Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Monday, May 2, 2011
Cal-i-for-ni-eh
We went to California about two weeks ago. G is there most of the spring (mid-March until mid-June) for work. He's staying in Venice Beach one block from the most beautiful sand beach. We were there for five days and went to the beach every day. As evidenced by the photos:
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Four months and neglected
The last post I did was Owen's three month post. Well, he turned four months old today and I don't even have a (very) recent photo. I haven't taken any photos of Kate recently either, so it's not that he's being neglected compared to here right now. Just compared to her at four months. He's been pretty cranky the past few days. A few nights ago he had a fever (not sure how high, I didn't pull out the thermometer in the middle of the night) and yesterday he developed a rash all over. Ah, roseola. That explains the fever and crankiness. Now that the rash is here, it's over although he's still a bit cranky. I'm hoping he's feeling better (and looking less spotty) tomorrow.
We are heading off to Colorado tomorrow for a week in Telluride. I'm very excited. I'm a mountain person (I think people are either mountain or ocean people. I don't know if which one you are means anything, but I do think you are one or the other.) and it's been a very long time since I've been in the mountains. We are taking my MIL with us, which means a real vacation for me - or at least time off. Graeme has a conference, so he'll be busy in the mornings while we are riding the gondola up and down and up and down and up and down. (Fortunately, it's free.)
As we were getting ready today and pulled the suitcase down from the shelf, I noticed a discolouration on the ceiling that had been out of sight. Oops. The roof is leaking. Graeme went up into the attic and found the spot, put a bucket under it for now (at least we're entering the dry time of year) and while he was up there gave a glance at the AC unit, since we haven't checked it since we started running it about four weeks ago. And there was a giant leak in the duct. We've been cooling our attic for the last month. He got that fixed with some duct tape. (How often do you actually use duct tape on ducts? I think that was only his second time. I don't think I've even had a first time.) So, it was a unexpectedly busy day leading up to our departure early tomorrow morning.
No pictures today, but there will be plenty this week and I will try to post some as we go. This is our first time travelling with both kids, so expect a report on how that goes and wish us luck.
We are heading off to Colorado tomorrow for a week in Telluride. I'm very excited. I'm a mountain person (I think people are either mountain or ocean people. I don't know if which one you are means anything, but I do think you are one or the other.) and it's been a very long time since I've been in the mountains. We are taking my MIL with us, which means a real vacation for me - or at least time off. Graeme has a conference, so he'll be busy in the mornings while we are riding the gondola up and down and up and down and up and down. (Fortunately, it's free.)
As we were getting ready today and pulled the suitcase down from the shelf, I noticed a discolouration on the ceiling that had been out of sight. Oops. The roof is leaking. Graeme went up into the attic and found the spot, put a bucket under it for now (at least we're entering the dry time of year) and while he was up there gave a glance at the AC unit, since we haven't checked it since we started running it about four weeks ago. And there was a giant leak in the duct. We've been cooling our attic for the last month. He got that fixed with some duct tape. (How often do you actually use duct tape on ducts? I think that was only his second time. I don't think I've even had a first time.) So, it was a unexpectedly busy day leading up to our departure early tomorrow morning.
No pictures today, but there will be plenty this week and I will try to post some as we go. This is our first time travelling with both kids, so expect a report on how that goes and wish us luck.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Off we go!
Kate and I are heading to Ontario in the morning for a week at my sister's house. Yay! I'm super excited and will have trouble falling asleep, I'm sure. I didn't think I was going to be able to visit before the baby comes, but my dad is treating us to tickets through his frequent flier program. Hooray for dads!
We have lots of fun things planned. I will take pictures, but I'm not taking my computer, so I don't know when I'll get any posted. Maybe we'll just post them through Karen's blog. Go over there to see what we're up to.
We have lots of fun things planned. I will take pictures, but I'm not taking my computer, so I don't know when I'll get any posted. Maybe we'll just post them through Karen's blog. Go over there to see what we're up to.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Bike trip day three
Day 3: Gouda to dordrecht
On the third day we woke up to another sunny day so we put on the sunscreen and headed towards central Gouda. It was Sunday morning so it was very quiet. There were other people out on bikes but most of them seemed to be heading for church.
