Category Archives: Family Travel

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Summer Vacations 2014

. Family, Family Travel . , , , , , , , , , ,
Disneyland, California July 12, 2014

Disneyland, California July 12, 2014

We had some excellent summer vacations in 2014!

For Memorial Day and Independence Day, we spent several days up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at Dollywood. If you live in East Tennessee and you love amusement parks, it would be wise to buy a season pass to Dollywood. After your second visit on a season pass, you have paid for your season ticket. The rides are thrilling and adventuresome, and the songs, shows, and crafts that permeate the park are sooooo Dolly Parton. I’ve been a fan of hers since I was 10 years old.

Carter & Ammon May 22, 2014

Carter & Ammon May 22, 2014

June 6-15 we were in our “adopted city” of New York, Manhattan. We stayed at the Doubletree, went to shows, saw the Statue of Liberty, met up with an old friend, Patsy Claiborne Webb for a day, and went to Coney Island. We also saw a dear friend and tour guide, Marion, at the American Museum of Natural History. She gave us a private tour of the museum before it opened one Tuesday morning. Regarding the shows, all four of us, Ammon, Carter, Sean, and I, agree that “Kinky Boots” was our favorite show. It was Sean and my 2nd time to see it the first being December of 2013.

IMG_1224

Chalk Drawing from Central Park NYC Father's Day (June 15, 2014)

Chalk Drawing from Central Park NYC Father’s Day (June 15, 2014)

July 11-21 we were in Anaheim, California. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. We spent 5 days going back and forth from Disneyland to the Disney California Adventure Park. On Monday we spent all day at Universal Studios. On Friday July 18, we drove down to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Other adventures were to Venice Beach where Ammon and Carter placed their feet in the Pacific Ocean for the 1st time, and to the Santa Monica Pier where the famous Route 66 ends. We rode its roller coaster.

Universal Studios at the new Menion Mayhem: July 14

Universal Studios at the new Menion Mayhem: July 14

Santa Monica Pier July 16.

Santa Monica Pier July 16.

Back Scenes Tour San Diego Wild Nature Park: Tiger's House July 18.

Back Scenes Tour San Diego Wild Nature Park: Tiger’s House July 18.

Venice Beach July 20

Venice Beach July 20

Space Mountain Disneyland

Space Mountain Disneyland

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

St. Patrick’s Day 2015

. European Destinations, Family Travel, Holidays . , , , , , , ,

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin, Ireland: June 13, 2011 I’ve always enjoyed all the “wearing of the green” and the leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day. However, it wasn’t until our day in Dublin, Ireland June of 2011, that I felt a “spiritual conncetion” with Saint Patrick.  I had even read several times yet without absorbing much history of Saint Patrick to really know his story.

St. Patrick

He had been taken from  homeland in Wales (Great Britain) to be a slave in Ireland. He was approximately 16, and by his early 20s he had made it back to Wales. He then became a minister and returned to Ireland. He writes that he “baptized thousands of people”. He ordained priests to lead the new Christian communities. He converted wealthy women, some of whom became nuns in the face of family opposition. He also dealt with the sons of kings, converting them too.

Carter, Nana, Haven, & Ammon (admiring the vaulted ceilings)
June 13, 2011: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin, Ireland

My favorite building in Dublin, Ireland was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It had such a warmth and “spirit” about it. It wasn’t like other cathedrals I have been in where it was like a museum instead of a place of worship. St. Patrick’s work was filled with love and giving, and his spirit seems to permeate his cathedral.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Toys R Us 2012

. Family, Family Travel, Holidays . , , , ,

It’s so cool to enjoy the Ferris Wheel at the Toys R Us in Times Square, New York City. Ammon and Carter really enjoy going there even if it is just to “look at toys”.

3rd Annual Toys R Us Ferris Wheel Ride: Haven's 1st ride with Carter.

3rd Annual Toys R Us Ferris Wheel Ride: Haven’s 1st ride with Carter.

Nana & Sean's 1st Ferris Wheel Picture with Ammon: 3rd Annual Toys R Us Ferris Wheel Ride

Nana & Sean’s 1st Ferris Wheel Picture with Ammon: 3rd Annual Toys R Us Ferris Wheel Ride

It’s so cool to see Carter & Ammon growing. I am including their last year’s link so we can all compare.

2011 Toys R US

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

. Family Travel . , , ,

I guess the first time I went to Burt’s was like 1992ish? My niece, Jennifer was about 11 years old. Mamaw, Nana, Sean, Carter, Ammon, & I went on Wednesday October 10, 2012, and we had a great time.

