Sunday, June 24, 2012
We're home!
How sweet!
Thanks Jordan and Dakota!
You guys are awesome.
That was a fun trip :)
Thanks Jordan and Dakota!
You guys are awesome.
That was a fun trip :)
Happy Anniversary Boo
On this day 6 years ago, we got all married up.
Short on experience, our innocence has led us on an incredible journey. First, across the world, then to Sinai and GBMC for the birth of our boyz and now the last 6 weeks exploring the good ole USA.
No one I'd rather do it with than us four. Love you forever.
Short on experience, our innocence has led us on an incredible journey. First, across the world, then to Sinai and GBMC for the birth of our boyz and now the last 6 weeks exploring the good ole USA.
No one I'd rather do it with than us four. Love you forever.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
CHAMPS!
Congratulations to the 305 and the Miami Heat!
Feel so lucky that I got to watch them win the title upstairs in my own house (car) :)
First time on this whole trip that the antennae worked and we got reception.
From Knightstown, Indiana our journey is wrapping up as well. Home this weekend. Goin home as champs in so many ways. #grateful
Feel so lucky that I got to watch them win the title upstairs in my own house (car) :)
First time on this whole trip that the antennae worked and we got reception.
From Knightstown, Indiana our journey is wrapping up as well. Home this weekend. Goin home as champs in so many ways. #grateful
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Expectations
Pics - http://pix.kg/p/4509828211103%3A1490046217/scl
When we started talking about taking this trip, we created some expectations and were super excited to see certain places. Yellowstone was one of those places. We also had stopovers we thought would be quick and almost dull like South Dakota. We were way off on both of these spots and a few more too.
When we started talking about taking this trip, we created some expectations and were super excited to see certain places. Yellowstone was one of those places. We also had stopovers we thought would be quick and almost dull like South Dakota. We were way off on both of these spots and a few more too.
I’m not saying we didn’t enjoy Yellowstone
because we definitely did, but we didn’t love it. We arrived after a huge driving day, I think
it was a six hour one. We couldn’t wait
to explore the park, go on a few hiking trails and experience all the nature
everyone talks about. We stayed at a
great little KOA a few minutes outside of the park and they recommended to rent
a car for the day to explore Yellowstone. It was under 50 bucks for the day so it
seemed like a great idea so we did. It
was funny to have everyone in a “normal car for the day!” We drove in and immediately had a huge bison
and his baby walk directly next to us in our car, it was amazing!
We also saw a bunch of wolves, elk, deer, a bald eagle and
some other wildlife. Unfortunately no
bears, they say there are everywhere there and actually freaked us out a little
at our campground. So after seeing a
bunch of wildlife we kept driving to Old Faithful. We had no idea how huge the park was! An hour later we saw Old
Faithful (kinda cool, kinda disappointing) is basically water
shooting out of a hole every 90 minutes.
We then drove to some falls (another 40 minute drive) and by then the
kids were tired, we realized no hiking and we had about an hour and 40 minute
drive to get out of the park. To make a
long story short it was a ton of driving when we had just drove a ton the day
before. We couldn’t have been more happy
to be out of the park back at the campground making our nightly fire.
After two nights at Yellowstone we drove through Montana and onto South
Dakota. We
loved Montana with its rolling mountains and
beautiful scenery and wished we could have seen more, but at this point we are
realizing we only have about a week to get from Montana
to Baltimore so
on we went. We were most disappointed to
miss meeting up with Daphne in Missoula. We heard its beautiful there and would have
loved to see family.
South Dakota
- Who knew it was so cool! I sure didn’t
and I kinda think most people don’t either.
We drove through amazing national forests with lakes, mountains and
little western towns that were adorable.
One of them was Deadwood and I know there is a HBO show based off the
town. It really was super cute! We stayed at another KOA in South Dakota and this one was out of
control! It was basically crack for
kids. It had 2 pools, a splash pad, a movie theater, mini golf, sports games, 3
playgrounds and tons of camp-like activities like tie dying and skits.
Thankfully it also had a great place for us to watch the heat game too- GO
HEAT!!!! Not to mention it was
beautiful, nonetheless we decided to stay for 2 nights.
On our last day we drove to Mt. Rushmore. I really didn’t think I would be as moved as
I was but it truly is remarkable. Riley loved it too because “George” (curious
george) went there in one of his books lol.
We went and saw a quick 15 minute movie on the history of making it and
were all blown away, even Lincoln :)
After our exciting stop at Mt. Rushmore
we had another big day of driving. We
have gotten really good at these crazy days but it’s not to say it’s easy. We take turns sleeping and driving (and
drinking lots of coffee). Link seems to
sleep the second the car goes on so he’s no problem and Riley is loving life
because we let him watch movies (his favorite thing to do besides find new playgrounds)
and play on the iPad. We stopped at Sioux Falls and had a great dinner and checked out the
falls and drove until 11:30 and arrived at Fairfield Iowa.
Fairfield, Iowa - most people are probably thinking what a
boring stop but wow I was amazed today and Bradley was like a kid in a candy
store. Bradley picked out this stop because of his new chapter in his life he
has embraced, TM (Transcendental Meditation).
