Baby's Travels...so far!

Well, a lot has happened since the last time I posted. Chiefly, I birthed an amazing and amazingly adorable baby girl and then moved cross country, FUN! Feel free to read slight sarcasm into that last statement, but really it wasn't all bad. The birth was actually completely painless and quick (unlike the two day road trip), because my little strong-willed diva was not turning for anyone, and decided breach was best, to which the doc and I agreed c-section was best. Oh, and please no comments on c-sections being terrible or any alternative things we could've tried before resorting to that procedure. I promise you we considered all options, and anything you say to rant otherwise about my choice will just read as "blah blah blah" to me, and will just make you look like an internet troll. You or your friend had some turning massage procedure (massage really is a misleading term for it in my opinion) to get your breach baby in proper position for natural birth? Congrats, but I really don't care.

Anyway, as I was saying, I had the cute kid and then moved her (with the help of my husband and parents, but no help from our two dogs), up to Virginia less than 6 weeks after having her. That's right, mother of the year here, but we had no choice in the matter really. We lived out of suitcases for about two weeks and then found a house. We are now all settled in and doing great. It all seems like a long time ago now. We've even vacationed up to Maine since then, took Bundles on her first sailing trip, etc. The kid has already been to no less than 10 states! She's an amazing road warrior, thank goodness. I told you guys that having a baby would not stop us from traveling. I do admit it's way more complicated now, and we definitely have no room to spare in our car with all our baby gear. On the upside, I've become a much lighter packer! Oh, and we haven't tried flying yet, but I think I'm going to wait for her to be on solid food and/or walking before we get that adventurous.

Well, this is my very little humble attempt at a travel blog, so here are my newest recommendations, based on our recent travels:

-Sleepy Hollow, NY, which is the one from the famous legend, and where it's author, Washington Irving, is buried (along with a bunch of other famous rich folks, like a Carnegie, Rockefeller, Elizabeth Arden, and so on).

The cemetery offers tours by appointment in the evenings (which would be fun, and more in depth), but you can also do a pretty good self guided one. They provide maps and such at the front office, but know that the map is not at all to scale, so locating things can be a bit tricky. Located inside the cemetery you will find the made for tourists (but fun for photo ops) Headless Horseman Bridge,

and the Old Dutch Church (original from Irving's time, still open for visitors and services, bring cash if you'd like to make an optional donation towards it's upkeep). Sleepy Hollow itself is a village, but the town is called Tarrytown, and it's a beautiful historic place in the Hudson River Valley that is worth the trip, with lots of interesting things to see. We loved it, and this was just an impromptu side trip on our way back from Maine that only took us 5 min off our route. It's a pretty drive, much nicer than I95. Like any place with a creepy history (real or fictional), I'm sure it's loads of fun around Halloween! In fact, I know they have a storyteller at the Old Dutch Church for the telling of the legend that time of year, but tickets are needed. When you go on a normal basis, at least when we were there, there was a man that either worked or volunteered who was very nice and gave us some history on the church. I found the info about the tulip style German made pulpit interesting (it's gorgeous), and the fact that the whole place is still only heated by an old wood burning stove that they light 3 days in advance of the Christmas service to get it 60 degrees F inside!

-Cape Elizabeth, ME, it's a really pretty place that's a little ways outside of Portland, ME.

You'll find the famous Two Lights park there, as well as beautiful homes and farms on your drive out. I highly recommend grabbing a bite to eat at The Lobster Shack there by the rocks and waves.

That is a real seagull perched on the shack, not decoration, lol.

They offer in or outdoor seating (depending on the season, obviously), but the food is delicious and you can't beat the view (except maybe at Portland Headlight, my personal favorite).  I do suggest going at an off time if you don't want to deal with the lunch rush. It's not uncommon for lines to be out the door, but they do have an outdoor intercom so you can hear your order number being called. Oh, parking is limited too, so another reason to go at an off time.

-Mt Vernon, VA, home of George Washington.

It's a massive property (but mind bogglingly only a small segment of the property he originally owned), and it's a great place to spend a day. I recommend taking the whole day so you can fully enjoy all it has to offer. Also, while it's largely an outdoor attraction, most things are stroller or handicap friendly with an indoor museum and exhibits. The tour of the house itself is the only thing not friendly to those on wheels, but there's an area where you can park the stroller for that bit. It's a lot of walking, sometimes on steep hills, but there is a tram at the bottom should you wish not to scale back up on foot. That being said, I strongly suggest going in the Fall or Spring. They also offer various dining options and gift shops. There's a fee to enter, that is reasonable, but I suggest getting the annual pass if you are in the position to visit regularly (it pays for itself in two visits, but be ready to have a pic taken). They are open 365 days a year.




