Bend Fourth of July trip: Part 2

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Day 4 (Tuesday, 7/5):

We drove along the Cascade highway towards Mt. Bachelor and stopped at Cultus Lake.  This highway passes so many lakes-Devils Lake, Elk Lake, and Cultus Lake, just to name a few.  There are tons of outdoor activities along this scenic byway like camping, hiking, boating, and mountain biking.  We really had a hankering (for lack of a better term) to rent a pontoon boat on one of the bigger lakes to picnic, swim, and hang out.  We ended up at Cultus Lake as one of the few lakes that allow motor boating.  When we got out there, it felt freezing, probably in the high 60s with a strong wind off the lake.  We rented the boat anyways and went out on the water wrapped up in our towels.  Luckily, on the far side of the lake, there was a calm beach situated perfectly without much wind.  The water was really cold, so we didn't swim, but we did picnic, play in the sand, and lay in the sun.  It had me missing the warm North Carolina lakes in the summer, but it was still fun.

Bend Fourth of July trip: Part 1

We took an unforgettable trip to Bend over the 4th of July.  Bryce took a week off and the four of us had a different adventure every day.  We were able to stay at our friend's house (free!) for the entire week.  Back in July, the weather was actually cooler than usual not only in the Portland area but even in Bend on the other side of the mountains.  It was low 70s and sunny every day, so perfect for hiking and getting outside, but not quite warm enough for throwing on swimsuits and swimming as much as we had hoped.  Although we did spend the warmest day swimming all day.  It felt like a perfectly packed itinerary with lots of different things and the kids loved it as much as we did.  So, here's what we did, day by day.



Day 1 (Saturday, 7/2):

On the way to Bend, we actually stopped to do a hike.  It was on the way to Bend and a very nice place to hop out and take a break from the 3.5 hour drive.  The McKenzie River Trail to the Tamolitch Blue Pool was a hike we really wanted to check out.  Since it goes along the river, it wasn't straight up hill.  This was the first hike that we only brought one backpack for Carter.  Bryce and I miscommunicated about the length...I thought it was about 2 miles round trip so I was sure that Maddie could do it.  When we got started, Bryce said it was almost 4 miles round trip!  With lots of encouragement and probably less than 1/4 mile riding piggy back, she made it!  The blue pool was amazing, but difficult to hike/scramble down to actually put our feet it.  Lots of people were jumping in or just sitting around it.  One negative about the hike-mountain bikers shared the trail, so many times, we had to quickly move to the side.  Plus, it was pretty crowded, but with good reason.  Carter even enjoyed hiking a little bit when we first got started.

Memorial Day in Bend

The best things happening to us in the car lately: gum and the DVD player in our new to us Honda Pilot.  These kids are troopers.  We drove for 3.5 hours to Bend with no breaks or stops.  We have our car routines in any which order depending on the day: 1. snacks: a few options and always a treat-usually lollipop because they last longer-for when things sour, 2. "I spy" game which can last awhile and Carter even tries to play, 3. Stretching: I talk them through different stretches in a very calm, quiet voice ("Now reeeeeach for the sky as high as you can, now rotate your wrists, now tighten your fists as tight as they go, now relax them, now stretch your neck rolling your head one way...then the other...", etc.), 4. Talking about adventures we are going to go on or what we think might happen, almost like imagining different scenarios, 5. Telling stories about when they were born, when we were married, making it interesting for Maddie-if she's interested, Carter is, or if she is calm, he is usually calm, 6. DVD player!, or 7. iPad-for games like this "Talking Angela" game she loves-it's like a virtual pet, or a matching/memory one on there, or this puzzle one kind of like tetris.  

We left on a Saturday morning and returned on Monday afternoon.  It was a quick trip, but we love going there and it was great catching up with Matt.

He's renting a house near downtown and it just so happens to have an awesome tire swing.

We spent our first full day at Smith Rock State Park.  It's about 30 minutes outside of Bend.  It's super popular for rock climbers and a great place to go hiking or walking.

There are two rock climbers sitting on top of the monkey face rock.  Can you find them?

