent those 21 years gaining an understanding of my intrinsic value in the world and understanding how I can incorporate myself into society and the rest of the world with value. That’s even harder to do when you’re incarcerated and the odds are stacked against you. One habit that I have incorporated into my every day life since I was released from incarceration is that I am determined not to let my mind go into a negative mindset. I use meditation and affirmations to keep my mind in a positive place. I also understand that my freedom is something that should not be taken for granted. I live a life of gratitude. Not one moment of my life and freedom is taken for granted.” Since being released from incarceration, Lamar is passionate about using his story to hopefully encourage those that may feel as though they are unseen, not valued, or have no purpose and may be heading down a path that will change the trajectory of their life permanently. He is a public speaker and has given lectures at Yale University, on Broadway in New York City, and at local events within the Capital Region. The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “Operate from a position of caring for yourselves and for one another. Act as if what you do makes a difference- because it does.” Thank you, Lamar, for visiting and bravely sharing your compelling story.
She is a professor of chemistry education and historian of chemistry at NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She holds a masters degree of science in chemistry education and a PhD in the education of history of chemistry. She also advocates for women in science. She said, “We tend to think that in this day and age that the gender gap in science has closed but in reality we need more work.” Annette co-edited the book “Women in Their Element.” The book highlights women’s contributions to the periodic table. There are very few texts that exist which do so. Annette is passionate about supporting the possibility for women to be equal in her profession. She said, “there is still a lot of discrimination going on which I have seen and experienced firsthand. It is still very hard for women to raise a family while staying current and proficient in their field. Men have the ability to not miss a beat once their children are born. Women have been struggling with that set back in their careers for years. It’s a hard competition. In Norway, there is quite a good support system set up for women but it took me two years after giving birth to really feel like I had caught up with everything. There are so many changes that happen within a woman’s body after giving birth that settling into a new way of life takes time.” While women fight to be seen, heard, and respected in their careers, Annette believes that it is possible to achieve a level playing field with hard work, grit, and determination. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “With all your heart and soul fight for what you believe in.” Thank you for visiting and sharing your story, Annette and thank you for all you are doing for women in science.
He is a world renowned chemist and researcher. On his days off, he enjoys visiting caves to study their profound history and chemistry. He was born and raised in Italy. After he obtained his PhD, he settled in the United States and later became a naturalized American citizen. He spent ten years of his life as a professor at the University of Maryland. He said, “While, I have spent my life devoted to teaching and research one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done is becoming a tenured professor at a college here in the United States. It is one of my proudest achievements.” He said the way the he realized that dream was by always believing in himself. “You are what you think. Believe and you shall achieve. I welcome challenges as they promote growth. Failure is not failure. It’s an opportunity to learn what does not work and make adjustments to find the solution to what does.” These days, Rinaldo lives in the south of France, just moments from the Pyrenees Mountains. He travels all over the world giving lectures about his research to some of the most prestigious colleges in the world. The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “It is your life and your story. The best way to live it is to follow your heart and dream big. If you have a desire and passion in your soul follow it. Nurture it. You hold the pen. Don’t allow someone else to write your story.” Thank you so much for visiting
She was 34 years old when she and her three children moved from Puerto Rico to Utica, New York. She retired from law enforcement after serving as a police officer for fifteen years. Her primary concern when she moved off the island was the transition from island life to upstate New York life; especially for her school-aged children. She said she was pleasantly surprised by how quickly they adapted to their new environment and school. She believes that children are resilient, versatile, and incredibly adaptable; maybe even more so than adults. When she was 40 years old, she went back to college and got her masters degree in clinical psychology and became a therapist. She said, “The hardest part of the journey of our lives is truly understanding who we are. To be able to find your authentic self, you have to be ready honest with yourself and look at who you are as an individual on so many different levels. For instance, who are you as a child to your parents? Who are you as a husband or a wife or someone who is living a single life? Who are you when it comes to your work ethics? You truly have to look at all of it honestly and call yourself out on everything- the good and the bad. You have to be able to wrestle with all of those things so you can decide if you are living life to its fullest potential. There is no written manual on how to be you. When my children were growing up, I held it together all the time. I never let them know that there were times that I struggled. Today with my children, I am verbal about those experiences for their own good. I don’t want them to believe that they have to hold it all together all the time. I want them to understand emotional intelligence and that life isn’t always pretty. Sometimes things are messy and hard. It’s okay to struggle and it’s okay to ask for help. If there was one thing, I could’ve told my younger self it would have been to be fearless in everything that you do. You are a bundle of your experiences. It takes courage to make your own choices and to hold yourself accountable for those choices.” The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” Thank you for visiting!
At the center of the hamlet is the local animal shelter and Howe Caverns is also located in the town of Howe’s Cave. We joke that when guests visit, and put Howes Cave in their GPS, there’s a good chance that they will accidentally wind up at the shelter and could potentially go home with a puppy or a kitten. This is also where the train, which at the time was frequented by far more travelers, would stop. Right next to the animal shelter. there is now a leveled empty lot where, at one time, there used to be a restaurant called Tilson’s Lunch. Tilson’s used to be a bustling hub where travelers and locals often stopped along their journeys. All of this is located a short distance from where Lester Howe’s Cave House still stands today. Fun fact: when Lester Howe began giving tours the railroad industry was thriving and many of his guests would travel to the cave via train. Tilson’s Lunch was owned by Audrey‘s grandparents! When her grandparents got older, they ended up selling the restaurant to her grandfather‘s brother. Audrey’s grandfather assisted in laying the conditioned brick walkways in our cave that our guests use today. Her father and her uncle were tour guides here at Howe, as well as Audrey! She began giving tours in the 1980s; when female tour guides were first introduced to pushing the boats. At the time, she was in college and said she made a lot of wonderful memories here. Audrey has moved away from Howes Cave but still lives in upstate New York. She has three children that she is incredibly proud of and one absolutely adorable granddaughter. She has spent the past 10 years working for child protective services. She said, “It’s not a pretty job and no one loves to see us show up at their front door. I also never really get to know if I’ve made a difference in any child’s life because once my work is over contact is cut off. There have been times when I’ve worked with families and I know that I’ve brought them resources that have helped changed their lives for the better.” This past year, Audrey lost her father and said the loss of a parent is the hardest thing she has ever had to endure. Today she brought her son and his significant other, who came to visit her from Texas, for a tour and to experience the generational tradition of a Howe Caverns adventure. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “No matter what your circumstances are in this very moment, everything is going to be okay.” Audrey, thank you for coming back to share your family story and for bringing your family to visit!
Meghan was born and raised in New Hampshire and Nick was born and raised in Massachusetts. Nick and Meghan met on the dating app Match almost 20 years ago. Nick was in finance and had an incredibly demanding schedule. Meghan was in her last year of college and was sick of the dating scene. Their first date was a phone date in which they ended up talking for three hours. After a while, Nick said, “We can talk on the phone for another three hours or I can take you out to dinner.” They went to dinner and a movie. Four months later, they decided to move in together and nine months later, they were engaged. Nick proposed at Disney World in Cinderella’s Castle. He worked for months with the engagement planner. Prior to the couples entry into Cinderella’s castle, actors and photographers were staged as diners throughout the restaurant. Once the couple arrived for dinner, Nick secretly handed the ring over to the planner. When it was time for dessert, the waiter approached the table with a covered tray. As he lifted the cover of the tray it revealed Cinderella slipper and Meghan’s engagement ring nestled perfectly into the slipper. The photographers that had been pretending to dine became the paparazzi. Meghan said, “We were engaged before cell phones were utilized as cameras. Those photos are the only photos we have of our engagement and we will be forever grateful for them.” Nick said, “Some people say the honeymoon phase is over. The reason people say that is because they’re recognizing the ending of something. We get along very well and the honeymoon phase for us has never ended.” Meghan’s favorite thing about Nick is that he’s always there to support her. “We have open, honest and transparent communication which is vital when comes to supporting each other.” Nick‘s favorite thing about Meghan is, “She is the magic maker in the family. She’s the scheduler, the planner, the one who helps us all when we don’t feel well. She is the steam that keeps the ship moving.” Their two lovely boys, Hunter (10) and Carter (5), say that their favorite thing about their parents is that they’re super awesome and full of love. The one thing the family wants to tell the world is, “It’s always darkest before the dawn. Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that. Always look for the good people.” Just like Walt Disney said, “A dream is a wish your heart makes and dreams really do come true.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Today Kaily met Sarah & Cayden. This aunt/nephew duo is from Rochester, New York. Sarah invited Cayden to the cave as a fun adventure gift. Sarah came here as a kid and thought that coming back would be a great opportunity to reconnect with her childhood as well. Cayden is an Eagle Scout. They both love to camp and to be outdoors.. in the winter, Cayden likes to ski and Sarah enjoys cross country skiing. Sarah loves to travel. She has visited a dozen countries. She has been to: Canada, Mexico, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain Netherlands, Morocco, England, Belgium, and Switzerland! Cayden’s travel goal is to go to Europe, Japan, and South Korea. He is looking forward to graduating from college. Cayden’s advice: “Stay in school kids” Thank you so much for visiting!
This eternally happy soul is currently knocking items off his bucket list, and a visit to Howe Caverns, was one of them. At 72 years old, he has retired from 20 years of delivering your favorite Entenmann’s treats. He says his secret to living a happy life is, “having a small inner circle of people that I make sure to make smile every day. Even if it’s just a quick text with some silly Dad joke. Every morning I wake up I thank the universe that I get one more day to be on this wild adventure called life. Then I try to show love to everyone I encounter on my journey.” If he could tell the world one thing it would be, “Gratitude changes everything. Don’t be afraid of kindness and love. It’s a currency. If you put it out there it’s sure to come back.” Thank you so very much for visiting, Bob! You brightened our day!
She spent the majority of her childhood growing up in RVs traveling around the country. She’s been to 49 states and 34 countries. She was homeschooled and graduated from high school at 15 years old. She went onto to get her associates degree in human services and then her bachelors degree in psychology. She’s currently working on her Masters of Social work. She said, “I knew I was the one in my family that was going to stop the generational trauma and toxic cycles. My life goal is to help families heal from prolonged exposure to toxic environments and give them exposure to the tools that will help them to raise their children better than they were raised. I’m also very passionate about mental health awareness. I recently hosted an event for the American Suicide Prevention Association and raised five thousand dollars for the cause. As a child I struggled with my mental health. At 14, I was suicidal. As an adult, I am relentless about supporting those who are struggling with their mental health due to toxic environments and prolonged trauma. I want to do my part to help people heal. I recently worked with a foundation that advocated for a bill to be passed for student loan forgiveness for mental health professionals that come from rural areas. I feel that rural areas lack accessibility to mental health resources and professionals. I am an alchemist and I want to teach others how to become one as well. An alchemist is someone who turns negative energy and situations into positive energy and outcomes.” Not only has she healed her soul by helping others, but Abi has also written a book and she avidly writes music. Those outlets are both very cathartic and were essential to her healing. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “You are greater than your highs and your lows. Always remember no matter what your situation is, you are loved, you are valued, and you are worth it!” Abi, what an inspiration you are. Thank you for visiting, sharing your story and helping others.
Rob is a native of Homer, Alaska and Patty was born and raised upstate New York. The two met years ago through a mutual friend while Patty was serving in the military at Fort Wainwright. Their first interaction was just an introduction in passing. They went almost a year before seeing each other again. Their second interaction was more of a get together with friends. The atmosphere was relaxed with a bonfire, good company and good food. They took the opportunity to have a conversation and realized that they had several commonalities. They started to spend time together, going on adventures. In time, they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives exploring the world together. Last year, Patty flew her childhood best friend out to Alaska to see the northern lights. The friend, who is an officiant and knew that the couple had plans to marry, officiated their wedding during the visit. March 15th will be their one year anniversary. Just a couple of weeks ago, Patty retired from her military service. During her time she served at bases in Germany, Poland, Australia, Alaska and many others. She and Rob are looking forward to just slowing down and enjoying life. Rob‘s favorite thing about Patty is, “She is up for anything and she is a wonderful adventure partner. She has a passion for life and isn’t afraid to inspire those around her by enjoying life as well!” Patty’s favorite thing about Rob is, “He makes some pretty good booze and he is my best friend. He’s my greatest adventurer yet!” Rob owns his own distilling company, in Fairbanks, named, “Ursa Major Distilling.” He produces small batch akvavit, vodka, gin, and rum. His quantities are limited and locally sought after. He said, “The batches are so rare that when people purchase them, they often don’t want to open the bottles. Just like life, I tell them that they should experience and savor it.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be kind to those you meet along the way on your journey and don’t be afraid to live your life! Truly live it and experience it. Do the things that make you happy and take some time for you. Your time here is limited. This is your small batch. Savor it for all it’s worth!” Thank you for visiting!
Meet Catherine born in Germany, raised in five different countries, and eight different states! She’s an incredible woman with quite a compelling life story. Earlier today, before she arrived at the cave with her friends, they were having a conversation about how “life is our story and we better write a good one.” She’s an adventurer and nothing is impossible for her when she puts her mind to it. For her full-time job, she’s a consultant. She teaches men who generally make five times what she makes how to do their jobs. For her part-time job, she’s a yacht broker. Catherine grew up in a military family. She comes from a long lineage of boat builders and educators. She is also very mechanically inclined from having growing up in workshops. Her parents were adamant about teaching her about financial health, wealth, and stability. They made her start earning her keep for things that she wanted. At seven years old, she had her first job mowing the lawns. By the time she was a teenager she had earned enough to purchase and care for her very own horse! Today she lives outside San Francisco on a two-story floating home. She is a proud mother and spoke highly of her three amazing children who have a love for good food and community. Just a little over three years ago, she lost five people that were very close to her in a very short amount of time: her mother, her father, her son, and her best friend. She said, “the only way I got through it, was by learning how to grieve well. I learned how to grieve so well that I became a certified Death Doula. I know that those I lost wouldn’t want me to stop living or to stop enjoying life. It took a very long time to get to where I am emotionally and spiritually but I am grateful that now I have the opportunity to help support others through their loss.” Thank you so much for visiting
They came to the cave on a father-daughter day out. The rest of Pia’s siblings were with her mother on a different adventure. Frank has been married to his beautiful bride, Andrea, for 22 years. They have four children together. Pia is the youngest. The parents take turns having one-on-one time with each child. This gives them the opportunity to have individual time and allows them to explore things that they are interested in. Pia loves rocks and has a fantastic rock collection at home. She also loves arts,crafts, and singing. She loves singing so much that she performs publicly at talent shows. Being the youngest in her family, they like to joke that she’s also the loudest. Frank is the school superintendent of his children’s school district. His parents were not high school graduates. Because of this, he was inspired to give back. He said, “My original plan was to be a school teacher but then I just kept my education going.” This family also happen to outdoor enthusiasts! It’s their family tradition to go camping when school is not in session and those memories are some of their favorite. They used to camp in tents but have upgraded to an RV. They also make it a point to have family dinners at the table as often as possible. During their time around the dinner table they have what they call, “Family Dinner Questions.” They ask each other questions and each person has the opportunity answer. This allows them to engage in conversation and to learn about each other. They said, “We realize we are in this together. We try not focus on the negative very much. Life is just too short for that.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “This too shall pass. Be kind and be caring to others and do your best not to swear in public.” Keep on singing, Pia!
You’re a star!
Thank you both for visiting!
We absolutely love it when members of our local community come to visit! Adam‘s family has lived in Cobleskill for generations. Before he was even a twinkle in his parents’ eyes, his grandfather moved his family here from a neighboring town. He proudly said, “Cobleskill is my home. I grew up in Cobleskill until I was 11, then my family moved to Clifton Park. That was one of the hardest times in my life. It was such a huge change from what I was used to. Schoharie County is beautiful county. Here, being one with the land is a necessity and a way of life. I finished my primary school in Clifton Park and then went on to high school at Christian Brothers Academy. CBA was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It helped shape me into the man I am today. The school gave me the tools I needed to lead a life of integrity. The staff helped guide me to my current education in the trades and provided me with resources I didn’t realize were available.” Adam never cared for school until he attended Christian Brothers Academy. He said, “My mother has her doctorate in education and a lot of my family works in the education field. I, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with sitting in a classroom. If it weren’t for CBA, I never would have attended college.” He explained, “There are careers out there for people who don’t want to attend college for long periods of time. The trades industry is in desperate need of our future generations. Careers in the trades will be hard to replace by artificial intelligence. For every 10 people retiring out of the trades right now, there are only two coming in to fill those positions.” Adam has finally returned home to his roots when he and his family moved back to Cobleskill a few years ago. He and a group of competitive archers stopped in for a visit on their way to the National Archery Championships in Massachusetts. Even though he grew up an outdoorsman, he admitted that he had never picked up a bow until last year. He said “I grew up rifle shooting and rifle hunting. I never had much exposure to archery. Three years ago, I picked up my first bow and last January, I competed in my first archery tournament.” The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “Don’t take criticism from anyone whom you wouldn’t take advice from.” Adam, you seem like the type of person that can do anything they set their mind to! Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors and we hope you score big at the championship! Thank you for visiting.
Today, Travis met Toni and her daughter, Hally, from Sydney, Australia
They are enjoying a fun two week long girl’s trip. Traveling to the United States was quite a long trip! It took three flights: Australia to Houston, Texas then to Chicago, Illinois, and then on to Syracuse, New York! They began their adventure in Syracuse, New York and are now continuing on to explore Massachusetts. They’re halfway through their trip now and have had some challenges navigating in a new country. One of the coolest and scariest things for them has been driving in the snow for the first time- especially since the steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car in Australia! They found out about Howe Caverns through ChatGPT and decided to check it out. It reminded them of a cave they recently visited in Australia called Jenolan Caverns. Hally has a twin brother and an older brother and she’s a proud mom of two- a 14 year old boy and a 13 year old girl. Toni has 10 years of experience as a flight attendant, which probably helped foster her love for travel. Hally is also a passionate rowing coach who’s even coached at the Olympics! Hally’s advice to everyone is, “This too shall pass,” reminding us that no matter how tough things get, in the end, everything will be okay. Thank you, Toni and Hally, for visiting and making Howe Caverns a part of your trip!
The couple met when they were 18 years old. Talya grew up in a pretty big family saturated with dysfunction. She began living on her own at 17. Dave grew up in an incredibly loving family with hardly a roof over his head. His family moved a lot. At one time they lived in, what he now understands, was just a shack deep in the woods. As a child, he recognized that his family lived in poverty but today he said, “We had so much love. I had pretty good childhood just being able to runaround all the time and play outside in nature.” When the two met they didn’t expect to know each other long. What they didn’t realize, until years later, is that they both struggled with “being enough.” Because of this, they had self-sabotaging and destructive behaviors that led them to the edge of losing almost everything- including each other. Once they had, metaphorically, burned their lives to the ground, they finally realized that they needed to change if they were going to break the cycle of generational trauma. They have three beautiful children and said, “We knew we had to stop living the life that we were living for the sake of our children. We cut out all substances and alcohol from our lives and began slowly picking up the pieces of the mess that we had created. We just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. We want to share our story in hopes that others can learn from our mistakes. We want to teach our children a better way of life and teach them the lessons that we have learned the hard way so that they will not make the same mistakes.” All of their self-reflection and hard work is finally paying off and moving them forward as a family. Dave recently received a promotion at his job where he is now a Technical Mechanical Trainer; a position that is new to the company that he works for. He’s honored to hold the position and understands the value and weight of being able to teach his team and future generations. The couple has been married for 20 years. They said, “With all that we have been through together it’s incredible that we made it. It was not easy, but it was definitely worth it.” Dave’s favorite thing about Talya is her unwavering dedication to their family. She is relentless in nurturing the growth of their love, healing, and connection. Talya’s favorite thing about Dave is his integrity and what a hard worker he is. She said, “He is not only putting in the hard work to change for the better for himself and his family, but he is also putting in the hard work to help others by giving back through his sobriety.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “We know that there are so many people who are out there suffering in silence because they don’t feel like they measure up. They, too, may not feel like they are enough. Social media has its pros and cons. Remember when you’re scrolling through posts, what you’re looking at are perfectly tailored lives. People are only showing you what they want you to see. They are not showing you the demons that may live inside them. Your mess is your message. Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s important when you are sharing your story to be authentically you. The mental and emotional toolbox that we were working with did not have the solutions we needed to live a healthy life. We thought that we had to endure it alone in silence. We didn’t know that there was any other way to process our feelings, to be able to work through them, move beyond them, and rise to higher level. You are not alone. It’s okay to ask for help and there is no shame in that.” Dave and Talya, thank you so much for taking the time to share your inspiring story today. Keep on putting in the good work one day at a time. Thank you for visiting!
She is an outdoor instructor. She loves routine and finds solace in staying in comfortable places. While that may sound great (who doesn’t love comfort?) lately, she’s been pushing herself out of the comfort zone. She knows that if you are too comfortable, you are not growing. She says, “The best way to step outside of your comfort zone is to slowly brave new experiences and meet new people. Attempting to do new things can induce a bit of anxiety and possibly even fear but the remedy to that is: feel the fear and do it anyway! Say yes to good things that are coming your way instead of standing back. I recently wanted to advance in my career but I was riddled with self-doubt and thinking that I wasn’t good enough to rise up to the next level. This mindset kept me stuck in that comfortable place. I realized that everyone has to start somewhere. It genuinely helped me to become graceful and patient with myself. I allowed myself to make mistakes and remember that learning new things can be hard. It’s okay to be afraid to grow. Just don’t let the comfort, the fear and the “what if’s” hold you back from being the best person and version of yourself that you can possibly be.” The one thing she really wants to tell the world is, “When people are connected to nature, it becomes a catalyst to joy. Get outside and enjoy your journey!! Also, don’t be so hard on yourself.” May all your adventures be as awesome as you are, Claire! Thank you so much for visiting!
The friends met five years ago through a Christian Homeschooling Co-Op. At the time, everyone was feeling isolated due to the pandemic and the majority of us were craving some sort of normalcy and community. Tanya said, “Finding the co-op was such a blessing. It was refreshing to be connected a few days a week with like- minded individuals who are all raising their children with similar values. We didn’t just become peers when we met, we became a tribe. We have spent the past five years traveling together for the sake of giving our children a real world education. Helena said, “It really does take a village to raise children. We believe that’s the only way they should be raised; surrounded by community. Isolating ourselves in this day and age is something that is easily done. We aren’t meant to go through life alone. We are meant to walk hand-in-hand with one another, supporting each other.” Helena is from the Czech Republic and her husband is Slovakian. Their children are fluent in three languages and well-versed in world travel, which they believe is the best form of education. They said, “Our society teaches us to measure our children by standardized exams and preforming by specific numbers. We teach our children that if they do not conform and perform at those numbers that they don’t measure up. The most challenging part of moving from conventional education to homeschooling was learning how to move from the conventional thinking of what education is supposed to look like to what we believe the true value of education is.” They teach their children life skills such as entrepreneurship, homemaking, money management, and trades, just to name a few. Their children are not locked into standardized testing and a number does not define their worth. The most important lesson that Helena wants to teach her children is, “Be as humble as you can in this lifetime. Learn to slow down; really slow down and enjoy nature. Appreciate the small, great, and beautiful miracles this earth and your life have to offer.” The most important lesson that Tonya wants to teach her children is, “Whatever you do in life, it should always come from a place of love. If you lead with love, you can never go wrong.” The little tribe spent the night in our Motel last night and this evening they are on their way Albany to explore the wealth of history located in our New York State Capitol. Thank you for visiting and making us part of your adventure!
Both are avid mariners and met seven years ago at a yacht club on the Hudson River. The two struck up a conversation about life and quickly learned that they shared quite a bit in common. Ironically, they had both just lost their spouses to cancer. They said, “When you have such a hard hit in life, you wonder if you can ever recover- especially when you are older. You have to realize that just because one chapter ends it does not mean that your story ends. It becomes the beginning of a new chapter.” They each owned their own homes and had their independent lives. A little over a year ago, they decided it was time to let go of what they had acquired through their previous marriages and their past lives, and start a new life together, married, in a new place, and in a new home. They like to keep things simple. Jody’s favorite thing about Pete is his gorgeous blue eyes that she can get lost in and Pete’s favorite thing about Jody is that she makes loving easy. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Don’t ever stop dreaming.” Thank you for visiting!
Today, Travis met Joe and Victoria, both born and raised in Long Island, New York. Their paths crossed at work about four years ago. Joe was a crew supervisor for a general contractor, while Victoria managed a construction company. Their jobs brought them together while working on a culinary school kitchen renovation project. They quickly bonded over long hours and shared experiences. Just a few weeks after meeting, they started dating and have been inseparable ever since. Recently, they took an exciting step forward by purchasing a home in Long Island, where they look forward to building their future together. This weekend, they traveled to Middleburgh, NY, to visit Joe’s parents. Along the way, they noticed several signs for Howe Caverns and were intrigued. Joe recalled visiting as a child but didn’t remember much about the experience. Curious and excited, they decided to stop by and they had an absolute blast! Joe and Victoria already know they’ll be back in the future, and we can’t wait to welcome them again. Thank you both for visiting, and we hope to see you soon!
Mike is currently serving in the Air Force in South Dakota. Mike is from a military family and has family members who have served or who are serving in every single military branch. He said, “Being in the military is a way of life for my family. I always knew I wanted to serve our country. When I was 21, after I graduated from college with my degree in business and marketing, I chose to enlist in the Air Force. I knew I would have a good quality of life and that I wouldn’t end up getting stuck on a boat.” Kaylen went to school for criminal justice and is currently working on becoming a New York State trooper. She is the eldest of eight siblings. She said, “When I was a child, my siblings and I had caregivers that set examples that I knew I didn’t want to follow. At a young age I made up my mind to be the change I wished to see in the world. My hope for becoming a state trooper is to help children that may be going through what I endured as a child.” The couple met only a few months ago on Veterans Day. Mike had come home on leave and went to grab a complimentary meal at Applebee’s where Kaylen was bartending. They began talking and the conversations flowed into the following days and then into a long distance relationship. They share the same goals, aspirations, and values and are looking forward to the future together. Mike’s favorite thing about Kaylen is that they are both very similar which makes everything as simple breathing. Kaylen’s favorite thing about Mike is that he just “gets” her and loves her for who she is. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Cherish those that you keep close to you and live your life with absolutely no regrets.” Kaylen and Mike, we wish you both all the best in all of your future endeavors. Thank you for your service and thank so much for visiting!
They met through a mutual friend at a Daytona Beach car show. During the show they had a nice conversation and then went their separate ways. Five years later, they reconnected on a dating app. After their first date, Tiffany knew it was a good date because as soon as Dawson left, she immediately missed him. Dawson knew it was a good date because he was on cloud nine from the kiss she planted on him before they parted ways. They have been together for about two years. The couple believes that you should be the change you wish to see in the world. It starts within yourself and in your own home first. Tiffany had a bit of a rough upbringing. She was a caregiver to her younger siblings and ended up growing up very fast. She never really had the opportunity to just be a kid. Her parents did the best they could with what they had and she knows that. She says that she’s forgiven them. In November, her father passed away from a drug overdose. Dawson and his family have been her support system and safe haven while she takes the time she needs to heal. For the first time in her life she’s giving herself the grace to ask for the support she needs. She knows that you have to love yourself first so that you can set healthy boundaries with those you love. This past year the couple went on a cruise to Belize, Honduras, and Mexico. They said, “We loved the experience so much and we can’t wait to continue to build more memories like that together.” Tiffany‘s favorite thing about Dawson is that he is a gentle soul and that he is incredibly forgiving and kind. Dawson’s favorite thing about Tiffany is that she is willing to love herself but that she is capable of putting other peoples needs before her own. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “You’re doing the best you can at life. There’s no users manual for your specific journey. It’s okay to forgive yourself.” Thank you so much for visiting
They’ve lived in New York their whole lives and they’ve never been to Howe Caverns. They remember seeing commercials when they were kids but just never had the opportunity to visit. Today was their day! Miranda and Joe met in elementary school and attended all of their primary school education together. After high school, they both went their separate ways. In 2004, on the day of Joe’s father’s funeral, the two ran into each other at a Starbucks. They talked for a bit and then Joe asked her out to dinner. The couple joked, “That’s what happens in Sayville. You’re born and raised there and then you meet someone from there. You marry them and then you build a life with them in the house that you were raised in.” Which is exactly what the couple is doing. They are currently raising a fourth generation in Miranda’s family home which was purchased by her grandfather. Joe is a Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot and Miranda is a physical education teacher at their local school. Their two boys JP and Mason are their best adventure yet. Joe’s schedule can be very chaotic. He works 30 days on and then two weeks off. Joe said, “Miranda is the glue that holds us all together. She is the scheduler. She is the constant.” They call him, “the disruptor.” The way they navigate his complicated schedule is they plan their lives “as if the machine will function without him.” For them it works out perfectly. Joe‘s favorite thing about Miranda is that she has a fantastic laugh and great sense of humor. They always have a good time together and he loves being married to his best friend. Miranda’s favorite thing about Joe is that he’s the free spirit. “Opposites attract and for us it’s a good fit. We balance each other.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present. Live in the moment.” Thank you so much for finally visiting and thank you for letting Long Island know that we are the most awesome hole in the ground in the Great Northeast!
They have known each other for 45 years and are high school sweethearts. After high school, they went their separate ways and didn’t see each other for 30 years. Cara maintained her friendship, beyond high school, with Pete’s sister. Twenty years ago, they reunited and have been together ever since. They are now both retired. Pete spent his career days as a New York State bridge painter. He worked in every kind of weather. Cara was a party and event planner. She says the best event that she ever planned was her own wedding. They love to spend time with their children and grandchildren. Getting away is tough for them. They said, “Leaving our kids and grandchildren behind to go out and enjoy our time as a couple is hard. We get a parental guilt.” They had plans this winter to travel to Mexico. They said that’s where they were supposed to be today when they visited. Unfortunately, Mexico is currently experiencing a seaweed infestation so, they decided to stay in snowy New York. Cara’s favorite thing about Pete is that he’s super easy to get along with. He loves to have a good time and he’s always down for enjoying life. Pete jokingly said his favorite thing about Cara is that she’s a cheap date. For their honeymoon, they stayed at a friend’s house and they just frequented the local gas station to grab snacks or a bite to eat. They said “We’re a pretty simple couple. We don’t need a lot to make us happy.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Nothing is out of your reach. The days are long and the years are short, so have a good time while you’re here!” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Sarah. She was born and raised in New York and is proudly of Guyanese and Crucian (St. Croix) descent. While growing up, Sarah was one of the only ethnic children in her school. She stood out and because of that, she often would endure bullying from her peers. However, she didn’t let that stop her from excelling. She was on the cheerleading team, an avid skier, and horseback rider. During her summers, she and her best friend would travel to Colorado to attend a horseback riding camp, that was gifted to her from her best friend’s family. She absolutely loves animals! Currently, Sarah works with an amazing team at a local resort. She was recently accepted into a dental hygiene program with a very strict acceptance rate. She and Betsy spoke of how this year, in the Chinese Zodiac, is the year of the snake. It is the year to shed old skins or things that are no longer serving you. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “What you are not changing, you are choosing.” Thank you for visiting!
Meet Jesus and Janet, born and raised in the Bronx, New York. They just recently relocated to Connecticut. They are absolutely loving the transition from city life to country life. While growing up, they were surrounded by the noisy hustle and bustle of the city and never really had the opportunity to slow down, be still, and enjoy the quiet of the great outdoors. The two met in 2008 while in college. Jesus joked that he was immediately friend-zoned; which eventually turned out to be the glue that held them together. They lived only blocks from one another in the Bronx. Their hour long commute, back and forth to college, consisted of a bus ride and then a train ride. It was from their moments of navigating busy city life together that a friendship was born. After college, they both went their separate ways, remaining good friends, and staying in touch. Jesus eventually met someone and fell in love. After they married, they found out she had breast cancer. He gave up everything in his life to become her full-time caregiver and see her through until the day she passed away. He said, “I really fell apart mentally and emotionally after losing my wife at such a young age. Becoming a caregiver to someone you love will change you forever. It will quickly put your life into perspective. You begin to understand how precious and fragile each moment is.” Through it all, Janet was right there by his side as a solid friend. He would call at all hours of the day in tears. He just needed someone to help him process what was happening, to listen, and support him. She was his strongest anchor and support in those moments. After his wife’s passing the pain became almost too much for him to bear and the two friends grew apart. Janet felt incredible sadness and abandonment. In the following years, Jesus went on to have a beautiful son, named Phoenix. It is a very fitting name. The Phoenix represents rising again, to rebuild life, after the complete and total burning of everything prior; similar to a rebirth. Jesus began heal and find his way back to a new normal. He missed Janet immensely. He did everything he could to rekindle their friendship but she was so hurt and her fear of being abandoned again kept her from acknowledging him. Then one day, she decided it was time to forgive him. She called him up and they have been together, this time, as a couple. This past July, on her birthday, he proposed to her in front of their closets friends and family at a beautiful vineyard. Her favorite thing about him is his kindness. He is the light and love of her world. She says, “The world needs more kindness and more men like Jesus.” His favorite thing about her is that he never has to translate his soul to her. He can be his authentic self and loves that she too can be her self. They both realize that each of them are on their own spiritual journeys. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Life is just one great big experiment. None of us really know what we are doing. We are all doing the best we can with what we have and know. Don’t be afraid to forgive, apologize, take accountability, be grateful and worry less- not all necessarily in that order.” What a precious love story! May your future be filled with many amazing memories and beautiful adventures for many, many years together. Congratulations on your engagement! Thank you for visiting!
Today, Kaily met this amazing group of friends (left to right) Justin, Lindsay, Darius, Aimee, Leah, and Christine from Albany, New York. Lindsay works in finance, Justin is a college professor, Darius is a school administrator, Aimee works in health, Leah is a certified public accountant, and Christine is in work force development. They were here to celebrate Lindsay’s birthday. Tomorrow, she turns 37. She visited the cave when she was a child and really liked it so she decided to come back. This whole group enjoys travel and do it frequently; from small adventures like hiking to road trips to thrilling adventures like skydiving, which Justin did! Leah said, “I just got on a plane once and ended up in New Zealand!” This friend group met each other through the sport of curling. Curling is a winter sport in which you slide granite stones on ice toward a target. The goal is to score more points than the other team by getting your stones close to the center of the target.
When asked what they wanted to tell the world, they said:
Darius: “Never be the smartest person in the room.”
Justin’s dad always says, “Have fun. Be safe.”
Aimee said, ”If everything were perfect, we wouldn’t have hotdogs”
Happy Birthday, Lindsay!
Thank you so much for visiting!
Travis met and chatted with Kevin and Jill from Queens, New York today. They were both born and raised in the city and have lived there their whole lives. Kevin was born in Queens and Jill, in Brooklyn. They met about 13 years ago through mutual friends. They started dating not too long after they met and married nine years ago. They have three beautiful children; two boys and a girl. Kevin is an inbound manager for a provision company and Jill just recently got a job as a special education teachers assistant. This week is Jill’s birthday week and she really wanted to do something fun to celebrate. She searched for fun adventures to do in NY other than water parks and came across Howe Caverns. She figured it would be the perfect place to visit because it’s something they have never done before. They had a blast and plan to bring their 3 children to visit over spring break for their daughter’s birthday. She said it was the best little “birthday/valentines weekend getaway”. Their favorite part of the tour was when their tour guide turned off the lights and they experienced the cave in total darkness. They couldn’t believe how dark it really is in the cave. Thank you two so much for visiting and spending your day with us! Have a cave-tastic birthday, Jill!
They are celebrating their one year wedding anniversary! The couple met through a mutual friend. They are minimalists and believe that less is more. They said, “Sustainable living is so important, not only for the environment but also for your soul. Living a minimalistic lifestyle actually brings us more joy than any monetary means could. It helps us to slow down and brings us closer together. We’d rather be making memories together than living in a get-rich mindset.” They both feel at home connecting with nature. As a child, Tristan‘s mom started a “farm babysitting” business. Farmers would hire his family to come and caretake their land and animals when they had to travel. One day, while living in an old hunting cabin that was strictly heated by wood, they saw an ad in a newspaper that they were using to start the fire with, for the sale of a zoo in Rome New York. Out of curiosity, they reached out to see how much the seller was willing to sell the zoo for. Tristan’s father has a degree in zoology and in pharmaceutical biology. His mother not only ran the farm babysitting business but also an animal hospital. The seller was more than an obliged to sell to the right family. On May 5th 2019, they were asked to come and run the zoo and officially bought it. Tristan and Destiny have just moved from Alaska and they are on their way to Rome to help their family run the zoo. They aspire to be the next generation to share the zoo’s educational experiences and connections to nature with their surrounding communities. One of the hardest parts of their relationship has been enduring the Alaskan wilderness. They believe if they can do that together, they can do anything. They said, “Communication is everything to us. It’s not us against each other. It’s us working to find a solution to the problem.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Those who carry the brightest torches have wandered through the darkest caves; meaning, those who have seen or been through hell in their lives, have found the light and have found their way out, to make the world a better place and are better for it. There are places you can go where money can’t save you. When working with nature, we must replace everything that we take. We must be mindful of how our impact on the earth now will affect the earth for future generations. Don’t be selfish. Be selfless.” Wise words! Happy Anniversary, Destiny & Tristan!
Thank you for visiting
Nineteen years ago, Jeff proposed to Karen right here at our motel! Yesterday (28 January) was their 18th wedding anniversary! This a second marriage for them both. They have known each other for 45 years. Their first date was at a local pub. After the date, they went their separate ways. Every time she watched Walker Texas Ranger, with Chuck Norris, it would remind her of Jeff. She would end up calling him and they would talk for hours. She said, “I was the one who did the pursuing. I knew that he was a really wonderful man and that I wanted him in my life.” Jeff said, “ It was a little awkward at first. I was really good friends with her ex-husband and she was really good friends with my ex-wife. We are both pretty similar. We keep it simple and there’s not very much complicated in our lives. We get along very well.” Karen’s favorite thing about Jeff is that he has the biggest heart and he is always generous. Jeff’s favorite thing about Karen is that she is always grateful for every little thing. He would say that she’s the best wife ever! She would say that he’s the best husband ever! They really do believe that they have a wonderful marriage. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “It’s so important to slow life down and take the time to soak it in. Don’t forget to be good to each other.” Happiest of anniversaries, Karen and Jeff! We are so excited that you came back to celebrate with us! Thank you for visiting!
