Archive for the ‘2017’ Category

Puerto Vallarta 2017

Posted: September 8, 2017 in 2017, Travel
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Daddy and daughter had to get one more adventure in before school started!

We rented a small apartment in the heart of the old town, overlooking The Malecón – a cool paved walkway that weaves along the seashore.

Puerto Vallarta sits on the beach and is a pretty quick jump from San Diego.

First of all – the FOOD. Some of the best we’ve had!

Fresh ceviche on the coast is hard to beat.

Tacos Revolution delivered the goods, and the political commentary…

Second – the weather. We came during the off season, which meant torrential downpours almost every evening, and warm humid days.

We had to explore during the day before the storms hit. In this video daddy almost gets electrocuted when a lightning bolt sends overhead lighting down.

Daddy crosses the bridge to La Isla Cuale, famous for its wild cat population.

This angel seems most happy when there is shopping nearby!

Although we spent the first days of our trip close to the local culture, we splurged on a resort room the last couple of days using hotel points.

I never met a sunset I didn’t like…

Road trip through NorCal and Oregon 2017

Posted: August 25, 2017 in 2017, Travel
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Our mission was to see the beauty of The Majestic Redwood Forest in Northern California and explore Southern Oregon.

The Avenue of the Giants set the tone for this adventure. “This world-famous scenic drive is by far the most outstanding display of giant trees in the California redwood belt.”

These two weren’t sure driving over a thousand miles with a 2-year-old, 10-year-old, and a pregnant mommy was the best idea, but we don’t regret it a bit!

We picked up a faster-than-average rental car, and kept driving until we reached the Giants.

We drove through the famous “drive through tree”. There are actually several of them in the area, and one of them was toppled during a recent storm.

It was great to get off the road and wander through the splendor of creation.

During exploration, we found evidence of previous road trips…

My wife climbs a giant!

It was great to see the children so stoked about being out walking in the beauty of nature.

When we made it to the coast, the scenery didn’t get any worse.

Cuba 2017

Posted: August 18, 2017 in 2017, Travel
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We wanted to visit Cuba as soon as we heard visitation restrictions for Americans were loosened by the US government.

We actually started this trip in 2016, spending Christmas and New Year’s in Cuba, and coming back in 2017.

Of course, we had to visit the capital, Havana…

But first we stayed in the less known Boca de Camarioca.

Princeton woke up on his first day in Cuba, looked outside, and thought to himself, “Where am I?”

When eating out, chicken, beef, or lobster cost exactly the same amount. Guess which one we often chose?

Princeton had no problem making friends…

He even met a new friend in the park!

You can’t think of Cuba without thinking of these classic American cars that are still very much a part of the culture.

“Che Guevara was a prominent communist figure in the Cuban Revolution (1956–59) who went on to become a guerrilla leader in South America. Guevara’s image remains a prevalent icon of leftist radicalism and anti-imperialism.” – The History Channel

After the revolution, the US imposed an import blockade, so no new American cars have been imported since the 1950s. Those that exist have been painstakingly maintained using Cuba ingenuity, including parts from household appliances and Russian tanks.

The National Capitol Building in Havana was the seat of government until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959. It is Havana’s most ambitious and grandiose building, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Some say the design is similar to the United States Capitol. What do you think?

Not every building in Havana is as grand, although these are probably even more functional.

Cuba isn’t the easiest tourist destination, but a day at the beach in Varadero makes it all worth it.

We found out my wife was pregnant with our baby girl just before leaving for Cuba! Momma and baby jump for joy!

Aside from visiting Havana and Varadero, we made it to the other side of the island and spent time in Trinidad, a Spanish colonial settlement.

The streets of Trinidad are packed with character.

We will always cherish our memories of this beautiful island nation!