Montana: Geocaching - Wolf Point Bridge

Grandma and Grandpa have been getting into geocaching lately, so we joined them on an adventure today, on the way home from paying some Memorial Day respects with the extended family.

Geocaching is a great family activity. It's like a treasure hunt! How fun is that? The kids have a great time combing the countryside, looking for some special little trinket.

The closest spot was near the Wolf Point Bridge (about five miles outside Wolf Point, Montana), so we trekked over there to see what we could find.

I have to admit, I was surprised at how beautiful the area was! I have driven by it thousands of times, and never stopped to take the time and notice this pretty little spot along the Missouri River.

In this case, we were looking for a magnetic key holder stashed near the bridge. 

Once we zoned in on the coordinates, we read the hints. We decided "en guard" meant it was probably on the guard rail. But after over an hour looking for it, we couldn't find it!

We decided it must have been moved (all the hints called it "easy") and decided to go on to the next location, which was in Poplar, Montana. Now that we had the guard rail trick figured out, it was no time before....Success!

What a great way to spend an afternoon hanging out as a family.

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New York: Riverview Estates by Brophy in the Catskills

I was blessed this week to host a retreat gathering a small group of women at Riverview Estates by Brophy. Jason (the manager) was an amazing host, even taking the ladies on a tour of the grounds and sharing all kinds of great tips about the area. He and his staff were always eager to jump to meet our needs -- it was clear they took great pride in their work.

The Riverview Estates is located near Hancock, New York, a little over two hours from New York City. The drive is  a beautiful trek through winding mountains, with trees, rivers, and so much more. Even though we were so close to the city, it felt like we were days away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

There are three houses on the estate, each offering its own special features that makes it stand out beautifully. Comfortable, quiet, and snuggled into the mountains, you couldn't find a better place to get away with your family or large group.

The main house features an opulent master suite, a hot tub (which the ladies took full advantage of), and beautiful views of the river. Just up the hill is the spectacular entertaining house, with a well-appointed professional kitchen, dining area, pool table, and lots of space to kick back and get to know each other. A third building - the guest house - offered space for the ladies to get away from the crowd and enjoy some time in comfortable quarters with crisp linens and cozy spaces.

And just a short walk down the road, the views only get better. The Delaware River is pretty majestic, I wish I had set aside extra time to just sit and enjoy it for hours. I don't fish, but I was a little jealous of the anglers I saw up and down the river!

 And the night sky? Clear and gorgeous. Breathtaking. Still. We gathered around a fire, enjoyed a glass of wine and a Tarot card reading (thanks Lauren!), and just drank it all in. Amazing.

Thank you ladies for a beautiful time! And huge thanks to the lovely and talented Beja B Photography for the pictures!

Catskill Vacations

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California: Inn at Playa Del Rey

The Inn at Playa Del Rey has 21 rooms, making it large for a bed and breakfast, but small for a hotel - and it embraces that space gracefully. The word that kept running through my head during our three night stay was RESPITE. It really was a great little getaway.

This pretty little inn was named to the Conde Nast Gold List in 2009, and you can see why - it truly is special. From the moment you put you step into the building (after being buzzed in by the front desk), you are pampered by a staff that takes care to go the extra mile.

Crisp white linens greet you in beautiful clean rooms - the moment I saw the bed I just wanted to dive in and stay there for the duration of the visit. They can bring my food there, right? Maybe turn me occasionally?

Of course, then I would have missed wine and cheese in the afternoon, walks along the beach, and the delicious breakfast. Breakfast was hot and tasty each morning, featuring delightful menus varying each day. The view from the breakfast room was lovely. It takes something special to be 10 minutes from LAX and still relaxing and secluded. Thanks to the Ballona Wetlands on two sides of the Inn, this little spot does just that.

A short walk down the street is a beautiful sandy beach, with lots of space to spread out and enjoy the sand and surf.

(Tip: They call themselves family-friendly, but I would definitely not feel comfortable there with children who were anything but perfectly behaved. We brought our three-year-old, and on several occasions, I felt a bit like the other guests were being protected from us...not a very relaxing feeling!)

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Minnesota: Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport Children's Area

Kudos to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for being family friendly and offering the littlest travelers a place to run off some energy. The Children's Play Area is clean, simple, and fun for little ones. There are several options for playing, including slides, climbing toys, and vehicles to pretend to drive around! Our three-year-old loves it, and almost always finds a new friend when she plays there.

The little touches go one step farther, too, with a changing table on one wall, and a vending machine packed with diaper bag basics. Forgot the wipes? Lost the pacifier? No problem. While the prices might not be on par with the grocery store, they aren't insane, either, and anyone who has traveled with a child has had a "my kingdom for a ..." moment at some point. Phew, crisis averted.

There are two of these play areas located in the airport. We visited the one on Concourse C in the Lindbergh Terminal. There is also one in the Humphrey Terminal on Level 2.

MSP has other family-friendly features, as well. There is a family center on Concourse E, with a rocking chair, crib, and family restroom. It's a great spot to go with tiny little ones. There is also a nursing room on Concourse C. It is private space, so visit the Travelers' Information desk across from gate C12 for access if you are looking for a space to nurse your little one or pump.

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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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