He learned in Baltimore and has been
practicing for about 6 months and the headquarters is here in Fairfield at the Maharishi University of
Management.
There was a great Oprah
special on this University and I know Dr. Oz talks a lot about it. We walked
around the campus today - everyone was amazing, talkative and friendly and
there is definitely an energy you can feel. It even got me thinking I should
give TM a try. J We had fun in the bookstore and bought some
stuff and had lunch in a really cool spot that we could have spent all day in, Revelations.
Bradley made some phone calls yesterday and booked both of
us treatments at a place called The Raj – it’s a Ayurvedic spa that is really
supposed to be awesome. We are both
super excited and I know we need it after sleeping on this RV bed (which now
has an egg crate and a featherbed on top that we bought because the bed was so
uncomfortable!)
Its unbelievable to me that there are only 5 days left on
our adventure. I know in my heart its time,
Riley has been saying he misses his house and his friends and I will melt into
my bed once I see it. Not to mention I haven’t
watched TV in 5 weeks. I can’t wait to check out my TIVO line up. But it’s sad, I’ll miss this crazy routine we
have gotten into and the closeness I’m experiencing with my family. It’s a dream come true to me to take this
trip and I’m not sure I’m ready for the dream to be over.
The good news is we are picking up some hitchhikers- my mom,
sister and Bharat are catching a ride back with us from Ohio after we visit my grandparents! It’s going to be a crazy 8 hours home! Can’t wait!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Happy Fathers Day!
They didn't have a model RV at the Bozeman Children Museum in Montana, but Daddy got an awesome sailboat!
Will keep it forever.
Happy Fathers Day to all our Daddy friends and family. Being a Dad is the greatest gift and responsibility you could ever dream of.
Game 3 tonight. Leggoo Heat!
Will keep it forever.
Happy Fathers Day to all our Daddy friends and family. Being a Dad is the greatest gift and responsibility you could ever dream of.
Game 3 tonight. Leggoo Heat!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
KOA
Biggest brand in the game.
We've stayed at a lot of them.
Had to check the 1st one ever!
Didn't disappoint.
Great setting in Billings, Montana.
We've stayed at a lot of them.
Had to check the 1st one ever!
Didn't disappoint.
Great setting in Billings, Montana.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Days of Action, Days of Relaxin
First, HAPPY 46th! ANNIVERSARY to Grandma Janet and Grandpa Bob. That's a long road trip :)
Well, the car has indeed become our house and our house continuesto move. Neatly though, our routine has stabilized.
Linko wakes up first and Mommy or Daddy attends to him.Breakfast all together or in parts, we’ve settled into lazy mornings. As Lincoln goes down for hismorning nap (with Mommy or Daddy usually joining him), the house car getstidied up and we ready for our morning activity, usually a playground. In fact,when looking for our next place to stay, a playground has become aprerequisite. Depending on the facilities - biking, swimming, battling superheroesor just reading by the fire also come into play.
Where we stay has become equally, if not more important thanwhat we do although we’ve been doing and seeing some amazing things. Withoutquestion, the best times have been when we’re able to visit and hang withfriends and family.
On our way out of San Fran, we had so much fun with cousinMarque. He took us to a great burger joint in the outer Misson neighborhood beforehanging at his house for a little bit. He is one crazy cat and a very uniqueand talented artist. We were sad to miss cousin Rich with all of our crazyschedules.
You can check Marque out on YouTubeand his survivalapp here.
Driving over the Golden Gate Bridgeinto wine country was a great experience we’ll never forget. It’s mammoth andkinda left us in awe. After a convenient dinner in Healdsburg where the Heatgame was playing, we spurned Napafor an awesome campground in Cloverdale just a few miles north of Wine Road.
We took the whole next day to explore the campground - didsome laundry, played some games, admired the rolling hills lined with vineyards,made a fire or two and hiked an on-campus natural trail. We’ve found these daysof relaxin help us with the days of action.
While abbreviated b/c Mommy is always aware of the boyztemperament, we quickly wine tasted the next day. Got a taste, literally, ofall that this gorgeous part of the country has to offer. Before continuing north to the Redwoods, wetalked about coming back to wine country with some willing friends or family(maybe you?) to better experience the grapes.
The Redwoods were amazing. Period.
Its difficult to describe these massive trees. You can lookat pictures, but even being there, it’s hard to believe how f’in big they are!.And when you leave and see other trees, it’s even harder to believe just howf’in big they are! We took a great, stroller-friendly hike down to the riverand had some lunch, skipped some rocks. It was a day of relaxin,
That afternoon we left. After just over 2 weeks, from San Diego to San Franciscoand up through Redwood National Park, we exited California. It was a solid, solid 2 weeks.
We ended up just inside Oregonin a dingy campground in Klamath Fallswhere they are actually no falls. It was just a pit stop, though, as the next morning (afterplaying on Riley’s 832nd playground) we headed to our real Oregon destination, Bend,where Amanda’s good friend Laura and her boyfriend Geordy live.
