Virginia: The Land Celebration near Gore

The Land Celebration near Gore, Virginia was once a nudist colony, and as you drive up the winding drive (past signs warning you not to enter unless invited), there seems to be some of that energy left in the air.

Rustic and unique, The Land Celebration was blanketed in snow when we arrived, but that didn't stop it feeling warm and inviting. I was reminded of the quote from their website: 

"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field...I'll meet you there." ~Rumi

Fitting.

Accommodations on the land vary, from private cabins and large houses to dorm-style spaces and spots to camp. Each brought its own uniqueness.

I loved the wailing wall (pictured here), as I am always interested in bringing together cultures I am not necessarily familiar with and tasting their traditions. It was really a great experience to sit with my thoughts and then add to the wall, and to stand by as the other ladies did the same. There was a real feel of beautiful energy in the air as the women approached the wall, took paper and pen, and covered their heads with the shawls. Lovely.

Something I really loved about this land was the way they went way beyond being inclusive - they are embracing. Following the walking trails, you might stumble across a sweat lodge in the ceremonial area near the pond, one of the three labyrinths, or a beautiful spot to meditate. It was just what I needed, just when I needed it. I very much enjoyed the quiet time soaking it all in, and know there are many places I didn't even get the opportunity to see.

Check out their website for details on gatherings at The Land Celebration.

Thank you to the beautiful and talented Victoria Karalun of Canary Lane Photography for the beautiful photography. She does fantastic work!

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Pennsylvania: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Bria and I had a wonderful day today at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. There was so much to do, see, and explore!

Google told me it was three bus transfers to the museum and I didn't want her to arrive already worn out, so we went to the hotel front desk to ask about options. Sure enough, they had a hotel shuttle. (It never hurts to ask!) We took the 10 am shuttle and had to wait for a couple of other people to be dropped off, but that meant we got to see more of the city, which was a blast!

On the way to the museum, we learned that it was Fred Rogers' birthday, so it was Mr. Roger's Neighborhood Day at the museum. Admission was free, and some special treats were planned in his honor. We had just finished watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, so Bria and I had a chat on the shuttle about the new feature our adventure had taken on.

We arrived and decided to start out in the Art Studio, which had several fun stations set up to check out. Bria donned an apron and did stamping with vegetables (she chose the onion and the green pepper), then moved over to do some painting on the easels. The set up was fabulous, and the volunteers were sweet and attentive.

Next we moved over to the clay table, and had a great time cutting and rolling and sculpting with the other children gathered around the table.

The other tables in the studio were fun, too, with Bria getting a chance to practice her cutting with scissors, then trying out silk screen painting before heading off for a snack in the Big Red Room Cafe. The face burger was SO fun, Bria had to pose with hers! There was a good selection of healthy meals and snacks, including baked french fries instead of fried, and the option of fruit as a side. There was also hummus, cottage cheese, and other good-for-kids offerings.

After lunch (and another potty break - bathrooms are available on every floor of the museum), we moved upstairs to try out the climbing area! It was really fun - a big maze of places to climb loomed overhead, all the way up to the next floor. But what Bria loved about it was that, being small, she could participate, too! The bottom layer when straight through, so she climbed over and under and through while staying close to the ground, came out the other end, and ran around to do it again. This provided great entertainment.

Then it was on to lots of hands-on activities in the nursery, which was the perfect place to wind down for a while and have some quiet time. There was lots to do, including a gigantic Light Bright, light/sand tables (possibly her favorite thing in the entire building, she spent an hour there), a see saw, and so much more.

Next we moved downstairs to get a drink in the cafe and then went to check out the theater, where something REALLY special was about to happen! The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra had sent a string quartet to honor Mr. Rogers' day, and Bria was absolutely enthralled. She plopped herself down in the front row on the floor and took it all in very happily. Halfway through she moved to the open space in the back of the theater where she could dance, too. There is definitely a trip to the symphony in that girl's future!

This was a very full day! And we didn't even make it to the Garage or Attic, or the Backyard (which was closed for the season). Definitely worth the time, we would highly recommend for children of a wide variety of ages -- we saw kids through about 10 having a fantastic time with developmentally appropriate activities.

To learn more, check out the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh website. Hours are 10-5 daily, and admission  fees can be found on the site.

