Travel – Page 2

Cousin Bonding and Southern Charm

March 12, 2012 by dailygnome 2 Comments

“A cousin is a ready-made friend for life.” – Anonymous

Growing up I didn’t have an opportunity to be close with my cousins {most were much older and lived on the other side of the country}, so it’s such a treat to watch my kids’ relationships with my nieces and nephews unfold. Although it’s tough having a sister {once sharing a room} raising kids and living far away.

A peak into a few of the sweet moments of their bonding weekend:

Breaking out the shades {temps in upper 60s!}. Biking and scootin’:

Hamming it up with cousin Luke:

Happy Birthday sis! Thanks to Ya Ya for baking a yummy cake.

Southern Charm

One of the things I love about visiting my sis is roaming her idyllic neighborhood, the old brick houses and tree lined streets. And all those Southern accents! A few blocks away are some charming shops and restaurants.

Among my discoveries this year:

Urban Gypsy, a sweet boutique where I met a Portland transplant

Viva la Cupcake {butterscotch drop, please}

Rockfish Food + Wine {order the catfish, they know how to do it right in the south}

So hard to say goodbye. Until summertime, where they’ll pick up where they left off…

25 Second Hugs and Girl Time

February 29, 2012 by dailygnome 2 Comments

In the wee hours tomorrow my favorite girl and I will be catching a flight cross country to spend time with my sis. Hadley’s looking forward to some cousin time. Tonight Carson gave me a 25 second hug. That’s five seconds for every day you’ll be gone. Because I won’t be able to hug you when you’re all the way in Virginia.

So sweet. And logical.

Brief Escape on the Mexican Riviera

February 1, 2012 by dailygnome 3 Comments

For a quick four days, we escaped the January gloom kidless and fancy free last week on the Mexican Riviera thanks to Jason’s work. We traveled with a fun group of about 20.

Swimming with dolphins!

Unlike Jason, I’m not exactly a water person, but with a life vest and land in sight I could have danced with these gentle and playful giants all day.

Otro mojito, por favor.

Final send-off dinner on the beach:

The perfect finale to the trip? A lunch of fish tacos (marlin + shrimp) at El Tacon de Marlin. We discovered this place about eight years ago on our first trip to Puerto Vallarta. Hands down the best taco joint in PV. Definitely worth the trip across the highway even with luggage in tow.

Christmas Vacation in Hood River

January 11, 2012 by dailygnome 5 Comments

The day after Christmas we headed through The Gorge to spend a week in Hood River. We got an exceptional deal on a two bedroom loft atop Doppio Coffee Lounge and looked forward to some R&R: leisurely hikes along the CRH State Trail, wandering aimlessly along the downtown streets popping into boutiques and galleries, meeting up with friends on Mt. Hood for a few days of skiing, enjoying great restaurants and bonding as a family.

But the majority of that never happened. We got rained out. The mountain shut down mid-week due to lack of snow.

So instead of playing in parks, running down trails and experiencing the great outdoors the kids watched a lot of movies, played games, rode the elevator, and fought with one another. By the third day we were all going batty.

A welcome break came with trips to the coffeehouse for hot chocolate and coffee {and after being cooped up all day, the site of A Legendary Tantrum}

Then one morning there was a break in the rain. We headed down to Hood River Waterfront Park to burn off some energy and play. Climbing to the top of the rock wall:

Skipping rocks into the Columbia:

Unfortunately the break was brief and by Noon the rain returned. And when I say rain I mean pouring, nonstop downpour. By midweek we had tapped out trips to the book and toy store. Fortunately we discovered the local library, featuring an art station, a play area, and an OMSI exhibit. And our pdx library cards were valid for checking out books and DVDs!

But the best indoor discovery was WAAAM, two hangers full of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country. Carson was excited to stumble upon the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. Things started looking up.

By the weekend, the snow began falling! We raced up to the mountain bright and early and spent the day sledding down hills dodging small trees and avoiding the melting pond at the bottom. But it wasn’t raining and the kids weren’t whining.

Presenting Hadley’s Tiny Snowman Family:

Walking down a trail in search of the hill less traveled:

On Sunday we put the kids in ski school and spent the entire day on a nearly vacant mountain under bright blue skies, ending the week {and the start of the New Year} on a very good note: