Carla Schoepfle

We had an awesome time in Boston.  We started our adventure at my cousin Kate’s wedding.  After Ian’s fever went away, we spent lots of time dancing.  Ian wore both me and his grandma out!

Since an 8 hour train ride for visiting only one day would be silly (or insane), we stayed for the rest of the week.  We started by seeing the Boston Children’s Museum. 

Then because Ian’s fever returned, we took a trip to the Massachusetts General Hospital.  We planned to go to the clinic, but as the clinic doesn’t see children Ian’s size, the ER was the only option.  So after learning that it’s not an infection and “patience” is our only medicine, we headed out to the Aquarium.

The next day was water themed.  We happened to go to the opening day of the frog pond.  If the little park near us becomes half of the fun, that will be a major accomplishment!  Then we took a trip on a swan boat.  We finished off with all five of us (Pete, Ian, me and my folks) taking a duck tour.  We may have to take the duck tour back here in DC too!

Later, we learned that even though the guide book says “all ages”, it does not make it so.  The science museum didn’t end up being of too much interest.  I guess your can’t win them all.  The Boston common park made a good alternative.  I guess if your are not in an age range that has to pay, you probably are not interested.

On our last day, Pete made a solo trip to Mass General for a twisted ankle.  Since the Children’s meuseum was the most popular, Ian and I spend all day there.  Then after dinner, and since it was Friday, we got to spend our evening there too!

We ended up seeing some history too.  Our hotel, the Omni Hotel of Boston, was the oldest continuously running hotel in the US.   The nearest park, where we spent so much time, the Boston Common, was the oldest public park in the US.  Then, the T-stop at the park, Park Street Station, was the first rubway station in the US. 

Vacation was totally awesome.   Kinda weird that I took no pictures, but since Ian’s been born, I’ve taken less and less of them.  I am still exhausted physically, but mentally I’m totally refreshed.  Ian did a great job traveling (Only one changes of clothes needed for the way out, and none needed for the way home). 

Every day on vacation was tons of fun .  It started with going hiking/sledding in Green Canyon with Margie, Kris, Emi and Lili.  The views of Bear Lake on the way to Lunch were really impressive. 

We also enjoyed mud fest 4000 when making it most of the way through the Wind Caves hike (The freshly melted snow made more mud than I’ve seen since I lived in Tennessee!).    The hike had some totally awesome views!  We probably would have made it all the way up – if not for the mud. 

Amazingly all of us (Pete, Me, Ian, Margie, Kris, Emi and Lili) all fit in the FORD Exploder (errr – I mean Explorer).  So we got to have the grand tour to see The Dinosaur Museum and the Train Museum in Ogden (while singing “Don’t stick your fingers up your nose” on the way).  The kids had a great time climbing on all the trains, and I even found where some of the train engine potties are (probably only important if your child is potty training)!

Sadly, vacation’s over.  But now I can’t wait for another one!  I’m so glad Kris and Margie let us stay with them.  It was nice to have a home away from home with built in playmates for Ian. 

Well it was good to get away to the beach in Groton Long Point, Connecticut.  It may not have been as relaxing as expected (but then again – watching Ian is a pretty active job), but the change in scenery was nice to have (and after many months of no extended vacation, I was feeling a bit burned out).

The highlight (for everyone) was definitely the Mystic Aquarium.  Ian really enjoyed seeing the sharks, whales, and fish.  I think the sharks definitely made an impression (and we’ll have to visit more acquariums soon).  I had expected some sort of small - nondescript acquarium, but was pleasantly supprised.  It was quite nice.  

I seem to have the worst luck in 2 areas for vacation:

1. Finding the slow lane for traffic.  Especially on the way home, where we averaged 40 miles an hour for all of New Jersey. 
2. Finding satisfactory breakfast.  On the way up, I found the Starbucks of Rye Connecticut to be less than stellar.  The coffee was cold, straws were hard to find and the sugar came in the tiny packets instead of the jug (and I am not my best before I have had some coffee).  On the way back, the IHop in New Castle, Deleware was not quite working out either.  After 10 minutes of sitting in a booth with no server we left, since we hadn’t even ordered coffee yet.  I’m afraid I’ve never left a place due to poor service before, but I don’t think that Ian would have lasted (and w/out coffee – I definitely wouldn’t have)

So now I’m looking forward to our next vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.