My dear sister (who drove pass gas that was $2.34 a gallon) and I hit up the yard sales in search of equipment for our camping trip. I think we did an amazing job and I'm sooooo happy with what we ended up with.
We got...
3- 8 person Northwest territory tents (sold at Sears retail price $200)
10 gallon water jug (sold at Home Depot for $29)
1 queen air bed (sold at Cabala's for $129)
3 sleeping bags
4 flashlights
12 hot dog skewers
1 two burner camp stove ($49 retail at Dick's Sporting Goods)
1 one burner camp stove
Total Price we Paid.... $ 200
Dear Judy went out the day before and found
1 small tent
4 Nice sleeping bags
2 fishing poles
3 hot dog skewers
all that for $50
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
"Life is either a daring adventure....
Or nothing. To keep our faces towards change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."
I love that quote of Helen Keller's. It reminds me of all the things that are important to me. I need adventure the way people need water or food. I crave it like a drug. For me, adventure is not about doing crazy, daring, amazing feats, but experiencing things that some people only dream about. To be able to connect with a place on a different level.
Our next adventure is going to take us back outdoors. Someplace new and amazing. Last year when we visited Hocking Hills State Park I was absolutely in awe of the amazing beauty that surrounded us. I felt alive there, like this was proof that there are things more incredible than our little lives.
I don't know if my children will enjoy our trip or appreciate the world they are stepping into, but I feel like I have to give it to them. I have to try to open their eyes to the things that are really important... family, togetherness, memories, love. I feel like the City Kids (my four and my sister's four grandchildren) haven't learned to dream. They haven't learned to look outside of themselves.
And that shall be my gift to them (hopefully) to be able to see that beauty doesn't come from a shoe store or a supercenter. We are surrounded by it, it is part of who we are and where we are going. Always.
I love that quote of Helen Keller's. It reminds me of all the things that are important to me. I need adventure the way people need water or food. I crave it like a drug. For me, adventure is not about doing crazy, daring, amazing feats, but experiencing things that some people only dream about. To be able to connect with a place on a different level.
Our next adventure is going to take us back outdoors. Someplace new and amazing. Last year when we visited Hocking Hills State Park I was absolutely in awe of the amazing beauty that surrounded us. I felt alive there, like this was proof that there are things more incredible than our little lives.
I don't know if my children will enjoy our trip or appreciate the world they are stepping into, but I feel like I have to give it to them. I have to try to open their eyes to the things that are really important... family, togetherness, memories, love. I feel like the City Kids (my four and my sister's four grandchildren) haven't learned to dream. They haven't learned to look outside of themselves.
And that shall be my gift to them (hopefully) to be able to see that beauty doesn't come from a shoe store or a supercenter. We are surrounded by it, it is part of who we are and where we are going. Always.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
New York City April 2010 (Part 2)
After finally making our way to Niketown (which is pretty close to Central Park), we hiked back to Times Square
Crowds waiting for the Ipad at the Apple Store.We ate lunch at a pizza shop on Times Square and then I decided we should take the double decker bus tour. I thought it would be the easiest way to see the city.
The Bus Tour was ummmm.... 3 hours long and we all fell asleep. LOL It had to be the most boring city tour I've ever had. We did get to see a lot of the city (between nodding off) Tribeca, Chinatown, Battery Park, the World Trade Center site, the Statue of Liberty and I know there was a bunch of other places we slept through.
I was so glad when it was over. We called it a day and headed back to the hotel. We had dinner at Chipotle and went to see a movie. We were too tired to walk around, but not tired enough to sit in the hotel and look at each other.
The next day was Sunday...our last day. We had considered going back to NYC but nobody felt like dealing with the throngs of people in the city. Plus, we had to be at the bus station in Newark, NJ in the afternoon.
New York City was an experience like no other. Times Square was awe-inspiring. I understand why they call it the city that never sleeps. It was an incredible experience.
New York City April 2010
I thought I had posted out trip report about NYC... but I guess I'm getting old and forgetful. lol
By the time we rolled into NYC it was about 10:00pm. Times Square is amazing at night. The lights are so bright it looks like daytime. It was very crowded.
We hung out for about and hour and a half before the kids started complaining about being tired and wanting to go back to the hotel.
The next morning started with breakfast (free) down in the hotel lobby and then we were off again. Pickles wanted to go to the Niketown store first. Niketown was about a 2 mile walk from the bus terminal. So we walked and walked and walked and took in the sights.
Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center
St. Patrick's Cathedral
We spent the first weekend in April in NYC, I have to say I have never seen soooo many people in my life. We left our city a little after midnight and got to our hotel in Secaucus, NJ about 5- 5:30 Saturday afternoon. After settling in we ate dinner at Cheeseburger In Paradise and then headed on over to the Big Apple.
By the time we rolled into NYC it was about 10:00pm. Times Square is amazing at night. The lights are so bright it looks like daytime. It was very crowded.