They were married on Valentine’s Day 21 years ago. They both have lived all over the globe. Tony grew up in the restaurant industry. In 1975, Tony’s father became an entrepreneur and opened his own a restaurant which became the fabric of their family. Two years ago, Tony’s father passed away and the couple inherited his restaurant. The couple had owned their own restaurant prior to his father’s passing. They didn’t let that stop them from pivoting the businesses into sustainable establishments for their community. Today, they share the responsibility of owning multiple restaurants together. They said, “The industry is fast paced, can be volatile, and is constantly changing. If you can work in the restaurant industry, you can work anywhere. You learn to think quickly to find solutions. It’s not something you can learn in any other environment.” The hardest part of their relationship is that they are constantly together. The way they navigate that is through compromise. Compromise is an absolute must when you’re married to your business partner. Years ago, Tony’s family lost his only sibling, his younger sister, Katherine, to addiction. His father decided that he wanted to take action and help those struggling with addiction. He created a substance abuse recovery center in honor of his daughter. Today, Sherry and Tony still own and operate the facility with an amazing team of trained professionals. They said, “One of the best things that you can possibly do for your children is to be present. Ask a lot of questions. Be interested in their lives. There are a lot of factors that come into play with addiction. Helping to educate and prevent it at a young age, is one of the best tools to offer future generations. Being present plays a profound role in that prevention.” The couple told stories of traveling the world with their three beautiful daughters and Tony playing American football in other countries. They said, “The best form of education you can give your children is to get them out of their comfort zone and experience as much of the world as you possibly can with them.” Sherry’s favorite thing about Tony is that he’s incredibly brilliant and it doesn’t take him long to find the solution to problems. He’s also a wealth of worldly knowledge. Tony‘s favorite thing about Sherry is that she has a gorgeous smile and wonderful sense of humor. They are best friends and no matter where they are they always have great time together. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “When we go sliding through the pearly gates of Heaven in a great big cloud of dust, we want to look at God and say, “Thank you! We used it all up!” Your life is an absolutely amazing gift. Live your life to its absolute fullest and don’t waste one second, one moment, one breath.” Thank you for visiting and sharing your story. You’re doing absolutely incredible work with your lives. One day at a time, one life at a time
Today, Kaily met (left to right) Li, Lucy, and Sunny from Taiwan
Sunny now lives locally, Lucy lives in Huston, Texas, and Li lives in Toronto, Canada! Sunny is a flight instructor and Lucy is a pilot! Li is studying tool design in Toronto. Their families are all in Taiwan so these three friends decided to celebrate the Lunar New Year together in New York! The Lunar New Year is the celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. This is the Year of The Snake
Wishing you abundance, health, and happiness in the Lunar New Year. Thank you so much for visiting
Possibly the most adventurous couple on the planet! Home is where their family and their heart is. At times, that can be anywhere on the planet! The couple has traveled around the world twice over and they aren’t done yet. Curt is a college math professor and historian at Pennsylvania College of technology. Vickie is a nurse. The couple has been together for 32 years and married for 25. They hold a wealth of talents together. The two both grew up in military families, and are accustomed to adapting and overcoming. While growing up and traveling with his military family Curt went to 18 different schools, 24 different times. Amazingly, the tip of the iceberg of his adventures have been: living in Hawaii, hiking the Pyrenees mountains in France, taking the Camino pilgrimage in Spain, and being one of the first to explore a newly discovered Mayan cave located in Chiapas, Mexico. Vickie is equally as adventurous and is literally a walking miracle. At 19 years old, while working for the US Army in Germany, she was playing a game of softball with her peers. When running from first base to second, she collapsed, had a heart attack and died. The military called her family and told them not to get on a plane. While she was in the hospital on life support, the outlook did not look promising and they were sure they most likely would be sending her home deceased. She spent weeks on life support in the hospital. While there, they discovered that she had a rare birth defect in her heart. They rebuilt her heart and today she is living a life, that most can only dream of. The couple credits many of their adventures to their beautiful daughter, who is a pilot, first captain assistant, and first mate on a yacht that travels the world. Their daughter often hires them to work on the yacht, giving them the opportunity to spend time as a family, creating adventures for others and living out their adventures as well. Every May, the couple moves to traveling by horseback. They head to Wyoming and become ranchers for two weeks, moving 3,000 head of cattle, from the winter to summer pastures. They are on horseback 12 to 16 hours out of the day. Their adventures go far beyond what our small interview could obtain in one sitting. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Our one common ground as human beings is the want to love and be loved. If you can be anything in this life be love!” Thank you so much for visiting and thank you for sharing your amazing stories with us! Please, do the world a favor and write a book! Travel with love.
She was born in the Adirondacks and is currently living at the mouth of the Catskill Mountains. She’s the manager of Family Farmstead Dairy in Worcester, New York. She is passionate about her mission and believes in what her team does. Farmstead believes that everything should be kept as natural as possible and is driven by the grace and love of God. It’s, literally, the building block of everything that they do. It is not a small operation either which means her and her team’s hands are full. You can find their products all over the Northeast and even in Virginia. Their products are carried in Whole Foods Markets, Adams Fairacre Farms, Fresh Direct and more. As a young girl, dairy farming was not something she ever thought she would be a part of. A couple of her siblings were working for the farm and said to her, “It’s a great place to work. You should come over and see what it’s about.” Some of those same siblings were here, visiting with her today, and said, “She is exactly where she supposed to be. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about the dairy industry and what she is doing. While she is new to management, she is definitely going to flourish.” She said, “It’s kind of funny that we all make plans with our lives, but then God hands us a different plan; one that is meant to be our purpose.” Dairy farming is not an easy industry. American dairy Farms have decreased 95% since the 1970’s. This is due to the fact that the cost of farming often supersedes the cost of profit. Family-run generational farming is a part of our American heritage and history and some farmers choose to tough it out. If you want to help farms like Family Farmstead, you can do so by simply keeping an eye out in the market and choosing to purchase and support small business and family-owned farms, when you have the opportunity. The one thing Mary wants to tell the world is, “For God so loved the world….You are loved.” Thank you so much for visiting and sharing your story!
Keep going, Mary! You’ve got this!
Dennis is from Ghent, New York. Deborah and Fabio are from Murano, an island in Venice, Italy Dennis is a former Christian monk and met the couple years ago while working in Italy. Today they consider themselves family. Murano is world renowned for its glassmaking. Venice was the leading glassmaking empire in the 8th century. In 1291, a law was passed that required all glassmakers in Venice to move to Murano. The move was intended to protect Venice from fires caused by glass furnaces but some historians believe the move was intended to isolate glassmakers so they couldn’t share trade secrets. Glassmakers were highly valued and enjoyed privileges like immunity from prosecution. Deborah was born on the island and comes from many generations of glassmakers. Fabio was born in Venice and began his career has a glassmaker when he was 18. The two met when Fabio moved to the island as an apprentice at just 18 years old. That is not only when their glassmaking journey begin, but when their love story began. They are each other’s first loves and pray to be each other’s last. They have been together for 40 years. On March 10th, they will have been married for 36 years. Fabio spent his life working alongside some of the best glass makers in history. He currently works for a furnace that has done work for many world renowned Italian companies, such Armani, Hermes, Versace, and others. Deborah learned the art through her father and she now owns her own store on the island. She said, “Glass blowing is a difficult life. Especially when you are on an island. The island is quiet and safe island although the cost of living is quite more expensive. Everything, including simple life necessities, must be transported to the island. We have a very small community. We all know each other and we all share the good and bad together. At times, because of the tides, the island is almost completely underwater, such as the floods of 2019. At times like those, our community comes together. We have to. We have to help each other rebuild.” The couple travels home back to Murano in two days. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Love yourself first. Everything else will come. You can do anything you set your mind to.” Thank you so much for visiting!
They were both born and raised in Queens, New York. While growing up, they frequented the same parts of NYC and Staten Island. However, if they crossed each other’s paths during their youth they were unaware. They also both work in the IT Industry. Liza currently lives in Dutchess County, New York and Stephan lives in Massachusetts. Whenever he is not working, Dutchess County is their home base. Dutchess County sits just an hour and a half north of NYC and is rich with natural beauty, history, and culture. While their roots are in the city, they are enjoying the serenity of living just outside it. They said, “Sometimes you just know that you are right where you belong.” The couple met a little over a year ago and have been dating long-distance ever since. The couple was an adventure date, staying at a place called Post Card Cabins, in the Catskill Mountains. They make their time together a priority. The hardest part of their relationship is the distance. Good communication is important when they are not in close proximity to each other. They pride themselves on being able to communicate well and the distance allows them the opportunity to nurture that aspect of their relationship. Stephan’s favorite thing about Liza is that she is strong in her moral character. She is family-oriented and he greatly respects that about her. Liza’s favorite thing about Stephan is that he is creative and a solution finder. He is brilliant when it comes to working with his hands and loves a good adventure in nature. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “The world is always in a hurry. We are all so concerned with what’s next and what’s the next best thing. Slow down. Be present in the moment and take some time to appreciate it. Gratitude changes everything.” Thank you so much for visiting
Meet Sophie (in the center wearing the white jacket) and her beautiful family from near the Baltic Sea of Germany
She’s currently celebrating her birthday! She and her children are playing a wonderful little game this year! They each take turns choosing a lottery ticket and scratching it. They aren’t just any lottery ticket, they are special lottery tickets. You don’t win money, you get suggestions for adventures in the United States. That’s how this beautiful family landed on our doorstep, hiking up our hill, in a snow storm! (Don’t worry. We saw them and picked them up, and brought them up to their warm motel room) Sophie is a German diplomat that specializes in communication. She and her children are stationed in a different country every four years. They are currently living in New York City but they have also lived in China, Japan, and Taiwan. There is an older son not shown in this photo as he stayed home today. Sophie’s brother, in Germany, was unable to make the trip but sent his wife in his place to celebrate her birthday with Sophie and the children. Five years ago, was widowed and the children unexpectedly lost their father. Sophie says, “Although time marches on, things never get easier. We have just gotten better at adapting and overcoming. Life does not stop. You have to learn how to carry your grief a little at a time and always remember that this life is such a beautiful gift. My husband left me five beautiful children and every time I look at them, I see a little of him. What a wonderful blessing that is! Life will give us highs and lows. We must always look for the silver lining.” The one thing her children want to tell the world is, “Never give up hope. Always believe.” We couldn’t have been more blessed that you scratched off a ticket that brought you to our front door. We are the ones who actually won the lottery! Thank you so very much for visiting. Happiest of Birthdays Sophie. May this year be your best year yet!
She is currently an education major at Westchester University. When she was seven years old, her family moved to the United States, looking for better opportunities. When she graduates, she hopes to teach in primary school as an ESL educator. Her career choice was inspired by Mrs. Hovey, her ESL primary school teacher. The move from Bangladesh to the United States was very hard on her. She struggled with the English language and to fit into the community because of her Muslim heritage. Her peers were not always kind to her. Mrs. Hovey took her under her wing and showed her love, kindness, patience, and compassion. Her teacher went above and beyond; even going over to Shuhrat’s home to have dinner, celebrate Muslim holidays, and learned about her culture. It was then, that Shuhrat knew that she too, wanted to give back to the world in the same way. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Do not judge a book by its cover. It’s important to have conversations. You never know where they can lead. We are all beautifully unique and we should all be proud of our differences. That’s what makes the world such an amazing place. We should all remember the importance of coming together as one.. Kindness matters.” Thank you so very much for visiting!
He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and has lived between New York and California for the majority of his life. He is currently living out his lifelong dream of exploring the country. Jack was an architectural consultant. He designed photographic laboratories and then sold them. He loves photography, exploring new places, and meeting new people. He spent 20 years married to the love of his life and has three beautiful children, Angela 39, Benjamin 37 and Maggie 32, all of whom still live in California. The most difficult period in his life was when his marriage ended and he became estranged from his children. He takes full responsibility for the loss of those relationships. He said, “They should’ve been my main priority and unfortunately, at times, they ended up not being. I miss them every day. Even though we are disconnected right now, I am so incredibly proud of them. I’m proud of who they are, what they’ve become, and what they’ve done with their lives.” As a 21 year old, Jack found that his “happy place” was being on the road. In August of last year, he began this road trip. It started in San Francisco. He made his way up to Victoria Canada and then back to the United States. He crossed the country through the northern states. He said the upper peninsula of Michigan was one of the most beautiful places on his trip so far and also where reality began to set in for him. While in New York, he is visiting his 80-year-old mother. The beginning of next week, he will start heading back to California. When asked what he wanted to tell the world he said, “I’d love to quote Rodney King, “Why can’t we all just get along?” Be who you are and let other people be who they. Don’t be so judgmental of others. Just be nice to each other.” Thank you so much for visiting and safe travels back to the east coast
When she was young, her family moved upstate. She recalls coming to Howe Caverns when she was a little girl. Now that she’s a mom, she’s excited to share the adventure of learning with her homeschooled daughter, Nora. Being a Mom is a something that she is very proud of and passionate about. She met her husband, Richard, 15 years ago while they were working at the Paul Mitchell Cosmetology and Beauty School in Schenectady, New York. On their first date they went to dinner and then to movie. Afterward, they spent the rest of the evening immersed in fantastic conversation. They dated for nine years and then decided to start their family. She said that she absolutely loved being pregnant. During her pregnancy, she and Richard decided that they would do everything they could to have a homebirth for Nora. With modern medicine and social norms, home birth comes with pros and cons, along with being a little scary. Molly said that during her labor with Nora, there were a couple of moments when she thought that she may have to give in and go to the hospital. In the end, Nora was born at safely at home. Molly and Richard do the best they can to teach Nora how to live a healthy and sustainable urban life. She said that they even have a few chickens and do a little bit of urban farming. Molly has always enjoyed giving back and she loves teaching. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Don’t take one moment of your life for granted. Our time here is a gift. Live with it with intention.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Today they got engaged here on our magical calcite heart!
The couple met about a year and a half ago. On their first date they had such a great time that they have been inseparable ever since. Last year, on Dan’s birthday, they rented place in the Finger Lakes in a rural area. They disconnected from everything and spent time connecting with each other. That time together solidified their relationship for them. For the past few months, Dan has been preparing to propose to Brian on the heart. He wanted to make sure the moment was in a special and memorable place. They are best friends and are so excited to begin the next chapter of their story together. They know that no matter what happens in the world, they always have each other. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “No matter what you’re going through, never give up hope. There is someone out there, that is going to love you as your authentic self.” Congratulations on your engagement
We wish you a lifetime full of happiness & great adventures together!
Their first date was on “Lucky Friday the 13th of last month, last year!” (one month ago today… December 13th!) They are both artists. Ashlyn loves to paint and draw as a form of emotional expression and creative outlet. She rarely ever shows anyone her work. Her main focus is female portraits. Antonio loves to write music and he is also a welder. The two share a common ground that may have only been discovered for the first time during their interview. While growing up, each of them went through their own battles. Ashlyn was raised by an alcoholic mother and Antonio began living on his own at 16. Independently of each other, they discovered that creating art helped them process their emotions and calm their nervous systems in moments when they did not have the emotional support of their caregivers. In doing so, they learned that love is an inside job and that you must be able to trust and love yourself first. It is your job to nurture yourself and be self-sufficient. They also said, “Forgiveness is key. Our parents did the best they could with what they had at the time they were raising us.” They spoke about spiritual energy and how it is powerful; subconsciously in social psychology, similar energies attract. Their favorite thing about each other right now is watching their relationship organically unfold. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Live your life passionately. Life is a range of beautiful emotions. If you don’t feel them all you’re not fully living. Your mind is a powerful tool. You are what you think.” Beautiful pearls of wisdom! Thank you so much for visiting
Before the pandemic hit, she and her family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The move was one of the hardest hurdles in her life. Shortly after the move, the world went into lockdown. Her family was isolated in a new environment and unable to go out into the community to build new friendships or a support system. Her husband travels a lot for work. Often, it was just her, alone with their children. She leaned into being the best Mom she could be, and like so many of us at the time, she began homeschool. This gave her the opportunity to incorporate faith and spiritual teachings into her children’s education. She said that if there is anything she aims to teach her children, it’s how to be emotionally intelligent and faith-filled. She hopes that in a world full of uncertainty they can be positive rays of light. Currently, they are still homeschool and love that it gives them the unique ability to explore the world and use it as a real time educational experience. She also said that being a Mom has been her best adventure yet! “There’s so much self- reflection you have to do as a parent. I’m not only teaching them but they are teaching me. I’m spiritually growing in ways I didn’t even realize were possible.” A few years ago, the family moved to upstate New York and this time the transition was a little smoother. Kirsten has built a supportive community through her church and homeschooling groups. She said, “When times get tough, I lean into my faith and God. He always brings us through the storm together.” The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “We can be constantly bombarded by the fear and negativity from the uncertainty of the world. When we walk in that constant war path we lean into self preservation. In doing so, our self-preservation and fear becomes hurt, anxiety, judgment and anger. Ultimately, we end up hurting others we encounter on our journey. It seems so cliché but kindness does matter. There is a lot to be concerned with in the world and a lot of struggles are all facing. It’s important to remember we are not alone. We are all going through life together. If you feel like you are alone, try leaning into prayer and gratitude for just a moment. We are all made of the same beautiful stardust.” Heavenly words of wisdom! Thank you so much for visiting!
She is on a weekend vacation for her birthday! She loves rocks and gems. Frankie said this is her best birthday ever! She has a rock tumbler that shines and polishes rocks. Her mom and dad said that it is always going in the garage because she loves using it so much! Frankie loves to learn about science and it all started with planets and the solar system. She loves learning about our earth’s creations and beyond! Frankie enjoys many other hobbies. She loves to dance, horseback ride, golf, AND she is a Girl Scout! Go, Frankie! 
We are wishing you a wonderful 8th Birthday!
This gal-gang met in 2007 while attending college at Rochester Institute of Technology. These ladies are on a girls weekend getaway at a friend’s cabin here in upstate. There’s a fourth friend to this gang but she stayed behind at the cabin. She’s the first of their group to have a child and nap time fell at tour time. Abby says she is from the “general New England area.” She’s lived in Maine, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut and has also lived in Alaska. Chantal, was born and raised in Buffalo. Eylse was born and raised in Cincinnati. During college they all lived in the same dorm and even attended a few classes together. They would see each other in passing but never really never hung out together. The second year of college is when their lifetime bonds began to form. They saw each other through heartbreaks, holidays, classes, dance parties, and frozen margaritas at the local pub. In 2011, they graduated and went their separate ways. They consider each other chosen family and treat each other like sisters. The best part of their friendship is that they love each other unconditionally. They also said what makes that unconditional love so special is that it’s an intentional love from people who are choosing to love you. They’re not required to love you. They are very adamant about keeping their friendship alive and a few times a year, they all get together. Often, if they all can’t get together due to scheduling conflicts, each of them will travel to visit individually. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “We’re not here for a long time. We’re here for a good time! Make sure that you are leaning in to the light, love and happiness that life has to offer. Make sure you are nurturing the relationships that will help you bloom.” Wonderful words of wisdom! Thank you so much for visiting!
Today is her 24th birthday!
She shares her birthday with icons, Elvis and David Bowie. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Be easy on yourself. Life is hard enough. It’s important to celebrate yourself, your life and your accomplishments.” Happiest of Birthdays Tessa! May all of your wishes come true this year!
She currently lives in western New York. She’s the second to last of seven siblings. Her siblings are sisters and she only has one brother! Interestingly enough, although Carlie is surrounded by females in her life, she’s very much drawn to a male dominated industry. Currently, she works as a butcher and soon, she will be studying mortuary science. She said, “While it may seem odd to some, being a butcher is quite an art. We just went through our busy season during the holidays. Cutting a good piece of meat the correct way takes precision and skill. The majority of head butchers are male. I’m honored to hold the position as one of the top butchers at the shop where I work. It’s important to have skills that are survival related and I believe that being able to butcher meat is an important life skill.” She went on to explain that her passion behind going to school for mortuary science goes far deeper than just dealing with the deceased. She said, “it’s important to have compassion, empathy, and understanding for grieving families while they’re enduring some of the greatest losses in their lives.” She also joked that when she talks about the two professions together people often seem a little concerned. Carlie recently created a live / virtual treasure hunt. For the game, she has created postcards, commissioned art, and even built her own website. Yesterday was its launch day! She is excited and hoping to build a community of players that not only interact online, but also in real time, out in the real world, with each other and their communities. She is really hoping that her new game takes off. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Be kind. It’s so simple but so important. Life is just one great big experiment and we are all out here just doing the best we can with what we have. Kindness matters. I’ll see you in the game!” Congratulations on the exciting launch of your new game and thank you for visiting!
Both are of Puerto Rican descent. Catalina has a wealth of experience from living in many different places. She is a software engineer and has lived in Colorado, New York City, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and many other places. Her parents separated when she was sixteen. She was living with her mother in the Bronx at that time, and her living arrangements went from stable to unstable almost overnight. She and her mother moved from place to place for years. When she turned 18, Catalina longed for stability. She moved in with her father and found that it provided her with what she needed to start growing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. She was always fascinated with technology and coding; a career path that she ultimately pursued. Anthony’s life was nearly opposite of Catalina’s. He was born and raised in the Bronx. He only moved once in his youth. He laughed because it was, literally, only a move two houses over. He said, “To think that people can spend their whole lives not settled, and constantly on the move, blows my mind. I couldn’t imagine living like that.” He said the only downside to being born and raised in the Bronx was the tendency to take it for granted. New York City is chock full of culture and diversity. Growing up, he could simply walk down the street and get ethnic food from any culture that he felt like that day. Anthony also said, “People spend their whole lives dreaming of living in New York City and all I’ve done is dream about getting out and living in nature.” As a child, he, his siblings, and his cousins would spend summers at their uncle’s place in Middletown, New York, just outside NYC. All through the school year, he would long to get back there. Today the couple owns their own place just outside New York City. Anthony works as an electrician in the city so he still gets the best of both worlds. The couple has been together six for years and are looking to eventually purchase a home more submerged in nature at some point. Catalina has a very high energy personality and keeps the adventure alive in the relationship. Anthony is very mellow and is the rock in every storm. Catalina & Anthony are a yin and yang couple; almost complete opposites but yet, they balance each other perfectly. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world. Don’t be afraid to lean on others and allow them to lean on you.” Thank you for visiting
Pretzel’s owners came for a cave tour on a day that was very slow so our staff happily volunteered to babysit this handsome fella. He is a miniature schnauzer and the sweetest boy! He is also wicked smart! He can sit, give his paw, play fetch, and give a high five. We discovered that he also loves chasing toy snowballs, hiding under desks, and playing chase. He also enjoys a nice walks on our hill overlooking the Helderberg Plateau. Pretzel is not a bad worker! He sat perfectly in our laps and helped us answer phones and emails. His mom said that he tends to be very strong-willed (“super stubborn”) Believe it or not, she said that he is better behaved for strangers than he is his for her. His Mom says his favorite thing to do is steal her socks and chew them. She also said that he’s a man’s man. He loves to hang out with the boys. Back home in the city, he seems to think that he is something special because he’s always trying to chase down the neighbors’ dogs. He’s got big personality for being so small. His birthday is this month and he is turning two which in dog years puts him right on par for being that rowdy teenage boy that his personality perfectly depicts. He’s a world traveler and goes everywhere with his family. The takeaway from his visit today is that we can all learn a thing or two from dogs. Dogs live in the moment, they greet the world with enthusiasm, they sniff out opportunities, they don’t know judgment, gratitude is abound with them and little things. They forgive quickly and love unconditionally. For Pretzel’s time and bringing joy to the cave; he graciously accepted his compensation in the form of our Wagatha’s Biscuits! Thank you for visiting!
They met while they were in high school and some of them have known each their whole lives! As a friend group, they’ve been hanging out for at least ten years. The reason why they call the group “Aejay’s Crew” is because he’s the leader of the pack. He is also the one they pick on the most. (Aejay is the one front and center kneeling in the photo.) They rented an Airbnb and are doing a guys weekend at Castleton-on-Hudson. Adventure awaits them as they have packed their weekend full of hiking, outdoor activities, good food, and good times. The last time this group got together was about a month ago. To them, having a good support network in life is important. The majority of them attend college at the University of Connecticut. They said, “It’s a very common theme in today’s world for everyone to have super busy lives. Slowing down to connect is hard but we make sure spend time together so that we can keep our friendship flourishing.” The best part of their friendship is knowing that they are never alone. If one of them is having a rough day, they know that they can always reach out to one of their friends. It never fails that one of them will be there to lean on, help or just for laughs! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Don’t stress. Take it one day at a time. It’s your life. Live it!” Thank you so much for visiting!
(Howe cool is that last name!? She’s pretty proud of that!) Her parents were born and raised in western New York. Her father built a career working for a tech company that managed technology connection services. When she was young, he was contracted to work at the Pentagon and moved his family south. Growing up outside of our nation’s capital offered her a wealth of educational opportunities. When Jessica was 10 years old, unfortunately, her parents divorced. She is the youngest of her four siblings and by that time, all of her older siblings had moved out of the house. She was the last one left living with her mother. Jessica and her mother have a wonderful relationship but her mother is a bit laid back and never encouraged her to set any solid life goals. She was allowed a great deal of freedom to do as she wished. After high school, she decided not to go to college. Instead, she put herself through a technology certification program. She spent her teens and early twenties searching for her purpose. She had always dreamed of living in New York City and eventually landed a job at a large firm in Manhattan. She moved to Manhattan and said she loved every second of her life in the city. But, seven years into that dream, she realized that what you want isn’t always what you need. Even though she was living in one of the world’s largest cities, surrounded by millions of people, she found herself feeling incredibly alone. Her firm offered her the opportunity to transfer to Florida and her life in NYC was left in the dust. She packed her bags and moved to Florida. Finally, her life had begun to take shape and she began to find a direction and purpose. She met her husband and they had a son. They love to travel and just returned from Alaska, where she realized a lifelong dream of seeing humpback whales. If there was one thing she could change about her life, she said she would’ve asked her mom to be a little harder on her. She wishes her mother would have held her more accountable. She said, “My mom is a pretty easy-going person so I had a pretty easy childhood, but I wish she had been just a little bit harder on me. My dad is the stern one and for good reason. As parents, we are preparing our children to take on the world, and the world is an unforgiving place and is not always easy on us. It is our job to prepare our children for as much as we possibly can before we set them free into it. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Don’t waste your time mindlessly scrolling on social media or the Internet. Go outside. Get your boots dirty. Explore as much of the world while you can. Our time here is limited. Life is an adventure. Go live it!” Thank you so much for visiting.
Happy New Year!
She was 13 yrs. old when she moved to the United States. Her grandfather was born in Germany as was her father. When her father was a baby, her grandfather moved the family to Russia. Shortly after that, they immigrated to Argentina; where they settled for many years. They bought a farm and established a beautiful life as farmers. Growing up on a farm helped Annie foster a love with the native surroundings and she fell in love with the outdoors. When she was 13, her grandfather sold the farm and slowly the family began to immigrate to the United States. They settled in New Jersey. Years later, one by one, family members began leaving, returning back home, resettling in Argentina. She says that today her mother, brother, and herself are the last of her lineage to remain here in the United States. She went on to say that her move, to the United States as a teenage girl, was one of the hardest things that she has ever gone through. It was difficult to leave all of her friends behind and the landscape of New Jersey is not the landscape of Argentina. She struggled with English and the language barrier often resulted in bullying during her youth. There were times that Annie would come home from school and lock herself in the attic. She would spend hours crying and praying to return to Argentina. As an adult, she speaks English perfectly. Along the way, she learned that isolation is not healthy. She found her self heading home to visit Argentina regularly. Later on, she discovered hiking groups, here in the United States, and was able make long, lasting friendships. She even hosts and leads outdoor excursions. Hiking is her solace. The Earth is her church, and in nature, is where she has found her deepest and most meaningful healing. In 2019, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She once again found herself isolating to heal. She could not travel and she stopped hiking. She is currently cancer free and this year for the holidays, she has gifted her and her mother, the gift of outdoor adventure and travel. She visited the cave today and next week, she is going to Washington D.C., and following that, she is off to the Baltimore Aquarium. Her goal in 2025 is to make it home to Argentina after many years away. She cannot wait to see her family and friends. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Make sure that you are appreciating every single moment of your life. Even if it’s not where you want to be, it might be where you need to be. You are exactly where you are meant to be on your journey.” Thank you so much for visiting
Happiest of holidays to you and your family, Annie! May 2025 be filled with beautiful adventures and many new friendships.
Valerie was born five minutes before Vanessa. They are of Haitian descent
Their father is a neonatologist. He received his education in Haiti and then immigrated to the United States to do his residency. Their mother moved from Haiti to Puerto Rico to attend nursing school and then moved to New York City. Their parents met while working in the medical industry in Manhattan. The twins have spent their lives, traveling back-and-forth between the U.S. and Haiti. Valerie & Vanessa completed their primary education together and later, both graduated from Cornell University together. Vanessa has a degree and neuroscience and followed in her father’s footsteps. Valerie has a degree and anthropology. Vanessa’s love of neuroscience fuels her fascination with being a twin and the connection that she and her sister share. She said, “It’s incredible that the both of us came from one cell. We literally came from the same heartbeat. When that cell split apart it created two unique individuals but the bond that we share, spiritually and emotionally, is something that is beyond separation. We are very interconnected.” They said, “Sometimes it is hard to separate emotion. When one is sad the, other is sad. When one is happy, the other is happy.” They also joked, “Single birthers must be very lonely!” Today, they live just a few houses apart and spend much their daily lives their intertwined between their families and households. Valerie‘s favorite thing about Vanessa is that she always has her back and she understands her. Vanessa’s favorite thing about Valerie is that she has an incredibly magical soul. Valerie can light up a room and bring joy wherever she goes! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Always look for love in every situation and if you can’t find love, be love.” Thank you so much for visiting
Meet Andrey & Angelina born and raised in Ukraine
They are six years apart in age and grew up in the same town; attending the same school and church. Her family immigrated to Binghamton, New York, when she was eleven. Andrey’s family immigrated to Oregon one year later. Their families knew each other when they lived in Ukraine. Years later, while on social media, Angelina’s photo came up as a suggested friend. Andrey remembered her and contacted her, but Angelina did not remember him. She, later, had conversations with her family, asking if any of them knew him. They all remembered him. His family remembered her too! Andrey and Angelina reconnected, spent time talking, and getting to know each other. They talked so much that they decided to be in a long distance committed relationship. He flew from Oregon to Binghamton to celebrate her birthday with her. Then she started flying to see him. It went on that way for about a year. In 2009, on Christmas Eve, they came to Howe Caverns and they just so happened to be the only two people on their tour that day. While on the boat ride, the tour guide turned the lights completely off to demonstrate total darkness. When the lights came back on, he was kneeling, in the boat with a ring, and he proposed!!! (Ok. who got goosebumps? We did!) Fifteen years later, they have four beautiful children together, and now live in Binghamton. As a couple, they have been through a lot together. Some of their hardest moments were suffering three miscarriages. Angelina says that her husband is amazing and was so supportive through each loss. They said the most important thing in their relationship is that each of them have the ability to take accountability, show respect, and hold space for each other during conflict. They attribute their success to the fact that they they are a good team and work quick to find a solutions and resolutions to problems. They feel very blessed that they can communicate so well. They said, “It has been an amazing 15 years. Whenever we are really struggling, we pray, and they lean into our faith in God.” Andrey’s favorite thing about Angelina is that she is open, honest and transparent. She is not afraid to come to him and openly communicate; something that he does not take for granted. Angelina’s favorite thing about Andrey is that they have a very well-rounded relationship. He is her rock in any storm. He helps with everything and he is an amazing provider for her and their children. They see their relationship as teamwork and they always have each other’s best interest at heart. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Build your family on a strong foundation of faith, daily love, and daily prayer. With God, anything is possible.” Happiest of Anniversaries! Wishing you a lifetime of good health & blessings. Thank you for returning and continuing to share the tradition with your beloved family. We are so honored.
They are currently on break from school. They met a year ago in high school while attending a class together. Stephen graduated last spring and is in his first semester of nursing school. Jalyssa hopes to do the same upon her graduation this spring. When Stephen met her in class last year he noticed that she is very kind and soft spoken. He loves that she is always smiling. Jalyssa noticed immediately that Stephen is incredibly respectful and he always pays attention to the small details. On their first date they went ice skating. Stephen is a hockey player and Jalyssa had never skated before. As every new skater does, she had trouble finding her footing and they both ended up falling to the ice. They have been together for seven months. Jalyssa is a dancer and Stephen tries to make it home from college for every recital she has. The couple talked with Betsy for a while about how they are at such a beautiful time in their lives as young adults. They are embracing opportunities to explore the world, discovering who they are as individuals, and as a couple. They spoke about how our youth comes from a very protected society these days, rightly so. They went on to elaborate that it is also important for our youth to be able to feel their own soul and explore what makes them happy. We must let our young birds leave the nest; to learn how to fly, to make their way on their own journey. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Dreams don’t have limits. Don’t wait for storms to pass. Learn how to dance in the rain.” Thank you for visiting
Everything in life happens for a reason and here’s the proof… As Betsy approached Marianna in the Main Lodge and struck up a conversation, Rosie popped her head out from behind her big sister, sporting the biggest grin. She was literally struggling to see from underneath that fabulously huge adorable hat. Within minutes, the girls’ brother, Abel, approached, and the conversation continued. They were accompanied by their grandmother and a friend. Marianna, being the eldest, at 13 years old, is definitely the leader of the pack. Marianna admitted that being the eldest is hard work. Fun fact: Marianna and Abel are Irish twins and the age gap is just a little over a year. Rosie is eight. Marianna is a fantastic artist and she is incredibly creative. Abel loves sports. Rosie is a tiny dancer and loves gymnastics. The siblings have a bond that is incredibly strong and they deeply love and support each other. Each one proudly boasted their favorite things about each other. At first glance, one might believe that the children are simply on an outing with their grandmother during the holiday break. However, when Betsy asked about their parents, they hesitated to say that they did not see their parents for Christmas as their parents are no longer present in their lives. It is their grandfather, who is raising them, but sadly, he spent Christmas in the hospital and is still there. Their grandfather is bound and determined to get home to them by Monday. (Prayer warriors, please send up some prayers for their grandfather) To cheer them up and make sure that they enjoy their holiday break, their grandmother, who lives in a separate household, stepped in to make sure they were taken care of
Betsy could tell that the children were struggling a little bit so she offered to share a little of her own life story with them. Her story is similar. As soon as the children realized they were on common ground, and that they were not going to be judged, it seemed as if the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders. The takeaway from the conversation today was, “Our one common ground as humans is that we want to love and be loved. Sometimes all we need is to be seen, heard, valued, understood. Our mess is our message. We may not get to choose where we came from but we get to choose how it defines us.” Thank you for sharing your story with us and thank you for visiting. You’ve got this!
Many loving hearts are lifting you up
Meet Denise and Andre from Brooklyn, New York and their two children, Noah & Eden. Denise was born and raised in Trinidad Andre was born and raised in Jamaica
Betsy knew she had to meet Denise when she spotted her in the Main Lodge, donning a lit Christmas hat and a fuzzy, green, Grinch bag. She was attempting to take a selfie with the Christmas Tree. Denise is a ray of sunshine and it’s impossible not to be drawn to her. When she was 18 years old she longed to see New York City and the rest of America. Her curiosity and sense of adventure led her to immigrate to Brooklyn where she already had family living. Her family offered her a place to stay and helped her get her start in the city. When Andre was 13 years old, his mother and younger brother left Jamaica in hope for a better life in the United States. Three years later, his mother sent for him to join her. He arrived Harlem in the 1980’s. During that time in Harlem, the community was struggling socially and economically but slowly making a come back. His mother was adamant about providing a good education for her children and felt they deserved a better education than Harlem could offer at that time. He and his siblings were sent to Queens for their education. Today, Andre is a tradesmen. He’s a licensed plumber, licensed locksmith, and a licensed electrician! Denise is a mixologist in Brooklyn for multiple establishments. When they met, she was 20 years old and he was 27. She and her best friend were heading into the city and in need of a cab. In the 1980’s, any unmarked car could be a cab. Andre saw the two young women in need and offered them a ride in the guise of being a cabdriver. After arriving at their destination, he refused any monetary compensation. Before departing, he asked Denise if she would give him the honor of a date. She accepted and he called the following day. On their first date, they went to the movies, and then he gave her, her first driving lesson. Which, by the way, they joked that she completely failed! Once in the driver’s seat, she put the car in reverse and floored it, driving the car, full speed in reverse, up a ramp. Thankfully, no damage was done and no one was hurt. The date went wonderfully until the car eventually broke down and she ended up having to take the train back to Brooklyn. The couple has been together twenty six years and have two beautiful children together. Today, they have made Brooklyn their forever home. The hardest part of the relationship is time management. Aside from being parents, they both are very hard workers and are often consumed by demanding work schedules. That being said, Denise says that her husband is the hardest working man she knows. He is an incredible provider for their family and she never wants for anything. Andre says that it’s a blessing to have a partner that understands and supports his dedication to provide for their family. Andre’s favorite thing about Denise is that she has a beautiful laugh. Her laugh is infectious and he loves to try and make her laugh as much as possible! Denise’s favorite thing about Andre is that he has a great sense of humor and he’s always making her laugh! They feel like they balance each other well. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world. Change starts within your own home and your family first. Always put your family first. We are the guidance and foundation of change for future generations by teaching our children good morals and healthy values. Communication is not the key, comprehension is.” Thank you for visiting!
