Despite living in California for most of my life, there are many famous landmarks that I have not been able to personally visit. One of such places is Joshua Tree National Park.

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park in California

This U.S. National Park is located east of Palm Springs / Palm Desert in Southern California. If you like desert views, hiking, and having fun climbing big rocks, this is a great place to visit. (FYI, the climbing is not that extreme but there are opportunities for that too.) You can check the official site for current pricing and FAQs.

There are two distinct sides of the park, the Mojave and the Colorado, and it’s interesting to see how the landscape changes accordingly. The Mojave side is much more barren with a lot of rocks, while the Colorado side has more greenery and larger Joshua Trees.

So what is a Joshua Tree and where can you see one? These trees look like weird palm / cactus hybrids with “hairy,” arm-like branches that stick out. And, though they seemed a bit sparse when we entered from the Mojave side of the park, they are actually everywhere.

Cottonwood Spring Oasis

Since we arrived much later to the park than we intended (see note at the end of this post), we had to narrow down which spots we wanted to visit. So, after taking a bathroom break at the first visitor center we came across, we headed straight on to Cottonwood Spring Oasis. There, we saw an awkward grove of palm trees clustered together along a short walking path.

We took some time to explore around the area and stretch. But, since there wasn’t too much to see aside from the dirt and rocks that covered the area, we took off to our next destination!

Cholla Cactus Garden

One person in our group really wanted to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden. This area is packed with several Teddy Bear Cholla cacti.

Beware: These may look soft and fuzzy but THEY ARE NOT! Unless you want to be in a world of pain from reverse barbed spines that dig into the skin and won’t come out, I suggest keeping a healthy distance from the plants.

You should also watch where you walk. We saw a preteen boy step on one and he couldn’t get it out of his shoe (he seemed to be in some pain so we’re not sure if the barbs actually punctured his foot through the sole). I must admit that they do look cool, though, even when they die and the skeleton-like hollow pieces remain.

Heart Rock and Arch Rock

Next we headed to the rocks — Heart Rock and Arch Rock, that is. The sun was starting to set (despite it only being around 4 p.m.) so we hurriedly made our way back to the main road. This area is full of larger boulder-type rocks that look straight out of Disneyland so be prepared to navigate over, between, and around the rocks.

Once we found a parking spot, we jumped out of the car, walked through the RV camping area, and headed first to Arch Rock. This hot spot is super busy as it’s a perfect photo op for a family’s “We were here!” memoir. I climbed up a bit just to take a photo but, with our limited amount of day light left, there was no way we were going to wait for the photo line to dwindle. I’ll leave that for next time 🤪

From there, it was just a short jaunt to Heart Rock. It was pretty obvious as to why it was named such. Getting to and waiting to take our photo here was much easier than at Arch Rock at least.

But, having some photo-editing skills or a photo app can come in handy when you’re somewhere with a lot of other people! Either that or come REALLY early in the morning for a quieter visit to the park.

After the sun set, we made a B-line back to our car. Some other late-comers were trickling into the area as we were heading out. With so many potential fall and trip hazards, this is not the best area to be in when it gets dark. You can find some easy, flat paths but that’s only if you can actually see where you’re going!

Stargazing

Though we only had a limited amount of time to explore the park, we didn’t mind because the last item on our “things to do in Joshua Tree National Park” could only be experienced after dark anyway. With such a huge area of land covered by dirt, rocks, and desert plants, you can imagine how ideal it is for stargazing.

Sometimes, when we go to watch the stars in places such as these, it can be a little scary since no one is around. Not at Joshua Tree National Park though! We were actually surprised by how many people were still entering and driving around the park despite it being almost pitch black. The park is actually open 24 hours a day, year-round, making it the perfect place for camping, stargazing, and even family cookouts.

That being the case, it did take a bit of time to find a somewhere secluded spot where people didn’t have their headlights on.

We found a little picnic area and decided to get out there. At first, we all just huddled up on the side of a large rock. But, after I remembered that I had a picnic blanket in the car, we spread it out and laid on one of the tables with benches (don’t judge us, we covered the table and didn’t put our feet on it 🫣 ). The moon was pretty full that evening so it took a while for our eyes to adjust. Even still, we saw so many stars!

Desert nights mean cool temperatures. Once we were all thoroughly frozen, we jumped back into the car and blasted the heater. Then it was time to head home.

Joshua Tree National Park — Things to Know

When visiting for the first time, you might want to check out the First-Time Visitors’ Guide that is on the National Park (NPS) website. It probably would have been good for us to read that before going but we didn’t . . . The main points to keep in mind are:

• Bring food, snacks, and drinks with you as there aren’t many places to get things to eat in the park.
• Bring more water than you think you’ll need, especially in the warmer months when it can get up to 120 degrees on any given day.
• A blanket and flashlight would be good to have with you if you plan to stay out after sunset.
• Get a map at one of the Visitor Centers or download an offline map to your phone because there isn’t much cell phone reception in the park.
• No connectivity also means no outlets to plug your phone into. Bring an extra battery pack , especially if you plan on taking photos and videos during your visit.
• Since there aren’t any gas stations or electric power stations in the park either, you might want to fill up your tank before entering the park.

Note: For those thinking about driving a non-Tesla electric vehicle (EV) into the park, charging up might be challenging. On the west side, all of the stations that we tried to use nearby were full, out-of-service, or ridiculously slow. (That’s why we arrived a few hours later than we anticipated.) Fortunately, there is a really fancy Rivian Charging Outpost outside the eastern side that we could finally charge at before heading back.

Joshua Tree National Park is a unique place to visit with a wide open desert landscape and beautiful skies to fawn over at all times of day and year. Overall, we had a great visit despite some challenges that caused us to arrive only a couple hours before sunset. It’s definitely better to arrive here earlier to avoid the crowds while exploring and to enjoy the gorgeous scenery at your leisure.

Well, okay, maybe this post isn’t that glorious. But, it does mark my post-pandemic return! Whew – it’s been a while, hasn’t it?! A lot has been going on both personally and within my family over the past few years, just like it has for most everyone else around the world. But, I’m finally back to blogging – kind of. 

With so much changing on the social media scene, I don’t plan on going full-on “influencer” at any point in the future. But, I do miss the creative outlet of writing and storytelling. There were so many times I had tips, advice, reviews, and ideas that I wanted to share but technical difficulties hindered that inspiration. (A lot of backend updates needed to be made since I kept breaking my site every time I tried to do anything on it 🤦🏻‍♀️ ) 

I am a bit rusty when it comes to writing and creating content, though. So please be patient with me as I slowly roll out the stories and experiences that I’ve been meaning to share with you during my (unofficial) hiatus.

Last year was a tough one for pretty much everyone around the globe. We all continue to find ourselves in a constant state of readjustment and it’s doubtful that we’ll return to the “normal” lives we had before the pandemic. Due to a slew of new circumstances, my family and I have had to make many changes and difficult decisions. One such decision was to move forward with setting up and opening our new family-run small business selling greeting cards and more with my daughter’s original art.

Introducing Anelynn.com Online Shop

Since she was young, my daughter has been a master doodler. She could draw the most expressive and detailed stick figures I had ever seen. Several years later and with an associate degree in graphic design, Munchkin continues to build a portfolio of fun creations. So fun, in fact, that we decided to open an online store at anelynn.com! (Yes, the cat is out of the bag and my daughter’s name has now been revealed publicly!)

You can now order her original art designs as greeting cards, stickers, magnets, prints, and custom portraits. Some designs can be customized with different hair, clothes, or skin color. Most cards are blank inside unless noted otherwise. We use high quality materials (thick cardstock, self seal envelopes, etc.) and produce everything in-house. Munchkin creates, I’m in charge of production, and Frans takes care of IT, shipping, and logistics.

For designs that need a little something extra, we are big on embellishments. Why? Just because we like them 🙂 Many greeting cards feature text or other details in vinyl, foil, and glitter.