Pittsburgh Vacations

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California: Inspiration at Ojai

This week I found inspiration and beauty at a retreat at The Ojai Foundation in Ojai, California.

According to the Ojai Foundation website, the 40-acre educational sanctuary in Ojai has been inspiring, transforming, and nurturing all who visit for 30 years. "The Land" serves as a living experiment for sustainable practices and an incubator for personal and collective information.

The Land has hosted elders and teachers from indigenous cultures, wisdom traditions, and new sciences, gathering students to soak up knowledge. And we were so honored to have it host us.

Staying on the Land was a deeply spiritual experience for me, and I drew much from communing with this place that holds such deep history. We stayed in yurts, ate beautiful vegetarian meals in the community kitchen, and relished the sisterhood.

Days began with a mediation at 7:30 am, which seemed not only fitting, but perfect. Gathering together with others staying on the Land and beginning our days with this time of mindfulness left me feeling so strengthened, and so immensely blessed.

My time at Ojai Foundation was one of renewal and such deep relaxation, I missed my flight home, because I was so wound up in enjoying the last impeccably quiet morning that I didn't leave for reality nearly early enough! (No worries, I was able to catch one two hours later, and the experience only cost me an extra $50.)

We couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous place to spend our days, learning in circle together. The Council House is a majestic meeting space.

With this sort of view to wake up to, it was impossible to be stressed.
The facility has two kivas, one covered and one open air. They were both gorgeous places to gather around a fire and share. There is just something so special about a fire, and the way it draws people together, makes them feel connected and deepens relationships. It was so reminiscent of camp as a kid!

The family atmosphere was unmistakable and ever-present. Children were a part of so much of the ceremony and celebration of our time in Ojai.

The week was full of many first for me (and a lot of us), one of which was a ceremonial sweat in the domed sweat lodge on the property. I'm not sure words can even touch on what the experience was like, aside from purifying and deeply spiritual. I would definitely take the opportunity to be part of the ritual again. Of all the activities of the six days we spent at Ojai, I would say this one was the most bonding.

If ever you have the opportunity to spend time at the Ojai Foundation, I would highly recommend it. Here is a lovely You Tube video I found, with a tour of the facilities.

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Why I'm a Travel Buff

I was visiting with a friend the other day, and mentioned an upcoming trip.

"Oh cool! Are you going to a conference?"

"No, just thought it would be fun."

She visibly shuddered. "Not me. That sounds awful," she said.

At first, I was sad for her that she does't have the joy a love of traveling brings. But clearly her life is full as it is, and we don't all need to have the same interests. But it got me thinking. What is it about tripping around the world that makes us travel buffs love it so darn much?

Challenges
Traveling is filled with challenges! Whether it is swallowing your fear and driving on the "wrong" side of the road or trying to find your hotel when all the signs are in a different language, or something smaller and less obvious, the challenges of traveling are always worth the time. Plus there are the challenges like getting everyone to the airport in one piece and entertaining six children on a 12 hour flight! You haven't lived until you've proven to yourself just what you are capable of.

Cultures
Experiencing new cultures is always an adventure! Sometimes it is about life lessons -- learning patience in a culture that doesn't place the same value on time you might, respecting differences, honoring traditions that seem strange -- and sometimes it is just about celebration! I love the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes that are different from my own. I enjoy learning a new way of doing things. I cherish the moments spent immersed in a new culture.

Food
New and interesting food is always high on my priority list. You won't find me hitting the fast food places or chain stores when I am out of town (except the occasional Burger King or Wendy's because they don't have them where I live!). Instead, I'll be scanning the menus left in hotel lobbies, hitting up the concierge for tips, and Googling for the best local places. Every area has a cuisine that is unique to it, and good or bad, the experience holds value for me.

Memories
What is life but a series of memories? It reminds me of those bumper stickers "He who dies with the most toys wins." When it comes down to it at the end of life, the memories you carry with you, and the memories you helped create for others, are what really matter.

Seeing it first hand
There is something words can't explain about experiencing a place first hand. For me, this is especially true of historic places. If you go to a place that holds significant history and just stand there, taking it in, there is this feeling that comes from inside you, this sense of all that has happened there before. It is absolutely irreplaceable.

