Now I know, that last week I was a posty-post-a-lot, but I was really on the beach. No really, it was smoke and mirrors. I prescheduled the posts, so you wouldn't miss me so much.
We journeyed to Englewood, Florida. A lovely community of mostly older folks, snow birds, with a fantastic public beach and quaint old downtown section. A distant cousin and his wife make their winter home in Englewood. Growing up, I always thought of him as an Uncle and that has stuck.
E woke me the first morning, as we were bunking together on the screened in porch, ever so excited to see the sunrise. I am glad he did, it was the only proper sunrise of the trip.
About an hour later, I snapped this one. Their community is on a creek/river/inter coastal waterway. It is a brackish mixture and the boat dock is a stones throw from their porch.
Sunset was around 7:30 pm, a perfect time for the kiddos to see their first ever sunset. We played on the beach every day we were in Florida, but only on Tuesday - the first day of spring, did we watch the sun sink into the ocean.
A highlight of each trip to Englewood, has been the boat ride. They have a great pontoon boat and it is always great fun to take it out on the water. This time was extra special, as we saw an amazing amount of wildlife. (That is H, he was letting the spray cool him off.)
My favorite are dolphins. They were all over and not at all shy. I got very up close and personal with dolphins when we were on Jekyll Island and I really do love the playful energy of dolphins. This is one of the first groups we saw. In all, I think we say at least two dozen on our way home from RumBay, a fantastic seafood place. Dock parking is a plus.
We also saw some nesting Osprey. They make a peculiar noise.
Everything was very dry in Florida, as they have not had much rain this winter. Only two serious storms since October.
Everyday gave us a lovely sandcastle. Both L and E are on building kicks. This is L's effort on our first day. Very pretty.
We collected about three times this number of shells in all. So many different shapes and sizes. Both L and my Aunt distracted H, so I could pack them up. He was adamant we leave them behind, but I was equally as adamant they were coming home with us. We found one Mom would have loved and we plan to take it to the cemetery and leave it with her.
It was a bit bittersweet being on the beach. Mom loved the beach. Seeing E finally not at all afraid of the ocean, would have made her so happy. E is just now embracing the beach. L has loved the beach from the first time we took her there.
The sky was amazing every single day we were in Florida. The weather was near perfect everyday too.
I have added this to my "I am going to try this before I die" list. They were way high in the sky at certain points.
The combo of sun, wind, sand and hard water did weird things to my hair.
On a palm tree, this sign makes zero sense. I got nothing...
I highly recommend Englewood as a quiet family vaca spot. The older folks are nice, welcoming and honestly there was no bad spring break beach behavior and zero crowds. My kind of peaceful vacation spot.
I know you want pictures, but it is my series and I am writing as things bubble forth, it will be worth the wait, I promise.
So L is almost 9 and E is 6. We have not stopped traveling but traveling is harder with young children. They have sleep schedules, nap times, grumpy times and short attention spans. There are limitations in terms of how much walking, looking, trekking and the like they are willing and frankly capable of in any given day. H and I spent many an afternoon in our hotel bathroom when we went to Germany the first time with L in tow, when she was 20 months old, in an effort to get her to take a nap. It was not fun, it made H very grumpy.
I will admit kids have crimped H and I's wanderlust just a bit. Or so I had thought. This trip, we all traveled well, managed to be sweet and even tempered and we had a great time. Part of this is the kids are older and I have learned how to manage them a bit better. One has to be realistic.
I knew I was in trouble on our honeymoon, when after weeks of stress, a long ass flight, lost luggage and some wacky timezone insomnia, we sit down by the pool, for a day of relaxation and tranquility pool side, H, five minutes in says to me, "I am going to go check out the other pool." Then 5 minutes later, "Maybe I will go for a swim." Five minutes later, "Are you really going to sit here all morning? Don't you want to go for a walk on the beach?" I finally said, "Do you want to go for a drive." That was the last time, the entire trip we sat by the pool. H is not a sitter. He is a doer. He likes to trek.