Since most of my daughter’s art is best-suited for greeting cards, we started with making those available for sale. We are now offering stickers (glossy paper or waterproof matte vinyl), waterproof stickers (for water bottles or devices), and magnets (strong enough to actually hold stuff on your fridge). We went through A LOT of trial-and-error testing of materials for these. For some strange reason, I kept having the feeling that we needed to make our stickers and magnets practically indestructible. 😛

Of course, it’s all about presentation and we package every order as carefully as possible. We’ve had quite a few customers admit they didn’t open their items right away because the wrapping was too cute!

So, if you’re looking for cute, happy, sweet, bright, and unique cards, stickers, or magnets that will make you and/or your intended recipient smile, then visit anelynn.com. New items are added every week (at least that’s what we’re aiming to do). You can also follow Munchkin’s IG account at @anelynn.

I may be a bit biased but I love the designs and they are sure to make anyone and everyone happy when seeing them. They give that extra bit of sunshine that we all need during these times!

If you are a regular reader of my blog or follow my social media accounts, you might have wondered where I’ve been. The lack of updates might suggest that I fell off the face of the planet for a while there. Well, something kind of major happened to me back in June. I accidentally got chemical burns in BOTH of my eyes (as if anyone would do that on purpose 🤦🏻‍♀️) and it has taken this long for me to recuperate.

From Minor Irritation to Major Emergency

So what happened? It was a pretty random thing actually. After months of personal neglect during Shelter in Place, I forced myself to dress up nicely, put in contacts, and apply some makeup for a meeting I had on Zoom. That in itself was fine.

But, that evening my eyes became very irritated. I used some Bausch & Lomb Renu rewetting drops in case the irritation was from dryness. That didn’t seem to help and then I figured the itchy eyes was probably due to seasonal allergies. When my Zoom meeting was over, I took off my contacts and used some Naphcon-A allergy eyedrops.

My eyes continued to bother me so I decided to remove my makeup in case I needed to rub my eyes. I used a Neutrogena makeup removal wipe to take off my makeup but somehow got the solution in both of my eyes… and it started to BURN!

I tried to flush my eyes out with water but that just seemed to make it worse. Now, I have been using all of these products for years and never had a problem. With the way my eyes are, I never get a good seal when I close my eyes and sometimes stuff gets in them. But, it doesn’t usually bother me too much as long as I’m careful. This time was different, though.

Thinking that this was part of the irritation from earlier, I flushed my eyes a bit more and hoped it would be better in the morning. Oh how wrong I was…

Chemical Burns — Layers and Layers of Damage

In the morning, I couldn’t open my eyes at all. When I did pry them open, bucketfuls of tears came gushing out. I urgently shook Frans awake and asked him to help me contact the doctor. We were able to make an emergency appointment with an ophthalmologist and he called me over the phone to assess the situation. After relating what happened, the eye doctor was sure that it was chemical burns and told me to come in immediately.

As it turns out, I did in fact have severe chemical burns in both of my eyes and several layers were burned through. Fortunately, the eye doctor said that it didn’t go so super deep that it caused permanent damage.

According to the ophthalmologist, the chemical burns were likely due to a number of factors. Since my eyes were already irritated, it was possible that I had some abrasions on my eyes. Then, the allergy eyedrops and the solution from the makeup remover wipes both got in those abrasions.

That might have been what caused the adverse chemical reaction. Neither of the eyedrops nor the wipes should have inflicted this extent of damage (or any at all) on their own. Rather, it was a combination of these all getting into irritated eyes. Well, the doctor seemed to be pretty anti-makeup remover in general but that’s another issue.

It took two hours for the nurse to flush my eyes out with saline. She had to alternate eyes as they needed to use a device to keep my eye open and that hurt after a while. Several bottles of salines and numerous numbing drops later, I was able to finally open my eyes comfortably. Even then, there was still some traces of chemical left.

The ophthalmologist sent me home with a few prescriptions, detailed instructions, and a groovy tinted insert for my glasses. He warned me about increased sensitivity to light and he wasn’t kidding. I pretty much had to live in the dark for the rest of that week. Even with my eyes closed most of the time, even smallest bit of light in my room caused discomfort. Frans and Munchkin were so accommodating in turning off lights in any room I was in and guiding me to the restroom when needed.

Without being able to see, though, I was sooooooooo bored!!!! I could only sleep so much and keeping my eyes closed meant no watching movies, reading, doing things around the apartment, or playing games. Even if I wanted to listen to music or audio programs, I couldn’t because I would need to look at the screen to select the apps! My heart really goes out those who have heavily impaired sight!

Chemical Eye Burns — Long Road to Recovery

For the next several days and then weeks, I had to get regular checkups. The eye doctor prescribed antibiotic as well as anti-inflammatory eyedrops. Once the wound closed on one eye and I finished the antibiotics, the doctor wanted me to use steroid eyedrops to speed up the healing process. He explained that they don’t usually use steroids on open wounds but that doesn’t apply the eye damage is caused by a chemical burn.

Eight appointments and two months later, my eyes were finally healing well. My vision was slowly getting back to normal and, for the most part, my eyes were healthy again. There was some haze left but that would clear in time.

A side effect of using the steroid eyedrops is increased eye pressure, which can later lead to glaucoma. Of course, I had to experience this as well. So, even after I stopped using the steroid eyedrops, I had to continue using some eyedrops to control eye pressure. The doctor asked me to use these for the next two months since it was needed to temper my eye pressure as the effects of the steroids wore off.

Healing From Chemical Burns in Both Eyes

So now I’m FINALLY better. My prescription has changed so I need to get new glasses and contacts. I also notice that my eyelids are more prone to swelling, which could be a result of some allergy issue due to the steroids. But, that’s about the extent of the lasting effects. Well, that and the fact that the difficulty of adjusting from near to far has sped up. Yep, that means bifocals are in my very near future. Man, I feel so super old now when I’m constantly sliding my glasses on and off to see or when I have to hold things really far away from my eyes to read.

Whew! What an ordeal. I guess the moral of the story is don’t get ANY thing in eyes and, if there’s even the slightest irritation, see a doctor immediately. Those warning labels are not just there for fun. I found that out the hard way 😱

After a four-month delay due to the pandemic, my daughter was finally able to resume her teeth straightening treatment with Uniform Teeth. Clinics opened in June and Munchkin booked the first available appointment she could find. This office visit was necessary for her to move onto the Alignment Phase and receive her next sets of trays.

However, shortly before that, I accidentally got chemical burns in both of my eyes and my vision was impaired. So, I apologize for this late update as my eyes have only recently healed completely. As we have her next appointment coming up, though, I wanted to let you know how things have been progressing since my last Uniform Teeth post.

COVID-19 Safety Updates

Before Munchkin could have any orthodontic work done for the Alignment Phase, she had to take a COVID-19 test. Due to new safety updates, Uniform Teeth requires all patients to get tested 4-7 days before their appointment and to bring the test results with them into the clinic. Fortunately, Munchkin tested negative and could continue with her appointment.

Since appointments are staggered to allow for proper social distancing, patients are expected to be on time or their spot might be canceled. Frans and Munchkin didn’t want to take any chances so they made sure to leave extra early to arrive in San Francisco with time to spare.

Everyone that enters the clinic has to wear a mask and body temperature is taken at the door. During the appointment, the staff wears extra protective equipment and patients only remove their mask when treatment begins.

Prepping for the 5-Month Alignment Phase

With Munchkin finishing the initial Expansion Phase, it was time to prep her teeth for the Alignment Phase. This included a checkup, adding anchors, and filing her teeth. Anchors are small, hardened nubs that are added to specific teeth to engage tooth movement when using the clear aligner trays. As you saw in previous photos, my daughter had several teeth that needed to turn this way and that.

The assistant placed the anchor material into an aligner tray and placed that in Munchkin’s mouth. She then used a special light to adhere the anchors to my daughter’s teeth.

Dr. Yoo came in after that to check the placement and attach of the anchors. He then removed excess material and smoothed any rough edges.

