DOUBLE THE ADVENTURE

Bolsa Chica State Beach and Ecological Preserve

2010-10-28T10:25:00.001-07:00

Just north of the hustle and bustle of Huntington Beach is a beach with a different vibe. It still has those famous expanses of sand and mild Orange County weather, but the waves a smaller, the crowds are much thinner, and mood is more chill. Bolsa Chica State Beach may not have the street performers or pier that its sister beach just up the road has, but sometimes that is exactly what families are looking for.

Bolsa Chica State Beach has RV parking which makes it a great place for families to pull in and enjoy the beach for a few days. There are also fire rings which make for a classic beach experience. Just imagine cooking s’mores in the crackling fire with the sounds of the surf crashing in the background. Ahh…. paradise.

One thing that makes the Bolsa Chica area extra special is the Ecological Preserve. It is one of the largest remaining salt marshes in Southern California and calls over 200 different species of birds home throughout the year. Basically, its a birders paradise. Driving down PCH, you may not even realize that this special spot is even there. But if you pull into the lot and start exploring, you will be amazed at what you can find.

We met up with our friends from Go Explore Nature and Fun Orange County Parks for a day of nature exploration. As soon as we stepped out of the parking lot and onto the boardwalk, we peered into the marsh water and were shocked by what we found- sting rays! I have been to the ocean, bays, and marshes dozens of times but I had never actually seen a sting ray in the wild before. It was quite a thrill for us all.

We followed the boardwalk and spotted fish, large crabs, and countless birds along the way. The kids had a blast running on the pathways and making new discoveries along the way. Us moms were making attempts at becoming professional bird identifiers and I have to admit, the whole experience made me want to run out and buy a birding guide. As fellow birder pointed a very rare red heron out to us and even though we didn’t know red herons were rare before he told us, we couldn’t help but feel excited about seeing something so special.

If you would like explore Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve for yourself, then check out Fun Orange County Parks write up to get the details of where to go and what to expect.

Participating in a very special Save Our State Parks edition of Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday. Click on the link and see who else is playing along.

Proudly participating in Delicious Baby’s Save Our State Parks themed Photo Friday.

Save Our State Parks

2010-10-25T19:57:00.001-07:00

I try not to get political on my blog. I have an opinion on just about everything in this world, but I have always felt like this was a blog to encourage families to get out and explore the world around them and not a forum to discuss health care or tax increases. However, there are exceptions to every rule and this exception is one very close to my heart- our State Parks.

California’s State Parks are in serious jeopardy. Our state government has done an atrocious job of managing our budget and now it is forced to cut funding. As a result, many of our state parks are already on reduced hours, have higher entry fees, and a reduction in staff. Many parks are threatened with closures while others are experiencing increases in crime due to lack of security. Luckily- there is an answer to our State Park’s financial worries- Prop 21.

Under Prop 21- an $18 fee will be attached to our vehicle licensing renewal and Californians will be able to enjoy unlimited free access to their State Parks. This will not only save our State Parks; it will also encourage people to make good use of their $18 fee and explore some of the most gorgeous parts of our state. In our current economy, $18 for a year of unlimited visits to state run parks, beaches, and historical sites is an incredible bargain.

I have written about my family’s experiences at several of our State Parks throughout the years with the hopes of encouraging other families to get out and enjoy them for themselves. We have explored and shared Bothe Napa Valley State Park, San Onofre State Beach, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Mt Diablo State Park, the California State Tule Elk Reserve, Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve, Huntington State Beach, Pt Mugu State Park, and Crystal Cove State Park and still have so many more State Park experiences left to share. I don’t want to get you excited about a park, only to find it has been closed due to lack of funding. And I certainly don’t want to miss out on visiting a park because there is no money in the budget to keep it open. So please, vote YES on 21 and keep our State Parks funded. Your children will thank you.

Participating in a very special Save Our State Parks edition of Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday. Click on the link and see who else is playing along.

The Best Tide Pools in Orange County- Your OC Tide Pool Guide

2010-09-30T10:07:00.001-07:00

Lately I have had quite a few people email me for tide pool information. As a result, I have decided to create a resource for people looking for some good Orange County tide pool information. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if you know of somewhere special that I missed, please shoot me an email or post a comment and I will be happy to add it. Orange County beaches are always great places to find educational family fun. Remember, these tide pools are very fragile ecosystems and nothing should be removed or destroyed. If you see anyone doing anything that they shouldn’t, don’t be afraid to speak up. And if you see any trash in the area, pack it out. The starfish will thank you.

TIDE POOLS IN ORANGE COUNTY

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK:

This state park is one of California’s gems. There are some wonderful tide pools and many volunteer lead tide pool walks (view their calendar for details by clicking on the calendar icon on this website). Crystal Cove is a great place to take out-of-towners because the beach is pristine and reminiscent of California beaches of yesteryear. Plus there is a restaurant on the sand and a shake shack up at the top of the hill on PCH. I LOVE THIS BEACH. There is parking on the south end of the park on the ocean side of the highway, and on the inland side of the highway at the more popular (ie: near food) north entrance. Both spots are great places to park and head towards the tide pools which are in the middle of the stretch of beach belonging to the park. This beach is located on Pacific Coast Highway between Laguna Beach and Corona Del Mar. Good directions can be found by typing the words “crystal cove” into Google Maps.

LITTLE CORONA BEACH:

This is my favorite OC beach for tide pooling. This beach is not commonly known by tourists (which means it isn’t usually crowded with people) and it has my favorite tide pools in the region. I have seen more diversity of tide pool animal life here than anywhere else in Orange County. Little Corona Del Mar Beach is located in Corona Del Mar at the corner of Ocean Blvd and Poppy Avenue. You park in the residential neighborhood above the beach (and oh what a neighborhood it is!) and then walk down the path to the beach. There are restrooms located halfway down the path.

LAGUNA MAIN BEACH/ HEISLER PARK PRESERVE:

This tide pool spot is a great one for visitors of Laguna Beach to explore. I have heard from a couple different people that the occasional octopus can be spotted in this area though I have yet to see one. Nevertheless, its a beautiful spot and a nice place to stroll the shops, play in the surf, and search for crabs and sea stars. Main Beach is located where Laguna Canyon Road meets PCH and Heisler Park and the tide pools are just a 10 minute stroll north up the sand. If you type “Heisler Park Laguna Beach” into Google Maps, you will get accurate directions.

SHAW’S COVE, LAGUNA BEACH

Photo Courtesy Flickr User TypeFiend

This local spot is popular with divers, snorkelers, and tide poolers. There are no bathroom facilities here so make sure you have emptied your bladder before heading down. There is access to this spot at Fairview Street and Cliff Drive. A stairway off Cliff Drive leads down to the cove. Here are good directions.