We hung out for about and hour and a half before the kids started complaining about being tired and wanting to go back to the hotel.
As we were headed back to the Port Authority Bus Station we found a cool souvenir store and picked up some I (heart) New York t-shirts. 
The next morning started with breakfast (free) down in the hotel lobby and then we were off again. Pickles wanted to go to the Niketown store first. Niketown was about a 2 mile walk from the bus terminal. So we walked and walked and walked and took in the sights.
Daisy and 'Cole
Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center
St. Patrick's CathedralTo be continued......
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
New York City Weekend-Cost Breakdown
Transportation-
Greyhound $843.48
Cab rides to and from hotel $86
Shuttle to and from NYC $40
Hotel- Hampton Inn Secaucus/Meadowlands $299.99
Food
Dinner Day 1@ Cheeseburger In Paradise $61.51
Dinner Dinner Day 2 @ Chipotle $30.00
Lunch Day 2 @ Sabbaros NYC $29.00
Breakfast Day 3@ McDonalds $20.01
Entertainment
Double Decker Bus Tour $200.00
Movie $50.00
Other Stuff
Incidentals @ Wal-Mart $44.22
Shoes at Niketown $127.97
Shoes and a bag at Shoe Magic $120.00
GRAND TOTAL $ 1952.00
Greyhound $843.48
Cab rides to and from hotel $86
Shuttle to and from NYC $40
Hotel- Hampton Inn Secaucus/Meadowlands $299.99
Food
Dinner Day 1@ Cheeseburger In Paradise $61.51
Dinner Dinner Day 2 @ Chipotle $30.00
Lunch Day 2 @ Sabbaros NYC $29.00
Breakfast Day 3@ McDonalds $20.01
Entertainment
Double Decker Bus Tour $200.00
Movie $50.00
Other Stuff
Incidentals @ Wal-Mart $44.22
Shoes at Niketown $127.97
Shoes and a bag at Shoe Magic $120.00
GRAND TOTAL $ 1952.00
Monday, March 8, 2010
Pittsburgh Weekend Getaway (March 2010)
Cost Breakdown
Travel Basics
1 day at the Sheraton Station Square + parking $219
Car Rental + Gas (weekend) $240
Snacks, Water and Sodas $60
Activities
Pittsburgh National Aviary $30
Carnegie Science Center $89.75
Duquesne Incline $11
Movie $48.75
Meals
TOTAL $962.50
Travel Basics
1 day at the Sheraton Station Square + parking $219
Car Rental + Gas (weekend) $240
Snacks, Water and Sodas $60
Activities
Pittsburgh National Aviary $30
Carnegie Science Center $89.75
Duquesne Incline $11
Movie $48.75
Meals
Dinner at Subway $25
Breakfast at IHOP $70
Lunch at McDonalds $30
Extras
Casino sidetrip for my sister and I $150
TOTAL $962.50
Travel Tip #1: Car Activities
Car activities are great when travelling with children. When you don't provide activities you get chaos. Absolute chaos. Complete and utter chaos.
A backpack filled with car activities is the best thing you can do for your sanity. Only use it for travelling and add a few new things often.
We just returned from a weekend trip to Pittsburgh. 3 hours on the road, I forgot our Activity Bag and we paid the price. The only activities we had were the games on our iPhones. The Moron Game (.99 cents from the iTunes store) was the BEST app for keeping everyone busy on our trip. When kids get bored they want to fidget, fight and eat and that is exactly what they did for 3 hours.
We reccommend filling your Travel Activity Bag with the following items:
Coloring books
Crayons
Puzzle Books (sudoku, word find, crossword)
Travel-Size Board Games
Portable DVD player
Movies ( no more than 2-3 depending on how long you're going to be on the road)
Portable cd player
Books-On-CD
Printable travel activities (road games and such printed from websites)
Craft Kits (I love the craft kits from Oriental Trading Company they are affordable and there's a nice selection)
Silly Putty (comes in a little plastic egg)
A backpack filled with car activities is the best thing you can do for your sanity. Only use it for travelling and add a few new things often.
We just returned from a weekend trip to Pittsburgh. 3 hours on the road, I forgot our Activity Bag and we paid the price. The only activities we had were the games on our iPhones. The Moron Game (.99 cents from the iTunes store) was the BEST app for keeping everyone busy on our trip. When kids get bored they want to fidget, fight and eat and that is exactly what they did for 3 hours.
We reccommend filling your Travel Activity Bag with the following items:
Coloring books
Crayons
Puzzle Books (sudoku, word find, crossword)
Travel-Size Board Games
Portable DVD player
Movies ( no more than 2-3 depending on how long you're going to be on the road)
Portable cd player
Books-On-CD
Printable travel activities (road games and such printed from websites)
Craft Kits (I love the craft kits from Oriental Trading Company they are affordable and there's a nice selection)
Silly Putty (comes in a little plastic egg)
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