H treks with the strength and determination of a bull. This is a great thing really. One of the things I really love about him. Give him a map, point him in a direction and he can find anything. He is ready and willing to adventure. We did this on our first trip to Europe. We had some beginning points and end points and we made up the rest as we went along. We ask locals what they like, what do they think is worth seeing. We look through the guidebooks and free local papers. We are urban adventurers.
Little kids can make this sort of wandering harder. They want to eat at certain times, sleep at certain times and can be picky about food, sleeping conditions and the like.
For a while this was a confounding muddle, now I think I have worked some of the kinks, again some of it is the natural aging process and some of it is proper planning.
Sleep, I have found is the key ingredient to happy and manageable, agreeable children.
Behold the power of a suite. Sleep is also the key ingredient to happy and patient and unfrazzled parents.
My advice, spring for a suite.
(Also, I have to say, for me, given my food issues, a kitchen or access to a kitchen is a must. I jut cannot eat in a restaurant night after night, playing roulette with my tummy. Also I find that the kiddos do better with lunch out and dinner in.)
In Iceland, I found a Guest house with an apartment, which was like a suite. I found this by letting google do the searching. It was a total score.
Butterfly Guesthouse, centrally located, clean and breakfast is included. It was exactly what we needed and the owners were super friendly and helpful. There was absolutely nothing we did not like about this guesthouse. I would happily stay there again in a heart beat.
(this is from their website, in all 405 pictures I took, it never occurred to me to photograph the Guesthouse.)
I had a feeling going in, that this would be the best bet. Why you say? Because I got a good vibe from the email exchanges and the telephone call. I went with my gut and it was right on. It helps that H and I have stayed in many European guesthouses and we know what to expect.
I really cannot say enough nice things about Thuridur and Jon's charming guesthouse. It was super clean, there advice was top notch and they have a car available for rental also.
The kids felt at home and comfortable and it really was worth every penny.
We arrived late Monday night and their son met us, guided us upstairs and to my surprise and delight, there was milk in the fridge, a selection of cereals and teas. Perfect. The kids needed something in their tummies before we crashed after a long day of travel. This had been my concern about arriving late, but it turned out well.
We took Tuesday easy, allowing the kids to "sleep in" and then just had an unstructured day of grocery shopping and wandering. We were early to bed Tuesday night, thus getting ourselves easily on Iceland time. Sure we "lost" a day of trekking time, BUT the kids were manageable because they were well rested for the balance of the trip. H chaffs at this notion. He wants to see it all. With kids however - one must balance seeing it all with enjoying that which you do see. At least I think so.
I decided you might think I was completely in love and that might make you think I was wearing rose colored glasses, if I only talked about how wonderful Iceland was, so I will get out of the way the one thing I did not like and actually, I feel this way about so many places I go.
Trinkets.
I try to shop locally when in my hometown, this desire does not go on hiatus when I travel. I can get cheap Chinese manufactured crap here at home. When I travel and want a souvenir, I want it to not just say the name of a particular place, I actually prefer it to be made there. I do not want a magnet made by Chinese children in a sweat shop embossed with the gold shiny words "Iceland." I understand that some people collect this sort of refrigerator liter, I am not one of them.
L and E do not really enjoy this about me, as they are attracted to the glitter snow globes with the lopsided gold words Iceland and they are mad about stuffed animals, but I feel strongly it is my job to raise discerning consumers and one cannot start this too early. While they protested a bit, I do think they are much happier now with their locally manufactured choices than yet another stuffed animal with the tag - "made in China" attached.