TIDE TABLES

You don’t want to head to the beach to explore tide pools without checking the tide tables. Nothing is more disappointing than arriving at a tide pool only to find it under water! Here is the online tide table that I use. Follow the San Clemente, Newport Bay Entrance at Corona Del Mar, or Balboa Pier times depending on what beach you are visiting.

TIDE POOL ANIMAL INDENTIFICATION

Its important to know what you are looking at when exploring tide pools and the Doheny State Beach website has a great printable identification pamphlet. Everything from limpets to purple sea urchins can be indentified using this handy dandy resource. Print out a copy and bring it with you as you explore the tide pools.

Happy Exploring!

This post is participating in Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday. Click here and see who else has joined in on the fun!

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-09-16T10:31:00.001-07:00

Yes, its already that time of the year! Fall officially starts next week and the Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch opens this weekend! From September 18 through October 31st, the pumpkin patch is open daily (for hours click here). Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch has always been one of my family’s favorite spots in all of Orange County and a visit to the annual pumpkin patch has become a family tradition. Why? Because in addition to lots and lots of pumpkins there is also face painting, bounce houses, carnival games, tractor races, tractor rides, a hay maze, a haunted house, paddle boats, bike rentals, pony rides, and the train! Whew! And and we can’t forget the fun playgrounds or the zoo! Let’s face it, its hard to beat Irvine Park.

Because I love and support all of Orange County’s Parks so much, I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked to host a giveaway! I love promoting the parks any time but being able to give something away to one of my readers is just icing on the cake. So what is the giveaway? How about 8 Train Tickets (which can be used for other Pumpkin Patch activities as well) and a Free Bike Rental! That’s a $57 value!

How do you enter? Just leave a comment telling me which OC Park you love the most. Its that easy! If you want an extra entry share this giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you did. Want another one? Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment letting me know! Good luck!

This post is participating in Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday.

Contest ends September 26th at 11:59PM.

US Open Sandcastle Competition

2010-09-02T10:54:00.001-07:00

Every year they come by the hundreds of thousands. They converge on a strip of sand just a north of the international border, and watch as sculptors of sand create their masterpieces. This year, we decided to join the masses and see what all the fuss was about.

Entrants have only 5 hours to create a sand sculpture in the pursuit of $21,000 in prize money. What they come up with is definitely above and beyond anything I have ever created with a shovel and pail. Spectators file up and down the beach, checking out the progress of each masterpiece in progress, squeezing through the crowds to get a front row view of the action.

Finally 2PM rolls around and the creations are complete (or as complete as they are gonna be). The professionals draw the biggest crowds with their fancy camera crews and media attention but I think every sculpture was worthy of star treatment.

The oil spill in the gulf was a popular theme this year. I suppose looking out at California’s pristine beaches, its hard not to think about what has been happening on the other end of the country.

But most of all, creativity ruled the beach.

If you would like to see these impressive sculptures be built right before your very eyes, be sure to head out to Imperial Beach next year. For more information, click here.

Best Place to Take your Picture with the Hollywood Sign

2010-08-19T10:16:00.001-07:00

Confession- Up until a couple weeks ago, I had lived in California pretty much all my life and never did the Hollywood thing. You know, the whole Hollywood and Highland, Walk of Fame, Mann’s Chinese Theater, hope to spot a celebrity and then take your picture next to the Hollywood Sign thing. I guess growing up so close to Hollywood, it just didn’t seem that big of a deal. My uncle was an actor, I went to school with child actors, and attended the same church as Kirk and Candace Cameron. I was a jaded Southern California kid.

I am sure there was a time, probably in my pre-pubescent years, when going to Hollywood would have been a huge thrill, but my parents never took me. It just wasn’t what you did. Hollywood was for tourists and I was a local. I think so many of us fall into that trap. We have traveled all over the country yet we haven’t ever really explored what tourists come to see in our own neck of the woods.

This summer, my 11 and 13 year old niece and nephew came out from Texas to spend a week in California and they wanted to see Hollywood! I got on the computer and did some research. If we were going to sit in traffic for God knows how long on a Saturday afternoon, we had better do this right. I knew one thing for sure- we were going to get a fabulous picture in front of the Hollywood Sign!

After spending a few hours walking amongst the mass of tourists on Hollywood Blvd, we traveled into the foothills and towards the entrance to the Mt Lee hiking trail, which takes you as close to the Hollywood Sign as you can legally get. The roads up in the Hollywood Hills are notoriously narrow and windy. There was more than one occasion in which one car had to pull over so another car can pass (so leave your motorhomes and trailers at home). It wasn’t long before we reached roads end and were so close to the sign I felt like we could touch it!

I admit, I was excited. I mean we were at the world famous Hollywood Sign taking our picture! We started snapping photos and suddenly the camera stopped snapping. WE WERE OUT OF BATTERY! No! No! No! We traveled all this way and we had to get a picture. Luckily, my husband had his Blackberry with him so we asked another tourist to take a family photo of us all. Yes, the resolution isn’t the best and I could have hoped for better lighting, but we had our proof!

Next year, when my niece and nephew come back out to California, we are going back to that dang sign. We will hike the Mt Lee Trail and take in all those amazing views of the LA Basin. Oh, and don’t worry- I am charging my camera, bringing a reserve battery, and we are getting that perfect picture with the Hollywood Sign!

If you want to get that perfect picture with the Hollywood Sign then follow these directions to the best spot to take your picture in all of Hollywood: From Hollwood Blvd and Highland head east on Hollywood Blvd until you reach N. Gower Street. Left on N. Gower, then Right on Franklin Ave. A couple blocks later, take a left on N. Beachwood Drive. Follow this for a bit and laugh at the people stopped to take their Hollywood Sign pictures because yours are going to be so much better! Take a left onto Ledgewood Drive and start winding up the canyon. Soon you will come to a bit of a complicated intersection of a few different residential streets. This is where you will make a right onto the very narrow and windy Deronda Drive. Follow this to the end and find someplace to park alongside the road. You have arrived!

Playing along with Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thurdsay.

Children’s Fishing Festival at Snowcreek Resort in Mammoth Lakes

2010-08-16T12:56:00.001-07:00

I love the idea of fishing. Sitting peacefully on a boat somewhere in the middle of a lake, taking in the sights and smells of nature while waiting for the big one to take a bite. I even think casting a fly over and over while waist high in a river sounds like a great time. Its the whole killing a fish concept that I can’t get past.

