Adventure to Scotland + Exceptional Summer Camp for Girls

May 15, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Adventure to Scotland

Several weeks ago I had this conversation with my 6.5-year-old grandson Sebastian…

Me: Sebastian, you know how I sometimes go to other countries and see and do new cool things? Well, I’m going to go traveling again in a few weeks, and I was wondering if you…

Sebastian: Yes! I want to go. I’ve not been to any other state than Colorado, and I want to see more.

Me: Ok. we’ll be going to another country and there will be a long plane flight.

Sebastian: That’s ok. I can hang with it.

And thus began the creation of our 2 – week adventure, which begins tomorrow. There were a few in-between conversations that I’ll share with you later.

I have our first 3 nights in Edinburgh booked and the last night before we fly home. The rest we are going to create together as we go. I have no idea how he’ll adjust to this kind of trip, what’s going to catch our eye and call us to stay another day.

I’ve got a basic itinerary planned based on what we both want to see. High on the list are castles, armour and weapons, Stones of Callanish, and a 5000-year-old Neolithic settlement on the Orkney Islands. High Adventure — my favorite kind.

I am thrilled to share this with him. Of course, Mommy and Daddy will miss him – and he them. I so appreciate and admire Orion and Nichola’s ability to set aside their own desires for themselves and to support Sebastian to have an amazing, life-changing experience.

I’d love to have you follow our adventures on Facebook. Click here to friend me on FB

Exceptional Camp for Girls

My friend and colleague Aby Ryan is the inspiration and founder of Athena Camps, a summer camp program in San Jose and Los Altos, designed to empower and build confidence in girls, ages 6 to 11 through self-expression and personal connections. Through successful experiences with sports and authentic creative expression, the girls flourish.

A program has to meet very high standards for me to recommend it. I have participated in a camp closing activity and helped with training the college-age coaches who work with the girls. I enthusiastically recommend Athena Camps to all parents who are passionate about nurturing their daughter’s Inner Brilliance.

I promise you and your cherished daughter will love it! I am so impressed with what Aby has created.

Click here to find out more about Athena Camps.

Happy trails!

Celebrating Inner Brilliance!
Connie

PS. Please forgive any typos. I’m in the middle of getting last-minute things done! 🙂

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

What Kind of Day Are You Creating for Yourself?

November 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Doug and I were camping and literally ‘driving off the beaten track’ last week in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. We camped in Hawk Canyon, one of our favorite places in the park.

We went there because the wind was gusting hard, making it impossible for me to relax and enjoy where we were. When we got to Hawk Canyon, we nestled into our little alcove between the high red rock cliffs. The air was still, and it was just us and Mother Earth.

My body immediately relaxed, and I felt happy and free. Everything was simply perfect, and I could have stayed there for days, listening to myself, being, responding to what I felt called to do next. I felt so content and fulfilled.

Return to my life in the Bay Area, and everything has changed. There are emails to go through and write, people to meet, projects to get done, holiday gifts to be chosen. I love all these things, yet what a change!

I find it’s so easy to get caught up in all the seemingly necessary and important tasks of my daily life and to lose the deeper joy and flow of it. I push myself to get things done instead of listening to myself and being.

Today I’m going to imagine myself back in Hawk Canyon where I feel free, relaxed, and fulfilled by simply being. I wonder what kind of day I’ll create.

What are your secrets to getting into the flow and fulfillment of life? Please share them with us.

Filed Under: Fun, 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: , , , , , , , , ,

My Adventure Continues…Plitvice National Park and Cres Island

June 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Last Thursday – I walked at Plitvice Lakes National Park for about 6 hours. It is a huge, beautiful, not-to-be-missed series or lakes, waterfalls, and water literally rushing everywhere in Croatia. It was glorious and so nice to have some quality water time, being a Pisces. It was everywhere and it was that gorgeous turquoise color that comes with limestone. It was breathtaking. Plus there were many times at the upper lakes where I had to trail all to myself. Nature and the power of water were delightfully present, and I kept finding wonderful people I could chat with for a few brief moments.

I was exhausted when I returned to my lovely pension where they have treated me like family and have done so much to make my stay wonderful

Then Friday morning I caught a bus at 6:45am. Three buses later and I am now on the lovely, peaceful island of Cres in a small village of about 2000. I have a large room in a private home with a lovely garden- about $40 per night.