Filing came next. Munchkin has a very small mouth. But, instead of extracting teeth to make more room, the orthodontist used a metal file to slightly shave off some enamel (we’re talking fractions of millimeters here) between some of her teeth. These minuscule spaces would provide just enough room for my daughter’s teeth to properly shift into place.

Once that was all done, Munchkin was good to go for the Alignment Phase. The staff brought out her next box of trays which included 19 sets of clear aligners, each set being numbered by week from 5 to 23. If changed every seven days, these trays would take about five months to finish.

Munchkin was pretty diligent in using her trays and didn’t experience much soreness during the past months. So, because she was getting anxious to finish her treatment as soon as possible, she asked the doctor if she could change her trays more frequently.

During our initial consultation, we were told this was an option if the teeth were moving well. After checking her weekly photo uploads in the Uniform Teeth app, the doctor gave the green light for her to change trays after five days instead of seven. This adjustment lessened her overall treatment by a week or two. (She did use a few trays for seven days since her teeth were more sore during those movements).

Here is her current progress. Can you see the huge difference?

Heading into the Final Readjustment Period

Now, Munchkin is on her Week 23 tray, which wraps up the short Space Closure Phase. For some people, this would mark the end of their treatment and they only need one final clinic visit. Others, though, require additional refinements.

My daughter falls into the latter group. She still has that one tooth on the bottom that needs extra TLC to fully straighten it out. After the doctor checks her teeth and adjusts her treatment plan accordingly, she will receive another set of trays to us. We’ll find out what comes next when we visit the clinic this week.

Receive $200 Off Treatment Now

As we look at the before and after photos, we are floored by the dramatic improvement of Munchkin’s teeth. Best of all, she feels more confident when smiling and is proud of the result thus far WITHOUT braces. If you have been thinking about teeth straightening with clear aligners, go with Uniform Teeth! You can even save $200 when you book a free consultation ​here and mention my handle (@cookieandclogs). They even have a new plan especially for teens!

This post is in partnership with Uniform Teeth and treatment is being provided for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

I have been wanting to try an “escape room” for forever! So, when The Escape Game San Francisco contacted me about trying out one of their games, I could barely contain my excitement. Plus, I loved the fact that the venue offered so many family-friendly yet cleverly-designed themed rooms. Then the pandemic hit, and my hope of finally playing an escape room was squashed yet again. That was until The Escape Game (TEG) Remote Adventures were unveiled.

The Escape Game Remote Adventures — How It Works

TEG Remote Adventures are virtual escape rooms that you play right from your own home, or wherever you might be at the time. (One of our friends was actually stuck in traffic so he played on his mobile phone in the car while his wife drove.) This means that family and friends from across the country can log in and “escape” together! There are currently four Remote Adventures available for booking: Gold Rush, Ruins, The Heist, and Prison Break (recently added). 

So, how does it work? An email with your game’s Zoom meeting ID and passcode will be sent to the main contact at least 24 hours before your game. 4-8 players log into their game via Zoom, are greeted by a host, given basic instructions, and watch a short video to brief them on their mission. Players then work together to direct an on-site field agent around the actual game room to solve puzzles and escape within 60 minutes.

Clues are collected and stored in an online inventory for easy reference. Every time you find a relevant clue, a ringing sound will chime and you can click on the clues to enlarge them. This makes it much easier to read written clues, to compare them with things found in the room, and to decipher codes.

These clues will disappear from your inventory as related puzzles are solved. You actually need both a Zoom window (to see your friends and the room) and a browser window (for the clues) to be open at the same time. That being the case, I 100% recommend that you either use a computer, laptop, or a mobile device that can handle split screen or use a second monitor.

The Escape Game Remote Adventures — The Heist Review

Since we had a group of varying ages and skill levels, we decided to try The Heist. The basic story is that a painting was stolen by the museum’s curator and you have to steal it back before he returns. The game consists of three separate “rooms.” Each area contains an interwoven set of clues and puzzles that you need to figure out before moving onto the next section. 

I was kind of worried that the whole experience would be, to be honest, kind of boring. I wasn’t sure how enjoyable it would be if we weren’t physically in the game space. Also, the room was set in a museum, which doesn’t sound as exciting as ancient ruins, a western cabin, or a mid-50’s prison. But, I had nothing to worry about. We all had a blast!

The room design, decor, and props were amazing! Everything looked fantastic and, though we couldn’t touch them ourselves, items seemed sturdy and well-maintained. The various puzzles included padlocks, word clues, hidden doors, invisible secret messages, mirrors, ancient tablets, lasers, and more.

These were interesting enough to keep us all entertained for the full hour. It got even more suspenseful when time started to run out and the alarm went off as well. We found the game to be challenging but not mind-blowingly difficult, making The Heist a great “first” escape room.

Each player contributed to the game. Some players were better at numbers, others at codes, and yet others at spotting tiny hidden details. Our group cooperated nicely and no one felt left out or overly frustrated. Even our game host commented on our effortless teamwork!

And, if you couldn’t tell by the photos, our group was laughing and joking the entire time. I wish I could have shared some of the crazy dialogue that flew back and forth that evening! As soon as the game was over, everyone was asking me when we were going to play another one. This virtual escape room was just too much fun!

One of our friends loves escape rooms and tried 5-6 of them previous to this. She was so impressed with this game that she said it was the best one she had played so far! Another friend told her boss about our experience and he wants to arrange The Escape Game Remote Adventures for their next team building event. She happens to work for a HUGE company too! (See second-to-last paragraph for information about booking games for larger groups.)

In case you were wondering, I was going to share some video footage with you from our game. But, uhm, I kind of forgot to select my audio input while recording… That means the video turned out fine but there’s no sound. Total blogger fail. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I guess this cheesy after-photo we took on Zoom will have to do for now.

TEG Remote Adventures Virtual Escape Room Tips

After playing our first virtual escape room with The Escape Game Remote Adventures, there are a few pointers I have for you to enhance your experience.

1. Make sure everyone is logged in right on time or soon before the starting time.
2. Arrange your screen so you have Zoom on one side of the screen and a browser window on the other.
3. Keep a pen and notepad handy. Trust me, you’ll appreciate this tip when your brain starts to overload after finding the second or third clue…
4. Choose a group of people who can communicate well with one another. Zoom can really only handle one audio at a time. So, the game isn’t as fun if everyone is trying to shout over each other or only 1-2 people solve all the clues.
5. Be nice to your on-site field agent. He or she will follow all of your directions but, when they sense that you’re kind of stuck or are WAY off, they will very subtly nudge your group to reach the right conclusions. We finished without using any of our three clues but, deep down, we knew our field agent played a big part in that. 🙂
6. Don’t be too nervous. The setup of the game allows for a lot of flexibility and you have as little or as much help as you need.

All game listings are shown in Central time so keep this in mind when deciding on a game and time. TEG Remote Adventure games are $30 + tax per player with up to 8 players per game. If your group consists of nine or more (9+) players, you can still make a reservation at The Escape Game. According to the official website, it says, “We can accommodate groups of up to 500+. Large groups will be split into teams of 8.”

Now, some The Escape Game locations are open to the public and these have new sanitation and safety policies in place. However, The Escape Game San Francisco is still closed and is only offering Remote Adventures (as of today’s posting). I have to say, with how things are right now due to the pandemic, I love the Remote Adventures. You get the place to yourself and you don’t have to worry about germies from several people touching and grabbing the same things over and over again. I can’t wait to try the other virtual escape rooms with The Escape Game!

I was offered a complimentary game for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

A few months ago, my daughter started her teeth straightening treatment using clear aligners with Uniform Teeth. I meant to update you on her progress sooner but then travel, sickness, and a pandemic happened so everything was on hold. With a Shelter in Place Order in effect and with Uniform Teeth clinics temporarily closed, the timing just wasn’t right. But, starting today, both San Francisco locations are now open to current and new patients! We booked Munchkin’s appointment for later this month and she will finally be able to move onto the next phase of her treatment.

