Bear Mountain and More Hudson River Valley

Saturday morning we had planned to head to the Storm King Arts center but our trip was a bit delayed. I forgot to mention that while we were stuck in traffic on the George Washington Bridge right outside NYC Maeve barfed all over herself and the car, our NEW car. The boys were gagging and it was freezing cold but we had to roll the windows done to control the smell. Bless her and bless Jamie for cleaning up the mess as best as he could. Anyways, Saturday morning we were heinously reminded of the 'incident' when we got to the car. We had to find a car wash to shampoo the carpets. It was that bad.

 

We finally hit the road and even though we got a late start, just being on the road was satisfying. The fall colors were at their peak. Crossing the Tappenzee bridge we saw NYC in the distance and the valley on the opposite side was stunning. I loved being in a new place surrounded by such exquisite scenery. We drove through Bear Mountain to get to the arts center and we actually ran into traffic because all of New York was out to see the colors! We saw a lot of zip cars on the road. The views of West Point and the river from the top of the mountain were fantastic. I just kept wondering how we had NOT done this before?!

Van Cortland Manor Pumpkin Blaze

Months ago Jamie suggested that we plan a fall trip to Sleep Hollow, NY to give the kids an unforgettable Halloween season. In doing research, I found that the area is famous for many Halloween themed activities, none of which was more amazing that the Pumpkin Blaze at the Van Cortland Manor in Croton on Hudson. I was blown away by the photos of past blazes. When I planned the trip and booked hotels I found that there was only one time available the night we wanted to go and it was 9:30pm. That seemed kind of late with kids so I hesitated but finally just booked it. When I told Jamie about my hesitation and he eventually looked up the blaze, he said he would have gotten the kids up at midnight to see it because it looked so amazing. He was RIGHT.

We were frantically getting house stuff done up until the moment we left for New York and with traffic in Baltimore and outside New York City, we arrived at the pumpkin blaze only minutes before our timed arrival. The drive was tedious because of the traffic but it was exciting nontheless. Croton on Hudson was just 20 miles north of New York City and I loved driving past the city with the kids. 

The blaze was UH-MAZING. Even the entrance tent with lights and chandeliers and treats for sale was exciting. I could also feel that we were in a very different place than home. New York! The blaze was stunning from the moment we entered the gates, which were lined with creative carved pumpkins. Eventually we passed pumpkin snakes and a field of sun flowers, a beehive with many bees, a tree covered in bugs and birds! The kids were in awe of everything and a little afraid too. There was a large version of old school frankenstein and his bride that was incredible. We passed an enormous graveyard with hands coming out of every grave. Bat pumpkins hanging from trees! Skeletons! Spider webs! Spiders! There was a whole section of creepy clown faces and a section of just eye balls. 

There was a passage of jack in a box clowns. There were witches stewing potions in pots and lots and lots of cats. Towards the end of the walk we saw giant dinosaurs and elephants and sea creatures. I'm telling you, it was like nothing I had ever seen and it so perfectly embodied the magic of Halloween. I wonder why more places don't do something as amazing? We loved it so much. If my family were willing, I'd go back EVERY year!

Trunk or Treat Fest

A few days after getting home from the beach we had our ward trunk or treat. It was costume go time! Soren wanted to be a black spiderman so I found a costume on ebay for $13 and fortunately I ordered it well in advance to arrive from Hong Kong in time for Halloween. Asher wanted to be a zombie, surprise! He wore his tattered size 3 skinny jeans and the BYU shirt that he used to wear EVERY day a few years back, both items had natural tears in them. I did his make-up and since I have zero makeup skills it was passable. Maeve wanted to be a cat and she was adorable. 

We had a fun night and the kids got loads and loads of candy. They are still 'innocent' enough to like suckers and hard candy over chocolate. Crazies.

Farewell Sky

Asher demonstrates the pirate kill shot in one final photo at the beach.

I took the kids to Wings and let them pick up a souvenir, which was timely because everything in the store was 50% off. Asher chose this creepy pirate mask and for some reason it made Maeve's left eye look lazy and squinty, which amused us beyond reason.

The morning we left the beach sky was gorgeously dynamic. The clouds were enormous and the rays of light shining through them were celestial. I felt genuine grief that our precious week had already concluded. I'm not sure how these days and moments we anticipate so much can pass so rapidly. It's almost cruel. We needed that week and that time together. The constant sound of the surf and the constant company of my family was absolutely restorative. It's a week that I'd like to repeat EVERY year.

Maeve loved wandering to one of the six bedrooms to turn on a tv and veg out in front of Disney Junior. I loved cooking with uninterrupted views of the ocean and my children. Having all of that with Jamie was unspeakably joyful. One of the best weeks of my life.

North Carolina Aquariums Are My Fave

I've now been to two North Carolina aquariums and I can say with confidence that they are exceptional. The price can't be beat ($7 a ticket) and the locations and wildlife are excellent. Our closes aquarium in Baltimore is cool with lots of sharks and other great animals but it is ridiculously expensive and you can't take strollers! 

The kids LOVED the Roanoke Island aquarium. What's not to love about staring a shark in its wee beady eyes? We saw an alligator too and that was exciting. The location on the water was fantastic. Maeve threw a fit on the boardwalk when I refused to let her take endless photos. I do have to give her credit for the cheesy photo of Jamie and me above. 

Driving to Roanoke Island was cool. What in the world happened to that colony??

Beach Light

Every evening we went to the beach--sometimes to play in the water and sometimes to just walk and explore and take in the beauty and breadth of such an exciting environment. One night I noticed little jelly fish in the water and yanked my kids out fast. WE then saw hundreds of implant looking felly fish on the beach. It was a little bit too much nature for me but they gave us greater cause to notice the life and remnants of life around us.

 

One night during dinner I noticed that the sky was clear and the moon was bright and high and shimmering over the water. It was one of the most beautiful scenes I had ever seen. We watched with reverence at the beauty before us.

 

Each day confirmed that the beach was a perfect place for us to relax and just enjoy each other.

Inspirational Flights

A flower for me.

Maeve coyly surprising me with said flower.

When I took the kids to Kitty Hawk last year we didn't hike to the monument so I was wonderfully pleased at the views. The kids LOVED it at the top and played and ran like crazy. 

Naturally Asher saw the door handles as hand cuffs.

Asher gives a fist bump.

I love Maeve's marbled hair.

Jamie LOVED seeing Kitty Hawk and for good reason. It is just exciting to imagine those first flights and the time, effort and creativity that went into making them happen. Impossible to imagine life without planes so to step back in time a bit and put into perspective the engineering and vision that were necessary to make flight happen is just astonishing. To think that it all happened on sandy dunes!