Beauty
The world is beautiful. And the beauty varies so much from one place to the next, there is always something new to take your breath away. Whether it is a waterfall in New Zealand or Mayan Ruins in Mexico, the sunset over the water in California or the night sky in Seattle, the world is filled with things worth seeing and enjoying.


My children
I want all of the above to count for my children, too. I take great joy in sharing other places with my children, and helping them to gain a love of the world like my own. I want them to see the places they have read about in history books, and smell the foods they saw on TV. I want them to know their world.


Oh yeah, and it's addictive. Once you've started, it's hard to stop! You always want to be planning the next trip! If I could afford it, I would rarely be home for long...

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Fort Union National Historic Site

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, 23 miles from Williston, North Dakota on the Montana border, is a beautiful and educational place to spend a fall afternoon with the family.

We made the trek over on Sunday afternoon with our four children and had a good time exploring the buildings, checking out the displays in the Bourgeois House, and roaming through the grounds.

A trading post that operated from 1828 to 1867, Fort Union was one of the most vital on the Missouri. Seven Northern Plains Indian tribes traded furs for goods such as cloth, blankets, guns, blankets, cookware, and beads. The post traded over 25,000 buffalo robes and $100,000 of merchandise each year of its operation.

The post has been partially reconstructed, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. It is a great way to remember a period in American history where two cultures found common ground.

Park rangers are on hand to share the history of the site, and the location is often home to a variety of reenactors. (Check it out in June when history buffs converge on the area for the Rendezvous!)

After we climbed up the stairs to the lookout at the top of the fort wall, two of our daughters looked out over the Missouri River. 

Learning about the buildings that once stood in this part of Fort Union, which was made up of stores for a variety of purposes.

As we have mentioned in other posts, the Passport to National Parks has been one of our favorite investments. Here are our stamps from the visit -- one from Fort Union and one representing Lewis and Clark.

The view of Fort Union from the pathway up from the parking lot.

Walking through the front gate of Fort Union, looking at the flag pole and Bourgeois House. The area in between this door and the next one is a trading room, which allowed for trading without bringing outside people into the fort itself.

Williston Vacations

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Atlanta -- Centennial Olympic Park and Metro Cafe Diner

We had one free afternoon while we were in Atlanta, so we took a peek at the map and considered the places we might visit. Centennial Olympic Park, just down the hill from our hotel, seemed like a good place to start. So we trekked down the hill, and were greeted by a beautiful and vibrant part of the downtown Atlanta area.

The park has a great story, too. Twenty years ago, the land where the it now sits was a run down eye sore, filled with abandoned warehouses and dilapidated storefronts. You would never know that, now! In addition to revitalizing the downtown area, Centennial Olympic Park is a great tourist attraction. The improvements bring an estimated 3 million people to the area.

We enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the 21-acre park, reading the displays commemorating the Olympics (like those listing all the gold medal winners), and checking out the park's three water features.

After spending some time relaxing under some trees and watching children and families enjoying the park, we decided to hike back up the hill and find some lunch. There are lots of great places to choose from in Atlanta! We went for a place called the Metro Cafe Diner, where we were pleasantly surprised by food with a Greek flair and several international food choices, along with some of the most decadent cakes I have ever seen, rising layer after layer in a display case taunting you from the hostess station.

The service was friendly, including not just our own server, but another waitress and the host. The atmosphere was fun -- sort of reminded me of a night club with a shiny banister leading up to the balcony where we ate. My Gyro was yummy, and Justin enjoyed the lasagna.

We left with happy tummies.

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Goddess Ixchel Temple -- Mexico

Temple ruins

At the southeastern-most tip of Isla Mujeres there is one stood a Mayan Temple to the Goddess Ixchel - goddess of midwifery and medicine in the Maya culture and the guardian of childbirth. What is left now is little more than a pile of crumbling rocks (severely damaged by a hurricane in 1988), but the fantastic feminine energy of the spot remains.

My visit to the island would not have been complete without a trip to this spot. As a mother and a birth doula, this was a profound journey for me. 

Ixchel's temple is located at the very eastern-most point in Mexico, surrounded by rarely touched white sand beaches and the clearest water I have ever seen.

At the head of the trail to the temple is a tiny one room museum with historical information about the goddess and the site, along with a small gift shop, restaurant, and some merchants nestled into a small space near a magnificent statue of Ixchel.

The trek is well worth the energy!

