A Utah Family Travel Writer's Adventures with Altitude
School is winding down and work is ramping up.
Never a good combination.
Bear with me the next couple of weeks as I juggle Jamie’s trip to Florida, Haddie’s birthday festivities, two field days, work meetings and my own travels back East.
Will balls get dropped?
You betcha.
P.S. Special thanks to my friend Stacey for sending this to me today. Talk about inspired. 🙂
You may have seen those feel-good commercials produced by the Mormon church about the importance of family. We firmly believe family is central to God’s Plan of Happiness and I personally think the reason why we’ve seeing such a moral decay in society is the disintegration of the strong values instilled within the family unit. Families should be there to provide structure, support, balance and love in their children’s lives.
But there is another important role of the family that is seldom vocalized:
They should be there to help with you with all the crummy stuff like assisting with moves, painting and every other undesirable job that should never befall friends.
I think we should totally dedicate a commercial unto that.
As I previously mentioned, Jamie’s brother Chris moved back to Colorado last week. On Saturday after Bode’s soccer game we went to brunch and then Chris needed help unloading his moving truck. Jamie interjected he’d be happy to help but he needed to (what else?) work on The Great Pumpkin before it started raining.
By the time we finally arrived to help unload the truck, this is what we found.
‘Bout time that pumpkin came in handy. Welcome to the family, Great One.
With only two weeks left of school, Bode and I are enjoying our final afternoons together. While his sister slaves away in first grade, he and I have been biking to the skate park or have gone on fun adventures to check-out fossils at Dinosaur Ridge.
Yep, those are real dinosaur tracks behind Bode. Both of my kids are dinosaur-obsessed and marvel at being able to live so close to the shores of the Cretaceous Interior Seaway.
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Soccer season wrapped for the season on Saturday. Bode is a great little player and scored yet another goal. The highlight was when Uncle Chris made a surprise showing (he moved to Colorado from Utah this week).
OK, so maybe getting a trophy was pretty darn cool, too.
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Of course as avid fans of the Amazing Race, we had a viewing party for the finale (I’m still waiting for CBS to STOP THE CANUCK DISCRIMINATION so I can participate). By far, our favorite moments were when Zev and Justin (two very hairy dudes) had to get waxed for one of the challenges.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuJA5nihGkI]
OK, so maybe it was just Haddie’s (and my) favorite moment. She rewound it over and over again while cackling evilly. Poor Bode, on the other hand?
He despaired deeply for his fellow dudes.
One of the fun things about Twitter is it’s possible to connect with all kinds of people and the Amazing Race‘s Justin is on it (@justin_kanew). I tweeted that picture of poor Bode and was thrilled when Justin not only retweeted it but said how much he likes both Haddie (the evil cackler) and sympathetic Bode.
Justin doesn’t know it but he’s my “in” for getting on Amazing Race 19.
I haven’t posted many one-liners from The Pumpkin Man, primarily because we’ve been so entrenched in work that we haven’t had much time to play. (Here’s a recent example).
Friday night was our exception. It was a glorious evening with idyllic temperatures so we decided to ride down to the neighborhood playground and skate park. Because we live perched atop a big hill, the ride back up usually takes a while for the kids. There is a bench at the half-way point that is where we rest. This time as we settled back enjoying the view, I commented,
“This is what I want after I die, Children. A bench inscribed with my name overlooking a lovely place that people can enjoy.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Jamie offered. “How about I just spray-paint your name on this one.”
I hereby vow to haunt him beyond the grave.
When we were at the playground, the kids tore around with some neighborhood boys. One of them is graduating from kindergarten and is a full head taller than Bode. While Hadley inherited the Johnson genes (tall and slender), poor Bode takes after my side of the family (all runts of the litter.)
“Look at how much taller that kid is than Bode,” I observed.
There was a long pause before The Lord of the Gourds finally delivered the ultimate blow:
“If you were a pumpkin, I would not grow your seed.”
Summer is just around the corner and you don’t need to look far to have a world-class vacation with your family. From a new zip line tour to free events galore, we have the inside scoop on All Things Colorado.
Aspen/Snowmass
It may be summertime but Snowmass has returned to the Ice Age with the new Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center that features the most significant Ice Age ecosystem find in Colorado history (and it’s free). Visit the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday nights and sign up your kids for the Calf Scramble. Hike or take bikes up the Snowmass Mountain chairlift or if you really want to try something new, learn how to Stand Up Paddle at the Aspen Kayak Academy. Get inspired at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, a stellar place for kids of all ages to take workshops that include sculpture, photography, painting, beading, and mask-making.
