Family Travel Adventures This Summer

September 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer and that you and your family have been sharing fun and fulfilling adventures. I’ve certainly been having a lot of fun.

After our 8-day adventure in Colorado with our son and family, Doug and I headed off with Sebastian for 6 days camping and exploring in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park. We chose this destination because it was within a reasonable driving time, and Sebastian has been fascinated with volcanoes for quite a while. We wanted to give him an up close and personal experience.

After a gorgeous 3 mile round trip hike at 8000′ elevation to Bumpass Hell, we were greeted by the lovely sulfur fragrance of rotten eggs, hot steam pouring out of fumeroles, bubbling water, and serious warnings to stay in the trail, which Sebastian questioned us about frequently along with the story of Mr. Bumpass whose leg was badly scalded when it broke through a thin crust above a mud pot in 1860’s.

We also explored the 600 yard Subway Cave lava tube. We absolutely needed headlamps, and I was glad I took a light jacket for warmth. At Sulfur Works, we got to see bubbling mud pots up close and personal. Sebastian took lots of photos.

Another highlight from this trip was supporting Sebastian to get his second Junior Ranger badge and a couple of other patches just because he could. Sebastian LOVES earning these badges, and I highly recommend the Junior Ranger Program available in many of our National Parks and Monuments.

Sebastian learns about the natural and cultural environment as he explores the park to complete his Junior Ranger Book, which he takes home with him. He also participates in interesting ranger programs, talks with rangers, and takes an oath to protect nature and our parks before he gets is patch. I think we have as much fun as he does, and we are already considering options for next year. I wonder if Madison will be ready to go with us!

Click here to see some photos from our adventure.

We also had a relaxing 3-day camping trip in the Sierras with Orion and family. We had a great time, even though our clothes reeked of smoke from the Rim Fire about 40 miles to the south. It didn’t seem that smoky.

We have a favorite spot where we camp above Lake Alpine in national forest land with no one around. We carry in everything we need, including water and Mr Shovel. One of my favorite parts of this trip was watching Orion and Sebastian bury a secret treasure, mark it with an ‘X’, and then make a map to dig it up next year when we return.

Then, in a few short weeks, Doug and I fly to Hanoi, Vietnam, to explore the northern half of this glorious, fascinating country.

Going on adventures, whether for two weeks or a day, is one of my most favorite things to do. I feel such freedom and joy when I am out exploring and discovering.

One of my fondest wishes for you and your family is that you experience the freedom and joy of being yourselves and sharing whatever you most love.

Filed Under: Children, Grandparenting, Loving Yourself, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Get Out of the House…and Play!

October 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Doug and I recently returned from visiting my brother and his wife in Estes Park, Colorado, near Rocky Mountain National Park. To add to the excitement, we took our 5-year-old grandson Sebastian.

This is Sebastian’s first airplane flight since he was an infant, and I don’t know which of us is more excited – him or me. I am thrilled to be sharing this experience with him. He arrives at our home eager to get to the airport; then at the airport goes through dropping off our bags and security with ease. He is impatient to get on the plane and then for the plane to take off.

Every step of the way he wants to know what is going on. “When are we getting something to eat?” “Why are we stopping?” “Are we going to take off now?”

A few seconds after take-off, he grabs his stomach and exclaims, “Whew, I feel a little nauseous!”

He waits a couple of seconds, looks out the window again, and exclaims breathlessly, “Whoa! I’m a little scared!” Then leans back in his seat for a few seconds to re-group.

Soon he is over his caution and he gazes out the window, studying all he sees below. While still over the Bay Area, he points out the window and eagerly tells me, “Look, Connie. It looks like a map down there!”

Brilliant observation, He’s right. I’ve never thought of it that way. Through the eyes of a child…

On our return flight, Sebastian is now a veteran flyer. He knows what’s expected as we go through all the airport procedures, even taking 100% responsibility for his things going through security. I wasn’t about to touch his bin!

Family adventures give us such joyous, magical memories and deepen our connection with one another. They expand your child’s self-confidence, understanding of the world and ability to enjoy and be successful in life. A bargain at any price!

Below are more photos of our trip, plus tips and suggestions for creating your own fall family adventure, whether it’s an outing of a few hours or a weekend journey.