I know. I’m a hypocrite. I eat meat every day and can’t see myself giving up my carnivorous habits any time soon. Truth is- I can’t kill anything. The other day I actually fished a bee out of the pool so it wouldn’t drown. So when the Snowcreek Resort invited my family up for their annual Children’s Fishing Festival, I was a it apprehensive. I knew I would be doing my children a disservice if I didn’t let them participate in a classic outdoor activity and I certainly didn’t want to miss and opportunity to head up to Mammoth for the weekend. I took a deep breath, promised myself I would survive, and signed the kids up. This was the Children’s Fishing Festival after all, how painful could it be?

As we headed up Highway 395, my kids were extremely excited about the next day’s fishing endeavor. Over and over they reminded me that they wanted to catch a fish, kill it, and eat it. Great. So I guess catch and release was out of the question.

We arrived at the Children’s Fishing Festival at the Snowcreek Ponds and I was surprised to see just how popular it was. The street was lined with minivans and SUV’s. We checked in and were handed our poles, which are loaned to all children during the festival, free of charge. We were also given a little dixie cup filled with stinky orange goop, which I could only assume was the bait. I looked at my husband and asked “Do you know how to cast a line?” “Nope. I don’t fish. Do you have a clue?” “Nope.” So now what?

Luckily, there were plenty of volunteers scattered around the shore who were happy to help us clueless (and slightly embarrassed) city folk. They truly were a wealth of knowledge and before long we were baiting and casting with the best of them.

Truth be told, we didn’t really trust our kids with the whole casting portion of the fishing experience. There were way too many people in the area and the last thing I wanted was to hook some innocent bystander in the eye. Luckily, the kids did a great job and were pros at slowly bringing the line back in and waiting for a bite.

Before long, Mari had a tug on her line! I helped her slowly bring the fish in and the volunteer caught it with his net so he could remove the hook. I asked Mari if she wanted to throw it back. She looked at me like I was crazy! No way. That sucker was hers. “I want to eat it!” she told me with a face full of beaming pride. Paul and I shuddered at the sight of the fish flopping in her plastic bag. I felt like I was going to throw up. I thought back to the time I had to smile and pretend I was enjoying my time on a ski lift for the sake of my children even thought I was absolutely scared out of my mind. If I could handle that, I could handle this.

We took the fish over to be gutted (puke) and then returned to see if Ben had had any luck. Just as we returned, he got a bite! He pulled in the biggest fish of the day. The entire pond erupted with cheers and the volunteer pried the hook out of the fish's mouth. The fish, however, was not going down that easy. He jumped right out of the net and back into the pond. I was quite pleased. Ben was not. He wanted his dang fish back!

We stood on the shore and cast and recast, hoping to catch something. After an hour of no luck, we convinced Ben to opt our of the fishing and go for some ice cream instead. I felt better knowing we had only sacrificed one life for the enjoyment of our children that day.

Mari didn’t stop talking about her fish for the next three days. She checked on it in our condo’s freezer about 7 times a day and reminded us that she was going to eat it. We ended up buying a cheap cooler to get the dang fish back down the mountain and into our freezer where it has taken up permanent residence. I can’t bring myself to cook the thing. It just stares at me with those eyes….

Truth be told, I am so glad we took the kids fishing. They really enjoyed it and except for the whole dead fish part, us adults had alot of fun as well. We decided that we could definitely start doing the catch and release fishing more often (if we can convince the kids of the release portion of the activity) and are very grateful for the knowledge and experience the people at Snowcreek gave our family.

If you want to take your kids out for a fishing adventure, be sure to check out the Children’s Fishing Festival in Mammoth next July. Its so much fun and children of all ages are welcome to attend. I highly recommend Mammoth as a family friendly summer destination and Snowcreek Resort as a great place for families to visit (be sure to read my full review of Snowcreek Resort on Trekaroo here).

Wild Rivers- Fun For All Ages!

2010-08-11T19:51:00.001-07:00

We are a family who loves a good water park. Give me a water slide over a roller coaster any day of the week (weather cooperating) and I am one soaking wet but extremely happy camper. Even though they can’t swim just yet, my kids are always happy to be splashing somewhere, whether it be the beach, the water park, or a bathtub. Lucky for us, we live close to a water park that has something for the whole family- Wild Rivers in Irvine.

This year is the first year that I have felt like I could handle my kids in a water park situation and actually enjoy myself. We took the kids to a couple different water parks in Texas (because it was melt your face off hot outside) when they were around 18 months old and it was just too much. One little slip in 18 inches of water or spray from a rouge water cannon and it was breakdown city. This time was much different. The kids were happy to splash around in the kiddie areas and didn’t need their hands held the entire time which meant I could relax and have fun as well.

When we arrived at the park I figured there would be one area of the park that was toddler friendly and the rest would be dedicated to the older kids. Wrong! There were many different areas of the park that were perfect for non-swimmers. We started in a little pool that was about as deep as a bathtub and had a tiny slide and then slowly progressed our way up to bigger slides (designed for kids 54 inches and smaller) and the lazy river. By the end of the day, the kids were sliding down the kiddie water slides like professionals! It was great to see them gain some water confidence and learn that a splash of water in the face won’t cause them to melt.

I also had my 11 and 13 year old niece and nephew with me which meant my husband and I got to switch off and go on the big slides with the big kids. Woot! Woot! I did notice that the lines got longer as the afternoon progressed (so try to hit up the more popular rides early), so during the heavy periods we chose to stick to the lazy river, wave pool, and water basketball court.

Not to be outdone by a pre-teen, I braved a slide which essentially mimicked a toilet. It was a pitch black tube slide that ended in a swirling bowl which poured out into a nine foot pool and it scared the ever loving daylights out of me! But in a good way.

By the end of the day, we still hadn’t had a chance to try out all the slides but still felt like it was a very fun day at the water park. My only complaint was the weather. We have had a very cool summer which doesn’t go very well with warm weather activities. Luckily, Wild Rivers has warming pools which provided relief when things got a bit too chilly.

If you are in live in the Orange County area or are visiting during the summer, I would check out Wild Rivers. Its a great spot for a warm summer day and there truly is something for families with children of all different ages. If you would like to read my full review of Wild Rivers on Trekaroo, click here.

Playing along with Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursdays. Click the link and see who else has joined in the fun!

A Carnival of Gluttony at the OC Fair

2010-07-30T11:06:00.001-07:00

I will openly admit that I love bacon. Honestly, what’s not to love about the salty, crispy goodness that is fried pork? But, as with most things divine, moderation is key unless a future in XXXL pants is desired. Its no secret that America is fat. The fattest city in the US 20 years ago has the same percentage of obese people as the slimmest city does today! That statistic is disturbing. What has happened to our culture? When did this become okay? I will tell you when it became okay- around the same time that people decided it was appropriate to line up for this:

If we only enjoyed deep fried treats once a year at the fair, this wouldn’t be such a huge deal (though I honestly can’t imagine a situation when deep fried butter would be acceptable), but we live in a world where people have their own deep fryers at home!