Uniform Teeth COVID-19 Safety Updates

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering about how safe it is to have orthodontic work done amidst the current coronavirus pandemic. I’m happy to say that Uniform Teeth is investing a lot of thought, funds, and effort into keeping their patients and staff safe. Here is a brief summary of some of the new changes that are being implemented.

• Heightened deep-cleaning and sterilization procedures
  – Waiting rooms are sterilized before and after check-in
  – Patient consultations rooms are sterilized before every appointment
  – Doorknobs, handles, exam chairs, computers, tables, and desks will be disinfected every 30 – 60 minutes
• Protective Equipment
  – Everyone must wear a face mask, which can only be removed during the procedure itself
  – Uniform Teeth staff will be equipped with an N95 respirator, face shield, protective clothing, and headcovers
• Health Screenings
  – Patients will be screened for fever, cough, sore throat, chills, aches or runny nose
  – Patients experiencing any of the above conditions will be rescheduled when they are symptom-free for 14 consecutive days
  – Every staff member, orthodontist, and patient will have their temperature checked upon entering the clinic
• Social Distancing
  – Time between appointments will be increased to remove overlap in the waiting room

You can read about these changes in more detail on the company’s blog. I, for one, feel a lot less nervous about bringing my daughter in for an appointment since Uniform Teeth is taking this current health situation so seriously.

A good example of this is that, even though I am partnering with the company to share our experience, I will not be able to join my daughter during her appointment. This would conflict with a new policy to only have the patient and necessary staff in the room during a procedure. In addition to this, she needs to be tested for COVID-19 a week before her appointment and must bring the cleared results with her to the clinic.

Uniform Teeth Clear Aligners — First Set of Trays

I should also fill you in on our experience with Munchkin’s first set of clear aligners before I continue with the next steps. A couple of weeks after her consultation, we received a box in the mail. The package included instructions, four sets of aligners, a portable case, Chewies (soft rolls to nudge the aligners tighter into place), a packet of gum, and a whitening kit. The clear aligner sets were individually packed and clearly labeled Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, and Week 4. This initial set was designed to widen the area in her mouth and to get the teeth in a more workable position.

The aligners fit perfectly and there were no rough edges. The only discomfort my daughter experienced was with using a new set. To lessen the soreness she felt, the orthodontist recommended that she start each new set at night. This helped tremendously and the soreness dissipated on the following day. My daughter uploaded photos of her teeth in the Uniform Teeth app every week so the staff could monitor her progress and offer suggestions if necessary.

Munchkin needed to be diligent in putting her clear aligners back in after eating as well. If she had them off for periods longer than a half-hour, her teeth already started shifting back. Ideally, she is supposed to wear them 20-22 hours per day.

At least she could eat whatever she wanted when she took the aligners out. This helped her enjoy our vacation to Walt Disney World much more than if she had to deal with the food restrictions of traditional braces. We just had to make sure she put her aligners in the bright orange Uniform Teeth case so she didn’t lose them.

Contacting the Care Team Using the Uniform Teeth App

After some time, though, her one “trouble tooth” started to feel wiggly. She was very worried about her tooth falling out so she contacted Uniform Teeth via their app. The Uniform Care Team responded within 24 hours to assure her that this was normal and that the bone around her teeth will settle when her treatment is done.

At the end of February, Munchkin was supposed to go into the clinic to prime her teeth for the next phase and to confirm her next set of clear aligners. But, that couldn’t happen due to the timing and situation mentioned at the outset of this post. This led us to discover an interesting side note. Though each aligner set is only intended to be worn for a week or so, her last set actually lasted 2-1/2 months before it developed a crack. It turns out that Uniform Teeth clear aligners are made of really sturdy materials!

So this brings us to where we are now. Munchkin is still using a set of clear aligners from her first shipment. She doesn’t have any soreness and she is already in the habit of cleaning and putting her aligners back in after she eats. While there hasn’t been any major movement yet, she does notice slightly more space between her teeth. We’re curious how things will go once the orthodontist adds anchors on her teeth to start turning them. Stay tuned for that update!

Save $200 Now!

In the meantime, you can already start treatment for you and/or your child. If you book a free consultation ​here and mention my handle (@cookieandclogs), you’ll get a $200 discount on your treatment. Nice, right?! If you do take advantage of this special offer, let me know how your treatment experience goes!

This post is in partnership with Uniform Teeth and treatment is being provided for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

It’s that time again! Spring is almost here and so is the third annual 2020 Flower Bulb Day! The event, which used to be called American Tulip Day, will be on March 7th at Union Square in San Francisco, CA. Everyone is welcome to stop by and handpick a custom bunch of tulips for FREE!

FREE Tulips in San Francisco on March 7, 2020!

My family and I have been attending the Flower Bulb Day since its debut in 2018. The first event was kind of low-key and there were still a ton of tulips left by closing time. But, by the second year, word had spread and it was much busier. The line stretched around the block for most of the time and that was despite the rain too!

While we were busy taking photos, I was surprised to see my cousin, his family, and several of their friends standing in line by the entrance. Apparently, his family saw my posts from the first event and couldn’t wait to attend the next one. As soon as the official site announced the 2019 date, they marked it on their calendar and invited friends to join them! 😀

2020 Flower Bulb Day at Union Square in San Francisco

So, now it’s your turn to experience the 2020 Flower Bulb Day. There is no cost to enter the event and to select your own small bunch of flowers. All you have to do is get in line (early!) and wait for the gate to open at 1:00 pm. Staff will give each guest a paper bag and you can collect as many tulips that can fit in the bag.

• What: 2020 Flower Bulb Day
• When: Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
• Where: Union Square in San Francisco, CA
• Cost: FREE

What You Should Know About Flower Bulb Day

I would suggest bringing another reusable bag or tote to put the paper bag with flowers in when you’re done. Since the bulbs are still attached to the flowers, moist dirt will seep through the paper bag pretty quickly. The bag then feels awkward to carry around (if it doesn’t break first) and the mud will make a mess on your way home.

About 10-12 tulips will fit in a bag and organizers state on their site that “the maximum is 15 tulips per person.” By sticking to this number, it guarantees that more people will go home with a full and beautiful bouquet. (In other words, don’t be this lady…) 🙂

Get Your FREE Tulips During the 2020 Flower Bulb Day

Did you already start making plans to attend the 2020 Flower Bulb Day? If so, see you there! If not, you have my permission to do that now 😉

Having straight teeth is a big deal in my family. It was never a question of “if” we would get braces. Instead, it was only a matter of “when” since crooked teeth run in our gene pool. Well, I happened to pass that same trait onto my daughter. That’s why I’m so thrilled to announce that she is now a Uniform Teeth Ambassador! I can’t wait for her to finally have straight teeth!

An Almost Decade-Long Debate Over Teeth Straightening

It hasn’t been an easy road to reach this point, though. For the past several years, I have been wanting to get my daughter’s teeth straightened. But, during most of that time, both my husband and daughter were against it. They, being the clones of each other that they are, were convinced that her teeth weren’t that bad and that the whole process wasn’t necessary. Unfortunately, the longer we delayed treatment, the more my daughter’s teeth shifted. She had so much crowding that one tooth is now almost completely sideways. At that point, we opened the conversation about her teeth once again.

We did end up reaching a unanimous decision at last to straighten her teeth. The next step was agreeing on traditional metal braces or invisible aligners. Munchkin often heard her friends talk about the pain, discomfort, and complications they had with braces. Hearing so many of those stories, and from different people at that, kind of traumatized her. She dreaded the thought of getting braces!

It seemed like clear aligners would be a better option. We went to a couple of consultations and tried asking around for recommendations. Sadly, we weren’t able to settle on a dentist or orthodontist we could trust and at a price that fit into our budget. Then, a few months ago, Uniform Teeth asked me if we would like to give their service a try. Oh, and we are also able to extend a $200 discount to you (keep reading for details on that)!