I think the best part was the hay ride (it smelled sooooooooooo good!!). We were a bit early, and we had a “private tour”. Ammon & Carter are almost 4 years old, so I think that with their memories, pictures, and blogs (LOL), they will remember this trip for years to come. After the hayride, Carter and Ammon helped pick out our pumpkins to make jack-o-laterns. Great Place that Burt’s!

Ammon & Carter amongst the Pumpkins: October 10, 2012

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Annette & Frank Margo/Schwerin, Germany

. European Destinations, Family Travel . , , , , , ,

Open Seas and Open Minds

Annette & Frank Margo with Ammon and Carter: June 28, 2012

Astronomical Clock: Rostock Cathedral: Rostock, Germany

Outside Schwerin Castle

Schwerin Castle: June 28, 2012

When we started taking cruises in 2008, we had no idea we would meet such wonderful people. I am going to post my “Open Seas and Open Minds” article with this blog in case you all would like to read about some excellent people from around the world who really mean or have meant a lot to Carter, Ammon, Sean, and to me.

On our port-of-call in Warnemunde, Germany we found ourselves conversing and bonding with a couple from Texas named Annette and Frank Margo. They became new, honorary grandparentsfor Ammon and Carter, and, once again, our children and we have been blessed. After the cruise, we exchanged emails, and we have corresponded frequently since the cruise. Frank and Annette, we love you!!

In addition, we saw three different cities this day: Warnemunde, Schwerin, and Rostock. We spent most of time in Schwerin. It is a quaint city, but Schwerin Castle is the only “real” thing to see there. It was definitely not a place to buy souvenirs because, frankly, there is very little artisanship there.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Copenhagen

. European Destinations, Family, Family Travel . , , , , ,

The Little Mermaid, Ammon, & Haven: Copenhagen July 6, 2012

The Little Mermaid, Sean, & Carter: Copenhagen July 6, 2012

Tivoli Carousel

Tivoli Carousel: July 2, 2012

Early spring of 2012, Sean and I debated on several days in Copenhagen with a horrible itinerary flying back to the United States to home or making it to London, England with a very comfortable and accommodating itinerary home. Since we (Carter and Ammon included) enjoy London, we chose a one day tour in Copenhagen. Like several other places, guess what we’ve decided? You got it! We want to return to Copenhagen.

The Baltic Cruise was round trip out of Copenhagen. Both the embarkation and disembarkation days were cool and rainy: quite depressing. It was a shame that this lovely, seaside city looked so gray and dreary. However, like I said it is a pretty city.

Both Ammon and Carter thought it was cool to see the “original” Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale. We also visited a quaint cathedral, but the highlight of the excursion was Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli (a world-renowned amusement park). We did not have much time there, but Carter and Ammon got to ride a carousel (it’s kind of becoming their “thing” to ride carousels from around the world…LOL).
So, too quick of an excursion for such an interesting and pretty city. Lord willing, we will return.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

St. Petersburg, Russia

. European Destinations, Family Travel . , , , , , , , , ,

The Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood : St. Petersburg, Russia

Our Whole Crew: St. Petersburg, Russia outside Church of the Spilled Blood

Inside St. Isaac’s Cathedral: July 2, 2012

The Pine Trees are fountains! Peterhof Palace Gardens

Peterhof Palace: July 2, 2012

Tomb of Peter the Great: Peter and Paul Fortress St. Petersburg

Wax Figures in the Yusupov Palace: Rasputin (Integral part in the downfall of the Royal Romanov Russian Dynasty) is about to murdered with the help of Felix Yusupov

Hermitage Museum of Art: July 1, 2012

I wish I could say “ I’m in love with the city of St. Petersburg!” , but I cannot. I appreciate it, and I THINK, I could like it, but I’m just not there yet. Sean and I have spoken with several fellow travelers these past two years, and they are quite “smitten” with the city. I do think it’s quite pleasing to the eye and loaded with history: to me very sad history.

We have been there twice, and each time there are literally “hoards” of people. There are traffic jams, traffic accidents (our own bus driver hit TWO cars on our 2nd day of touring). We have had two intelligent, informative, and friendly tour guides these past two trips, but the regular people we have encountered have neither been friendly nor enveloping. Both times I have been there I have experienced that “Give me your tourism $$, then get the heck out!”

Russia’s Czar, Peter the Great, created this “young” city (1703) from swamp lands. He dragged his country practically “kicking and screaming” into the modern era of the world. However, he died, Russia couldn’t “keep it together” again. It seemed to almost have it with Alexander II, but he died at the hands of a homicidal maniac.

