Snoqualmie Falls

According to the Snoqualmie Falls website, "Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington state's most popular scenic attractions. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year." Part of the appeal is the proximity to Seattle and the general easy access. Only 30-40 minutes from Seattle; the falls is a great destination when you don't have a lot of time. I try to go every day, but my parents limit my trips to once a week.

I don't have any good advice on convincing your parents on the value of visiting the falls more often. I've tried screaming, tantrums, hunger strikes, and even putting my toys away. They just don't seem to respond. The tip I have for today is if you are looking for a quick getaway, the falls might just do the trip.

See you soon!

Amelie

A Traditional 4th

Some people like to travel for the 4th. Boston and Philadelphia make good choices. Many people head for the campgrounds. Most campsites fill up weeks before the 4th. I prefer the tradition of a simple cookout, the local parade, and some fireworks.

This year we watched the local parade on the ridge and attended the Church picnic. The parade was small. We were supposed to meet some friends, but they were 10 minutes late and missed it. There was a fire truck which rang the bell as it passed. There was also hundred or so kids on bicycles riding behind the fire truck. Many of the kids decorated their bikes with red, white, and blue streamers. It made it a lot of fun to watch.

After the parade, we walked up to where there was a train ride setup. My dad and I hopped on while my Mom waited in the shade. It was fun, but it smelled of exhaust. Not that it was enough to ruin my appetite. We grabbed hot dogs and pizza! For desert we even got a snow cone. This was my first snow cone and it was great. Until, I dropped it into the grass then my Mom made me throw it away. I would have been fine just removing the blades of grass, but my Mom said, "No".

After the picnic, we had the cookout. My Dad pulled out the smallest grill I've ever seen. He made a neat pile of charcoals and poured liberal amounts of liter fluid on them. I began to get nervous when he lit the match and tossed it on top of the bricks. They kept telling me to stay back. There was no chance I was going anywhere near that grill. In the end, my Dad got the fire under control. He cooked turkey burgers, a chicken and vegetable kabob, and some marinated mushrooms. He also boiled up some white corn and cut up some fresh Rainer Cherries. It was all so good.

We clowned and around and had a great time. Just as I was getting ready for some fireworks though, my parents told me it was time for bed. I was not happy. I did my best to create lucid argument for why I should be allowed to stay up past my bedtime to watch the fireworks, but they were unmoved.

Instead of fireworks, my parents decided to watch the movie Death Proof. How many times have they seen that movie? Regardless, I got to see my fireworks. I pretended to be asleep until I could hear the first few firecrackers going off. I then pulled back the curtains to watch the neighborhood burst into red and green flashes lighting the night sky. I clapped softly to myself so I wouldn't be noticed by my parents who were still watching that dull movie.

The fireworks went late into the night and I'm still recovering this morning. I have to say I was a little cranky toward my parents. I suspect they know I might have been up. It doesn't matter. I had a great holiday. It was great to stay local for holiday. I recommend it to all toddlers. Don't feel like you need to travel to have a good time. Make the most with where you are. Make your own fun!

Bye, Bye. See you soon!

Amelie

First Flight

For my first flight, my parents chose to book us a flight to Cape Cod to meet up with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Rob and Aunt Stacey. I would also get to meet my Aunt Cindy, Uncle Aimee and Auntie Kathy. It sounded like fun.

As the day approached, I would point to the sky anytime a plane passed overhead. "Plan ride?", I asked. To which my parents would count down the days until our date of departure.

On the trip to Cape Cod, my parents chose a "red eye". We left way past my bedtime, but I didn't mind. I wasn't tired at all, but I got pretty cranky when we reached the security checkpoint. My parents let several people pass as they struggled to shift things around to pass through the xray machine. Why do they carry so much stuff around with them? In my backpack, I had nothing but the essentials: books, Baby Jaguar, Dora, and animal crackers.

I grew impatient as traveler after traveler passed us by. I wanted to get going. This was going to be my first plane ride! I wanted to hurry up and enjoy it. Of course, I had no idea we would spend another two hours at the gate while we waited for our departure.

Fortunately for me, my parents decided to purchase the ASUS Eee PC 100HE 10 Inch netbook (http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-1000HE-10-Inch-Black-Netbook/dp/B001QTXL82). It is perfect for travel. It is only 3.2 lbs which makes it light enough for me to carry. My Dad prepared for the trip by downloading a bunch of videos using the Amazon Unbox service. This meant we didn't have to carry any DVDs. This little device came in handy a number of times on the trip. Waiting for the first departure was the first opportunity.

