The main character in the Young Adult Historical Fiction book I'm working on dreams of summiting Mt. Rainier. So, I wanted to get my butt on the mountain to see, smell, and touch my way around. We actually did this hike in August (same as my character!) but now that the Pacific Northwest is covered in snow, I'm reminiscing and thought I'd share some info about the hike. So! If you're looking for a great family hike around the Seattle/Tacoma area, check out the Sunrise side of Mt. Rainier. Although, there are a few drop offs.... so I guess it depends on the maturity of your kids (and the quick grabbing abilities of the adults). Here is one such drop off. We kept our little one strapped in for this trail. There are a few different trail options--some steeper and longer than others. The main theme of every sign is STAY ON THE TRAIL! They're trying really hard to keep the fragile native plants alive that were once trampled by tourists. The kids got to join a cool ...
Books Around the World
The Beautiful State Hall of the Austrian National Library
The State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) was built in 1723 and is considered by many to be the most beautiful library hall in the world. Holding ...
The Oldest Bookstore in Venice: Libreria Emiliana
On our first full day in Venice, we passed three bookstores: a used bookstore, a modern one, and Libreria Emiliana, arguably the oldest bookstore in Venice. My son was being particularly rambunctious ...
Encounters Around the World
The Louvre Through the Eyes of a Four Year Old
On July 16th, 2015, our first full day in Paris, we took a taxi to the Louvre Museum. We were a little nervous bringing a four-year-old into what is arguably the most incredible museum in the world, ...
Cultural Compassion Through Travel
When I visited Cashel, Ireland in the fall of 2003, my friends and I stayed in a comfy, rural hostel that seemed more like a bed and breakfast. There was a separate floor for men and women, a kitchen ...
Traveling Mercies in Venice | No Mask Needed
Sometimes traveling with a kid is a charming adventure; other times it's a lot like carrying around a bag full of angry lions. The term "traveling mercies" and Anne Lamott's book of the same name was ...
Morocco – Camel Trek in the Sahara
In May of 2003, I went on a three day camel trek through the Sahara desert in southeastern Morocco. My camel was called Jimi Hendrix—my tour guide said the camel was wild and hard to contain, and ...
Iolani Palace, Waikiki
The Iolani Palace in Waikiki is a beautifully restored building where old Hawaiian royalty used to live. Surrounded by towering monkeypod and banyan trees that have been growing for generations, the ...
Nürnberg Ostermarkt (Easter Market)
This past Saturday I was lucky enough to meet up with some amazing bloggers in the area and we explored the Nürnberg Easter Market. Together with Betsy from Java Cupcake and Melissa from MilliGFunk, ...