Travel

Jul 23 2011

4.5 Years, 5 States, 1 Week

“I don’t like my cantaloupe, it looks too orange-ish!”
— The Kid

So, a short while back the kid visited five states she’d never before experienced. All in one week. Not bad for a four and a half year old; I bet there’s a fair amount of Americans who haven’t visited five states in their entire lives.

Here’s how it worked out:

We got on a plane that stopped off in Phoenix, Arizona.
From there we took a plane to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
From there we drove a car through West Virginia.
From there we continued driving to to Sugarcreek, Ohio.
Once our vacation was over, we took a plane that stopped of in St. Paul, Minneapolis.

I think all together the kid has been to eight different states (the above plus, CA, HI, and OR) so far. That’s a pretty good start for our little traveler.

By mike • by Mike, The Kid, Travel • 1 • Tags: kidspeak, ohio, Travel, Trip

Mar 8 2011

Snow 2011

Mommy, I wanna see the volcano interrupting!

-while watching Kilauea’s latest eruption

We just got back from a snowy weekend. Lucy enjoyed playing in Gma & Gpa’s yard, where there was still a bit of snow left over from last week’s storm.

Before: After:

Here are some snow cats we made in the big pile of snow in the driveway:

We went up to Soda Springs for some snow play at Planet Kids. Lucy had a blast.

She rode on the tube ride, climbed the snowy volcano, and coasted down the hill. We checked out Boreal, which will be great next year for some ski lessons!

We celebrated Grandma K’s birthday with a cake made by Lucy, and played trains with Grandpa.

Grandpa gave Lucy a treasure chest, and let her pick out some shells to put in it!

By jill • by Jill, Relatives, Time Capsule • 4 • Tags: family, Gma, Gpa, Grandma, Outdoors, Outside, Park, playing, Relatives, Snow, sodasprings, tahoe, The Kid, Travel, winter

Feb 22 2011

Volcano

“Lets get our helmets on.”
— Lucy as we get prepared to go outside on the big island

We had a wonderful time visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. This was our second time visiting, and it was much different than the first.

The first time we were there, there had been a SO₂ unhealthy fumes warning which confined us in the Visitor Center for a half hour or so, closed the Jaggar museum, and much of the direct viewing of the caldera. Once it was safe to leave the Visitor Center we drove down the Chain of Craters road instead.

This time, the air was clear enough, so we went to several spots around Kilauea‘s caldera. We walked behind the Volcano House hotel (currently closed for renovation) to get our first view of the caldera, the steaming bluffs, and the Halema’uma’u vent.

Next we visited the Thurston lava tube. We walked through lush rainforest to the tube and crossed a bridge into a dripping, clammy cavern with puddles on the floor.

Next we drove toward the Jaggar museum. On the way we saw a strange sight, the steaming vents in the meadows we had seen from the overlook, so we stopped for a closer look. If you’ve been to Lassen, the smell of sulfur will be familiar.

We walked the path through the meadow to the edge of the steaming cliff we had seen from the other side. With steam venting out of the ground all around you and a smoking caldera in view you really feel in the middle of a volcano!

We arrived at the Jaggar Museum at dusk. It is very close to the Halema’uma’u vent and has a spectacular view.

What an amazing sight! The park is open 24 hours (you can walk out to lava flows in the dark if you dare) but it was a bit spooky as it got dark and we were happy to reach the road to Hilo as the last bit of light faded into night.

By jill • by Jill, The Kid, Travel • 1 • Tags: big island, hawaii, kidspeak, lava tube, national, Outdoors, Park, Travel, volcano

Feb 11 2011

Hawaii Life

“Now we have ‘Stay at home Wubie’ and ‘Travel Wubie’!”
— Lucy, talking about the Siamese cats she discovered outside our condo on Hawaii’s big island

Hawaii is full of life, especially wildlife. It seems like the most alive place on earth. The soil is so fertile and rich, you can plant a clipping and it will grow…just shove a twig in the ground. The birds and bugs and animals also flourish here.

