Author: themodernmobilefamily

Sweet Summer Time…..

Featured Leave a comment

Best summer ever for our modern mobile family! Lucinda has some thoughts to start us off! 

Hi! You should definitely go to the Historic Triangle in Virginia, which is Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. While you are there, stay at the Kingsmill Resort and play in the lazy river. But on to the historical stuff! There are lots of National Park Passport stamps to get. Be sure to check out the living history in Colonial Williamsburg. In Jamestown, we saw where the first settlers were. In Yorktown, we went to the battlefield and you can sign up to be in General George Washington’s army. We signed up and my little sister was very upset when she realized we were not actually in the army. She wanted to use her light saber and sword. In St. Augustine, Florida, we toured a Spanish Fort and saw a cannon being fired. It was very loud but I had so much fun! Read my mom’s information below. As I like to say “History is a mystery until you go learn about it!” Hasta la vista! Lucinda (the artist + history hunter, 8 years old)

 

All good summers must come to an end…….but we don’t have to let them go quietly! Our summer was filled with some of our favorite historical stops to date! We spent time at the beach, in the pool, hiking, selling lemonade, picking peaches and blackberries, eating too much ice cream, dancing at outdoor concerts and exploring new places! The pirate and the artist lived out a little American History along the way. They joined a revolution with some rebel by the name of George Washington in Yorktown. They cooked over an open flame as Native Americans once did and joined original settlers in a musket salute in Jamestown. Founding father Thomas Paine treated us to a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Colonial Williamsburg. In between all of this, we exceeded a hefty summer reading goal! Here are our favorites of summer, including some familiar places and some new adventures…….enjoy!UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_2fa

Montpelier: President James Madison’s estate is absolutely breathtaking. It has to be one of the most impressive presidential homes in America (we plan to find out).  A highlight – standing in the very room where Madison drafted the framework for the Constitution. It is possible I was a bit overwhelmed with emotion!  Just over 20 miles from Charlottesville, VA and 2 hours from D.C., this trek is worth it. The Exchange Café is surprisingly yummy too. 

 

oAB%qPQvSE2X4SYNB1f5mA_thumb_1a

 

The Historic Triangle (Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, Virginia): This was such a fun couple of days – yes, you need to give this at least 2 days (1 in Colonial Williamsburg and 1 in Jamestown + Yorktown combined)! Replicas of the ships that carried the original English settlers to Jamestown, a reconstructed Native American village, the battlefield and site of British defeat in the Revolutionary War and an authentic living history museum kept our daughters (and us!) completely captivated! We are so very pleased we spent some of our time in this way. Kingsmill Resort: This riverfront resort in Williamsburg offers expansive greenspace, golf, tennis and a pool with a lazy river the kids will love. Get your Passport to Your National Parks book stamped at several Historic Triangle locations!UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_172

Toes in the sand….. Our family always needs a little beach time with just the four of us in between our other travels. We spend this time super casual and really only dress up for dinner 1-2 times within a week. We stay so busy and on the go that during this time we lift all the pressures of time – amazing how much slower time seems to pass and how many of the small but important details you get to soak up at this pace.

Amelia Island – We discovered the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island 12 years ago and have visited on a regular basis since, at times 2-3 times a year. This resort caters to families with young children with a wide-variety of activities each day and topnotch service. The pirate and the artist recommend the strawberry-banana smoothies poolside and seashell hunting. Amelia Island is a slow moving quiet little beach town. You can’t go wrong with the restaurants at the Ritz. We enjoy the club level with breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day. Espana is a tapas and paella restaurant off of the resort and one of our favorites. UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_250

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine, FL: With construction beginning in 1672, this is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. We had a wonderful time exploring here! Get your Passport to Your National Parks book stamped here!UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_22b

We hope you and your family find some time to enjoy these unique adventures as well!

See you somewhere along the way…and Happy Fall! — Betsy (the recovering politician)

Bright Lights, Big City….New York!

Featured Leave a comment

IMG_5222New York is a fun place to visit and I am so happy my mom and dad take me there.  You should take your children also. I really like the Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park. The carousel is fun too.  The Eloise Tea at the Plaza Hotel is so yummy and fun with cute tea cups and cotton candy. If your little sister is tired and sleeps through tea in the stroller, it will be much more peaceful. You can just put her food in a box.  After tea, you can go to the Eloise store and shop around!  I enjoy seeing the Rockettes and Broadway shows.  I love the Statue of Liberty. My mom doesn’t like to ride the subway but I do at least one time each trip. I like to take taxis too but mostly we walk REALLY far. The pretzels on the street are delicious! Thank you for reading my blog about New York City. My mom has more info below.  –  Lucinda (the artist)

New York…. has any other city been written about, photographed or visited more? I don’t see how but I do understand why! We love New York! We love it in the summer, in the winter and everything in between. We love it for the familiar places and for the new discoveries that seem to be at every turn. We love it for the noise, the traffic-worn streets and for the peaceful places tucked away on park benches and in museums.  I’ve been with my husband, my children, friends and alone – and enjoy it every time.