Sadly the bulk of what we saw in the tourist shops and the quasi-touristy shops fell into this category. Even the famous Icelandic woolens, if one is not careful are actually made in Nepal. One has to be very discerning. Ask questions too. I found that the sales people and shop keepers were willing to be honest about the place origin for the goods they were selling and buyer beware, much of the merchandise did not have a "made in ..." label, so you have to ask, if you want to know. It further seems to me and I am not certain this is the case, the shops which seem to be full of the tourist trap made elsewhere goods are also the shops which offer an automatic tax rebate, which is significant given the VAT is rather staggering verses American sales tax. I think this is probably based on volume, but the reality is government tax practices and tariffs or incentives encourages or discourages the type of behavior government wants to see and if you want to support local crafts people, stop offering the rebate on imported items. It really is that easy. (Just my free advise - oh Icelandic Parliament.)
I am pleased to report that at the weekend flee market, Kolaportið Flea Market, in downtown Reykjavík, does have some booths, which feature local Icelandic crafts people. L got a wonderful glass wall hanging which has actual soot and ash from the volcano inside. It is very cool.
I got a very nice pair of artisan made earrings, with polished lava stones.
The flea market had some vendors selling cheap plastic trinkets imported from everyone's favorite sweatshop and certainly some booths resembles someone yard sale. If you are willing to shop, you might be able to score a great Iceland woolen sweater or other hand knit item at a really reasonable price. As always, it is buyer beware.
Also check out one of the Red Cross shops or the Salvation Army resale shop. One can find a nice Iceland knit item there from time to time, we were told. There is also a children's charity woolen shop, which seemed to be closed more often than not and therefore we could not check it out, but our free tour guide suggested it.
As I took a walk one evening, I lucked out and found the nice little shop - Níu heimar / Nine Worlds. This shop features hand made items by local artists. Many of the items are tied to Norse mythology and Iceland's pagan past and present. I bought a few small items here. It is a joy to support local crafts people. Their hours are sporadic, so shop early and often, is my advice. I found them open on Saturday afternoon, which was our last day in Iceland. It was fortuitous indeed. There were other little shops, off the main drag which we checked out and might have browsed a bit more, but this trip was not about shopping. I am mentioning this, so if you do fall in love Iceland as you read my series, and decide to pay Iceland a visit, you too can shop locally. I really think it is worth the extra money, if you choose to shop, to buy local. Supporting the local crafts people and artisans is invaluable.
Next week - My thoughts on traveling with older children and finding a place to stay.
I took so many pictures in Iceland. I was well and truly inspired. On so many levels. To do the trip justice, I am not going to be able to just write one quick post, the experience was more complex than that. The country, the scenery, the experience more complex than that.
I am not an inexperienced traveler, I have been all over German speaking Europe. I have been to the Caribbean. I have been to another volcanic island, Hawaii. I have been up and down the East coast of the US, all around Florida and many other interesting and beautiful places. Napa Valley, SanFran, NYC, Sleepy Bear Dunes in MI.
There was something very exotic and very exciting about Iceland. There was something magical about this being the first family vacation, where the kids really could experience it and could do more. No strollers and no naps to think about.
The experience has taken some processing, me thinking about how best to share it, how best to talk about the experience in a detached travel blogger sort of way and then how to explain and share how the experience touched me, changed me, inspired me. I feel energized as a writer after Iceland (maybe it was the act of taking a vacation, I don't know, I can't say.)
So I am going to do a multi-part series. I will tag it Iceland for ease of searching in the future. Please ask questions, understanding that I am writing this series as I go, based on an outline and will likely write some of it on the fly as the mood strikes me.
For now - look at one of my favorite pictures. I think it answers the question - Why Iceland?
It is safe to say - that many of you knew where we went on vacation. For those still in the dark (actually we went to where it is light nearly all day, everyday in the summer) Those in the know follow me on facebook and twitter. (hint, hint)
We went and stayed in Bjork's stomping grounds. Right - Iceland. Why Iceland, because I have have wanted to go there since I was about L's age and I fell in love with the pictures of Iceland in the National Geographic Our World coffee table book. They were so amazingly beautiful.
So when I learned the flight is just over 4 hours from NYC. I was sold.