When we got to he central market area it was deserted except for the pigeons which Kate set out to chase. I am sure the night before the square was lively and full of people since it is ringed by restaurants with outdoor seating. We ran around for a bit before heading south out of town.
The next 10 or so kilometers were pretty boring, just zig zagging through pasture land so we picked up the pace a bit and sped through. (which does not mean that we didn't stop at the first palce that was selling ice cream. This is vacation after all.). Pretty soon we got to the ferry to take us across the river to the Kinderdijk, the famous place where 24 windmills stand and still work. It is a world heritage site and it was really amazing to see. (It was my first world heritage site, I think. And I also think visiting all of them would be an amazing bucket list.). We went Inside the one that is open to visitors and we were all really fascinated. These windmills have been standing there for 240 years. Through wars and amazing changes in the world . But they are still here and generations of people make sure that they are all functional (for historic reasons. The pumping is all done with modern pumps now.). Really, it was rather humbling.
From the Kinderdijk we finsihed our ride to Dordrecht and arrived there mid-afternoon. It was nice to arrive early enough to get cleaned up and then head into town for dinner at a reasonable time. Dordrecht was really lovely with a huge number of old buildings. Many of the buildings on the oldest narrow streets are designed with a wedge facade so that the buildings lean into the street a bit. It is pretty freaky. Unfortunately we didn't get a good photo of it.
We found a tapas reetaurant on th square that looked good and since neither of us had tried it before we got a selection. We loved it. Enough to search out another tapas place later in the week.
We all got to bed a bit early and planned for another short riding day for day 4.
On the third day we woke up to another sunny day so we put on the sunscreen and headed towards central Gouda. It was Sunday morning so it was very quiet. There were other people out on bikes but most of them seemed to be heading for church.
When we got to he central market area it was deserted except for the pigeons which Kate set out to chase. I am sure the night before the square was lively and full of people since it is ringed by restaurants with outdoor seating. We ran around for a bit before heading south out of town.
The next 10 or so kilometers were pretty boring, just zig zagging through pasture land so we picked up the pace a bit and sped through. (which does not mean that we didn't stop at the first palce that was selling ice cream. This is vacation after all.). Pretty soon we got to the ferry to take us across the river to the Kinderdijk, the famous place where 24 windmills stand and still work. It is a world heritage site and it was really amazing to see. (It was my first world heritage site, I think. And I also think visiting all of them would be an amazing bucket list.). We went Inside the one that is open to visitors and we were all really fascinated. These windmills have been standing there for 240 years. Through wars and amazing changes in the world . But they are still here and generations of people make sure that they are all functional (for historic reasons. The pumping is all done with modern pumps now.). Really, it was rather humbling.
From the Kinderdijk we finsihed our ride to Dordrecht and arrived there mid-afternoon. It was nice to arrive early enough to get cleaned up and then head into town for dinner at a reasonable time. Dordrecht was really lovely with a huge number of old buildings. Many of the buildings on the oldest narrow streets are designed with a wedge facade so that the buildings lean into the street a bit. It is pretty freaky. Unfortunately we didn't get a good photo of it.
We found a tapas reetaurant on th square that looked good and since neither of us had tried it before we got a selection. We loved it. Enough to search out another tapas place later in the week.
We all got to bed a bit early and planned for another short riding day for day 4.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Bike trip day two
Day 2: Amsterdam to Gouda
Everything looks better in the morning. The night before we were exhausted and had even talked about taking the bikes on the train for part of the trip to Gouda, but after an amazing breakfast at the hotel we set off south out of a-dam.
Once we cleared the suburbs, we were really glad we had gotten on the bikes. The scenery was beautiful. We followed the river amstel which was much less affluent than the vecht. Small houses, lots of farms and houseboats.