Breckenridge
The big news in Breckenridge this summer is the new Gold Runner Coaster located at the base of Peak 8. A 2,500 foot elevated track loops through the forest giving you the best views at super speed. Each car can accommodate 1-2 people and single rides start at $7 for children age 3-7 to $24 for an unlimited day pass for children. Other Breckenridge fan favorites include fishing or biking the trail along the Blue River, a scenic drive over Boreas Pass road, accessing 1,000 miles of mountain biking across Summit County or hiking Breckenridge’s countless miles of trails or climbing a nearby “14er.” Photo: Carl Scofield
Crested Butte
Hands down, Crested Butte is my favorite summer destination in Colorado. In addition to world-famous mountain biking and hiking (the views from Snodgrass Mountain are second-to-none), don’t miss the Crested Butte Music Festival in July (with free Saturday kid concerts) and the Wildflower Festival (July 11-17) where you’ll swear you climbed onto a Monet canvas of mad, extravagant colors. Crested Butted Mountain Resort’s Zip Line Tour debuts in June 2011 and includes five zip lines and a series of features such as an “Indiana Jones Bridge,” a “Burma Bridge” and a net climb. This is the only guided zip line tour at a Colorado ski resort and will operate during the winter and summer months. Weight requirements are 70 to 250 pounds.
Colorado Springs
We love Colorado Springs staples like the Garden of the Gods Park, The Pikes Peak Cog Railway and Manitou Cliff Dwellings. A fun (and thrilling) new addition is the Cave of the Winds’ new Wind Walker Challenge Ropes Course that is located on the rim of a 600-foot drop into Williams Canyon. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the top-ranked zoos in the country and just welcomed their first ever red river hoglets. If you need further motivation to head south, Colorado Springs has launched Tank Full of Summer Savings, offering reduced prices on anything from a steak dinner to lodging to an authentic dude ranch experience.
Durango
Durango Mountain Resort is another resort hopping on the very welcome zipline bandwagon and they are debuting the “Purgatory Plunge,” which soars for 420 feet at speeds of up to 35 mph. Cost is $25/person and can be purchased à la carte or at a discount when combined with the summer Total Adventure Ticket. This includes killer activities like the Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift, mountain bike uplift, miniature golf, climbing wall, bungee trampoline and mechanical bull. Durango Mountain Resort also features horseback riding, a Fridbee Disc Golf Course, naturalist tours or gold panning in the Plaza with the Durango Mining Company. Packages start at $97 per person and includes four nights lodging for the price of three, plus four Total Adventure Tickets.
Estes Park
Most Coloradoans know about hiking and camping in glorious Rocky Mountain National Park, biking around Lake Estes, checking out the darling shops on Elkhorn Avenue and tearing around the go-cart tracks. But most don’t know about the Rocky Mountain Nature Association, which offers a variety of half-day courses for kids and grown-ups alike such as geo-caching, animal tracking, stargazing and art sketching as a travel souvenir. Classes are four hours and many only cost between $10 and $15 for children. Festivals abound in Estes Park during the summer–the Fishing Derby (June 4) and Wool Market (June 11-12) are fun for kids and parents.
Glenwood Springs
Take the world’s largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool (Glenwood Hot Springs), add an adventure park built on top of a mountain (Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park), sprinkle in the Roaring Fork Valley’s crimson rocks and emerald forests and you have a memorable family vacation just a few hours from Denver. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park launched a bungee jumping station this spring–the first in Colorado–as well as a zipline. The attraction joins the newly-opened giant canyon swing, which launches riders 1,300 feet above the Colorado River. The faint-of-heart need not apply.
Grand Junction
There is no lack of entertainment on the Western Slope! If you have dinosaur lovers, get up close and personal at the Museum of Western Colorado’s Dinosaur Journey with dinosaur skeletons or take a single-day or multi-day dinosaur expedition. Bike a portion of the relatively flat 18-mile Colorado Riverfront Trail that winds through picnic grounds, botanical garden, protected wetlands and fishing pier. The area is the heart of Colorado’s agricultural region and fruit stands and orchard tours are in abundance (don’t miss the mouth-watering 44th Annual Palisade Peach Festival Aug. 18-21). For indoor fun, the Bananas Fun Park offers a miniature golf course, arcade, go carts, laser tag and bumper boats, an indoor playland and more.