As I believe in truth in writing, I am writing this post before our trip and scheduling it. Right now we are likely still in bed, as we got back very late last night. I am pre-writing. Later this week, I will upload pictures and give you all the scoop. I am hopeful that we loved the place as much as everyone says we will and that it is as beautiful as it looks online and in coffee table books. Hawaii was, when H and I went there on our honeymoon many, many moons ago. I think volcanic islands have that in common.
Stay tuned. But for now, amuse yourselves with another Bjork hit!
It is my Birthday Week! Yeah Me! I love birthdays, your birthday, the kids birthdays, H's birthday (even though he refuses to celebrate) and just the idea of Birthdays! I really love my birthday...
So this week kicks off my birthday week! (Well two weeks really, as I have lots of loved ones who want to celebrate with me and I am not going to be around this year for my actual birthday... more about that in a moment.)
As a mostly gluten free vegan, who eats meat and noshes on goat and sheep's milk cheese, birthday cake is mostly, in my opinion, out of the question, as it resembles a mealy rock and it just don't taste like the cake I remember as a child.
I had all but given up on baked goods, at least baked goods that tasted like anything, until I met Carl, the owner of Rogue Bakery. Carl bakes cookies. I can't eat most of Carl's cookies - but you can and you should, he will drop them off at your house, crazy I know, but so crazy it is perfect. There is nothing like a fresh baked, hand delivered cookie, trust me. His cookie are creative and yummy!
Carl's birthday was this past weekend. Cool people have July birthdays. (Happy Birthday Carl!!!)
So - when I first met Carl he was carrying a large tray of amazing cookies. Cookies I couldn't eat. Carl and I were sad. Very sad.
So Carl decided to perfect the perfect me friendly chocolate cookie. It took some trial and error, but he prevailed.
(He also makes a spicy peanut butter cookie which is amazing. I mean super amazing.)
I can eat cookies again, really really good cookies. Gourmet, melt in your mouth, do not crumble, homemade cookies. Just like everyone else. In fact other people eat these cookies and like them and do not smile sympathetically and say things like, "well I guess it is ok, for bein gluten free..."
The Chocolate Liberator was liberating.
On Twitter I created the hashtag, #CisforCookie
And it is!
Now hold your horses, if and I am not being presumptuous, I am not asking you or even hinting that you surf on over to the website and order me birthday cookies. Although that is exactly what I did for E's friend birthday party, I ordered 3 dozen cookies, because they are way less messy than cupcakes, but that is a different matter all together. But back to me and my birthday, if you were to be so motivated, to order me some yummy, yummy Rogue Bakery cookies, I would be hard pressed to refuse them and likely would send you an electronic or hand written thank you note, but said cookies should not arrive until middle of next week. (like after the 18th...)
My birthday is always hot. Mid-July in Ohio is always warm to over warm. One year, when I was L's age my mother made me a cake and it melted, the frosting just plain melted and the top layer of the cake slide clean off the lower layer.
When I turned 17, in Germany, it was very cool. We ate cake and celebrated on my host family's terrace. It was lovely. I think I might have actually worn long pants. We ate a gooseberry and strawberry short cake. Yumm-o!
That year Germany was in the World Cup for Soccer. The final match was played around the 4th of July. I remember being in Bavaria on a trip and we were eating Chinese, in Germany, on the 4th of July and given the win, there were fireworks. It made me less homesick. My brother still has the T-shirt I got him commemorating the win.
Now why, you might be asking yourself is she talking about birthdays and cookies and then goes off on a tangent, about birthdays overseas. Has she lost her mind? (And no I am not that old yet!)
Long and short of it, the reason there will be about two weeks of my birthday this year, is I will be away, we take vacation when the airline says we can and it happens to be the week of my birthday. (Last year it was the week of L's birthday, what can I say, the airline has no regard for our birthdays.)
If you want to know where we went, check back next week for the big reveal. Until then, I highly suggest you go check out the Rogue Bakery website - because Cookie Monster is right - C is for Cookie that is good for me!!!
Yes I know, I have not been around much. I have been laid up with a sinus infection, prepping for and then taking a trip to Cancun. Then back home for a fantastic 4th of July holiday weekend.