We also rode on some very narrow paths and in between canals so that we were surrounded by water, even sometimes below the water level in the canal next to us. It is hard to describe just how much water there was. In the towns it is as though every house is on an island just slightly larger than the house. Essentially, everyone has a moat. There were cows, sheep and horses everywhere. Then we reached the nurseries. Greenhouses and fields growing house and garden plants for the world.
We again got into Gouda pretty late and our hotel was on the edge of town so we decided to eat at the hotel and to explore the town in the morning since we would be biking through on our way to Dordrecht.
Day 3: Gouda to Dordrecht
Everything looks better in the morning. The night before we were exhausted and had even talked about taking the bikes on the train for part of the trip to Gouda, but after an amazing breakfast at the hotel we set off south out of a-dam.
Once we cleared the suburbs, we were really glad we had gotten on the bikes. The scenery was beautiful. We followed the river amstel which was much less affluent than the vecht. Small houses, lots of farms and houseboats.
We also rode on some very narrow paths and in between canals so that we were surrounded by water, even sometimes below the water level in the canal next to us. It is hard to describe just how much water there was. In the towns it is as though every house is on an island just slightly larger than the house. Essentially, everyone has a moat. There were cows, sheep and horses everywhere. Then we reached the nurseries. Greenhouses and fields growing house and garden plants for the world.
We again got into Gouda pretty late and our hotel was on the edge of town so we decided to eat at the hotel and to explore the town in the morning since we would be biking through on our way to Dordrecht.
Day 3: Gouda to Dordrecht
Where in the world are the Henkelman/Reyburns?
(if you are reading this on facebook, you should go over to the blog (http://noseinear.blogspot.com/) since that is where the pictures are. And the pictures are really the best part)
Maybe you are wondering if fell off the planet. Nope, we just fell slightly below sea level. We are in the midst of our bike trip around holland. We have been biking for three days and have two more to go. (well, we're done now. but I wrote this a few days ago.)
Day 1: Utrecht to Amsterdam
We started on Friday morning just outside of Utrecht and headed for Amsterdam. It was a relatively long day- 60 km, which isn't that far unless you are on very heavy bikes and stop all the time for snacks or to check the map or to have lunch or... We rode alongside the river Vecht, which is lined by beautiful estates and full of people boating. It was a lovely ride (until the last 10 or 15 km when we were getting close to a-dam and it got busy and less rural.)
We didn't arrive at our hotel until quite late but we really wanted to go into the city for dinner so we headed in. We found some Indonesian food and wandered a little bit before Kate started to melt and we had to get her back to the hotel for bed.
We were pretty tired but we also knew that the next few days would be easier as we were figuring out the system of bike routes and wouldn't need to stop so often to check the map.
Day 2: Amsterdam to Gouda.
Maybe you are wondering if fell off the planet. Nope, we just fell slightly below sea level. We are in the midst of our bike trip around holland. We have been biking for three days and have two more to go. (well, we're done now. but I wrote this a few days ago.)
Day 1: Utrecht to Amsterdam
We started on Friday morning just outside of Utrecht and headed for Amsterdam. It was a relatively long day- 60 km, which isn't that far unless you are on very heavy bikes and stop all the time for snacks or to check the map or to have lunch or... We rode alongside the river Vecht, which is lined by beautiful estates and full of people boating. It was a lovely ride (until the last 10 or 15 km when we were getting close to a-dam and it got busy and less rural.)
We didn't arrive at our hotel until quite late but we really wanted to go into the city for dinner so we headed in. We found some Indonesian food and wandered a little bit before Kate started to melt and we had to get her back to the hotel for bed.
We were pretty tired but we also knew that the next few days would be easier as we were figuring out the system of bike routes and wouldn't need to stop so often to check the map.
Day 2: Amsterdam to Gouda.
Friday, June 19, 2009
New York!
We're here! And Karen and John are here! And Kate. Oh well, not exactly as planned. But, still, we're here!
We are staying in a great basement apartment in Brooklyn, just off a street full of a mix of restaurants, shops, hair places, etc. It has a real neighbourhood feel, and it seems like a lot of the neighbours are from the Caribbean. Which means that for dinner tonight we saw a bbq out on the sidewalk with amazing jerk chicken in it. It was awesome. And a whole clamshell of meat was $8. Compare that to the $14 I paid this afternoon for a hamburger and french fries. Yikes. I'll stick with the neighbourhood eats.