And for crying out loud, why on earth would anyone even want to eat this?

Disgusting.

Now I am not going to pretend like I never go to Mc Donald’s or that I don’t let my kids have a corn dog when they go to the fair.

But I also feel like my decision to make a small garden in the backyard so my kids are familiar with more than corn and green beans, along with my pursuit of outdoor activity with my children, help counter act any of the occasional food splurges they might have.

How do I know this is working? Well for one thing my three year olds can actually identify most of the crops growing in the Centennial Garden. Considering the tiny number of fruits and veggies the average first grader in this country can identify, I think we are on the right track. I also know that when my daughter chooses roasted corn over every other food item at the fair, I am teaching her good habits.

Look- I am not saying that kids shouldn’t have a treat at the fair. By all means, indulge. But what I am saying is that we are shaping the next generation’s minds, bodies, and attitudes and if we choose to make things like deep fried butter a part of our culture, we are heading in the wrong direction. I refuse to let my kids be another statistic. They aren’t going to sit inside all day playing video games while eating processed food. It isn’t okay. The stats have to be reversed. We as parents need to be more responsible for the health of our children. And the fair should be more about this:

And less about this:

Okay. I am stepping off the soapbox for today….

Playing along with Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursdays

And Delicious Baby’s Photo Fridays.

Big Waves and Big Fun on Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula

2010-07-15T00:03:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it takes a visit from an out-of-towner to appreciate all the great places that are close to home. Often times we get so caught up in traveling someplace far away and exotic, that we forget to stop and explore all that our local regions have to offer. I could probably spend a lifetime exploring the Southern California and still never see it all!

Recently, we took my inlaws down to Balboa Island in Newport Beach for a day of seaside fun. For some reason, Southern California was protesting summer and had put on its grumpiest face. The days were filled with gloomy clouds that would not break, and the seas were angry; throwing giant waves at the shore in a form of protest against the weather. Lucky for us, glum weather is no match for the beauty of Balboa. Balboa Island is one of the most expensive places in the country to live and its no wonder why, its picture perfect. Charming bayside homes line the streets and frozen banana stands dot the main drag. Every time I visit Balboa Island, I can’t help but think of the idyllic town of Seaside, the town that Jim Carrey’s character in The Truman Show called home.

Adding to the picture perfect streets were flags and other sorts patriotic decor left out from the Independence Day celebration the day prior. We found a parking spot (which can often be a precious commodity on this island come summer) and strolled along the canals towards the bay, admiring the white-trimmed houses and taking guesses at how many millions each one would set us back.

Soon we reached roads end and hopped on board the tiny ferry which shuttles 3 cars and a couple dozen sightseers across the channel to the Balboa Peninsula. Immediately the kids wanted to hit up the rides at the Balboa Fun Zone. Mari took the obligatory ride on the carousel while Ben opted to try something a bit more thrill seeking (well, for a toddler)- the ferris wheel. Paul couldn’t resist buying a package of that pink fluffy pillow of sugar that people pass off as food and the kids were happy to stuff themselves with as much as they could pry out of their Daddy’s hands.

We played the usual arcade classics such as skeeball and shoot-the-hoop, and marveled at the skills of our pint sized athlete. Look for Ben, in some event or another, in the 2024 Olympics.

Then we headed over to the pier to pick up burgers at Ruby’s, a pier’s end mainstay here in Southern California. The 50’s themed diner may be a chain, but it certainly does seem to fit in with throwback feel of the peninsula.

While chomping on burgers and watching the kids play on the playground, we couldn’t help but notice a sudden exodus of wet tourists carrying soaked towels away from the beach. We went over towards the surf and marveled at the sudden absence of the people which had previous occupied the sand with their towels, umbrellas, and beach chairs. The reason? A monster wave had just hit the shore and carried itself all the way to the lifeguard stand!

We decided to stick around and watch the surf to see if we could catch a glimpse of something as equally impressive. Sure, the waves were much bigger than normal, but at first glance they appeared to be nothing outside of what one would normally see before a storm hit the coast.

Suddenly, the sets got bigger. MUCH BIGGER. While I stood there exclaiming “Wow” over and over, my husband had the foresight to grab the camera and wait with his eye in the view finder for the “big one”.

Then it came.

And he caught it.

It was enormous. It made every other wave I had ever seen look like a dwarf in comparison. The wave came within a few feet of the top of the pier and probably gave those who happened to be standing near the rails quite a thrill! Once again, Mother Nature reminded us all who was boss.

If you visit Balboa, you probably won’t see monster waves or gloomy days. What you will see is a great spot to spend a day together as a family and a fine example of what makes California so special. If your family makes an annual pilgrimage to Disneyland, consider skipping the theme park madness for a day and hitting up this gorgeous spot on the golden coast. I promise, Mickey will do just fine without you.

Playing along with Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursdays. Click on the link and find more great family friendly travel fun!

Also playing along with Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday.

Hiking with Kids, Tools of the Trade

2010-07-07T20:35:00.001-07:00

I have a confession to make- I sort of have an obsession with outdoor survival. Maybe its because I have watched one too many episodes of Survivorman. Or maybe it goes back to my childhood days spent pretending to be a pioneer on the prairie. Either way, I love to learn as much as I can about wilderness survival and hope to one day put those skills to use.

Since I currently spend most of travels with a couple of three year olds, remote backpacking with nothing but a swiss army knife and some freeze dried food is not really practical. However, there are some products that I have which do relate to practical survival while hiking with children, especially when hiking alone.

The first is a filtered water bottle. I love my Ech2O Water Bottle by Get the Bottle because I can use it to filter anything from tap water to river water and know that my family won’t get sick in the process. If we ever get into a situation where we get stranded, I at least know I can provide them with safe drinking water (as long as we aren’t someplace with no water at all).

The second thing I love to carry with me is a swiss army knife. My husband gave me a knife (or multi-tool as us survival “experts” like to call it) a couple years ago and it has been great, but their must be some extra testosterone flowing through my blood because lately I have been craving something bigger and better. Lucky for me, the people at Dual Pro X contacted me and let me have a chance to try out their Victorinox Dual Pro X.

