I recently traveled to Iowa with my Great-Aunt and her granddaughter Ivy. Ivy would then be my second cousin (I think) and her dad, who is the same age as my husband is my first cousin once-removed. Here is a chart I am basing this on: click here.
What was one of the best parts of traveling on this trip was going with a Ivy was how different it was to travel with a little kid. She was such a trooper too, but I also have to laugh at how amusing it is to travel with children. If you want to learn more on our adventure, read about the great Omaha Zoo!
Here is my list of observations:
Travels with a 4-year old
They will stick their finger into something that hurts, and start screaming
This episode was brought to you by a soda cup lid
They will refuse to eat, drink, and/or pee
Forcing them to is sometimes ok, and sometimes a match of wills
They will say they donāt want an ice cream cone
Then you buy the ice cream cone for you; they want it and take it.
Then they eat about four bites and donāt want it anymore.
All while you have since ordered yourself a NEW ice cream cone.
They wonāt sleep in the car without a fuss
They will ask 20 times if you are there yet
They will cry over having to put pajamas on
There will be misunderstandings over mumbles, whining, and stories.
Someone may cry over this.
Multiple people may cry over this
Tears will be shed over automatic dryers and toilets at restaurants and rest stops on the way.
Someone will lose a sock, or socks.
Shoes will be taken off and misplaced
Beloved stuff toys will be misplaced
There will be unbelievable joy
Followed by horrific meltdowns
They will fall over their toes at least half a dozen times
Half of these times, they will cry out of embarrassment and shock, not actual injury
They will get lost and turned around in a crowd
This will also lead to panic and meltdown
They will be wearing some of their food
They will play a game of keep away when needing to get dressed.
This will put everyone in hysterical laughter at how cute and funny it is
They will get dehydrated and hot and whiney from being outside
Make sure you force water down their throat
Trains are seen as absolutely amazing
Stick them on one to prevent meltdowns over tired feet
They will want a giant lollipop from the gift shop
They will get the giant lolli
They will never eat the giant lolli OR
They will eat some of it and you will find the rest stuck to the car in the worst possible way
On my recent adventure to the midwest I had a fun blend of road trip and train journey across 1000 miles, each way, of prairie…..and….prairie. Some may argue it’s plains, but either way you cut it, it ends up being a whole lot of grass, corn, straight rows, and small towns. Not to mention a few cow poop smelling sections near feed lots.
All I have to say is thank you engineers and scientists for cruise control and thank you oh wise zoologists of the last 100 years for placing a zoo in the middle of it.
Located in Omaha, Nebraska the Henry Doorly Zoo is by far one of the best zoos in the country, and absolutely one of the best in the world. Due to their investments, resources, creativity and dedication they have created a zoo that creates lasting memories for visitors that is unparalleled to other zoos.
For instance, I remember stopping at said zoo in about 2003 and being completely blown away at it, even if I was a snotty teen.
The zoo has changed little in the last 15 years, but it still remains an innovative and moving network of habitats that brings out the mystified kid in all of us.
My favorite, this journey happened to be the charming penguins who literally came up to the glass to nod heads with my fellow travelers, an 11 and 4 year old, who felt they both had nice chats with the friendly penguins.
Other highlights included the indoor rainforest with plenty of bats, otters, frogs, and pygmy hippos. The gorilla habitat offered plenty of entertainment with the massive creatures storming by visitors.Ā Finally, the cat house offered oohhhs and ahhhs at majestic clawed beasts lounging in the afternoon shade.
I love the “big city” of Colorado. AKA Denver, which serves as the capital but also as a massive metropolis of something like 30 suburbs and small towns all connected and smooshed together. Denver proper is rather small, but is packed full of exciting and enjoyable activities for any visitor.
Molly Brown, also known as the unsinkable Molly Brown. Also actually known in her lifetime as Margaret Brown…anyway, lived in Denver and was an activist andĀ feminist in theĀ early part of the 20th century. All around she was pretty badass and did a lot for not only Colorado but also the United States in her lifetime. The house has been restored to reflect her lifestyle and that of the Denver elite in the 1910sĀ and 20s. It’s quite a look at the wealth of the time, and also her life and what she stood for and cared about.
If you want to enjoy some of the 300 days of sunshine Colorado boasts about, there is not a more wonderful location in the city than at City Park, which is very close to my number 8 and 7 choices! It’s full of not only some great statues of Martin Luther King and Robert Burns, but also in the summer you can rent boats, there are fountains to play in to beat the summer heat. And always a few dogs to say hello to.
Yes a zoo is a zoo, but the Denver zoo boasts an impressive collection of creatures for a mid-sized city, and is home to some amazing habitats! Their recently renovated elephant enclosure is like walking into another country! They offer lots of goodies for kids to interact with, and for adults, it’s just a fun time to get face to face with otters and primates!
I have been going to this museum at least once a year for as long as I can remember. I even worked here for a while in college, and it was a dream come true! I love this place, and with revolving and evolving exhibits there is always something new to see! It’s always a lot of fun!
This 1.25 mile long shopping mall offers a lot of fun shopping for the visitor, but it also offers a link to other sights in the downtown area. a FREE shuttle connects one end to the other where you can access Lo-Do and then Capital hill on the other end. The strip offer eclectic dining options and ease of access to other city transportation such as the tram-system. My favorite place is The Tattered Cover Bookstore!
This MASSIVE museum literally has something for everyone, and is full of relics from all over the world. Enjoy renaissance and medieval, or Asia and the Middle East, South America has rooms and rooms! They also have wonderful modern art, and rotating exhibitions so check it out. Plan a day if you have it, or a few hours to hit the main interests. Kid’s can also intimately interact with the exhibits by checking out an explorer pack!
This may be the most Colorado thing about Denver. Not only do you get to enjoy a huge collection of antique buildings but there are a ton of mom and pop restaurants serving up local fare. Then there is the iconic REI flagship store for those outdoorsy types. There is the iconic Union Station that lights up at night for a marvelous view, and Coors field if you want to catch a Rockies game. FINALLY you can Kayak in the middle of downtown Denver! REALLY and it’s FREE, of course you need a kayak…
2. Clubbing and music
The clubbing district of Denver stretches along Sherman street, south of downtown. This is great place to grab a few drinks, dance, meet people and check out the local DJ scene. If this is less of your style, stick to Colfax and the music venues! The Fillmore, OgdenĀ (personal favorite) and Bluebird have concerts almost nightly from local bands to grammy winners, there is always something to check out!
1. RED ROCKS- not Denver Proper
Okay if you are going to take a trip to Denver, or are a local looking for stuff to do, then you HAVE to take in a show at Red Rocks. It’s one of those holy experiences that only can happen with music and nature and fandoms come together. My first show there was TheĀ Cure and since then I have seen Flogging Molly, Devotchka, and Ā The Fray and I’m always planning on going back. Not only do the concerts make you swoon, but the park itself is a really cool place to hike around in and take in the Colorado sights and sounds. It’s only about an hour from downtown (give or take due to traffic) and well worth the jaunt. The best part is sharing it with friends, I got to share it with a family friend’s 13-year-old last summer, and not only was it her first concert, but her first big event like that without her parents. Meaning I got to share in her right of concert-going at 13 with Devotchka, at the best venue in the world!