This morning, before K&J arrived, we spent the morning wandering around Central Park. We saw the ducks, played at the sand box, watched the turtles and just enjoyed it. Then, we had a pretty awful time finding the apartment, but it was pretty much par for the course for this trip. I'm hoping that all the problems are now done and we can just enjoy the weekend.
After we finally met up with K&J, we headed towards the Brooklyn Bridge. The plan was to walk across, but due to a cranky toddler who woke up way too early this morning, K&J went on their own and we hung out at a park and then played by the waterfront. It was actually really fun, and a good reminder to just slow down and not try to force too much schedule on Kate. To just let her be nearly-2, and enjoy what that means.
Which means we don't have much of a plan for tomorrow. We will go out for breakfast, and then we were talking about maybe going to a museum. The forecast is for rain, so that might be a good idea. Kate had two short naps in the Ergo, so we'll try that again. And tomorrow we'll do a better job of keeping her fed (and me too. We're bad at that when we're travelling).
This is a very disjointed post. Karen wrote a better one, so you can go read it.
We are staying in a great basement apartment in Brooklyn, just off a street full of a mix of restaurants, shops, hair places, etc. It has a real neighbourhood feel, and it seems like a lot of the neighbours are from the Caribbean. Which means that for dinner tonight we saw a bbq out on the sidewalk with amazing jerk chicken in it. It was awesome. And a whole clamshell of meat was $8. Compare that to the $14 I paid this afternoon for a hamburger and french fries. Yikes. I'll stick with the neighbourhood eats.
This morning, before K&J arrived, we spent the morning wandering around Central Park. We saw the ducks, played at the sand box, watched the turtles and just enjoyed it. Then, we had a pretty awful time finding the apartment, but it was pretty much par for the course for this trip. I'm hoping that all the problems are now done and we can just enjoy the weekend.
After we finally met up with K&J, we headed towards the Brooklyn Bridge. The plan was to walk across, but due to a cranky toddler who woke up way too early this morning, K&J went on their own and we hung out at a park and then played by the waterfront. It was actually really fun, and a good reminder to just slow down and not try to force too much schedule on Kate. To just let her be nearly-2, and enjoy what that means.
Which means we don't have much of a plan for tomorrow. We will go out for breakfast, and then we were talking about maybe going to a museum. The forecast is for rain, so that might be a good idea. Kate had two short naps in the Ergo, so we'll try that again. And tomorrow we'll do a better job of keeping her fed (and me too. We're bad at that when we're travelling).
This is a very disjointed post. Karen wrote a better one, so you can go read it.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
All the lists in the world
will not get you on your flight on time if you fail to check your passport expiration.
Ooops. I didn't even believe the ticket agent when she told me my passport was expired. That's how sure I was. There must be a mistake, I was thinking. But, there wasn't. It expired in May. If I'd had my birth certificate with me, we could have gone to Toronto. But I didn't. And even if I had, that would have doomed the NYC trip since I couldn't re-enter the US on an invalid passport. So, after half an hour of rescheduling flights, etc. etc., lovely Catherine came and got us from the airport and brought us home.
Then I spent over an hour and too much money to get it all fixed. I am going to NYC, but now Kate is coming along and then we will go to Toronto on Tuesday. And I will apply for a new passport on Wednesday morning.
Sigh.
Ooops. I didn't even believe the ticket agent when she told me my passport was expired. That's how sure I was. There must be a mistake, I was thinking. But, there wasn't. It expired in May. If I'd had my birth certificate with me, we could have gone to Toronto. But I didn't. And even if I had, that would have doomed the NYC trip since I couldn't re-enter the US on an invalid passport. So, after half an hour of rescheduling flights, etc. etc., lovely Catherine came and got us from the airport and brought us home.