This multi-tool rocks! I feel like I am constantly discovering new gadgets which is incredible considering how lightweight this tool is. I can throw it in my backpack and not worry about it adding any significant weight. On hikes we have used it to strip twigs from large sticks and create customized walking sticks for the kids, dig splinters out of tiny fingers, and open a canned goods on the trail. While I haven’t had any dangerous instance come up on the trail since I have started carrying the Dual Pro X, I do feel safer knowing I have something that provides some protection should such an instance occur.

In addition to life in the great outdoors, the Dual Pro X has also come in handy at home. I can never seem to find my husband’s tools when I need to unscrew one of those pesky battery covers on the kid’s toys and luckily now, I can just use my multi-tool! I have also found myself grabbing the tool to open packages and even open a bottle of beer.

I really can’t recommend either one of these products enough and I think they are great values for the price. For more information on the Ech2O Water Bottle click here. For more info on the Dual Pro X swiss army knife click here.

HERE”S A TIP: Fan the Victorinox Swiss Army Facebook fan page and participate in Share the Adventure for a chance to win great products and compete for a $25,000 Ultimate Adventure! A chance to win $25,000!!! Why wouldn’t you do it?

Disclosure: I was provided with both the Dual Pro X and the Ech2O Water Bottles to review (I reviewed the Ech2O for Trekaroo) but neither company asked that I express a particular opinion and my opinions of both of these products reflect my honest feelings towards these products.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Victorinox Swiss Army. All opinions are 100% mine.

Strand Beach, Dana Point

2010-06-17T12:50:00.001-07:00

On warm weekends in the summer, popular Orange County beaches such as Huntington, Newport, and Laguna are packed with tourists and inland dwellers looking for reprieve from the heat. As a spoiled local, I can’t stand to sit in traffic in Laguna Canyon only to have to spend an hour finding parking somewhere on the street. Luckily, I have been let in a secret. That secret is Strand Beach in Dana Point.

For years, only the diehards went to Strands because quite frankly, it was a long way down to the bottom. The steps were steep and the walk back up was a thigh burner. But now, the trip down to water has gotten quite a bit easier thanks to the funicular. If and elevator and a tram were to get together and have a baby, it would look like a funicular.

The funicular definitely gets you from point A to B but it does it at a very SLOW pace. Personally, I would skip the ride down and just take the stairs. Save the funicular experience for the way back up, especially if you have a bunch of stuff to lug back up the hill.

The beach itself is, just as its name implies, a narrow strand of sand just north of the Dana Point headlands. During high tide, the strip of beach to the north is quite small so I suggest following the boardwalk south to a larger expanse of beach. The boardwalk will take you past obscenely beautiful newly constructed beachfront homes that are perfect for drooling over.

Besides the beautiful strip of sand (which I have had all to myself on multiple occasions), Strands is also great because on busy weekends and holidays, more than likely you will find plenty of free parking in the lot. We went on Memorial Day this year and there were plenty of free spots to be had!

If you would like to check out The Strand for yourself pop this address into Google Maps: 33971 Selva Road Dana Point, CA. There are bathrooms both at the parking lot level and near sea level where the funicular lets off.

Playing along with Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday. Click on through and see what else is in the spotlight! Also participating in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday.

Country Inns and Suites 1K Day 6- Cowboys and Rockets and Forests, Oh My!

2010-06-12T06:49:00.001-07:00

Day 6 is complete! Read all about it on the Trekaroo Blog here. Today is our last day! I can’t wait to see where we end up!

Country Inns and Suites Day 5- A Whole Lotta Kansas

2010-06-10T21:49:00.001-07:00

Day 5 of our journey is now up on the Trekaroo Blog here. We only have two more days to go. Any guesses as to where we might end up? We are having a great time. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds.

Country Inns and Suites 1K Day 4- An Amazing Arch and a Trip to the Wrong Kansas City

2010-06-09T21:57:00.001-07:00

Today was incredible. I fulfilled a long time dream and made it up to the top of the Gateway Arch, spent some time with good friends, and then got majorly lost in the wrong Kansas City. Read all about day four of our cross country mystery road trip here.

Country Inns and Suites 1K Day Two- Three Lake and Alot of Traffic!

2010-06-07T23:07:00.001-07:00

Today was an exhaustingly fun day. We hit up Madison, Milwaukee, and Chicago. You can read my run down of the day’s adventures over on the Trekaroo blog here. Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter @doubleadventure and everyone’s tweets about Country Inns and Suites 1K with the hashtag #CIS1K. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow entails!

Country Inns and Suites 1K Day One- Baseball, Cheese, and a Giant Orange Moose

2010-06-06T22:45:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! We have officially begun our adventure. Today was full of lots of stops and fun surprises. You can read all about it over on Trekaroo here. I would love feedback so please be sure to comment!

The Top 10 Most Memorable California State Parks

2010-06-01T22:43:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, Americans celebrated Memorial Day, honoring our country’s soldiers and celebrating the unofficial start to summer. California’s 278 state parks are the perfect place to spend those gorgeous summer days. These priceless public assets offer spectacular and accessible natural wonders. The Nature Conservancy has been working with diverse partners for over 50 years to preserve California’s iconic state parks. Check out their Top 10 Most Memorable State Parks:

Most Memorable Trees :Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Humboldt County

A trip down the world famous Avenue of the Giants is a sight you’ll never forget. This memorial grove nestled in Humboldt Redwoods State Park is home to some of the most ancient and tallest trees on the planet. The park is over 53,000 acres, including 17,000 acres of old-growth redwoods, and offers prime camping and outdoor activities.
This was one of California’s ﬁrst parks to be preserved when the state park system was established in 1928, and it protects about one-eighth of all remaining old-growth redwoods, the largest continuous stretch in the world.

Most Memorable Bridge: Natural Bridges State Beach , Santa Cruz County

Named after three arches carved out of a mudstone cliff, Natural Bridges State Beach offers traditional summer activities in a dramatic and diverse setting. Although the namesake bridges have been lost to the sea, their rocky remains provide a gathering spot for pelicans, cormorants and other sea birds. Catch a glimpse of otters and sea lions off shore and explore tide pools filled with colorful creatures. Learn about the area’s natural history at the visitor center, walk the nature trail through the wetland, play in the surf or just relax on the beach.
Afterwards, visitors can visit the nearby Seymore Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab to stand in awe by the assembled skeleton of a blue whale, the Earth’s largest animal. This 87 foot skeleton, from a whale that washed ashore nearby in 1979, is one of only four displayed in North America and is believed to be the largest displayed worldwide.