Whew. I am currently sitting on the love seat in my home office, in my pjs, recovering from the whirlwind of fun.
So Cancun, you say? Yes Cancun. My very dear friend JS got married to a very nice man we will call EM. I have met him once before, took the time to explain to him that the first man she married, who cheated on her and then got angry when she found out, yes him, well I have a very heavy American made SUV and I know how to use it, let's just say. I was willing and I am only 6 hours away.
No really, he, EM is nice guy and he makes JS very happy and she makes him happy and I think they are very happy together. I was very pleased to be there with them as they celebrate love, commitment and flirted with a tropical storm.
I have schlepped all over central and northern Europe. More than once. Actually 5 times I think. I have been to Canada at least 3 times. All over the US and I have tackled NYC more than once by myself, with some directions and suggestions scratched out on a piece of paper by my other dear college friend SS.
I was over the moon worried about Mexico. I posted this to Facebook:
Is wishing JS and EM, were getting married in an English speaking country... I am ridiculously hung up on the fact that I speak German and understand a passable amount of French and am going to a place I just don't speak the language. I need to get over this, cuz I wouldn't miss this for the world, but still...
This was the kicker for me. I have not, in a very long time, traveled somewhere, where I cannot speak the language. My German is still pretty fluent and my French will succeed in finding me the WC, a roast beef sandwich and the police. It might get me kissed too...
My only other trip to the Caribbean, was to the Bahamas, where English is the official language.
It also did not help, everyone and their Uncle took this opportunity to tell me their, "Oh I went to Mexico once..." story, which always had a bad ending or involved vomit or stolen property.
I am pleased to report. We had a fantastic time, Tropical Storm Alex notwithstanding. We traveled there without a hitch really. We had one airline induced issue - which will be addressed in a separate post.
The kids and I made it solo. They were troopers. Tired little soldiers when we arrived in hot and humid and rain soaked Cancun, but troopers nonetheless.
All the horrible stories about customs and transport in Cancun, all wrong. We met our driver, waiting for a reasonable amount of time. Arrived at our hotel, were treated like guests. Drinks while we waiting to check in.
Our room was amazing. Ocean view, marble everywhere. A jacuzzi in the room as big as the bed. Two double beds, a shower bigger than a generous walk in closet. Since it was all inclusive, we had a fantastic, stress free room service meals.
The pools at the Moon Palace were fantastic and the kids swam and swam, despite the less than perfect weather. The wedding was lovely, very sweet and the wind did not hamper the beach feel, even though it was moved out of the sand and into a beautiful glassed in gazebo.
While I saw nothing of Cancun but the resort, I would totally go back. I found the people to be friendly and welcoming.
The check in at the airport, was organized and frankly more hospitable than what one gets in the US.
Now as I relax, becasue lets face it, traveling with little people, even to relaxing all inclusive resorts solo, is not relaxing exactly. A nice change of pace, but not exactly relaxing the way I am now, in my pjs, writing uninterrupted, the cool breeze of a ceiling fan mussing my hair.
I cannot believe school starts next week. The summer seems both endless and short at the same time. I was feeling like we got nothing accomplished, but that is not true.
* Took our first ever camping trip to Northern Michigan. Heavenly.
* I attended the Kenyon Review's summer writing workshop. Inspirational.
*E was ill at 4th of July, but L and I managed the fireworks.
*L had her tonsils removed and spent 2 weeks being quiet and recovering. Towards the end of the 2 weeks I had to sit on her big time.
* L attending camp at E's preschool, took dance camp, and art camp. She loved it. Leanring and having fun during the summer.
*E went to camp every week M-W-F, in part to hold our spot for fall and in part to give me time for school and time with just L!
*L and I painted pottery
*We went to the Zoo and Zoombize Bay a fair amount
*H took L to DC to visit his cousin and see the sights.
