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Archive for the ‘Photo Friday’ Category

Photo Friday: Friendly Frog, San Diego Botanic Garden

October 23rd, 2009 by bsmith | 10 Comments | Filed in Photo Friday, San Diego Adventures

Friendly Frog: San Diego Botanic Gardens

Until now Quail Botanical Gardens has been one of the best kept secrets of San Diego.  Located in picturesque Encinitas, this is a gorgeous botanical garden.  It includes two children’s gardens and plenty of other beautiful gardens to explore.  On our last visit, we had to park in overflow parking and discovered a breathtaking Monet lilypond complete with resident frogs.  I will post more about my Quail Garden adventures at a later date, but I wanted to share this moment that my ten year old Justin captured, by sneaking a shot from the bushes at the edge of the pond.  It was the highlight of our August visit.

Quail Gardens has changed its name to San Diego Botanic Garden, hopefully it’s new name will attract more visitors and donors to this San Diego treasure.  You can learn more about the garden here.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

P.S.  Family Adventure Guidbooks participates in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday.  Read more travel adventures here.

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A Kid in a Candy Store: Cousin’s Candy Old Town San Diego

October 16th, 2009 by bsmith | 4 Comments | Filed in Photo Friday, San Diego Adventures

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Cousin's Candy Store, Old Town San Diego

Recently, my friend and I took the Coaster Train from Carlsbad to Old Town San Diego.  Between us we had five kids ranging in age from 13 months to 10 years old.  If you have taken that length of train ride you know, that the ride down is easy.  Everyone is filled with anticipation about the adventure ahead.  The ride home is another story however, everyone is tired and grouchy.  My solution to this thorny problem is Cousin’s Candy Shop in Old Town San Diego.  Take the kids to this marvelous store full of sweet delights, let them pick out one item, give them an opportunity to savor it on the train ride home.
My ten year old made an impressive photo essay out of his candy store visit.  Enjoy!

lollipop-bouqet

every-flavor-of-jelly-belly

a-halloween-favorite-2

yard-stick-bubble-gum

swirling-lollipops-2

famous-home-made-taffy

Happy Trails!

Bridget

P.S.  Family Adventure Guidebooks is happy to participate in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday Blog Roundup.  For some delicious travel photos click here.

P.P.S. For information on San Diego Old Town Ghost Tours and other fun Halloween activities in San Diego check out my post on Uptake.com

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Photo Friday: Happy Birthday Family Adventure Guidebooks!

September 17th, 2009 by bsmith | 16 Comments | Filed in Photo Friday
Legoland or Bust

Family Adventure Guidebooks

Last Sunday Family Adventure Guidebooks celebrated its  first birthday.  It’s hard to believe that I have been blogging for over a year.  You can read my historic first post “Don’t Forget Your Shoes” here.  It is still one of my favorites!
 
What was started on a whim as a way to promote my book, has become a source of great  joy for me.  It has given me a chance to make some really wonderful virtual friends around the world as well as opening up new opportunities.  Thanks to Travel Savvy Mom, Trekaroo,  Wandering Educators, San Diego Bargain Mama, and Best Kid Friendly Travel for reviewing my book and/ or giving me the opportunity to guest blog for your sites.   
I hope that my readers have enjoyed the Smith Family’s Adventures this year.  I look forward sharing more with you in the future!
This Friday I wanted to share some of my favorite photos and to announce the Family Adventure Guidebooks Birthday giveaway: 4 tickets to my favorite theme park Legoland, California!  Legoland, which turns ten this year, generously offered four parkhopper tickets.  Click here  before October 3rd to learn more about how to enter.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from our adventures this past year:
Destiny at Bates Nut Farm, San Diego, Ca
Ken Splashes Down in Golden Nugget Shark Tank Pool
bill-fitz
jared-battles-the-dark-side2 Justin Above Fort Point, San Francisco, Ca

As always, I am grateful to Delicous Baby for her Photo Friday Blog Roundup.  Stop by and see what my fellow travelers have been up to.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Photo Friday: Sonoma Plaza and Rose Garden

August 28th, 2009 by bsmith | 4 Comments | Filed in Photo Friday, Smith Family Adventures

 

 

 

sonoma-plaza-rose-garden2

Growing up in Marin County, one of my favorite family adventures was a Sonoma picnic.  We would north, and stop by the Vella Cheese factory to purchase some of their famous Dry Monterey Jack.  (This is not the Cheese Factory on the Sonoma Plaza.  My family always considered that one more of a tourist trap.)

My parents and I would head for the beautiful green park in the center of town, and enjoy our cheese with salami, sour dough, and apple cider.  Then, tummy full I would make friends at the playground or visit the rose garden.  The rose garden has a lovely assortment of colorful roses and a sun dial in the center that has fascinated generations of young visitors.

This summer I had a chance to recreate this childhood memory when we met my Auntie Carol in the same Sonoma park.  We arrived late in the day and didn’t have a chance to stop by the cheese factory, but my friend Joellen kindly found a gourmet deli that served delicious sandwiches.  The kids put on an elaborate performance on the outdoor stage, and had fun at the play ground.  They met a friendly laborador and worked hard to help him take a drink from the water fountain.

Helping Out Our New Friend

Our visit to this magical place brought back many joyful memories, and also gave me a chance to make some new ones.I enjoyed watching Justin, my ten year old transform himself into a goofy monster using the leaves he fund around the park.  It was a treat for Auntie Carol to see Justin for the first time in nine years and to meet the “new” additions to our family who are now ages four and five!