Keystone
It’s all about the kids with Keystone’s Kidtopia Kids Fest June 25, July 16, 30 and Aug 13. Enjoy gold panning, petting zoo, train rides, caricatures, face painter, balloon artist, midway games, spin art, kids’ show, bounce houses and much, much more! Keystone Kidtopia Music Festival is June 25 & 26, 2011 and features family-friendly live music, an international marketplace and tasty food. Deal: Stay in Keystone for three nights and get the fourth night free at all Keystone lodging operations.
Vail
Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to do Vail on the cheap, think again. Vail Valley is full of free events that are perfect for families in the summertime. Don’t miss the gondola rides for kids, Hot Summer Nights Tuesday Concert Series, guided nature hikes of Vail Mountain, volleyball, bocce and horseshoes at Adventure Ridge, kayak demos and more. Head over to Beaver Creek for the Chef Demonstration series in June, July, August and September in the Bon Appétit tent where you can sample some of the finest local culinary delights…all for free!
What are your favorite Colorado destinations in the summer?
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Some other ideas for fun in Colorado:
The trek with teens
As I’ve already established on this blog, I’ve been sick a lot lately and my absence has not gone unrecognized at church. A couple of weeks ago, I was getting some reimbursement slips from our clerk’s office when I had a rather enlightening conversation with two of our ward members, Brother Allred and Brother Conley.
Side note: Just writing that we often refer to each other (particularly the older generation) as “brother” and “sister” sounds a bit strange but I assure you it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Especially considering other names people could call you.
Our conversation:
Brother Allred: “So, Sister Johnson. Are you feeling better?”
Me: “Finally. It’s been a rough few months. I have a really low white-blood cell count, which I suspect is the reason why I keep getting sick.”
Brother Conley (who was listening in): “Low white blood cell count? Did you know that Brother Allred doesn’t have any white blood cells?”
Brother Allred: “You’re correct. Mine are ‘all-red.'”
Just one more reason why I’m glad to be back at church.
I had one of my best Mother’s Days on record. It started with breakfast-in-bed, thanks to Jamie and Hadley.
Though I could have done without the wake-up call to receive it (guilty parties, take note). Fortunately, they ended much better with grlled rib-eye steaks for dinner.
I was showered with gifts that included a handmade mug and card from Hadley, a personalized card and photo from Bode and a much-needed Sierra Designs windbreaker from The Honey.
At church, moms were revered, honored, and perhaps most importantly fed pie. I say “most importantly” because a couple of years ago, they attempted to yank this long-standing tradition by instead giving us a nice flower.
It did not go over well.
We’re a “let them eat cake pie” kinda ward.
Following church, I wanted to spend time with my family in a meaningful way so suggested we go for a walk around Evergreen Lake’s 1.3-mile loop. Just a 20-minute drive from our house, this mountain hamlet has long been a favorite skating destination in the winter. We spotted mallards, Canadian geese, Double-crested Cormorant and crawdads. 
We threw rocks, marveled at the dam and resolved to return this summer to go paddle-boating.
Possibly my favorite Mother’s Day ever?
I’m so grateful for my mom, mother-in-law and all my friends who are such tremendous examples of how to be a great mom. I’m indebted to my kids for making me one in the first place and for showering with me with affection and recognition.
Now, I just need to figure out how to convince them every day is Mother’s Day.
There are many things I loved about my 18-month mission to France and Switzerland but rendering service at the various food banks was one of my favorites. For the entire week surrounding Christmas when I lived in Bienne, Switzerland, we did nothing but service projects that included helping serve dinner on Christmas Eve to homeless people at a shelter.
It was the best Christmas I have ever had.
When I was in Chalon-sur-Saone, France, we volunteered once a week at the local food pantry where I came alive as we entertained and brought a glimpse of joy to its patrons. My missionary companion and I were even interviewed by the local newspaper.
Just don’t ask me what I said. I didn’t understand the complicated words en francais they quoted me as saying.
I guess you could say helping the hungry and homeless is a passion, but one that has been lost since I had children. A few years ago, I volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Denver Rescue mission with my kids but they were too young. Same goes for the Food Bank of the Rockies–I learned last week during a tour sponsored by ConAgra Foods that kids need to be 14 years and older.