But, first, we stopped in winter. Where it was snowing ontop of Crater Lake, the largest freshwaterlake in the country. It was formed by a historic volcano that erupted and lefta lake basically in its wake. Ri got to play in the snow, but what we’ll alwaysremember is Lincoln’s first snow at a dazzlingplace - Crater Lake, Oregon.
When we got to Bend though, we stayed at a great campground.It was great b/c they had a TV in their laundry room where Daddy could watchGame 7 of the Heat/Celtics. Really, it was great for a lot of other reasonstoo, but really it was great b/c they had a TV in their laundry room whereDaddy could watch Game 7 of the Heat/Celtics.
The next day, after Mommy & Riley checked Madagascar 3,we walked over from the movie theater to the adjacent amphitheater, all in avery cool development, to hang with Laura and her man. Saw some great music andenjoyed a Sunday there as if we were residents.
Did our two nights in Bendalthough, as usual, we could have stayed longer. But the road called and we putour 400 miles in to where we are now, Boise,Idado - home of the Boise State Broncos.
We’ve officially started our descent with Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore in our sight. Crossed back through onetime zone, the internet sort of works now and California is now west of us. Put anotherway, Game 1 of Heat/OKC in the NBA Finals is at 6.30 tonight not 5.30.
Here are some pics –
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Game 7 - Bend, Oregon
Had to watch in a laundry room, but wasn't going to miss this.
Congrats to the boyz!
Onto the Finals. Lets go Heat.
Congrats to the boyz!
Onto the Finals. Lets go Heat.
Friday, June 08, 2012
Humboldt County
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Reinforcement
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Drove this earlier today. Was sweet.
Big Sur is an amazing place
Yes sir, Big Sur.
We absolutely loved our time at the Riverside Campgrounds where they encourage you to "do nothing"
This was our most authentic camping experience and what we've learned we really enjoy doing, at least as a family.
From Big Sur, we took a quick, mini-hike before hittin the road for Monterey, less than an hour north. Very cool, marine-oriented spot, we saw tons of scuba divers and sailboats on our leisurely walk to the aquarium. The Monterey Aquarium is worth the price of admission ($34 bucks). It sits on a ridiculous piece of property overlooking the bay and uses both indoor and outdoor exhibits to showcase its marine life of which the jellyfish were the coolest by far.
It was another quick stop though as we were determined to get to San Francisco that same afternoon. Maybe it was the barbwire wrapping our campground fences (really a parking lot literally across the street from where the 49ers play at Candlestick Park) or the transportation challenges getting into the City or our first experience with disrespectful neighbors (foreign kids partying until 3-4am right next to us), but we got
a little beat up by the City of San Francisco.
Nonetheless, the Giants play baseball in an awesome park, the Wharf is aight and the Haight Ashbury neighborhood is alotta fun. Thanks to Jess Dorney for all the recommendations!
While I enjoyed San Fran and could stay for awhile longer and explore all the neighborhoods, Riley did not seem to appreciate the city life:
Riley - "Daddy, I don't like it here"
Daddy - "Why, Riley?"
Riley - "There's nothing to look at"
Daddy - "That's funny, Riley. Daddy thinks there is SO MUCH to look at. All the interesting people and funky buildings and cool stores"
Riley - "Daddy, I like Disneyworld"
So, after two nights here, we are going to grab some lunch with cousin Marque before we continue north to Napa/Sonoma wine country before we head up to the Redwood National Park for some rest and relaxation to combat some of the tiredness and homesickness we've experiencing over the last couple of days.
We are a long way from home, but we also realize how lucky we are to be so far from home.
Thanks for continuing to follow us.
Link to pics below:
http://pix.kg/p/5276272901103%3A1159773166/scl
Saturday, June 02, 2012
SoCal to NoCal
Used to drink the hater-ade with all the Hollywood sham, but there’s really no reason to hate. Its easy on the eyes, has a great tempo and is uber progressive in promoting the environment and a healthy lifestyle.
From LA, we dropped down to San Diego
While San Diego and its suburbs have so much to offer, we only got to visit the Zoo before we unhooked and hit the road for Anaheim Disneyland !
San Diego Zoo into Disneyland , back to back. Time to slow down.
Found just the right speed the next day in Santa Barbara
We’ve now landed in Big Sur after driving the house car up the PCH, an experience that we were so excited for and are now so excited is over. Stunning, absolutely stunning, but not without trepidation especially for the driver.
The tight, windy roads offer America
Anyway, two nights here in Big Sur, a stop at Monterey ’s famed aquarium and then off to San Francisco
Balltown friends and family – hope the weather turned out ok and please watch out for those trying to eat your heart and brain – WTF!?!
And our biggest congrats and love to Hope and Danny in the 305 on the birth of their 2nd baby girl, Simone Heart.
Link to some pics below:
Friday, June 01, 2012
On la playa
Catchin ants and rocks on the beach.
No instagram filter needed for this awesome pic!
No instagram filter needed for this awesome pic!