Wild Man Justin

 

Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday Blog Roundup.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Photo Friday: Antique Steam Engine Museum, Vista California

August 14th, 2009 by bsmith | 6 Comments | Filed in Family Travel, Museums, Outdoor Adventures, Photo Friday, San Diego Adventures

Antique Gas Pump, Antique Steam Engine Museum, Vista

Every year Cub Scout Camp is held at the Antique Steam Engine Museum in Vista, California. As you will see, it’s not exactly a museum, more like a collection of old steam engines, farm equipment, model trains, etc.  Visiting always reminds me of  long quiet summer days visiting my uncle in Minnesota.  Old farm tractors and combines were scattered at the edge of the fields throughout his farm.  I loved to find a good book, and sit for a while just enjoying the peace and quiet.  Unfortunately at the Antique Steam Engine Museum you are not allowed to sit on the machines, but city kids won’t know what they’re missing.

Antique Frontloader, Antique Steam Engine Museum

 

Other features of this unique museum:

  • One of those fun metal merry go rounds that we enjoyed at the park when we were kids.  Jared spun on this for hours.
Old School Merry Go Round, Vista, Ca

Old Fashioned Merry Go Round, Vista, Ca

  • A short track  miniature railroad and an excellent model railroad museum

Rail Road Crossing

  • A one room school house.
  • A blacksmith shop.

Call to find out about special events.  Not every part of the museum is open every day.

Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday Blog Roundup.  Check out some more great travel posts here.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Photo Friday: Dinner at the Blue Crab, Victoria British Columbia

July 31st, 2009 by bsmith | 7 Comments | Filed in Canada Adventures, Photo Friday
Dinner at the Blue Crab, Victoria BC

Dinner at the Blue Crab, Victoria BC

As I mentioned in a previous post, membership has its privileges.  Ken taught several classes at the Coast Hotel in Santa Cruz (now the Dream Inn) and accumulated guest reward points.  We never had enough for an overnight stay,but he did earn enough to pay for most of a luscious dinner at the Blue Crab Restaurant in Victoria British Columbia.  This romantic restaurant overlooks the bay and has amazing sea food.

Crab Dinner at the Blue Crab

Crab Dinner at the Blue Crab

Our meal included steak and crab as well as assorted clams and mussels.  The service was excellent.  As you can see we savored every bite of this outstanding meal.

Blue Crab Aftermath, Victoria, BC

Blue Crab Aftermath, Victoria, BC

 We finished just as the sun was setting and caught a water taxi back to the Empress Hotel.  It was a romantic ending to our culinary adventure.

Waiting for the Water Tax, Victoria Harbor

Waiting for the Water Taxi, Victoria Harbor

Happy Trails,
Bridget
PS Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Delicious Baby’s Photo Fridays.  Check out her amusing post about her Seattle “Heatcation” here.  Way to be creative, Debbie :) .

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Photo Friday: Lego Las Vegas

July 24th, 2009 by bsmith | 7 Comments | Filed in Las Vegas Adventures, Legoland, Photo Friday
Lego MGM Grand, Miniland Las Vegas

Lego MGM Grand, Miniland Las Vegas

Just got back from a trip from Vegas.  Since it was 112 degrees during most of our visit, I didn’t have a chance to snap many shots of the famous Strip.  Luckily Legoland has me covered.   Here is the Lego version of our Las Vegas adventures:

Lego Excalibur, Miniland Las Vegas

Lego Excalibur, Miniland Las Vegas

Lego New York New York, Miniland Las Vegas

Lego New York New York, Miniland Las Vegas

Lego Treasure Island, Miniland Las Vegas

Lego Treasure Island, Miniland Las Vegas

 We tried to see the Treasure Island sirens show when we were in Vegas.  The crowds were so huge we could only catch a glimpse.  Probably a good thing since this show is decidedly PG-18.  Those sirens wear some skimpy lingerie!  I think we will be sticking to viewing the Legoland version in the future.

I have a blog post about family friendly Las Vegas pools on Uptake this week.  Check it out.

Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Photo Friday: Train Place Deli, Capitola California

July 3rd, 2009 by bsmith | 11 Comments | Filed in Family Travel, Photo Friday, Santa Cruz County Adventures

Train Place Deli, Capitola California

It was Day 8 of our Santa Cruz adventure.  Due to circumstances mostly beyond my control I needed a place to eat dinner at 6:45 pm.  The kids were cranky and exhausted.  My husband was out eating with friends.  I was desperately seeking a place that was so entertaining that the little ones would behave themselves well enough that we wouldn’t be kicked out!

I found my oasis in the town of Capitola, California.   I headed to the Train Place Deli hoping that the mesmorizing sight of model trains would calm my rowdy crew.  Well, as you can see from the pictures below, the kids were still pretty rowdy, but the gracious service and fascinating trains did put everyone in a better mood.

Tired, but Happy at the Train Place Deli

Tired, but Happy at the Train Place Deli

The hardworking owners of the Train Place Deli welcomed us fifteen minutes before closing, patiently took my children’s order,  (A five year old can be pretty undecided at 7pm), and even treated us to some extra cookies.  My Italian Special was delicious and included: a huge salami sandwich, pasta salad, and a drink.  Each kids meal came with a big cookie which made everyone happy.

Yummy Treats at the Train Place Deli
Yummy Treats at the Train Place Deli

 

Then of course there are the trains.  Half the deli is filled with elaborate model trains that run  throughout your visit. Take a look:
All Aboard at the Train Place Deli

All Aboard at the Train Place Deli

 

Thomas Steams Along at the Train Place Deli

Thomas Steams Along at the Train Place Deli

 If you are looking for more train adventures, this week we also took the beach train at Roaring Camp in Felton, Ca and visited Sonoma’s Traintown a very affordable train adventure.

Family Adventure Guidebooks participates in the Photo Friday Blog Roundup.  Check out more fun travel photos here.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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