Where we live there is so much to see and do that I'm sure I'll be making more posts in the not too distant future, especially with Autumn approaching and the weather being so nice for venturing out. In the meantime, enjoy, and feel free to leave a pleasant comment when you visit this blog! :) I love suggestions on new places to see, or to know what you think of our adventures so far (unless you think they stink, then just keep it to yourself, bud).

Oh, the places WE will see!

Well, I'm not a huge fan of over sharing info on the interwebs, but I am one excited momma-to-be!!! :)  I'm not going to lie though, it's been a rough few months, so far, full of : morning sickness lasting well past that fabled first trimester stopping point, a strong hatred for prenatal vitamins, lots of top knot hair styles (thank God that is a trend right now), and various other unpleasant side effects. Any mother will tell you it's all worth it in the end (even though you feel like smacking them when you're going through it), and they're right, but until you are about halfway through a pregnancy it doesn't feel that way. You know you're growing a child, and you're happy that it will result in a cute baby in 9 months, but for me the excitement didn't kick in as much until we found out the gender. My husband and I seriously didn't care if we were having a boy or girl, but finding out one way or another makes everything very real. You can put a name to the growing bundle, and start making more customized plans. We recently found out we'll be the proud new parents of a precious baby girl!! :) I've gone a little nuts on Pinterest, all our registries, and have already ordered nursery bedding and purchased a bunch of cute little outfits and such, lol. It's so much fun! We picked out a name, too, which was really hard to do for a girl, but for some anonymity I'll just refer to her as "A." Rest assured that it is not on a top 10 list, or the name of a fruit, veggie, flower, or color. We think she'll be happy with our choice, and friends/family seem to approve.

Anyway, getting to the travel part of the post....

I know a lot of parents who seem to think that becoming a parent means you are held hostage for a while, so to speak, because traveling with an infant or little one seems like too much hassle. I can't tell you how many people have told me that we should get all our traveling in before the baby gets here. I definitely understand where they are coming from, because I'm sure it makes traveling much more complicated, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. Even though the baby isn't here yet (so I'm perhaps being a little overly optimistic or naive), I have a belief that most things are what you make them. If we make a good plan for traveling with  A, then I don't think it'll be that challenging. I also don't plan on any overseas ventures with her for a while, but you never know! Being military, we could end up with Germany or something as our next duty station, so it's not out of the question! My own mother and father traveled literally halfway around the world with a tween, toddler, and infant when we moved from Japan to Puerto Rico. One seems daunting, but 3... props to my mom, she's one tough lady! That being said, it seems smart to stick to stateside travel for awhile, and in our case it's pretty inevitable, since we'll be due to move not long after she's born.

I still have a lot of places to check off the travel list (stateside and internationally), so I thought I'd post a list of them for the new year, and new baby:

-Asheville, NC
-FL Keys
-Chicago, IL
-Colorado Springs, CO
-Big Sur, CA
-Mystic, CT
-Vermont
-New Hampshire
-Rhode Island
-Portland, OR
-Canada (Quebec, Montreal, Vancouver, Prince Edward Island)
-Scotland
-Ireland
- more of England
-France
-Coppenhagan, Denmark
-Germany
-Amsterdam, Netherlands

Really, there are far too many to list, but, with any luck, maybe I'll be able to cross a few off my list this year, and give my daughter a few pins she can put on her map. I look forward to the challenge and excitement (even if someone has to remind me I said this later when I'm complaining about having to change a poop filled diaper in the beige cloth interior of our car, or an airplane bathroom).

The Mile High City (and surrounding areas)

Since living in Kansas, my husband and I have taken two trips out to Colorado. We definitely wish we had a chance to get out that way more often, but both times we've managed to make the most of it. This past trip was over the Christmas break (2011, since I'm just getting around to posting this is in 2013, lol), and we found ourselves at various locations, such as: Denver, Boulder, Frisco, Dillon, Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Keystone. I was guilty, yet again, of not taking many pics, so I'm just going to give you my take on the highlights of each location, and then you can find the websites for each place that include lovely professional pics, okay? Good. : )


Boulder:
It's a fun city, and you definitely need to visit Pearl Street. Yes, there are many tourist shops selling the silly, "This whole city is high!" tees, homeless people, and plenty of street performers (my personal fav being the super flexible yoga man, because how on earth?), but there are also some restaurants, and shops not to be missed. One of my favorite shops is a place called Goldmine Vintage. It sells a little bit of new, and a lot of old, clothing. They also have a lot of fun jewelry and eccentric doodads. The prices, unlike most shops, are super reasonable, if not downright cheap. The staff is also very friendly and helpful, which is a plus in my book. The great places to eat are too many to name, but there is an awesome brewery that serves baked potatoes the size of your head, and tasty beer.