We enjoy this city best when we are moving at a slower pace, allowing time with no specific destination on the agenda. You’ll find things we never have – and we’d love to hear about it!

In the past month, I’ve had 4 friends ask for our recommendations!  The list I shared with them is below.

And…..if  you ever get a chance to walk through Central Park covered in snow, please do…..something about it is good for your soul.

See you along the way! –Betsy (the recovering politician)

See + Do:

  • Children’s Museum of the Arts: Hands-on activities in a creative downtown space. Our girls made take-home clay sculptures! Tip: Go mid-morning then enjoy a 10 minute walk to Jane Restaurant (see Yummy Food ). http://cmany.org
  • Federal Hall: In middle of the financial district is the spot where General George Washington was sworn in as President of the United States. It’s a charming old building with a small museum. Get your Passport to Your National Parks book stamped here (see our blog on National Park Passport books). https://www.nps.gov/feha
  • Statue of Liberty, The Battery (Battery Park), Castle Clinton: Give this a full half day and go as early in the day as possible. Tip: Save time with priority entry by purchasing tickets online. If you want to visit Lady Liberty’s crown, advanced reservations are always required and typically booked months out. Get your Passport Book stamped here. https://www.nps.gov/cacl + https://www.nps.gov/stli
  • The High Line: An elevated urban trail with greenery, city and river views and public art. Tip: Start in the Meatpacking District and end at The Whitney Museum of Modern Art then explore the streets up to The Standard Grill (see Yummy Food).
  • Chelsea Market: I love to dig around in the Artists & Fleas market, a collective of more than 30 independent vendors with art, fashion, design and other wares. http://chelseamarket.com and https://www.artistsandfleas.com
  • The Frick: A more manageable art museum if you have less time than what is needed at the Met. http://www.frick.org
  • The Metropolian Museum of Art: The Met lives up to the hype. It’s impressive and often has interactive activities for kids. http://www.metmuseum.org).
  • Macy’s Flower Show: For two weeks each spring, Macy’s is covered in over the top floral displays. The show also has music and kids’ activities. https://www.macys.com/social/flower-show

Yummy Food:

  • Jane Restaurant: Our absolute favorite NYC restaurant, both with and without the kids. It is a neighborhood restaurant with mostly locals. We’ve never had anything that wasn’t delicious. The toasted ricotta gnocchi with white truffle crème is the only reason you’ll ever need to give up low carb diets. Split it for an appetizer with the table. They have a yummy weekend brunch too. https://janerestaurant.com
  • Empellon Taqueria: Not sure where to start…the guacamole or unique taco selection. Get a variety of tacos and split with the table. The brussel sprouts taco is surprisingly tasty. Tip: Not good for young kids who are picky eaters.  https://www.empellon.com/taqueria
  • The Standard Grill: The burger is delicious but the chicken salad with watercress and 9-spice vinaigrette is literally the best grilled chicken salad I’ve ever had – and then I eat part of my husband’s burger. Tip: The Standard makes a great lunch stop after a long walk on the High Line. http://www.thestandardgrill.com
  • Ess-a-bagel: I never realized bagels could melt in your mouth! Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration but barely. There will be line, probably a long one, but wait, wait through rain, wind, snow, whatever, just wait – you’ll thank me later. http://www.ess-a-bagel.com
  • Sarabeth’s: This one shows up on many “lists” and it should. There are five locations in the city. The baker (Ryan) recommends the Goldie Lox for breakfast. Tip: Take an early morning walk in Central Park then cross the street to the Central Park South location for breakfast.  http://sarabethsrestaurants.com
  • Bar Sixty-five at the Rainbow Room: Cliché? Maybe but spectacular regardless. There is no way I can adequately describe the view. I usually opt to split a few things with the table and always get the cheese plate.  Tip: Reserve early and request a seat by the window or on the terrace when the weather is good. Not kid friendly. https://rainbowroom.com/bar-sixty-five
  • Maialino in the Grammercy Park Hotel: A relaxed atmosphere with a delicious brunch. Eat at the bar for views of Grammercy Park. https://maialinonyc.com
  • Bacado: Chorizo Flatbread…yum! An easy walk from The Met and Guggenheim. http://bocadocafenyc.com
  • The Penrose: Love this casual laid-back upper east side restaurant! A fun atmosphere with comfort bar food kicked up a notch (or 2). https://www.penrosebar.com
  • MAMO: A chic sister restaurant to MAMO Le Michelangelo on the French Riviera. http://www.mamonyc.com
  • Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar: Just get a cheese plate + the dark chocolate fondue and call it a completely balanced meal. https://ayzanyc.com