Straightening Teeth with Uniform Teeth Clear Aligners

Uniform Teeth has two locations in San Francisco (one recently opened in Chicago as well) and offers custom clear aligners at an affordable price. Their orthodontists see patients a few times through the treatment to make any needed adjustments. That sounds appealing but straightening my daughter’s teeth is certainly not something we wanted to take lightly. Before committing to anything, we wanted to meet the orthodontist and find out what kind of treatment they proposed. Since Uniform Teeth offers free consultations anyway, we decided to book an appointment.

Our appointment was at the 605 Market Street location, on the 12th floor. The clinic was clean and bright and featured decor that fit the theme of straightening teeth. Check-in was easy since all the “paperwork” we had to fill out was on a tablet.

Our treatment coordinator, Bob, led us into a room and asked about our end goals and concerns. He then placed a super funny guard in Munchkin’s mouth to scan her teeth. The scanner he used took several photos and stitched them together to create a digital 3D model of the teeth.

When he finished that, we went to another room to take a 3D X-ray. We were told the radiation is minimal but they still put a protective shield on Munchkin. The machine then rotated around her head and that was it. I couldn’t believe how fast and easy it was to get such a detailed 3D x-ray! This x-ray allows the orthodontist to check symmetry, bone levels, roots, and more.

Orthodontist-Created Custom Treatment Plan

As we returned to the first room, our orthodontist, Dr. Yoo, greeted us and sat down to discuss our daughter’s treatment. He looked at the 3D x-ray and shared his initial take on what needed to be fixed and how to do that. Then, he examined Munchkin’s teeth to get a better idea of what kind of treatment plan would work for her.

Dr. Yoo even took the time to explain various options. These included possible extractions and whether jaw correction was necessary. Munchkin has a teeny, tiny mouth that doesn’t fit all her teeth, one tooth is very rotated, and her bite is slightly off but only on one side of her mouth. Gladly, Dr. Yoo said that an extraction is not necessary. He can use a method called “polishing” to create enough space between the teeth to make everything fit.

As for the bite, Dr. Yoo went into detail about the aesthetics of straight teeth versus 100% perfect bite. Munchkin only has a slight misalignment on one side of her jaw. The other side is fine and her front four teeth currently line up nicely with the middle of her face. If we try to correct the one side using hooks and rubber bands, her bottom front teeth might flare out and the shifted teeth could make her smile look off-center. Or, we could leave the bite as-is. Her case is so minor that it won’t affect her chewing or jaw health. And, for any concern of nighttime grinding, the retainer that’s provided at the end of the treatment will take care of that. We opted to NOT correct the bite at this time but that’s not set in stone. If we change our minds within the next few months, we just have to let the orthodontist know.

We appreciated how clearly Dr. Yoo explained everything and how willing he was to answer all our questions. It eased our worries and we felt confident enough to go ahead and proceed with the proposed treatment.

Uniform Teeth Treatment — How It Works

So what happens now? Since the treatment plan is finalized, the first set of clear aligners will be made and shipped to us. Munchkin will wear those for 8 weeks to expand her arches. She will add photos in the Uniform Teeth App so the care team can check her progress. Then, we’ll go into the office for a check-up and Dr. Yoo will get my daughter primed for the next set of clear aligners. She’ll wear those over the following four months. Since she has that “trouble tooth,” we’ll visit the clinic once more and pick up her last set of aligners for extra refinement.

That might sound like a lot but it’s really only a few office visits spread out with several weeks of changing trays at home in-between. Of course, I’ll be updating you along the way. So, make sure you follow along here on the blog and on my Instagram channel, @cookiesANDclogs, using the hashtag #ShareYourSmilestone.

Get $200 Off Your Uniform Teeth Treatment

Uniform Teeth is also offering a $200 discount to all my readers/followers. All you have to do is book a free consultation ​here​, fill out a brief survey, choose a time and location, and mention my handle (@cookieandclogs).

Stay tuned and let me know if you have any questions in the meantime!

This post is in partnership with Uniform Teeth and treatment is being provided for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe we are in 2020?! Last year was a very unique one for our family and, with so many changes happening, much of it was spent offline. I plan to share more with you from here on out, especially since we’ll be attending the Disney Creators Celebration at Walt Disney World in 1-1/2 months. I’ll tell you about more that after updating you on what has been going on with us lately. 😉

2019 Year in Review — A Year of Transition

Much of 2019 revolved around our daughter. Munchkin finished up her senior year in high school, turned 18 years old and officially entered adulthood, graduated, started her first job, traveled to Alaska by herself to visit family, decided on her major, became a full-time college student (at a local community college), got her driver’s license, and had all FOUR of her wisdom teeth removed a couple of weeks ago. (FYI, I am prohibited from posting ANY photos or videos from that.) Her transition from child to adult has been an interesting one as it required more of our support than we thought it would.

But, now that she can drive herself and feels more confident in doing things on her own, Frans and I look forward to a bit more breathing room. That fact alone is pretty awesome. We kind of felt like our lives were on hold while we helped Munchkin become more established. We’ve had other issues to deal with during the past year, too, including health problems, a shift in secular work, and Speckles’ ongoing vet visits after her bladder stones surgery. Hopefully, things should lighten up for us soon. And just in time too!

2020 Preview — A Year of Celebration

While 2019 was a year of transition for us, 2020 will be full of significant events to celebrate. Frans and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in April. (Early-congrats to us!) Then, in May, Cookies & Clogs will be 10 years old and Munchkin will finish her schooling. (Finally!) As soon as that is over, we’ll head back to the Netherlands in the summer to visit the family. (Whoo-hoo!)

I also received a surprising invitation in my inbox a few months ago to attend the Disney Creators Celebration in February. We wanted to keep things under wraps until we confirmed our attendance and travel arrangements. Everything is set and we’re are 100% going! (Extra yay!)

Disney Creators Celebration at Walt Disney World

The Disney Creators Celebration: A Disney Land & Sea Event for 2020 will be held at Walt Disney World on February 18-24, 2020. Our attendance fee includes admission to the parks, much of our food, special programming, lodging at the new Disney’s Riviera Resort, and a three-night cruise on the Disney Dream. We haven’t been to Walt Disney World for a while and this will be our first cruise ever! We can’t wait!

This Disney-focused blogging conference took a break in 2019 and was previously called the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. You’re welcome to read all about our experiences during the 2014, 2015, and 2016 events. During Disney Creators Celebration, we’ll be sharing what’s new at Walt Disney World and about any attractions or features coming soon. Stay tuned for more updates under the hashtag #DisneyCreators.

So how did 2019 treat you and do you have any major events lined up for 2020?

Wow, we really needed that quick trip to Yosemite National Park a few weeks ago! Yosemite is so beautiful all year round and there’s just something about the park that instantly melts away all your pent-up stress and worries. Getting to and around Yosemite Valley National Park is pretty easy, especially since it’s only a 3-4 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. But, the challenging part is trying to figure out where to stay during your vacation there. That’s why we were looking forward to giving Rush Creek Lodge a try.

Lodging Near Yosemite Valley National Park

Within Yosemite Valley itself, there are basically only three options (ranging from camping and barebones tent cabins to upscale luxury lodge rooms) and these book up pretty far in advance. Just outside the park, though, it’s a whole different story. The available hotels, motels, vacation rentals, camping sites, etc. are too many to number and can be overwhelming to choose from.

A few years ago, we stayed at Evergreen Lodge and really enjoyed our time there. We would have been happy to stay there again but, instead, we decided to check out their new sister property, Rush Creek Lodge. Rush Creek Lodge opened about three years ago. It’s a rustic but modern property that offers amenities and activities which appeal to families as well as those traveling without kids. Both properties are only a few minutes from the Highway 120 West entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Staying at Rush Creek Lodge near Yosemite CA

Guests can choose to stay in hotel-type rooms/suites in the main lodge or they can opt for a more private space in one of the four-plex villas onsite. All rooms include heating/air conditioning, a refrigerator, a safe, and Keurig coffee brewer.