Other places not to miss in the Boulder area (and we've had limited time there, so I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot) include: Various hiking trails through the Flat Irons (bring bear mace for the mountain lions or keep a good eye out), Le Peep for an amazing omelette, crepe, mimosa, some breakfast potatoes, or a cup of coffee, the Planitarium that often hosts fun light shows to music, a Celestial Seasonings tour, and a farmers market (pick one, there are plenty).

Frisco:
This is quite possibly the cutest town that has ever exsisted in the Rockies. It's small and charming, has a delightful little Main Street, and it's about 20 min to any of the big name ski areas. It is the perfect place to stay if you are wanting to ski but don't have the cash to fork over to the resorts. In fact, we rented a place from a site called Airbnb, and a super nice guy named Jason Berman. It was a great deal, and had everything we needed (two bedrooms, two bathrooms, fireplace, cozy/clean decor, kitchen, garage, grill, nice view, hot tub access and a central location), all for $150 a night during high season (his rates may vary, and he's done updates to the property since our stay)!!! Technically, it's in Dillion, but you're equal ways between the two, and we always got off the interstate at Frisco. They have a great little nordic center in Frisco (for tubing, snowshoeing, etc), their downtown also has an interesting little set of musuems, free of charge, and a schedule of fun events throughout the year. We had a great time in this town, and it's way less congested than any of the more popular areas, so you feel like you've found a secret place to escape. Our favorite local place there to grab a bite to eat and drink was Ollie's Pub and Grub, but there is no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat, ranging from casual to fancy. A word to the wise: Make a reservation for dinner at most of the other places, because in a small town the seating can sometimes be hard to come by, especially around holidays. Locals are very friendly as well, so if you have a question, ask!

Dillon:
This is where you'll need to go if you want to shop an outlet mall, visit a brewery, or catch a movie, and it's a nice town to spend the day, or half a day, but we didn't spend too much time here, so my visitor info is limited.

As for all the ski resorts:

I was originally planning to review them individually, but really folks... a ski resort is a ski resort. Sure, Vail and Beaver Creek are definitely your high end areas, offering more shops and luxuries, even for those who don't ski/snowboard, etc., but you definitely pay for them (or look longingly at them through shop windows). We opted to ski/snowboard at the smaller ski areas like Copper Mountain (my favorite). The crowds are less, and they still offer the ski shops/views, and eateries, but for a much more affordable price. We decided just to visit the others for the day, but just as shoppers in the village areas. I'm sure the views from the top vary, so I understand the desire to ski all of them, but I'm with the toddlers on the bunny slope skill wise, so it's all the same to moi, lol.  

Back from Vacationland

Maine is pretty much as close to heaven on earth as one can get. James and I just returned from a two week vacation that took place there in Falmouth, Portland, Freeport, Booth Bay, Sebasco, and several islands in Casco Bay.  We went sailing pretty much every day thanks to James' uncles and their sail boats. In fact, we went on a three day trip up the coast, staying at harbors in Booth Bay and Sebasco on moorings. I picked up on some nautical terms being the only one in the group that didn't have any sailing or merchant marine experience. There's nothing better than being the only girl on the trip and being laughed at/corrected every time you say, "You mean the buoy looking thing?" Good times. Truthfully, sometimes I did it just to agitate them.



My husband can probably tell you what kind of sailboat this is, but I'd just say it's a pretty one. I can hear a heavy sigh now, lol.



 



A lighthouse...you see a lot of these.



The dinghy aka mode of transportation to and from the dock from the boat when it's anchored at a mooring. I can't say I'm fond of it, but when your options are this or swim it's not so bad. Also, much like a VW bug, it can fit many more people than you think.

This woman is holding a screech owl that just happens to be mentally handicapped (after an accident) and is now a resident of Camp Chwonki's refuge for injured birds and traveling wilderness education program. His name is Otis, and I think he is super adorable. We caught the presentation while at the very cool and retro Sebasco Seaside Resort. They also offer croquet, badmitton, golf, and candle pin bowling (my favorite) at this place, and some of the scenes from the movie Dirty Dancing were shot here (the rest were in the Catskills).

This is a one winged Barred Owl (she was hit by a car), whose name I have forgotten. She was also molting at the time, hence the fluffiness.

This is a Great Horned Owl, with one wing useless after it healed poorly from a break. It is the only one that really makes the "Hoot" noise, and it has the coolest big yellow eyes.

The boat to the right is James' uncle's boat, Integrity, the one we sailed on the most.

This pic and the two above were both taken from Admiral Perry's house (the guy that went to the South Pole first), on Eagle Island. There is a cool tour and you can get a stamp in your Maine Parks and Recreation book. I'd say it's worth checking out, and if you don't have a private boat you can always take the tourist boat from downtown Portland. My husband had the camera, so I apologize for the lack of pictures of the house itself.

We were lucky enough to catch two firework displays from the water this year; this was the second one (and better of the two) on July 5th at Booth Bay harbor.



Just chillaxing! I <3 Maine!

 I know the pics were not overly exciting or artistic, but here is a list of things I'd recommend doing if you are ever in these same areas of Maine:

Portland

-Have a pint at Gritty's, Bull Feeny's, or Sabago Brewery (maybe even make it a pub crawl). Gritty's brews are even sold locally at other locations if you can't make it to their Portland or Freeport locations. Oh, and on a Friday or Saturday night you might luck out and get to hear the awesome Dave Rowe band play at Bull Feeny's!

-Shop Old Port. You will find very few chain stores here, and the few you will find are New England chains like "Life Is Good." There are tons of cute boutiques, home decor stores, gelato, candy and ice cream shops (Beal's ice cream is sooo good!!), and of course the souvenir shops. Walking the cobblestone streets, seeing the old architecture, listening to street musicians and enjoying the sea breeze just make it that much lovelier.

-Eat! Portland has a ton of restaurants and street vendors. I think it's required that every visitor try a lobster roll, and you must have dinner on the Dimillo's boat. It's a wonderful floating restaurant down at the marina. They have pretty much anything you could be craving, but I highly recommend the seafood. Crab stuffed Haddock is a fav of mine, as is their clam chowder. There is also a great authentic French creperie on Wharf Street serving up both savory and sweet crepes. They even host at least one day a week where you can come in and everyone will speak French, so you can practice/learn. They are extremely friendly, and my husband and I enjoyed a really yummy/filling lunch there (forgive me for not remembering the name, but it's the only creperie there).

Falmouth

-Make a stop at  Town Landing and pick up some native ice! lol You'll get that if you make a stop by, but seriously it's a great Mom and Pop type corner grocery store that's been there forever. The owner catches his own lobster, and it's a great place to grab a bite for lunch or get some lobsters to take home and cook for dinner. They also make deli style sandwiches/lobster rolls, and sell the most amazing whoopie pies! Yum! It's all in an adorable building that reminds you of a Norman Rockwell, so make sure you get a picture.

-Take a nice drive! This neighborhood has some of the cutest/most impressive houses around, and I personally just enjoy going for a drive or walk around to see them all.

Freeport

-L.L. Bean!! This is their flagship store, and it's open 24hrs!! It's huge and houses a ton of quality clothing, home decor and outdoor gear, so take your time browsing because there is literally no closing time. Their prices are pretty reasonable, especially given the quality and lifetime guarantee, but if you are a super bargain shopper you can head over to their outlet just across the street for some great deals. If you find something you like but don't have room in the suitcase to carry it home, then have it shipped for free! I really should consider working for them, lol. If you are there during the summer you should check out their summer concert series, outdoor adventure classes (that are offered all year long, but are discounted in the summer), and of course smile for the camera by the giant boot out front. We actually did the archery outdoor adventure class, and had such a great time that we're thinking about getting the kit to practice at home.

-Shop the outlets and local stores. This is outlet shopper heaven, and you'll find outlets for high end retailers like Vineyard Vines, Bass, J.Crew, etc. We scored a massive deal on shoes at Bass this past trip with their buy one pair get two pairs free promotion! Mangy Moose is a must! They only have two locations (here and Jackson Hole), and you will find all your moose and rustic needs met. I make sure we always visit this adorable/fun store every time we are in Freeport. It's a great place to buy gifts.