Tara grew up touring caves. As a young girl, her parents would often take her on underground adventures. Throughout college Tara would go spelunking with some of her school mates who were National Spelunking Certified. In college, she minored in geomorphology and majored in education. She loves caves and exploration. For her 50th birthday gift her husband Jose gave her the option to choose where she wanted to go and what the agenda would be. She had many options to choose from, including a cruise. Instead, she decided that she would really appreciate taking a cave tour and spending a long weekend hiding out, in the snowy wilderness, in a cabin in upstate New York, near the Finger Lakes, with her husband. Jose & Tara met in high school. They didn’t immediately hit it off. At the time Tara was the captain of her high school rifle team and she was dating someone in the Marching Band. When they met, Jose joked that Tara was more manly than the guy she was dating. Today they laugh about it because she understands now that he meant it as a compliment. At the time, however, it was not taken that way. Years later, after college, they reunited while playing a game of flag football with their old high school friend group. At the end of the game, in passing, Jose mentioned to Tara that they should go see a movie. He never called so she took the initiative and called him. They have been together for 23 years. The hardest part of their relationship is being able to carve out time so that they can focus on each other. They have two beautiful children that are young adults. One is away at college and the other is at home taking care of the family axolotl. (Which by the way is a fascinating story but would be a whole other post!) Their children are their greatest adventure yet. They love being parents. They understand that their time with their children is fleeting. They have spent as much time as possible devoted to being the best parents they can be. That being said, this is only the second vacation they have ever gone on by themselves since their children were born. Jose‘s favorite thing about Tara is that she’s a little bit quirky. She’s passionate about life and she can’t hide it. He can always read her by her facial expressions and he adores that about her. Tara’s favorite thing about Jose is that he is always her calm in the storm. He helps keep her centered and she genuinely, truly enjoys his company. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “You have to be able to have a sense of humor. Don’t take life so seriously. Happiness is an inside job.” Thank you for visiting. Happy Happy birthday, Tara!
Fall 2024
She was 13 yrs. old when she moved to the United States. Her grandfather was born in Germany as was her father. When her father was a baby, her grandfather moved the family to Russia. Shortly after that, they immigrated to Argentina; where they settled for many years. They bought a farm and established a beautiful life as farmers. Growing up on a farm helped Annie foster a love with the native surroundings and she fell in love with the outdoors. When she was 13, her grandfather sold the farm and slowly the family began to immigrate to the United States. They settled in New Jersey. Years later, one by one, family members began leaving, returning back home, resettling in Argentina. She says that today her mother, brother, and herself are the last of her lineage to remain here in the United States. She went on to say that her move, to the United States as a teenage girl, was one of the hardest things that she has ever gone through. It was difficult to leave all of her friends behind and the landscape of New Jersey is not the landscape of Argentina. She struggled with English and the language barrier often resulted in bullying during her youth. There were times that Annie would come home from school and lock herself in the attic. She would spend hours crying and praying to return to Argentina. As an adult, she speaks English perfectly. Along the way, she learned that isolation is not healthy. She found her self heading home to visit Argentina regularly. Later on, she discovered hiking groups, here in the United States, and was able make long, lasting friendships. She even hosts and leads outdoor excursions. Hiking is her solace. The Earth is her church, and in nature, is where she has found her deepest and most meaningful healing. In 2019, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She once again found herself isolating to heal. She could not travel and she stopped hiking. She is currently cancer free and this year for the holidays, she has gifted her and her mother, the gift of outdoor adventure and travel. She visited the cave today and next week, she is going to Washington D.C., and following that, she is off to the Baltimore Aquarium. Her goal in 2025 is to make it home to Argentina after many years away. She cannot wait to see her family and friends. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “Make sure that you are appreciating every single moment of your life. Even if it’s not where you want to be, it might be where you need to be. You are exactly where you are meant to be on your journey.” Thank you so much for visiting
Happiest of holidays to you and your family, Annie! May 2025 be filled with beautiful adventures and many new friendships.
The couple met at Max’s frat house on Halloween night at a costume party. Max is studying computer science and finance at Northeastern University. Emma studies at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She hopes to become a pharmacist. Emma’s friend was attending the party and invited Emma to come along. Emma threw on a pair of bunny ears and went in her street clothes. Max on the other hand, went all out and wore the typical frat house toga. They have only known each other a little over a month. Their colleges are not that far apart and they have found themselves spending more and more time together. They decided to take their very first road trip together to visit Max’s family before the holidays begin. So far, Max says that his favorite thing about Emma is that she has a big heart and she is very kind. He said that she’s a pleasure to spend time with because she’s pretty easy-going. Emma says that she really enjoys Max’s sense of adventure and his curiosity. She is less adventurous than him. He encourages her to get out of her comfort zone and to explore and grow. The one thing they could tell the world is, “Being college students with full schedules, we understand how important time management is and how precious the investment of our time is. Your time is your currency. Be selective with where you spend it. Every moment counts.” Thank you for visiting! Best of luck on this new adventure together, Max & Emma!
She was born in Emilia-Romagna, a region in northern Italy, in the city of Bologna. Bologna is famously known for its rich culinary history. Monia told Betsy that it is home to Bolognese University, one of the oldest operating universities in the Western world, dating back to 1088! She met her husband 25 years ago when he was stationed at an American base in Italy. At the time, she was unaware that the United States had American bases in Italy. The couple courted, eventually married, and began what she calls their “military life” together. They have lived not only in Italy, but in California, Texas, New Mexico, Germany, along with many other places. Within a time frame of 17 years, they lived in 13 different places! The couple has two children together; a daughter named Rachel, and his son named, Jonah. At one point in their journey, the family lived in upstate New York. Being a long-term military wife is not for the faint-of-heart. Monia spent a large portion of time raising the children alone. She said, however, that travel was a blessing. It afforded the family priceless opportunities such as: exploring natural attractions, visiting international museums, and seeing historic places. This provided deep, rich, educational experiences that a traditional classroom could not. They have seen many different diverse societies and cultures throughout the world. Not only have they raised worldly children, they also speak multiple languages. The one thing Monia wants to tell the world is, “Don’t wait to start living your dreams. So often we say, “we’ll do that tomorrow” or “we’ll be able to do that next year”. Years later, you’ll be looking at your life, trying to pick up your goals where you left them when you were young. it will take you a lot more to start rebuilding years later than it will for you to slowly build starting now. Break your goals down into smaller parts. Set manageable timelines that are realistic. Work every day, even just a little bit towards that goal. Believe in yourself and one day you will achieve big things!” Thank you so much for visiting!
Brion asked Tamara to marry him on November 12th. He said, “My original plan, was to propose to Tamara here at Howe Caverns on the calcite heart. I just couldn’t wait. I’m not getting any younger.” Brion is 80 years old and Tamara is 65! He’s a retired Rochester city police officer and says, “Iron Horses and civil service are in my blood.” Fun fact, John Wayne was Brion’s grandmother‘s brother‘s son! Brion grew up on and around motorcycles because his father owned a dealership. His years of civil service were all proudly served on a motorcycle. As he progressed in his career, he was offered a detective position which he declined because he couldn’t imagine leaving the streets or his motorcycle. Tamara is an auditor for the New York State comptroller. She attended college later in life. She wanted to wait until her children were old enough to get home alone safely after their school day. She graduated college at 41 as valedictorian. She has an accounting degree, is a licensed CPA, and certified fraud examiner! Tamara and Brion met at their local church a little over a year ago. Tamara is a widow of three years. Brion has spent the past seven years living alone. When they met, Brion knew he wanted more than just friendship. Tamara, on the other hand, strictly only wanted friendship as she was still healing from the loss of her husband. Brion agreed to keep the relationship strictly a friendship. They began spending time together. One evening while Brion was driving Tamara home, they got into a car accident. It was dark and the roads were wet. He took a corner too fast and the car veered off the road. Tamara was upset and shaken. She said, “In that moment, I no longer wanted to spend time with him. I perceived that he was careless in protecting me. That was also the night I fell in love with him. He became vulnerable that night and expressed how deeply he cared for me. I knew it was genuine.” The couple said, a good analogy for the way Brion feels about Tamara is the “I love you” scene from When Harry Met Sally. “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Life is in the small details. Make sure that you are present and paying attention. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and enjoy the adventure, no matter how old you are!” Thank you for visiting!
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage on April 5th 2025! We are very happy for you both & wish you everything happiest
He hails from the island Varadero which is renowned for being one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. He grew up living in a tiny one-room wooden house on the beach. The house was leaning to one side and had an outhouse. He spent his childhood barefoot, covered in saltwater and sand on the beach, fishing with his cousins. His immense love for the island is something that he carries in his heart. Immediately upon meeting him, he referred to himself as an “island boy.” In the 1960s, many of his family members started to immigrate from Cuba to the United States. He was 14 years old when he left the island and moved to the United States. Today he holds dual citizenship in Cuba and the United States. For the majority of his American life, he has lived in the islands off of the Florida Keys and in Miami. Ramon only recently moved to New York State. He has been in Upstate for approximately one year. This is his first full winter in upstate New York. He said, “Being able to experience all four seasons throughout the year is very storybook like. I’ve wait my whole life to see all four seasons.” His job as a coach driver for Trailways Transportation provides him the opportunity to travel and see much of the Northeast landscape. Ramon has always wanted to be a licensed pilot. Originally, his dream was to be in the US Air Force. Unfortunately, that opportunity passed him by when he was younger. The desire to fly has not. He still hopes to one day obtain his pilot license. He said, “It’s hard to beat a man who never gives up. If you put your mind to something you can achieve it. You’re never too old to have a new dream or set a new goal. If you have breath in your lungs you should keep working towards your dreams.” Thank you so much for visiting
Students at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) – a private research university located in Troy, New York. It is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and is also the oldest in the Western Hemisphere! It was established in 1824 and is recognized as one of the world’s elite technological research universities. Lakota is from Pennsylvania and her focus is game design and communications. Rory is from California and his focus is computer science. Two years ago, the couple met while living in the same dorm. The dorm is located further from the main campus than the other dorms so the students tend to be more isolated. During her studies Lakota was struggling with her computer science class. She asked Rory to tutor her. During that time, they became close friends. Before the school year ended, Lakota told Rory that she was interested in more than just a friendship. Rory was in shock and unsure of what to say. He asked her if he could have some time to think that through. Six months went by and with no response from Rory, Lakota thought she had been “friend-zoned.” She felt rejected but respected Rory’s decision. However, Rory said, “One day it all just clicked.” He called her and from that moment on, they began a relationship together. For the both of them, this is their first serious relationship. When school is not in session, Rory returns to California and Lakota to Pennsylvania. This presents a challenge. The couple says, “Long distance relationships aren’t for the faint of heart but they are worth it. If you’re contemplating a long distance relationship, don’t allow for the fear of “what if”. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. It can help you explore the real depth of your relationship. We are constantly seeking new avenues to stay connected across the distance and time. It takes two very secure people to be able to maintain a relationship like this. Not having constant attention and validation on a daily basis is something that not everyone has the capacity to achieve. As long as you have a solid foundation of respect, friendship and trust, a long distance relationship is possible.” The couple shares the same adoration for each other. They said, “Our favorite thing about each other is that we are each other’s anchor in any storm. We balance each other well and can help each other navigate the rough waters of life because of that balance. You don’t have to sacrifice things that you love or spending time with people that you care about to be in a relationship. Balance is key. To be individuals and still be able to come together is the gift.” Thank you so much for visiting
She’s a city girl and he’s a country boy. They both work for a global aerospace and defense company. Did you know that there is a Castle in Amsterdam, NY, built by the designer of the New York State Capitol Building? It’s called the Amsterdam Castle and that’s where newlyweds, Kim and Mike, started their day of adventure. The couple recently married four months ago. They are a blended family with five children between the two of them. They love being together and make sure to carve time out to nurture their relationship. Finding the time to slow down and appreciate each other is not easy in their hectic daily lives but they know that it is a priority. Their first date was a year and a half ago. Mike suggested that they go on an ATV ride and then to dinner. Kim, not knowing exactly what she was in for, was not dressed appropriately. She dressed to impress! When she arrived, they immediately hopped onto an ATV and off they went! When they emerged from the woods, they were completely covered, head to toe, in mud! That was something that Kim had not anticipated! They got cleaned up and then Mike pleasantly surprised her by taking her out to a beautiful restaurant for dinner. She said, “I knew it was a good date because it was the best of both worlds!” In her words, “It was an amazing, romantic adventure!” Mike’s favorite thing about Kim is that she is an incredibly wonderful mother. He did not say this lightly. You could see the respect and adoration he holds for Kim and her role in their family. Kim’s favorite things about Mike are that he is well-rounded, a protector, kind, and a good provider for those he loves. When Betsy asked them what would they tell the world, they said, “Before we met each other, we had both given up on spending our lives with someone. We were hyper-independent individuals. When we decided to start this relationship, we tried not to overthink it. We just went for it! If we could tell the world one thing it would be… Just go for it!” Thank you so much for visiting!
One year ago today, they were married in the cave by, our officiant & cave manager, Brian! Corrinne and Ian grew up in the same small town. They went all through their school years, growing up together, each unknowingly having a secret crush on the other! As young adults, they each shifted their focus from their small town world to college studies and building careers. Twenty years later, social media reconnected them. Ian came up as a “suggested friend” in Corrinne’s Facebook feed. She said, “I saw Ian’s profile picture and thought to myself, “I’m going to marry that man.” For their one year wedding anniversary, they decided to spend the night in the Howe Caverns motel and take a traditional cave tour. Originally, their plan was to take a vacation to Hawaii but this past August they decided to put their Hawaii vacation on hold so that they could invest in a bigger, long-term dream. They recently purchased an old dairy farm which is home to a historic schoolhouse. The couple has plans to convert the land into a homestead and live a more eco-friendly, sustainable life together. Corrinne is an equestrian and currently has seven horses. In the coming year, the couple will move their horses to their new land and start building their new home. Corrinne said, “If the first year is supposed to be the hardest, we’ve already made it through the hardest part. Honestly, it felt as natural as breathing. The hardest part of life, for me, is to just slow down appreciate the journey. Even though the days feel long, time is fleeting. It’s important that we make sure to prioritize our time together and savor it.” Ian’s favorite thing about Corrinne is her eternal optimism and her happiness is infectious. Corrinne says that her favorite thing about Ian is that, “No matter the situation he is always incredibly calm. He is my safe harbor in the storm.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “We are not meant to be alone. We are meant to build a life with another person. Combining lives and resources together is frightening but well worth it. We rise up by lifting others. A stick by itself is strong but a bundle of sticks tightly latched together is stronger.” Happy 1st Anniversary, Corrinne and Ian!
Wishing you a lifetime of good health, happiness & adventures. Thank you for celebrating with us
They have been together for 16 years. Brian grew up in Connecticut, and visited Howe Caverns when he was young. He studied communications at Fordham University, in the Bronx, and currently works in marketing. Johnathan is well traveled. He was born in Colorado, raised in California, lived in Hawaii and Germany, and eventually, settled down in San Francisco, where he owns a successful leather shop. Sixteen years ago, the two met at an international leather event in Chicago. After the event, they both went back home to opposite coasts of the country; Brian to New York and Johnathan to San Francisco. They spent the next year and a half in a long distance relationship before Brian moved to San Francisco to work with Johnathan at the leather shop. The couple said that the hardest part of their relationship is figuring out how to get from point A to point B. Directions are their nemesis and they joked that Google is no help! They said that, on this trip, New Jersey was the hardest to navigate. They said that if they could make it through New Jersey together, then they can make it through anything together! They also suggested never trying to find a Starbucks in New Jersey because you just wind up driving in circles. The couple said, “The way we get through tough moments is first acknowledging that we are having a communication breakdown and then we work through it together. We believe that therapy is healthy. We started utilizing that tool at about seven years into our relationship. It helps to provide a mediator and a fresh and different perspective.” Johnathan‘s favorite thing about Brian is that he has a great sense of humor and always keeps him laughing. Brian’s favorite thing about Johnathan is that he is passionate about life and loves adventure. He is always keeping the adventure alive for them so that they can create amazing, lifelong memories. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Take the time to focus on your own happiness and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Renee just graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo. She currently works at a cardiac rehab. Marvin is a cardiac nurse. They are both from big families! Renee is from a family of six girls and one older brother. Marvin is from a family of four boys. He is also a twin! Interesting plot twist, Renee met Marvin’s twin brother prior to meeting him. She said that while his brother was nice she didn’t feel any sort of attraction. Marvin’s cousin dates Rennee’s best friend and that’s how they were introduced! They have been together for three years. Their first date was to a local shooting range and then they grabbed a bite to eat after Junior’s Bar and Grill. They both thought it was a great first date! Renee‘s favorite thing about Marvin is how he makes others feel safe; allowing them to be their authentic self. Marvin‘s favorite thing about Renee is that she has a huge heart. She is incredibly nurturing and lives her life full of passion. The one thing Renee wants to tell the world is, “Have the courage to live out loud. Live your life with passion. You only get one chance to make it count!” The one thing Marvin wants to tell the world is, “We should all be more compassionate, and patient with one another. People come from different backgrounds with different histories. We all see the world through a different lens. If we could take the time to understand each other, the world would be a kinder place.”Thank you so much for visiting!
They are only half of their sibling clan. There are six siblings in all. They said the best thing about being from a big family is, while growing up, their parents encouraged them to help take care of each other. This is an experience they hold close to their hearts. It gave them the opportunity to learn how to effectively communicate and manage others while fostering healthy relationships. Trag and Thoq are doctors. They currently live in Brooklyn, New York and are in the process of becoming certified to practice medicine in the United States. Three weeks ago, Tin flew in from Vietnam for a visit. Their original plan was to explore the Northeast on a fall foliage, sight seeing, road trip. They also decided to include their absolutely adorable fur babies; Alpha, Beta & Gamma. In the past three weeks they have visited multiple places in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. They are having the time of their lives! They missed the fall foliage window but have really been loving the snow. This is Tin’s first time ever seeing snow! He explained that there are only two seasons in Vietnam; “the rainy season and the sunny season.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Never let your desire to explore die. Life offers so many amazing places and experiences. You should always keep your heart open to that.” Thank you for visiting!
They currently live in Bronx, New York. The Ara family is Muslim. They explained to Betsy that their culture is rooted in unity and togetherness. In their words, their family “is very tight knit”. They do everything together: share meals, take vacations, pray and as it is custom, multiple generations that live together in one home. For them, even friends are considered sisters and brothers. They decided to use the Thanksgiving holiday to escape the city. The Bronx is one of five bustling boroughs of New York City. It is also the northernmost borough and the only one that sits almost entirely on the mainland. The family proudly told me that they reside near Yankee Stadium. Their Bronx pride runs deep. Their daily lives are packed full and fast paced. They work in multiple locations around the city. This was the family’s their first time ever celebrating Thanksgiving. It’s not something they had ever even thought of celebrating before. For the past few days, they have been enjoying the peace and serenity of the Catskills, their time together, and everything that they are grateful for. The one thing they want to tell the world is. “We all have different solutions to the same problem. The most important thing in life is to try and understand each other. Differences are what make the world a beautiful place.” Thank you so much for visiting
Andrew met & chatted with Nancy, Gloria, Nancy, Margaret, Sofia from Brooklyn, New York. Nancy works as an administrative manager with small business services. Gloria is a bookkeeper, Margaret works as an accountant. Sofia is currently studying Sociology at Hunter College.
She has been in the United States for three years. When Betsy asked her what brought her to the United States, she said, “A Turkish man.” Victoria met him in Brazil, during COVID, while he was traveling abroad on holiday. After dating for a period of time, came to the United States as a couple. In Brazil, she worked as a dietitian. In the U.S., she started her education all over again. She pursued a project management degree, while working multiple jobs, so that she could be debt-free when she graduated. New degree in hand, she landed an amazing job but it required her to relocate. Her significant other, at the time, was not willing to move with her. She had no friends, no family, she knew no one, and didn’t have much money. Frightened and alone, she made the move anyway. It ended up working out better than she could have ever imagined. She is currently married and says that she is blessed to be living a happy, healthy, and sustainable life. She currently works as a project manager on construction sites. If she could tell the world, one thing she would tell them, “Don’t take advice from people who have not walked in your shoes or who are not where you want to be in life. Trust your intuition. You are your wisest council.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Lane (Mom) was born & raised in Texas. Doug (Dad) was born and raised in Long Island, New York. Lane was raised by a single mom. After graduating from high school, Lane attended a community college but she felt like it wasn’t a good fit. She enlisted in the Navy and served our country for 8 years. Shortly after her enlistment, she was deployed to Guantánamo Bay. She worked there for over a year. After Guantánamo, she was deployed to Africa to work on civil affairs. Currently, Doug is proudly serving his 29th year in the United States Navy! HOWE amazing! On their first date, they went to a sushi restaurant. Doug immediately knew that he wasn’t ready for the night to end. As their date was coming to a close, Lane expressed that she would enjoy some apple pie and ice cream. Doug took that opportunity to invite her to get dessert. They decided to take his ‘74 Corvette Stingray. He drove for a bit then pulled into a parking lot and got out. He asked Lane to drive his car the rest of the way. He wanted to impress her but she wasn’t having it. She said, “I am not driving your car on our first date.” At the end of the date, Lane knew it was a good first date. She looked at him and said, “I don’t know how this works.” She then turned and walked away but obviously, they figured it out since they have been together 15 years. Doug’s favorite thing about Lane is that she has a wonderful sense of humor! Lane’s favorite thing about Doug is that he is unstoppable. He is incredibly resilient and adaptable. Whenever he sets his mind to something, he will do whatever it takes to make it happen. They are spending Thanksgiving in the cabin that has been in Doug’s family for 40 years here in Upstate New York. It’s a disconnect, unwind, unplug, reconnect holiday for this family. There are no devices or television. They are finding things to do in nature, spending quality time, having conversations, and playing board games to fill their time together. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They ARE the most important work. Your kids are exactly what you put into them. Every ounce of investment is worth it!” Thank you for visiting, and thank you for your service.
May your Thanksgiving be blessed and hold memories that your children will carry with them for a lifetime
Today is his 7th birthday!
Oliver was asked to create a wish list for his birthday. On the top of his list was rocks! When Oliver’s, bonus dad James, saw that, he called and booked an overnight Tour & Stay package in our motel. Oliver is from a blended family and says that being from a blended family is very cool. Oliver loves his bonus brother, Jamey and Jamey’s birthday happens to be exactly two weeks after Oliver’s. In just a few weeks, they will both be 7 years old together! HOWE cool is that?! Rachael (Mom) and Betsy discussed blended families and how they may require some non-traditional adjustments and challenges that others may not understand. Putting the children first should always be a parent’s top priority. Sometimes blended families combine holidays and share “family moments” as a whole for the sake of the children. Children are incredibly adaptable and resilient. A blended family can help create adaptability and tolerance. As we know, all families look different; they come in all shapes and sizes. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is that children are safe and loved. James was also incredibly brave to share that he is transgender. The biases the world has placed on him has presented many hurdles. The most important things that the family wanted to convey through sharing their story is that they are a healthy, happy family and that they are capable of breaking generational traumas and raising beautiful humans! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “It doesn’t matter how smart you are, what creed, gender, race, or any other position you hold in life, the most important thing in this life is that you are kind to others. That is the most important gift, we as humans, can give to each other.” Thank you so very much for sharing your story. Thank you for visiting! Happiest of birthdays, Oliver and Happy early Birthday, Jamey!
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
She currently lives in the home, here in Schoharie County, that was built for her family over 100 years ago! It has been passed along from generation to generation, always staying in the family. Her mother was born in the homestead and she was blessed to have had her final moments alive in that same home. Gretchen recently reach out to us to thank us for our Humanity & Connection series posts. As we are open year ‘round, today she stopped in to do some Christmas shopping in our gift shops. Betsy was honored to share a beautiful conversation with Gretchen about the memories that multiple generations have created here in the Schoharie Valley, including here at Howe Caverns. Just like so many of us, her family is very much looking forward to the upcoming holiday. We also acknowledged that there are many people that may not be feeling the holiday spirit as the season approaches. The one thing Gretchen and Betsy want to tell the world on the start of Thanksgiving week is, “There is so much to be grateful for. Your happiness is really found in the little things. If you’re having a difficult time finding it, we promise you this, the magic is in those moments that may seem mundane. Our hope for you this week is that you can take a moment to step out into nature. Feel the sun on your face. Have a warm conversation with a good soul. Take a deep breaths and have gratitude for simply being alive. Be still and know that everything will be okay.” This week, please find it in your hearts to be a little kinder to each other. Give out a few more hugs and tell a few more people how much you appreciate them and love them. Happy Monday and start to a week of gratitude. Thank you for visiting, Gretchen and thank you for always being so kind and supportive of us here at Howe!
Chris is an engineer and a work project brought the couple to the United States in June. Kelly works in communications for a law firm and is able to work remotely. Their stay in the United States will come to a close in three weeks. They met while at University. Chris was attending college with one of Kelly‘s childhood friends. While visiting her friend, Kelly attended a party which was being held at Chris’ house. They did not hit it off right away. Kelly actually thought that Chris was quite rude. Ironically, a couple of years later, they ended up at another party together! Obviously, the second meeting went much better than the first. When Betsy asked them what turned the tables, they said, it was their love of snooker (a game similar to pool ). They don’t enjoying playing it as much as they enjoy watching it. In their opinion, snooker is nearly impossible to play because it takes so much skill. They ended up having a wonderful conversation about the game. On their first date they decided that a game of pool was in order. They agreed that whoever won, would pay the other $20.00. Of course, Kelly won which left Chris a little sore about the loss. Gracefully, she bowed out of her $20.00 win and gave him the money back. He used the money to take her to a movie on their second date. They have been together for 22 years. Kelly says that the most complicated aspect of their relationship is that she is incredibly scheduled and organized and Chris is very much a free spirit and spontaneous. These days they have found a way to compromise so that both of their needs are met. Kelly’s favorite thing about Chris is that he just gets her. Chris’ favorite thing about Kelly is that she never holds a grudge. She moves on very quickly from disagreements, which always enables healthy communication between them. The one thing they wanted to tell the world is, “People don’t see you the way you see yourself. Often times we are our own worst critics. It’s so important to have a positive self image. Speak kindly to yourself. Speak to yourself as if you are speaking to someone you love.” Thank you so much for visiting!
They met at a bouldering (rock climbing) gym a little over two years ago. On the day they met, they used the app, “Meet Up.” Meet Up is a social networking app that allows people to find events or meet new people interested in similar things. It was Jena‘s first time ever using the app. Jerry is an outgoing person, not only is he outgoing, he gives off “camp counselor” vibes!
He had already done multiple meet ups before. He noticed that Jena was new, so he introduced himself to help make her feel comfortable. The meet up was a regularly scheduled event so they both started attending regularly. From there, a friendship was first born and then eventually, a relationship. Jerry was born in Germany and raised for a short time in upstate New York. Jenna was born in North Carolina and has lived in multiple states throughout her life. When Jerry was young, he was fascinated with Howe Caverns. While visiting family locally, he knew that he had to show Jena the cave. They are both career-driven engineers. The hardest part of their relationship is to remember to prioritize each other. Their solution is to make a schedule to make sure that they spend quality time together. Jena’s favorite thing about Jerry that he is the most kind and understanding person that she has ever met. He provides her with emotional safety and security. She can always come to him with anything without judgement. Jerry loves how brilliant Jena’s mind is. He said that he appreciates being with her. When he is near her, he feels calm and safe. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Things don’t always go according to plan. You can’t control everything. Sometimes you just have let go and be in the moment. Trust that everything will work out just as it is meant to.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Eli is six years old and this is the first time that he has ever seen snow! His mom said that when they arrived for their cave tour, he literally ran out of the car, laid down in the snow, and made his first snow angel! Tomorrow is his uncle‘s 50th birthday so he, his older brother, and parents flew from Florida to celebrate. Eli said that Florida weather is generally warm, so he really likes to play outside. Like most young boys, he is a very active prefers to be on the move. He loves to ride his bike and he just got good enough to take his training wheels off! He told Betsy that his favorite food is corn on the cob! Eli says the most awesome thing he’s ever done in his life is play in the snow! He says, “The sun makes you feel warm and calm, the rain can make you feel sad, but the snow makes you feel super happy!” When Betsy asked Eli what he wanted to tell the world, he said “I don’t know too much about the world just yet.” The pure innocence of children can be felt by most on the first snowfall of the year. Children often do not think in the past nor the future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us allow ourselves the opportunity to do. Thank you Eli for stopping in and reminding us to savor the magic little moments this world has to offer!
Thank you for visiting!
They are on a midweek three day mini-vacation just to celebrate life. They came from visiting Ithaca, New York to Howe. So far on their vacation, they went to Watkins Glen, Corning Museum of Glass, and spent some time on the Finger Lakes wine trail. They met 7 1/2 years ago when Jeff owned a grassroots grocery that sold local artesian products. When Kristin visited his store. Jeff gave her a tour. She thanked him and went on her way. A year and a half later, they met again on the dating app, Bumble! On their first date, Jeff took Kristin to the most upscale restaurant in their town, The Blue Heron. When Betsy asked them what the hardest part of their relationship is, Jeff said, “I’m still waiting for the first fight.” Life together for them, is easy, like breathing. Kristin’s favorite thing about Jeff is that he constantly keeps a smile on her face. She said that he has a great sense of humor and constantly makes her laugh. Jeff’s favorite thing about Kristin is her positive attitude and that beautiful smile that he keeps on her face. The one thing piece of life advice that they could share is: “Life is short. You have the ability to change your path if you are unhappy. You have to be brave enough to make the leap into another adventure. You are never too old to dream a new dream.” Thank you so much for visiting
They both work in the restaurant industry and that is how they met. They’ve been together about a year and a half. Olivia is a born and raised farm girl from Upstate New York. When she was younger, she moved to South Carolina and now has a little southern bell spirit woven into her personality. Ever since she was a little girl, it was her dream to travel to every single state in the U.S. She worked as hard as she could, saved up as much money as she possibly could, and was able to take a long leave from work. She realized her dream and visited every state and nearly every national park. Olivia had some incredibly amazing adventures and saw some things in her young life that most will never see or experience. She was been surrounded by hundreds of miles of desolation to the point of being able to see the curvature of the Earth! She met wonderful people along the way and she bravely did it all by herself! Upon returning home to New York from her travels, she met Jeremy. Jeremy has a passion for cooking. He is currently in college studying culinary arts while working as a line chef in a restaurant. He was raised in the kitchen by the women in his family; cooking & baking and it all started at five years old. He is fascinated with being able to utilize his artistic creativity in the kitchen. One day, Jeremy, would love to own his own restaurant. One of the challenges in is their relationship is that they both work opposite shifts. The couple said, “It’s important to take advantage of small windows of time. When we are together, we make sure to appreciate each other and to really soak the moment in.” In the year and a half that they’ve been together, Olivia says that her favorite thing about Jeremy is that he is a gentle man. He has never once spoken a harsh word to her and has never once taken any anger out on her. He is incredibly, kind, respectful, and loving. Jeremy‘s favorite thing about Olivia is that she is genuinely honest, open, caring, and eternally optimistic. Because of her open heart and her empathetic soul, Jeremy knows that she is vulnerable to the harshness of this world. He’s incredibly protective of her. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “If you’re passionate about something, don’t ever give up on it. Push forward, no matter what it takes. Little bits of daily progress matter. Every single day moves you toward your goals. Your dreams will start to come to life. It’s the little things that matter.” Thank you so much for visiting
Jeenu grew up in a military family and was constantly moving. Her life was never predictable. By the time she was an adult, she had lived in 26 of the 28 states in India. She said that because she was constantly moving, she became very adept to adapting and overcoming. She matured early and learned how to make new friends at a young age. Today, Jeenu has friends all over India. Constant adaptation taught her the valuable life skills of empathy and connection. As an adult, she is passionate about traveling. This which eventually lead her to the United States where she was quickly humbled. Indian culture is incredibly communal and family-centric. It is common to be constantly surrounded by family and friends. Jeenu noticed that living in the United States can feel very isolating. culture. Her first four years living in the United States were the hardest and her loneliest ever in her life. She met Hemanth & Surya at work. Oddly enough, they came from each of the two states that she had never visited back home in India! She became fascinated with learning all about them, the culture that they grew up in, which in turn created an inseparable bond. When Jeenu bought her house a year ago, she made sure that there was enough space for all three of them. While she has always been on the move her whole life, she says that now she is grateful to have roots. She’s grateful to have friends, that she considers family, to come home to. The one thing that they want to tell the world is, “Relationships, just like people, are similar to plants. We need light, love and nurturing. Friendships are not an opportunity. They are great responsibility. They must be cared for.” This trio visited to celebrate Hemanth’s birthday! Thank you for visiting & celebrating with us!
Cayla is from the Hudson Valley, New York and Michael is from Norfolk, Virginia. Cayla proudly works with the Dove Creek Animal hospital, generously donates her time volunteering for the Fulton County SPCA, as well as fostering animals, that are need support, until they find their forever home. Cayla was raised by a single mother. She said her mom never made her or her brother feel like they were any different than any other family. Her mother took them on amazing, beautiful adventures, and was always there to support her and her brother. She feels very blessed to have such an amazing mom! Michael comes from a multi-generational military family. He is of Philippine and Italian heritage. He is the first generation, of his family, to be born and raised here in the United States. He originally went to school to be a priest. He ended up having a philosophical disagreement with the monks that were teaching and he decided that being a priest was not the life path that he wanted to take. He went on to study psychology and then discovered that criminal justice was where his passion lies. He ultimately graduated with a degree in criminal justice. This is Cayla & Michael’s third date! They said that every date that they’ve been on so far has been absolutely magical! Their first date had unexpected fireworks and it just keeps getting better and better as the time goes on! While they understand that no relationship is perfect, they are riding this wave for all it’s worth. They said, “Life is a gift of peaks and valleys. It’s not at the summit where your character is built. It’s in the climb. You’ll know you’re on the right path when God or the universe sends you a little wink. The signs will be simple and if you don’t pay attention, you may miss them. The magic is always there if you are open to it.” May you have many, many beautiful adventures together! Thank you for visiting!
Deepa currently lives in Mumbai and Ashwin currently lives in western New York. They were 16 years old when they met and they hand been together for 10 years.. Ashwin came to the United States to complete his masters in industrial engineering. He then went on to completed his masters degree in manufacturing engineering. He then landed an amazing job here in the United States. Deepa is a UX/UI designer, she designs digital applications and websites, for a company in Mumbai. She was raised in a traditional Indian family; meaning that everyone in the household works to support the whole family and the whole family lives together throughout the majority of their lives. Deepa’s parents put her through school. She has a masters degree in banking. She used her banking career and platform to launch the career that she currently has now. It was a big leap of faith to change her career path after already establishing herself securely in the financial industry. The reason she is still in India and not here in the United States with Ashwin is because she is still very new to her current career in designing. She worked very hard to obtain the job that she currently has and is grateful for it. The couple knows that they will spend the rest of their lives together. They are in their late 20s and they are still figuring out their careers. No matter where their careers lead them or what country they are brought to, they know that they are meant to be together. Ashwin says that Deepa is an amazing woman and that he loves absolutely everything about her. Even after 10 years, when he’s having a bad day, he says, “It’s hard to have a bad day when you’re in another country. You can’t just come home, hug your partner, and talk about it with them.” Deepa is still right there, in whatever way she can be, to be supportive. Deepa says that Ashwin has a heart of gold. He helps her feel emotionally, mentally safe and secure. He is such a blessing to all who know him. The couple says it’s important to understand that your partners perception may not be your perception. Learning how to communicate so that your partner feels safe is incredibly important to any relationship. It’s not something that just happens. It’s constant work on a daily basis to help each other feel mentally and emotionally safe. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be kind, always. Never lose your hope. Be hopeful things will always find a way. What is meant for you will always find you!” Thank you so much for sharing your story and for visiting!
All three of these beautiful women were born in Iraq.
As young children, their families fled their homeland. They bravely shared heartbreaking stories of their families being targeted and slain in the streets of Iraq by gangs. Samaya grew up in Egypt. Miriam and Marwa grew up in London. Betsy loved their lovely English accents. Marwa & Miriam first met when they were 10 years old while attending Arabic school in London. As they grew up, they went their separate ways. As adults they unknowingly worked at the same company! Randomly one day, Marwa looked at Miriam and said “Your face looks familiar.” The doors of their past started opening and the memories began to flood them. Today they are the best of friends. Marwa and Samaya are sister-in-laws. Samaya does not have any sisters. She says that having a sister-in-law finally fills a space in her heart that only a sister could. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “World peace. That is what we wish for. We come from a war-torn country. The people of our country have suffered and are continuing to suffer from war. We genuinely want world peace.” Thank you so much for visiting and sharing your stories with us
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace”
Jim and Alice have known each other for 50 years and have been married for 47 of them. As a young adults, they studied music at Fredonia State University. At the end of his first year, Jim was kicked out of college because he enjoyed drinking more than studying. As soon as he got kicked out of college, he lost his deferment from the Vietnam Draft. Fortunately for Jim, he says that it was a blessing in disguise. He was sent to Hawaii to play clarinet for the military band. The band was even featured in an episode of Hawaii Five-0! Alice was a country girl. She met Jim in her senior year of college. Both of them had a great love of music and often attended the same events together. Upon Jim returning home from deployment, they both became missionaries for their church. Shortly after they were married, their pastor offered many opportunities to go overseas to teach music and do missionary work. They declined the offers as they wanted to stay and do their missions in the United States. They leaned into their faith and made the hard decision to move to Kenya for one year to teach. One year turned into 33 years of their life together, working as missionaries, In East Africa!! They raised two beautiful children in Kenya. They said the hardest thing about their missionary pilgrimage was that their children had to attend a private boarding school that was over three hours away. The children would stay at school for three months and then come home for one month. If they wanted to give their children a good education a private boarding school was the only way it was going to happen in Kenya in the 1980s. They said back then there was no WiFi or cell phones in East Africa. Eventually, they retired from being missionaries and moved back to the United States with two grown children. Their daughter, Sarah, married a student that she attended the boarding school with back in Kenya. She moved to Washington DC and now has two beautiful children. She works in the medical field as an educator. Their son, Nate, has dedicated his life to helping the elderly and works in a nursing home in Ohio. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “God has a wonderful plan for your life. Trust the plan and have faith.” Thank you so much for taking the time to share your incredible story. Thank you so much for visiting!