I had thought we might have more time for running around, but we were busy
*L and I both had killer B-day parties
*We went to one wedding, staying overnight in a hotel! A highlight for the kiddos
*Farmers markets trips and we grew our own tomatoes
I read about 10 books and had 2 MBA classes.
So all in all, it was a busy, fun and productive summer. Looking forward to school starting and having a "normal" routine.
The day before the grand camping adventure was our little Diva's big dance recital. She was in two scenes. As we walked into the auditorium L asks, "Will I get flowers like last time?" She remembered we had all given her flowers afterward. Yes I replied.
She paused a bit and asked, "Can I take them with me?"
I thought about it. Did we have room for a vase full of flowers?
"Sure." I replied, "Why not."
So we toured Michigan with a vase of flowers. First in the middle compartment of my car and then in the sink of the RV, while on the road and then on the shelf in the front of the RV, when we were stopped.
It was very homey having the flowers. Amazingly they looked none the worse for the wear. A testment to the true strength and beauty of roses but also my baby girl.
I have been absent from the blog for awhile. School was winding down for L and I and we went on a family vacation. It has been a life long dream of H's to go camping in an RV, so he planned a family wonder bus tour of Northern Michigan. I will post pictures shortly, but I wanted to write a bit about the trip.
Unlike flying, where you have to take a little as humanly possible, when one camps, you have to pack up nearly your entire house! Linens, cooking gear, clothes, food, the entire nut. So we loaded up the family car and drove to the far west side of Cleveland to pick up our cute little RV and headed to Ann Arbor, for our first overnight. Prior to hitting the campground at Silver Lake, we hit Trader's Joe and Whole Foods in Ann Arbor. Given my food issues, those are must stops, if they are available. Both locations were wonderful. We had planned a trip to the Campus area in Ann Arbor, but had to bail and just headed to our campsite. We had a dinner of sandwiches and fruit and then crashed. The kitchen table converted to a bed and H slept there with E on the floor of of the RV in his sleeping bag. "Cool I get to be a sausage!" he kept singing.
L and I had the "bed" and snuggled together behind the curtain. It was snugly and I will not say that this bed is winning any awards for comfort, but it was pleasant to snuggle with my babygirl, who is growing up faster than fast.
We stuck with this sleeping arrangement for the duration of the trip.
The next morning we took a bike ride around the park and played outside for a bit and then packed up and drove to Mackinaw City. With a brief stop in Frankenmueth, for a not so German lunch at a not so German Pub and a brief walk around at a very strange year round Christmas Shop.
We pulled into the campground at Mackinaw City, around 5 pm and we were hungry and the weather was gray and dreary and I was hormonal... naturally my period starts early while we try camping for the first time.
I will admit to having a momentary freak out, as H tried to grill in the rain and I have nightmares of a broken RV toilet and trips to the outhouse... we later found the REAL bathroom and all was well...
Now this begs the question - if the campground has an outhouse and a REAL bathroom - clean bathroom... WHY the HELL would you go to the OUTHOUSE?
In the sunlight the campground was beautiful, in the gray not as much, but Wednesday was fair and we settled in, biked 2.2 miles to town and took the ferry across to the Island.
The Island is great. E loved the ferry. We lunched, played in the park with kids from Ann Arbor, the dad was also a pilot - so he and H had a grand chat and then we biked to the rock arch, hiked up to it and then headed home. Biked 2.2 miles and tried to cook out over the fire. Um, well we had some issues. Which the 60s somethings from Atlanta helped us with and we did managed hotdogs and hamburgers for dinner. (L rode her own bike! Go L! This from the girl last summer who wailed she could never ride a 2 wheel bike! She biked in total over 14 miles in 2 days!)
Which brings me to camping observation #2. The people are so friendly and helpful. They knew we had never done this and they were willing to help. The guy who lent us the gass grill the night before to the guys who coached on campfire prep. They are good people, who generally are nice and friendly and willing to lend a hand.
The next day we hung out at the campgrounds - had a picnic lunch of tacos and then heading into town to letterbox for L and see the sights. Mackinaw City is really cute. That said it was also deserted. Which is troublesome. I think in part it was the weather, a tad bit chilly, but also I think it is a sign of the times and it was admitedly early in the season.