For our first night, we stayed in a King Lodge room. The lodge rooms are located in a separate building with elevators and enclosed hallways. Our room was on the third floor and we found it to be tastefully decorated and spacious. We also had an unobstructed view of the recreation area, restaurant, and saltwater pool below.

The next night, we moved into a 2-bedroom villa that overlooked the property as well as the mountains. The villa suited our tastes better as we savored the quietness and privacy. I seriously loved the cast iron gas fireplace — so cozy! A barn door also separated the sink and toilet areas, a nice feature when several people in the room are getting ready at the same time.

Rush Creek Lodge Shopping & Dining

Rush Creek Lodge has everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The general store stocks plenty of souvenirs and food supplies for breakfast and lunch. There’s even a mini cafe so you can order custom hot or cold beverages.

The restaurant is amazing! You share tavern-style appetizers or order full entrees. The menu has a unique and appealing variety of dishes. And, to serve those with sensitive food allergies, we were pleased to learn that the kitchen includes a separate preparation area with clean cookware and utensils to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. That meant we could all enjoy our food without worry. And, man, was it delicious! It’s no wonder that locals even frequent the restaurant on a regular basis!

Things to Do at Rush Creek Lodge

The property features a huge 30’ x 80’ heated saltwater pool and two hot tubs (one for families and one for adults only) that are open year-round. Guests are invited to enjoy free s’mores around the fire pit each night or participate in daily activities. If you have a special occasion coming up, the event space has twinkle lights and panoramic windows that open up to a lovely view of the surrounding forest and mountains. Of course, that’s not all!

Adventure: The property recently unveiled three hiking trails of varying lengths. You can rent regular mountain bikes or off-trail e-bikes and racks on-site. Use them to ride one of the new trails or explore the 13 miles of forest service road known as “Five Corners.”

Wellness: Currently, guests can request massages that are offered in a few rooms on the ground level in the lodge. But, starting in the spring of next year, a brand new 5,000 sq ft spa area will be opening. I can’t wait for that to open! The sunset area is perfect to unwind and enjoy the scenery or to get some morning stretches in.

Kids: There is plenty of fun available for kids in every season. The lodge has a sizable indoor game area with toys, board games, and a treehouse play structure that even adults have a hard time resisting. It also includes a billiard table, shuffleboard table, pinball machine, and Foosball. Outside, kids will love the 60-foot embankment slide, mini zip lines, bocce ball, horseshoes, giant connect-four and checkers, corn hole, and ping pong.

Where to Stay When Visiting Yosemite National Park

We had a fantastic time at Rush Creek Lodge and it’s a perfect way to break up or extend your vacation to Yosemite Valley National Park. The rooms are quiet and comfortable and I like that you can choose a lodge room or villa depending on your travel needs. The property offers plenty of activities to stay busy. But, it can also be the perfect setting to just chill and decompress as you enjoy tranquil natural landscapes or clear starry nights. This modern lodge in Groveland offers just the right mix for families looking to round out their memorable trip to Yosemite.

My family and I were provided with complimentary lodging and dining for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

It’s been over two years since my body started to reject dairy (not just lactose but all animal-milk based items). Even though we went through the process of looking for substitute products when Frans had to go gluten free, we found it much more challenging to do the same when searching for dairy free alternatives. There are a ton of products available, from a variety of brands, in even mainstream grocery stores. The problem, though, is that most of them are just plain gross. But, after a lot of taste testing trial and error, I was able to find some really amazing substitutes. I can actually enjoy food again (minus the dairy, of course)!

Best Dairy Free Alternatives (aka Vegan and Plant-based)

1. Silk Protein Almond & Cashew — Milk substitute. Thicker than almond but not as “earthy” as cashew; only 2 g sugar. Great for most instances you’d use regular milk for including hot chocolate, cereal, cooking, baking, etc. I use the unsweetened one for everything except drinking it straight. A chocolate milk variety is available as well and tastes good.
2. Earth Balance —  Butter substitute. I prefer the soy free one since it cooks, bakes, spreads, and broils well. Both varieties of baking sticks are good too.
3. Forager Project — Yogurt substitute. Smooth and thick consistency. The Organic Unsweetened Plain Cashewgurt works as a fab alternative in parfaits and smoothies. I like that the fruit varieties have a good flavor but aren’t as sticky sweet as other dairy free yogurt brands that I’ve tried.
4. Kite Hill — Cream cheese substitute. Chive and everything varieties are good but the plain one is boring. I do find that this develops mold pretty quickly, even if it’s unopened and way before the expiration date. The new “dips” are kind of nasty though.
5. Violife Foods — Cheese substitute. The Parmesan doesn’t really taste like parmesan. But, it’s still delish grated on pasta or when used in any other application when you need shredded cheese. I always keep this on hand now. The Smoked Provolone slices taste kind of like smoked gouda. They are a bit plastic-y but melt nicely and work on burgers or in sandwiches. Avoid the cheddar shreds at all costs though.
6. So Delicious — Shredded cheese substitute.  I tried the Cheddar Jack Shreds recently and actually like it. It does require more heat to melt though. This one is just “okay” but it’s the closest option to tasting like cheddar that I’ve found.
7. WayFare — Sour cream substitute. I FINALLY found a decent sour cream alternative! The consistency is right on and the taste is exactly what I was missing! Oh, and the nacho cheese is also amazing. My daughter is now convinced that nacho cheese isn’t actually cheese anyway since this is better than the “real” thing. The onion dip is okay but I prefer to use the regular sour cream and add the Knorr onion dip mix we like (the Kosher one is gluten free too).

Best Dairy Free / Vegan Desserts

1. 1. 8. King Arthur Gluten-Free Brownies — You may not be gluten free but these are dairy free too and so yummy!
      9. OCHO coconut candy — Similar to Mounds but dairy-free. I recommend the mini pouch since a full bar is too rich and overwhelming in my opinion.
      10. Reddi Wip Non-Dairy Almond Whipped Cream — The aerosol/spray kind from a brand we already use but now without dairy. There’s a coconut variety too but the almond one already has a distinct coconut flavor.
      11. Enlightened Dairy Free Bars — The Mint Chip is my fave and it’s only 90 calories.
      12. So Delicious Dairy-Free Coconut Ice Cream — The mint chocolate taste clean and smooth.
      13. Breyers Non-Dairy Ice Cream — LOVE the Oreo cookies & cream but it’s not GF.

On a side note, I do not like Daiya stuff AT ALL and, though others rave about it, I’m not a fan of Miyoko’s (weird sour flavor) or Follow My Heart (the parmesan shouldn’t even be allowed on shelves). I’m still searching for more yummy dairy free alternatives since my craving for all things milky, cheesy, and creamy is still not 100% quenched. So, let me know if you find any must-try items that I should check out!

This post is completely unsponsored and only includes items I personally use on a daily basis and tell my close friends about.

I recently found out that there was something I never knew I always wanted to do — drive an ATV. While we were in Kauai, Hawaii, family and I had the opportunity to take an ATV tour with Kauai ATV. The idea of being covered in mud and getting it stuck in places that mud should never be didn’t appeal to Frans, Munchkin, or me. But, after our ride, we actually wished that there were more puddles to drive through so we could get even dirtier!

Gearing Up for Our Kauai  ATV Waterfall Tour

We booked the morning Waterfall tour. So, we needed to check in at the Kauai ATV office bright and early at 7:30 am. We picked up our complimentary bandanas (which are like long tubes that you pull on), signed the mandatory waivers, and got back into our rental car to drive to the main site. It was only a couple of minutes away.

After everyone arrived, we walked over to the lockers to store our things and put on the gear. This included loaner clothes, goggles, and helmets. I’m so glad they provided (clean) clothes at no charge to go over our swimsuits. We heard that the red Kauai mud that will get on us is next to impossible to wash out. Since we were on vacation, we didn’t bring extra or “disposable” outfits. So, this saved us the cost of trying to get some junky shirts and pants to only use for this occasion.