They visited to take their minds off the loss of their 14 yr. old, Springer Spaniel fur baby, Jack. They are absolutely heartbroken. They were so kind and brave to share their story and a few tears with Betsy, as it is still very fresh. As most know, the loss of a pet is the loss of a beloved family member. Our pets are woven into our daily lives, routines, and memories. Jack’s favorite things to do were to beg for food, go the lake and swim, and cuddle. Diana & Christina met when they were on an ice hockey team. Christina asked Diana to go to a Luke Bryan concert and the rest is history! They have been married for six months and they’ve been together for five years. They joked that the hardest part of their relationship is figuring out what to eat together. Christina’s favorite thing about Diana is that she is incredibly warmhearted and caring. Diana’s favorite thing about their relationship is that she believes that they are best friends and each other’s mirror. It was obvious to Betsy, while talking to them, that they are incredibly supportive of each other. Jack could not have had two better parents. Six months ago when they married, they went to Aruba on their honeymoon. While they were there, they adopted Rufus. They had no idea what breed he was or how old he was. The only thing they knew was that they wanted to give him the best life they possibly could. They said, “We love animals. It’s our job to be their caregivers. If you can, adopt a pet that needs a good home and give it the best life you possibly can. It’s worth it.” Thank you so very much for sharing your story on a hard day. Congratulations, on your new adventures with Rufus and may Jack’s spirit always fill your hearts with beautiful and loving memories. Thank you for visiting!
Jim is the third generation of his family here in the U.S. His grandfather immigrated from Sicily. One of his favorite things about being from an Italian family is the food! He says that, primarily in his family, the women are the magic makers in the kitchen. Every week they all look forward to what they call “Italian Gravy” or Sunday Dinner. While his family carries on this tradition, passed down from his elders, he hopes that one day his own childrens’ families will also carry on the same tradition. Trista is a professional ice cream cake maker. The children say that birthdays are awesome because every birthday, their mom brings home an ice cream cake! Michael just turned 16 and he recently started working and driving. He loves the cakes so much that he decided to work with his mom. He is currently enrolled in an electrical trade school and has one more year before graduation. Once he graduates, his goal is to build a career in wind power. Sophia loves sports. Soccer is her favorite. She’s also an avid rock hunter with an amazing rock collection. She was so excited for her cave tour today! The family says that they love adventure and they are always looking for new places to explore. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Life is short and time together is sweet. You must make the most of it while you are here!” Thank you so much for visiting!
Ron was a Sergeant in the 5th Army, located in Forcella, Oklahoma as a communications operator for the Pershing Missile System. His grandfather died in World War I, having been the victim of mustard gas. His father served in World War II and was wounded in battle. After graduating from high school, Ron worked three jobs for five years to put himself through college debt free. Two weeks after graduation, he was drafted. He is a patriot and was ready to do whatever his country had drafted him to do. At the time, he was married and had a son. Later in life, his son also served in the United States military as a Marine. Ron also has another son that has served in the Air Force for 30 years. Ron said that during his own time in the service, he was looking forward to being able to serve his country on German soil. That never happened as he never had the opportunity to deploy to Germany before his service ended. Later in life, he did eventually travel to Germany for leisure. Ron believes that everyone, male and female, should have military experience. He says it develops a great strong character. Priscilla, Ron’s wife, is a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She is also a member of the Mayflower Society. Her father served in WWII. This family is generations of rich military lineage. Thank you, Ron & Priscilla, and your families for your service to our country.
Meet Greg from Amsterdam, New York. He served in the Army National Guard as a staff sergeant for 26 years. He joined the Army National Guard because his father also served in the Army National Guard. His father served for 39 years and completed his career as a Master Sergeant. Serving his country was one of the best experiences of Greg’s life. He learned so much and met so many people. He says that he never regretted a day of being a service member in his life. Thank you & your father for your service, Greg, and thank you so much for visiting
He was 19 years old when he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served 6 1/2 years. He worked in aviation ordinance. His assignments were bombs and missiles, primarily sparrows and harm missiles. He also he worked on EXP pros, which perform as electronic jammers for enemy tanks and radars. He said, don’t join the military for the purpose of benefits, join the military to broaden your horizons. It could will give you the opportunity to possibly see the world and to meet a multitude of people. It’s a family. There is no greater camaraderie than military camaraderie. He says that while growing up in Brooklyn, he was a little rough around the edges. His father actually suggested that he consider enlisting in the military. At first, he was hesitant but now believes that joining the military probably saved his life and definitely changed it. He met some amazing people that helped him build his character and helped pipeline his education and his career. Today he is a mechanical engineer. Thank you so much for visiting, sharing your amazing story, Mohammed, and thank you for your service
She is actively serving as a lieutenant in the United States Navy and has served for approximately four years. As of 2024, the percentage of active duty, female officers in the U.S. Navy is roughly 20%. She says that the military will be a life-long career for her and she is going to stay enlisted as long as she possibly can or until retirement in roughly 20 years. She graduated medical school with her doctorate in May of this year and is currently working on her residency in Florida! HOWE incredible! She says that while growing up, her father served in the Navy. As a young child she watched him deploy to the war in Afghanistan. Watching her father deployed to active war overseas was a pivotal moment in her life. It was then she decided to start taking care of our military overseas by sending them care packages. She then began rallying her community to do the same. As a young woman she began volunteering with the VA. She never took her freedoms for granted and gained so much appreciation for her father and other service members sacrificing so much of their lives through service to their country. As she grew into adulthood, she knew that she too wanted to dedicate her life to serving her country- following in father’s footsteps. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “It is important to tread lightly with others, as you never know the path that they have walked in their life and what they may be carrying. Kindness matters.” Thank you so much for your service to our country Meredith! Thank you for leading by example and thank you for taking the time to visit us today! “Honor, Courage, Commitment”
Al is a Marine that served for four years as a helicopter mechanic with the presidential helicopter fleet for the entirety of his service. He is first generation military. His family was supportive, but not incredibly thrilled that he had joined the Marines. He was proud & honored to have had the opportunity to serve our beautiful country and work with such amazing people on such an amazing task. Thank you for your service and thank you for visiting, Al
When this homeschooling, stay-at-home, mother of two went through a divorce, she needed to figure out how to support herself and her two children. Two things that always made her happy were crystals and making crystal jewelry. She particularly loved creating beautiful bracelets and wore them all the time. People would often compliment her on them and ask her where she got them. When they found out she was the artist, they suggested that she set up her own Etsy shop. That led to the idea that she could sell them and hopefully one day be able to support her family. Along with jewelry, she eventually added other things to her shop such as calcite lamps. She said that her tour of our cave sparked her imagination and creativity. Amy said, “It was really interesting to see the caverns and all the natural formations of calcite! It got me really excited because calcite is incredibly beautiful when it’s illuminated.” Amy is grateful for her journey and says that she feels blessed to be able to work so closely with something that she is so passionate about. “I’m trying to share my love for crystals with the world. They are my favorite thing and I think they add a unique and harmonizing quality whatever you place them on or around. It’s incredibly powerful to watch the energy of wherever you place them shift.” Being a single mom, an entrepreneur, as well as teaching from home, has been no easy journey for Amy, She admits that, like everyone, she has ups and her downs. She does see slow and steady growth in her personal, spiritual and professional life daily and says that is all one can ever hope for. When I asked her, what the secret to manifesting the life that you want is, she replied; “It’s all about your frequency. Raise your frequency beyond what you think you are capable of. Training our minds to have positive thoughts is hard in a world where we are created to remember the negative, out of primal protection. You have to make sure that you are input managing with intention. Meaning, be mindful of what you are consuming mind, body and soul. Once your frequency is raised and it stays that way consistently, you will manifest beautiful things in your life like magic.” Amy, it was a huge pleasure to meet you, your beautiful family, and homeschooling co-op today! Thank you so very much for sharing your story and thank you for visiting!
Montana was born and raised in Thailand and Kamil was born & raised in Turkey. Montana was 22 years old when a friend invited her to visit and study in the United States. She stayed for a few months and then returned to Thailand. Kamil’s story is similar. His first visit was short and then he returned to home to Turkey. When Kamil decided to return to the U.S. from Turkey, he made New York City his home. He had already lived NYC for almost two years by the time that Montana returned to the United States. She also settled in NYC. The two had not yet met each other and were living in a city of 8.25 million people. They both just worked and studied, eventually deciding it was time to return to their home countries. Just before they were getting ready to leave the U.S., they met each other! Kamil says the moment he saw Montana he knew that he wanted to marry her. They have been together for 8 years- married for 3. Neither one of them has ever met the others family, face-to-face. They have only met and visited over video calls. In the coming year, the couple plans to travel to each other’s homeland to meet their families. Kamil says that they are the best of friends. They rarely ever fight but if they have a disagreement, they are always respectful to each other and give each other the space they need to process. They believe that this is the best way to come back to each other and engage and communicate in a healthy way. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Love has no boarders, no creed, no race. Love just is.” Thank you so very much for visiting!
Irene & Lias work for a manufacturing company and were offered the opportunity to work abroad for three months. In August, Irene arrived in the United States two weeks prior to her job beginning, to enjoy some vacation time. Although she has traveled to several other countries, she had never been to the United States before. In September, Lias joined her. When Irene’s employer asked if she wanted to work abroad for three months, she immediately, said yes! When Lias was asked, he was hesitant and asked for more time to think about it. He had never left Europe and the idea of working abroad made him nervous. Eventually, he decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he decided to take the chance. Jane is a co-worker that was also offered the same opportunity. She had recently switched departments and decided against leaving so early on in her new position. She is here visiting Irene & Lias. Ten years ago, Jane had the same opportunity to work abroad. During that time, she visited many places and made many friends. She is here showing Irene and Lias around. The group said that having the opportunity to work in another country and be immersed in the community and culture is one of the best learning experiences that they’ve ever had offered to them. They would do it all over again. They had a few things they want to say:
“Life is not something you take, it’s an opportunity given to you. Live life to the fullest!”
-Jane
“Begin with where you are, with what you have, to make the world better place.” -Irene
“Don’t think about all of the things that could go wrong, think about all of the things that could go right and follow your dreams”
-Lias
Thank you all so much for visiting!
We wish you the very best during this incredible adventure.
They recently returned to the east coast from a seven month long stewardship at the Denali National Preserve. Gillian, local to the Schoharie Valley, and Joe, from New York City, spent their time in the Denali National Park Service as Interpretation Rangers. They gave guided hikes, campground educational sessions, ranger talks, and ultimately connected visitors to the land by helping them make an emotional connections with the environment. Kindal, from Oregon, spent her time in Denali working for Alaska Geographic, a company whose profits go to the Alaska Forest Service. Gillian recently graduated with her bachelors degree in animal behavior. She aspires to teach future generations about animal conservation. Kindal’s specialty is guest services but she is aspiring to one day have a career in atmospheric and oceanic science. Currently, she is enjoying her work with environmental nonprofits. Joe graduated with a degree in environmental studies, but is now focusing on becoming a commercial pilot. These friends say that while in Alaska, their experiences taught them many life lessons like no other place but Alaska could. They described the Alaskan wilderness as unforgiving, wild, magical, and majestic. One of the most important lessons that they learned while there is that it is important to push yourself out of your comfort zone to be able to fully embrace experiences. By doing that, one learns so much about themselves. They said that Alaska is vast, incredible and life-changing. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Life is too short to not be doing what you love! Be brave! Don’t let anything stop you.” Thank you so very much for sharing your amazing Alaskan experience with us, for being the future generation of stewards of the earth, and for visiting us!
They have been married for about a year and have been together for 8 years. They have two adorable fur babies- their cats, Sassy & Sunny. They met when they were studying at Eastern Connecticut State University. When they met at school, they discovered that they actually hail from the same area in Massachusetts! Avril has made a career in marketing along with working on economic development for a non-profit organization. Dave is a product manager at CVS Health and does quite a bit of IT work. Avril visited Howe Caverns on a field trip in fourth grade but today was Dave’s first time seeing the cave. Both Dave & Avril enjoy nature and adventure. They like hiking mountains and have, Greylock Mountain (3,489 ft. tall) the tallest mountain in Massachusetts, right in their backyard. Avril also happens to love yoga! She told Kaily that she saw that we hold yoga classes in the cave and she was very intrigued. Kaily told her that she should try it! Kaily told her that she tried it and thought it was awesome but she was definitely whooped after! Avril & Dave enjoy taking day trips. Apart from the fact they are fun, it’s a good way to broaden horizons. They both said that their best piece of advice would be “keep exploring, go on fun little trips, and explore what’s around you.” Thank you so much for visiting!
They met while in college through a mutual friend from grade school and have been together for 10 years. One of their firsts dates was a 33,000 mile road trip together! They started in Toronto in James Bay then made their way to the east cost of the United States, down to the Florida keys, headed west to the Gulf Coast, on to Mexico’s southern boarder, and Belize, then made their way up to Vancouver and Alaska, to end back in Toronto!! It took Eric six months to complete the road trip. Zach traded places with a friend half way through the trip, but only for a little while, and then came back to finish the trip out with Eric. The same car that they came to Howe Caverns in, is the same car that they took on that road trip. It’s a 2005 Subaru Forrester XT5 speed. While, Eric has a degree in business. He loves cars. He has another Subaru which he rally races. Zach went to school for photography and photographing Eric at the races is something he very much enjoys. The two joked that this is Zach’s “Jesus year”. Zach works in real estate. Two weeks after he turned 33 he realized that he had forgotten to renew his license. While at work, he and his boss realized this last minute while being required to have the license for something specific that day. Zach’s boss told him that he needed him to preform a miracle and get the license reinstated that day. Miraculously, he did! So, Zach decided that this was the year he is going to try all the things that he has always wanted to, but thought that he never could. He recently took up sewing and has created some beautiful works of art; making suit jackets. The couple says while they are very different and often find the solutions to problems in different ways, they both love to support each other. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be kind. Be patient. Life is too short. Be who you are. Make a suit, race cars, and take that road trip!” Eric & Zach, thank you so very much for taking the time to share your story and visiting.
Safe travels and wishing you many more amazing adventures.
But now, self-proclaimed “nomads”. They have known each other 15 years. Mitzie had a successful twenty year career with a major luxury brand. As she started getting older, she realized she had placed a lot of value on building her career, and not on doing all the things she that she loves, such as: traveling the world, hiking, adventuring, and really living life to its fullest. Matt is a carpenter and has been able to be more flexible with his schedule while doing the work that he is passionate about. Recently, Mitzie left her corporate job to chase the couples dreams of exploring the world together. They are not sure how this adventure is going to go but they have done all they can do to prepare. They believe that we are all connected to nature and the universe. Our daily lives and society have created a huge disconnect, creating internal conflict about priorities. They have a mantra that they live by daily. “We are right where we are meant to be. This is the right place & the right time. Stop worrying about what comes next and just let go.” The thing they want to tell the world is, “Never stop viewing the world through the eyes of your inner child. Be curious. Go exploring. Most importantly, make sure that you’re making time to play. Play is so important to life. Believe in the synchronicity of the little things and the universe.” Thank you so much for visiting
Safe travels!
They met at a Halloween party 43 years ago! Mary went to the party dressed as Rosie Ruiz; a fraudster marathon runner that was declared the female winner of the 1980 Boston Marathon, only to be stripped of the title 8 days later due to her cheating by riding the subway being exposed! At the time, Joel was in a band. He decided to attend the party in exact outfit that he preformed in; which was a blue brocade tuxedo with a ruffled tux shirt and a big black velvet bow tie. Joel‘s brother gave him a hard time saying that he was being lazy by not coming up with a creative costume. Joel only happened to notice Mary because she was the only woman at the party that was not drinking wine. She was having a beer. Funny thing is, that’s the only beer in her life that Mary has ever had to this day! She doesn’t even like beer! The two had a wonderful conversation and decided to go on a date to see The Venturas, the band that wrote the famous Hawaii Five-O theme song. Eventually, they went on to get married and build a beautiful life together. Throughout their marriage they never worked the same shift. Mary worked as a Dietitian for the VA and Joel worked as leadership for the printing company that once printed the Howe Caverns brochures!
They jokingly said that the secret to a long, happy, and healthy marriage is working opposite shifts and having their individual independence while coming together as a couple, and still being the best of friends. They said that all marriages have their ups and downs. Their favorite quote that hangs in their home in a cross-stitch picture reads:
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” -Khalil Gibran
The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Tough times don’t last forever. Tough couples do!” Thank you so very much for visiting
AND Happy day of meeting anniversary tomorrow!
Meet Kathy and Rob from Astoria, a beautiful little village in Queens, New York. Rob owns his own restaurant, Oliver‘s, also located in Astoria. He says the secret to running a successful, healthy, and sustainable business is great people. Rob said that he is proud to work with an incredible team that support him daily. Kathy works with a hospitality group making large group reservations. They both love the hospitality industry. While it can be challenging at times, those challenges are well worth it as their jobs are never boring! They met 12 years ago in a pub in the East Village where Kathy was working. Rob and some friends were visiting another employee at the restaurant. It was late and Kathy joked that it was not love at first sight. She was exhausted and just wanted the group to leave so that she could close up and go home. They have officially been together for 6 years. They have been through a lot together. The hardest part of their relationship, but also the glue that holds them together, is the fact that they are opposites. Kathy is a homebody and Rob is a social butterfly. Finding their balance, and coming to a common ground, at times, can be difficult, but they like to think they do so gracefully. Kathy’s favorite thing about Rob is that he’s open-minded. Sometimes, even when he doesn’t want to, he finds the courage to push himself outside of his comfort zone. Rob‘s favorite thing about Kathy is that she is incredibly caring and fiercely loyal. Their goal for the coming year is to finally purchase their first home together. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “It’s important to focus on the world that is right in front of you and be present in the moment with those that you love. Kindness can go a long way and it definitely does matter. Thank you so much for visiting!
The minute they entered the Main Lodge, Jake took Tina by the hand and spun her around as if she were dancing in a big beautiful ballroom! Betsy just knew she had to meet them and get the scoop! Today is Tina‘s 39th birthday!
Instead gifts, Tina prefers experiences. Her request this year was to go underground & take a tour of Howe, with her husband, Jake, and her grandparent’s. Tina and Jake have been married for approximately a year and a half. Tina relies heavily on her faith and waited until later in life to marry. Her reasoning was that she wasn’t going to settle for anything less than someone who was going to lead and be present with spiritual faith in their marriage. Tina loves adventure and has traveled to 36 states! She couldn’t imagine her life without enjoying all the beauty on this planet. While she is incredibly optimistic, she is also very much a realist. The one thing she wants to tell the world is. “Life is everything, nothing, and so much more.” Meaning, it’s everything she has hoped for, nothing she has planned for, and so much more! Happiest of birthdays, Tina!
May your every wish come true!
Thank you so much for visiting and choosing Howe as your special place to celebrate!
They are missionaries and have come to the United States to help the Delta Lake Christian Camp. The mission of the camp is to equip their members with experiences that allow them to escape their hectic everyday lives while helping them discover their purpose and passion. Tonica is 24 Joel is 25 They have never been to New York before. They said that they didn’t realize how much New York had to offer beyond NYC. Before Joel found the church and Christ, he was lost and looking for love and happiness in all the wrong places. He thought he could find it in people or things. One night, while struggling with his life decisions, he decided he could no longer live the life he was living. He said he was on an unsustainable path and he knew that he needed help to pull himself out of it. He felt as if he had no one to reach out to. In tears and on bended knees, he began to pray. He said that was his “Come to Jesus Moment.” After that night of prayer Joel was able to find the strength to start making better decisions. He pivoted his life into a positive direction. He attributes that strength to leaning into the church and God. Joel has dedicated his life to God and showing others how merciful, beautiful, and miraculous the Lord is. Tonica’s story is similar. They now both work every single day, dedicating their life to faith and service. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “You are not alone. If you are struggling finding your way, there is hope. You can change the trajectory of your life if you believe.” Thank you so much for visiting.
Andrew chatted with her today!
Andrew: Patti, it’s an honor to finally meet you and put a face to a name. You’ve been a very dedicated follower on our Facebook. Can you tell me a little bit about your connection to the cave?
Patti: I was raised just outside of Schenectady. When I was in fifth grade, I visited the caverns on a school field trip. I never forgot it. As an adult, I traveled around a bit and ended up settling in Southern California. I didn’t really think much about the caverns for many years. I came back in 2001 for my honeymoon, and my entire family took a tour. For the past few years, I’ve been living between Vermont and California. Just a few weeks ago when I was visiting my sister, I was able to return for a tour. Howe Caverns has always been a place that I’ve enjoyed coming back to.
Andrew: You’ve also been very active on our Facebook page! We can always count on you for support, positivity, and kind words toward others.
Patti: Yes, I love the highlights you’ve been posting over the past few months. Seeing all the different places and backgrounds of that people come from to visit the caverns has been wonderful. It allows you to connect with your guests in such a unique way.
Andrew: Yes, I agree. As a local myself, it’s definitely been interesting to see how many people travel hundreds to thousands of miles to see something that’s essentially right in our backyards. What do you think it is about the caverns that draws so many people in?
Patti: I believe that it’s a general sense of wonder. As I said earlier, I first visited in the fifth grade, and it was just so eye-opening and has never left my mind. I think that childlike wonder is what sticks with a lot of people that visit here. It’s the same with a lot of historical stone structures, which are a big interest of mine. I’ve traveled quite a bit both in and out of the country and I always seek out what ever monoliths they have nearby. It’s a sense of curiosity that pulls you in, and the experience always stays with you.
Andrew: Based on your life experience up until now, what’s the one thought or philosophy you would like want to share with the world?
Patti: Travel whenever you can, however you can, and talk to as many people as you can. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, just traveling to the next neighborhood or state can expose you to worldviews and experiences you would’ve never had otherwise. I’m always amazed at the sheer number of different cultures that are in the world, and that even though we’re all the same at a base level, we all have a unique perspective and upbringing that influences who we are. And when you do travel, don’t be afraid to take both the tourist path and to go off the beaten path. Good travel is about having a balance of both. It’s just a lot of fun.
Andrew: Patti, it has been a huge honor to finally meet you & chat with you. Thank you so much for visiting!
Emma turned 50 in January and for her birthday, her husband Darren, gave her a beautiful journal filled with places they will visit around the world, during her 50th trip around the sun. So far this year, they have been to Majorca, Spain, Iceland Marrakesh, Morocco, Croatia and Oslo, Norway
They also made a few special stops in the UK. It has always been Emma‘s dream to travel around New England during the fall so they are now spending some time here in the U.S. Emma and Darren have been together for the majority of their lives, 33 years, in fact! They met when she was 17 & he was 19. They have two beautiful daughters together who are now in their 20’s. They have always loved to travel and are happy to finally have the opportunity to do so. They’ve decided that the best gift that they can give each other, is memories and quality time together. If they could tell the world one thing it would be, “Make as many memories together as you can. Memories are the only thing you can keep with you forever.” Wishing you safe travels! Thank you so very much for visiting!
Anthony was born and raised in Rochester, New York and Paola was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. They now live in California and are currently traveling around New York State. They will eventually stop at Anthony‘s parents’ house to visit with his family. Anthony has several surprise stops planned for Paola during their trip. It’s her first time in New York and Anthony wants to make sure that she enjoys every second of it. This adorable couple has been married for two years. It was a huge decision for Paola to leave Mexico and move to the U.S. Anthony says that before he met Paola, he never really wanted to settle down. As soon as he met her, he quickly changed his mind. Anthony says that he could never imagine life without her. Paola says while she is capable of living life alone, being happy together, makes life so much more sweet. They both agree that “It’s important to slow down from the hustle and bustle of life and focus on adventure with each other.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Follow your heart. Nurture love as if it is a living thing; something that grows. Love needs to be cared for and protected to help it flourish. If you are going to decide to enter into love you must decide first that you are willing to do whatever work it takes to keep it alive.” Howe true and beautiful! Thank you so very much for visiting!
They have been together for 20 years. Sean works for the Department of Environmental Conservation. He is currently working on the Roundout Aqueduct. Have you ever wondered about the magic of New York City water? How does one of the world’s largest city’s, built on a pice of land that does not have access to fresh water, provide pristine fresh water to roughly 9 million people? Today Sean taught Betsy all about it! In 1842 (the same year the cave was discovered! It was a great year!) the first Upsate New York aqueduct started to provide water to parts of lower Manhattan. The NYC Aqueduct system is one of the most comprehensive and impressive, being the longest underground tunnel system in the world! It brings over a half a billion gallons of pristine, protected water from the Catskill Mountains to NYC- roughly 125 miles. Sean works underground most days. Betsy joked that with Sean that he must feel out of sorts being above ground. Today, he was in his element, heading back underground, on his day off, with his beautiful wife. That being said, I asked Jenny how she copes with him being in tunnel systems underground and not having the ability to contact him. (there are no cell towers underground so cell phone communication isn’t used- just like here at the cave) Jenny said after all these years she has gotten used to it. She tries not to think about it. She also says that he’s more above ground than underground than he used to be, so that’s a relief. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “You have to make the best of each day, no one is going to do that for you.” Jenny and Sean, thank you so much for taking the time to teach us a bit about the aqueduct system and for visiting!
They’ve been dating for three years. Their first date was on a ghost tour in Savannah. Savannah is renown for being one of the most haunted cities in the country. Tyler is a game warden in Georgia and Sydney is the manager of a retail store. Last year they bought their first home together and adopted a rescue puppy. Sydney grew up on an island in South Carolina working with horses. She vividly remembers Christmas picnics on the beach with her family. Tyler grew up on his family farm. He has always been accustomed to living a very outdoorsy life. His father was always by his side teaching him how to live off the land. They feel like their love of the outdoors is part of the glue that holds them together. They are constantly on adventures in nature together, making amazing memories, and doing things that they love. Tyler says that Sydney has a wonderful sense of humor that she’s always smiling and laughing; that her that happiness is infectious! He loves that about her. Sydney loves the way that Tyler looks at the world around them. His vision, purpose, and perspective helps her open her mind in new ways. Sydney recently had a friend pass away in a car accident. While her heart was broken from the sudden shocking loss, Sydney said that her friend left a lasting impression in the world. Sydney & Tyler now live by the motto “Be kind.” Sydney said, “You never know how long you truly have here on this planet and it’s important to leave a positive impression on those that surround you. Act as if what you do makes a difference, because it does.” Thank you so much for visiting
Wait until you hear this story! Both of their mothers, who did not know each other, gave birth to Lori and Chuck side-by-side in a shared hospital room, 20 mins apart, 72 years ago! Lori’s mother was a WWII bride from Germany and did not speak English well. A relative visiting Chuck’s mother spoke German fluently and was able to converse with Lori’s mother. After their five day stay in the hospital, the two mothers went their own ways, never to speak again. By chance, (although, we believe that there are no coincidences) 27 years later, and one week before their birthday, Lori and Chuck were both at a local tavern. Someone at the tavern happened to be was celebrating their birthday. Chuck piped in and said “My birthday is next week!” Lori added “Mine is too!” They started chatting about their birthdays. Neither one of them believed that the other one was telling the truth. They decided to show each other their photo IDs as proof. Throughout the next year, they randomly saw each other out and about a few times. Eventually, Chuck decided to ask Lori out. While they were on that date, some of their friends started asking about the of their birthdays; like what time were they born? When they realized they were only 20 minutes apart, the next question was, what hospital they were born at. Then, if their parents knew each other? The couple had never thought about that. The following day, they both asked their mothers if they knew each other. The second they asked, both mother’s exact responses were, “I shared a hospital room with her for five days when you were born.” That was the moment they knew that they had been born together! Howe crazy is that?
They have officially been together for 44 years, married for 39. Some things are just meant to be! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Live each day to the fullest and don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know where God and the universe is leading you, but you are exactly where you are meant to be.” Thank you so much for sharing your story and for visiting!
On October 8th, 20 years ago, they were married here in the cave! Linda’s 12 year old son, Adam was their Best Man. Mike is originally from Texas. Linda is originally from western New York. They met in March 1996 at a Moose convention. The Moose, also known as the Loyal Order of Moose (LOOM), is a fraternal service organization that supports children, seniors, and communities. While they are both retired now, Mike was an IT program manager at an aircraft facility. He is also a licensed pilot. Linda’s career, as a kindergarten teacher, allowed her the freedom to work anywhere. They chose to make Texas their home until Mike could find work in New York. When they finally moved to New York, Mike said that he had never seen anything like upstate before. With every season change, he was in awe of all its beauty. Linda retired from teaching three years ago. Thirty days after she retired, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. One morning she woke up and couldn’t move. They immediately sought help. The diagnosis hit them hard. Mike joked, that he married younger so she could take care of him in their golden years. The scariest part for them is that they do it all alone as their families do not live close. While it was hard in the beginning, they now have a good routine and good resources. Linda is on a regimen where she can live a relatively normal life. These days, to get him out of the house and to give Linda a break from him, Mike is a volunteer fireman and EMT in the community where they live. The couple said that coming back to visit the cave near their anniversary date gives them the opportunity for the to appreciate how far they have come together. When I asked them what they wanted to tell the world, they said, “We have hope for the future and future generations. It is important to maintain optimism. We believe in being open-minded and having situational awareness about our changing environments.” Thank you Mike & Linda for coming back, 20 years later to share your story with us! Happiest of anniversaries to you!
Meet these adorable sisters, Malia and Aria, from Connecticut. Malia is five years old and Aria is seven. Their grandparents brought them for an underground adventure! Like many children their age, they just started their school year. Malia is in kindergarten and Aria is in the second grade. Aria says her favorite subject is math and she absolutely loves recess! Malia’s favorite part of the school day is the bus ride and she really loves field trips. She recently went on very first school field trip. Her class went to a farm where they went on a hayride and saw all kinds of animals. Both girls said that their most favorite things in the world are birthdays and Christmas. They said, “If your birthday comes around while you’re in school, everyone celebrates you! You get to wear a crown that has your name on it. That makes the day so special and fun!” Aria said that she loves her sister very much and always includes her in everything she does. She is her best friend and she never wants her to feel left out. Malia says that Aria is a great big sister and that she’s always very kind, helpful, and protective. As Betsy watched these two interact, she realized there is no one who will understand you or be able to translate your soul as well as your siblings will. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Let your light shine! You are beautiful just the way you are!” We couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for visiting and thank you for sharing your beautiful light with us.
“Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the most important work.” -C.S. Lewis.
Meet newlyweds, Dena & Peter, from Connecticut, currently on their honeymoon!
They were recently married on Candlewood Lake, Connecticut. They met 4 1/2 years ago at NewSylum Brewing Company in Newtown, Connecticut. Fun fact: The brewery is an old insane asylum. Dena caught Peter’s eye so he skillfully started a conversation with her. They were so involved in an in depth conversation and seemed to be getting along so well that the friends Dena had come with decided to leave her behind! The two filled the rest of their day attending a local fair that had just come to town. They started dating that very first day and have been dating every day ever since. A couple of years ago, Peter’s family invited Dena to spend a month with them in Hawaii. Dena took over planning for their month in Hawaii. While silently hoping that Peter would propose to her during their time there, she asked him multiple times if he would like the opportunity to help her plan a day. He never took her up on the offer and told her she was doing a great job. One evening, while walking along a jetty watching the Hawaiian sunset, Peter surprised her by kneeling down on one knee and proposing! The only thing planned about it was the gorgeous handcrafted wedding rings he had specially designed for them. At the very same moment he knelt, a professional photographer happened to be taking photographs of his family. He noticed the proposal happening, and kindly captured the moment for the couple. That’s basically the story of their lives so far; simple and mostly unplanned, great moments that are adding up to create this beautiful life story together. When their support system, friends and family look at them, they don’t just see two people in love, they see two best friends adventuring through life together. They like to say that they are best friends first before anything else. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Never forget the value of your chosen family. We got to choose each other. That is how our story began and that’s how we will carry on our story day in and day out. By choosing each other and by being the best friends for life.” Dena and Peter, thank you so much for visiting and sharing your very wise words with us. We wish you a lifetime of adventures, good health, happiness & love
Our favorite outfit of the day!
Meet Melissa from New Hampshire- the live free or die state. She’s here for the Rhinebeck fiber festival with a group of her closest friends. Thank you so much for visiting
Betsy found these two walking on the front lawn, watching the sunset. These friends were just driving around, looking for things to do while celebrating Carolina’s birthday!
They saw our sign from the highway and decided to make a stop. When they got out of their car, saw our magnificent view of the Helderberg Plateau, and then found out that we offered an underground adventure, they decided to take a tour. Carolina and Melchor both work in the entertainment industry; Carolina in advertising and Melchor is an actor. While talking, Carolina grabbed Betsy’s wrist and pointed out that they had the same exact airplane tattoos in the same exact spot! After that discovery, Betsy, Carolina, and Melchor talked about how they all believe that nothing happens by chance and that everything is by design; nothing that is meant for you will miss you. They also all agreed that, in life, we attract what we are vibrating energy-wise. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Love yourself first and everything else will fall into place. Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Meet Gary, Glenn & Mark, three Japanese American cousins from California! While Mark and Gary were born in California and Glenn, in Hawaii, all three were raised together in California. They consider each other as close as brothers. They flew from the west coast as a bucket list trip for them. They share a love of baseball and have been talking about visiting the National Baseball Hall of Frame in Cooperstown, NY for over 20 years. While Gary and Mark have visited New York before, (Gary over 40 years ago and Mark only two years ago) this is Glenn‘s very first time. They say that growing up in Los Angeles is a stark contrast to Upstate. Gary said that he has never seen anything like it. He finds the people to be interactive and kind and the landscape to be breathtaking. As they have gotten older and their children have become a little more self-sufficient, they collectively decided that there is no better time than the present! We spoke about how often we say, “I’ll take that trip some time.” or I’ll do that one day.” but time is fleeting. Our moments here are literally numbered. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Don’t wait. The time is now. Your life is happening and happens faster and faster as you get older. Don’t let opportunities pass you by. Be intentional with your life and seize the days!” Thank you so very much for traveling all the way across the country to visit and thank you for sharing your story!
They traveled all the way from Norway to meet with their motorcycle club and enjoy a leisurely ten day holiday. They both grew up on the west coast of Norway, along the North Sea, where it is customary to be part of a maritime household. Johan is now retired, but at one time, he worked as a skilled sea captain on multiple vessels. He has been the captain of oil tankers, ferries, and tugs. He has served in the Norwegian military doing maritime research. He is a commercial diver and used to own his own commercial diving company. Evelyn said that a maritime lifestyle is just as hard on women as it on men. It takes strong, independent, self-sufficient women to maintain households, families, and jobs on shore while husbands are at sea. She joked that everyone looks at Johan and thinks that he’s the stronger one in the relationship but Johan agreed that Evelyn is a force to be reckoned with. This adorable couple met in high school on holiday. They dated for the length of that holiday (exactly one week!) and never saw each other again. They each went on to build their own individual lives. When they were in their 40s, Evelyn decided to find Johan. The moment they saw each other again, they knew that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, and they have! Evelyn said that throughout all of their travels together, the one thing that has stood out to them is the the local signs, that they saw here, that say, “No Place for Hate”. Several local schools recently participated in the virtual “No Place for Hate Back-to-School Kickoff” program. They really loved that sentiment and idea. The piece of advice that Johan & Evelyn could offer the world is: “Den som intet våger, intet vinner” – “He who dares nothing, gains nothing” Thank you so much for visiting!
Kari and her husband, Austin, are assistant pastors at a church. They have two very good friends who moved to upstate New York from Florida last year, with plans of starting their own church, in Richmondville. The Rios family has come to support and help them with this new undertaking. While speaking to Kari about the hardships of life and how there are highs and lows, her daughter Bellamy spoke up. She said to Betsy, “Do you want to know something? It’s really sad. There used to be this big beautiful tree where we lived in Florida and because of the hurricane the tree is no more.” Betsy knelt down so that she could have a conversation with Bellamy. Betsy could sense that Bellamy was feeling the weight of what is happening in the world around her and wanted to give her some hope. Betsy told her that even though the tree is no longer alive that it is still going to be of service; that it will pass its life on by decomposing, and giving back to all that surrounded it. She explained to her that sometimes, even when things feel like they are falling apart, it gives us the opportunity to build anew. Life is never without struggle. It is about how we perceive and respond to the struggle that matters. Kari and her family have chosen to live a life of service and pass on whatever seeds they sow to the future generations, no matter what storms they are silently facing. There is a solid lesson to be learned in that. Thank you to the Rios family for sharing your story and for visiting. May God Bless you
They’ve been married 67 (yes,!!) years! Ron is 89 and Joan is 88. They were both born during the Great Depression. Ron was born and raised in West Virginia. When he was 22 years old, his uncle from Kentucky came to visit him. At the end of the visit, the uncle told Ron’s mother that he was taking him to New York to find work. Ron arrived in New York on a Sunday and started work the very next day at a canning factory, making $.99 an hour! Joan was born and raised in Lockport and was also working in a factory. One night on the way home from work, Ron stopped at the local pub. That is where he met the beautiful Joan. He immediately asked her out and then, he asked her to wait right where she was, until he went home to get cleaned up and came back. She did! They only dated for two weeks and then Ron asked her to marry him. Six weeks later, they were married. They went on to have five children, three boys and two girls, together. Sadly, one of their daughters passed away when she was only six months old from complications from pneumonia. Eventually, Ron’s & Joan’s jobs changed with the times. New factories moved into the area and the couple found new employment. Ron went on to work for Kodak for 25 years. Joan went on to work for a different film company. Their professional lives mirrored each other’s. When Betsy asked them what the secret was to making it through 67 years together, they said “To make it through life together, you have to have the utmost respect for each other. You must love without condition and learn to forgive each other. There will be hard days and disagreements but you have to rise above them.” When Betsy asked them what one of their favorite things to do together was, they said “We love to gamble and we’re good at it! Ron is always landing a jackpot somewhere.” At the end of the conversation, Betsy couldn’t help but wonder if Ron was just born lucky or if he was a master of manifesting. Betsy thinks that they are both great gamblers and manifesters! They took a gamble on each other and won the biggest jackpot of 67 wonderful years together! Howe awesome! Ron & Joan, we are wishing you many more years of good health & happiness. Thank you for visiting!