Eventually we were able to board. My parents struggled a bit to get the car seat down the narrow aisle, but eventually managed. They didn't make any friends on the way. My Dad received a couple of dirty looks as he bumped shoulders. I was just happy to be aboard and eager to take off.

When we finally got settled. A voice came over the loudspeaker to welcome us aboard and let us know we are on track for a 5 hour flight to Logan Airport in Boston. '5 hrs?', I thought, 'that seems like a longtime. How long is that?' My Dad explained it was like watching 10 episodes of Dora in a row. I like Dora, but even I think that is a lot of Dora. How am I supposed to sit in my carseat on this plane for 10 episodes of Dora? Then he explained that for a good part of the flight we wouldn't even be able to watch Dora because they had restrictions on the use of electronics. What are electronics?

I was tired enough though that we didn't need to pull out the netbook on the trip out. After take off, I was able to drift off.

The return flight was a different story. Well some of it was the same story. My father continued to struggled down the aisle with the carseat. But, this flight was in the middle of the day. I took a short nap after take off, but then I needed something to drive away the bordom. Not too mention the flight home was even longer than the flight east. How was that possible? My Dad tried to explain it was because of the jetstream, but I don't know what he was talking about and I was in no mood.

I wanted, no needed, Diego. "TREE FROGS", I said. My Dad understood. He pulled the netbook from his backpack and set it down on the pull down tray tables. It fit perfectly. We watched some Diego, a couple of episodes of Dora, and even some Olivia, but to get me through this flight again and again I went back to "TREE FROGS".

The most difficult part of the trip was when we had to fold the netbook and place it back in our pack. It was dark outside so there was little to see out the window.

When we finally touched down, I let my parents know how pleased I was. "Good job Amelie", I said and I meant it. Of course it was all worth it to see my family and would do it every week if I could. At the same time, I don't know why my family can't live closer.

See you soon.

Amelie

All about Attitude

Recently, my family I rented a cottage on Cape Cod. It was the last weekend to get off season rates which saved some money, but it wasn't exactly beach weather. There was one really spectacular day where some of my relatives came to visit and we all built sandcastles together. Most of the time it was overcast and a few days it rained. It didn't matter. This was still the best vacation I ever had (even if it has been my only vacation).

I believe you need to make your own sunny days. On the rain days, my dad and I would go to a heated pool nearby. We floated and splashed around until my lips turned blue.

Victor Frankl said, "Everything can be taken from a man but the last of human freedoms, the right to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances--the right to choose one's own way." Stephen Covey said something similar, "Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us." We can't change the weather, but we can change how we react to it. So when you are on vacation and things don't go exactly as you might have hoped, take it easy. Change your ideas about what the vacation needs to be. Take a nap (the weather just might change) or find something to do. It is your vacation to spend as you choose.

I will be post a few other entries related to my vacation in Cape Cod over the next couple of weeks. So check back in a few days for a new post.

See you soon!

Amelie

My Favorite Hike

Tiger Mountain is my favorite spot for a Saturday morning hike. There are so many options to choose from depending on how far or long you want to be out on the trail. It is also a great year round destination and good place to keep in shape when snow covers the choice trails at higher elevations. My Dad talks a lot about one day hiking from Stevens Pass (wherever that is) to Snoqualmie Pass (I can't tell if this is near our house or not) on the Pacific Crest Trail. Why doesn't he just do it? I don't know why he is waiting.

Regardless, we arrived at the Highpoint Trail head at little after 9 a.m. and the parking was already almost full. Your best bet is to get there early or after lunch (there are a number of shorter hike options which would be perfect for working off a hearty lunch). Dad and I quickly got our gear together which consisted of the following:

• 2 bottles of water
• A field guide on Washington's native flora
• A couple of diapers, baby wipes, and a few band aids (or what I like to call my first aid kit).

and that is it. I see a number of hikers going really heavy on the equipment. On a well maintained trail like the one to West Tiger Summit a hiker needs very little. I don't even wear hiking shoes. I use a pair of worn out dress shoes that are no longer fit for more formal occasions. Some people overdue it so much it is just silly. I watched a few hikers stop every hundred yards or so to adjust their pack or remove a layer. My Dad mentioned something about a ultralight movement, but I was busy looking for the woodpecker I could here pecking somewhere close by. I'll have to do more research. I promise to do a future article on the subject.