Then I spent over an hour and too much money to get it all fixed. I am going to NYC, but now Kate is coming along and then we will go to Toronto on Tuesday. And I will apply for a new passport on Wednesday morning.
Sigh.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Off to Ottawa
Kate and I are heading to Ottawa tomorrow for a week long visit. Yay!
It's going to be really really really cold. Brrrrr. Why I would go in February, I have no idea. It was 75 here today and I was biking in shorts and short sleeves. Everyone should come to Austin in February.
It's going to be really really really cold. Brrrrr. Why I would go in February, I have no idea. It was 75 here today and I was biking in shorts and short sleeves. Everyone should come to Austin in February.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
To Ottawa!
Kate and I are jetting off to Ottawa tomorrow to spend a week with Karen, John, Emily and Hope. Yay! I'll try to post while we're there.
(Kate had her one year check up today and she is perfect - as we all knew. 24 lbs 14 oz, which means she gained slightly more than a pound over the last three months and she grew two inches. Perfect.)
(Kate had her one year check up today and she is perfect - as we all knew. 24 lbs 14 oz, which means she gained slightly more than a pound over the last three months and she grew two inches. Perfect.)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Boston, the rest of the trip
On Saturday, we started the day with delicious French Toast for breakfast before heading out for a hike with Jeff's dog, Lego. It was beautiful - the forest is the same as in Ontario so it felt like home. After a failed attempt at a nap at the house for Kate, we headed out for a quick errand before going apple picking.
This was very different than the pick-you-own places that we grew up with in Niagara. This was an event. A destination. And it was fun. We tried all the varieties and filled our bag with apples. Yum. There was also a hay ride (which we didn't do) and a petting zoo with goats, rabbits and pigs. Kate loved watching the goats.
On Sunday we had a plan to go to the Institute of Contemporary Art, but didn't get an early enough start to the day, so we ended up going downtown for some lunch and wandering around before making it to our scheduled Duck Tour. I love duck tours and have done them in Austin (twice) and Seattle. The one in Boston didn't disappoint. We went by many of the historic sites downtown and then splashed into the Charles River for a putt around. It was perfect weather, Kate loved being on the water, and it was fun for all of us.
Those are the really brief highlights of the trip. I would definitely like to go back and do more poking around. Boston is a cool city, and I feel like I got a good overview and would know what to go back and spend more time on next time I'm there. Thanks to Rebecca and Jeff for hosting us and showing us around!
This was very different than the pick-you-own places that we grew up with in Niagara. This was an event. A destination. And it was fun. We tried all the varieties and filled our bag with apples. Yum. There was also a hay ride (which we didn't do) and a petting zoo with goats, rabbits and pigs. Kate loved watching the goats.
On Sunday we had a plan to go to the Institute of Contemporary Art, but didn't get an early enough start to the day, so we ended up going downtown for some lunch and wandering around before making it to our scheduled Duck Tour. I love duck tours and have done them in Austin (twice) and Seattle. The one in Boston didn't disappoint. We went by many of the historic sites downtown and then splashed into the Charles River for a putt around. It was perfect weather, Kate loved being on the water, and it was fun for all of us.
Those are the really brief highlights of the trip. I would definitely like to go back and do more poking around. Boston is a cool city, and I feel like I got a good overview and would know what to go back and spend more time on next time I'm there. Thanks to Rebecca and Jeff for hosting us and showing us around!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Some photos from first day in Boston
Rebecca and Kate playing the piano.
Kate looking in the big tank at the aquarium.
Boston day 2 report coming very soon. Our connection to the tubes was blocked for awhile, but seems to be flowing again.
Kate looking in the big tank at the aquarium.
Boston day 2 report coming very soon. Our connection to the tubes was blocked for awhile, but seems to be flowing again.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Boston, Friday report
Yesterday was our first full day in Boston and full it was. We started the day with breakfast at Rebecca's house and then headed to the train to go downtown. We got off at Government Center and walked to the aquarium. The aquarium was great. It's a perfect size - not too big. The penguins greet you when you enter, and Kate loved watching them swim around. Kate fell asleep about 1/2 hr in after some serious fussiness and after being scared by a big grouper in the big tank. She managed to sleep for almost 1.5 hours as Rebecca and I slowly wandered the rest of the aquarium.
