Versailles, France – We are struggling with jetlag. This is the first time we have traveled to Europe (as a family) for less than a month, and we don’t have time to hang out and adjust to the time change.…
Boston’s North End on BBC Travel
A small peninsula jutting into the harbor, Boston’s North End is one of the city’s oldest and most storied neighbourhoods. Puritans from England settled the area, followed by waves of other European immigrants whose red-brick homes still crowd the narrow,…
1804 Battle of Sitka
Sitka, Alaska – The relationship between the Russians and the Tlingit was complex (which is probably true of all indigenous populations and colonizers). In 1802, the Tlingit drove the Russians away from their original settlement at Old Sitka. But a…
Totems and More Totems
Ketchikan, Alaska – Apparently, Ketchikan contains the largest collection of Native American totem poles in the world (more than 80, if anyone is counting). I was not counting, but we have seen totems and more totems. I suspect the twins…
The Twins do DC
Washington DC – In another life, I used to live in Washington DC. In fact, this is where Daddio and I met, way back when (but that’s a story for another time). This year, we took the twins for their…
La Pedriza, Sierra de Guadarrama
Madrid, Spain – La Pedriza is part of Sierra de Guadarrama national park, 30 minutes north of Madrid. Spectacular day, spectacular place.
Parque de El Retiro
Madrid, Spain – Number one priority for a weekend in Madrid? Sunday afternoon in Parque de El Retiro. This was a fabulous (free!) afternoon. We packed a picnic and spent our time exploring the park, playing at the playground, and…
Cycling the Battle Road
Concord, Mass – On April 19, 1775, the first skirmish of the American Revolution took place at dawn on Lexington Green. Afterwards, British soldiers marched to Concord, where they faced a militia of Minute Men, who eventually chased them back…
Boston Public Garden
Boston, Mass – In honor of their world landmarks project, V’s class took a field trip to the Boston Public Garden. (Not exactly a world landmark, but certainly a local one! One of the classic recommendations for Boston for Children.)…
Kids in Moscow
Moscow, Russia – While in Moscow, we have had a wonderful babysitter who has taken the twins on adventures all over the city. Sometimes I wonder if those kids haven’t seen more of the city than I have on this…