Time to head for home

It has been all quiet on the Blog-front the last week as we have been enjoying the 'holiday time' here in California. One thing I will give to this state is that the weather doesn't change. In seven days you could set your clock by the weather...starts out overcast, by 11am the sun bursts through and the temperature jumps about 8 degrees, time to put sun cream on, then just when you can't bare the heat, at 3pm a breeze comes through to cool things down and the evening sky is crystal clear. Perfect for fireworks and light spectaculars at the parks. 

Due to the above, our time at Disneyland has been amazing. Walt Disney was inspired to create the park as a place where adults and children could play and have fun together and this mission is certainly achieved as we have all had so much fun in equal amounts. We have been on almost every ride, some a few times and are completely disneyed-out. It is a mammoth enterprise and the detail in every ride, food outlet, shop is quite mind blowing. 

But the time has come to head for home. We have packed and will soon have out hire car to explore a bit of downtown LA, then to the airport. At least we only have one flight this time. 

Time to return to reality....boo!

Wedding Bliss

Despite all the fun we have had in the city it was lovely to arrive in Roxbury, in upstate New York on Saturday afternoon to begin the celebrations for my brother's wedding...the reason we are on this trip in the first place. 

Roxbury is a little town in the Catskills area and in summer it is green and lush with thick woodlands. There is one main street in the town but the boutique Roxbury Motel certainly puts this town on the map. With most of the wedding guests staying at the Motel we were able to do a 'room crawl' to see several of the detailed rooms and suites that range in themes from the Wizard of Oz, the Sound of Music, Star Trek, Charlie's Angels, The Flintstones, The Wild West, I Dream of Genie etc etc. all you can say is WOW! The detail and care that has been taken to make every room unique is exceptional. And this the uniqueness of the setting was reflected on the beautiful wedding we would all attend the following evening.

Attention to detail was also a theme of the wedding. In our rooms we were met with a bag of goodies welcoming us with a mix of Aussie and US treats, plus a schedule of significant events for the weekend, some info on the surrounding areas to explore and then a list of who was staying in which themed room at the motel. 

Saturday night was pizza night at the local pizzeria, followed by drinks at the local bar (conveniently next to the motel) and a great chance to meet new friends and family, and also to reconnect with those who we have not seen for many years. 

Hours went by way too quickly and midnight soon appeared on the clock. At the risk of turning into a pumpkin, I retreated to my spotty room to find Andrew and the kids fast asleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day!

Sunday came and it was time to chill out and wait for the wedding to start. There was a pacing groom who didn't really know what to do with himself and a bride (in the the aptly named 'Amadeus' Bride Suite', preening and preparing for the main event. 

And then it was time to come to head to the barn and the woods where the wedding would take place. The weather could not have been more perfect; sunny, not too hot and the setting was romantic and beautiful. A dear friend was the officiant at the ceremony and managed to to make everyone laugh and cry in appropriate measures. 

Such a beautiful ceremony hearing such personal words from Adam and Kristen as they promised to 'love each other, even if sometimes, they didn't like each other'. I was reminded that marriage, and to a certain extent, love, is a choice; and you have to keep choosing to love every day, even when it is hard and you don't want to.

Then it was time for the kiss, the cheers and time to relax, formalities done with, and two people ready to start thier married life. I felt very blessed to have been there with my loved ones to share in this day. There was dancing and drinking, food and frivolity, and the night ended under the stars; a huge bonfire burning and fire flies dancing in the woods. Certainly, a night to remember. 

Roxbury spotty room

Time to move on

New York has been sensational. We have done so much and walked our legs off!
And we have certainly ticked off most of the things on our 'must do' list.
The kids have the subway sorted and would be happy to live in the MoMA Art Lab if they could.

We will be delayed a bit getting our car due to a problem with our booking but hopefully we will be on the road soon heading out to Roxbury for my brothers wedding...the reason why we are here!

Interstate here we come!

Hot in the city

New York is an amazing city. Full stop.
So many museums and sights to see; great food, too much food, smells and sometimes sensory overload.
I write this post from the park bench at the 96th street playground, one of many great playgrounds in Central Park.
It is very hot and humid today but the fountain in the playground is a refreshing way to re-energise after cycling around the park since this morning.
Watching AJ and Ms R run through the fountain, making games with their new NY friends , I am reminded that sometimes kids just want to play. And simple things like water and sunshine are all that is needed. Whilst I could stare at the world's antiquities and artworks and appreciate architecture and urban space for hours...sometimes, kids just need to play.

