First Trimester Road Trips - DC & Nashville

It's official.  I'm pregnant!  We're ecstatic!  Of course, constantly having the baby on my mind doesn't bode well for travel blog writing or traveling in general.  Nonetheless, we've braved some road trips, lived to tell about them, and even have a couple more planned for this summer!

If you've ever been with child, or traveled with a woman who was, you know it can sometimes be tricky depending on morning sickness and her oversion to odors.  We road-tripped to Washington, DC to visit family for the Easter holiday when I was only 8 weeks in.  I was just getting used to the idea of this living, peanut-sized person swimming around in my belly, let alone constant nausea and waxing fatigue.  "What's happening to my body!?" "Can people tell?" "Should I tell people yet? or wait it out a little longer?"  My usual I-can't-wait-to-get-there giddiness was replaced with "will I have time for a nap?" 

Some Tips for travel during your first trimester:

1. Bring plenty of bland snacks -- saltines, pretzels, granola bars, etc.  We've been told that you're better off with something in your belly, and it turns out it's true. 
2. Lots of water!  -- which results in a pit stop about every hour or so.  It's good for you though, so drink it.
3. Pack your prenatal vitamins -- You don't want to forget those, especially since we all tend to veer off course (as far as diet and nutrition is concerned) while traveling.
4. A fluffy pillow and room to stretch your legs. -- Try to share the driving with a pal so you can stretch out in the back seat.  Keeping your feet elevated will also help decrease ankle swelling and back soreness.
5. Get out and stretch your legs, walk around and get the blood flowing every chance you get.

Once you arrive, eat mini meals like you do at home, rest when you can, plan on hitting the sack early and rising frequently to use the restroom.  Bring super comfy shoes and loose-fitting clothes for walking around, and drink plenty of water during the day too!  If you're comfortable telling your news to those you're traveling with, they might be more understanding when you need to stop and rest more often than usual.  I chose to tell the family members we were with and chatting about it made it even more fun!

Next, we headed to Nashville, TN for the Rock 'n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon.  We went with a large group of friends, mostly from OU so it was difficult to hide my non-alcoholic ways in the bars.  I ended up spilling the secret to the group to make things a little easier. 

Lucky for me, after running a half marathon, the rest of the group was just as tired as I was, often leading to early bedtimes and afternoon naps. I fit right in! 

Nashville was pretty cool, but I can't help but think it's a million times better when you're able to party sans nausea and fatigue.  Maybe we'll go back someday. 

Just remember, you're still yourself while traveling pregnant, you just need to be patient, give yourself plenty of extra time for pit stops, frequent meals and naptime.  The advice people keep giving me is "get out and do stuff while you can before the baby comes."  So, that's what I intend to do!

Trips on deck :: a relaxing trip to East Hampton, NY to play on the beach; and a long weekend on a houseboat on Lake Cumberland, KY.  Stay tuned for second trimester trips!

The Vacation Argument: An Oxymoron?

You never know where your vacation will lead.

It’s like complaining about a free lunch or having too much fun. Who does it and what’s the point? The other day a friend of mine mentioned the fact that she and her man keep arguing every time they discuss their vacation options for this summer. Which part of Mexico should we go to? How long should we stay? What should we do there? Let’s do something else instead, etc.

One of them has too many vacation days to use up this year. Sucks to be you, right? Must be nice! The other one can’t seem to convince him that she can only afford one big trip this year. Here lies the issue. If they plan on vacationing together, they must make a choice. The quarrel ensues.



My advice? Just pick one. All options are lovely. There’s no sense in making your vacation (or vacation plans) stressful. The point of a vacation is to escape your everyday stresses in the first place. I know, it sounds much simpler than it is.

Decide on your ultimate “goal” for the trip. Whether it be adventure, to see a particular show, concert or attend an event, pure relaxation, good food, sightseeing or just plain old togetherness, you can surely narrow down your options by agreeing on a common goal.

Family vacations always sound like a good idea, until the planning actually starts. He wants to be active on vacation, but she wants to relax. They want to be pampered and eat at fancy restaurants every night, but they want to cook their own food and lounge in comfy clothes and bathing suits all week. Is it really worth the fight?

It never fails. Every year my extended family tends to have big ideas about a vacation we can take together, and then after a few months of debate and juggling everyone’s calendar conflicts, we never actually go. Someday I hope to remedy this vicious cycle of vacation arguing so we can simply enjoy each other’s company in beautiful place we can all afford at a time that works for everyone. But I digress …

Make yourself available. Compromise is key. Chances are you’ll have a great time no matter which vacation you choose. Check your calendar and offer plenty of options for weeks you’d be available to skip town. Plan ahead for requesting vacation days from work and add to your vacation fund whenever possible.

Take a risk. Never been out of the country and afraid to make the trip? Don’t be. Sure, getting a passport can be a frustrating (albeit expensive) task. Just do it. Get one, so you’re able to cross the border at a whim the next time your best friend wins a free trip to Mexico or your husband wants to take you to Niagara Falls for the weekend. I’m not talking about risking your life in North Korea or something … just easy international travel that millions of Americans do everyday (The Caribbean, Greek Isles, Western Europe, Australia, even Beijing or Tokyo). Book it and then fill in the details.

Just say “yes”. Say “no” less, and say “yes” more. Don’t be a stick in the mud, and be sure to keep an open mind. This is possibly the most important rule. OK, maybe even I wouldn’t jump at the chance to bungee jump off a bridge or go ice fishing for a week. No, no, I mean say “yes” to trying sushi at a great seafood restaurant at resort. Say “yes” to snorkeling in Mexico and don’t be afraid to be called up on stage to sing karaoke at a live show. Vacations are an opportunity for you to let loose and try new things in front of close family and friends (and 100s of people you’ll never see again). What better way to make a memory?