Stuff you can do almost anywhere in Maine

Hike, bike, sail, or swim, just get out there! The outdoors of Maine is BEAUTIFUL!

P.S. This is one of the only vacations I've ever had that left me in better shape than when I got there!

The Emerald City

After my husband returned from a year long deployment, we elected to take a much needed vacation to Seattle, WA. He'd been once before, but I had not, despite wanting to for quite some time. It was March, and by all weather charts that's one of their soggier months...not to mention chilly. We crossed our fingers and hoped for the best, because we didn't know when we'd get another chance to make this trip.

 Luckily, my husband and I arrived to find that the temperatures were tolerable, without wearing heavy winter coats (though layering was key), and we encountered very little rain fall (which was usually in the late afternoon or evening and added the nice Northwestern vibe one hopes for after they're already cozy at the hotel, perhaps while watching the newest Harry Potter movie on pay per view... ).

Speaking of hotels, I would highly recommend the one we made home during our 5 day venture, The Alexis. It's a boutique hotel, owned by the Kimpton chain. Yes, it's a little on the pricey side, but not nearly as pricey as most in it's location (in fact, we got a nice package deal), which was convenient and equal walking distance from the waterfront (where the aquarium, ferry port, and various shops/food vendors are located), Pikes Place Market (about two blocks away), and Pioneer Square. It is also a pet friendly place should you decide to bring your four-legged babies with you, but also exceptionally clean, so even my allergies (to cats and dust mites) were not triggered during the length of our stay. Attached to the hotel, is also a nice little bar called the Library (that has a complimentary wine hour for guests) and a restaurant (the name of which I forget). The rooms are modern and fun, and they have suites with different themes (none are tacky). We stayed in the Fireplace room, and it was so spacious we could have thrown a nice dinner party had we known anyone up that way! Unfortunately, I deleted any pics of the room from my phone to make space, but the website pics are not enhanced, so you don't have to worry about being deceived.

Seattle is a pedestrian friendly place, but rent a car or save up enough money for cab rides if you want to see the various neighborhoods it has to offer. Cab drivers are also very good resources for finding a recommended place to eat, see, or shop. The very pleasant driver we had from the airport to the hotel even gave us a mini tour, pointing out the Boeing plant, and giving brief history lessons on the area. Like I mentioned, the more famous areas are within walking distance to the hotel, but you'll want to venture into the hippy chic Fremont area, Capitol Hill, and many others. This will also allow you to avoid the plethora of panhandlers, etc., that you do not necessarily want to encounter. I would like to note that at least the homeless rarely approached us, and the much more vexing folks were the ones brandishing clipboards, taking surveys or fundraising for causes near the shopping district. I'm all for causes, but on vacation I just like to relax, so if I say, "Sorry, not today," I do not want to be accosted by the same person every time I pass that particular corner! Okay, sorry for the momentary rant, back to sight seeing...

I highly recommend you explore on foot in the area surrounding the hotel to get your barings. Make sure to check out the following (in no particular order): The aquarium down by the pier, Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe (if for no other reason than a laugh, also located by the waterfront), Pikes Place Market (I recommend going here at least once a day, as it is much bigger than you think, and almost impossible to see all it has to offer in one stop), Post Alley (home of The Pink Door which is a cabaret style Italian restaurant and bar that you do not want to miss!), any one of the abounding coffee shops (though surprisingly we preferred Tully's or individually owned places to the caffeine giant that is Starbucks), the fashion district (your best deals at Off 5th, the Saks outlet located just a block up from the market where I scored some Coach sunglasses, Betsey Johnson earrings, and more for under $100 total!), and of course a stroll around the historical Pioneer Square. I might caution against taking the "family friendly" tour of the underground while in that area, as it is rat infested and our particular guide was a let down. They also expect tips whether they do a good job or not (it is optional, but when my husband and I tried to politely slip away after a lackluster tour ending in the gift shop without tipping they watched us like hawks and it made us feel awkward, which I can only assume is the point), and the general attitude is very Daria-esque. Afterall, this was home to the grunge fad, so you do occassionally come across the rude disgruntled person (usually in their 30's, because they were in high school when it was popular and I guess the attitude stuck?) that feels it is their mission in life to openly express their contempt for everything. Ignore these people, the rest are nice.

