Category Archives: United States Destination Favorites

Fall Break 2020

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Our Fall Break excursion was a nostalgic “re-creation” of our Fall Break in 2012: Ellijay, Georgia and Burt’s Pumpkin Farm.

Hillcrest Orchards   (click for link) is perfect for families with children under 8 who want to pick their own apples then have some fun. Picking apples could be fun for children of all ages, but the playgrounds and activities are designed for younger family members. Carter and Ammon, as well as Sean and I, still had fun, but they could not “get our money’s worth” out of the playgrounds. The petting zoo was great, and the tractor ride was great. They have a mechanical, gargantuan catfish named Jaws who spits water from a pond. Jaws caught me off guard, and I forgot to snap his pic.

Hillcrest Orchards October 15, 2020-Thursday

Ellijay Scarecrow Invasion: Harrison Park-2020 instead of Downtown like 2012

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm : October 2012

Ammon & Carter amongst the Pumpkins: October 10, 2012

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm: October 2020

If we return to Burt’s next year, I plan to go in September to buy pumpkins for decorations. Just photos, some pumpkin bread, and an enjoyable hay ride this year.

Before: 2012/After: 2020

Dog Sledding: March 2, 2012

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Waiting to go out on the run.

Oh, it was cold! I think the high on Friday March 2, 2012 was only about 18 degrees or so. As we journeyed to the area of Leadville, Colorado, the thermometer had dipped to -2!

Ammon, dressed for the snow!

This was our morning to dogsled. When Sean and I went to Breckenridge in 2005, we dog sledded, but we also ran (mushed) with the team. However, we knew this time that neither Sean nor I could balance 4 people while mushing and the other folks staying in the basket. We chose this place because we did not have to run. Ammon and Carter got to sit in the basket the whole time, and they enjoyed it tremendously. The first time the guide stopped to allow the dogs to rest Carter called out, “Let’s do it again.”

As you can see from the photos, we also got to “hitch-up” the team, and then later we un-hitched them. Except for our faces being cold, we had a grand time.

Haven taking the dog, Tuxedo, to his place on the team.

Vail, Colorado 2-29-2012

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Such a quaint town!

The following 3 photographs were taken by Carter!

We four were only there for about 4 hours, but we enjoyed it. My favorite part was watching Carter and Ammon have a good time. They still had “Christmas trees” lit and all sorts of decorations. It was also a treat to have Carter take some pictures: It’s innate that Carter is a great photographer.

We ate at an Italian restaurant called Vendetta’s. The spaghetti was delicious, and Sean enjoyed his lasagna. Honestly, it tasted better than the majority of Italian restaurants we’ve eaten at in Italy (Venice, Rome, & Florence).  Goooo,Vendettas.

Ammon and Carter also enjoyed running in the streets and following the bear claws. It reminded Ammon of the puppy paws from the television show, Blue’s Clues.

New York Review (yep, we’re home)

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Balto, Carter, & Haven

Here are pictures from Central Park. The babies and I are around the statue of Balto. He is the Siberian Husky who led the final leg of the dog sled team when in 1925, the town of Nenana, Alaska was suffering from an outbreak of diphtheria. The sled team was carrying the antitoxin. This is the run that is commemorated in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race each year. We have seen the statue several times in Central Park, and this is the first time I haven’t cried while contemplating those wonderful dogs and their heroic run. I can’t help it. I love dogs!!

Haven, Ammon, & Balto

Once again, it was the first time Ammon and Carter had been on a carousel. They loved going “up and down”. Later in the week we returned to Central Park to simply walk and get exercise. It was very enjoyable.

Carter & Ammon: Central Park Carousel

I also promised Diana from the Cranberry Café that she would appear on the blog. She’s here. The pictures of Friend of a Farmer is a quaint restaurant (77 Irving Place) between 18th and 19th Streets near Union Square. We enjoy the breakfasts there. I highly recommend the breakfast/brunch (pumpkin pancakes!), but the service is usually lacking.

Cranberry Cafe (45th and Times Square)

Haven & Diana (Cranberry Cafe)

Carter, Haven, & Ammon (Friend of a Farmer)

What a treat New York was! One play that we saw that I did not write about last week was Sister Act. It was really good with themes such as “working together with your ‘sisters’ (mankind) and ‘raising your voice’ (in life and to God) were throughout the play. I also thought it was a profound idea where the Reverend Mother said that you find God in people. Patina Miller plays the lead role, and she is very good. She has many mannerisms that remind me of Diana Ross, but her voice is more soulful, and (sorry Diana), Patina is a much better actress. If you liked the movie Sister Act, you will enjoy this play as well.

What a treat New York was, but we are glad to be home. We have been going twice a year, and we plan to return right after Thanksgiving this fall.