Farewell DC, Hello New York

DC exceeded expectations, such a beautiful city with so much history. We were sorry to go after a short visit, but now we have just arrived in New York and our apartment is sensational!

And tomorrow I get to see my brother, my sister to be, and some dear old friends. Good times!

A Quick Update

Our second full day in Washington was as jam packed as the first.

A headed out early to queue for the daily tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing...no publishing connection here, it's where they print USA's cold hard caaaaaaaassssh! Tours are free but you need tickets and they are in limited daily supply. The kids and I caught up with him a little later in the queue and we got tickets for the 9am tour. Andrew walked out with an uncut sheet to $2 bills as a souvenir.

Then the rest of the day was spent in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Amazing museum filled with famous aero/space stuff like Wright flyer, Sputnik, the Hubble telescope etc.

Another early start tomorrow as we queue for tickets to go to the top of the Washington monument. Nighty night!

Our first real day of sightseeing

After pretty much flying for a whole day and then a morning to recover, we hopped the Amtrak to Washington DC. The train was certainly a great way to travel; smooth, efficient and comfortable. The train guard could have jumped straight out of a movie with his upbeat "How you doin', guys?" greeting and his cylindrical, peaked black cap.

We arrived Wednesday evening to Union station and it was a fitting introduction to the glorious strength and beauty of DC's architecture. We hopped a cab to our basement apartment in Capitol Hill and got ourselves organised. I was certainly happy to be leaving the luggage grounded in one place for at least a few days.

It was an early start as our body clocks are still adjusting to the time change so we decided to head out early. The metro stop across the road from our apartment is uber-convenient and we navigated our way back to Union station to wander around before going on our DC Ducks city tour. The Ducks are world war 2 amphibious vehicles that can drive on roads and propel themselves along the river. Captain Bob was an informative and friendly tour guide and it was a great way to get our bearings as well as learn a little American history. 

After that it was time for lunch and to get our walking legs on. We walked the Mall down to the awe inspiring Washington monument, got a slushie as a refreshing way to cool ourselves from the humidity and then AJ, R and I headed back to apartment (whilst A headed to have a closer look at the Pentagon). 

Help is at hand

One thing I will certainly say for America is that they have the idea of 'helpful service' down to a fine art.

Everywhere you turn there is someone to direct you or provide information. Makes it so easy to move around.

Currently waiting at Penn Station for our train to Washington DC. Apparently, the weather is not on our side with storms forecast. I am getting very good at converting farenheit to celsius, but for someone who hates the heat I do panic when I see 76 degrees!

Airports are full of memories

...and there is no getting away from them. Growing up with a pilot for a Dad and marrying an aero engineer, I seem to be always be reminded of airports, terminals or hangars in some way. These vast open spaces with shiny concrete floors full of people going places, and the smell of Av-gas or aviation fuel is a smell that reminds me of childhood, strong and destinctive. 

Taking off this morning on our first big family adventure, as I watch Ms R sit back relaxing in her seat by the window, more interested in her in-flight entertainment than in the excitement of lifting off the ground, I recollect that I was just the same at her age.

Flying was something I took for granted. I was never fearful (apparently my nappy was changed in the back seat of a small propeller driven plane as a baby). And as this huge tin can takes off to deliver us to the other side of the world, I think, "How lucky we are".

I don't get to fly that often, but when I do, I always think of the pilots. I remember the time when my brother and I sat in the back of a small plane whilst my Dad took a poor guy for a flying lesson. Because you need the extra stress of carrying two small kids in the back when you are learning to fly!!

And now that this brother, my only brother, is getting married to a beautiful woman, I am more grateful than I was as a child for the opportunity to fly in a huge tin can to be part if this special day. Maybe one day my kids will reflect and be grateful for all the amazing experiences we have as children that build memories for a lifetime.

Here we go!

Airport

Let's get packing

3 bags down, 1 plus carry on left to go. Now I am getting excited!

Holiday Reading

Those who know me, know how much I love my books!
And no holiday would be complete without some reading options. So, below is my reading selection for the trip. All will be in e-book format, except for one trusty paperback in case of low-battery or lack of wi-fi moments.

Where do I start?

 

Not long to go now...

The countdown can officially begin!
Not long to go now until we head off for our long-awaited adventure to the US of A.

Can't wait to just get on the plane, but there is still a lot to do, including the all-important in-flight reading selection. So many hours to catch up on some reading. Georgie below has the right idea.

Need to focus on work this week and then let the packing begin!