Most Memorable Soak : Grover Hot Springs State Park, Alpine County

A soothing soak in the therapeutic, green waters of Grover Hot Springs State Park surrounded by majestic Sierra Nevada granite peaks is as relaxing as it gets. There is a hot pool (102 - 105 degrees) fed by six mineral springs and a refreshing cool pool. Unlike most hot springs, there is almost no pungent scent of sulfur.
Visitors have been coming to this natural spa since the 1850s to “take the cure”. You can also camp overnight or hike to the Hot Springs Creek waterfall.

Most Memorable Hike : Mt. San Jacinto State Park, Riverside County

The weathered summit of Mt. San Jacinto is the highest point in the California State Park System at 10,834 feet in elevation. Visitors to Mt. San Jacinto State Park can take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to 8,500 feet and enjoy panoramic views of the high country, and then hike through beautiful granite mountains covered with pines, mountain meadows, and streams. The park also offers camping, horseback trails, picnic areas and food service and spectacular wildlife viewing.

Most Memorable Clams: Pismo Beach State Beach, San Luis Obispo County

Pismo Beach is home to the famous Pismo clam, which is the largest clam in California. This self-proclaimed “Clam Capital of the World” even has a clam festival every October. Visitors can try their luck at clamming (salt-water fishing license required) or enjoy the seaside activities this top California beach has to offer. With over 23 miles of soft sand, there’s something for everyone including camping, golfing, picnicking, fishing, swimming, walking the nature trails or soaking in the sun on the beach.

Visitors can also explore the nearby Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge - 18 miles of 500 foot towering peaks stretching from Pismo State Beach to Point Sal. In the 1980s, The Nature Conservancy acquired more than 3,000 acres of dunes to protect them from development and has since transferred them to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage as part of the Refuge.

Most Memorable Wildlife: Tule Elk State Natural Reserve, Kern County

The lush open country of the Central Valley is ideal for the once endangered Tule Elk, found nowhere else in the world except their native California. Tule elk are smaller than their cousins the Roosevelt elk, and are sometimes called dwarf elk despite their respectable heft, power and massive antlers. They are breathtaking to watch and are truly are a unique state treasure.
Famed cattleman Henry Miller embarked on a 50 year effort to save Tule elk in 1874 after once vast herds were on the brink of extinction. In 1932, the herd at what is now Tule Elk State Natural Reserve was given permanent protection. Visitors can take a guided tour, view exhibits at the visitor center or enjoy a picnic and watch elk roam past.

Most Memorable Pier: Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Los Angeles County

You don’t have to be a movie star to enjoy Malibu’s famous beaches – once referred to as the American Riviera. A stroll down iconic Malibu Pier at Malibu Lagoon State Beach is better than any red carpet. Visitors can fish off the pier, or if they don’t want to catch their lunch can relax at one of the local restaurants, grab an old fashioned shake or enjoy a picnic on Surfrider beach where Gidget and other beach-blanket movies were filmed. The pier also has facilities to rent beach equipment, book a harbor tour or go deep-sea fishing.
This is also a world-class surfing spot and located in the epicenter of California’s beach culture. Visitors can also explore the Spanish-style Adamson House, a National Historic Site, or the adjacent Malibu Lagoon Museum which features pictures of various Malibu eras from the native Chumash to the birth of the surf craze.

Most Memorable Fruit: California Citrus State Historic Park, Riverside County

As you enter California Citrus State Historic Park, visitors are greeted by a replica of an orange stand – a reminder of a bygone era of when “Citrus was King” and a second Gold Rush ensued as citrus barons flocked to Southern California to make their fortunes. This 377 acre park nestled in majestic palm trees and fragrant fruit groves captures and preserves the importance of the citrus industry to the state’s history and economy – which helped define California as the “Golden State”.

Visitors can learn more from the interpretive displays in the visitor center which is a model of a packinghouse, enjoy summer concerts in the amphitheater, picnic or explore the demonstration groves where navel and Valencia oranges, grapefruit and lemons are still grown.

Most Memorable Float: Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, Butte County

Whether your vessel of choice is a drift boat, raft or a good, old-fashioned inner tube, it doesn’t get more relaxing than a refreshing float down the Sacramento River, California’s longest. As you drift, you’ll see scenic countryside filled with elderberries, wild grapes, sycamores, and wild roses which are home to diverse wildlife like river otters, herons, song birds and turtles. At the end of your trip, you can grab a picnic lunch under a massive oak or cottonwood tree or take a nature walk in Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park.
This is also a popular spot with anglers who can catch salmon, steelhead and shad, and The Nature Conservancy and its partners are working to restore the habitat necessary for fish and fresh water which is so important to the community, recreationists and local economy. They have undertaken one of the largest riparian restoration projects in the United States.

Most Memorable Birds : Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, San Diego County

Located on the international border between Mexico and California, Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of last salt marshes remaining in Southern California and is home to over 370 species of migratory and native birds – including six endangered species. This is a key stopover point of the Pacific Flyway. Whether you’re into photography or you just like to look at them, visitors can explore four miles of walking trails for prime bird watching.

A stop at nearby Border Field State Park to view the sand dunes and salt marshes that give refuge to critically threatened and endangered birds such as the Western Snowy Plover, the California Least Tern, and the Light-footed Clapper Rail or is also a must.

Once you’ve visited one of these most memorable parks, capture that memory with a picture and submit it to The Nature Conservancy.

Are you looking for more great family friendly activities? Check out Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday.

Country Inns and Suites 1K Adventure- 7 States in 7 Days!

2010-05-28T09:14:00.001-07:00

Imagine your family waking up, hopping on a plane to Minneapolis, and then getting up the next morning to begin driving 1000 miles through 7 states for the next seven days. Sounds like fun, right? But there's a catch. You won't know which direction you are heading or which states you will be visiting. As a matter of fact, you won't even know where you are going each day until you received a message on your smart phone giving you new instructions! Sounds like a blast doesn't it? Well, that is exactly what my family will be doing from June 5th-13th while we participate in the Country Inns and Suites 1K Adventure!!!!

Lately we haven't exactly been the most spontaneous travelers. I love to research, plot out, and organize every last detail of our vacations. On this trip however, I have to hand the torch over to Country Inns and Suites by Carlson and trust them to do the planning. While I am confident that they have plotted a fantastic course for us, I am still experiencing a bit of anxiety about the unknown. I will probably be bringing along multiple travel guides so I can blurt out random facts about each location we visit and I have a feeling my road atlas will be attached to my right arm (I know we will have a GPS but I am old school), but my excitement over this journey far overshadows those little anxious gremlins in the back of my mind.

