Travel

Vacay

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

It’s been an amazing week long break from the real world. We had a blast on our family vacay. It was certainly difficult at times-pleasing 8 people is hard, but we all had a blast. I love Vermont and Maine-happy to have made it to the latter. I’m exhausted and prepared for a long busy weekend when we get home.

One In 7 Billion On Vacation

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

I donate another $50 to Safe the Children. Not bad for 2 weeks worth of saving-not great, but I have to believe that every little bit helps.

Today we left for a much needed 7 day family vacation in New Hampshire. Do you know, I got to sit outside today and not sweat–I had forgotten what that felt like. It’s awesome. 79 degrees is a temperature sweet spot in my book.

Here is my view for the next seven days.

New York, Thanks For An Amazing First Time

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

I’m still on a bit of a high from my trip to New York.  It could be from the residual sugar in my system after a Sunday morning trip to the Doughnut Plant and the amazing Coconut Glazed/Coconut Cream doughnut I ate inhaled.  And let me just add that lavendar + doughnut is also heavenly.

I went into my trip to New York about as excited as a longshoreman in Amsterdam’s red light district.  I could barely contain myself.  I have longed to go to NYC and experience it and its crazy glory.  It did not disappoint me.

I was only in NYC for 3 days really and I managed to see I huge amount of the city.  Let me tell you–I totally did not pack the right shoes for all the walking I did and my feet are still a little angry with me for that.

Highlights:

  1. Top of the Empire State Bldg–when in the city you forget how massive Manhattan is until you are able to see it all around you.
  2. Times Square–I don’t necessarily ever need to go there again, but it is insane and a must see.
  3. Magnolia Bakery–I had their lemon cupcake and it was to die for and not huge.  The smell when you walk in knocks you down it’s so awesome
  4. Doughnut Plant–AMAZING
  5. Street food–I know everyone complains that NYC is so expensive, but I was able to get an amazing falafel and a coke for $5 on the street and then followed it up with a Mr. Softee cone for $3.  Not bad for lunch.
  6. Grand Central Station–I never saw it from the outside, but the inside is gorgeous.
  7. Battery Park–only because I saw Will Smith shooting MIB 3.
  8. The Naked Cowgirl–I mean come on, that woman has some conjones or a screw loose–jury is still out on that
  9. Rockefeller Center–while a bit anti-climatic, it was cool to see.
  10. Subways–this was such an easy city to get around (thanks to my subway app) and you get to see quite a diverse collection of people
  11. Walking–I know this sounds crazy, but I loved being able to walk almost anywhere.  I miss that living in STL.  I have to drive most places and I miss the culture of walking everywhere.
  12. Butter Bean salad w/arugula and lemon vinaigrette at Snack in Soho

So, not an amazing list.  I didn’t eat at any A list restaurants, but that’s okay.  I have eaten at plenty of those in my life.  But it’s the brief highlight from my time in Manhattan.  Didn’t make it to the Brooklyn Bridge, but I’ll do that next time.  It was also great to get to see my cousin-in-law and her new husband and get to spend time with New Yorkers.  I have to say, I do love the upper west side.  It was a great trip–my conference was good and presenting went well, but seeing the city was amazing and awesome.

New York, I will see you again soon.

 

 

On The Road

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

Day 4 and we are all still alive. I think we might all still like each other. Staying in the motor home is actually pretty fun. The kids enjoy it and it is a thousand times better than staying at the in-laws house. Maybe a million times better. We have 4 more days between here and our drive home.

We’ve been to a cave, had a crappy dinner and are on our way to go bowling. We assume the bowling alley will be closed because that is how the father-in-law rolls.

The good times continue.

And The Crazy Train Is Leaving The Station

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

I know there are lots and lots of people out there who drive with their kids to far away destinations.  We have not been one of those families until now.  The furthest we have driven with the kids is Beverly Shores, Indiana (5.5 hours).  We have flown everywhere else we have ever gone further away than that.  That is all about to change.  Today we leave to embark on our first road trip to Texas.  My father-in-law and step-mom-in-law live just north of Austin and we are doing our familial duty of visiting them.  It has been over two years since they have seen the kids, aside from Skype.  I’ll be honest, I am not looking forward to it.  We aren’t driving straight through–partially because Bill and I hate being in the car for a long time and if you know Bill he’s a big guy and sitting for hours on end isn’t easy for him.  So we are breaking the trip up and taking 3 days to drive to their house–where we will be sleeping/camping in their RV–and three days to drive home and then are there for 3 nights.

It will be an adventure to say the very least.  I promise to post death toll/time-out updates.  Driving for 13+ hours just doesn’t sound fun when one has two children who Never. Stop. Talking.  Here’s to hoping we all survive.