Ozarks, Arkansas: Creeks, wheelers, and smores

by Missie Hills | Mar 22, 2023 | Local Adventures, North America

I grew up in Arkansas. I’m intimately familiar with its beauty. But my little Texan babies are not. So, watching them experience the Arkansas country side first hand fills me with nostalgia and love. With spring just barely in the air, we drove deep into the Ozark mountains to the tiny town of Pyatt, where my sister has a hidden cabin tucked away between three lively creeks. It was a chilly visit, but that didn’t stop the little cousins from wading in the creeks as daddy taught them to skip stones.

It was a short trip, but the memories these cousins will share will be huge. Memories like finding the perfect walking stick that also makes a great make believe wizards staff… searching for arrow heads but finding “funny” shaped rocks instead… and trying to pull apart sticky marshmallow covered gloves by the fire…

Until next time,

New York City, USA: The city that never sleeps

by Missie Hills | Mar 14, 2023 | Local Adventures, North America

I asked Little E, “Where is the one place anywhere in the world you want to go?” Without missing a beat, he said, “New York City.” From the day he learned in school the reason why the Statue of Liberty was green, he had asked to go see it for himself. So, when a three day weekend presented itself, we boarded the short flight to the city that never sleeps.

On the flight, we had some convincing to a 6 and 3 year old that they would indeed still be required to sleep. But I don’t think they believed us. Because it wasn’t long after we landed that we found ourselves exploring Chinatown at dusk, just in time to see the lanterns glow. Jason and I were eager to try soup dumplings for the first time… they did not disappoint.

The next morning, we packed up for a long day of walking… starting with a near mile and a half walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO. Jason and I have both explored NYC on our own many different times, but neither of us had ever been to DUMBO, and we were curious to see what all the fuss was about. The bridge stroll was an experience in itself. The air was full of a once in a lifetime buzz as tourists took their time crossing the East River. In contrast, the air in DUMBO felt less electric and more staged. Everyone was there to get that perfect Instagram shot, which seemed to take away from what this part of the city had to offer. Regardless, we found amazing views of the city, we took a ride on the 100 year old Jane’s Carousel, and we ate ice-cream under the bridge. All in all the walk was worth it.

We could have stayed in DUMBO longer and got more of the true Brooklyn experience, but we had a boat to catch. The moment had come to see the Statue of Liberty up close. We took a river cruise starting on the Hudson, rounding into the East River, and a finale right up to Liberty Island.

It seems like you can’t truly experience NYC without visiting Time Square. The boys were a little young for a show. So, this time, we decided to do a quick walk-through on our way to Central Park. Little E’s eyes were huge as he took in all the lights, street performers, and characters roaming the street. At one point, we were swarmed by Elmos begging us to take a photo for a fee. At the park, we visited the zoo, rode the central park carousal, and of course stopped for ice-cream. Jason also made friends with a local city squirrel.

That evening we met up with friends for oysters and drinks along the riverwalk. We all took an evening stroll to Battery Park where we rode our third carousel, and our favorite carousel, the Sea Glass Carousel.

Our family may have traveled across the world, but nothing has quite kept us on our toes like NYC. We only saw a fraction of what the Big Apple has to offer. And even so, E has decided that he will move here when he grows up. I’m good with that, kid.

Until next time,

Washington DC, USA: Lincoln and Popsicles

by Missie Hills | Mar 9, 2023 | Local Adventures, North America

Little E loves history. It is his favorite school subject. So naturally, he was over the moon to find out that we would be visiting our friends in our nation’s capital over Easter weekend. For us, it was a chance to meet up with our travel buddies, the first time we had been able to do so since 2020. For him, it was seeing all the places he had been reading about first hand in school. He couldn’t wait to see the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Little Evey was more interested in the street food more then anything else, a boy after my own heart.

We were lucky enough to see a few last cherry blossoms this time of year. But also very unlucky, as the view of the Whitehouse was fully blocked off as they prepared for Easter ceremonies, hence the very sad face of Ethan at the gates. He perked up fast though as we explored the city’s amazing free museums, our favorite being the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

My childhood didn’t include magical trips to places I had read about in school books. It didn’t include state of the art museums, precious art galleries, and famous monuments. It didn’t even include sloppy popsicles from park street vendors. So, to be able to provide this experience for my boys means the world to me. I want to soak in every minute as I watch them grow into curious beautiful humans.

Until next time,