Where to stay:

  • The Ritz-Carlton, Central Park: It is tough to beat a Ritz-Carlton with Central Park as your front yard. The staff couldn’t be more accommodating. The rooms are super cozy and a good size for NYC. http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-york/central-park
  • Essex House by JW Marriott: As with the Ritz, Central Park is as easy as a walk out of the front door. It is comparable to the Ritz in every other way as well – comfortable well-sized rooms with luxury accommodations and top notch service. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycex-jw-marriott-essex-house-new-york/
  • The Algonquin Hotel: A charming historic hotel popular with writers dating back to the 1920s. It is a smaller hotel and limited on amenities (no room service, for example) but this hotel is such unique experience. Tip: If you don’t stay, a stop at the Round Table Restaurant for breakfast will not disappoint. Say hello to Matilda the cat! Read about the history of the hotel if nothing else. http://www.algonquinhotel.com

Other Tips:

  • Empire State Building: Get Express Pass tickets in advance to skip the lines. http://www.esbnyc.com
  • Top of the Rock: Get VIP Access tickets in advance to skip the lines. https://www.topoftherocknyc.com
  • Uber from Newark is usually best but we cab to/from the other airports.
  • Many hotels either don’t have rooms with 2 beds or it is very limited. If a specific hotel is important and you need 2 beds, book early.

###

 

Passport to Your National Parks

Featured Leave a comment

Be honest — when you hear Passport to Your National Parks you think of a retired couple traveling the country by RV. I thought the same thing when my husband (the baker) suggested it. I was, well..um…, wrong (don’t tell him). Collecting stamps from national parks is a quest for our young daughters that inspires a sense of outdoor adventure and curiosity for history.  On this quest, we stood in the heart of New York’s financial district where a founding father took the presidential oath of office for the first time in our history, danced under the cherry blossoms in our nation’s capital, soaked up breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views, explored a 17th-century Spanish fort, participated in a living history museum at the first English settlement, learned a fascinating story of a woman freed from slavery who became a land owner and so much more…..and we are just getting started.  Our 8 year old shares her thoughts below.  —Betsy (the recovering politician)

The Passport book is a handy guide and a fun way to track your visits to national parks. When you are older, you can look back and remember all the amazing places you visited. When you visit a park, you get a stamp in your passport book.  It has the date and location. Some national parks have hiking and beautiful views. Some national parks are historical sites and museums. We have visited Federal Hall in New York where George Washington became the first president of the United States of America.  We have also been to the Statue of Liberty, Humpback Rocks, the Lincoln Memorial, Ford’s Theater, Yorktown, Jamestown, Kingsley Plantation, the Castillo de San Marcos Fort and many MANY more to get our books stamped!  This will be a fun activity as you grow and learn. I advise you to try it. Beware of letting your little sister or brother hold the ink stamp. In another blog, I will tell you more about many of the national parks I have visited with my family.  – Lucinda (the artist)

Passport to Your National Parks booklets can be purchased at many NPS  locations as well as at eparks.com.

Now…go explore!! (follow us on Instagram @modernmobilefamly for more from our adventures)

A modern mobile family

Featured Leave a comment

Welcome to our blog!

We are a family of 4 (+ 1 dog) splitting our time between two states – Tennessee (our home for many years) and Virginia (our now home away from home) – and traveling to other places along the way.

Like many of you, we juggle travel, job responsibilities and raising our children. We’ll be sharing our adventures, places we enjoy and tips we find useful to being a young family on the move.

Many of our blogs will be written by Lucinda, our 3rd grader. She loves travel focused on history and looks forward to sharing what she learns. Look for her first blog coming soon on the Passport to Your National Parks program.

Thanks for following! We hope to meet fellow modern mobile families along the way!

Betsy (the recovering politician), Ryan (the baker), Lucinda (the artist, 8 yrs old), Evie (the pirate, 4 yrs old) and Cole, our Australian Labradoodle (the ewok)