But I also discovered my kiddos don’t have to wait that long to help. Forty-two percent of those served by the Food Bank of the Rockies are children under 18 years old and this statistic hit Haddie hard.
Ways for Kids to Get Involved:
– Hold a Food Drive in your area.
– Check out this Kung Food Fighters Activity Book.
– Donate a week’s worth of allowance!
– Kids in the Kitchen; Help your parents prepare a meal.
– Have a conversation with your parents about Hunger in Colorado.
– Learn about our Programs for Kids through the Food Bank of the Rockies.
You also have until the end of May to help fight child hunger with ConAgra Foods. When you purchase one of their brands (Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender’s and Peter Pan), enter the eight-digit purchase code at www.childhungerendshere.com and they will donate one meal to Feeding America–up to 2.5 million meals.
Or make a financial contribution by texting “FEEDKIDS” to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011. Feeding America is currently on the ground helping communities impacted by the tornadoes in the South by helping with food, water and household necessities.
To find a food bank in your area, go to Feeding America’s Web site.
Disclaimer: I am participating in a campaign to help end child hunger through ConAgra Foods. All recommendations are my own.
I have figured out the “Magic of Disney.”
It has nothing to do with Disneyland’s characters, rides, parades, shops or food. That magic has to do with how two children–completely overwhelmed, overheated and exhausted–can whine for hours about the conditions….
….and yet at day’s end forget it all and attest they had the most fun of their entire lives.
Hadley, Bode and I had just one day to spend at Disneyland over Spring Break. My friend Stephanie (a local) was going to be our tour guide but had to bail at the last-minute. I had foolishly planned on blindly following her around but instead was thrown into the lake without a paddle.
Or a boat.
My kids and I initially failed at navigating the crowds but by day’s end we had started to figure out the system (and I would love to hear your insightsas well.)
Planning Ahead
Pre-planning is, of course, a no-brainer (unless you’re me). If you have specific questions that are not addressed on their thorough Web site, be sure to check out the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (moms head up this online question-and-answer forum). Also, order a complimentary Disney Vacation Planning CD with oodles of tips to your get familiar with the Resort before arriving.
FASTPASS
For the most popular rides, a FASTPASS can cut your time in line from over an hour to just a few minutes.
One of the few things we did right was identify one must-do ride (Space Mountain) and went there immediately. We inserted our Park admission ticket into the FASTPASS machine outside Space Mountain and received a pre-assigned time slot for faster boarding (we discovered it can be used anytime after that point). It’s free, but you can only have one FASTPASS active at a time. Instead of waiting for over an hour for the ride, we came back a few hours later and boarded in less than 15 minutes. Despite having the bejeeters scared out of us (OK, me), this was our favorite ride.
Applications
I posted a desperate message on Facebook about the long lines and my friend came to the rescue by recommending the FREE iPhone app, Mousewait. It gives wait times for rides, tells you the nearest place to get food, find a bathroom or even an iPhone charging station. The Park also has official apps for a nominal charge.
Parent “Rider Switch”
A theme-park “rider switch” policy gives both parents a chance to enjoy the latest attractions without the double wait. A parent who waits with a young child while the other parent rides the attraction can get on the ride with minimal wait time once the first parent comes off. Because I was a single mom, this option didn’t work for me but you’d better believe I would have taken advantage of it if my husband was with us.
Baby Care Centers and Strollers
My friend Stephanie recommended I take her stroller for 4-year-old Bode and after a 12-hour day, I was counting my blessings for it (note: strollers are not allowed in line). If you don’t want to bring your own, each park has a Baby Care center and baby stroller rental stations ($15/day). The Baby Care Centers have toddler-size toilets, diaper-changing rooms and private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers. (You will also find baby-changing stations in the restrooms.)
Lodging
We bunked at Stephanie’s house but I’m debating staying on-site next time.
Pros: Guests of the Disneyland Resort Hotels are allowed to enter the park about an hour and a half before the general public is permitted access (valid only Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday). The Resort also offers special packages that often include hotels and tickets, as well as savings on multi-day stays and multi-park visits. Store purchases in the park can be sent over to the hotel so you don’t have to haul your treasures around.