Our two tour guides told us how the Ohana Bugs worked (used for the waterfall tour). They also went over safety guidelines, warnings, and hand signals. Then, we all chose our rides and my family let me drive first. I did have to put something behind my back to prop me forward. I could barely reach the pedals and the seat is not adjustable (I’m 5’3” and have average-length legs). After we buckled our bag in (because that’s what you’re supposed to do), it was time to head out.

Exploring Off-Road Trails via ATV

Despite the bumpiness and the noise, we got used to the ATVs pretty quickly. The off-road trails ranged from wide-open areas to jungle-like forests and from tall fields to crossing streams.

Movie Pop Culture & Teen Drivers

The guides stopped at a few key spots on the way to tell us about the property, local history, and movies filmed in the area (there were a lot). That gave us a break between sections to rest, switch drivers (we ended up driving about two times each), and snap a few photos. Any photos that the guides take can be later downloaded for free via email.

Even Munchkin had her turn since teens that are 16 and up only need a valid ID to drive one of the ATVs. It’s all private property so there’s no danger of unlicensed teenagers wreaking havoc on public roads.

Scary Sugar Cane Transport Tunnel

The scariest part of the entire tour was driving through the pitch-black tunnel. We saw a huge bulldozer pass through fine so we knew it was possible. It’s only kind of nerve-wracking if your lights work well but, if not, make sure you drive slow and keep all limbs inside the metal cage. Don’t ask me how I know this… So, especially on the way back, MAKE SURE YOUR LIGHTS ARE ON AND ARE CLEAN (MUD-FREE)!

A few days before, the south point of Kauai did get a bit of rain. That meant mud puddles! We discovered early on how much fun it was to splash through them even if most were kind of shallow. And, since we were fully covered, we didn’t worry about any getting on our faces, ears, or hair. We would have liked to try bigger puddles but our guide had us avoid some of them so as not to damage the vehicles or ourselves.

It was so funny, though. I tend to hit every traffic cone I see no matter how hard I try to avoid them. That came in handy for getting those puddles. But, Frans, who usually has better control, would head straight for a puddle but somehow avoid it. Munchkin, well, she would go full throttle and get every single puddle the guide would allow.

(See video at the top of the post so see what I mean.)

At another stop, we went into an old WWII bunker. Definitely ask for a flashlight from the guides when they mention it. We used our cell phone lights and it was so weak that we could barely see right in front of us. So you know, if dark, narrow spaces aren’t your thing, you might want to wait outside.

Private Waterfall Play & Snack Time

The next stretch brought us to the waterfall. It’s not a huge one but big enough to play in. After stripping down to our swimsuits (sounds a lot worse than it is), we went took turns jumping into the lower section where it is 8-10’ deep. We could also head to the upper section, closer to the waterfall. It felt pretty nice to cool down in the water after the initial part of our drive.

I was slipping like crazy due to my footwear. My shoes came off after I jumped in the water and I struggled to climb on the rocks for a photo near the falls. It was anything but graceful. The Kauai ATV website only says to wear “water-friendly closed-toe shoes.” But, based on my experience, I would suggest that you wear actual water shoes that stay on and have a good grip. Then you won’t flail about while trying to retrieve your shoes or accidentally scrape a rock as you wade through the water like I did.

The guides put snacks and drinks out on the table for us to enjoy whenever we were ready for them. It was also the perfect time to reapply sunscreen and bug spray. Little did we know, though, that bugs had already bitten us during the short time we went from the water to the picnic tables. Grr!

Taking in the Sights While Driving an ATV in Kauai

We didn’t stop very much on the way back so we had longer driving sessions. This allowed us to let loose a little and take in the gorgeous views as we enjoyed the wind rushing past us.

Before we went back to our cars, we visited the reservoir on-site. This is where the guides told us about kayaking tours that the company offers. They mentioned the zip-lining adventures too. This part did feel kind of like a sales pitch for other tours as well as tips and online reviews. At least, we had a nice background to look at while they spoke.

Back at the main area, we returned our dirty loaner clothes and equipment. Since the storage was locked while we were away, all our stuff was right where we left it. There were changing stalls but we decided to rinse off in the showers, wrap up in a towel, and change back at our hotel since it was so close by. Oh, and Munchkin wanted me to take some photos as proof that they do in fact wash the gear after use. I’ll share them here in case you were wondering about that too… 😛

Kauai ATV — A Must-Do Family Activity in Kauai Hawaii

We had a blast driving ATVs with Kauai ATV! The vehicles felt safe and in good condition, the guides were attentive and helpful (despite the dry humor of one of them), the panoramic landscapes were breathtaking, and splashing through the mud was way more fun than it should be. We can’t wait to do this again and, hopefully then, it will be after some heavy rain 😉

My family and I were hosted on the tour at no cost for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

In Hawaii, you can pretty much go anywhere to see hula dancing. Shows are held weekly, or daily, at the mall, parks, shopping centers, beach, etc. But, if you want to have a full-fledged “tourist” experience, complete with an imu ceremony and an all-you-can-eat buffet, you need to attend a traditional Hawaiian luau. My family and I finally did this when we went to the Smith Family Garden Luau in Kauai, HI.

(FYI, Part Two with all the dancing is below so keep reading. Or, scroll down if you’re more of a visual person. I won’t judge 😉)

Hawaiian Luau in Kauai — Smith Family Garden Luau

What makes the Smith Family Garden Luau is the location and setup. The luau is in the family’s expansive 30-acre botanical and cultural garden. After checking in, guests receive shell leis and have a commemorative photo taken. You can then opt to board the tram for a narrated tour or walk around the grounds at your leisure. The tram tour takes about 10-15 minutes. It includes information about the plants and structures in the meticulously-cared garden.

Before the Imu Ceremony, a family member comes out to give a warm welcome and to share a brief history of the Smith family. We heard from the current patriarch, Walter (whose nickname is “Freckles”), the day we were there. The ceremony commences with the blowing of conch shells and digging up the kalua pig.

Luau Feast at the Luau Hale with Full Menu

Dinner is served across the lagoon at the Luau Hale (pavilion). There is open seating but parties of six or more have reserved tables. Guests can enjoy mai tais, fruit punch, water, soda, wine, or beer while listening to the live band.

The MC then says a prayer before dinner (grace) over the sound system. That was awkward, especially since almost everyone at the luau has different beliefs. These are not given any consideration. While I understand this is a family tradition, it would show more respect to the various guests to have a moment of silence instead.

Tables are called up one by one to get their food at the buffet. There’s PLENTY of food and the line moves quickly so everyone is able to leisurely eat their fill. My favorites were the Hawaiian sweet potatoes, teriyaki beef, and kalua pork.

Hawaiian Luau Main Buffet Menu

• Mixed salad (Papaya Seed or Lava Guava dressing)
• Macaroni Salad
• Three Bean Salad
• Namasu Salad (cucumber salad) – Gluten-free
• Lomi Lomi Salmon (tomatoes, green onions, salted raw salmon) – Gluten-free
• Poi (mashed taro root; use as a dip or topping) – Gluten-free
• Bread (guava, sweet, and pineapple varieties)
• Hawaiian sweet potatoes (purple) – Gluten-free
• Chinese Fried Rice
• Mashed Potatoes – Gluten-free
• Stir-Fried Vegetables – Gluten-free
• Sweet ‘n’ Sour Mahi Mahi
• Kalua Pork (super tender) – Gluten-free
• Chicken Adobo
• Teriyaki Beef (Delish!)

Hawaiian Luau Dessert Menu

• Haupia (coconut jello)
• Fresh Cut Fruit (includes papaya from the garden)
• Jello
• Rice pudding (which Munchkin had three servings of…)
• Cake

Accommodating Food Allergies & Celiac / Gluten Free

While making a luau reservation, there is a box labeled “Comments or Special Needs.” Note any dietary restrictions here. Someone from the venue will call to make special arrangements and provide further instructions.