Here is what I do know: We will be driving an Avis Rental Car, equipped with a GPS, be given a Sprint smart phone (the Samsung Moment to be exact), some Dining Cash gift cards, and a JVC Camcorder. Each day, we will get messages on our Smart Phones regarding our next "Suite Stop". In those messages we will be given directions and the information that we need to navigate to our next destination. We will have a task to complete at each "Suite Stop" and it will be up to us to determine how we spent the remainder of our time during the day. Every night, we will be sleeping soundly at one of many different Country Inns and Suites throughout the country. Its nice to know that at the end of the day, we will be in a clean, comfortable bed with plenty of room for the four of us to spread out!

My family is not going on this journey alone. We are heading down the road with two other families. The first is the Williams Family of Colorado. Kara (aka Colorado Gal), the family matriarch, is also a fantastic travel writer and one of the women behind Vacation Gals. The second is the Sveback Family. Ross Sveback is a widely recognized Twin Cities lifestyle expert (I am really looking forward to all of his tips!) who can be found on Kon-Tent. Part of my excitement about this journey is being able to meet these two families and share our experiences with each other. I can't wait to read their blog posts, tweets, and Facebook updates to see how their experiences differ from ours even though we are all traveling the same stretch of highway.

I would love nothing more than to have you all follow along with us as we take this trip and explore America. Make sure to bookmark the Country Inns and Suites 1K page so you can follow our three families as we roadtrip across the country. Each day, I will be writing a post at the Trekaroo blog (I will be placing a link to that post here as well), recapping our day and giving you the highlights of our journey. We will also be videotaping portions of our trip so be sure to check out the clips I post to see yours truly making a complete fool of herself on camera. I will also be updating the Trekaroo Facebook page and my personal Facebook page. Finally, I will be tweeting up a storm on both @trekaroo and @doubleadventure. Make sure and follow the hashtag #CIS1K so you don't miss a moment of the adventure!

There you have it- the details (or lack thereof) of our upcoming journey. Now I would love to hear from you! Where do you think we will be heading? What places do you hope we see along the way? Any tips for venturing out into the great unknown? I am looking forward to hearing what you all have to say!

Disclosure: A significant portion of the costs and resources for our family’s participation in the 1K Country Adventure was provided by Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.

Lassen Volcanic National Park with kids

2010-05-27T10:26:00.001-07:00

When my children were about nine months old, my best friend, Chrissy, and I thought it would be a good idea to strap them to our chests and go hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Turns out, it wasn’t a good idea, it was a GREAT idea! We had a wonderful day exploring the geothermal features of the park while introducing the kids to the first of many National Park adventures. Lassen is off the beaten path but well worth the drive. Here are some of my tips for visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park with kids:

WHEN TO GO: The park is snowed in until June so my recommendation is to plan for a mid-June to mid-September visit unless you are in to snowshoeing. We went in June and while all the roads were plowed, there was still quite a bit of snow on the ground which was a surprise to us. After all, we were wearing t-shirts and shorts!

WHERE TO STAY: We stayed near the town of Chester, in a cabin by the shore of Lake Almanor. It was close enough to drive back and forth to the park every day, but much more practical for us than camping inside the park with a couple of infants. Lake Almanor is a popular summer vacation destination and there are plenty of cabins for rent in the area. If your family loves to camp, there are 6 campgrounds (3 of them are group sites) within the park.

WHAT TO DO: I think every trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park should include a hike to Bumpass Hell. It is a beautiful 3 mile hike over the side of a mountain and into a stinky, hydrothermal wonderland filled with steaming pools, bubbling mud pots, and multicolored streams. Make sure to keep your children on the boardwalk so they don’t break the fragile crust on the ground surrounding the features. Mr Bumpass made the mistake of walking too close to the features and slipped through the crust, scalding his leg in the process!!!

Those with older children who are up to the challenge can take the 5 mile RT hike to the top of Lassen Peak. On May 22, 1915, Mt Lassen experienced a large volcanic eruption and the effects of the volcanic eruption can still be seen throughout the Devastated Area. Views from the trail leading up to Mt Lassen are nothing short of spectacular.

Another fun (and short!) hike is to Cold Boiling Lake. This trail is only .8 miles RT and leads to a lake with gas bubbles coming up which give it it’s boiling appearance. For an even more incredible boiling lake experience, take the easy 3 mile RT hike to Boiling Springs Lake where the water temperature is 125 degrees due to a number of hot springs under the surface of the water.

This post is featured on Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday. Click on the link below and see who else is playing along!

Family Vacation
Redding

Barbara’s Lake Hike, James Dilley Preserve

2010-05-19T22:07:00.001-07:00

How many natural lakes do you think Orange County, CA has? True, there are a few lakes in OC, but as with alot of things in Orange County, most of them are not natural. The answer is ONE. Just one. One small, unassuming lake tucked away in the James Dilley Preserve off Laguna Canyon Road. At 12 acres, Barbara’ Lake may not be Lake Superior, but she certainly is pretty.

Mari and I met some friends and introduced them to the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. We have hiked quite a few trails in this park but we still hadn’t seen the lake! Since the trail from the Nix Nature Center to Barbara’s Lake is flat, we decided it was a great hike for our toddler foursome to take on. We began with a quick loop around the 1/2 mile nature trail (named Mary’s Trail) and admired all the sights and scents of the coastal sage scrub habitat.

Then we headed out south on the Little Sycamore Canyon Trail which lead us under the road past more great scenery and over towards a little pond. Now this may or may not be Bubble’s Pond. I seem to have found conflicting reports on the internet as to its exact location. What is the significance of Bubble’s Pond? Well back in the early eighties a hippo escaped from the (now closed) Lion Country Safari and took up residence for 19 days in the area!

We took a right on the Stagecoach Trail and then a quick left onto the Lake Trail. The vegetation grew more lush and we could tell that we were close! Suddenly we found what we were looking for- Orange County’s lake!!! The shore was lined with cattails and wildflowers instead of million dollar homes. I think I like lakes alot better that way…

New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival Food- The Best of the Best

2010-05-19T11:37:00.001-07:00

Last month I entered a little place called food heaven. It was a land filled with seafood, spice, pastries and pork. I may have gained 5 lbs and taken 5 years off my life in the process, but it was all worth it. Where is food heaven you ask? Well honey, its down on the bayou of course!

I could go on and on about how amazing the New Orleans Jazz Festival was (and believe me, I will in another post) and about how I plan on going back every year (because I do) but today I want to talk about the food. The glorious, glorious food. Every single food item that I sampled was fantastic. I was lucky enough to attend the festival with some seasoned veterans who guided me through all things Jazz Fest related. Now I want to pass my new found knowledge on to you so you will be prepared when you visit (because you REALLY SHOULD).