Carter slept on Bryce's back on the way up while Maddie rested on Matt's as soon as the hike got steep.  This was the main trail/hike at Smith Rock.  Not only was it very crowded, but it was also a little treacherous with slipping rocks and gravel near steep sides.

Last time, we went up this way-it's called Misery Ridge Trail.  This time, we went down this way.  It's hard to do either way.

The next day, Bryce and I went out to breakfast together while Matt and Kristin watched the kids.  Then we went fishing for a little while in the afternoon.  This was the first time for the kids.  It was at a little 18 and under pond.  Daddy caught one and they helped reel it in.  They had more fun throwing power bait in the water and seeing the fish swim to get it.  Overall, it lasted longer than I had expected.

"Ohh! BIG fish!"

Daddy is so good about cleaning the car right after road trips.  One of the reasons it's nice to get back earlier in the day.

We went back to Bend for July 4th and had lots of adventures in the area.  Excited to share!

Holland: Part 3, Castricum, Alkmaar

Then we drove 30 minutes from Zaanse Schans to Castricum, where our next Airbnb was located.  If you ever go to Amsterdam, definitely drive out of the city!  I was impressed that we got to see so much in just a day.  But of course, our kids wake up about 6am, so we always get an early start.

We arrived at our next Airbnb rental in the late afternoon and just hung out there for the rest of the day.  It was so fun!  These people built there house on an old chicken farm and renovated the old barn behind their new house into a rental.  They also had a trampoline, chickens, and a pond full of koi fish.  She let Maddie feed the fish and the chickens each day.  We all enjoyed the trampoline.  It was a beautiful setting.  And lucky for us (no sarcasm there), their internet didn't quite reach the rental, so it was actually very relaxing and felt like a real vacation.

Holland: Part 2, Amsterdam, Volendam, Zaanse Schans

While we were in Amsterdam, we also did a typical canal tour in one of those glass top boats.  It was about an hour long with some interesting facts and a great way to get a different view of the city while staying warm and dry.  We left near the Anne Frank House and ended up right by the train station so we could hop on our bus back to the rental.  We enjoyed some typical stroopwafels which may have saved us our sanity while we floated around trying to keep them occupied.

Holland: Part 1, Amsterdam

I am finally getting around to writing about our trip to Holland near the end of August.

We had such a nice time.  We were mostly disconnected from social media for the week (thanks to bad connection at both of our airbnb places), which ended up being quite nice.  I think it feels much more like a vacation when you are forced to disconnect.

We drove there (about 9 hours) and it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated.  We spent the first half of the week in Amsterdam.  We stayed in Amsterdam Noord (north) and took the bus into the center each of the three days that we were there.

As usual, we (I) had to adjust our expectations for the trip on how much we would see, how many cool restaurants we could check out, and what sights we could experience.  Usually, it's about one or two things a day, generally not museums, mainly just staying outside and "experiencing" the place by walking around.

It wasn't nice weather when we were in Amsterdam for those first 3 days-rainy, cool (50s/60s), and overcast when it wasn't raining.  The second half of the week was beautiful.

[Get ready for LOTS of pictures!]

The first day, we got there in the evening, so we got take away pizza down the street from our rental and went to bed early.

This was the front of our Airbnb rental in Amsterdam Noord.  It was a historical area and all the homes looked the same-little townhomes with a small fence backyard with little side alley ways, clay roof, and very steep stairs.  It was small but functional and cute.

We went shopping for his first pair of real shoes while there.  Here he is looking all big boy-ish in his new Adidas.

The second day, we took the bus into the city and rented bikes at the main train station.  We rode bikes around the city from about 10am-3pm.  It was exciting, fun, scary, and tense all at the same time.  Motor bikes and mopeds share the bike lanes.  Plus, not knowing all the one ways or rules of the road for bikers was difficult.  I think I may have enjoyed it more than Bryce.  He was tense the entire day and concluded that you "take in" more of the city when you're not on a bike.  Both kids were incredible in the bikes, switching seats, singing songs, eating snacks, and BOTH fell asleep sitting up (with bobbing helmet heads!) in the bikes.  We quickly stopped at a park and sat next to a fountain each holding a kid while they slept for about an hour.  We ate a late lunch at an American style BBQ place called Graceland.  You know, very Dutch (not).