On Kauai, there are wild chickens everywhere…in parking lots, at the beach, park, roadside, backyard, shopping center, even the airport!

We saw an endangered monk seal at the beach, loads of birds, and even a mouse. Eek!

On the Big Island we discovered toads on our lawn, big ones, sometimes hidden in the short grass, so you almost step on them. Last night there was one on the road we had to stop for and let pass. Was that a squirrel, nope, it was a mongoose. And the bumblebees! So gigantic they weigh down any flower or leaf they land on.

And on the beach, we saw crabs, fish, birds and….turtles! Next on the to see list: whales and dolphins. (We saw some whales spouting from the shore on Kauai, but we want to see them a little bit closer.)

This trip we have had cats wherever we went…the resident cats at our hosts on Kauai, and wild ones here on the Big Island. When we arrived, what did we see but…a mirror image of Wubie! A siamese cat in a feral version, in the parking lot, just washing his feet. So naturally we took a shine to him. Then we saw his twin. And tonight, we saw a third siamese.

Those three had friends, all living out on the lava and in the shrubery nearby. Probably every week they get new benefactors from the condo and resort dwellers who miss their own fuzzy friends.

And on the home front, our Wubie is keeping his catsitter busy. But we’ll save that for another post!

By jill • by Jill, The Kid, Travel • 1 • Tags: animals, Beach, cat, cats, Chickens, hawaii, kidspeak, Outdoors, seal, siamese, Travel, turtle, wildlife

Feb 3 2011

Poipu beach

Today was a beautiful sunny day on Kauai, so we went to the beach. We had a marvelous time!

We saw a rare and endangered monk seal resting, fenced off of course to allow him his privacy;

Mike, Jim and Tisa snorkeled and tried out a new underwater camera head strap thingy;

Grandma Vita started a new book (The Other Boleyn Girl)

Lucy splashed around, kicked sand into the waves, watched her daddy snorkel, counted chickens and roosters and baby chicks, played with the faucet at the rinsing station, and snuck in a climb and a slide on the beach playground. Phew!

None of us got sunburned (hopefully) and we all managed to pile into one car (though trooper Tisa was boxed in by chairs and boogie boards and had to wait patiently in a hot car to climb out of the back after all the gear was taken out.)

Later on we checked out a local farmer’s market, had an ice cream, bought some veg and snacks, and wandered through shops.

The weather has been absolutely perfect, not too hot, no rain, we have been very lucky so far. What a wonderful day!

p.s. Our gracious hosts have prepared gourmet dinners for us each night, this is surely the best restaurant on the island. Must remember to photograph the food!

The menu so far chez Tisa & Jim:

teriyaki steak on a bed of coconut rice, haupia cake

peruvian grilled chicken with zucchini, cassoulet and baguette

Lucy was so enamored of the coconut rice we got the recipe and will make it for her at home.

Recipe: Cook rice (in rice cooker of course) with homemade chicken stock and coconut milk, liquid to rice ratio is 2 to 1.

Next post: tour of the magnificent abode and the dramatic rain forest back yard.

By jill • by Jill, Relatives, The Kid, Travel • 3 • Tags: auntie, Beach, family, Gma Vita, Grandma, hawaii, Kauai, Outdoors, Relatives, seal, The Kid, Travel

Mar 22 2010

Going to the Snow

Going to the Snow from Mike C on Vimeo.

We spent the weekend in Grass Valley with Lucy’s grandparents. Lucy had been looking forward to the trip all week, especially our Saturday trek to Soda Springs where she’d be able to play in the snow.

Lucy got her first taste of snow last year. However, she wasn’t really prepared for that encounter. Her excitement dissipated quickly once she realized how cold and wet snow could be.

However, this year was very different. Lucy’s three now, a grizzled veteran compared to the two year old rookie we plopped into the snow last year. This time she had a much better idea of what to expect. We also planned things a bit better, making sure to bring along a snow sled for the kid.