You can also catch a ride on the ferry by walking to the pier area. The rates are very reasonable, they run at various times throughout the day, and you can pick from a number of different islands (Bainbridge, San Juan, etc.) to visit.When we took the ferry, we headed over to Bainbridge for the day (see pictures). It was a gorgeous day, the ferry ride was approx 30 min, and the city/mountain views were pretty spectacular. There are quite a few women's clothing boutiques, outdoor gear/clothing shops, children's boutiques, cafes, small parks, and places to eat once you get there (all within an easy walk from the port thanks to sidewalks, but wear comfortable shoes as it is very hilly, much like the city). We walked around for quite a while stopping in at each store until we were hungry. Then, it was time to proceed to a restaurant called The Four Swallows. It's a little on the fancy side, but you will not be stopped at the door and turned away if you are not dressed up. I would say most patrons were dressed in business casual or Sunday best attire (I actually wore a t-shirt, blazer, skirt, purple tights, black almost knee high boots, and nobody batted an eye or made me feel inferior). The fare here is gourmet and the menu changes frequently, but you can check ahead on their website to see if anything seems appetizing to you. My husband and I were thrilled by the service, thought the prices were reasonable, and thoroughly enjoyed our meals. I highly recommend the smoked duck, goat cheese, and cherry brioche, yum! After you are sufficiently stuffed, you can head back to the city and enjoy the absolutely stunning night scape (while quietly humming the theme song to Frasier...not that I did that or anything).

The following day, you may choose to grab some doughnuts or crepes for breakfast at the market and then catch the budget friendly monorail (located inside a mall over in the fashion district near Nordstrom if I remember right) to see that iconic Seattle landmark, the Space Needle. No trip is complete without a glass front elevator ride to the top (and the free cheesy digital photo they take when you are about to enter). You can spend as much time as you like up there looking through the telescopes, dodging group photos (or taking them), buying overpriced snacks (we passed), and realizing you have vertigo. When you've had your fill, you exit the same way you came up, but with a small detour through the gift shop (duh).

After you exit the needle, you can head on over to the Experience Music Project. This would be the super funky looking building just beside it. Inside, you will find a vast collection of Jimmy Hendrix costumes, guitars, scribblings, and many other fun exhibits. For instance, one can try their hand at recording a song or making their very own music video (available for purchase if you want a keepsake) in a semi-private studio setting. This is the section children love most, so while your dad, husband, etc., is painstakingly reading every word written about Hendrix, the history of guitars, listening to all the artist interviews, or in sci-fi nerd heaven upstairs, you can keep the fidgety ones distracted. While we were there, a lot of areas were under construction, because they were in the process of adding the Nirvana exhibit. It was worth checking out before this addition, but surely even more so now. Plus, you may get lucky and have a face to face celebrity encounter like we did when we spotted David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash fame! After your head is crammed with music knowledge, I suggest hopping back on the monorail or taking a cab to Fremont (though taxis are scarce in this section).  



Fremont, what can I say about it? Well, I've never been to San Fransisco, but I imagine they are very similar. This is a community that embraces everyone (except maybe the closed-minded), and is very passionate about the outdoors (they have some very nice biking and walking trails/parks), arts, and individuality. It's a very eclectic area where there is something for everyone: antiques/thrift stores (the best place to pick up a retro souvenir t-shirt at a great price), eateries, boutiques, tattoo parlors, bars, bikes you can rent for the day, kayaking, an organic chocolate factory (Theo's, they are super friendly and offer delicious samples of all their flavors), the famous bridge troll, Interurban and Lenin statues, and the "center of the universe" sign post to point you in the direction of places like the Louvre...in Paris, France (just in case you were wondering). There is also one section of Fremont that reminded me of the movie "Sleepless in Seattle." It's next to a very popular trail near the water where you will find houseboats, sail boats, rowing teams, etc.; it's a picturesque little spot. Suffice it to say, there is a lot to do and see in this neighborhood.

Well, that pretty much covers our visit to the Emerald City. I hope you enjoy it! I'm still getting the hang of adding pics to this blog, so forgive me if their alignment on the page or the spacing is a bit wonky. I actually left out a couple, but hopefully the few that are featured give you a good idea of just how pretty Seattle can be, instead of the gloomy place most envision. One more thing, please remember I'm not claiming to be a professional photographer, and all shots are taken with my iPhone, so they are not always perfect.

And So It Begins...

Well, it's been a long time since I've had a blog. I usually get bored with them after a month or so, especially if I try to come up with a new and interesting post everyday (exhausting). I've also never had a theme for them. To remedy this, I thought I might start one as an online travel journal of sorts; documenting my travels with friends and family.