USA visit May 2015: North Carolina

Another photo-heavy post from our trip home.  Too many cute pictures that show you the joy it was to be at home with family!

On the drive from West Virginia to North Carolina, Maddie had her first Frosty.  Yum!

Prague: Part 2

The river runs right through town.  That's the Charles Bridge above.

This day was sunnier.  Our plan was to go to the castle and tour as much as we could.  But first, we stopped at the Starbucks right in front of the Prague Castle.  Best Starbucks ever....or maybe just best location ever.  It had a perfect view of the entire city with an outdoor terrace and the cafe was down a tiny spiral staircase with another pretty outdoor terrace, cute tables by big windows with more views.  It also had hot chocolate good enough to finish in .3 seconds by our sweet (chocolate lover) girl.

Prague: Part 1

I haven't been doing much blogging lately because I've become addicted to crocheting.  Lately, I've been spending my free time looking/trying out patterns, learning new stitches, and watching youtube videos on crocheting.

We did go on a fun trip this past month over the long Easter weekend that I've been meaning to share with you.



The car ride to Prague wasn't so fun, but we made it!  It took us much longer than it should have, not just stopping with the kids, but also so much traffic.  Along the way, Carter screamed about 3 hours of the way (not exaggerating), Maddie didn't nap at all, she pooped in her underwear and didn't say anything.....and none of us realized it because we thought Carter was tooting.  I apologize if that was too much information, but this is life with two goofy young kiddos while traveling.

The moment we unstrapped him from his carseat, he was all smiles.

We spent Easter weekend in Prague, so we had about 4 days.  With the kids, 4 days really turned out to be 4 half days exploring the city, because it works better for us to let the kids take a normal nap in a bed, walk/crawl around the apartment and play with some toys (instead of being strapped in a stroller or carrier all day while we explore), and just to have some down time.  I think we spent almost every morning out, from about 9am-1pm, then we would come back, let them nap/play for the afternoon, then go out to dinner.

We spent the entire morning just walking around.  We walked and walked and walked.  And it was so nice to have that double stroller so we didn't have to carry anyone or anything :-)  The weather was cold with clouds on and off.

The rooftops!  The buildings!  

We first walked around Petrin hill which is basically a big park on a hill right on the edge of the center of Prague.

If only we came a few weeks later when all of these lovely trees were in full bloom.

Dad and Kim visit: Hike near Isenfluh and farewell dinner

All over Switzerland, there are trails.  Miles and miles of trails for walkers, hikers, and bikers.  Both paved and gravel.  All over the country side, through town after town, up mountains, through green hills reminiscent of the UK...you get it.  And we though we hit the jackpot with the Huckleberry Trail in Blacksburg then a few trails near our house in Portland.  Now we really understand the jackpot of trails.  It's like heaven for my runner husband.

While we were staying in Isenfluh, we walked maybe 30 minutes up trails and found a fun picnic shelter area complete with a swing and firepit.  In true Swiss fashion, we brought along lunch, cooked it on the fire, and sat outside in the freezing cold for awhile.

Dad and Kim visit: Mürren

I was most excited to take them to Mürren.  It may be my favorite.  But really, it's hard to choose here in Switzerland.  It might be the cleanest, most beautiful country I've been.  Of course, the USA is a tough competitor with so much variety (Really, think about it, the Grand Canyon, to Big Sur, the Rocky Mountains, I could go on but I'll just stop).  But Switzerland tops everywhere for cleanliness.  If you're a germaphobe who wants to travel, come to Switzerland.

Back to Mürren.  We took the cable cars all the way up to the top-the Schilthorn.  It was our first time, with it being expensive.

That's right.  We have helmets and goggles on because WE WENT SKIING!  Well, Bryce went snowboarding.  This is a miracle.  I think it was the first time we had time just the two of us since...before Carter was born.  I think it was 9 months since we had any kind of "date" without a child in tow.  After we all went to the top, took the necessary pictures, we parted ways.

Seriously, this first run from the top was narrow with cliffs on either side.