In this video you’ll see us all having a great time in the snow. Lucy’s excitement can be quite infectious that way. Also, if you watch the whole video, you just might catch a special moment where Lucy and her Gpa cut the rug together. Fun stuff.

By mike • by Mike, Relatives, The Kid, Travel, Video • 4 • Tags: Dancing, family, Gma, Gpa, Grandma, grassvalley, Outdoors, Outside, playing, Relatives, Snow, sodasprings, tahoe, The Kid, Travel, Video

Oct 3 2009

Grass Valley Visit

Grass Valley Visit from Mike C on Vimeo.

We spent last weekend with Tom and Karen in Grass Valley. This is the (25 minute!) video. Some highlights:

Lucy playing in the “ladybug pool”
Lucy, Tom, and Karen putting on a talent show
Lucy saying “Hi” to her Auntie Janie
Lucy finding frogs while exploring a creek

For pics, please refer to Jill’s post.

Music:

‘”Mose Rager Blues” from Country Guitar Thunder by Merle Travis & Joe Maphis
“Words Unspoken” and “Tin Roof” from The Crow—New Songs For The 5-String Banjo by Steve Martin
“Gone” from Guitar Country by Chet Atkins
“Understand Your Man, “Catch the Wind“, and “Blowin’ in the Wind” from More of That Guitar Country by Chet Atkins
“Ground Speed” from Foggy Mountain Banjo by Flatt & Scruggs
“Black Mountain Rag” from The Essential Chet Atkins by Chet Atkins

By mike • by Mike, Relatives, The Kid, Travel, Video • 3 • Tags: animals, auntie, creek, family, frogs, Gma, Gpa, Grandma, grassvalley, Outdoors, Outside, playground, Relatives, singing, The Kid, Travel, vado HD, Video, water

Sep 30 2009

Visiting Oregon Video

Oregon Visit from Mike C on Vimeo.

We spent Sept 16 – 21 in Oregon. Here’s a (16 minute HD) video of our time there, including a get-together with my brother and his family.

The majority of the video was taken around Corvallis. We didn’t really get any Portland footage this time, so we’ll have to address that the next time we go back.

For more info, check out Jill’s earlier post about our trip.

Music:

“Someday My Prince Will Come” from Someday My Prince Will Come by Miles Davis
“Little Wing” from The Sky Is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan

By mike • by Mike, Relatives, The Kid, Travel, Video • 0 • Tags: auntie, corvallis, Dog, family, Gma, Gma Vita, Grandma, oregon, Outdoors, Outside, Relatives, The Kid, Travel, vado HD, Video

Sep 28 2009

Visiting Gma and Gpa

Lucy visited her Grandma Karen and Grandpa Tom this weekend, and had lots of fun.

Below are some pics from our visit.

Lucy and Gma share a secret…

Wheeling the “quad” around the kitchen…after this she opened every cupboard and drawer, took out pots and pans to play with, and measuring cups to sort.

She loves playing with the great variety of toys at their house, courtesy of her bigger cousin, especially the quad (above) and the drum. She wheeled all over the house and the yard, and serenaded us with drumming each morning.

At the park on the slide with Daddy; Gpa poses by the double helix ladder.

Lucy got to see her first riverbed up close…

and wade in the water.

She also got to touch a tiny toad…and a much bigger one.

Unfortunately my camera fell in the water just after this small toad, so the big toad will just have to wait for Mike’s fabulous video footage!

Thanks to Gma and Gpa for their generous hospitality and a wonderful weekend!

By jill • by Jill, Relatives, The Kid, Travel • 2 • Tags: animals, family, frogs, Gma, Gpa, Grandma, Outdoors, Outside, Relatives, summer, The Kid, Travel, wildlife

Sep 20 2009

Visiting Oregon

We visited family in Oregon recently, and had a wonderful time.

Once we all converged there were aunties, uncle, cousins and grandma, and Lucy loved having a full house to entertain…she regaled them with songs over and over. I think she already misses the attention!

Here are some pics from our trip…thanks so much for having us!

p.s. this may end up being part one of a two-parter, stay tuned.