The wait staff has a list of those with food allergies on-hand but guests do need to meet with them before dinner. They can then go through the buffet line before everyone else to get their food and to avoid cross-contamination. The staff will bring out a separate plate of food for you from the kitchen as well. For everyone else, each dish is clearly marked with common allergens.

Make sure you double- and triple-check that your food allergy is noted in the system and that you talk to the wait staff well before dinner starts. We had a little mishap and there was no mention of my husband’s celiac disease in our reservation. (Our reservation was made differently so it was an unusual situation.)

Dinner already started and Frans could not safely eat from the buffet. I was so stressed since his condition and ability to enjoy the food was the main reason we chose to attend this particular Hawaiian luau in Kauai. The staff put extra effort in to rectify the situation. They walked Frans through the line, let him pick which items he wanted, and later brought out a plate that as especially prepared for him. It wasn’t ideal but at least he had enough to eat for the evening.

Rhythm of Aloha Luau Show

It’s a short walk from the Luau Hale to the Pele Amphitheater. That’s where dancers perform the Rhythm of Aloha Show. Guests pass the bathrooms (always good to know where the bathrooms are) and the spot where they can purchase the photo they took earlier at the entrance ($25 per photo).

The theater has stadium-type seating and good visibility from every seat. We enjoyed how the show was weaved together as a story of Hawaii’s history. Each section smoothly transitions to the next from the legend of the islands’ beginnings, through the arrival of the Polynesians, and to today. Performances highlight dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Philippines, New Zealand, and Japan.

Overall, the dancing was amazing. The ladies who did the Tahitian and Hawaiian hula dances are seriously talented and must have bionic hips! The show made good use of the theater area. Performers used the main stage, interacted with the erupting volcano, and made their way onto the raised platform near the audience.

Some performances were more interesting than others, though. In general, the gals seemed more into it than the guys. A few dancers seemed to be less familiar with the routines or not very interested in them. Most of the dancers, if not all, are part of the family or close friends. So, it makes sense that not every performer is at the same level of experience. While this dropped the quality of the show a bit, it also made it less formal and more “cozy” in a way. Both dances on top of the volcano were kind of, well, creepy. That’s why I didn’t include them in the above video.

The dances from the Philippines (tinikling) and Japan (fan dance) were kind of “meh.” Now, tinikling is a super hard dance. (I’ve tried it before and pinched ankles are inevitable.) But, this part kind of looked like an “intro to tinikling” performance. The Japanese one seemed like a spoof from 1960s Hollywood with stereotypical music and “moves.” I actually wondered if audience members from Japan would be offended by this part. A Chinese lion dance was once part of the program but, apparently, local rains ruined the lion’s body. The New Zealand poi balls performance was pretty good (with a couple boo-boos) but got better when they added fire. 🙂

The crowd favorite had to be the performer who did the Samoan Fire Knife dance. He is AWESOME!!! Not only did he do some crazy jaw-dropping moves, but he also knew how to work the audience for major “oohs” and “aahs.”

The show is not the best ever with top acts all the way through. But, it is still impressive and most of it will “wow” you, leaving you with a unique and exciting new family memory. BTW, there is a “show only” option so check out those tickets if you’re not up to the full buffet (adults are only $15 and kids are $7.50).

Enjoying a Full Hawaiian Luau in Kauai

Well, we can now cross off “Hawaiian Luau” from our bucket list. The food was good, the staff was helpful, and the property is clean and well-maintained. As a family that deals with food allergies and restrictions, I appreciate the attention given to accommodate these.

The Smith Family Garden Luau stands out as a full evening experience. The luau is geared to tourists but it adds an element of feeling like an intimate family gathering (a really big one). It’s so different from a standard commercial dinner show at a hotel or by the beach. Plus, the garden and theater are fantastic! I definitely recommend giving this luau a try if you are looking for an inclusive activity to round out your Hawaiian vibes.

My family and I were given a discounted rate for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

“You HAVE to take a cruise along the Napali Coast!” That’s what almost everyone told us when we said we were going to Kauai, Hawaii. I’m so glad we listened to them! Otherwise, we would have missed out on some amazing sights!

Choosing a Boat Tour Company to Cruise the Napali Coast

The Napali Coast (also written as Na Pali Coast) lies along the northwestern side of the island of Kauai and the only way you can fully view the green-covered cliffs, ridges, and caves is via boat or helicopter. When asking for recommendations of which charter company to book a Napali Coast boat tour with, the top choice that kept popping up was Capt. Andy’s. So, we decided to give it a try and made our reservation soon after.

Since we did a snorkel tour the last time we were in Hawaii, we decided to book the Star Na Pali Dinner Sunset Sail. According to the gal I talked to on the phone, the sunset tour provided the best lighting for photos. Plus, the menu for this cruise is almost entirely gluten-free (except for the appetizer and dessert). That meant Frans could safely eat the food too! Oh, and in case you were curious, they can make the meal fully vegan as well if you request it ahead of time.

Capt. Andy’s Star Na Pali Dinner Sunset Sail

After we checked in, the staff told us which crew to follow (two boat tours were taking off at the same time) and walked down to the docks. The boat has a “no shoes” policy so we all put our shoes in a storage cabinet before embarking.

Passengers could then sit or stand on the front deck, atop the trampolines, by the tables in the rear, below in the lower dining area, or even up above with the captain. There was plenty of room to move around on-board so no one ever felt stuck in any one area. The ride was smooth for the most part (more about that later) and the crew was super friendly.

Port Allen to the Napali Coast

Talk about beautiful! The scenic landscape was magnificent the entire ride! It was such a treat to see the various beaches, caves, and cliffs. A pod of spinner dolphins even came out to play (as seen in the video above)!

Cruise Vibe & Experience

There was a nice mix of families, seniors, and couples so it wasn’t like a romantic or party cruise at all. In fact, except for that one couple who hogged the prime viewing spot on the boat for most of the trip and were in everyone’s photos, the passengers were all pretty mindful of each other.

It was only as we rounded the island and headed further north that the waters became choppy. Everyone was asked to move toward the back and that’s when Frans started to get seasick. He took motion sickness medicine before we left and was doing fine. But, the bumpy ride combined with not being able to see the horizon was too much for him.

After a short nap, some ginger chews, and a few glasses of ginger ale, he finally started to feel better. The chef did offer to pack up his dinner for later. As the food came out, though, Frans’ appetite returned and was able to eat with us.

Capt. Andy’s Surf & Turf Dinner

Dinner was fantastic! The filet mignon was perfect and the roasted veggies were seasoned just right. We thought the shrimp was a bit overcooked but the rich key lime cheesecake made up for it. Munchkin was not shy about eating up Frans’ portion in addition to her own (it had gluten/wheat so he couldn’t have it anyway).

The sun began to set as we made our way back to the port. The captain even stopped the boat for a bit so we could savor that Hawaiian sunset for a while.

Before long, we arrived at the dock, put our shoes on, and returned to our car. If you park in the unpaved parking lot, I highly advise that you walk on the paved road as much as possible, though. Frans and Munchkin went through the lot straight to the car while I continued on the road to get a few more photos. Sand fleas ate up their legs and they both had itchy, oozy, bright red bite marks that bothered them for the rest of the trip!

If you ever get the opportunity to visit this island, you should definitely look into a Na Pali Coast boat tour with Capt. Andy’s. We’ve had bad experiences with tour companies before and it can really ruin your whole day/night. But, those of the Capt. Andy’s crew were capable, professional, attentive, and went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a good time. You won’t be disappointed!

Seeing the Napali Coast & Capt. Andy’s Boat Tour Company

We had an amazing experience! Being able to see the Na Pali Coast in all its splendor, while enjoying a delectable dinner at sunset, completely upped the awesomeness of our trip. It was a great way to take in the beauty of the Kauai while doing something other than lounging at the beach with the family.

My family and I were hosted on the cruise at no cost for review purposes. All opinions are my own.