We rode home and then had a proper dinner, over a proper campfire! We are quick studies. The kids made friends and loved the even spent making smores and playing outside.
Next morning we broke camp and drove to Sleeping Bear Dunes outside Traver City. In a word BEAUTIFUL. Mackinaw had been lovely, but the Dunes and the view of lake Michigan, BEAUTIFUL!
We climbed the Dunes and then went to make camp. It was much easier now and we had ourselves set up in no time. Another good fire and meal, and L and E loved to play and get dirty. E collected the catapillers in his bug house.
The next day we biked (L rode with E, given the steep hills and the fact that there was no trail!) to the little town of Empire and shopped the farmers market and discovered a beautiful beach and playground. I collected stones and glass and enjoyed the beautiful day.
Then Sunday we treaked home. A long ten hours on the road, 8 in the "BUS" as E dubed it and 2 more by car.
I have to say I was dubious about the RV and camping, but I actually had a good time. It is alot of work and it is not exactly what I think of as vacation, but the kids had a ball, we saw some beautiful places and I could be away from home and safely gluten free, which is more and more important of late.
H and I worked well as a team and we did all have a good time. Sure there was my freak out and H's fire issues, but all in all it went really smoothly and we were open to learning and expering and frankly with us life has always been an adventure - that was his promise to me, an adventure and this certainly was.
L and E already want to go back and they really are children of nature and that is a good thing. I want to have active and helathy kiddos.
In my less than veiled attempts to get everyone pumped up about pedal power - I bring you the bicycle surrey!
It has a basket in the front for little people E road up there and L between H and I. E was excited becasue we had found a bike with no handle bars and L was a front seat steerer...
All good and a great way to get around the island.
Just think of the possibilities in the city. Perfect for trips out to dinner, to the grocery and back and forth to school.
Ponder... gas is cheaper but think of all the pounds burned and the gas conserved! Plus it SO is like a car! *note the headlights!*
We checked out St. Simon's Island, the island adjacent to where we are staying. There are a number of historical building and a light house. It was dark and my pictures did not come out so well.
But the highlight of the evening was on the way home in the cool moonlight. We had a stowaway. A small greenish brown frog. We had seen it in the morning, but thought it had exited the car. Only to have it return on the ride home.
He sat on the dash board, just to the left of the steering wheel as I drove. He was sitting there all thoughtful and perhaps hyperventilating just a touch. We are all laughing about the frog and what he might be thinking.
I said he was helping me drive and E kept saying I was a "silly girl!"
To enter our island we have to stop at a checkpoint and pay the "parking fee." I wondered idly if the frog jumped out and landed on the toll booth attendant if we got a free pass?
When we pulled in and parked, H managed to usher the frog out of the car and into the grass. All is well that ends well, but I can't help but think I should have told the frog that sometimes, very often, the stowaway has to walk the plank.
AS we went to sleep, H said, "That frog looked a bit familiar. Kinda like the one on your blog."
So I am vacationing in the south. So I wanted some ice tea. We have well water in the cottage on the island and so I used the insta-hot on the sink. Floated my tea bags, poured it over ice, took a sip and promptly spit it out. OMG that was gross! It tasked like boiled eggs and tea. Yuck.
So while we were out this afternoon, I went into the pizza shoppe across from the beach and this is what went down...
Me: Do you have brewed ice tea?
19 yr old surf dude: Sweet or Un-sweet?
Me: How do you sweeten the sweet tea?
19: Um, well with sugar. how do sweeten yours?
Me: With sugar. But you just never know. I am worried about corn syrup.
19: I made it myself. I used plain old white sugar. I do not think anyone has every asked me that before... I doubt we have any corn syrup....
Me: Well see there is a first time for everything. I will take one, lite on the ice.