Rhinebeck Village is a little gem tucked into the Hudson Valley. It’s bursting with vineyards, farm land, art, and education. It’s home to famous Beekman Arms, believed to be the oldest continuously running inn in the United States. Vinita is a wife, a mother, a daughter and an attorney. She is also a triplet! Her parents immigrated to the United States from India in the 70s. Her father is a dentist and her mother is an entrepreneur. Her parents valued the opportunity for education of their daughters and set their standards high. One of her sisters, who also lives in Rhinebeck is a pediatrician. The other sister, who lives in New England, where they grew up, is a veterinarian. She said that it was amazing growing up as a triplet. Each of them have their own distinct personality. She is grateful to have her sisters to go through all of the major milestones of life with. Furthermore, being a lawyer is something that she takes a great deal of pride in. She has the ability to help clients by providing them with the opportunity to have their voices heard. She feels as though it’s imperative for clients, especially those that are underprivileged, a minority, or may not have as many resources as others, to be represented respectfully and fairly. The one thing she truly believes is that “Everyone should be treated fairly. Everyone has the right to have a voice and to not only have a voice but to have their story heard.” HOWE kind 
Thank you so much for visiting!
They are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! They met when Mark was in the Air Force and stationed at Pease Air Force Base. Barbara grew up in Hampton, New Hampshire where the base is located. She was a school teacher and was invited to go to a social outing where there was food, drinks, dancing, and some of the Air Force. (sounds a little like Top Gun, doesn’t it?) Mark saw her and asked her dance. They danced, laughed, and enjoyed a beautiful evening together. Right then and there, is where history began to unfold for this beautiful couple. She wrote her name and number on his cigarette box thinking that he would eventually throw it away and she would be off the hook, but he didn’t. Fifty years later, they still have the cigarette box with her number written on it! Eleven days after meeting, Mark proposed to Barbara and then was deployed to South Korea for 13 months. This gave her plenty of time to plan a wedding, design, and sew her own wedding gown. Barbara’s mother’s wedding gown was also handmade. It was made out of a World War II parachute. Her father was in the Navy and her mother was in the army. Her mother was an officer her father was just enlisted. These two are familiar with sacrifices for family and to make things work through thick and thin. Their pearl of wisdom is that “you have to work hard for what you want to have in life.” Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful story with us, Mark & Barbara. Wishing you many more wonderful years of good health & happiness together. Happy Anniversary and congratulations on reaching such an incredible milestone!
This is a first visit to the U.S. for these beautiful sisters. They are currently on a two week vacation visiting family & friends. While they are here, they plan on visiting Times Square in Manhattan, Niagara Falls, and Boston. They taught Betsy about a special holiday in Brazil that specifically celebrates children. It’s similar to that of Mother’s Day or Father’s Day here in the United States. It is called Our Lady of Aparecida’s Day (Nossa Senhora Aparecida) and it is celebrated on October 12th. Gabriela, who is the eldest of the three, is a ballet instructor and is currently pursuing a college degree in psychology. She joked that the hardest job she has in life is keeping her two younger sisters alive. The adventures they share and the memories they have created are something the three of them collectively cherish. Gabriela is the leader and protector, Isabella is the worry wart but also is the one that is able to lighten life with laughter, and Deborah is the free spirit that holds them all together like glue. They are inseparable; all different in their own unique ways but bonded by an inseparable sisterhood. When I asked them what they could tell the world they said, “Jesus loves you. There is a place for you. You have a purpose. All you have to do is believe.” We say, “Amen” to that. Thank you so very much for visiting and making us a part of your memories!
Matteo was born and raised in Brooklyn and Kyle was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada and moved to Brooklyn in 2016. They met through a friend seven years and officially became a couple a year ago. Both of them have a background in the entertainment industry. Kyle just finished working in Albany at the Capital Repertory Theater on a show called “Seared.” At one time, they both worked on Blacklist, but at different times, so they never crossed paths. As a child, Kyle was painfully shy. In the 7th grade, he auditioned for a class play, that is when his passion for acting came alive. Matteo is a maker by design and genetics. His father was a carpenter and he vividly remembers him building their home when he was a child. That sparked his interest in how and why things are created. When the pandemic hit he was faced with no work. He began putting his creativity to work and designed what he calls his “Covid Baby.” Matteo is now an entrepreneur with his own successful candle making business. When Betsy asked them what the glue is that holds their relationship together, they said, “We are both verbal processors and we are both are very, very good at communication.” They agreed that because of that connection, their relationship is incredibly healthy. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Stop people pleasing. Become your authentic self and stay true to that. Speak your truth. Be open and transparent. Learn how to communicate well. We are still learning. It is an incredible gift to give someone that you love something that they enjoy. Some people may look at giving to their partner as a burden. Flip that perspective and look at it as you have been given the opportunity to be the one to provide something for someone that you love. It’s a beautiful gift to be of service to someone you care about. Don’t miss that opportunity.” Very well said! We appreciate your words of wisdom! May your travels be sweet together and your journey be long. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for visiting.
Ella, Delaney & Cas All three of these cuties are Hartwick College ceramics majors. Ella is planning on being an art teacher with her degree. Delaney is second majoring in art history and museum studies. She is hoping one day to work at a museum. Cas is fascinated with ceramic engineering. Cas taught Betsy about how plants and fungus are symbiotic with the rocks. The relationship between the two helps the plants to derive the minerals from the rock. If you have ever see our cave you know that we have plants near the white lights and they primarily live near our Lake of Venus. The students are here to study the geology and its relationship to the creation and chemistry of clay. Today they taught Betsy that the word for plants that grow on rocks is “epilithic.” The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Get outside and play! The world is full of magic, wonder, and creation. It’s just waiting for you to discover & explore it.” Thank you so very much for visiting and for teaching Betsy too!
We are wishing you the very best in your futures. We have faith that you will do just fine!
This is Billy & Terri (married) & Ed (Billy & Ed are brothers) from Yuma, Arizona. In 1947, Billy and Ed’s grandfather had a cabin built on Big Indian Mountain, in the Catskill Mountains. When they were children, they would spend their summers at the cabin. When their mother was a child she frequented the cabin, as well. The cabin has years of magical stories, history, and a beautiful legacy that is being passed down generation to generation. It where Ed met his wife. (not shown here in the photo.) They spent their summers as children adventuring in the Catskills together. Billy, Terri, and Ed are the first of many generations that are meeting at the cabin from all over the country this week. Betsy could see the childhood sparkle of magic memories dance across their faces when they spoke of the cabin. We spoke about the rich history of the area and the mysterious lost treasure of the famous bootlegger, Dutch Schultz, and how they used those back mountain roads to hide their still and run moonshine to NYC during the prohibition. They love that New York has a wealth of history and unparalleled beauty. They just visited the stoic West Point Military museum and tomorrow they are on their way to the historic Farmers Museum in Cooperstown. This family loves to travel and meet people. Their hope for the future of the cabin, tucked away at Big Indian, is to be able to continue to pass along its magnificent magic for many generations. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Get out there! Experience the world and be kind to people along the way. It’s amazing discovering the connections you have with others, the love of life, and similarities you really do share. You just have to be open to it.” Thank you so much for sharing your heartwarming story and for visiting!
These newlyweds just tied the knot on September 29th and are currently on their honeymoon. (‘Tis the season!) They met in college at work. Hunter showed up incredibly late for work the first day they met. Hunter’s tardiness left Rachael carry the majority of the workload all by herself. She was so frustrated that when he finally showed, she told him to meet her, at the flagpole, after work for a fight! (She’s fiesty! ) Hunter thought she was cute and tried to apologize by flirting with her the rest of the day. She wasn’t amused. After work, Hunter went to the flag pole but Rachael never showed. He found her profile on Instagram DM’ed her, asking why she never showed. (They still say that was their first official date) Rachael decided she liked Hunter’s tenacity so she appeased his request for a cup of coffee together. They have been inseparable ever since! When we asked what each of them could say to the world, Rachael said, “Try as many new experiences together as you can.” Hunter said, “Be true to yourself but be dynamic with the times. Be dynamic with learning how to grow individually and learning how grow together in the relationship. Make the time and effort to learn how to love each other the way the other person needs, wants, and deserves to be loved.” Rachael and Hunter, congratulations on the start of a new lifetime of brand new adventures together! Thank you for visiting and making us a part of your memories
“Love isn’t about asking what the other person can do for you or give to you. It’s about loving them exactly as they are giving it everything you’ve got.”
-Unknown
Both are Orlando police officers that met through their work three years ago. Tomorrow they are getting married right here in Cobleskill. They have family and friends gathering together from all over the country, including Puerto Rico, for their wedding! Kyle was born and raised in Cobleskill and Glory was born and raised in Puerto Rico. They said that they travelled from Florida to get married here because the Schoharie Valley is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. May you be blessed by a lifetime full of good health, love, and happiness.
Thank you so much for visiting
This is Brooke and her five beautiful children. Her husband, Billy is a New York City firefighter and a fourth generation farmer on Long Island. While working on their family farm in Long Island, Brooke had a bigger dream for her children. She had always wanted to live in upstate New York, own a horse farm, and give her children a little more space to run free. When the pandemic hit, Billy jokingly sent her a text saying, “Now is the time to get that dream started!” She took him seriously and began looking for land. She found a 30 acre horse farm in upstate New York. It had a 20 stall barn and a little three bedroom farmhouse that needed a lot of work. She sat down with Billy and hashed out a plan. They didn’t let the fear of the unknown stop them. She says they promised to never to look at the years. They see the challenges as days and they vowed to fill those days with beautiful memories. Originally, when they started the project, she thought that she would board horses. During that first year, she hosted a community event and saw the positive effects of farm life on the local children. She decided to transition the facility from boarding horses into a space where kids can play, enjoy nature, animals, and farm life. In the past three years, she began hosting some community events. Recently, she hosted an event with the mindset that if she got 100 attendees then it would be a success. The event ended up having 700 attendees! The family is incredibly grateful for the support of their community and hopes that they can leave a beautiful legacy and traditions for future generations. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Dream Big!” Thank you for visiting!
Ayubowan” (ආයුබෝවන්) is a Sinhalese greeting that means “may you live long”. It’s a common way to greet people in Sri Lanka, and is more than just a “hello.” This is how Betsy was greeted by this beautiful group of four families. The older generation in this photo were born and raised in Sri Lanka while the younger generation was born and is being raised here in Staten Island, New York.
Sri Lanka is known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” and the “Teardrop of India”. It is famous for producing the finest teas, rubber, coconut, as well as, exotic spices, and beautiful gemstones. Its unspoiled beaches are loaded with exotic wildlife & breathtaking environments. These beaches are home to some of the most sought after surfing destinations in the world. When I asked the elders of this group why they wanted to immigrate here to the United States, they said that their elders back home in Sri Lanka, spent their whole lives dreaming of living in the United States but never had the opportunity to realize that dream. One of the only ways to immigrate to the United States is by entering and being selected as a recipient of the green card diversity lottery. Each of these four families were selected and awarded the opportunity to immigrate here to the United States approximately 4-6 years ago. Sri Lankans are very family and community oriented. All of them said that they what they miss about home is the people they left behind. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Family is the most important thing. It is important to spend time with those you love and to be grateful for that time. Never take having the time or loved ones for granted. At some point in our lives we will lose one, the other, or both.” Thank you for your wise words and visiting
Years ago, Linda’s uncle set them up on a blind date. Rick was not very fond of the idea of dating his friend’s niece so he wasn’t overly excited about the date. However, once he met Linda, he quickly changed his mind. He says he was in love by the end of the first date! They were married on Valentine’s Day in 1981. The last time they visited Howe Caverns was 43 years ago while on their honeymoon! Rick’s parents were married in 1945 and also visited Howe Caverns while on their honeymoon! He said they still have their original Howe Caverns’ beanie caps from that trip. Today the caps look really cool and dated so Rick checked out our gift shop to see if he could snag some nostalgic Howe Caverns merch to take home. He went on to tell Betsy that his parents also came back on their 45th wedding anniversary. When Betsy asked them what keeps them together after 43 years of marriage? They said, “We keep adventure alive.” They travel together as much as they possibly can. When they were first married, their camping adventures started in tents. Thirty five years ago, they upgraded to an RV. This past year, they traveled coast to coast in that very same RV. They just came back from a six week trip to Europe. They also own a sailboat in the Narragansett Bay. They say although they’ve seen a lot of the world, there’s no place more beautiful than the Catskill mountains, especially this time of year. If they could tell the world one thing, it would be, “The good old days are being lived right now, so take every advantage to enjoy them in the moment.” Safe travels!
Thank you for visiting, Linda & Rick
She’s a serial entrepreneur and loves to travel. She was born in Chicago and raised by immigrant parents from Italy. She says that working a structured 9 to 5 job is suffocating. She needs her time and freedom to travel, build her businesses, and enjoy life. She’s a proud mother of four and has raised her children as a single mom. She has three girls and one boy, and each of them share her same entrepreneurial spirit and own their own successful businesses. The reason she is on this life mission of freedom through entrepreneurship she is because when her Nona lived in Italy, she would walk every day from the poor section of their village to the wealthy section and clean the homes or do the odd jobs that the wealthy didn’t want to do. Her Nona always had a dream of being able to come to America and start her own business. That dream never became a reality. When Karen went through her divorce, she found herself doing the same exact thing as her Nona, going to the wealthy peoples houses and seeking work. She realized that it was enough to sustain, but not enough to pull her into a financially healthy and sustainable life. Her Nona came to mind during this time. She decided that this was her destiny to break the glass ceiling. We all have a purpose. We just have to figure out what it is. She is currently writing a book and hosts her own podcast. To support her, you can follower her on social media at FDI Takeover Podcast (Freaking Do It!) and on YouTube
The one thing she would like to tell the world is, “Release all fears, explore & love with all of your heart. Take many pictures and make the memories that last forever. Write a book as your legacy and your story is unique.” it was a pleasure to meet you! Best of luck on all your adventures and endeavors! Thank you so much for visiting, Karen!
They are celebrating their upcoming NYC wedding! This is their combined wedding party- no one wanted to take the bride or groom’s side
They chose this group of friends because each one of them is very special to them in their own way. Natania & Jordan have been together for 6 years. Last year while they were moving apartments at 11pm at night, surrounded by boxes and an empty apartment, Jordan asked Natania if she was too tired to make big life changing decisions. She responded that she could handle it. He got down on bended knee put a ring on her finger, asking her to spend the rest of her life with him. Natania’s favorite thing about Jordan is that he’s super sweet and incredibly kind. Jordan‘s favorite thing about Natania is her enthusiasm and joy. The one thing they could tell the world is, “When given the choice, always choose time with those you love.” Thank you so very much for making us part of your special celebration! Best wishes for a joyous and and blessed marriage!
Helen has been enthralled by caves since childhood. She is a geologist/speleologist/teacher that has explored around 50 caves all over the world – so many that she nearly lost track! Le Fourneau, a private cave in Quebec, was the first cave she explored with her father when she was eleven years old. She said that Le Fourneau was her scariest caving experience due to the fear of the unknown. To traverse Le Fourneau, one must pass through a narrow tunnel over rushing water by holding yourself up on the walls with your hands and feet. At the end of the tunnel, to exit you must jump from the top of a small waterfall into the water below. Helen said that when she got to this part, she was petrified to jump. Her father was in the water below and told her to just fall. When she did, he caught her in his arms. This was the moment that her love of caving came alive! She has also explored the original Lascaux Cave in France. Within Lascaux, there are over 600 cave paintings dating back to approximately 17,000 years old! The original portion of Lascaux cave is no longer open to the public for the sake of preserving the paintings. She never had the desire to be married or have children. The only thing she wanted to do was spend her life working in and exploring nature. It is her passion. Her husband, Erik, also happens to be a geologist. After they married, Helen went back to school and got a second degree in teaching. Helen and Erik eventually decided to have a family. They struggled with pregnancy and carrying to term. Helen, sadly, suffered six miscarriages. On their seventh attempt, they were lucky
Betsy enjoyed a short conversation with them before their tour. Betsy does not speak German and they spoke very little English. The most that they were able to communicate was that everyone should “Live in Love”, which Betsy found so interesting because those are the exact words that she has tattooed on her arm! (They didn’t know that nor could they see that because Betsy had a fleece jacket on) Coincidentally, today is Betsy’s late father’s birthday and he was of German heritage. A meeting that was just meant to be today! Thank you Roland, Bastian & Julia for visiting and sharing your simple but beautiful wisdom. Travel with love!
Andrew met Christine & Joe today and wanted to share their story:
Andrew: So tell me a little bit about what brought you to the cave today.
Joe: This is the first time I’ve been back in 50 years. I’m from the Utica area, but my wife is from Belgium, and has never seen this area. We currently live in Spain.
Andrew: Joe, you were a police officer, correct?
Joe: Yes, I was an officer for 20 years, and then I spent another 21 years in commissary. Christine was nurse, and now we work as first responders.
Andrew: I was told that you both do conservation work with sea turtles? Can you tell me about that?
Christine: It’s important for us to be engaged with our community. When we lived in Puerto Rico for a period of time, the work we did with Leatherback turtles was a good way to enrich our community while also preserving the environment. Most of our work was ensuring that no pedestrians interfered with the turtles while they were building nests or laying eggs. We also prioritized educating the community about how they can positively impact turtles, and how to contact the organization if they spotted a Leatherback coming to shore. It’s especially important that we engage the younger generations and educate them on how to care for their surrounding environment.
Andrew: What organization was this through?
Joe: 7quilas San Juan Sea Turtle Conservancy. They are a nonprofit and are entirely comprised of volunteers. It was started by a woman who was raised in Puerto Rico and from the first time seeing a Leatherback turtle knew she wanted to do something to protect them. It’s all grown from her. We also plan on doing work with turtles back home in Spain.
Andrew: If you could tell one thing to the world, what would it be?
Christine: That we need to focus on protecting our environment. Not only globally, but at the personal level too. Whenever we take a walk on the beach, we always bring an empty bag and try to fill it with litter. People don’t realize that their small actions can have a big impact on the world, and it’s important to pay attention.
Christine & Joe, thank you so much for your many years of public service service to people, your community, and Mother Earth
You are angels among us that make the world a better place. Thank you for visiting
Ravi immigrated to Queens, New York when she was young. Her parents are entrepreneurs and from very early on, instilled the belief in Ravi that “if you are going to apply your energy into something, doing it halfway is not good enough. It must be done with passion and everything you’ve got.” As a young girl, she thought that maybe she wanted to become a doctor but the queasy feeling that she got around blood made her realize that wasn’t a good choice. She always enjoyed a good debate so she decided that being a lawyer might be right up her alley. She said, “We dedicate so much of our life, time, and energy to our jobs so it’s important to love what you do.” Today Ravi has her own successful practice. She said, “Being in legal litigation is very draining emotionally and mentally for clients. At the end of litigation you can physically see the burden lift off of them.” This makes her job very rewarding for her. She also said, “No matter how passionate you are about your job, it is important to have a good work/life balance. I have worked myself sick for my clients in the past.” This year, she’s really leaning into a healthy work/life balance and making time for herself and what she spiritually, mentally and physically needs. She also said that being a younger female in the legal field is challenging. She often deals with opposing counsel that tries to undermine her, demean her and make her feel as if she is not cut out for the job but this dynamo knows differently! The one piece of advice that she can give is, “Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t let anyone talk you out of them. Don’t let the voices of others drown out your own voice. Don’t let anyone tell you can’t do it! You can!” Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us, Ravi and thank you for visiting!
We also had the honor of meeting Preet, Ravi’s best friend, and the president of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association! In 2022 Ravi held the position of president and she is now very proud of Preet of taking the position on. Together these strong beautiful women are working hard to support female attorneys. Home – Queens County Women’s Bar Association
They met at the height of the pandemic on Tinder. They said that during that time, it was the only way to meet people and they were fortunate to have met one another. They have been together for four years and married for two. They are a blended family and also have a two year old together. Seth works in cyber security and Tabatha is a stay-at-home Mom. Although, her contribution is equally as important as his, Seth said that Tabitha has the harder job. There is no salary that could compensate her for all of the hard work, love, and devotion that she provides their family. They are each other’s rock and they balance each other’s personalities out perfectly. When Betsy asked them for an example of that, Seth said, “She calms my seas and I calm her bees.” Betsy asked them what that meant and Tabatha explained that she struggles with anxiety. She said the only way she can put into words what her anxiety feels like, is by saying that it feels like bees are attacking her when she has an anxiety attack. Seth is her safe harbor in those moments. Tabatha said that Seth is an amazing man, a phenomenal partner, and a wonderful father! If they had one thing to tell the world, they would say, “Don’t be afraid of second chances! There is someone out there that is going to love you just as you are and to help you build the amazing life that you deserve and have always dreamed of.”
Tabatha and Seth, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with us. Thank you for visiting
“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get–only with what you are expecting to give–which is everything.”
–Katharine Hepburn
Summer 2024
They have been together for fifteen years and have been married for six. Rob proposed at Zion National Park’s, Angels Landing. (Just as a fun dinner party fact, did you know that in 2022, a pilot program was started where in order to access Angels Landing, you must now have a permit that can only be acquired by winning a lottery? There are two lotteries for Angels Landing. The seasonal one opens months in advance and the other can be entered the day before hiking it) Anyway, it is one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States and they joked that it was the most terrifying hike they ever did. That same year on Christmas Eve, Lee-Sara gave Rob a box filled with all sorts of things from Thailand. It was actually the invitation to their own wedding, in Thailand, two weeks later! They love adventures! Their whole relationship has been full of spontaneity and unplanned adventures. Both are planners and project managers in their work life so taking a step back, and going with the flow in their off time, is something they appreciate and enjoy. This trip has been exactly that for them. They booked the tickets from England to JFK a couple of months ago without any plan set in place once they landed. They’ve just been winging it. They said they found us through a blog by a guy named Big Chuck. They were on their way to the Finger Lakes about a week ago and saw our massive iconic white letters on the front lawn from the highway. Big Chuck said that we “are America’s most famous hole in the ground!”(Thank you, Big Chuck! We love you, whoever you are!) They stopped in quickly to see what we were all about. Lee-Sara said that upon their arrival she was looking for a literal huge hole in the ground and was baffled by not seeing it.
They did not do a tour that day but loved it so much that they came back a week later and spent the night in our motel. Lee-Sara said she was slightly nervous about being so far underground but after their tour she was amazed by how beautiful the cave is and is so glad that they visited. When we asked them what they wanted to tell the world, Lee-Sara said, “Trust that everything will always be okay. The universe knows and will guide you.” To which Rob responded, “The universe is fine. It’s the people you have to worry about.”
Lee-Sara & Rob, thank you so very much for visiting our awesome hole in the ground! We are so grateful to have met you. Here’s to many more unplanned life adventures together. Travel with love!
You can follow Lee-Sara & Rob’s worldly adventures on Instagram by following the hashtag: #bigadventuresofrobandlee
P.S. How do we find out who Big Chuck is?
Meet Travis from Peekskill, New York and his Groomsmen! Travis is marrying Krystle, the love of his life, in October. All of these young gentlemen met through their church and joked that when people see them together as a group, they are often asked to carry heavy things, rake leaves, set up tables, and dig trenches. Krystle and Travis met at a Bible college a few years ago. Travis proposed to her, this past winter, in the Adirondacks, making it an amazingly memorable day. They were surrounded by nature and wildlife, a bald eagle even flew over them in the moment, almost as if it was giving them its blessing. Krystle made all these gentlemen cookies this morning! She’s an amazing baker and cook and they’re super grateful for that. (They even asked Betsy to put that little plug in there for Krystle) When we asked Travis what he wanted to tell the world, he said, “Marriage is the most selfless thing you can do. It is putting your own selfish needs and desires aside to build a life with someone. Doing that will require a lifetime of hard work. You have to be committed to that objective day in and day out.” We wish Travis and Krystle a lifetime of abundant blessings & happiness. Congratulations!
Thank you all so much for visiting
Oliver’s bright yellow sweatshirt with ears caught Betsy’s eye when she looked out her window into the parking lot. She wanted to know more! She ran downstairs and outside to introduce herself to Oliver. He quickly directed Betsy’s attention to his father, who Betsy hadn’t seen because because he was on the ground, changing a flat tire. Joshua stood up and introduced himself. He told Betsy that neither he nor Oliver had never been on a vacation and this was the start of a week-long vacation. As Josh was fixing his flat tire, they chatted. When Josh was 18, he enlisted in the Marine Corp. He did two tours in the Afghanistan War and was stationed at Marjah. He was a corporal & an Infantryman. He was honorably discharged after his service but his service came with the price of lifelong wounds sustained in battle. He has struggled with PTSD and the loss of 11 of his Marine brothers to suicide. Josh is bound and determined to be the best man and example that he can possibly be for his son. He’s currently studying for his degree in software engineering with hopes of continued service to our country once his degree is complete. He has applied to Yale and Harvard. Yale has accepted him, although he says his heart is set on Harvard. We know that whichever school you wind up finishing in, you will do just fine, Josh! You are the epitome of strength and honor. When Betsy asked him what he wanted to say to the world, he said, “When I reflect on the embracing compassion and understanding, I believe that if we all took a just moment to listen and truly see one another, we could create a much more beautiful world.” Their tire is fixed and they are back on road- embarking on their first and best father/son adventure yet. Safe travels! We also want to say thank you for your service; your sacrifices, your valor, for the things you carry, for protecting us, and for defending our rights, Josh. Last but not least, thank you & Oliver for visiting and including us as one of your stops!
They met on a blind date two years ago. Both felt a strong connection and immediately knew that they had the potential to build a beautiful and strong relationship. They both believe that their excellent communication and mutual support are the keys to making their relationship work. When they met Marcela, told Jorge that she wanted to own her own business. Together they realized that dream and she is a successful licensed realtor and owns her own franchise. Marcela & Jorge are here visiting Jorge’s sister that lives in Long Island. This is Marcela’s first time to New York and she is in complete awe of New York State’s beauty. She said that she always wanted to see Niagara Falls. The one thing they could say is that “Life is stressful, chaotic and filled with suffering. It’s important to be able to find your peace amid all of that. If you can harness how to stay peaceful in those moments, then you are able to share that calm and peace with others who may need it.” HOWE TRUE! Safe travels and thank you so much for visiting!
Some days we get some very special visits. Today was one. Meet William (Bill). 78 years ago, he was born in Cooperstown, New York and raised In Cobleskill, New York. When he was a young boy, during the heat of the dog days of summer, he would beg his parents to bring him to the cave to enjoy Mother Nature’s air conditioning. It was something that they frequently did as a family. In the 1960’s, when he was 18 years old, Bill became a tour guide. This was during a time that females were not allowed to guide. The first female guides came some 20 years later in the 1980’s! Bill worked at Howe Caverns until he graduated from college with a degree in education. Even though his teaching degree exempted him from the draft, he proudly chose to serve our country and went to war in Vietnam. Upon returning home, his love of nature along with and his treasured childhood memories of Howe Caverns, led him to become a United States Park Ranger. He built a lifelong career within our National Parks system; eventually retiring as a historian. Howe awesome! Today Bill spent time with Rich, our cave historian, Mike, one of our lifelong guides, and Betsy, our Brand Ambassador, and also a guide. They were so honored and thoroughly enjoyed visiting and sharing stories. When we asked Bill if there was one thing he wanted to say, he said, “God doesn’t owe me anything. I’ve lived more life than most get the opportunity to.” May God bless and keep you always, Bill. One thing that we always say and always holds true, “You never forget Howe” Thank you for visiting us
Halel and Tamar met at Midrasha Migdal Oz (an Open Orthodox institution of higher Torah study for women located in Gush Etzion in the West Bank) when they spent a year studying the Torah. While they were there, they met and made friends with a young woman from New York. After the year ended, their American friend returned to New York and Halel and Tamar served in the Israeli Defense Forces. After their two years of mandatory military service, these young ladies women decided to vacation abroad at separate destinations. Halel chose Peru and Tamar chose New York to visit their American friend that they made while studying at Midrasha Migdal Oz. Upon arriving in Peru, Halel became violently ill with food poisoning and wound up in a Peruvian hospital. Halel found Peruvian hospitals to be scary. She found that the hospital she was in lacked many of the basic resources that we often take for granted. Once she had recovered from her bout with food poisoning, she was on her way to visit Machu Picchu. En route, she was stung by a bee- which she is highly allergic to. At that point, she decided that Peru was simply not for her. She immediately contacted Tamar and booked a ticket to New York leaving Peru behind. Betsy asked Halel if she will ever return to Peru to see Machu Picchu. She quickly responded with, “No never! I saw enough while I was there!” (We think so too! ) These two lovely young women made a stop at Howe on their way to see Niagara Falls. Tamar told Betsy, “Our parents told us not to tell anyone that we were from Israel. They feared that perhaps we would not be welcomed. We have found that not to be the case at all. Everyone here has been so very kind to us.” Betsy asked them If you could tell the world one thing what would it be?
Halel: “Do what’s best for you. You know best. Appreciate others who offer you help along the way. Don’t be afraid.”
Tamar: “We are all human beings. We should all love each other. We should all want to make this world a better place.”
Thank you, Halel and Tamar for visiting, sharing your story with us, and for making us a part of your adventure.
Travel with Love. Peace be with you.
Meet (left to right) Mingma, Lhamu (Mingma’s Mother), Dawa (Mingma’s Father), Dende (Mingma’s Husband). They are Sherpas from Solukhumbu District of Nepal
Sherpas are a Nepalese ethnic group renowned for their rich culture, superior climbing skills and extreme endurance for high altitudes. Wherever Sherpas are found, their settlements lie at the highest elevations of any human habitation. Sherpa villages cling to the sides of sheer mountain slopes or sit atop steep escarpments. Their community is the gateway to Mt. Everest. This amazing family has spent their lives as trekking guides on Mount Everest. The distance between mountain settlements are great and the terrain is rough. Many villages lack educational facilities of any sort. While in recent years this has started to change, the women of Mignma’s generation lacked many simple resources and grappled with cultural oppression. In the remote Everest region, seven out of ten girls drop out of school after 10th grade. The weight of poverty and the prevailing cultural view in Nepal favors sending boys to school and keeping the girls at home. As a result, the literacy rate of women is just 23%. The family left Solukhumbu five years ago and moved to the United States (Connecticut) for the sake of Mingma’s children. They wanted to be able to provide them with as many resources as they possibly could so that they could lead successful and fulfilling lives. This was not an easy decision for them to make. They are immensely proud of their heritage, culture and community. The number of Sherpas migrating to Western countries has significantly increased in recent years, especially to the United States. New York City has the largest Sherpa community in the United States, with a population of approximately 16,000. The family said that they are happy that they made the decision. They are also happy to have reunited with many of their people here. Toward the end of our conversation, Mingma told Betsy that her cousin is the “Mountain Queen.” Lhakpa Sherpa is the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest and survive! She concealed her gender to pursue the climb. Remarkably, she has summited Mount Everest 10 times! There is a new Netflix series about her that was just released. It’s incredible! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Pray every morning for peace and love for everyone; for every living thing, even for those you believe are not worthy.”
HOWE beautiful!
Thank you so much for visiting
Also, just an interesting thing: a tongkok, is traditionally worn by Sherpa women. It is what Lhamu is wearing in the photo.
If you are interested in learning more about Mignma’s family, their traditions, and the “Mountain Queen.” You can watch the newly released Netflix film: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0yz5F9WtmsI (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0yz5F9WtmsI). IT’S INCREDIBLE!
They’ve been together for about a year. Allan is a train engineer and Jackie is a real estate agent. Life takes us each on our own personal journeys but always leads us right to where we belong. This couple is from a small town and joked that there are not a lot of single people that live there. Allan had known of Jackie and had an interest in her for years but Jackie had moved away to build a life elsewhere. About a year ago, Jackie moved home- back to her roots. When Allan found out through friends that she had returned, he asked her out on a date. They have been together ever since and are looking forward to all of their future adventures together. When Allan was a teenager, his family lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When he lived there, he met Ralph from our local Bramanville Grist Mill. Ralph and Allan were close growing up. They were even roommates at one point. Allan & Jackie came to Cobleskill to visit Ralph and they have a weekend of fun planned. They booked a stay in our motel and took a cave tour while they were here. They had a wonderful conversation with Brian, our cave manager and their tour guide, about Allan’s connection with Ralph and by the end, there were big hugs! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Everything is going to be alright in the end and if it’s not… it’s not the end.” Thank you for visiting
Meet Jackie & Allan from Tennessee They’ve been together for about a year. Allan is a train engineer and Jackie is a real estate agent. Life takes us each on our own personal journeys but always leads us right to where we belong. This couple is from a small town and joked that there are not a lot of single people that live there. Allan had known of Jackie and had an interest in her for years but Jackie had moved away to build a life elsewhere. About a year ago, Jackie moved home- back to her roots. When Allan found out through friends that she had returned, he asked her out on a date. They have been together ever since and are looking forward to all of their future adventures together. When Allan was a teenager, his family lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When he lived there, he met Ralph from our local Bramanville Grist Mill. Ralph and Allan were close growing up. They were even roommates at one point. Allan & Jackie came to Cobleskill to visit Ralph and they have a weekend of fun planned. They booked a stay in our motel and took a cave tour while they were here. They had a wonderful conversation with Brian, our cave manager and their tour guide, about Allan’s connection with Ralph and by the end, there were big hugs! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Everything is going to be alright in the end and if it’s not… it’s not the end.” Thank you for visitingMeet Jackie & Allan from Tennessee They’ve been together for about a year. Allan is a train engineer and Jackie is a real estate agent. Life takes us each on our own personal journeys but always leads us right to where we belong. This couple is from a small town and joked that there are not a lot of single people that live there. Allan had known of Jackie and had an interest in her for years but Jackie had moved away to build a life elsewhere. About a year ago, Jackie moved home- back to her roots. When Allan found out through friends that she had returned, he asked her out on a date. They have been together ever since and are looking forward to all of their future adventures together. When Allan was a teenager, his family lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When he lived there, he met Ralph from our local Bramanville Grist Mill. Ralph and Allan were close growing up. They were even roommates at one point. Allan & Jackie came to Cobleskill to visit Ralph and they have a weekend of fun planned. They booked a stay in our motel and took a cave tour while they were here. They had a wonderful conversation with Brian, our cave manager and their tour guide, about Allan’s connection with Ralph and by the end, there were big hugs! The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Everything is going to be alright in the end and if it’s not… it’s not the end.” Thank you for visiting
Betsy noticed this all-American couple from Dutchess County, New York, in our Main Lodge and stopped them because she just knew that they had a good story to tell. That they did! First they asked if they could take our Orange County Chopper out for a spin. Betsy responded with, “Only if you have the winning lottery numbers for tonight.” After a good laugh, they said they would love to interview but that they are in a mad rush to get back to their campsite for a spaghetti wrestling match. Betsy said, “I’m sorry. WHAT?! Is this real life” Jessica said, “Yes, and then tomorrow night is spaghetti dinner night!”
We sure hope it’s not the same spaghetti used for both events!
The one thing they did want to tell the world is, “Don’t take life too seriously and eat the pasta!” Thank you for visiting!
The moment Betsy saw Amber walk into the Main Lodge, she knew she had to meet her. Amber has been a licensed nurse for approximately a year. She also is an aviatrix! She has been flying planes since she was 12 years old! Her grandfather was part of the 101st Airborne Division. Her father also had a love of flying, but never obtained his pilot’s license. Amber has been working on her license on and off but life keeps getting in the way. One of the most important rules of flying is that you must always stay current & proficient. Amber once took a flight at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome in a biplane. There’s no other feeling in the world like flying in one of the aircrafts that pioneered aviation. You either love to fly or you don’t. It’s usually the fear of the unknown that makes us afraid of flying; the fear of falling, the fear of failing. This can be true of so many things in life. Amber said that in honor of her Dad not being able to fulfill his own dream of being a licensed pilot, she is now more bound and determined than ever to never give up on her dream. Get it, Amber!
Thank you so much for visiting!
“Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.”
– Eddie Rickenbacker
P.S. the reason that Betsy felt so drawn to Amber is because she too is a pilot
He lives in the town where the legend of Rip Van Winkle originated. Fifteen years ago, his father was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumor. The doctors believed that they would be able to remove it without issue. Unfortunately, that was not the case and sadly, after his surgery, his father was paralyzed. Michael became a caregiver to his father and at that moment, his love for nursing was born and currently, he is in nursing school. He truly believes that nursing is about more than just the patient. He wants to be able to make a positive impact, as a whole, within the lives of patients and their families. He has received a full scholarship for college and has already accepted a two-year job offer upon completing his license. The one thing he wants to tell the world is, “Trust your intuition. Try your very best at whatever you were do. Life can be a rocky road, learn to enjoy the ride.” ALSO! Today is Michael’s 22nd Birthday and our beautiful Marilyn had the tour sing him “Happy Birthday” at the Cathedral Pipe Organ. Happy Birthday, Michael!