I wrote this time last year of “Victims of History” such as Mary,Queen of Scots and Czar Nicholas II of Russia. I first heard and read of the Nicolas when I was about 11 years old. He had such deep love and devotion for his wife, son, and daughters, but not the same love for the people of his country…that is the tragic downfall.
Okay, what I do like very much from St.Petersburg…. 1)St. Isaac’s Cathedral, 2)Church of the Spilled Blood and just outside of St. Petersburg…3)Peterhof Palace Gardens.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Oslo, Norway: June 26, 2012

. European Destinations, Family, Family Travel . , , , , ,

Oslo Hard Rock Cafe: June 26, 2012

Viking Museum

Public Ski Jump Park

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Oslo’s Opera House: June 26, 2012

Since I was a teenager, I have wanted to visit Oslo, Norway. My Nanny Caylor always spoke HIGHLY of this nation. During my one day visit, I was not disappointed.

During World War II, Norway was occupied by the Nazis. However, the Norwegian people fought tenaciously and tirelessly to kick them out. I know it was common, but the first time I heard about them battling on snow skis, I was soooooooooooo impressed! My Nanny always thought Norway was so pretty, and it was shared between Norway and the United States that Norwary paid off all its debt to the United States after World War II.

Oslo’s port with Princess Cruise Lines had to be THE BEST port we had ever experienced. The downtown area was less than a 10 minute walk from the ported ship! The Oslo Fjord itself was such a beautiful, natural wonder too.
We know we want to go back to Oslo: 6 hours there were not enough.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

John, Jesus’ Friend/Apostle: Ephesus

. Family Travel, Learning . , , , , , , ,

Sitting in the Ruins of St. John’s Basilica: October 16, 2011-Sunday

St. John’s Byzantine Basilica Ruins

Camel in Ephesus

Summary of John’s Life

John is the only Apostle who did not suffer a martyr’s death. He was human just like the rest of us, and he had his faults, but there was a spiritual connection and understanding that John had with Jesus that the other 11 did not. John and his family were well known in Jerusalem. He must have been liked by the Jewish rulers as well because he (Had to have been John!) was witness the trials of Jesus during the night of his arrest (John 18:15). John is then present at the crucifixion with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Because there was no Joseph, Jesus was traditionally and culturally responsible to take care of his mother. John was more family to Jesus than his own brothers and sisters, and on the cross, Jesus gave John the honor of becoming Mary’s adopted “firstborn” (John 19:26-27) to be responsible for her until her death. John carried out his appointment with love and dedication.

John the Apostle also died and is buried in Ephesus at approximately 100 years of age, and a huge church was built over his grave. Emperor Justinian and his wife, Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire replaced the large, simple church with a huge, Christian, Byzantine basilica. Based on the ruins ( earthquake), it looked quite impressive. It is said to be the first Christian church built in the form of a cross.

We had a great time searching through the ruins. There is even a Princess video that shows Ammon and Carter happily running and investigating their surroundings. The whole experience at Ephesus was excellent. We even got to have our pictures taken with a camel before we entered our tour bus to return to the port of Kusadasi.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

March 1, 2012: Haven’s ski and evening sleigh ride

. Family Travel . , , , ,

Sleigh ride and Dinner night

“Where is your Youtube video”, Mamaw (my mother) asked me last week. I replied, “No one will be videoing me, sniff, sniff!”  HOWEVER, I CAN SKI!

My first lesson was on Monday went fairly well. Jenny had devoted most of our private lesson to Carter and Ammon, and I made a mistake of wearing my ski boots all day. I also put on my skis a time or two. By the time it was my time for a lesson, I was already TIRED! Booooooooooo! I was having trouble making my “pizzas”, and my legs were wobbly.

The next lesson was the following Thursday. It snowed the whole morning I skied. Jenny and I were the first people on the slope, and I went immediately to the run. I had been awake and thinking since 5:00 a. m. (it was now 8:30), and I told Jenny, “If I fall, I fall!” The new, “controlled” snow was great.  I did, indeed, fall again on the learning slope, but it was the ONLY time until the Discovery Run that is a practice segment of Keystone’s beginning green run. When I finally got my balance and my pizza down real well, I really enjoyed the skiing.

The snow kept falling and falling, and we went up to the Discovery Run for the last 30 minutes of the lesson. There was a narrow turn at the very top of the run, and I fell all three times. LOL. Carter, Ammon, and I are ready to ski after Thanksgiving this year. Sean will take more snow boarding lessons as well.

Thursday evening sleigh ride was cold but AWESOME. Carter kept singing “Jingle Bells”. We rode out to a cabin , had a delicious dinner with a great singer (guitar and singing) as an entertainer, then had our sleigh ride back to our bus.

Ammon in the sleigh ride. I think it was about 12 degrees!

Carter in the sleigh ride