My plan for the weekend is a slow pace, seeing the griffon vultures, some hiking, swimming and sunbathing, and relaxing. Every day I get my traveling legs stronger under me, and I am feeling more confident in dealing with the great unknown.  🙂

All my bopping around from place to place and making up my own itinerary has made managing public transport a little more complicated than usual although I am getting to do and go everywhere I want. Monday morning at 9am I take a catamaran from Cres back to the mainland, spend one night in Rovinj on the coast then head to the cave and Lipizzan Stud Farm in Slovenia for 1.5 days.. It’s simply my good intentions that are getting me to places without really much hassle. Just takes more figuring out as I go and asking more questions.

I hope to check in again from Rovinj. I am now at the halfway point of my adventure. It feels as if I have been gone a long time because I have done so much, and I look forward to all that I  will get to do in Slovenia and Venice.

Happy trails!

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I love Amsterdam!

November 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I am loving Amsterdam! It is the most relaxed, friendly cosmopolitan city I have ever experienced! Everything seems to be on a small scale compared to the States. Small streets, small cars, small homes, intimate, small restaurants. Bicyclists everywhere – all without helmets. It feels leisurely compared to the SF Bay Area.

I have experienced so much in the last two days. I’ll give you a quick rundown. BTW, I haven’t experienced jet lag at all! The techniques I’ve developed worked wonderfully.

I’ve met so many friendly people, all willing to take the time to help me, to talk and laugh with me. This includes the wonderful couple with whom I am staying. Jelmar and Annette are amazing!

Wednesday was a beautiful fall day here with many moments of sun. I walked all the way downtown and back – at least an hour each way plus all my side paths and detours- so I was pretty tired by the end of the day.

My visit to Anne Frank’s house was much more interesting and compelling than I anticipated. Her story was much more profound being here, and I appreciated the questions they raised about the freedom of speech and what should and should not be allowed. They made no judgments – just raised thoughtful questions in a multimedia experience at the end of the visit.

I love all of the canals, many with cute houseboats. There is water everywhere. I also love all the small, intimate ethnic cafes and shops. Delicious bread. I am surrounded with an unlimited choice of ethnic foods and everything I’ve eaten has been nourishing and delicious to my body and my soul.

Today – Thursday – I slept in until 9:15 after a very sound sleep of almost 10 hours. Then went to the Van Gogh Museum, which was a short walk. His art is interesting when seen in chronological order and his story is even more compelling. Very inspiring really, even though it had a tragic ending. He was so courageous to follow his dream to be a painter and to leave a legacy of his painting that expressed real human emotion.

He painted for the last 10 years of his life without any previous painting experience or training. In, fact, he taught himself! As I walked through this museum honoring his work, I was touched that his dreams came true, even though he didn’t live to see it. This museum is one of the most-visited in all of Amsterdam and people from all over the world come here to see his work and relate to this complex man. If you haven’t read a detailed account of his life, I invite you to do so.

Then I ventured downtown via the tram and made my way over to the famous Red Light District. I was definitely out of my element! If you visit Amsterdam, you have to visit the Red Light  District. Even here I felt totally safe and I did see the lovely Old Church, which is the oldest building in Amsterdam. One highlight of the Red Light was a store that sold exclusive condoms. I’ve never seen such creative and funny ones. There was the deep sea diver, the elephant, a skull, Big Ben, plus many more I can’t recall right now. I did take a photo to help me remember.

I had a delicious Thai dinner – it was comfort food for my soul.

Tomorrow I’m taking the train out of town to the North Sea coast and then on my return stopping in the small town of Haarlem for some sightseeing. There has been virtually no rain the last 3 days and tomorrow they are expecting rain most of the day. I’m going anyway. I love Mother Nature in her raw power and I can always opt to get inside whenever I want. Plus I’m borrowing a raincoat since the wind at the sea would probably destroy my umbrella!

I LOVE experiencing other countries! It’s always easier and more wonderful than I imagine when I’m planning my adventure. Everywhere I go I meet interesting people, most of whom are heart-touchingly kind and friendly. Being a global citizen enriches my life in so many ways and makes me a wiser, more understanding person.

Happy trails to you all!

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