May all of your wishes come true!
Thank you so very much for visiting & spending a part of your special day with us!
Tracy is in the process of finding her light again. Tracy’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. She and her family watched her mother struggle with the illness and hold on as long as she could. Three months after her mother’s passing, Tracy was diagnosed with cancer. Although she fell into a deep depression, she was bound and determined to not to give up. Today, Tracy is six months cancer-free. She says that it was the love and support of her family, friends, and the small circle of people that she holds close to her heart, that helped her through. She is so incredibly grateful for them. In honor of that, she has a beautiful tattoo of a phoenix on her left upper arm, with the words, “From the ashes, clothed in strength and beauty, I rise.” The Phoenix symbolizes transformation, rebirth, and hope. The immortal Phoenix never truly dies. It continually rises from the ashes, just as the fiery sun “dies” and is “reborn” every morning. Because the Phoenix willingly sacrifices itself to death, it’s able to regenerate and gain awareness and spiritual growth. Today Tracy works on, nurturing her close relationships. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “It’s never too late to start over!” We are so happy that you are with us, Tracy. We wish you continued good health & a lifetime of happiness. Thank you for visiting
“And just as the Phoenix rose from the ashes, she too will rise. Returning from the flames, clothed in nothing but her strength, more beautiful than ever before.”
— Shannen Heartzs
The two share a love of motorcycles. This weekend they are attending the Can-Am Spyder convention in Lake George as well as the Adirondack Nationals car show. Jennifer became a mom when she was nineteen years old. While her kids were growing up, she worked for her local school district so that she could be close to them. She put her dreams of being a nurse on hold until later in life. She obtained her degree & licensing when she was 41. While she was raising her own children, sadly, her older brother passed away from a drug overdose, leaving behind his young daughter. Jennifer said that she knew that if she didn’t step in and adopt her niece, she would become a part of the foster care system. She could never let that happen. She says the pain of losing her brother so early in life is still very painful today. Her niece is now a beautiful mother of two and has a wonderful job. A few years ago, Jennifer’s younger brother, who also struggles with drug addiction, had his daughter taken away. Jennifer and Jason stepped in and adopted her, as well. She said that she and Jason weren’t expecting to be parents all over again but are incredibly grateful for all the love and support that they have received. When asked if they had one piece of advice for others, they said, “Sometimes you just have to take life moment by moment, day by day. Never give up on your dreams.” Thank you for visiting!
P.S. Thank you, Jennifer for giving Betsy a quick ride on your Spyder!
They just moved to upstate New York 3 months ago. Corey is originally from Alabama. She went to college in Northern Mississippi and become a therapist. While spending her summers in Pensacola, she met Doug. He was just two months out of the army. Doug is originally from upstate New York and is an electrical engineer. They have been married for six years. Their adorable son, Thomas, is 5 years old. Today was his first day of school ever and their visit Howe Caverns was his afterschool treat. Corey shared with us how blessed they are to be able to experience this special moment with their son. He is and will be their only child. The couple struggled with infertility and pregnancy. Corey told us that she and Thomas almost did not survive childbirth. It has been a long healing process for Corey and she still has surgeries to this day. The one thing they want to tell the world is, “Be open to new experiences. Every experience is an opportunity for learning.” We hope this is an awesome school year, for you as parents, and for Thomas, as a new student!
Thank you so much for visiting and making us part of this day of celebration
They met online over 15 years ago. They are both indigenous. Meriam is Amazigh (the indigenous people of North Africa) and Spanish. Jonathan is Choctaw, Cherokee and African American. This was their common connection. In the beginning of their relationship, Meriam traveled to the United States to attend pow wows. She was fascinated and continued to travel back and forth between the two countries, studying the indigenous peoples in both countries. Her first date with Jonathan was to a pow wow and the next was to the Gathering of the Nations. They have spent a good portion of their relationship traveling to what they call “the roots” – meaning where traditions and cultures were created. While doing so, they noticed that indigenous peoples from all over the world, while unique in their own ways, all have many similarities. Because of this, they were inspired to document and create art throughout their journey. When we asked them, if they had one thing to tell the world they said, “Look to the roots and follow the old ways. A slower way of life is important. Be present. Explore life. Lean into the light and happiness of life and be who you are. Don’t be afraid to show love.” Thank you so very much for visiting!
Explore Meriam’s artwork here: M Djaouhar Photography, LLC (https://mdjaouhar.smugmug.com/)
They met 15 years ago when they were 14 years old but they never actually went on their first date until they were in college! Mike asked her to go to a tiny little crab shack named “Clemente’s” in Brooklyn. Now they are engaged and planning a spring wedding! They said that they are truly best friends and weather life’s storms very well together. Ta-tanisha & Mike are interested in moving out of the city and starting a life in a less populated area. Recently, they have been exploring what upstate has to offer. Lucky for us, Howe Caverns was one of their stops. Both of their jobs will allow them to transfer to the New York State Capital seamlessly. When we asked them if there was anything they wanted to tell the world, they said, “Just be kind to each other and always remember that “this too shall pass.” We wish you both the best of luck in relocating and beginning all of your new adventures as husband and wife! Many best wishes & blessings always. Thank you so very much for visiting!
Dave is a total “girl dad” and we love that! His love and adoration of his daughters is very apparent. Dave, a proud American, served our country until he retired from the U.S. Air Force. His daughters, Shelley & Kristie, are fraternal twins and best friends. They were born in the Netherlands and grew up living all over Europe. When they were little, their parents said that they had their very own language and could understand each other when no one else could. The girls said that this deep connection and understanding has continued on into their adulthood. They joked that they are telepathically connected. When Dave retired, he decided that he wanted to return to the United States to live. The girls support that by visiting often. When the pandemic hit, their visits came to a halt. The family said for the past few years they kept in touch through technology. This is their first time seeing their father since the pandemic hit! When we asked them, if they had one thing to say, they said, “Live in the present moment and appreciate the little things. Life is too short to fight. Let it go and love each other.” Thank you so much for visiting!
Betsy found this mother and daughter smiling and laughing in front of our fortuneteller, Ol’ Abner! Betsy couldn’t help but stop to see what the fuss was all about. After chatting, Michelle shared that her mom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. They have vowed to make the most of life by going on new adventures and making as many memories together as they can. When Betsy asked them how they were able to find such joy in bittersweet moments, Michelle drew an analogy between life and climbing mountains. She said, “When you’re in it, you keep your head down, stay focused, and climb on. Every now and then, you look up to see how far you’ve come and to see the beautiful scenery. Once you get to the top of one mountain, you are at the foot of another. Enjoy the journey, because there will always be struggle. Adapt and overcome.” Michelle & Maureen, we will continue to think of you as you continue this journey together. Love to you both. Thank you for making us a part of your memories
HOWE cute are these two? These two adorable sisters came prepared!
It’s 52°F year round in our cave. Guests are underground for an hour and a half, please dress accordingly! We hope you loved your tour!
Meet (From left to right) Jacques, María, Magda, and Marylin from Bedford Hills, New York. Jacques is a pharmacist, and Maria is a respiratory therapist at a hospital in the Bronx. They were looking for a day trip to take over the Labor Day weekend. The last time Jacques was here was 54 years ago, in 1970, with his dad! He wanted to bring his family here to see the cave. His hope was that they would enjoy it as much as he did. Jacques said “When have you ever gotten the chance to go so many feet underground in a natural formation? Not many!” Which is so true! Jacques was just as impressed with the cave today as much when he was younger! Thank you for visiting!
P.S. Please don’t wait another 54 years before returning!
Today’s post will keep you on your toes!
Meet this beautiful international group of professional dancers. From left to right, meet: Florin from Transylvania, Romania
Natalia from Russia
Misha from Belgrade, Serbia and Dakota from New Jersey
Florin was just 10 years old when he fell in love with dance. It was a cold, rainy, miserable day in Romania and his mother took him to watch a local dance competition. From the moment the dancers started dancing, he fell in love. It ignited his passion that today has become his profession. Florin’s partner, Natalia, started dancing when she was eight years old. Originally, her mother thought that she was going to be a professional tennis player. Her mother quickly realized that tennis was probably not in her future because one day, while at practice, a young man was picking on Natalia. Natalia purposely served the ball directly at him. At that moment, her mother decided she needed to be a little more feminine and put her in to dance classes. The man that keeps them all laughing is Misha. At a young age Misha was diagnosed with bronchitis. His parents forced him to swim to keep his body and lungs moving. He absolutely despised it. One day while walking by a dance class, he noticed that the majority of the class was female. It was at that moment he knew he wanted to dance! Last but not least of this group is Dakota. Dakota‘s parents were entertainers. Her father was a magician, and her mother was a magician’s assistant. As a young girl, her father loved to watch old movies with dancing legends like Fred Astaire and Shirley Temple. Shirley Temple was Dakota’s inspiration for becoming a dancer. So, how did all of these dancers from all over the world meet? They were asked to perform in a show by a mutual dance coach. After performing in that show they became inseparable. They currently perform, compete, and teach internationally together. We also found out that Florin & Natalia are not only life partners but also business partners. Together, they founded Dance Fire Studio. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, Misha said, “Eat more vegetables.” The rest of the group said, “Don’t complain. Don’t feel bad for yourself. Don’t ever take on the role of victim. Rise above! You are the master of your own destiny. Thank you for visiting
If you’re looking for dance lessons
https://www.dancefirestudio.com/?gad_source=1… (https://www.dancefirestudio.com/?gad_source=1…)
This beautiful couple loves to travel. They just got back yesterday from Banff National Park in Canada and are now on their way to Niagara Falls. Nine years ago, they married, surrounded by family and friends in Thailand, and then immediately moved to the United States to start their careers as physicians. Today they are both licensed physicians, practicing and living in Boston, Massachusetts. The hardest part of their journey was leaving their family and friends in Thailand. They said they have found a beautiful appreciation for the United States, saying that Boston is an amazing culturally diverse melting pot. They are surrounded by kindness and inclusivity with Bostonians. (Go Boston!! ) When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said “Have the courage to step out of your comfort zone. The world is big! Never stop exploring.” Thank you so much for visiting
They have been best friends since they were five years old! Wolfgang has been traveling the world nonstop since February and has visited seven countries! To pursue this once-in-a-lifetime dream, he had to work very hard, for a long time, to save money. He also had to leave his job but thankfully, he has been offered a job upon his return home. He told Betsy that a great deal of his travel plans have been spontaneous. One of the great surprises during this trip was his best friend, Simon, joining up with him in July. He was inspired by Wolfgang’s journey and last minute, they decided to spend Wolfgang’s last three weeks traveling together. They both work for medical technology companies as engineers. They said their careers as engineers require them to be curious. Wolfgang said that he enjoys and prefers learning about life through hands-on experience. He said that while seeing other countries and cultures in media was wonderful, it didn’t feel like enough for him, He was driven to experience it all in person. The United States has taken quite some for him to explore. It’s a huge country in comparison to others. His favorite part, so far, has been all of his visits to our national parks. He has been to Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia, the Grand Teton. A fun fact about Simon is that he is currently becoming certified in cave diving! (See photo) The both of them do not ever intend to stop exploring. If they could tell the world one thing it would be, “Stay curious.” Thank you so very much for visiting
Safe travels, Wolfgang & Simon!
“If you can let go of passion and follow your curiosity, your curiosity just might lead you to your passion.” Elizabeth Gilbert
Choosing which guest to interview each day is never an easy task. Today, Betsy was immediately drawn to the Alazri family’s great energy, and she knew she had to meet them! When she asked them where they were from, they jokingly said a little bit of everywhere. Aisha (Mom) & Saeed (Dad) met in Dubai when they were young adults (16 & 20) and they have been together ever since! Soulmates! This couple complements each other beautifully and perfectly and has proven, throughout their years of marriage, that they can endure. Aisha absolutely loves travel and worked for Etihad Airways. Saeed is the exact opposite. When they met, Saeed told Aisha he would never leave Dubai and that she would never get him on a plane. That being said, their honeymoon was in the Maldives. He said he had to go because it was, after all, their honeymoon! The family says that once they took that first flight together they haven’t just stopped! They have traveled and lived many different places all over the world. Many years and three beautiful children later, their jobs took their marriage to a whole new level. Aisha’s work kept her in Abu Dhabi and Saeed’s brought him to New York City. The couple co-parented their children through an international long distance relationship! Each child took turns living with each parent and Aisha & Saeed also took time for themselves as a couple to nurture their relationship. They have lived that way for the past five years. This year was the year that they finally all moved to one home here in the United States! Congratulations!
HOWE AWESOME! If they could say one thing, it would be….”You are love. Be love. Everything you do, do it with love. Start there and the world will be a brighter place, beginning with you.” Travel with love! We love that! Thank you so much for visiting!
From the vast cattle lands of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to the snowy hills of Maine, Aldaiane’s journey is one of strength, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. She was raised by her grandparents whom she lovingly calls her true mother and father. She grew up watching resilience in action. Her grandmother’s selfless love and her grandfather’s tireless work shaped the foundation of her strength. Now a mother herself, Aldaiane is building a life in the U.S., running her own cleaning business. It was an idea she envisioned and brought to life with bold determination. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” she says, “but I’m grateful to share my life with Duncan.” Duncan, a former cage fighter turned realtor, grew up in Maine with a deep respect for strong women—especially his mother. His mother once had a dream of him marrying a Brazilian woman. Her voice and that dream guided him years later to a dating app where he met Aldaiane. Despite a blizzard, he drove 115 miles to see her on their first date. Now, three years into marriage, he says, “She’s the calm in my storm. The rock.” Together, they raise their children across borders, share laughter, and nurture dreams. Aldaiane loves Duncan’s humor and warmth; he admires her deep passion for life and her fearless authenticity. “She makes everyone around her want to be better,” he says. With Aldaiane’s cousin Kelly visiting from Brazil, learning English and seeing New York City for the first time, their life is a mosaic of cultures, courage, and connection. Their message is simple but powerful. “Push yourself, no matter how hard things get. Pressure makes diamonds. Character is built in the struggle. Trust that God has a plan—and never lose faith in it.” Thank you so much for visiting
Afghanistan is rich in history, culture and natural resources; agriculture being the backbone to the country’s economy. Wheat, grains, raisins, dried apricots and almonds are among the country’s major exports. Abdul and Rabia immigrated to Queens, New York in 1986 in the midst of the Soviet-Afghan war. They were married in on July 4, 1993 and honeymooned in Lake George. They are currently on vacation with their children and celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary by visiting Upstate attractions. When we ask them what was something special about their family, they said, “We love spice and have a very high spice tolerance in attitude, and in food!” They kept us laughing with their infectious good spirits and jokes the whole conversation. Their favorite motto is:“Nothing ventured nothing gained.” Take the risk! Happy 31st Anniversary and thank you for visiting
Rochester is the birthplace of Kodak film, once a booming industry before technology came into play. It was also the home of Susan B. Anthony, an activist and pioneer for the women’s suffrage movement. Her work paved the way for the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote!
John spent a good portion of his life as a school teacher. At age 42, he decided to change careers and to become a nurse. This was no easy feat for him. While working full-time, he attended college on the weekends until he obtained his degree and license. Out of a class of 27 students, there were only seven men. Nursing is a female dominated industry here in the United States and approximately only 12% of nurses and nurse practitioners are men. He originally thought that he would like pediatric nursing but later found that it was too difficult for him to see children suffering. He currently works with terminally ill patients in hospice. While this is also incredibly challenging work, he finds it fulfilling; watching life come full-circle is very beautiful and a gift. He said, “Nursing is an art & a science. To be good in medicine, you have to do one thing very well, and that is to listen. In life, it is so important to do your very best to be compassionate, calm, patient and kind.” Thank you for visiting, and Good Lord, John, your mustache is FABULOUS!!!
Ted is a proud life-long farmer. He is originally from Connecticut but later, moved to farm in New York. Ted & April were neighborhood acquaintances and have known each other since the ‘80s. Several years ago, April went through a divorce, which prompted her to build a successful essential oil business. Sadly, Ted lost his wife 2 1/2 years ago after 64 years beautiful years together. April was friends with Ted’s wife when she was alive. They both loved her and missed her. As they navigated through their major life changes, losses, and grief, they found comfort in each other, and eventually, love again. They are living their lives together to the fullest. They have been enjoying many new adventures- which is what brought them to Howe. They recently tried karaoke together and they even belong to the Sandy Creek shuffle boarding team! Their motivation and inspiration motto is: “Enjoy life. Enjoy it every day.” We wish you good health, happiness & love. Thank you so much for visiting us and sharing your beautiful story. May it give others hope
Meet Jeff, Erica & their daughter, Rachel, from Western New York. Jeff and Erica met in Los Angeles, California many years ago and have been happily married for 30 years! Erica works as a therapy aid and a Spanish interpreter for patients who have a hard time communicating or can’t speak English. Rachel was an exchange student in Belgium through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, during her junior year of high school. It’s an international student exchange program for students in secondary school. About 9,000 students are sponsored a year in the program. She loved it so much that she will be beginning her college studies, in international organization and management, in Belgium! When Kaily asked Rachel if she had any favorite or memorable moments from her first stay in Belgium, she said that there were truly too many amazing ones to name! She enjoyed trips to Paris, the Netherlands, and had so many great adventures. She even rode in a hot air balloon! We wish you the best of luck in your travels & studies abroad, Rachel! Be safe
Thank you so much for visiting
South Korea has captured the hearts millions worldwide with its charm of ancient palaces, tempting flavors of Korean barbecue, peaceful Buddhist temples, and dynamic K-pop. Today is Jeanie’s 23rd birthday!
She has been here for the past two months visiting her boyfriend, Nate. They met last year while she was an exchange student at SUNY Oswego. Jeanie is double majoring in psychology and English education. Nate is majoring in electrical engineering. He had planned to go to South Korea to spend the summer with Jeanie. However, plans changed when Nate received an internship at a nuclear energy plant. They said that while being in a long distance relationship has its challenges, it’s definitely worth it. Nate already has plans to go to South Korea to spend the Holidays with Jeanie and her family. They both love adventure and so far, this is their best adventure yet! When we asked what they wanted to tell the world, they said, “Love each other. There are a lot of people are out there spreading hate. It’s important to respect and love each other.”Happiest of birthdays Jeanie and thank you so much for visiting.”
The city of Stuttgart is known as the “cradle of the automobile.” It is the birthplace of both Mercedes Benz and Porsche. Twenty seven years ago, Anja (Mom) lived in the United States as an exchange student. Her host family brought her to Howe Caverns and she never forgot that visit. She now returned with her own family and hopes that one day her children will bring their families to visit the cave! It never ceases to amaze us how, no matter where in the world people may come from, our cave often becomes a family tradition woven into the fabric of people’s lives globally. We are honored to host guests from every walk of life, from all over the world, year round. When we asked them what they could tell the world they said, “It is important to be mindful of the environment around us. It is truly a gift and we are only here as caretakers for a moment. It is our job to take care of our world so we can pass it on to future generations.” Thank you for visiting
She is in her mid 70s. Betsy found her sitting in the lodge with her son. Betsy told her how beautiful she was, she protested over and over again saying that she not. Betsy found her to be stunning. She was shy and didn’t want her picture taken. Betsy spent quite a period of time talking to her son about family, religion, and life. When Betsy was saying goodbye, Farah said to her son in Hindi that Betsy could take her photo. When Farah saw her picture, she was astounded by her own beauty. “At the core of your heart, you are perfect and pure. No one and nothing can alter that.” — Amit Ray. Thank you for visiting, Farah
The Philippines is considered the pearl of the pearl of the Orient. Located in the Pacific Ocean near the equator, the Republic of the Philippines consists of around 7,640 islands, about 2,000 of which are inhabited. Its specialities consist of scenic mountains, enchanting beaches, exotic wildlife, majestic volcanoes, friendly people, rich culture, deep rooted traditions & delicious cuisine. This proud family came to Howe Caverns for a family reunion. They were excited to let us know that the family consists of a cancer survivor who was in attendance today, as well as, 8 seniors! They are also celebrating multiple wedding anniversaries this month. Apparently, August wedding are favored in this family! Philip, one of their family members (you can see the lanyard around his neck to identify) is autistic. They said that the cave was a remarkable experience for all of them but especially Philip. The cave is a serene environment with dim lighting and the soft echoing of the River Styx added a soothing backdrop. It provided a perfect environment for Philip to enjoy an outing with his family. This family is all about celebrating life and family. For them, “Family is Love!” They said, “Spend as much time as you can nurturing those bonds.” Thank you so much for visiting and making memories with us!
When Sabrina was twelve, her parents went through a very difficult divorce. Sabrina had to move to California to live with her Mom’s sister. Moving to the United States was incredibly challenging and especially difficult, not only because of the cultural shock, but because she was not living with her parents. She eventually graduated from high school and the pursued a career in allied health at a community college in Fresno. While in college, she met her wonderful husband, Ryan. When she met Ryan, she loved having the opportunity to see how different families are culturally. She noticed that her husband’s family is very laid back and that they expressed emotion openly and freely, which was a primary difference from her family. In Thailand, showing emotion can be seen as “being rude”. Ryan’s family is from Upstate New York and because Thailand has so many caves, they thought that Sabrina would enjoy visiting Howe. She definitely did. This past week, Sabrina saw her father for the first time in 20 years! It was a great step toward healing. Sabrina opened up to Kaily and told her that although she suffered through some very tough times, she wanted others to know that you can always make it through. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Everything you want is worth fighting for. What she’s learned from moving here is that you should never “let people dictate your life.” You need to “Love yourself and know that just because you have one bad day, it doesn’t mean you have a bad life. God always has your back” HOWE INSPIRATIONAL. Soon, Sabrina & Ryan are planning to move to Virginia Beach. We wish them the best & everything happiest
Thank you so much for visiting
Vermont is known for its picturesque mountains, fall foliage, maple syrup, and awesome ski resorts. It was home to and is the resting place for, the famous poet, Robert Frost. It is also the place where many of Norman Rockwell’s artistic creations came alive. The Desautles are a blended family! Riley, the eldest, has siblings that aren’t here today because they are with the other half of her family. Being the eldest, has shaped her into a very responsible and resilient young woman. Her mother says Riley is a great help and a fantastic big sister. These parents work very hard to provide the best life they possibly can for the children but with the current economy, they are rarely able to go on vacation. This past week they visited family in Kentucky. They went to Ark Encounter (Life-size Noah’s Ark | Ark Encounter) – the recreation of Noah’s ark! The children said it was massive and made them feel incredibly small! Betsy asked each of the children if they could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would they go, the girls (Riley 15 & Payton 11) said somewhere out west so they could go snowboarding and skiing. Levi (11) said home. Lincoln (6) said to London to see the clock Big Ben! She then asked Mom & Dad if they had one vacation wish what would it be, and they said, “We would rent an RV and take the children everywhere they possibly could around the United States.” This beautiful family is full of adventure but knows that home is sometimes right where we need to be. When asked if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “ Progress, not perfection and don’t forget to sprinkle it with kindness.” Thank you so much for visiting!
This lush beautiful country is bursting with green spaces, lush forests, towering mountains and vast lochs. It is a world of castles and Highland clans. Its Celtic culture is home to bagpipes, kilts, haggis, & whiskey. It is also, believed that golf was invented in Scotland in the Middle Ages. It has the highest proportion of golf holes per capita in the world! This was this family’s first time ever in a cave! For years, Angela lived between the United States and Scotland. They recently settled in Western Massachusetts. She told us that her decision to move to the United States permanently, was to establish roots and to have a more consistent way of life. This amazing mother, and go-getter, works three jobs! She is a financial advisor, Zumba teacher, AND a small business owner! She recently started a little bakery named Wee Scottish Bakery. She very much loves her heritage and wants to share that with other people. Thank you for visiting!
You can follow Angela and her journey on social media (facebook & instagram) and support her new small business: Wee Scottish Bakery (https://m.facebook.com/61558961969970/)
Betsy saw Yana outside the Main Lodge, enjoying the view. She was hesitant to speak when Betsy approached her and when she did speak, it was only to her father & brother in Slavic. She eventually warmed up to Betsy and said, “Today is my birthday.” Her 12th birthday, to be exact!
She told Betsy that she was waiting for her mother who was still on a cave tour. Her mom had missed her scheduled tour time because she received a phone call from family in Ukraine while waiting for the tour to depart. Betsy immediately noticed that talking about family in Ukraine and the war was a difficult topic for this family. Smiles quickly moved to expressions of concern when the subject was broached. Betsy lightened the mood with a little homemade fudge and multiple good birthday wishes. When Betsy asked Yana what she would tell the world she said, “Be happy!” Happiest of birthdays, beautiful Yana!
Thank you so much for visiting and to celebrating with us today!
The Gateway to South America, this country has one of the most unique landscapes in the world and happens to be the second leading biodiverse country in the world. It boasts stunning Caribbean Beaches in the North, exotic Amazon Rainforest in the East and the Andes Mountains in the South. It is renowned worldwide for its rich natural resources. Colombia proudly stands as one of the top growers in the world for coffee. It is also the world’s leading source of emeralds. The Colombian culture is largely influenced by 16th century Spain. It also reflects the intermixing of Spanish, Indian and African traditions. This fusion is seen in their crafts, folklore, music, and sculpture. Salsa is the rhythm of this country and it’s said that you can find people dancing at all hours of the day! Alexandra is here visiting family. We noticed her sweatshirt and she proudly told us that her son made it for her. When we asked Alexandra if there was one thing that she wanted tell the world, she said, “Have compassion for other people and be willing to help.” Thank you for visiting!
We actually have a soft spot for our Long Islanders and you may ask why? Every year, many of our guests that visit come from Long Island. Long Island is considered to be the most southeastern part of New York State. It is the longest and the largest island in the contiguous United States- extending 118 miles. Did you know that Charles Lindbergh departed on his first nonstop solo transatlantic flight from Roosevelt Field, Long Island? Regina was born and raised on Long Island. She’s a mother of two and is currently raising the next generation of Long Islanders. Regina works in the medical industry and says that being a Mom is her greatest joy. She talked about how you really need very little in life and that most important thing is time spent with those you love. If she could tell the world one thing, it would be, “There is always something positive. You just have to be able to find your silver lining.” Thank you for visiting!
P.S. Anyone visiting from Long Island, feel free to bring us some bagels
If you’re planning a visit to Long Island, here’s a link
Meet Vivienne from Vietnam
Vietnam is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, from the towering mountains of Sapa and Ha Giang to the tranquil waters of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh. The Mekong Delta, Red River Delta, and the Central Highlands are abound with lush greenery, rice paddies, and tropical fruits. Vietnam also is home to the largest cave in the world, Hang Son Doong. Vietnam’s rich history dates back thousands of years, which is reflected in its architectural marvels and ancient sites. The Lunar New Year, also known as Tet, is the country’s most important festival; marked by fireworks, dragon dances, and family reunions. Today is Vivienne’s 33rd birthday and she came to celebrate her special day with us!
When we asked her what she loves most in the world she said her husband Sean! He planned on taking her to an amazing Korean BBQ restaurant for her birthday dinner tonight.
She said if she could tell the world one thing, she would say, “Don’t allow negative thoughts to grow wild in your mind. Just like a garden, our minds need to be kept in check and weeded out from time to time. We can choose positive thoughts over negative. It takes work and discipline to train our minds, but the reward is worth it.” Thank you so very much for visiting and may all your wishes come true this year!
Happiest of Birthdays, Vivienne! (chúc mừng sinh nhật!)
Here’s a link about Hang Son Doong: https://oxalisadventure.com/cave/son-doong-cave/
They met six years ago after Jay moved near where Patti was living. Patti had a crush on Jay as soon as they met! These newlyweds just got married yesterday! They originally planned on getting married at Hickory Park in Owego, NY, but Hurricane Debby derailed that plan. Instead, they married at Jay’s sister’s house and both agreed that it was just perfect! Their good friend, Gary, suggested Howe Caverns so they booked our Tour & Stay package. It is their first visit and their honeymoon so they are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Patti said that Jay is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. HOWE sweet! Congratulations, Patti & Jay!
We wish you a lifetime of good health, L
VE & happiness
Thank you so much for visiting. We feel honored to be a part of your memories
Meet Titia (Mom) & Huib (Son) from Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands
Did you know that Amsterdam is built on top of 11 million poles?! Amsterdam is in fact a city built on clay, with poles having been put in place to stop buildings from sinking. It also has more canals than Venice. It is the museum capital of the world and home to The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and the Rembrandt House Museum. Its is also home to the only floating flower market in the world, the Bloemenmarkt! Titia has not been to the United States in over 45 years. They are currently here visiting friends. When we asked them what they wanted to say to the world, they said, “Be honest. Be kind. Instead of reacting with hurt and anger, heal your wounds and be accepting of others. No matter what one’s race, creed, or beliefs may be, we are all beautifully unique and that is what makes this world so amazing!” Thank you for visiting!
This shining star went on a cave tour today dressed just like this! Why? Because life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain! She loves dancing, gymnastics, theater, opera and all performing arts!
When we asked Chanel, if there was one thing, she wanted to tell the world, she said, “Everyone should have a bird- specifically a macaw parrot
That way, if they forget things, the parrot will remind them!”
Thank you so very much for visiting and brightening our day, Chanel!
Keep on dancing, cutie!
She was born and raised in Mexico and immigrated to San Diego, California when she was 20 years old. Mexico is bursting at the seams with history, from its Aztec and Mayan heritages to its Spanish settlers, which helped give its cultural shape. It is home to ancient Mayan and Aztec temples and pyramids, has the second largest coral reef in the world, delicious tequila, lively mariachi music, volcano rabbits, colorful piñatas and the Day of the Dead. Mexicans are renowned for their respect for elders, loyalty, hospitality and generosity. Their dedication and tenacity, embody a work ethic that manifests in every aspect of their lives. Before moving to the United States Cipactli studied international business. When she moved to the states, her international education was not recognized so she had to start her education all over again. She now works for the University of California Research Team. She said that when she was young she had a taste for adventure. She and a good friend took a trip not knowing where it would land them. She said moving to a new country, away from her support system of friends and family, was incredibly hard. She had to learn a whole new life. Today in her home, she works hard to incorporate her heritage. When asked what she wanted to tell the world, she said, “Never forget where you have come from. Work hard to honor your heritage and keep it alive. That is the legacy you will pass on to our future generations.” Thank you for visiting!
Fun dinner party fact about the origin of Cipactli’s name: “Cipactli is one of the major characters in Aztec mythology. In Aztec cosmology, the crocodile represents the earth floating in the primeval waters. This animal was named after a survivor of the flood, Tecocipactli or the Divine Crocodile who lived in a canoe and later repopulated the earth. The Cipactli is also quite heavily featured in Mayan mythology and it is also considered to have heavily influenced the much later civilizations of the region.”
If you are interested in learning more about Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday that is so near and dear to Cipactli’s heart, here’s a link
Day of the Dead • Día de Muertos | MexCulture (https://www.manoamano.nyc/about-the-day-of-the-dead)
Meet Hugo (Dad) Lucas & Stella from Southeastern Massachusetts!
Southeastern Massachusetts is dotted with charming cities such as Fall River, New Bedford, and Mansfield. This area offers an array of unforgettable experiences, is rich in history, full of natural beauty, and has a vibrant local dining scene- all within easy reach of Boston, Cape Cod, and the islands. This little trio radiates LOVE- especially little Lucas. He told us that he and his sister share a very special bond. His name means “shining” (Lucas) and his sister’s name means “star” (Stella). HOWE beautiful! When we asked them if they had anything to tell the world, Lucas said, “ I love my family. I love my Dad! He’s pretty amazing!” Stella is wise beyond her years and said, “Focus on what is right in front of you. Be disciplined and stay in the moment.” Hugo said, “Be kind. Kindness matters. It makes a difference and it’s easy and rewarding!” We couldn’t agree with you all more! Thank you so very much for visiting!
Meet Ruth, Gionna & Fernando…or as you may know him as, H.B. MONTE: DJ, music producer, songwriter and entertainer AND 2023 (Season 18) contestant on America’s Got Talent! At the young age of 12, he required a back surgery that left him with a piece of metal in his spine, and forced him to relearn how to walk. At age 13, he launched a professional music career with a CD player and turntable that he got for Christmas and by age 16, H.B. began performing at events and 21 + clubs. He continued to pursue music as he grew older and interned at Def Jam / Universal Records and later toured with Mobb Deep / G-Unit and collaborated on tracks with artists such as Pitbull, T-Pain & many more. In 2021, he was struggling with breathing difficulties and went to see his doctor thinking it was COVID. His doctor discovered that he was suffering with severe heart failure but doctors could not pinpoint the cause. He spent 3 weeks in the ICU. Since recovering, he says that he feels as if he has been given a second chance. It is now his life goal to make a difference. He wants to leave a legacy that will leave the world better than the way he found it. When asked him if he could give us one piece of advice, he said, “Live by the second, every one of them is a blessing. Never take it for granted!” We wish you continued good health and thank you so much for visiting!
Meet these adorable sisters, Jane and Clara, then and now! They were 4 and 5 in the photo from 2019 and are now 9 and 10 in the photo from 2024! Their mom, Stacie, created and sent us this awesome re-creation of their picture on the front lawn of the estate. She said, “We are from Buffalo, NY. My husband (their dad) came here with his family when he was younger. He then took me here in 2012 before we had kids and we have taken them to the caverns twice now.
We just took a trip to Boston and Cape Cod and stopped at the caverns on our way back home.” We LOVE when generation after generation visits the cave and makes memories. It makes our hearts do a happy dance and we feel so honored to be a part of your lives. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us, Stacie
Meet Elizabeth and her daughter, Annabelle, Margaret, and her husband, Stephen, and their daughter, Maeve, all from New Hampshire. These two sisters (Margaret & Elizabeth) finally decided to visit Howe, with their families, after seeing billboards for many years and talking to a friend that had recently visited. Margaret is a physician assistant who has an ear for music! She was in a country band in Brooklyn. Stephen teaches high school math. Their daughter, Maeve, enjoys being very involved in youth community theater and is active with an organization called, RB Productions. Although she is a junior in high school, she has already been in was in 7 plays! While chatting with these families,, Kaily learned that Maeve went to Camp Farnsworth, a Girl Scout camp, in Thetford, Vermont which Kaily also went to when she was young! Elizabeth is a forensic physiologist with an ear for language! She speaks Mandarin and taught English in Taiwan and Mainland China. Annabelle, Elizabeth’s daughter, is a Bear Cub Scout! HOWE COOL! When asked what they had to say, Maeve said, “There is never too much glitter!” and Annabelle said, “Stalagmite mouses are scary” Toughen up, Cub Scout!
Thank you for visiting!
Meet Helle (mother) Jesper (father) Lucas and Rasmus (sons) from Denmark!
Denmark is a northern European country made up of the Jutland Peninsula and more than 400 islands in the North Sea. The terrain is mostly flat and no part of the country is more than 32 miles from the sea! Denmark has a long rolling sand-dune filled coastline with many lagoons, gulfs, and inlets. Its Scandinavian culture was primarily influenced by the Vikings. The capital of Denmark, Copenhagen has more bicycles than people! Denmark was also the home to Hans Christian Anderson, the famous author who stitched fairytale stories into our hearts forever. The family is here visiting friends. Helle & Jasper did not have much family growing up. The family that they did have, they felt, wasn’t healthy to stay close with. Today they have a vast “family” community. They say that their friends, whom they are closest to, are who they call family. They many of them through kung fu. Each of them practices the art. They like to call their community their Kung Fu Panda Family! They have even competed and won awards at the World Championships. When we asked what they wanted to tell the world, they said, “No matter where you have come from it does not define where you are going or who you are going to be. There are people out there that will love you just the way you are. Find your people and never let them go!” YES!
Thank you for visiting
If you didn’t know, the cars in this photo are incredibly rare! The orange car is the elusive Mangusta. There were only 401 Mangusta, in total, produced by hand, between 1967 – 1972 by De Tomaso. The word “mangusta” is Italian for “mongoose”; an animal that can kill cobras. It is rumored that the car was named in retaliation for a failed deal between De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby. Everyone in this family owns their own restored vehicle. It is a familial pact that each family member must buy an older car, restore it, utilize it and NEVER sell it. Matt, the father, grew up in a shop and his dad made him do the same thing. When he was young, his dad said you’ll never forget your first car and you’ll always regret selling it. No matter the circumstances, no matter how hard life may get, they are never allowed to sell their first car! They hold fast to this family tradition and have built a life around it. This is a true gear-head Family
They own two gas stations and a collision and repair shop.
Lily was born in the United States and raised in China for a good portion of her youth
Praneeth was born in India and raised in the United States. They met in Manhattan about a month ago and decided to have an adventure date for a couple of nights here in Upstate. Lily works in investment banking and finance and Praneeth is a software engineer. They both said that the journey to their careers was not an easy one. They both stated that a lot of people said they would never make it or that they couldn’t do it. They said that it’s important to believe in yourself, have self-confidence and believe that you can do anything when you are pursuing something that you’re passionate about. You don’t need the validation of anyone else. Believe in yourself! WE SAY, “YES! YES! YES!” to that! Thank you for visiting!
The Bahamas are made up of 700 coral islands, 30 of which are inhabited. The Bahamas are full of pink sand beaches and turquoise blue water. It has a deep pirate history and it said to be the first landing of Christopher Columbus. It is also famously known for the swimming pigs of Exuma. The warm tropical west Atlantic ocean is loaded with incredible and colorful ocean life, making it a premiere destination for scuba divers and snorkelers. Every year, at least once or twice per year, the Reynolds get together here in Upstate. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Adapt. Adjust. Accommodate. Put others first.” Thank you for visiting!
Kashmir is known as “Paradise on Earth.” The hospitality of Kashmiris is renowned, with locals often going out of their way to make visitors feel welcome. It has amazing landscapes and scenic beauty. It has beautiful snow-covered mountains, green valleys, and natural lakes. It is home to K2, the world’s second highest mountain peak, topping out at 28,251 ft. K2’s east face remains unclimbed. It is often considered the hardest mountain to climb due to its extreme weather conditions & technical climbing challenges. Kashmir is famous for its luxurious pure Pashmina shawls which are made with the finest wool of Changthangi goat. Pashmina shawls are very soft to touch and still keeps you warm, They have a unique characteristic of being very lightweight. It is also home to the only floating post office in the world! When we asked the Khan family if they could tell the world one thing they said, “Kindness matters!” HOWE true! Thank you for visiting!
These NYC born and raised siblings are best friends. Steven is the big brother by one year and five months. We found Steven, sitting in our museum area, waiting for his younger sister who was off on a cave tour. We had a long conversation about baseball and life. Steven absolutely adores Yankee player, Aaron Judge (#99) He told Betsy that he had never been to a Yankees game, but if he ever gets the chance, he would love to go. Both he and Marcella have been in a very long battle with cancer; Steven with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Marcella, with stage 1 breast cancer. Thankfully, both are currently in remission. Every now and again while talking, Steven would say, “…and I lived through all that and I am still here, I’m still alive.” They told Betsy a funny story about how when were both diagnosed with cancer, they thought that they were not going to make it, so they both went all out, and bought new cars!
This is the very first time, in a very long time, that the two of them have had time to get away due to one or the other having a doctor appointment. While they sat outside and chatted with Betsy, overlooking the Schoharie Valley, they both kept saying how beautiful and serene it is and how they might just leave the city and move here. For two kids from Queens, a little bit of Upstate has definitely done their hearts and souls some good. We were so honored to host them overnight in our motel, giving them a little bit of rest and relaxation before heading home. When we asked them what they wanted to tell the world, they said, “Life is a work of art and it is beautiful. Make it your own.” Steven & Marcella, we just want you to know that we are so grateful that you are still with us. We wish you continued good health and are so happy that you were able to visit us
Nepal is renowned for being home to 8 out 10 of the highest mountain peaks in the world. It is home to the Himalayas and highest peak on earth, Mount Everest. Mount Everest’s Tibetan name is “Qomolangma”, which means ‘The Mother’s universe”. Nepal is not only filled with breathtaking landscapes that adventurers long for and seek but it is also full of Buddhist monasteries and ancient temples. You can also find rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger there! Nepali are known as warm, welcoming and friendly people. 17-year-old Dikshya immigrated to the United States two years ago. She told us that the move was very hard for her because the landscape was so different and the environment was a stark contrast from what she was used to. There were many cultural hurdles that she had to overcome, as well as, a language barrier. She is currently studying in a health assisting program working toward becoming a physician assistant. She said the language barrier is incredibly hard during the testing process but she is bound and determined to not give up. She continues to learn every day from her failures and uses those failures to help her learn and stay in a forward positive motion. She currently works as a caregiver in a nursing home. She believes that being caregiver is a very important job! It’s giving quality of life to those that cannot give it to themselves. It’s “giving back”. She also believes that “team” is everything and the people you surround yourself with are incredibly important. When we asked her what she wanted to tell the world, she said, “Your energy is invaluable. Be mindful of, and incredibly selective of, who you surround yourself with. Their energy can make or break you. If you can build a team that is working toward a positive purpose, you can create miracles.” HOWE INSPIRING! Thank you for visiting
Meet Mikayla, Amanda, Julia (bride-to-be), and Raegan from the Rochester/ Buffalo area in New York. They were Zeta Psi Omega sisters at Alfred State University. Julia is getting married in one month and wanted to enjoy some low-key, peaceful time with her friends. This adorable group of ladies originally considered going on beautiful hike somewhere but they stumbled upon Howe Caverns and thought that it would be a much more unique and exciting adventure since they can hike anytime. They loved their tour and the people on their tour with them. They were all so kind & fun and congratulated Julia on her upcoming wedding. Julia met her fiancé at the coffee shop where he worked. She would get coffee there every morning before classes and, of course, he would make it for her… with love
A very off topic but FUN FACT: Yesterday, Julia kissed a taxidermy moose at a bar in Stamford New York!
(You had to know this because not everyone can say that they have done that )
These ladies want you to:
“Live your life to the fullest”
“Do what makes you happy”
“Surround yourself with people who make you happy”
All very sound advice! Thank you for visiting
Julia, congratulations!
We wish you everything happiest
P.S. The girls wanted to share their matching t-shirts that they got from Stamford Coffee, the coffee shop that is “home of the big-scotti” (biggest biscotti)
The UK is home to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, The Royals, fish & chips, rugby, soccer, cricket, boxing, and golf. and way too many other things to name! Jack lives in a small village just outside Warminster, a vibrant town known for its mix of beautiful countryside and charming history. He says that the Longleat Safari Park is so close to where the lives that, at night, he can hear the lions, wolves and sea lions! He also told us about a place called Cheddar Gorge, located near the Village of Cheddar. If you’ve been following us, you know how our ears perked up with whisper of cheddar… just like our cheddar cave-aged cheese! The gorge is the site of the Cheddar show caves, where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be 9,000 years old, was found in 1903! Jack said that there is a festival every year, where they roll a large wheel of cheddar down the hill and whoever gets to the bottom of the hill first, wins the cheddar! He boasted that it is quite the show! He just graduated and is off to college to study art at university, with a focus in photography (pun intended ) He believes that Photography will provide a lucrative career opportunity as the he will be able to put his skills to use on a digital platform. When we asked him if there was one thing that he had to tell the world he said, “Be yourself. Don’t ever change to fit the expectations of others.” Thank you for visiting!
If you are interested in exploring Cheddar Gorge you can learn more here:
They always vacation together and visiting Howe is something they always wanted to do. They asked for our complimentary souvenir stamp today because they thought that it would look cool in their scrapbooks with their souvenir picture from the cave. Good idea!
Their philosophy: “Live life to the fullest and try new things.” Thank you for visiting!
India, the tiger capital of the world, is home to the Taj Mahal, the largest producer of spices in the world, and is home to some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world dating back 1200 BCE. Another interesting fact about India is that cows hold an exalted sacred status within the country. They represent divine and natural beneficence, and are seen as generous, docile creatures that give more to humans than they take from them. Cows are often allowed to roam free, even in traffic-choked streets. They are worshipped and decorated during festivals and holy times. Surekha Joshi was widowed at young age and raised her three children alone. One of her daughters lives here in the United States, her other daughter lives in Australia, and her son lives in India. She traveled here to the United States for a visit with family. You could see how very proud of her they were when we chose her for today’s inspiring humanity post. When we asked her, if there was one thing, she could tell the world, her granddaughter translated to us that Surekha Joshi said, “No matter what condition you’re in do not be afraid and always be loving. No matter what the conditions are remain loving to everyone at all times.” HOWE beautiful! Thank you for visiting!
“To love without condition, to talk without intention, to give without reason, care without expectation, that’s the spirit of true love.” -Hindu Quote from Lord Krishna teachings
We really love when locals visit! Meet the Amo family from Otego, New York. Both parents are in the medical field and work incredibly hard. They don’t get very many days off together. They have spent the past week visiting some local attractions and today, they chose Howe Caverns! Believe it or not, they live only an hour away and have never visited and if you have been following along since we started our fascinating Humanity & Connection series in May, it’s mind-blowing to think that we get more visitors from the furthest corners of the planet than locals! This family has also never been in a cave on an underground adventure, so it was especially fun for them. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Be happy!” Thank you so much for visiting!
Orange County sits just 50 miles above the tip of Manhattan. The Hudson River cuts a crescent around Orange County providing its gorgeous views. It is home to some of New York’s great attractions such as: United States Military Academy at West Point, LEGOLAND® New York Resort, Storm King Art Center, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, and Angry Orchard Tasting and Innovation Center. Ricky was born on Fort Sam Huston Military Base and was primarily raised in New York. He proudly served in the Army, went to school for criminal justice at Berkeley College, and is currently working in law enforcement. He is a father to three beautiful children; two of which are 20 years older than Jayden. Every summer, they make a bucket list and enjoy some fun! Jayden picked Howe to visit today. Ricky said that Jayden is the best adventure buddy ever! When asked what inspires Ricky, he immediately said, “My family. They inspire me. Also, having happy healthy relationships with the people in my life. It’s small things that matter. Every day you wake up, be grateful.” Thank you so much for visiting!
P.S. on a side note, we thank you, Ricky, for your service- to our country & to your community
Just Roots is a non-for-profit community organization located in Greenfield, Massachusetts. They work to help serve the under served. Their mission is to increase access to healthy, local food by connecting people, resources, land, and know-how. The 61 acre property served as the Greenfield Town “Poor Farm”from 1849 until the 1950s. Today they grow over 50 types of vegetables and herbs on only 7 acres of the land. They offer different workshops that help individuals to become more independent, self sustainable & live healthier lifestyles. This is a small community farm making is a huge impact. The team says, “It’s more like a family than a job!” When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world they said, “Just keep going. One day at a time.” Thank you for visiting
If you’d like to find out more or get involved in this community organization, check out their website
Just Roots https://justroots.org/
Meet Sofia & Cristina, a Polish mother and daughter duo from the Soviet Union, and Anastasiya (Sofia’s friend) also from the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union (now known as Russia ) was once the world’s largest country and spanned most of Eurasia from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. Sofia & Anastasiya did not know each other prior to immigrating to the U.S. Both girls immigrated to and met in Manhattan in 2008. While sharing stories and memories of their childhood in the Soviet Union, they bonded, and became best friends. Anastasyia said that Sofia has turned out to be her biggest cheerleader. Sofia works as an immigration paralegal for lawyers all over New York State. She speaks Polish, English, and a little bit of Spanish. Sofia said that immigrants, in general, often underestimate their abilities when living in other countries. She said that although you may not understand everything right away, it’s important to know that you are capable of achieving success in whatever you apply yourself. Believe that you can and you will. She said that she learned that upon immigrating to the United States. The only limits that you have are the ones that you place on yourself. It is her life mission to bring opportunity to other immigrants. Sofia also loves to ride horses. The horse that she currently rides is the granddaughter of Secretariat! Cristina, Sofia’s mom, is the matriarch of the trio! She not been to the United States in over 38 years! On this visit, she had the pleasure of watching Sofia ride in a competition and take first place! Sofia says, “If you are willing to work hard, anything is possible. Don’t build a glass ceiling for yourself. Breakthrough the glass ceiling that was built before you.” HOWE AWESOME! Get it, girl!
Thank you for visiting!
Some of them reside in upstate New York and others have traveled all the way from Oregon. When we were interviewing this family of 17 they told us that they are on a 10 day family reunion, full of adventure every single day! One of them piped up and jokingly said, “that’s far too many days together.” This family was full of laughter and lots of love! For being a family of 17 on the move, they were impressively organized! When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world they said, “Being in a big family is a huge blessing. Some may see it as chaos but we see it as ‘the more the merrier!’ Soak up as much time as you can together before you can’t.” Thank you for visiting!
West Africa is remarkably culturally diverse. It is home to multiple ethnic groups and tribes, each maintaining its own language, dialect, customs and beliefs. These intricacies are manifested through their food, dress, music, art and more. Africa is a continent rich in bio diversity and ecology. Its climate is heavily influenced by the dry Sahara to the north and east, as well as the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. The climate varies from tropical to sub-tropical and humid to arid. Minata has come for a long visit with her son. She will stay until September. Her son, has lived in the United States for approximately 12 years. He was kind enough to translate our conversation with his mother. When Soho moved to the US, it was incredibly hard for Minata to see her son move to another country all alone. She endured a great amount of suffering after he left but she knew he would have a better life. Today he has built a beautiful life in the United States and works as a cloud platform IT engineer. Some of the major cultural differences that they have had to cope with is that it is incredibly cold here in comparison to West Africa. They joked that is is always cold! There is also a major language barrier, as well, as their native language is French. When speaking about their life in West Africa they said, “Daily life is very communal. It is much much easier to meet random people, create conversations and to make connections and friends.” They said that the American Culture is more isolated and segregated. This has been a huge barrier for Soho to overcome. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Love your people like you love yourself. Be mindful of the hurt that you may cast onto others and never miss an opportunity to apologize and heal relationship wounds. We should work to attain peace everywhere in the world as a whole people.” We LOVE this! Thank you so much for visiting
This beautiful family of 12 is the perfect mix of Dominican, Puerto Rican & Ecuadorian descent.
They have spent the past five days at Lake George, a tradition started by their elders. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Make as many memories and moments with family as you can. Life is short. Spend as much time as you can with those you love.” Thank you for visiting
We couldn’t agree more. We love to hear about families making memories together at Howe. Family traditions weave through generations like a ribbons, carried forward with care; tying the past to the present. When time changes the seats at the table, we must carry on with traditions ensuring to sure to infuse the old with the new, while remembering the reasons why
Meet Yoritsugu (father), Tomoko (wife), and Yoriaki (son) from Japan!
Japan is a well-organized, disciplined country with ancient history and top-notch technology. This Eastern Asian island nation has a rich vibrant history and is packed with castles, temples, shrines and religious sites dating back to 712 AD. It is home to Mt. Fuji, beautiful cherry blossoms, sushi, samurai, geishas, anime, sumo wrestling, and tea ceremonies. Japan also boasts the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing – Shibuya Crossing. It can have as many as 3,000 people crossing at a time! Yoritsugu was recently awarded a fellowship at the University of Albany and is currently studying for his degree PhD in economics. Both his father and his grandfather both studied and worked in that same field. Tomoko is a banker and works for a trust bank. They are staying in the United States for 3-4 years so that Yoritsugu can complete his fellowship. They moved here approximately 4 months ago and said that it was difficult to move to a new country and away from everything and everyone they have ever known. These are all major life changes that some may not manage so gracefully. We could tell by watching this small family interact, that they immensely respect and support each other. They believe this time abroad will be enriching and will only help them to become stronger. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Peace is the most important thing in the world. Peace is priceless.”
Thank you for visiting!
Italy is well known for its historic contributions to architecture, culture, art, opera, literature, film, fashion, and legendary automobiles! It is the fourth most visited country by tourists in the world. Italy is home to the Colosseum, the leaning tower of Pisa, Vatican City and the birthplace of the world’s master artists, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Abush and Thomas have been best friends since they were 4 years old! They are now 18 years old and they came alone to the United States to visit Abush’s cousin. Back home in Italy they describe their lifestyle as very athletic as they are attempting to become professional football (soccer) players. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said “I love you! And I love my family!” Thank you for visiting!
“Veni, vidi, vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered.) -Julius Caesar
Meet Aloisia, Malia and Siauli, these sisters are of Samoan Heritage. For Samoans, family is everything! They are incredibly communal and very grounded in their faith. While chatting, Betsy learned that Malia just graduated from high school which was bittersweet for them. Aloisia said that in 2016, they lost her 18 year old brother, Lerenimo after a 10 month long hospital stay. At 17 years old, and in his senior year of high school, he suddenly took ill and spent the last 10 months, of his young life, fighting to stay alive. They said Lerenimo had an amazing voice and could sing like an angel. They also laughed and joked about his nickname, saying that they used to call him “Nemo”. He had a wonderful sense of humor and would always tell doctors that his name was “Nemo” and that he “came before the fish.” Before ultimately losing his battle to his illness, Letenimo turned 18 in the hospital. Throughout those ten months, his family realized that life is far too short and taking time to nurture the relationships you have is important. Don’t wait! Tell people that you love and appreciate them. Say I’m sorry. Don’t assume people know how you feel. Slow down and hold that hug a little longer. Make time to get together; have dinner, meet for a cup of coffee with a friend. Quietly sit and watch a sunset or a sunrise together. Just be together. Every moment counts- no matter how simple it may seem. Thank you for visiting
“We aren’t promised tomorrow. We aren’t even really promised today, or that next second, or minute that ticks by. We’re gifted with moments, each one precious, each one different. So take those moments and use them. Don’t let them pass by in anger. Don’t let those moments build up into silence between the two of you, because you never know if they’ll be taken, and we never know the final number of moments we’ve been awarded. Let no moment go unused. Let no moments escape where you could have expressed love for one another.”
-Rachel Van Dyken
These absolutely stunning women are visiting from Bangladesh
When we asked them what they wanted to tell the world, they said, “We all are unique and beautiful in our own ways. We all share one great, big beautiful world. We should all be kind to one another. Life is too short not to be happy. Be happy! One love, one world!”
Thank you for your uplifting words
We don’t know what the best thing about Switzerland is, but the flag is a big plus!
Ba dum tss
All kidding aside, Switzerland is known as the playground of Europe! It is a charming and picturesque country nestled in the heart of Europe, renowned for its breathtaking mountains, delectable cheese, rich chocolate, and precision timepieces. There are four national languages of Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Valentin and Linda got married last year and gifts from the wedding helped to make this trip possible. They have rented an RV for a 4 1/2 week holiday in the United States. They started off in Canada and are currently on their way to visit Boston, New Hampshire and Vermont. Valentin is Mechanical engineer for company based in Switzerland. Valentin told us that he owns an old 1952 John Deere tractor back home in Switzerland. We thought to ourselves, everyone and their brother owns one of those in this neck of the woods, but he informed us that in Switzerland it’s an incredibly rare find! Linda is a college math professor. She absolutely loves to ride motorcycles. She grew up riding them and one of her brothers is a semi- professional motorcyclist. Once she became a mother, she chose to stop riding. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “ It is important to be open to different cultures and environments. Traveling is the best form of education.” Safe travels and thank you for visiting
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
Lola is from Mannheim, Germany and Tom has lived on every continent and in several states while serving in the Army. Tom & Lola have been married for 38 years after they “bumped into each other.” Tom spotted Lola while on bumper cars in Germany. In an attempt to get her attention, Tom stuck up his thumb and it worked! The friend that Lola was riding with got out of their car and let Tom get in. They have been together ever since! Bumper Cars were not the only time that Tom dealt with vehicles “bumping” into each other. While serving in the Army, Tom was in an accident when two tanks crashed into each other. He was in the hospital for about three months! He had to undergo a few surgeries and lost a lot of weight during that time. He joked that “it was a good diet plan but not recommended.” Tom and Lola love to travel and have visited over 400 castles in their lifetime! One funny memory they have is from the time they visited a palace in Korea. While climbing hundreds of stairs, they were passed by a 90 yr. old lady! Kayle is visiting her grandparents from Texas and has never been to a cave before so she wanted to visit Howe. Tom, however, has been to 13 other caves before Howe- even once having explored a cave, all by himself, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Kaily asked them if they had anything special that they wanted to share with people. They said that years ago, they nearly lost their home and almost had to declare bankruptcy. They weathered that storm and said that when we go through life’s storms, it’s always important to remember that, “no matter how bad things get, things WILL get better” HOWE inspirational! Thank you for visiting
Meet Destinie, Jon, and their dog, Sandy, from Queens, NY. Jon’s dad thought that they would hit it off and he was right! Jon & Destinie met up in a church parking lot and have been together since! They are “city folk who like to travel”. They like getting out of the city and enjoying what upstate has to offer. In planning this little getaway, they looked up what popular attractions are in this area. Jon has never been to a cave so they decided to visit. Jon is an automotive technician and Destinie is an electrician! HOWE awesome! Jon likes cooking and loves making seafood dishes. He also enjoys car racing. In talking about cars, Jon told Kaily that he was born prematurely, due to a car accident in Puerto Rico. He was dead for about 4 minutes from being choked by the umbilical cord. After resuscitation, he was in stable condition. While growing up, he had speech difficulties and slight learning disabilities. He wasn’t able to speak until 6-7 years old. He struggled with stuttering but with speech therapy, he now speaks nearly stutter-free. Jon spoke candidly about how people not being kind about his disabilities, while growing up, negatively impacted his mental health. Looking back, he is now able to find the silver lining because he is able to speak Spanish, English, and knows sign language! When we asked them if they had any advice to share, they said, “Learn how to love yourself, understand yourself, and follow your intuition. If it makes you happy then be happy” HOWE wonderful! Thank you for visiting!
Meet Rob & McKinley from Virginia, also known as “the birthplace of a nation” as it was the site of the first permanent English settlement. Virginia is full of great adventure and history. It is home to Luray Caverns, Natural Stone Bridge, the Pentagon, Colonial Williamsburg, Arlington National Cemetery. It also boasts beautiful beaches, National Parks, and Museums. “Virginia is for Lovers” is the tourism slogan that has become a well-known part of American jargon. Rob & McKinley are in New York visiting family. McKinley was named after our nation’s 25th president, William McKinley. At 9 years old, she is wise beyond her years. She loves reading. Her favorite book right now is “The Kingdom of Narnia”. Her parents are divorced and she says that sometimes it is hard on her when friends say that “having divorced parents is bad.” McKinley loves both of her parents very much and says that just because her family may be different than others, it’s not a bad thing. While Betsy and McKinley chatted, they found many positives about living in two separate homes. She says that having two of every holiday is pretty awesome!
Rob, a true patriot, is a retired military veteran, having proudly served our country for 26 years! He served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia & Haiti. He began his military career with the Navy and eventually switched to the Army. Rob says being in the military was an amazing opportunity but it took him away from his home and his family far too much. Eventually, the distance and the things he had seen and experienced, impacted his relationships back home. He sacrificed a great deal to serve our country and provide for his family. He retired in 2014 to have a solid relationship with McKinley and to have a hand in raising her. He didn’t want to miss any of these precious moments. Although retired, he still works as a military contractor, preparing soldiers for front line battle.
Rob, we thank you for your sacrifices, for your valor, for the mentally heavy things you carry, for protecting us, and for defending our great nation. May God bless & keep you and all of our soldiers that have served and that are currently serving. This was a very special visit for us
If you don’t know much about what our military soldiers endure on the long road home, please look into the work of Sebastian Junger. Junger has spent his life on the front lines as a war journalist. He is devoted to helping us understand the effects of war. If you would like more information, you can check out Sebastian’s TEDTalk here:
Sebastian Junger: https://www.ted.com/…/sebastian_junger_why_veterans…
(this precious picture needs a frame, by the way ) Margo wanted everyone everyone to know that the cave is good for children all ages- as long as you have someone to carry you in a baby carrier
Just a reminder that the cave tour consists of a 1.25 mile walk with a 0.25 mile boat ride. There are 139 stairs (up & down) throughout the tour. Strollers, wheelchairs, walkers or any other wheeled device is not permitted in the cave. The cave is 52°F (11°C). A jacket or sweatshirt and closed-toed comfortable walking shoes are recommended as flip flops are not permitted.
Christian & Margo get a
Thank you for visiting!
She was born and raised in Mississippi and has lived in Louisiana for 4 1/2 yrs. This Southern Belle lives in the strawberry capital of the world. It’s also home to the world longest bridge built entirely over water! The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, tops out at 23.87 miles long. Louisiana is famous for its New Orleans Mardi Gras, as well as its French Quarter, and delectable southern cuisine! Gumbo and beignets are deep rooted food staples in Louisiana history. Another interesting fact is that Voodoo is still practiced in New Orleans. It was originally brought to New Orleans by West African and Haitian slaves during colonialism. The French, Spanish, and Creoles have all influenced Louisiana’s rich thriving culture. Emily is currently visiting family here in New York. She is a woman of many hats. She’s a licensed real estate agent, a beverage cart girl at a golf course, and she travels for another job that hosts Ducks Unlimited banquets and music festivals. Believe it or not, in her free time she likes to go frog hunting & bow fishing. The biggest inspiration in her life has been watching her parents live their best lives after have realized several of their dreams. They always wanted to move to New York. They had put that dream off on hold until now, while they both worked two jobs so that Emily and her three brothers could have a good and comfortable life. She is incredibly grateful for all of their sacrifices. When asked if she had one thing to tell the world, she said, “Stop judging others. Just live and love everyone around you. Let them be who they are. Love them exactly as they are.” Thank you so much for visiting, Emily!
“Be curious, not judgmental.” -Walt Whitman
If you have ever seen the movie, “Slumdog Millionaire”, you know exactly where we’re talking about. If you didn’t know, Mumbai is actually seven islands combined. It is home to the Elephanta Caves; a manmade, hand-carved cave system that dates back to medieval Mumbai. It is also home to the world’s most expensive house, Antilla, a 4.6 billion dollar home built in 2023! The Patel family currently resides in Chicago for the majority of the year, as they have for the past 15 years. They moved to the United States for a better quality of life, a cleaner environment, better healthcare, better educational systems, more safety, and security. The things they miss the most about home are the food, family, and festivals. They do still go home to Mumbai to visit and they spent 4 months there last summer. They are currently on their way to New Jersey to visit the largest Hindu mandir in the United States and also happens to be the second-largest Hindu mandir in the world, standing at 213 ft. tall! Betsy shared wonderful conversation with them about the world and humanity. When asked if there was one thing they could tell the world, they said, “Everyone should see the world with no borders, no races, no segregation. We are one planet and we are all the one human race. One humanity. One love.” Thank you so much for your beautiful words and for visiting us
If you’re interested in learning about the second largest Hindu temple in the world, you can do so here
Ana is from Madrid and Cristina is from Barcelona. Ana says her favorite thing about Spain is the food! Cristina says that her favorite thing is Catalan culture and its people. Spain is famous for its delicious paella and tapas, wine, and iconic landmarks such as the Basílica de la Sagrada Família and the Alhambra. It is also known for flamenco dancing, bullfighting, and its beautiful beaches. Ana & Cristina met when they were just 4 and 3 years old, while spending the summer at a beach house in Sotogrande. They were very close friends growing up, but Ana was always admittedly mean to Cristina so they ultimately went their separate ways. They stopped talking for years, never expecting to be a part of each other’s lives again. They are now 15 and 16 years old and they did not plan coming together to the United States. As fate would have it, they found out while boarding the plane in Spain, to come to the United States as exchange students, that they were assigned to the same exact group for the next 30 days! They had a choice to make on the plane. They sat next to each other on their transatlantic flight, talked, and let bygones be bygones. Now they are the best of friends all over again!
When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Time puts everything in its place and you are exactly where you belong.” ¡Que maravilloso! Thank you so much for visiting
Meet Elissa and Jeremy From San Antonio, Texas, home of The Alamo, the famous site where The Battle of the Alamo took place in December of 1835 during the early stages of Texas’ war for independence from Mexico. This is a very important part of Texas’ history that is held near and dear to Texans’ hearts. Natural Bridge Caverns is just 30 minutes away from where they live. Elissa enjoyed spelunking there when she was in college and she even has caved on her own before. Quite the adventurer, she and a friend once crawled into a crack in the middle of a pasture and entered a cave through a crawl space! HOWE BRAVE!
Although, a tour at Howe isn’t quite as thrilling, they thought that it would be a fun thing to do while they were here in New York, with their 83 yr. old parents, on vacation. Elissa runs the nonprofit, Forte Foundation, that advances women into business leadership. Jeremy works in the business intelligence field. Their faith is important to both Jeremy & Elissa. They met in a Sunday school class in 2006 and married in 2007. When asked if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Love Jesus and love each other” Thank you so much for visiting
Meet 5 yr. old Ellie, 3 yr. old Knox, and Lexie (Mom) from Alaska! Alaska, The Last Frontier, is famed for its untamed wilderness and stunning wildlife. It is a part of the country where the brave and the adventurous go to enjoy the wildness of it all. Alaska is also known for its view of the Northern Lights. Scientists predict that this will be the best year to see them. It is also home of the Midnight Sun (the natural phenomenon during the height of summer in which you can see the sun at the local time of midnight, which means it never gets dark) The Midnight Sun season runs from about April 22 to August 20. Jason, Lexie’s husband, is back home in Alaska, while Lexie and their children are on a three week summer vacation. Lexie & Jason were both born and raised in Upstate New York. It was Jason’s life dream to hunt and fish in Alaska. In 2009, they left behind everything they had ever known, friends and family, and forged their path into the unknown and making their new home in Alaska. They married in Hatchers Pass in 2011. Lexie said that the hardest part of this journey has been not having extended family nearby. She says that Jason is the glue that holds them all together. Jason is now licensed guide in Alaska. When Lexie was younger, she became a caregiver for a relative with terminal cancer. This later inspired her to become a registered nurse. When asked if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Go out and travel. Don’t stay still for too long. You can always come home. There’s a world of adventure out there waiting for you.” Thank you for visiting
Meet Beckett, 7 and Thayer, 5, from Utica, New York. Their mom, Stephanie, remembers coming to the cave on a school field trip when she was young, so she wanted to bring her sons. They were bummed they had to leave Dad at home this trip but said they will visit again soon with him. They have not sat home one day this summer break so far! They are currently on, what they call, “quests”. These two inseparable brothers, and best friends, have fantastic imaginations and their personalities complement each other perfectly. They also wanted to let all of us know that they have their own pet fish named Gilbert, well… because he has gills, of course.
When asked if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Go out on adventures and “quests” every day! Life is short. Fill it with adventure and imagination!” Thanks for bringing us back to the memories of the summer fun of childhood, Thayer and Beckett! Thank you for visiting!
Her parents were married in the cave in the early 1970’s and she wanted to see where they were married as it is part of her family’s history. She said that she now understands why they married here because it’s so beautiful
Thank you for visiting, Michelle!
Meet Rosie. She was born and raised in the Bronx but now lives in Brooklyn. Rosie is proudly Puerto Rican
Betsy noticed the pretty necklace that Rosie was wearing in the shape of the island of Puerto Rico and they began to chat. Betsy spent time in Puerto Rico for emergency response during Hurricane Maria. She found Puerto Ricans to be some of the most beautiful people that she has ever met; so kind, loving, generous, and outgoing. They expresstheir emotions, intensely and passionately. Puerto Rico is filled with beautiful rainforests and delicious food. One thing that Betsy joked about was how Puerto Rico was like the home of hermit crabs.
The beaches had so many! Rosie travels all over the world to watch sports games. She’s been to London to see the Yankees play and she’s been to Rio to watch the World Cup! When Betsy asked Rosie if she had one thing to tell the world, she said, “Life has no rulebook. Make your own rules. Break the mold. Don’t do what people expect you to do. Live your life for you and be happy.” Thank you for visiting, Rosie
Logan is a 15 yr. old, all-American boy who happens to be a hard-working farm hand at the 200 acre Sunset Valley Farms in Tennessee. He is on summer vacation visiting family here in New York. Logan is already quite the leader at such a young age. After he landed his job at the local farm, a few of his siblings, and even his Mom followed in his footsteps, working at the farm too. When we asked Logan what his future looked like, he said, “I want to be an American farmer.” It can be so easy to take America’s agricultural abundance for granted. America’s farming families represent only two percent of the population and they feed the other 98 percent with the fruits of their labor. This is a hugely significant shift from our nation’s first 100 years when most Americans lived and worked on farms. Unfortunately, the number of farms in the U.S. has suffered a steady decline as mounting production expenses allow only the biggest producers to survive. While the odds may be stacked against Logan, when Betsy asked him if he had one thing to tell the world, he said, “Never let your imagination die. Believe in the impossible. Imagination is where visions are born.” So wise for such a young man. HOWE truly proud his parents must be! Thank you for visiting!
Please remember to support our nation’s farmers whenever possible. Shop local, think global.
You can follow Sunset Valley Farms on Facebook or you can check them out at their website: Sunset Valley Farms (https://m.facebook.com/SunsetValleyFarmsTN/) : Sunset Valley Farms – Creating a New Family Tradition (https://cornmazefestival.com/)
These three beauties are from the home of Pink Himalayan Salt and also home of some 108 high mountain peaks over 22,000 feet- one of them being the second tallest peak in the world! K2 (also known as Chhogori/Qogir, Ketu/Kechu, and Mount Godwin-Austen) is the second-highest mountain on Earth, after Mount Everest! K2 is the highest point of the Karakoram Range and the highest point in Pakistan. Pakistan is the third largest importer in the world of tea, a life staple for most Pakistani. These three beautiful women are all mothers that are devoted to their families with all their hearts. They love to travel, read, bake, explore and try new things in as many different countries as they can. They love exploring new cultures and meeting new people. When we asked them if there was one thing they wanted to tell the world they said. “Peace and love for all.” HOWE BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for visiting
While on holiday abroad, they have rented an RV and are traveling around, by what they believe to be, the best way to see the United States. Dave works in the petroleum industry and travels the world for work. Sam & Sadie attended International Baccalaureate school. This system is a great resource for families that have to travel internationally for work. Students take the standardized studies with them throughout their travels, instead of having to change schools constantly. The IB program gives them the ability to, not only excel in an educational experience, but also in providing real world experiences. They attend classes with a diverse array of students from all over the world. Sam recently graduated and moved on to York University to study chemistry, with a focus on sustainable energy. Sadie will follow behind him in a couple of years to study biology. Justine, their mother, is a speech pathologist. We learned about Scotland and its amazing smoked fish on the east coast. We also learned that “glamping” in wigwams is very popular in Scotland Scottish is steeped in rich folklore of the treacherous tales of its North Sea. On the west coast, the prevailing strong south westerly winds create a strong surfing community.
The Isle of Tiree, Islay, and the area around the Kintyre peninsula are among the best places to surf in Scotland. Although Dave assured us it’s not for the faint of heart as the water is cold!
Dave has traveled to over 100 countries is loaded with adventure suggestions for almost any country. He would be a great travel agent! This family truly subscribes to Jack Hanna’s belief that “The world is the true classroom. The most rewarding and important type of learning is through experience, seeing something with our own eyes.” Thank you so much for visiting
Meet Luna, 5 yrs. old, and her sister Winter, 3 yrs. old. These two little cuties stole our hearts with our favorite t-shirts of the day today! Luna’s says, “Set Your Spirit Free”
When we asked them if they could tell the world one thing what would it be, they said… “Be brave! Make good choices! Eat your vegetables or do whatever you want. Also, can we roll down this hill?”
BEYOND ADORABLE! Thank you for visiting and brightening our day Luna & Winter!
They are wearing our favorite shirts of the day! They met in college 40 years ago! After graduating, they went their separate ways but always remained friends. You never know where the path of life with take you! They are now a couple and have officially been together for 4 years! If you didn’t know 2024 is the year of the dragon!
In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. The matching sweatshirts are from Seth’s Martial Arts Academy
Seth is a 5th degree black belt, instructor and owner of Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy: You can check out the awesome self defense training they are doing their community here: https://www.cervizzismartialartsacademyofandover.com
Thank you for visiting
Meet Alessandra, age 9 and Mikaela, age 12, from Ontario, Canada
These two amazing sisters are bound and determined to keep each other smiling. They have a deep-rooted unbreakabke bond and a beautiful friendship that is very apparent. Alexandra caught Betsy’s eye when she spotted this dynamo zooming through the Main Lodge on her pink crutches! She thought, “she’s pretty incredible!”
Alexandra has Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder that affects movement and posture. The cause of Cerebral Palsy and its effect on function varies from person to person. Alexandra said that sometimes people shy away from her, stare, or avoid her because they don’t understand. She would really prefer people ask her genuine questions about her disability and how they can best help her. Alexandra said that she had enjoyed a visit to the Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon in Arizona. She said that Winding Way reminded her of Antelope Canyon. She is thrilled by caves and adventure. When Betsy asked her if she had one thing to tell the world she said, “Do not let your disadvantages ever stop you from doing what you love.” Thank you for inspiring us today, adorable Alexandra.
Meet Rune, (father) Charlotte (mother), Karla (daughter), and Julius (son) from Denmark!
They live in Horsens which is 3,656 miles away from Howe Caverns! Charlotte and Rune met in a club on New Year’s Eve while they were ringing in 2001! They hit it off right straight away. In fact, they started 2001 off right because he called her the very next day saying that “he had a nightmare that he would never see her again.” and the rest is history! (Well done, Rune!
) Charlotte is a teacher and a researcher on the topic of “socially excluded people” (people with substance abuse issues going into welfare). Rune has been a police officer for 22 years!
Here are some fun facts about Denmark:
⁃ LEGO blocks originated in Billund, Denmark
⁃ Where they live is the highest point above sea level- being 560 ft. Denmark, is flat as a pancake.
⁃ They just got a new king, Frederik X, the new King of Denmark ascended to the throne in January of 2024 at 56 yrs. old.
⁃ Denmark is a parliamentary democracy with a monarchy.
⁃ The original Little Mermaid story, Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid), was written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. The story is very different from Disney’s 1989 film adaptation.
This family has traveled to the U.S. before. They are staying in Albany and looked up fun things to do nearby and Howe Caverns popped up! Rune’s mother recently passed and it has been very difficult. She is very missed. As they continue to deal with that loss, they constantly remind themselves that family is so important and that as long as they have each other, everything will be okay. Their words of wisdom? “We are all going to die but we must live first.” We are so sorry for your family’s loss and are sure that your mom is smiling down on you from afar
Safe travels to you all. Thank you for visiting!
