Last Day Excursion

Another Train Ride

On Wednesday we made a visit to the Mount Washington Cog Railway (www.thecog.com). It's the world's first mountain climbing train (finished in 1869), the only cog railway east of the Rockies, and it goes up to Mount Washington, New England's highest peak. The top of the mountain is famous for having the world's worst weather - average wind speed is 30 mph and they've had sustained gusts of up to 200 mph. It was a clear morning when we started out, but by the time we got to the top, it was very poor visibility. And the kids did not really care for the wind, especially the little kids. They had a good time on the ride up and again back down though.

Future Geologists

After breakfast we headed to Clark's Trading Post (www.clarkstradingpost.com) for the bear show and steam train ride. Both were fun, but I think Madeleine's favorite thing so far was the seining for rocks and matching them up to their pictures on the mineral and gemstone chart. We found several rubies, emeralds, quartzes, and even some pyrite (fool's gold). Joe Dirt, the prospector helping us out with the seining, was very impressed with her interest and focus on the rocks. I had to explain to him that geology runs in her blood; he said we might just have a future geologist on our hands.

Best Pancakes Ever

This morning we had breakfast at Polly's Pancake Parlor (pollyspancakeparlor.com) and had what Brannon proclaimed were the best pancakes ever. We originally tried to eat there on Sunday morning, but the wait was an hour and a half. Even on a Tuesday morning the restaurant was full. I went ahead and purchased a bag of their pancake mix at the country store attached to the restaurant to see if it's worth ordering it to have shipped home. Yes, they were that good!

Factory Tour

What are the chances of you walking out of The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory without buying a bear? 0%

Exploring the Flume Gorge in Lincoln, NH

Littleton, NH

The view from our rent house in New Hampshire. We arrived late last night after spending the day in Boston. Today was spent exploring the house and grounds, going to the grocery store, and hanging out with our friends the Brady's who came on the trip with us. They have three boys, ages 5, 3 and 1. Tomorrow we will be doing a little sight seeing in the mountains.

Driving Around

Madeleine and James both got to drive the Polaris with Jen (my legs were too short to reach the pedals with a kid in my lap!). The property was 10 acres of woods and rolling hills, so it was a ton of fun to swerve around things. Plus, that thing is FAST!

Victoria, TX

After camping for two days outside Austin, we visited our friends the Bryarlys in Victoria, TX. Matt's parents have an awesome house with a pool, barbecue house and an MG barn (which is why Brannon wanted to come). Matt's dad has several MGs that he loves to work on and drive around. He and Brannon often disappeared, only to be later found flat on their backs under a car.

While Brannon played in the car barn, Matt taught me to shoot. I've never shot a gun before, but I really enjoyed the challenge! I've discovered that I'm a left-handed shooter (I write with my left but kick and throw with my right), and once I figured that put my accuracy greatly improved.

Our three kids had a blast playing with Henry (in M's class at school) and Jake (will be in J's class) and we can't wait to visit Camp Bryarly again!

Swinging Baby

This girl loves to swing!!

Outside Austin

Our five day get-away has begun! We have just set up camp in our travel trailer at McKinney Falls State Park just outside of Austin. The kids are excited to be camping and are having a little trouble settling down in their bunk beds. I have a feeling they will be up with the sun in the morning though.

Can I just say I'm loving the air conditioning in here right now? Until tomorrow....

Happy 4th of July

As is our annual tradition, we spent the morning of the 4th at the University Park 4th of July Parade. Brannon was working, so it was just the kids and me this year. We had lots of fun watching the floats, old cars, marching band and bicycle riders in their finest red, white and blue decorations. The kids favorite thing, of course, was catching all the candy and trinkets tossed from the floats as the passed by. We now have a ridiculous amount of bubble gum to get rid of.

In the evening we went to the yacht club on White Rock Lake for dinner, live music and some sailing. Brannon's parents joined us and we enjoyed a pleasant evening on the lake. The dinner was catered and the club asked that members bring the desserts - there was a dessert contest and for the first time ever, I won! I made a peach and blueberry pie crumble. Now I wish I had taken a picture before we ate it! I guess I'll just have to make another one... We ended the night with sailboat ride watching the fireworks displays around the lake. It was a long, but enjoyable day. Happy 4th!