That was followed by lunch at Legal Seafood where I had chowder and Kate charmed all the tables around us with her waving and french fry showing.
We walked from there to Boston Commons where we sat on the grass and watched the people wandering through. From there we went the Public Garden to feed the ducks. We found out later (when we finally saw a sign) that you're not supposed to feed the ducks. But they have clearly been fed before. It was like a scene out of a horror movie - once we started throwing crackers in, we looked up and from every corner of the pond the ducks were heading for us. Kind of creepy. But Kate loved it.
We finally got back on the train and headed home. We went to their favourite local restaurant, Za, for excellent pizza and delicious beet salad. The day was topped off by a view of fireworks - Kate's first - before heading home to bed.
A tiring, good first day.
That was followed by lunch at Legal Seafood where I had chowder and Kate charmed all the tables around us with her waving and french fry showing.
We walked from there to Boston Commons where we sat on the grass and watched the people wandering through. From there we went the Public Garden to feed the ducks. We found out later (when we finally saw a sign) that you're not supposed to feed the ducks. But they have clearly been fed before. It was like a scene out of a horror movie - once we started throwing crackers in, we looked up and from every corner of the pond the ducks were heading for us. Kind of creepy. But Kate loved it.
We finally got back on the train and headed home. We went to their favourite local restaurant, Za, for excellent pizza and delicious beet salad. The day was topped off by a view of fireworks - Kate's first - before heading home to bed.
A tiring, good first day.
Friday, September 19, 2008
In Boston
Kate and I flew to Boston yesterday afternoon. We're about to head out to wander around downtown and go to the aquarium. It's cold (to us) but sunny and lovely.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Home!
We're home! We took the slow method this time, stopping when Kate got really fussy and even visiting a national park along the way. Once the laundry is done and I've had a real sleep, I'll download photos and post about our adventures.
Right now, it's time for a cup of tea.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Heading back to Texas
Hello? Anybody out there? Or have you all stopped bothering to check for new posts? I would understand if you did.
We're in Toronto tonight and tomorrow we'll head for the border and start the long drive back to Texas. We're planning to do it over a few days this time. We're starting with a stop before the border, in Fonthill to visit my mum's grave. I haven't been there to see the headstone, and I'm very compelled to stop. From there we'll head across the border at Buffalo and stop at the Anchor Bar for chicken wings. Hopefully we'll make it down to West Virginia before stopping for the day.
Regular posting will resume when we are back to Austin.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday in Telluride
Yesterday morning Kate and I went for a walk through town and did a bit of shopping. Then we went to the great town park to play on the swings. The park is great - pool, tennis courts, skate park, big playground, kid's fishing pond, baseball fields, etc. etc. Kate really likes swings, so we hung out there for awhile before heading home for nap time.
After nap and lunch, the three of us went for a hike on the other side of the valley.
After nap and lunch, the three of us went for a hike on the other side of the valley.
Looking towards the bottom of the valley and Bridal Veil Falls:
Yesterday the bike tour of Colorado rolled into town with 2000 riders. Some of them were camping at the school:
We hiked up away and then stopped for some mucking about. Kate loves to muck about and really enjoyed playing in the mud.
Today I rented a bike and a bike trailer, so this afternoon I'm going to go riding while Graeme takes Kate for a hike. Yay!
Today I rented a bike and a bike trailer, so this afternoon I'm going to go riding while Graeme takes Kate for a hike. Yay!Monday in Telluride
I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, so now I'm a day behind. I'll try to get caught up today.
On Monday, Graeme went to his conference and Kate and I went and got groceries in town. We made it back to the condo just before the daily rainstorm. Kate had a good nap and then after Graeme got back from lunch, we went for a hike up to Bear Creek Falls. It's a good first day hike since it's pretty gradual. It's a good way to get acclimatized to the elevation.
A view of the falls:
At the turn around point:
A view of the falls:
At the turn around point:
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