THE BEST PO BOYS: You absolutely CAN NOT go to Jazz Fest and not eat a Po Boy (or three). They are the classic New Orleans sandwich. We all agreed that the Cochon de Lait Po-Boy, a flavorful shredded pork sandwich with an out of this world sauce, was one of the best. I don’t know what they do to that pork but I do know that I have found myself waking up in the middle of the night screaming “I need more Cochon de Lait!”. The Fried Softshell Crab Po-Boy was unlike any other crab sandwich I had ever had before. So crunchy, so crabtastic, so perfect. I never knew you could eat the shell of a soft shell crab and I certainly couldn’t imagine it would taste so good. Finally, you HAVE to try alligator while you are in New Orleans so why not try it in a po-boy? The Fried Gator Po-Boy is actually very good and yes, alligator does taste like chicken.

BEST USE OF CRAWFISH: Crawfish is a Jazz Fest staple and the Cajuns know how to turn those lowly mudbugs into some of the most tasty cuisine you will ever experience. The Crawfish Beignets are so rich and flavorful. The flakiness of the beignets compliments the tender meat of the crawfish beautifully. However, the award for best use of crawfish of all time goes to whoever created Crawfish Monica (I am assuming it was someone named Monica). Wow. In this dish pasta goes Cajun and let me tell you, its the best decision pasta has ever made. Its creamy, spicy, crawfish heaven. I also have to recommend staying at the French Quarter Suites while in New Orleans. The rooms are spacious and accommodating and every Saturday of Jazzfest they do a crawfish boil for all their guests. All you can eat crawfish, fried chicken, potatoes, corn, salad, beer, and soda. It was wonderful. I have never eaten so much crawfish in my life. It just kept coming!!!!!

Photo Courtesy Kajun Kettle

BEST SWEET TREATS: You can’t come to New Orleans without trying Cafe Du Monde’s Beignets and Cafe Au Lait. Lucky for everyone in attendance, Cafe Du Monde has a stand at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. In my opinion, there is no bad time for beignets and an iced Cafe Au Lait is perfectly refreshing after spending hours in the hot sun. If you are looking for a dessert to go with all that Cajun goodness, try the Mini Pecan Pies. Nothing says sweets from the south quite like a pecan pie and these little tid bits of heaven are sure not to disappoint.

BEST POST JAZZ FEST STREET PARTY EATS: I never liked bloody marys. That is, until I tried a bloody mary from Luizza’s. They are so fresh and tasty that you almost feel like you are doing something healthy by drinking them. Every day after Jazz Fest ends, the streets around Luizza’s are filled with people celebrating the end of an incredible day of music. Join them for a bloody mary, and be sure to grab a Cajun style tamale from a street vendor along the way. Still hungry? Try a barbeque shrimp po-boy from Luizza’s. In New Orleans, barbeque doesn’t refer to some tangy sauce smothering a hunk of meat. It refers to the way the food was cooked. And this shrimp is cooked to perfection and paired with a lovely garlic sauce. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my computer…

Photo courtesy Nola.com

Guest Post at Who Says Eight is Enough

2010-05-17T20:53:00.001-07:00

Hi all-

I just wanted to let you know that I did a guest post over at the blog of one of my dearest friends, Debi, at Who Says Eight is Enough. Her and her NINE kids are currently on a cross country road trip so I thought I would share some road trip experiences of my own. I would love it if you took the time to head on over and check it out here. I am really looking forward to heading back out on the road with my family next month!

Lake Englebright

2010-05-12T21:36:00.001-07:00

For so many of us, Memorial Day Weekend signals the opening of camping season. The weather is warm, the rain has slowed, and great outdoors is calling. When I lived in Northern California, we spent several Memorial Days at Englebright Lake. Located in the California’s Gold Country outside of Nevada City, Englebright is a quiet lake with a houseboat studded marina that seems to be off the radar of most Californians. Every year, we rented a large party boat with a bunch of friends and made our way to one of several boat-in camping areas located on the lake. It was so much fun to pitch our tents on the oak studded shores and circle our chairs around the campfire. The men played horseshoes and had tri tip cooking competitions while the women lounged in the sun or climbed up the hills on hikes to the dam. If the weather was warm enough, we would take the boat out to the middle of the lake and jump off the second story into the freezing water below. It was a great tradition that we all looked forward to every year.

Sadly, my last visit to Englebright Lake was when I was pregnant with my children. Evidently, air mattresses and twin filled bellies do not work well together. One night on the air mattress was enough to pull a bunch of muscles in my stomach (an injury I still feel the effects of) and cause me to have to leave the campsite in tears.

I refuse to let that ill-fated visit be our last. I look forward to one day taking my kids on a camping trip at Englebright Lake with the children of my friends who shared in those trips of years past. We will share our “under the radar” location with a new generation and hopefully start new traditions in the process.

In the meantime, if you are in Northern California and looking for a fun spot to take the family, check out the boat-in sites at Englebright Lake. I hope your family can create some fond memories as well.

Family Vacation
Grass Valley

Fiesta Days at Heritage Hill

2010-05-10T22:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes all you need in life to make you happy is a Mariachi band and a dancing horse. Well, at least that’s all my family needed to declare our outing to Heritage Hill’s Fiesta Days a rousing success. We knew there would be butter churning, even candle making, and of course there would be a celebration of our area’s Mexican heritage. But the frantic hooves of a stallion stomping to the beat of the Mariachi caught us by utter surprise.

I imagine the caution tape that was placed in front of the stage where the dancing horses performed was to keep rabid fans who had been entranced by the rhythm of the Mariachi music from coming up front and trotting alongside the professionals. Mari was one of those rabid fans. Her eyes danced and her hands swayed to the beat. She furrowed her brow as she tried desperately to understand why no horse she had rode in the past had ever stepped to the beat of the music she so sweetly sang. She stared dreamily at the man who rode those magical horses as he crooned love songs while wearing his glitzy ensemble. It was if he stepped directly out of her toddler imagination: a snazzy dressed singer who danced with horses.

It wasn’t just Mari who swooned at the performance. Women of all ages seemed to be captivated by the man who could make horses dance. After the show, they lined up to get his autograph and smiled for the camera next to their dream boat.

There was plenty more fun to be had at Fiesta Days beyond the dancing horses. The kids enjoyed hand churning ice cream, learning how to make their own hand dipped wax candles, and making their own jump ropes the old fashioned way. We watched people perform traditional Mexican dances and tried on bonnets inside the one room schoolhouse. It was a wonderful afternoon and while the candles and clay pots we made will become fixtures in our home, those horses dancing to Mariachi music will stay firmly implanted in my memory forever.

Playing along with two for Twos-day at Who Says Eight is Enough.