Cons: Disneyland Resort Hotels are expensive and with the exception of Grand Californian, the Disneyland Resort Hotels are not themed as they are at Walt Disney World. There are also several non-Disney hotels that are much less expensive and within walking distance.
Healthful Dining Options
I did not have the foresight to make reservations at the Park’s restaurants and to avoid the chaos, we ate during non-peak times. While we had our share of Disney-esque treats, I was delighted to buy mangoes from one of the nutritious snack stands that offered such things as nuts, trail mix and items on the fresh fruit carts. Kids meals come with fruit or vegetables on the side, along with juice, water or low-fat milk to drink. Fries and soda are available upon request, at no additional cost.
Toddler-friendly attractions
While children are typically captivated by all of Disneyland Resort, be sure to seek out attractions and activities that are appropriate for little ones. Sure hits at Disneyland: Mickey’s Toontown, where they can visit Mickey at his house; Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, “it’s a small world” and Dumbo, the Flying Elephant. At Disney’s California Adventure park, a few of the special attractions for children are Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage, A Bug’s Land with its kiddie attractions, and King Triton’s Carrousel.
New Attractions
On May 27, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade will premier with whimsical float units, live musicians and some of your favorite characters including (duh) Mickey Mouse and his pals.
On June 3, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure will debut At Disney California Adventure park. My kids tried (and failed) at catching a glimpse behind the barriers of this journey under the sea. From the great songs to state-of-the-art animatronics and special effects, guests will become a part of her world in a way that’s never happened before. A must for Little Mermaid lovers!
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The biggest thing I learned during our first visit to Disneyland was to stop going commando by trying to see and do everything. We made a small list of our must-visit attractions (favorites were Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Soarin’, Grizzly River Run water rafting, and Pirates of the Caribbean). Next time, I feel better equipped to conquer the park.
And feel even more of that Disney magic.
What are your tried and true tips for getting the most out of Disneyland?
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Our final day at sea aboard the Disney Wonder was overcast and chilly but no one complained. After six days of fun in the sun, we were more than happy to leisurely hang out in our PJs in our stateroom.
Though my kids’ shell-shocked expressions in this photo may testify otherwise.
It was probably because I had told them their endless gourmet food supply was soon coming to an end.
When we finally emerged to civilization, we played board games in the Promenade Lounge, leisurely enjoying ocean views out of the large porthole windows.
That afternoon, we attended the matinee of Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic, a live musical show at the Walt Disney Theatre. We loved the story of Anne Marie, a little girl who couldn’t find it in her heart to believe, with special appearances from the Blue Fairy, Peter Pan and many of our favorite Disney characters. Thousands of bubbles were blown into the audience and whimsical snow swirled around us in the perfect sendoff.
Magical Moments
But my favorite moment of the entire trip happened almost by accident. Later that evening, Linda and I had dinner reservations at Palo’s (memorable details here) while the kids partied away at the Oceaneer Club. Around 6 p.m., we tried to grab Haddie and Bode some dinner at Beach Blanket Buffet but it was closed.
We wandered out to Pluto’s Dog House, a quick-service grill, adjacent to Mickey’s Pool and ordered the kids some hot dogs and fries. With most people either at dinner or the show, along with the chilly temperatures, the area was a ghost town.
“We want to go swimming!” Hadley announced.
“Now? Isn’t it too cold?”
“There’s nobody here. Pleeeeease can we do it?”
The girl is half-Canadian so cold weather ain’t exactly a diversion.
And because I’m full-blooded Canadian, I grabbed their swim suits.
Hadley and Bode had the time of their lives in that pool all their own. They laughed, played, splashed and jumped the waves of the rocking boat.
Our entire family vacation was fun but those final moments were sheer magic.
Or rather, Wonderful. Because you wouldn’t expect anything less aboard The Disney Wonder.
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If you missed it:
*It’s a Wonder Cruising with Disney: A Day-by-day Guide
*Day 0.5: If Getting There is Half the Fun Then I’m in Trouble
*Day 1: Kids Club, Sail Away Party and Fat Kitty Stowaway
*Day 2: Stateroom, Oceaneer Club, Pools, Entertainment & Pyrotechnics, Oh My!
*Day 3: Our Slacker Character Breakfast, Oceaneer Lab’s Little Red Hen and the Magic of Animator’s Palate
*Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Boogie Boarding and Not-nude Beaches
*Days 5 & 6: Cabo, Lands End, A Brush with Death and a Newfound Love