19: Ok, it will be $1.61...
as I walk out I overhear him say to his buddy - she thought we made our tea with pancake syrup. It is a pizza shop - why would we have pancake syrup....(he kept shaking his head.)
See I am totally freaking out people - but seriously...One never knows. And yes - that sweet tea was divine....
Well we made it. I was up with H at 5:15 am yesterday and I got myself all set and ate before I woke up the little people. E was too cute. I asked if he was ready for vacation? He smiled and asked "Is she coming over?" I laughed and told him we would be going for her.
We picked up my mom and got gas and still made it to the parking area a bit ahead of schedule! I know it seems crazy, but I planned it out on a time line - that is one of my tricks when traveling with children. It pays to not have to run and to hurry. Thinking it through made the trek to Germany doable solo and yesterday was no different.
My plan all worked out. Everything was on time and I had planned ahead and built in potty time and sitting time and in ALT H met us for lunch and there was a small play area. Perfect.
The only hitch is in ATL they have not elevator - so I had to fold the stroller and carry it up 2 flights of stairs on the way in and then again on the way out. Ugh. Seriously. I am not the only one traveling with a stroller. So there I was - L's backpack on, my purse and computer bag and the stroller, whilst supervising E. I will say though the guy behind was kinda impressed. Perhaps he mistook me for a wilting lily and not the seasoned traveler that I am.
The house is fantastic. Great view, nice and roomy. I know most people would pack in more people, but the entire point of this trip is a nice vacation for my Mom and I would rather spend some extra money to ensure peace and tranquility and not be a sardine - no make that a grouchy sardine.
The car rental was a breeze, we hit the grocery and then got to our cottage. Ate a quick dinner and walked the beach before bed.
I promise I will share pictures later... but right now the priority is beach toys and beach time...
So yesterday was the first day in a long long time that I worked almost all day. Well from 10-2:30 pm on my business. This had been the plan when we put E in preschool all day, but alas this entire summer, something else happened on either Tuesday or Thursday. I am not really looking for an entire 8 hours - I will take 5 or 6 hours of uninterrupted work time.
I also took some time to work on some personal admin items and this included poking around for better accommodations whilst on vacation, which is 3 weeks away.
We are heading on vacation with my mother on the emphatic advice of both her doctors. We are going to Jekyll Island which is an island off the coast of Georgia, roughly the size of the Short North. Given the late nature of our planning we had secured two very small rooms at the Days Inn.
Now there are a number of problems with this. No kitchen and given my food issues, I cannot just eat anything. I have been obsessing over this for weeks. Size. Two small children stuck in a small hotel room - sounds more like hell than vacation. Noise - there is a large convention there that week and the Days Inn, we stayed at before and well noise was a serious problem.
So I have been meaning to call the two Island rental agencies to see about a condo or cottage, but well I have not had the time or I have had the time and they are closed for the day.
I called yesterday. The first one had nothing. I mean nothing. My heart sank a bit.
I called the second one.
They had one. Not just one. One of the nicest houses on the island. It is on the beach. It has exactly what need - including a kitchen and WiFi (ok I do not need WiFi - but I sure as hell like the fact that I have it....) it has 5 bedrooms (way too many but I will take too many over not enough.)
It is a bit pricey, but if what the doctors say is true - this may be one of the last vacations we can all take together. I want it to be full of happy memories and happy times and I want it to peaceful and rejuvenating. It has been a long summer for my mother. She has moved, she has been told that the cancer everyone in the beginning thought was no BIG DEAL. Is in fact a HUGE DEAL.
My best friends J's dad died yesterday. Her mother died a few years ago - Life is really short. I mean really short. When great moments come along - Live them, becasue once they pass you by - they are gone forever.
We took the house. I am excited for the kids to have space to roam. The adults to have space to be and think and rest. Ocean view and ocean noise.
I am sure there will be tense moments - there always are when little people and big people get out of their element - but I feel way better about have room for tense to diffuse!
I am so thankful for having the time to call at the RIGHT time and finding what I want wanted. Feels like someone was looking out for me!