To start, I think I'll explain the name "Gypsum Gypsy," which occurred to me when I was thinking about the course my life has taken thus far. I grew up in a military family moving from place to place every 3 yrs, living abroad in Japan and Puerto Rico (yes, it's a territory of the U.S., but a totally different culture), and honestly feeling a bit culture shocked when we finally settled back in the United States. Then, there were the various cross country road trips stateside my family took almost every Summer and Thanksgiving that allowed me to see more of this country. Now, after a brief moment of wandering around and doing as I pleased during my college years, I'm married and find myself attached to the military and that lifestyle once again. My husband is a pilot, and we are at our first duty station since he finished flight school, with quite a few more years to go, so there's no telling where we might end up living next! We also like to travel when his leave and our finances allow. Anyway, I feel like all these experiences have made me a gypsy of sorts; bored if I'm in one place for too long, and I can pack up and go at a moments notice. The gypsum part just came from a combo of loving alliteration and realizing that I have a very transparent personality.



Now that you know the why, let's start with the where(s)...


Like I mentioned, we are at our first official duty station, which has meant acclimating to the Midwest. I'm not going to lie, when we first found out where the military wanted to send us we went through a series of emotions in the following order: disbelief, anger, resentment, and finally resignation to the fact that we did not have a choice. We've been here a year and a half now, and our view of the Midwest is entirely different. While I think my husband and I both agree we do not want to retire here (he's a Northerner and I'm a Southern gal), it's been a good experience, and this part of the country has a lot to offer. Like anywhere else, there are the parts you can skip and never miss, but here are the places we've loved so far:




Kansas City (MO & KS)-This city has a lot to offer, including, but not limited to: great food, an always buzzing nightlife in the P&L (power & light) district of downtown on the MO side, shopping galore on both sides (outlets on the KS side and high end fashions in MO), museums, sports (Kansas City Speedway), the awesome Boulevard Brewing Co. (schedule tours way in advance!), big company headquarters (Hallmark), beautiful fountains, plenty of family attractions including theme parks and Great Wolf Lodge, and an art district that offers a thriving community of theatre, music, and modern/traditional art.



Lawrence, KS-Home of the Kansas University Jayhawks, this town is teaming with young folks, and it is definitely reflected in the much more liberal vibe you'll pick up on while wondering around. In other words, vegan, emo and indie kids in skinny jeans and swooping bangs abound, as well as restaurants of all kinds, various bars, an independent movie theatre (that serves beer, of course), music venues (an indie music lovers dream with bands like Gogol Bordello dropping by with surprising frequency) unique shops offering local art, local threads, and hard to find items that you'd usually expect to see in a much more metropolitan area, the obligatory Urban Outfitters (that's no doubt making a killing at that location) GAP, etc., and all are conveniently located on Main Street. As recently as this year, this town can also lay claim to possession of the "first rules of basketball," for the sports enthusiast. However, just as a heads up should you decide to visit, parking on Main St is metered only, so parking a street or two over for free and walking is preferable, and make sure you have good tires on your vehicle as the roads into town from the interstate are horrible.


Wamego, KS-I know when most people think of Kansas they usually involuntarily think of the images that the popular movie, "The Wizard of Oz," conjures up . Usually, I'd roll my eyes and shake my head at such a stereotypical image of "The Sunflower State," but if we are talking about the little town of Wamego, then it's a little more accurate. This very rural town is the site of the annual "Oz Fest," which does not feature Ozzy Osbourne, but the surviving "munchkins" from the film featuring Judy Garland, and a celebration of all things "Oz." If you happen to miss this festival, no worries. There is always the Oz Museum, where you can see various "Wizard of Oz" artifacts, interviews, and learn some little known facts about the actors and filming, as well as the books on which the film was based. The Oz Winery (which offers free tastings) and Toto's Tacos (a small Tex-Mex joint) are other fun stops on "your way to see the wizard." The town is also currently fundraising to install their very own "yellow brick road."





However, if you are not in search of the "great and powerful Oz," you can always head over to the historic village and dutch windmill located in the nearby City Park. I might also take a tour or see a play at the historic Columbian Theatre, or call ahead and schedule a buffalo ranch tour a little ways off the beaten path with Ed at the Lazy Heart D Ranch (he also sells the meat, which is super tasty for buffalo burgers, though I understand if you can't eat one after seeing the awe inspiring, not to mention adorable, bison). Oh, and if you happen by in the Spring, try to make it so you don't miss the annual Tulip Festival. It hosts a variety of arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, and some gorgeous flowers, of course (held in City Park).