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I invite you to create your own adventure with your family this fall. Even though summer is over, you can still get out and enjoy the fresh coolness of fall.

When planning a family adventure, here are important guidelines to follow:

!. Choose you destination and activity together. Just because you drive the car, your vote does not trump everyone else’s.

2. If you simply cannot agree on a destination, then work out an agreement that works for everyone. This weekend we go here; next weekend we do what someone else wants to do. The agreement also includes no whining, complaining, or feet-dragging when it’s not your pick.

3. Think outside the box. What can you do that will be new to everyone, even if you’re not sure you’ll like it. Be willing to experiment.

4. Stretch your comfort zone. Maybe the idea of playing video games is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Yet can two hours exploring something your child loves ruin your day or do you harm? Perhaps you’ll discover something new about your child, and he might even see you in a different light.

5. Don’t let your child of any age talk you out of your resolve to do something together. Toughing it out with Mom and Dad won’t destroy his sense of self. Or it might, which could be a good thing.

Here are some activities you could do in a a couple of hours or a weekend:

~ Visit your closest state park for a day or a weekend and go exploring.

~ Take a hike. On our trip to Colorado, Sebastian hiked 4 miles at an elevation of about 12,000 feet without complaint or whining. Give your child of any age the opportunity to challenge his body and build endurance and strength.

~ Travel to the nearest body of water – a stream, lake or ocean. Walk beside it. Play in it. Look in to see what you can find.

~ Visit a museum near your home, one with something of interest to your child. Look for special exhibits that appeal to your family.

~ Visit a wildlife rescue center near you. What a great way for all of you to see wildlife up close.

~ Speaking of seeing wildlife up close, visit a zoo in your area.

~ Ask your child what s/he would most like to do.

Highlights and Photos of our Trip:

Seeing FIVE big horn rams, all close to the road, on Bas’s 5th birthday

Seeing and hearing the bull elk bugle and fight over the femiales

Watching Bas throw rocks in the water, swing sticks as we walked down the trail, use trekking poles, want to catch fish, spotting elk poop.

Bas answering questions and being sworn in as a Junior Ranger after extensive research to complete his Jr. Ranger Book. He took great pride in that badge.

Bright golden leaves of the aspen

What are your favorite adventure spots with your family? What do you most enjoy! I’d love to have you share them in the Comments below.

Here’s to experiencing and cherishing all the joy and beauty life offers us!

Connie

Filed Under: Children, Fun, Grandparenting, Loving Yourself, Parenting, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Greetings from Dubrovnik, Croatia!

June 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Great day today! Excellent night’s sleep…I passed out after staying up after my overnight flight. I feel rested today although my body gets tired fairly quickly walking all the hills around here.

Dubrovnik is pretty touristy so it detracts somewhat from my really seeing it – lots of people eating delicious Croatian ice cream, stores for shopping, and sidewalk cafe’s everywhere.

Walked the 2km wall around Dubrovnik last night…best way to see the walled old town. Beautiful views over Adriatic and few people since it was later in the day. Another great view of the city was from the plane as we were coming in for a landing. I lucked out and was on the right side of the plane.

Heard there were two cruise ships coming today so I caught a bus out to Trsteno Gardens about 30 minutes from town. Quiet except for two Brits with whom I enjoyed exploring the gardens and walking down and back up the harbor far below. Fun sharing travel stories with the great British sense of humor. In the 70’s, they drove with a few other people from London to South Africa and back. Can you imagine??

Glad I’m here. Will re-enter northern Croatia after I go to Mostar, Bosnia, tomorrow and then on to Sarajevo the next day. I’m loving this adventurous trip!

The people tend to be serious-looking, not friendly or happy, and curt with their answers to my innocent questions. I can feel the presence of war in people’s lives.

And they can be so sweet and out-going, such as the people where I’m staying and the man I met walking to the bus station and he spontaneously offered me a large fresh apricot from the market I had just passed.

I’ve been tracking the news and have not seen anything significant I should avoid in Bosnia that I’ve already visited.

Gotta go. There’s a museum War Photo Limited nearby which comes highly recommended although intense. Hopefully I’m not setting myself for a bad time. Will see.

Happy trails to all of you!!

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , , ,