Spring Link Love

The above video is cuteness OVERLOAD

The Optimal Road Trip - Oh my this sounds so fun.  I should put this on MY BUCKET LIST.

Big Kids on the Playground

6th Season of  Downton Abbey It's Last - I am a big fan so I will miss it.

A Important Essay on Penis Tendons by 2 Eight Year Old Boys -What is in the Minds of 8 Year Old Boys might be a good title as well. - Some might find slightly offensive but it is a good funny read.

31 Days of Adventure - Teen Spirit

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

As a teen, I got to go on so many adventures through Girl Scouts and church.  I have the best memories. Letting our kids go on adventures broadens their world.  IT also makes them appreciate the things that they have.

Backpacking Camp
Can you pick me out?

Me at the helm of the Adventuress

This summer my youngest went to a camp that that taught kids how to ride public transportation and ride bikes in the city.  It was a great experience for him.  He learned a lot. The camp was through SmartTrips

Charlie geared up in his rain gear
for Adventure

31 days of Adventure - Culinary Thrill Seeker

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

I admit I am a recovering pinterest experimenter.  I like to try new recipes.  I think of myself as more as a baker than a cook. I need very little prompting to try a new recipe especially one that is baked. See magic cake for an example. However most of last year I devoted to the donut. I am living with the philosophy that EVERYTHING is better with donuts.

cinnamon and sugar donuts

My husband on the other hand can't resist a food challenge.  You know eat the biggest burger get it free.


Husband eating the Hummer
at Carrs Restaurant

We really are each other's down fall.

Are you a Culinary Thrill Seeker? 

31 Days of Adventure - Seeing the Unexpected

 am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

One thing I know for certain that on adventures there is the element of surprise. I cannot count the number of times I have seen the unexpected, weird, or just down right odd thing.  Usually I cannot resist taking a picture just because of the very uniqueness. Here is a collection of some pictures over the years for your viewing pleasure.

Sail Boat sinking in Bellingham Harbor
You can just see the mast sticking out

Looking out to see Sumo Wrestlers on your own Street
 

Heart seen at a negative tide
Point Whitehorn

For a while, it seemed everywhere I went I would see a saran wrapped car. Ironically two were in different Costco locations.  I guess where else can you buy saran wrap in bulk.

Saran Wrapped Car

 

A portable toilet so famous you show out of town guests. I am classy like that.

 

 



31 days of Adventure- Arm Chair Adventures

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

I am also sharing this as part of my Booking It at Life as Mom.  As it turns out the theme over there this month is Travel Books and I think my little list fits in this category.

Not every day is a good day for adventure.  As I write this, it is a rainy day the kind that soaks you the minute you step out your door.  So when you can't get out and about, why not read about adventures from the comfort of your couch. 

I won't lie I really enjoy reading about others travels. Lets face facts, at this point in my life I am probably not going to hike the whole Pacific Crest Trail but I love reading about how others have done it.  Here are some reads about some real life "Adventures". I especially love those written by women and their adventures.

More Main Stream Reads
Wild by Cheryl Strayed - This is a highly acclaimed book about Cheryl's time on the Pacific Crest Trail. The movie is coming out in December and Reese Witherspoon plays Cheryl. I have mixed feelings about some of this book. But it does what all good books do it prompts discussion.



 "Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World".  The book is about three almost thirty year old girls who set off on around the world trip.  These girls left their high stress jobs in New York City and started an adventure The lost girls also have their own website.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams

52 Loaves - A Half Baked Adventure by William Alexander

Off the Beaten Track

Going Some Where by Brian Benson

The Cactus Eaters by Dan White - This another book about the Pacific Crest Trail

A Blistered Kind of Love - One Couple's By Trial by Trail by Angela and Duffy Ballard- Another book about Pacific Crest Trail.  I liked this one better than Wild.

Almost Somewhere by Suzanne Roberts - This book is about The John Muir Trail and girl power.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Gilman. This is a coming age book and what to do when you travel partner has a mental break down.

Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman

Becoming Odyessa by Jennifer Phaff Davis

Borderlands - Riding the Edge of America by Derek Lundy

Salt to Summit by Daniel Arnold .  This is about Daniel's adventure in Death Valley

Voluntourist by Ken Budd- Ever wanted to travel and volunteer, Ken did just that in all different locations.

Anyone have some suggestions for some more Real Life Adventure Books I should read?

31 Days of Adventure - Haunted Forest

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

Have you ever volunteered at a haunted house? My family is volunteering at a Haunted Forest.  It is an event being put on as a Eagle Scout Project to get donations for the local food bank.

I can safely say that it was a dark and stormy night.  It poured on us this Saturday.  We were soaked to the bone. My youngest couldn't sleep this past week he was so excited to do this adventure.  He was a werewolf in the forest. 

Before the event
Charlie practicing

I was surprised how many people came out in the rain. 

 

I am still wringing the wet out of my clothes. Wouldn't you know that it stopped raining as soon as the event was over. Though I did think the rain added to the scary part of the event as well.  Below are some photos taken with the game cameras they had set up.

Chuck as a werewolf

 

Husband as a guide.

The kids who were helping were troopers.  We had a bride missing her husband, zombies, and werewolves.   We got a lot of positive feedback and made some kids cry.

 

See here for Part 2

31 Days of Adventure - Adventure on the Big Screen

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

Have you been inspired to go on an adventure based on a movie?  I know I have. I was inspired by Walter Mitty and UP.




I recently watched The Way. I dedicated afternoon for research for all of you my dear readers. It was a sacrifice. So after watching,  I want to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela- The way of Saint James in Northern Spain.

31 days of Adventure - Doing it with the Family

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

Our advance scout on Adventures
Charlie

I had a recent discussion with a single friend in a "relationship" and she and her fiancé were eager to go see and travel while they were able. As to say, if they were married and with kids, they would be too tied down to have adventures.  I  think part of my love of adventure is doing it with my kids and family.  Maybe our adventures are different but they are still adventures. This comment was actually the one that made me choose 31 Days of Adventure as my topic.

How would my husband and I explain what a great time the adults had at Great Wolf if we didn't have kids to take there?

There would be no reason for PJ rides -Pajama Ride- This is an idea I got from some Moms at MOPS.  When everyone is in their pajamas, you declare a pj ride for ice cream.  We do this every once in a while.  It is a very big hit

There would no need for frequent snack breaks when adventuring. Doesn't stopping to eat nature's bounty (blackberries" count?

 

blackberry picking

At the Art of Simple Travel there was an interesting post "Why it is good to travel with kids (from a kid)"



31 days of Adventure - Been Lurched?

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

Have you ever been lurched on a adventure.  You know lurched - lucky and cursed at the same time.  It is a term my youngest son made up.

My lovely Mom
San Francisco, CA
Lombard Street

Growing up I remember one such trip with my parents to San Francisco. We managed to lock our keys in the car of our rental car at the Presidio in San Francisco. Luckily my Dad had bought one of these hats that looked similar to what a retired navy person might wear.  So the MP's actually stopped and opened our rental. That also was the trip I believe my Mom was propositioned as well.  But we still managed to go on and see the sights.  I know we made it to Lombard Street and to the Winchester Mystery Mansion because I got the photos to prove it. It just was part of the adventure.

Lombard Street

Ever been lurched?

31 Days of Adventure- Traveling with Aspergers

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

If you met one person with Asperger's, you have met one person with autism. The Autistic Spectrum is wide.  But here is some generalized guidelines I have discovered working and adventuring with my 16 year old son is who a high functioning autistic(HFA).

My son likes to travel and loves to stay in motel/hotels.  He especially loves motels with pools. My son is use to road tripping as we have been doing it since birth as most of our extended family lived far away.

What 16 looks like

Tips for Adventuring with Those with Aspergers/HFA

Surprises aren't very successful - Those with Asperger's/HFA thrive on the predictable and routine.

Keeping your routine even in a different locale is helpful. This goes back to the predictable and the routine.

Comfort Items are a must. My son has a teddy bear named Stitch.  The name Stitch comes from the movie Lilo and Stitch. The bear has more frequent flier miles than most people.

Stitch the Traveling Teddy

Plan ahead! TALK A LOT about what you are going to do and what might happen if you can't do something. Preparation is essential. Plan B's and C's need to be thought of.

Practicing is a good thing.

Don't have an adventure during the time that is not good for your child and more prone to meltdowns. We use to have trouble with nighttime hours and had more meltdowns during those hours.  So I didn't schedule much during those hours.

Pack your sense humor, flexibility, and patience.

Me and My Son

31 Days of Adventure - Radical Adventures (Urban Adventures)

This past year I read a  book called Hidden Cities by Moses Gates. This memoir is about a guy who likes to undertake Urban Adventures.  It about those who ignore the trespassing signs and go into the catacombs in France, climbing bridges in various cities, and running the subway tunnels looking for secret abandoned locations.  I don't do any of these things myself but I do like reading about their adventures.

I don't think many of us are going to be breaking and entering in our adventures. But there are a number of ways to have an Urban Adventure Lite.

Explore a Fort - We are lucky to live by a number of decommissioned forts that are now parks such as Fort Casey.  These are so fun to explore.

Victoria has a 31 Days Series on Exploring LA and did a post on exploring the Old LA Zoo

These are totally legal adventures with the same feel as an illicit adventure.

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

Anyone else do Urban Adventures?

31 days of Adventure - Girl Friend Trips

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

I love my kids and my hubby BUT it is so good to go on adventures with my friends. My friend, Mrs Epi, and I have been on numerous exciting Girl Friend Trips.  Mrs Epi is definitely my partner in crime and we have similar adventure philosophies. Our favorite adventures are those that involve thrift stores.  When we do these mega thrift trips, we don't have a set destination.  We stop at locales that look interesting. This usually makes for interesting encounters.

When Pigs Fly
One of our first rearrangements

Frogs

Sometimes we like to rearrange. Thrift Stores are sometimes a jumble. We started putting like stuff with like items.  Shortly after we did this a couple of times at our local Goodwill, we showed up and Goodwill did this on their own.  Our local Goodwill is really into recently creating Vignettes.  Do they read the Nester's Blog and 31 Days of  Vignettes? 


Goodwill Vignette

On these trips we just encounter the odd?

Prosthetic  legs

Anyone else thrift and consider it an Adventure?

31 Days of Adventures -Tourist in Your Own Town

 am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

A radio station I listen too was quizzing each other about things they had never done in the city they broadcast out. I thought it was entertaining and pretty surprising the things that they had never done.  It got me to thinking about the things in our state of Washington that we have never done.  We have lived here for going on 11 years. 

So I thought I would make a little list of things we have never done in Washington State but maybe even closer in our county. 

Here is a little list

Locally
Mindport
Pickford Theatre
Lightcatcher Museum (have been to old Whatcom Museum)
Donkey Basketball - I know doesn't that sound interesting.  Only my youngest and I haven't been.
Oyster Dome

Recently we did a couple of things WE HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE! I know, say it isn't so.

We went to the Street Festival in our town.  It was fun exploring all the booths.  We got some lovely pie and honey. My hubby bought me a bird garden stake made out of recycled metal.



Crazy Huge Hanging Planters
2014
The planters look like they have beards

We visited the Drayton Harbor APA Museum located out on the Semiahmoo Spit In Semiahmoo Park.  It details the history of the cannery that was located there. 

The cannery served as a center for salmon processing for nearly 80 years. Housed in an original cannery building, the museum exhibits tell the story of days gone by and include a scale model fish trap, antique machinery, a gallery of historic photos, and an original 29-foot Bristol Bay sailboat that gill-netted salmon in the Bristol Bay fishery. Take the time to view "Sockeye and the Age of Sail" video documentary with early day film footage of the APA Star Fleet of tall ships under sail, connecting Blaine, the Bristol Bay salmon fishing, and San Francisco in the fortunes of fishing

For such a small space, it was packed full of really interesting stuff.  We love the beach here but had never been in the museum.  The museum is seasonal but well worth a look.

31 Days of Adventure - Advanced or not so advanced Geocaching

I am joining the Nester's 31 Days of Writing.  Check out my entire series - "31 Days of Adventure."

Geocaching Block Party

We are big time geocachers besides basic caching.  There is a whole community of cachers who offer events or different approaches to caching. Click here for my first post on geocaching, " Finding Tupperware with million dollar satellites."

GeoTours-These custom tours showcase engaging geocaches designed to introduce you to new locations. We are big fans of the Washington State Centennial Geo Tour as our cache at Peace Arch is part of this series of caches.  We managed to log 50 of these caches and had an incredible summer of 2013. Some more info about our 100th Year, 100 Parks, 100 Geocaches - Washington State Park GeoTour.

Cache Machines-A cache machine is a set route of geocaches that everyone tries to complete either individually or as a group.  Usually you start as a group and as the day progresses people split off.
Mt Vernon Cache Machine
North Kitsap Cache Machine
Boundary Bay Cache Machine

Events - We have attended anything from a pot luck to a full blown Halloween event with the geocaching community. I even had the chance to shoot a zombie in the nose with a paint ball gun. 

Chance to Shoot Zombies at GeoZombie Run
Chuck pointing to the paint ball I lodged
in Zombie's nose

Geo Monster Ball
CITO Larabee State Park
GeoZombie Run