Niagara Falls

Jack likes waterfalls.

We hiked a short way today through our local Forest Ecology Preserve to see the waterfall there.

After yesterday's rain, I expected it to be gushing. It was flowing nicely, but it was not to the extent I had hoped.

While standing at the lookout point we read the information posted on one of the signs that also pictured numerous waterfalls, including Niagara Falls.

Jack quickly reminded me that I once said we would visit there someday.

Both children need to be older before we make this trip in order to appreciate not only the beauty and majesty, but also the joy of the drenching that comes along with a visit to Niagara Falls.

Places to Return

Not every place on the travel wish list is somewhere we've never been. In fact, several are familiar places.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom in Orlando truly is a "magical" place. We went when Jack was 2 and are hoping to possibly go the week after Thanksgiving this year. Mattie will be 2 by then and at 6, Jack will still be young enough to enjoy it. Last time we went we bought a park-hopper pass and visited Epcot and Animal Kingdom as well. As great as that was, I'm thinking this time we'll spend the 3-4 days solely at Magic Kingdom.

New York

I feel at home here. I literally exhale in a dramatic fashion as if I'm finally able to breathe once my feet hit the pavement. I love the hustle and the heritage of the city. I can't wait for the children to be old enough to sit through plays and ballets. This is the place we're going when that day comes.

Paris

 

If there is any other city that compares to New York, it would be Paris. I love the history, the cafe culture and the food - bread, cheese, wine. The arrondissements are something I'm going to have to become more familiar with if we make it back. We went on an educational tour when we went to Paris before, so we had a guide. I would love to go back and stay in some swank hotel and explore the city and the Louvre, which could take days on its own, at our leisure.

Maine

This is a picture of the Bar Harbor Inn. We stayed here on our trip three years ago. Maine is somewhere Matt keeps saying he wants to re-visit. August was a great time to go, and, ideally, we'd like to go that time of year in the future. It's a wonderful town to take a stroll and to indulge in some lobster.

If money were no object, I'd go to all four places this year. But it is, so that's obviously not going to happen.

It is likely, however, we'll be going back to one if not more of these destinations before many of the other places I've posted about.

Japan

My sister-in-law, Sayaka, is from Japan.

When she and my youngest brother married in 2008, Jack was barely a year old. I was slightly concerned about a 23-hour flight with a baby, not to mention the cost of the trip. Unfortunately, we weren't able to be there for the wedding.

They married in her hometown, the city of Kitakyushu.

My parents went, and when my dad tells stories of the trip he always emphasizes the politeness and friendliness of the Japanese people.

When the massive earthquake hit Japan a couple of years ago, many people called us to ask if her family was alright. Thankfully, they were not directly impacted by the devastation.

I don't feel like I know much about Japanese culture other than the few things I've learned from her. I think it would be fascinating for the children to experience somewhere so different and distinct.

One day, we are going with Sayaka to meet her family and visit her native country.

An Alaskan Cruise

I've been on two cruises.

When I graduated from high school I went on a senior class trip to the Bahamas. It would probably be better to forget that trip.

About five years later I went with two friends on a cruise to Jamaica and Mexico. While it was a blast, I decided after that a cruise did not allow enough time to explore one particular place.

That's why I haven't been on one since.

But when it comes to touring Alaska, a cruise is probably the best option. The whole idea about visiting Alaska for me would be to travel as much as possible throughout the entire state in a short time period, and a ship would be the ideal way to do that.

Matt has never been on a cruise. I know he would love the midnight buffet. The unlimited food, in my opinion, is the best thing about a cruise. I tried escargot for the first time on a cruise and LOVED IT!

Years ago, my fourth grade teacher and her family spent part of a summer in Alaska. I wasn't too impressed at the time by all she had to tell us about the state. It's only as I've gotten older and been bitten by the travel bug that I think that would be a great way to spend a summer.

Vienna, Austria

Through my travels I have found that two geographic regions have strong holds on me.

The first would be the eastern coast of the United States.

The second is Europe.

I think the history and culture of both places is a strong attraction for me.

I also love European streets and shops.

About seven years ago Matt's mom and I were on an Austria kick. Her cousin is a pilot and at one point we were talking about meeting up with him there as well.

I'm not sure what happened to those plans, but none of us have ever made that trip.

I've been reading a lot of Sally Clarkson's posts about her time in Austria as a missionary, and it has re-kindled my desire to travel to Vienna.

Matt thinks the children are too young to travel to Europe at this point. There are moments when I agree, then I'll hear someone talking about a trip to Europe with their young children that makes me want to renew my passport and hop on a plane, kids and all!

Cape Cod

When I was in 8th grade I read a biography on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Since that time I would say I've been obsessed interested in anything Kennedy.

Part of that interest has been about where they vacationed and at times lived in Hyannisport, Mass.

 

 The home is almost always referred to as the Kennedy Compound by news media.

As I write this I am wondering why I still haven't been to the Cape.

Considering how much I really, really, really want to vacation there and that we are travel lovers, I'm surprised that I haven't made this one more of a priority.

Maybe I'm afraid I'll be disappointed?

Nah.

It's more likely I will love it, and no other place will ever compare.

Vermont

Covered bridges, old barns and country roads that wind through idyllic New England towns.

I'm kicking off my February posts with Vermont because it's where we hope to visit next.

If all goes well with this year's income tax refund, we will fly to Stowe, Vermont in late spring and spend a week in a cottage in the woods. If it doesn't, it may be late summer before we make the trip.

I found this website for some cabins near Stowe.

I brought up the idea of traveling to Vermont back in September, right before we flew to Washington D.C. I guess Matt thought I was going to book it right away because he begged for a break.

Now, he's ready to go somewhere again, especially since we are going to try to make this a laid-back vacation instead of an activity-based trip. We hope to spend time relaxing and enjoying the outdoor areas near the cabin more than anything.

We will need to rent a car to get around, and I'm thinking it would be fun to drive to a few historic markers that Jack might get a kick out of - the birthplaces of former presidents Chester Alan Arthur (there's actually a bit of controversy about whether he was born in Vermont or Canada) and Calvin Coolidge.