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Isla Mujeres - Mexico

The view from the ferry

A small group of ladies and I took advantage of some free time today to slip off to Isla Mujeres (Island of the Woman). It seemed fitting, as it was womanhood that brought us to Mexico in the first place. We took a bus from our hotel to the ferry terminal, then boarded a ferry for the island. It was 35 pesos each direction.

(Tip: The bus cost 8.5 pesos to get pretty much anywhere. Be prepared for a wild ride - they drive everywhere FAST, but it is cheap and easy and bus stops are plentiful.)

On the ferry there were people selling transportation options for on the island, and a man busking with a guitar. We rented a golf cart to drive around and got a recommendation for a great place to eat.

(Tip: Find a local and ask where THEY like to eat.)

The first thing I noticed when we set foot on the island was the slower pace. It was immediately clear we were no longer in the hustle and bustle of the city of Cancun.

Being serenaded on the ferry

There are very few cars on Isla Mujeres -- most people get around the five mile long island using golf carts or mopeds. People stroll the streets. Dining was casual and affordable, but seriously amazing. We stopped at an open air cafe near the ferry dock and were immediately in heaven surrounded by plates piled high with local goodness. Drinks were also plentiful and delicious, and a mariachi band entertained us at our table.

We picked up our golf cart and started out across the island. None of us had ever driven a golf cart before, but after a quick demo by the friendly staff, we were on our way. Driving it was fun! After a quick look at a guidebook, we set off toward the ruins of a temple on the far end of the island.

Amazing food. Amazing.

Isla Mujeres is only half a mile wide and five miles long, so getting lost isn't too much of an issue, but there is plenty of diversity and lots to see. We were soon disappointed we had only set aside half a day for exploration. Accommodations are available on the island -- I am excited to spend more time there one day.

(Tip: Check out this map of the island -- though I must admit, it makes the island seem a lot busier than it feels!)

Along the road we stopped to check out an art gallery filled with hand-crafted jewelry and beautiful paintings called the Kimberley Art and Gem Gallery. It was a really lovely little oasis and a special surprise find.

(Tip: There are several art galleries on the island with beautiful pieces to browse or purchase. If you have time to do some scuba diving, there is a seriously amazing underwater museum to check out.)

This guy was selling conch shells on the side of the road.

The gallery was not our only stop, either. In addition to a visit to a very special temple, a slight detour brought us face-to-face with a local man selling conch sells of all sizes and colors. Wow, the photo does not do it justice! We were all amazed and couldn't drive away without partaking of his wares.

Our shopping did not end there. On our way back to the ferry we had a great time exploring the open air shops selling everything from trinkets to jewelry to clothes. None of us walked away empty handed.

(Tip: As the end of the day approaches, ferry lines get long! Be sure to leave yourself enough time if you are heading back to the mainland. Check and double check that you are in the right line for the type of ferry ticket you have purchased.)

Our visit to the island was really fantastic -- well worth the effort! I definitely recommend checking it out.

Isla Mujeres Vacations

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Dinner in Piste, Mexico

On our way back from Chichen Itza, we realized we were famished from a long day in the hot July sun, and asked our cab driver to stop for food. He brought us to Piste, a tiny village near the ruins, and stopped in front of an open-air cafe filled with Mexican families enjoying an evening meal.

In large part, that meal was the first time we felt as though we had been in Mexico. Far from the hotel zone, we ordered from laminated menu cards featuring photos of each dish, with prices that were pennies on the dollar compared to what we had been seeing in Cancun.

We were introduced to this beautiful drink called horchata, made from rice milk and cinnamon. Light and delicious, the sweet horchata sliced straight through the heat of the day. It was easy to imagine an afternoon spent on that patio, people watching and sipping away. Creamy and white, it came to our table it in a plastic pitcher with a stack of plastic cups, which we filled and refilled gleefully.

Dinner itself was a variety of tastes and textures that can only come from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the locals eat. We shared three dishes, including a lovely light soup, sopas, and delicious pork tacos. Everything was warm and flavorful, with just the right balance of spicy kick.

While we ate, we had the pleasure of looking at more beautiful ruins – a church across the street intrigued us so much we had to go take a look.

The stop was a beautiful cherry on top of our day, and we were so glad we had decided not to wait and eat at the hotel.

Piste Vacations

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