Tessa is from Central New York and Russ was born New York, but now lives in Alabama. Kaily spotted this adorable granddaughter/grandfather duo singing, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver together, in line waiting for their tour. Russ is a graduate of Onondaga Community College. After graduating, he enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served our country for 9 years, repairing ships. Russ studied art in college and initially wanted to be an illustrator draftsmen but he put his talent to work as a pattern maker in a carpentry shop, working with The Foundry. Russ & Tessa decided to come to Howe Caverns while Russ is in New York visiting his children and grandchildren. Tessa said that she went in the cave when she was one year old and didn’t remember so it was time to come back. Tessa wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up so she can take care of animals and one of her big dreams is to travel the world! When Kaily asked if they had anything they wanted to tell everyone, Tessa said, “Dress warmly when you go into the cave.” 70 yr. old Russ is enjoying every second of time being with his family. He said., “Once you get up in years, you just never know how many days you got left. Do what you can before you can’t” YES! YES! YES, Russ! HOWE wise! Thank you for visiting
This adorable mother/son’s goal is to have as much adventure and see as many places as possible. Dad is at home holding down the fort, this trip, but we were told he’s a pretty amazing guy! Alicia was brave enough to tell us the story of how she got to where she is today. After the pandemic, Alicia found herself struggling with life and finding her purpose. She began to suffer with severe depression and felt like a burden to everyone around her. She was living a life of trying to please everyone around her and not doing to enough nurture her own soul. She came up with a plan that she thought would save her family. Before she was able to follow through with that plan, she was able to find the strength to ask for help. She had a friend who worked for a whale watching company in Alaska. She went to Alaska to visit and that trip changed the trajectory of her life. She was incredibly petrified of whales, but she was absolutely determined to face her fear by seeing whales, and she did. She went on a flight in a float plane over the majestic landscape and glaciers of Alaska and in that moment, something inside her sparked. It became a pivotal moment. When she returned home, she sat down with her husband and they had the hard conversations. They immediately began to navigate her mental health journey together. Alicia knew that she wanted to live her best life and be a great example for her son. She truly believes that her deep love for her son, saved her life. Today she is thriving. She has found purpose again. While she told Betsy her story they shared tears and a huge hug. Alicia hopes that by sharing her story, she can help change even one person’s life. Alicia wants people to know that everyone has a purpose; that you are deeply needed, that you are enough and loved- just as you are. You add color and light to this world that simply wouldn’t be here without your presence.Sometimes it is hard to find your light but it’s always there. She says that “it’s important to nurture your inner child. Take moments to look at the world as if you were a child all over again. Open your eyes, and look at the magic and wonder all around you.”
**In the spirit of fostering a supportive community, we want to remind everyone that mental health & wellbeing is just as important as physical health. Let’s continue to support each other. If you or someone you love is struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. You can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988 (chat 988lifeline.org (https://988lifeline.org/)) for support in a mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis. Alternatively, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), providing 24/7 treatment referral and information service. Help is always available.**
Thank you, beautiful Alicia
We are so happy that you are here with us to visit and to tell your story
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will become someone else’s survival guide.” -Brené Brown)
Derby is located next to Nottingham – it is considered to be the “lesser known little brother” Fun fact, Robin Hood is from Nottingham! Kathy’s aunt lives locally so she has been in the area a few times. James, on the other hand, visited here last when he was young. During this trip they have been exploring and enjoying all that New York has to offer. Their journey started with a week long stay in New York City and then they went to Niagara Falls. Now, they are back in the Catskills. They are very excited that they will experience the July 4th, for the first time, in Washington D.C.! Kathy & James came to Howe Caverns because of their interest in nature. In England, spelunking is known as “potholing”, which Kathy did once in Derbyshire. While Kathy is an accountant, James has a true eye for nature. He went to Broomfield College, which specializes in agriculture, and conservation. His real passion lies in entomology. James said that his favorite insect is an ant, which may come as a surprise to most
Did you know that once ants have mated, queens quickly chew off their own wings because they no longer need them? James and Kathy both had just a few parting words. The pair said, “Just enjoy life while it lasts. Enjoy every day as it happens, and enjoy learning about and experiencing new things,” Safe travels! Thank you so much for visiting!
Timur, Guzal (wife) and Malika (Timur and Guzal’s daughter) and Rustam & Dilafruz (Guzal’s parents) from Uzbekistan
Rustam and Dilafruz are visiting from Uzbekistan while Timur, Guzal, and Malika are now living here in the U.S. Uzbekistan is a country located in Central Asia, north of Afghanistan, and is landlocked by five countries (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan). Uzbekistan is known for its mosques, mausoleums, and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Most of the population speaks Russian. Timur and Guzal are both medical doctors and are currently in residency here at a local hospital. When they visited Howe Caverns for the very first time, they fell in love with it. When relatives visit, they always bring them to Howe to show them the majestic cave and beautiful views that upstate New York boasts. Uzbekistan is mainly deserts and grasslands with very hot long summers. Moving to the U.S. involved quite a bit of culture shock and adjustment for Timur & Guzal but they are really enjoying life here now. Thank you for giving us this neat opportunity to learn all about your interesting country. Thank you for visiting
Munich is world famous for its amazing food and is Oktoberfest!
Patricia and Maurice are equally amazing! They met seven years ago when they were in college. They both have Masters degrees in Economics and both are supervisors for the German Central Bank, a government run entity. Patricia was recently awarded an internship at the U.S. Central Bank in Washington DC. She believes that it’s very important to understand global economics, not just those within one’s own country. Maurice has spent the last eight weeks in D.C. with her. They talked about gender roles within the economic industry. They said that within private banking entities, females are not often seen in leadership roles. However, within governental entities such as the German central bank and the U.S. Central Bank, men & women hold equal leadership roles. They visited Howe Caverns today. Their next stop will be Niagara Falls, then back to New York City to catch a flight home to Germany. When we asked them what one thing they wanted to tell the world, they said. “Explore as much of the world as possible. Be open to everything!” Safe travels, Patricia & Maurice! (“Über den Wolken” ) Thank you for visiting!
There were three generations of beautiful women from her family today: Susan, her daughter (who was born on a Navy ship!) and her three gorgeous granddaughters! HOWE special! Susan is wearing our favorite t-shirt of the day. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.” Hebrews. 6:19 Amen to that
Meet Becky (Mom) Fabian (Dad) Fabian Jr. 2 1/2 years old, and fraternal twins, Elijah & George, 15 months old. This awesome family is a full-time RV family based in Washington D.C. Becky is an active duty Navy Commander and Merchant Mariner and her husband, Fabian, is also a Merchant Mariner!
In 2017, they met on a cruise ship, in Hawaii. Becky was sitting in Fabian’s seat at the bow of a boat, he approached her, and started a conversation. They immediately hit it off! They still joke about how they literally sailed off into the sunset and paradise together! In 2018, they visited Howe Caverns and stepped on the heart together in the Bridal Altar. That heart worked its magic because it 2019, they were married! After they got married, they couldn’t decide where in the country they wanted to live so they took up full-time RV life. They travel with a dually truck towing their fifth wheel and a minivan so that once they have arrived at a destination they can easily get around. It’s a very impressive set up! They are absolutely loving life and you can see that by the smiles on their faces! Raising their 3 boys has been their greatest adventure yet! While on leave, they are taking two weeks to travel around the country and are currently on their way into the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They love to travel, see new destinations and meet new people! They vlog about their adventures and have a YouTube channel. They call themselves “Proceeding Onward America.” While Becky confessed they haven’t posted in a little bit because their hands have been full both their with work and their boys, you can check them out on Facebook, instagram & YouTube. https://m.youtube.com/@proceedingonwardinamerica
“Onwards and upwards and never give your failures a second thought.” (George Lois)
Safe travels to you, by land and by sea. Thank you so much for visiting us
The Netherlands are a Northwestern European Country that is known for its flat landscape, canals, stunning tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. It is also know for its great Dutch Master artists such as: Vermeer, Frans Hals, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Van Gogh, just to name a few. Here’s another fun fact about the Netherlands: Dutch farmers bred carrots to be orange in the 17th century to honor the Orange-Nassau dynasty!
Both Marc & Petra work for the Dutch government. Petra assists in finding jobs for people who are be disabled. Petra said, “I always look for possibilities for the disabled because it is important that everyone works” Marc is a business consultant for the Dutch police. In Holland, employees are given 7 weeks off for vacation. This adventurous couple makes it a point to travel the world during that time. They have been to 54 countries and on this current adventure they have been to 19 states in the U.S. When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Live and let live!” Safe travels and thank you for visiting, Petra & Marc!
She’s wearing our favorite t-shirt of the day! “Be kind. Be true. Be you. Love this life.”
Bahrain is small island country situated in the Persian Gulf. Its Size, or lack there of, might surprise you. Despite its small size of 780 square km (301.16 sq. miles), it remains a key player in Middle Eastern trading and economics. Bahrain is renowned for its verdant groves of date palms and depends on oil & gas, international banking & tourism. Rohit is 19 yrs. old and is currently studying information technology and computer science in Perth, Australia. (a 13 hr. flight from Bahrain). Vasudev (father) works for an American construction company based in the U.S., but works remotely, in Bahrain. Asha is a loving wife and mother who is incredibly devoted to her family and taking care of these two amazing men. The men both joked and saying that they are her only hardship.
Asha & Vasudev have been married for 29 wonderful years. This lovely family has traveled to 25 countries together and are in the U.S. on holiday. They met up with each other in Boston. The flight for Asha & Vasudev, from Bahrain to Boston, was approximately 13 hours. Rohit flew nearly 30 (yes, 30!!
) hours to meet his parents in Boston! After this trip they said that they probably will see each other again for the holidays. After his studies are complete, Rohit plans to reside in Australia. Asha & Vasudev are incredibly proud of their son for pursuing his dreams. They believe that it is good for him to be living in another country on his own. They said it builds strength of character! When asked if they had one thing to tell the world and they said, “Travel and explore the world as much as possible. Each and every country has its own personality, its own diversity, its own intricacies and that’s what makes travel so beautiful.” HOWE true! Vasudev, Asha, and Rohit, meeting you was an absolute pleasure. We wish you safe travels. Thank you so much for visiting
They met in 1999 and the magic of Facebook has kept them connected over the years. They finally met up today after not seeing each other for 23 yrs.! Marna is originally from Albany, New York State’s capital. She lived in California for some time before returning to Albany to focus on teaching yoga and working with CEO’s on stress management/reduction and burn out prevention. She is very proud of having built a successful small business from the ground up. Over time, it has blossomed into a beautiful company that has helped many people. Workshops are offered virtually and in person (www.marnaschwartz.com).
Kory is a talented commercial welder from Binghamton, who has built components for Tesla vehicles and the Amazon distribution facility. He enjoys motorcycle riding. He even once made the trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, was there for only three hours, and then drove 1600 miles back home! He prefers to go on smaller jaunts (within a distance of 2 hrs), like he did today, to visit Howe Caverns with Marna.
“We both take pieces of things and make them whole,” Marna said when referring to one of the great things that Marna and Kory have in common. Another thing that they have in common is that they both loved their cave tour! They enjoyed a delicious lunch after and were very impressed by the jaw-dropping view of the scenic Helderberg Plateau from the cafe windows. While visiting, Marna discovered that we offer cave yoga in our Howe fitness program. You might even be able to catch one a cave yoga class with her this summer! Thank you for visiting, Marna & Kory!
Michele is originally from Upstate New York, but now resides with her husband and children, in Australia. Michele has visited Howe Caverns many times since she was young and it has now become part of their family tradition to visit when they are in the U.S. visiting family. (Check out Scott’s sweatshirt from a past trip)
They talked about the differences between where they live in Australia and Upstate New York. They said measurements and temperatures are all different (metric system) and everything must be converted. They laughed about how complicated it is to figure out the temperature outside and what they should wear for the day. Upstate New York is much more green and lush, than where they live in Australia, where it is very dry. The plants and trees there are more drought tolerant, less green, and less full. They are also lower to the ground which makes everything here seem massive and soaring- as if trees are towering over them. They are loving the squirrels here!
Squirrels don’t live in Australia so they are fascinated by these little devils running everywhere here! They said it’s important to appreciate the little things; beauty, nature, and environment. Everyone’s surroundings are not the same and every place has its charm. If Upstate New Yorkers were to move to the dryland of Australia, we would certainly miss the simple things but especially, the beautiful lush green landscape of summer. We might even miss the squirrels
“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” -Mary Davis
She’s an avid horseback rider and loves farms. Her horse’s name is Peter Pan! She says farms and spending time with animals is where she feels most at peace. Cora has a rare condition called Alopecia (hair loss). Only about 2% of the population is affected. Cora says it’s a challenge being different. She wishes that people didn’t see her Alopecia before that they saw that she’s just a happy young lady. She often has to explain to people that she does not have cancer and that she is not a boy. She says it’s important that we educate ourselves about how to respectfully approach those that may look different. She said it’s really okay to ask thoughtful questions. In fact, she would prefer people to ask questions rather than stare at her. When people stare it makes her feel uncomfortable. Cora acknowledges that although staring is a normal human behavior, often propelled by curiosity, it would be so much nicer to approach, genuinely connect with someone, listen to their story, and learn.
It was Cora’s 11th Birthday yesterday!
Beautiful girl, we wish you everything blessed and happiest today and always. Cora, keep shining your light. You are a ray of the sun of divine creation. We want you to know that by chatting with Betsy today, you gave us all the BIGGEST gift! Our hearts are overflowing.
Thank you for visiting!
One of Cora’s favorite places is Moose
River Farm: She says Anne, the owner, has her heart and she is so grateful for her! You can check out more about Moose River Farms Here
She is a medical doctor of Endocrinology.
She immigrated to the United States four years ago so that she could grow and gain international experience in her field. The first year of living in the United States, going through her fellowship, was incredibly difficult for her, but now, she says that she could not imagine going back to her former life. Her goal as a mother, is to give her daughter a life of opportunity, and to show her that anything is possible. In Russia, there are more female doctors than male and believe it or not, it is a low paying profession. In the U.S., she is often mistaken for a nurse. She chuckled about that and said that it is important to not ever let gender roles get in the way of pursuing your dream. Betsy asked beautiful Dr. Zhanna if she had any advice to share and she said, “Be mindful of other people. Treat them the way you would want to be treated.” We LOVE that! Thank you so much for visiting!
You are an inspiration! (ты вдохновение! We hope we said that right )
Spring 2024
Meet Melanie & Chuck from Red Oak, North Carolina- both United States Air Force Veterans!
Betsy also shares a great love for aviation so they spent a few minutes talking about aircrafts.
The Airman’s creed is: “My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win: Everything we do is to ensure mission success. We as Airmen will fight for what is right, and fight to win. I am faithful to a Proud Heritage, A Tradition of Honor, And a Legacy of Valor: History makes you smarter, and heritage makes you prouder.
“Semper Supra” is Latin for “Always Above.”
Thank you both for your service
Thank you for visiting
Island living can be challenging and expensive. They explained the concept of Hawaii’s “paradise tax”. It describes the perceived difference in the cost of living between Hawaii and the mainland. Hawaii has a higher cost of living and lower incomes than other parts of the U.S. At times, living on an island can make its inhabitants feel limited. As tourism is the main industry of Hawaii, branching out to other industries can be difficult. Chloe has a degree in creative writing. After graduating, she found finding work hard to come by as there wasn’t a lot of opportunity in her field. She eventually landed a remote job with a tech company narrating video games! HOWE interesting! Jason currently works using his mechanical engineering skills for hotels. Both of their careers have allowed them to be able to embrace both their creativity and individuality. This stateside trip is huge for them! They planned and saved to make it happen! We’re so happy they did! When Betsy asked them if they had one thing to tell the world, they said “Share Aloha. Spread aloha. Be kind and share a smile. Smiles are infectious and they can change a person’s day.”
“Aloha” means love & fellowship in Hawaiian. We love that! Thank you for visiting!
In the Philippines, she was a high school biology teacher but relocated to the U.S approximately eight years ago. She currently enjoys working for a technology manufacturing company that fabricates x-ray analyzers. In 2018, Jessica she was diagnosed with cancer and thankfully, after treatment, in 2019, she was fortunate enough to be cancer-free. She said that she believes that if she had been was diagnosed while living in the Philippines, she most likely would not had the resources needed to save her life. Three years ago, her husband, a United States veteran, had a stroke which paralyzed him. She’s so grateful that they live in here, in the United States, a country where he can be taken care of, where we have life-saving medical technology, and that they can receive the support that they need. When Betsy asked her if she had one thing to tell the world, she said, “Stop judging people and just love each other.” HOWE wonderful. Jessica is a pure ray of sunshine and we are so incredibly happy that she visited today.
Earlier today, visited Slate Hill Lavender Farm to celebrate life with a group of her closest friends. Betsy could not resist photographing her with her beautiful lavender
You can check out more about Slate Hill Flower Farm here:
Sharon Sprigs Fine Dried Florals – Slate Hill Lavender Farm (https://slatehill-lavenderfarm.com/)
He’s visiting with his family. Unfortunately, Cooper cannot go in the cave on a tour but he was happy to wait for his humans in our shaded roof-covered kennel with clean large individual locked pens. Your fur baby is welcome to bring their small bed or blanket to stay comfortable. Fresh water & clean bowls are also available. Please remember that Howe Caverns’ pet policy strictly prohibits animals from being left in alone vehicles. We will immediately notify law enforcement. Upon your arrival, simply let a Guest Services team member know that you are traveling with your pet and would like to use the kennel. This service is a courtesy and free of charge. If a guest would like to leave a small donation, we give it to our local animal shelter.
**Please factor an additional 1/2 hr. before your arrival/tour departure time to get your fur baby situated.**
These young men are competing at the Cooperstown Dreams Park. Every year, teams from all over the country travel to Cooperstown, New York to compete. Their team made it to the top 16 teams and are currently in the playoffs! HOWE awesome! The boys have been playing baseball since they were toddlers and their ultimate goal is to make it to the MLB
This great little group refused to take a photo without everyone in the picture. It’s clear that they understand that “team work makes the dream work”! We wish you the very best of luck
Thank you for visiting
You can find out more about the Dreams Park here: https://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/
Ron is originally from this area and Luis is from California. Currently, they are in the process of moving to New York. Luis, so far, likes New York more than L.A. because there is less traffic but still finds New York to be just as expensive as California. Ron last visited the cave on a school trip over 35 years ago. “The boat ride is exactly how I remembered it”, Ron said. They both really loved Winding Way, its impressiveness, and the overall beauty of the passage. Ron said that “visiting as a kid was a great experience but coming back as an adult was an even greater experience.” Learning about the history, geology, and science is much more interesting as an adult than it is as a kid. Eric asked how they would describe Howe Caverns to someone that has never visited, they said, “It’s an experience that you won’t find anywhere else” AND they added that they had heard about our annual Naked in a Cave event! You will definitely not find that experience anywhere else either!
HOWE unique! When asked if they had any advice for the younger generation, they said, “Pay more attention to how things change” Thank you for visiting Ron & Luis
We wish you a smooth and easy move back to the east coast.
Meet Sherry and Rick from Connecticut! 40 years ago, in 1984 (40 years ago? Is that right? 1984 doesn’t feel like 40 years ago
) they came to Howe Caverns as part of their honeymoon trip. Recently, their son Scott, asked if we had an online shop because he wanted to get his parents sweatshirts for their anniversary. Our inventory changes rapidly so online shopping is not something we offer BUT our guest services team members are always more than happy to help! Scott arranged a FaceTime call with Betsy, and together, they shopped to find the perfect gifts! Scott was kind enough to send us this beautiful photo of his mom and dad in their Howe Caverns sweatshirts AND a photo from 1984 on their honeymoon at here at Howe. Thank you, Scott!
Happy 40th Anniversary to Sherry & Rick!
Wishing you so many more years of good health, happiness & LIVE!
P.S. Happy Father’s Day, Rick!
They have been together for ten years. Johnathan works for an aerospace company that has them traveling and living all over the country. They currently reside in Chicago. They started dating their sophomore year of high school. On their first date, they went to Six Flags Amusement Park. When they rode the Tilt-a-Whirl, he sat on the outside of their car and as it was spinning, he was crushing her the whole ride. They spent the whole ride hysterically laughing and It’s one of their favorite memories. They are getting married on Memorial Day weekend next year in Chicago. When Betsy asked them if they had one thing to tell the world they said, “Remember to take a step back and slow down. Disconnect from technology and enjoy the moment. Enjoy the beauty that life and nature has to offer at a slower pace. Life tastes a little sweeter when it’s savored.” HOWE beautiful! We wish you both everything happiest always. Thank you for visiting
Meet Anastasia, Danyil, and Andrii from Ukraine
They fled their home and native land six month ago because of the war. She hardly spoke English. When Betsy asked her if she had anything she would like to tell the world, after a pensive pause, she said, “I have nothing.” Betsy found her words to be very powerful. We are wishing this beautiful family safety, health, love, peace & strength.
Я молюся за вас
Every year, they take a two month trip and they call it a “honeymoon”. Miriam & Jesse consider their trips to be time that they spend together sharing new experiences, celebrating their marriage, and furthering their romance. During their trips, they have explored: North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. Eric asked them how they would describe Howe Caverns to someone that has never visited. They said, “Absolutely worth it! The heart at the Bridal altar, hearing the pipe organ being played, and just listening to the water in the cave. We have been to several caves and really heard the water so distinctly. We enjoyed the story about how Lester Howe would give the tour, eating lunch in the Bronze room, during his 8-10 hour tours!”
Miriam & Jesse have been married for 23 years and say that they “try experience life any chance we get because we don’t know if we have tomorrow. Life is short.” Eric asked them if they any advice for new couples. They strongly believe that “love comes naturally” and agreed that “if you don’t have honesty, trust, and communication, you have nothing.” Jesse said that communication is key and so is saying “Yes, dear” (smart man
) You know HOWE the saying goes… “Happy wife, happy life.”
We wish you safe travels, many more wonderful beautiful adventures, good health & happiness. Thank you for visiting!
She is the regional project director for the Informal Science Education from the National Science Foundation. The Foundation can be used to develop an educational programs that encourages and engages young kids to learn science. She says that “we want more scientists in more scant, rural and remote communities.”
She works to help people in those communities to work to bring government & environmental resources to their communities for a more sustainable future. You can check out that work and some of those resources here: https://eaglehubs.org/en/services/
She says, The EPA has billions of dollars available for community organizations to get money but nobody applies so she does something similar to a roadshow, doing workshops so that people can come and learn how to write federal grant so they can apply for money. She currently lives in Puerto Rico
and flew here last night to give a free class on grant writing tomorrow morning at SUNY Cobleskill from 8a-5p. Dr. Govender has studied caves all over the world and her next one will be in South Africa to study the oldest human remains ever found in a cave system! HOWE fascinating!
When Betsy asked her if she had one thing to tell the world, she said. “We should all take action to save this beautiful planet. Consume less, conserve more, reduce your carbon footprint. We are so blessed to live in such an amazing space and as humanity, we should all come together to protect it and we can make a difference if we unite in that.” Thank you, Dr. Govender for everything you do to make a difference and to make the world a better place. (Nos sentimos enormemente agradecidos a usted) Thank you for visiting
They came all the way from Texas. Unfortunately, their other daughter, Wren, was under the weather and stayed behind with Grandma Carol. (but don’t worry, Grandma Carol is spoiling her with their own little adventures back home in Texas) Corin, Guillermo & Hakari drove five hours from the border of Mexico and Texas to Austin to take a flight to Washington, D.C. After landing in D.C, they started driving north. It’s Corin & Guillermo’s life goal, as a couple, to make it to all 50 states in their lifetime. They are currently making their way across the northeastern states. They are particularly interested in the less populated places of the country. When Betsy asked them why, they said, “You really get to meet the salt of the earth in small towns.” They also love the fact that you can find more small local businesses and eat more locally grown and harvested food. Corin is, primarily, a biology teacher but has her degree to teach all sciences. She’s fascinated with the environment and conservation- which motivates her to travel. She considers the world to be a classroom. This is Hakari’s first time on the east coast. She has never traveled with her parents this far before. She will be 13 this year and is looking forward to every bit of this adventure. Guillermo is outnumbered but keeps these ladies laughing. After today, they are on their way to Concord, New Hampshire. Betsy is from that area so she recommended an awesome breakfast place called Tucker’s (Betsy says it’s some of the BEST breakfast skillets in the Northeast!) Then, they are going to Salem Massachusetts, then on to an Anime Convention! HOWE fun! Hakiari said if she had one thing to tell the world it would be, “pursue your passion and enjoy your time while doing it!” What a beautiful family! Safe travels! Thank you for visiting!
Maggie & Ben are getting married this weekend!
Hang on! They aren’t even in these pictures
BUT their love is what brought part of this beautiful family together today! Ok, here we go. Meet Baby Amelia! Grandma & Grandpa came all the way from Beijing
to visit her and to attend Maggie & Ben’s wedding. Xinxin (Amelia’s Mother), was born and raised in Beijing. She & Ethan (Maggie’s brother) met when she was completing her masters degree at Tufts University. When Ethan first told her that he was from New York, she thought he was from New York City, not Upstate New York. (common mistake and can be shocking) They reside in Indiana and traveled here for the wedding. Maggie & Ethan’s other brother, John, came from Denver, Colorado for the wedding, as well. Maggie & Ben’s family & friends are literally coming from all over the world to attend their wedding! HOWE exciting! The most important thing that they all wanted to say today is that they are wishing for nothing but the best for their sister and her future husband! We second that! Thank you to Baby Amelia, Grandpa, Grandma, XinXin, Ethan & John for visiting
Wishing Maggie & Ben a lifetime of good health, happiness & L
VE!
P.S. Someone please send a pic of the happy couple on their special day! We want to see Maggie & Ben!
From the vast cattle lands of Mato Grosso, Brazil, to the snowy hills of Maine, Aldaiane’s journey is one of strength, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. She was raised by her grandparents whom she lovingly calls her true mother and father. She grew up watching resilience in action. Her grandmother’s selfless love and her grandfather’s tireless work shaped the foundation of her strength. Now a mother herself, Aldaiane is building a life in the U.S., running her own cleaning business. It was an idea she envisioned and brought to life with bold determination. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” she says, “but I’m grateful to share my life with Duncan.” Duncan, a former cage fighter turned realtor, grew up in Maine with a deep respect for strong women—especially his mother. His mother once had a dream of him marrying a Brazilian woman. Her voice and that dream guided him years later to a dating app where he met Aldaiane. Despite a blizzard, he drove 115 miles to see her on their first date. Now, three years into marriage, he says, “She’s the calm in my storm. The rock.” Together, they raise their children across borders, share laughter, and nurture dreams. Aldaiane loves Duncan’s humor and warmth; he admires her deep passion for life and her fearless authenticity. “She makes everyone around her want to be better,” he says. With Aldaiane’s cousin Kelly visiting from Brazil, learning English and seeing New York City for the first time, their life is a mosaic of cultures, courage, and connection. Their message is simple but powerful. “Push yourself, no matter how hard things get. Pressure makes diamonds. Character is built in the struggle. Trust that God has a plan—and never lose faith in it.” Thank you so much for visiting
Barb, Tibor & Frank, our Hungarian friends, shared pictures from their past travels for us all to enjoy.
Email from Barb: “Our journeys with Tibor: Sweden, Finnland, Estonia, Lattvia, Netherland, Switterland, Austria, Germany, Spain, Croatia, Albania
USA:
2022 – Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Hawaii – took 11 weeks
2023 – Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington – Canada – BC, AB
2024 – from New York to Chicago”
We are super excited to be have been included in this year’s trip. Stay in touch!
She is wicked excited for her cave tour with her school class today! She was also very excited to show us this t-shirt!
She flung her sweatshirt off to show Betsy her “On Wednesdays We Wear Black”
because Betsy also was all dressed in all black! They gave each other a fist bump a wink and carried on. HOWE 001 Cemetery Lane, queridos.
Thank you for visiting!
This trio of friends have a really interesting story! Tibor and Barbara met over 7 years ago through salsa classes
and decided to start traveling the world together. Last year, Frank joined in on their adventures! Sometimes they travel to meet up with friends and sometimes they travel and meet up with people they don’t even know! On a week-long trip in Maui, they never had to pay for lodging! They used an app called “Couchsurfing.” The app connects you with hosts that allow you to stay with them free of charge. It is a wonderful way to make friends. They have traveled through, Switzerland, Spain, and many other countries. Every year, they change their destination. Last year they traveled through the western parts of the US. This year’s trip will take them from New York to Chicago. They found the largest community of Hungarians in the United States in Cleveland and they are on their way to visit them! When we asked them if they had one thing to tell the world they said, “Stay positive and be open to others. When you approach strangers with love, usually love is what you will receive in return.” We sent them on their way with some homemade fudge- which they loved! We loved Barbara’s nail art
and their 2024 custom tour t-shirts! HOWE creative! We wish them the safest travels and continued amazing adventures! Thank you for visiting!
They travel around the country working with food vendors at music festivals. They mainly work with Grilled Cheese Incident.
They just came from FLO in Virginia, are now on their way to New Hampshire for the Northlands Festival, and then, they are off to Electric Forest in Michigan! WOWIE! Mowgli, is also a musician and a fire performer!
It’s very expensive to travel and perform year round so they needed to find a way to make that happen. When we asked them if you had one thing to tell the world what would it be? They said, “Start where you are with what you have and share whatever creativity you have and not be shy about it.” Safe travels Mowgli and Katie! If you happen to be at one of the upcoming music festivals, stop by the Grilled Cheese Incident and getchoo some grilled cheese! HOWE yummy! Thank you for visiting
P.S. Their van’s name is Reba!
We love the horns!
No, they didn’t just come from Comic Con
They just happen to be huge fans of the animated television limited series, Adventure Time. Today is Jaylin’s birthday so they dressed up as the characters, Princess Bubblegum and Finn. Mystery Cave is one of the settings in the series and Howe Caverns was the perfect place to visit to celebrate. Happy Happy Birthday Jaylin!
HOWE cute! Always keep the little girl in you alive! May all of your birthday wishes come true!
Thank you for visiting!
They heard about Howe Caverns from friends and then later read about it online. Eric asked Ben what his favorite thing was and he said when their guide, Braeden, demonstrated what total darkness is. Cave darkness is a special kind of darkness. You cannot even see your own hand in front of your face!
“We are cut off from the guidance of the stars, from the sun and the moon. Even the horizon vanishes—if not for gravity, we’d scarcely know up from down. All of the subtle cues that might orient us on the surface—cloud formations, plant-growth patterns, animal tracks, wind direction—disappear. Underground, we lose even the guide of our own shadow” (The Atlantic)
Jada said that “Winding way was her favorite. Eric asked how they would describe Howe Caverns to someone that has never visited, and they said, “a once in a lifetime experience 156 ft. underground.” HOWE COOL! Thank you for visiting!
P.S. we love your sweatshirts!
This adorable family is visiting from Richland Center, Wisconsin (15 hours from Howe Caverns) Dennis, a truck driver, was passing through this area in a 59 ft. lumber hauler, with his family, for work. They made a pit stop at Howe because their kids had been in the truck for over 12 hours. They really loved the cave and were especially impressed by the wonder of an underground boat ride. We asked these parents what motivates them in life and they said, “our children.” Family is everything!
HOWE special! As an aside, we want to say that we have a deep appreciation for our truck drivers. They are indispensable, independent, tough, and capable. Without them our nation, and our lives, would look very different. Thank you, Dennis, for helping to keep our country moving. We wish you daily safe travels
Thank you for visiting. We hope you had fun!
They are Arif’s proud parents that traveled all the way from Bangladesh
to attend their son’s graduation. Meet Arif! He just graduated with his PhD in Aerospace Engineering! After completing his undergraduate studies in Bangladesh and Malaysia, he applied to a masters program at Oklahoma State University. His grades were so outstanding from Malaysia that they offered him a scholarship to skip his masters and go straight to his doctoral work! Arif’s wife, Nishat, is currently working on her masters degree in Environmental Science and Conservation at Oklahoma State. She always tells people that if you have the opportunity to travel, visit as many places as you can. Traveling is the best education! Take it from these scholars, it’s great advice. HOWE wise! Thank you so much for visiting
“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” (Woodrow Wilson) Meet Rachel & Kate from London, England!
These dear friends met over 30 years ago at Oxford University when Rachel was studying Law and Kate was studying Experimental Psychology. Rachel’s husband is from New Zealand
(a Kiwi!) and they met in Belize!
7 years ago, Rachel’s husband’s job brought them to the United States to live. Kate just came to the U.S. on holiday to visit Rachel and we were lucky enough to become part of their memories. HOWE special! Today we learned that fudge is an American treat that the British enjoy. Thank you for visiting!
“To Travel is to Live” (Hans Christian Andersen) Meet Larissa, Arvid & Baby Arvid from Germany!
They have been traveling around the world as a family. Larissa & Arvid carried Baby Arvid across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand
when he was 5 months old! (God Bless them. Oh my God!
) Larissa joked that 12.1 miles takes a little longer when you have to stop and feed a 5 month old. (You’re Wonder Woman!
) They even have explored caves in Thailand via bamboo boats! (they shared that incredible pic with all of us) Recently, their travels brought them to the United States to visit friends in Boston. That plan ultimately fell through, so plot twist, they ended up renting an RV and are currently making their way to visit friends in Toronto, Canada and then traveling back down the east coast, ending in Maryland. They are stopping at as many natural attractions as they can before heading back home to Germany. HOWE NEAT! Talk about keeping adventure and exploration alive through travel!
They win the trophy!
We wish you safe travels! May you be blessed & safe
Thank you for making memories with us!
The Velsko family is from Anchorage, Alaska. They have a family camp here in Schoharie County that has been in their family for generations, however, the last time they visited the cave was almost 40 years ago! We were happy that they finally made it back!
While we were chatting with them, these beautiful Brahma Kumaris from Ghana came over
Within a few minutes, they shared a beautiful powerful moment of prayer together right on the front hill. “The world may be big, but it is the smallest of moments that truly matter.” HOWE incredible! Thank you for visiting us today
Want some inspiration to live your best life? Say hello to Cassandra! This adorable hodophile (here’s your word for the day!) hails from Orange County, California, and she is currently fulfilling her bucket list of traveling to all 68 state parks!!! She started this journey about three years ago and she’s already halfway there to fulfilling her dream! On this trip, she flew from California to Ohio and then drove from Ohio to New York. While she is here, she will visit the Adirondacks, Watkins Glen & Ausable Chasm. She works very hard all year and saves up her paid time off so that she can travel. When we asked her if she had one thing to tell the world, she said, “Do not wait to start living your life. Time waits for no one. Start today.” So wise beyond her years. Safe travels, Cassandra! HOWE adventurous!
Thank you for visiting us
CAN-A-DA in the house!The excitement and joy from Akash, Jay, Harpal, & Sunny from Toronto was infectious! These fun fellers said that they “left the bosses at home” and they were out on a “guys adventure!”
HOWE AWESOME is that?! They said that Howe has some of the most beautiful views they have ever seen. They said that it reminded them a bit of Switzerland! We’ll take it!
We hope you have a great adventure! Safe travels! Thank you for visiting!
P.S. We love our Canadian neighbors but our Florida Panthers
plan on bringing the Stanley Cup home to Florida!
“Love knows no bounds” Say hello to Taufiq from Kolkata, India and Cassey from the Philippines
They were drawn to the Schoharie Valley for its wealth of natural beauty & wonder- above ground AND below ground!
Today was their first time ever in a cave! When asked if they had one thing to tell the world, they said, “Worry less live more! Lean into happiness!” Thank you for visiting us and we wish you the best of luck at your internships at Turning Stone
“A good father will leave his imprint on his daughter for the rest of her life.” Peter & his adorable daughter, Elizabeth, from Schenectady, went on a tour today. What a perfect way to make memories together while enjoying this little gem of a cave in their own backyard. We hope you had fun! Thank you for visiting
P.S. We LOVE your sweatshirts
“A good father will leave his imprint on his daughter for the rest of her life.” Peter & his adorable daughter, Elizabeth, from Schenectady, went on a tour today. What a perfect way to make memories together while enjoying this little gem of a cave in their own backyard. We hope you had fun! Thank you for visiting
P.S. We LOVE your sweatshirts
They are from South India, Gopal still lives in India and Sreejidh now lives in Boston. We were their second stop after Niagara Falls- which is ironic because we happen to be the second most visited natural attraction in New York State after Niagara Falls! They are such a lovely family and Eric really enjoyed chatting with them. He asked them, “if there is something you could tell the younger generations what would it be?” They said, “Have established values in life.” He then asked, “What motivates you?” They said, “Finding happiness. In life there should be trust, transparency, and teamwork.” HOWE true!
Thank you so much for visiting us
Arianna & Makinley visited us today because Arianna wanted to show Makinley the beautiful area that she grew up in. Arianna last visited with her Dad, Mom & sister when she was 6 yrs. old and fondly remembers her family joking around that her dad was going to get stuck in Winding Way!
When we ask guests what their favorite part of the cave tour was, generally, they tell us that it was the beautiful boat ride or going through the magnificent Winding Way! Winding Way is an impressive 300 ft. long natural passage way carved by water. It boasts an impressive 30 “S” curves; ranging from 18” wide to 6 ft wide and from 5 ft. tall to 45 ft. tall!
Well, Arianna, we are so glad that no one got stuck in Winding Way on that visit or today’s visit
Thank you, Arianna & Makinley, for visiting us today! We hope you had fun!
“Happy to meet you” was how Betsy was greeted by this lovely group of Buddhist Monks. She was so touched when one of them, visiting from Burma, took the time to meditate with her. HOWE beautiful
Say hello to this beautiful mother/daughter duo, Ni & Alice. Ni traveled all the way from Vietnam
to visit her daughter, Alice, who is studying Finance at NYU. Betsy noticed them enjoying the views on the front lawn and introduced herself. Turns out, Betsy will actually be their tour guide later on this afternoon! We really love and enjoy learning about all of our visitors and feel so fortunate to meet people from every corner of the earth
Get ready to experience the most immersive escape room in the Capital Region.
Do you think YOU know HOWE TO ESCAPE!?
The Ultra-Max penitentiary known as “The Cave” houses the most notorious criminal geniuses in the country. Built 15 stories underground, The Cave has the latest in cutting-edge escape deterrent technology deployed in the facility. Many infamous individuals have spent the waning years of their lives behind its triple-reinforced cell walls and state-of-the-art security systems. This distinguished clientele has resulted in multiple escape attempts, but none have been successful… until now! A motley crew of the criminal elite, led by maniacal mastermind, Stu “The Flu” Galopso, have done the impossible and breached the confines of their containment sector. Society’s most dangerous and unpredictable fugitives are now at large, and only YOU can stop them!
Escape Room By Reservation Only
All ticket sales are nonrefundable and may not be exchanged.