We hiked until the bugs got to be too much (which was unusual from my previous visits). By the time we arrived back at the mini van, it just started to rain. We didn't make it to the summit, but each time I make it a little further. I look forward to the day when I'll be able to make it all the way on the 6 mile roundtrip hike.

On the way home, I meditated on all I'd seen.

I can't wait to go back in a few weeks. Remember get there early and travel light.

Happy hiking!

Amelie

Zoo Value

Many of us are short on cash these days. In today's travel tip, I want to talk about how we can save a bit of money and still enjoy our favorite local attractions. The zoo and the aquarium are some of my favorite destinations and Seattle has a great zoo in the Fremont neighborhood called Woodland Park Zoo.

Admission to the Woodland Park Zoo is $16.50 for adults, $11.00 for kids three and older (for toddlers admission is free) and another $5.00 to park. By the time you add in lunch, snacks, and couple of milks you are spending > $70.00 for an afternoon out (Mom helped me with the math). For many people this can be a lot of money so when they do go they try to get the most of it by visiting every attraction in the park. This makes for a very long day. Parents get frustrated as they try to move from exhibit to exhibit and still make it home in time for the afternoon nap (dad gets really cranky if he doesn't get is Sunday afternoon nap).

To help save money and increase family fun, I recommend the Wolf Pack Membership package. For $110 (less than two trips to the zoo per year), you can visit as many times as you want. This way you can take the time to enjoy each exhibit and still make home in time for nap time (though I don't mind getting a head start on the way home).

For more information on all the Zoo membership packages including partnering zoos across the country see the Zoo's website at http://www.zoo.org.

Happy travels!

Amelie

Welcome to Amelie's Travel Pages

Hello my name is Amelie and these are my travel pages. On this site I plan to recount my travels. I will cover both local and distant destinations and hopefully provide some useful tips for the new travelers.

Today, I want to cover my trip to Northwest Trek (http://www.nwtrek.org/).

The day started off with promise. Before we traveled three miles from our home in Snoqualmie, we saw a Black Bear dash across the road. This was the first time I'd ever seen a black bear. At first, I mistook it for a large dog.

After the excitement of the Black Bear, it was a lot of trees, trucks and bridges. I pointed out as many of these interesting sights to my parents as I could. "Tall trees", I remarked every few miles, but my parents seemed disinterested. Have they lost their passion for the wonders all around us? My mother got more excited later when she saw some horses. She loves horses.

If you live in the Seattle area, the trip to Northwest Trek can take some time. Be sure to bring a book and you favorite stuffed animal. When my parents got bored with me pointing out the tall trees, I turned to reading Dora the Explorer. I enjoy her adventures quite a bit. I just wish she would stop trying to teach me Spanish.

Eventually, we arrived at the park just before it opened. I recommend arriving early before the lines begin. We were able to catch the first tram of the day. The air was still cool so the animals were still very active. As the day warms, the animals seek shelter in the cooler spots and curtail much of their activity.

The tram ride was fantastic! We saw Bison, Elk, Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Trumpeter Swans, a Wood Duck, and a rare Turtle (the name of which escapes me at the moment). The driver/tour guide seemed very knowledgeable.

After the tram ride, we went to look for the local mammal exhibit that featured Beavers, Raccoons, and Fischers. This where the trip took a turn for the worse. I tripped and fell on my knee which opened up a recent injury. It was quite painful. I informed my parents of the discomfort, but I learned to my dismay that they were unprepared with appropriate supplies. How could they forget bandaids? Fortunate for me a good samaritan passing by at the time did come prepared and came to the rescue. This is the tip of the trip, when traveling bring bandaids and have a first aid kit near by. You never know when you or someone around you might need it.

On the way home we stopped at Pizza Hut. This was my first trip to this establishment. My father explained it was one of the largest pizza chains in America, but to this point I'd never heard of them. I found the pizza pleasant. My father appeared to have an alergic reaction to the hot wings he was eating. His face turned flush and he was sweating more than usual. He said he was ok, but I was concerned.

I didn't see much of the way home. I napped while my parents struggled against red light after red light on highway 161. When I awoke we were home. It was a great day.

So remember, have a first aid kit nearby and always carry band aids. If you are a toddler, you are going to need them.

Until next time, keep on keeping on. (I don't know what that means but my Dad said it might be a good way to end the column. I 'll try it out until I can find something better).