Manhattan, KS-"The Little Apple" is nestled in the Flint Hills (yes, there are hills in Kansas, it's not all flat!) and Konza Prairie. It is home to the Kansas State University Wildcats, but since this is a more rural/agricultural area, it has a much more conservative vibe. They are serious about their sports here, so I wouldn't recommend rocking anything but white and purple as far as sportswear. However, just like any good college town, they know how to have fun. The designated area for such fun would definitely be Aggieville, comprised of a few streets near the campus boasting quite a few bars (including the famous Kite's, which was voted the #1 sports bar in the nation), some nice sandwich shops, restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and bookstores. It can be rowdy/crowded on weekend nights, but during the day it's family friendly and you can enjoy a nice stroll/bite to eat. There are some great parks nearby (literally two streets over) with playgrounds for the kiddies, a water park, plenty of space/sidewalks for walkers, runners, cyclists and the like, even Fido is welcome here! If you are still not sure about Aggieville, there is always Poyntz Ave., home to the Town Center mall, and a bunch of other small locally owned shops offering outdoor gear, shoes, women's boutique clothing, specialty children's toys, a salon, art gallery, and even a tattoo parlor. On Poyntz you will also find a few upscale and casual restaurants (I highly recommend Harry's for a nice dinner and The Chef for breakfast or brunch). I almost forgot to mention that Manhattan, specifically Aggieville, also annually hosts what they like to call "Fake Pattie's Day." It's all the debauchery you'd expect of a rowdy St.Patrick's Day festival, but a week or so before. It's not something you'd take the kids or grandma to, but maybe a few buddies you'd want on your beer pong team (think Mardi Gras on a much smaller scale with everyone wearing green). Things get pretty crazy, and I've personally seen a cab going the wrong way down a one way street during this festival, so make sure you plan to have a trustworthy DD or a place to stay within walking distance!

Ft. Riley, KS- Also found in the Flint Hills, and home of the "Big Red 1," it is an Army installation open to the public. If you are interested in all things historical, especially military related, than this should be on your list of places to check out. Now, I realize not everyone is a history buff, but it's a beautiful base, and you'd be missing out if you didn't see it's Main Post area where gorgeous historical limestone homes abound. Most homes are actually still used as such, so they are not often open for tours, but every now and then you can catch a tour of the General's home and a few others (check the Ft.Riley website for info on availability). However, Memorial-Labor Day the "Custer House" is open for free tours (donations accepted), and offers a look into the living style of the early dwellers of this installation such as Custer himself. There are also three other free museums (again, feel free to leave a donation, and check the website for times): the Calvary Museum w/gift shop, Division One Museum (both are full of detailed exhibits and worth the time), and the first territorial capital of Kansas w/gift shop. There are also a few hiking/walking trails near the Kansas River, you can arrange a horseback tour of main post in the Summer, take a ghost tour in the Fall, and there are a ton of playgrounds for the kiddos. If you get hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the fast food places located in or near the two exchanges (little mini malls) on base, but I recommend you pack a picnic and enjoy one of the many parks between museums.



Abilene, KS-This little town was the birthplace of Dwight D Eisenhower, so you will find a Presidential Library, plenty of museums, the home he grew up in (which offers a free tour, donations recommended) and a lot of other info on "Ike." It is also home to plenty of great little antique shops, the worlds largest spur, a greyhound hall of fame (the dogs, not the buses, and you can pet them), a train you can ride, mansions you can tour, and some famous fried chicken (that I have yet to try, but plan to sample next time I pass through). I recommend stopping by the visitor's center for info and Mamie Eisenhower's famous cookie recipe (all free).



I realize all the places I've listed so far are in Kansas, except KC (Kansas City) which borders KS and MO, but I promise to update as I visit more of the states that comprise the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, N Dakota, Ohio, S Dakota, and Wisconsin). I have been to Iowa, but none of the major cities. It honestly looks a lot like Kansas from what I've seen, but some friends of mine from there tell me Des Moines is much different. At the very least, my husband and I definitely plan on visiting Chicago, the Nebraska Zoo, Mount Rushmore, etc., before we leave this part of the U.S., but I'll keep you posted.







*I will try to post as many pics to go along with my posts as possible, but sadly I don't have many for this one. I often get so caught up in experiencing as much as I can in new places that I forget to take pictures! I plan to go take some more pictures soon, so stand by for an update!