Everyone needs a vacation now and then. Speaking of which, I’d like one right now!

Babies in the District

It was a snowy and icy weeked in our nation's capital, but we were on a mission to meet our new neice once and for all. After a lovely drive through slush and pavement mist-flakes (the kind that seems to smear even more when you clean your windshield) and some groan-worthy encounters with Maryland slow-pokes who ride their brakes, we made it to Columbia Heights, a neighborhood in downtown Washington, D.C. 

Even after a foul weather roadtrip, there's nothing sweeter than cuddling up with a newborn.  That little bundle can paint a smile on your face quicker than you can say "gah gah, goo goo".  Instant love, I say.  Instant!

With a couple babies and 2 new mommies in our midst, we knew we weren't going to spend the weekend clubbing or taking shots left and right, and that was completely fine with me.  Instead, we decided to tackle the district in the 2nd best way we know how ... We'd eat our way through it.

Friday night was a blur of gastropubs, Food Network, and Travel Channel suggestions and neighborhood favorites, which blended into more of the same on Saturday. 

I went out with the guys on Friday night and the girls on Saturday night, and one thing I learned for all you single travelers out there is that if you're in the market for a significant other, go where they are. Seems obvious, I know, but the wine bars were crawling with women, and the beer pubs were overloaded with all male groups. Want a boyfriend? Skip the wine, and go get a beer! What a girlfriend? Dress up, grab a wingman and head to the wine bars.

Some notable stops on the way:

1) El Pollo Rico, Arlington, Virginia (see a clip from Anthony Bourdain's episode here):  We walked away from this place thinking, "Yep.  They did it right."  Known as the "best Peruvian chicken joint around", this cafeteria-style restaurant serves only one thing - charcoal-broiled chicken (either by the whole, or by the 1/2 chicken).  It was an inexpensive and delicious way to kickoff the food shuffle.  Highly recommended!


2) The Red Derby, Washington, D.C.:  Who doesn't love their beer in cans?  Red Derby is a hole in the wall local bar (we love those!), featuring a superior beer menu with a wide variety of microbrews and rare-finds, served up in cans with a complementary plastic cup.  That's how you know it's good!  It's a long narrow place, but perfect for a cozy game of trivial pursuit, scrabble or a modge-podge of other board games provided by the bar.  Good stuff, check it out!

3) Vinoteca, Washington, D.C.:  Perfect place for a girls night out!  Vinoteca has a great wine list, great bar service and a candlelight atmostphere perfect for deep conversation, catching up with girlfriends, or grabbing an after dinner drink on date night.  My bro- and sis-in-law had their engagement party at this location, so she was eager to share the love with us.  Crowded on a Saturday night, but a great meet-place overall!

4) Eat Bar, Arlington, Virginia:  This was such a chic stop!  Attached to Tallula Restaurant, this Gastropub had some fan favorite apps.  At Eat Bar, we loved the lamb sliders, mussels and risotto fritters.  Complete with a fab wine list, we were pleasantly surprised by the chilled out vibe, candlelit bar area and meat-themed T-shirts for sale. Would go back! 


5) Meridian Pint, Washington D.C.:  Eco-friendly and tres modern!  The guys loved the draft and cask beer selection at this place.  The service was a little lacking and the food was glorified bar food (we tried the nachos, wings and special dipping sauce, which we didn't care for), but the beer had a good range from 1st Amendment and Bell's to Dogfish and Great Lakes.  Good place for an after dinner drink!

DC never fails to impress.  And it doesn't hurt that we got to catch up with old friends, Alberto and Jen, along the way.  Thanks to Elisa, Mike and Zoe for a fabulous weekend, as always!

Coastal Ohio :: Cedar Point

Sounds exotic doesn't it?  The truth is, it's fabulous.  Plain and simple, Cedar Point is the best amusement park on the planet.  That's right, I said it. 

You pull into the parking lot, step out of the car and can already hear the screams of excitement, smell the wafting aroma of carnival foods and feel the warmth and moisture of coastal Lake Erie.  Now it officially feels like summer.

Ever since I can remember, my family and I would make the hour-long car trip to Sandusky every summer at least once.  It was a day we anxiously anticipated -- planning the perfect outfits, packing roadtrip games, stuffing our fanny-packs and breaking in our shoes in preparation of the miles we'd walk around the park.

As a kid, Cedar Point is an experience filled with "firsts" -- your first big kid ride; your first real roller coaster; your first box of authentic salt water taffy; your first live show, and the list goes on.  Before I was tall enough to ride the big rides, I distinctly remember riding the Jr. Gemini 12 times in a row -- the last time, with my hands up like a big kid.  From there, I never looked back. I'd be tall enough for the big coasters by the next summer. 

Cedar Point is a park filled with history.  I just wish I could have seen it at its earliest!

In the 1870s, you could pay local businessman, Louis Zistel, a measly 25 cents for a ride on his boat to the Sandusky peninsula, where he owned and operated a beer garden, bathhouse on the beach and dance floor.  According to old newspapers, Cedar Point "sailing and bathing parties" were all the rage back in the day.   The first coaster was built in 1892, towering at an amazing 25 feet high and reaching speeds up to 10 mph -- What a thrill!  To them, it was one of the first of its kind.  A true rarity.  From there, the park was transformed little by little into the park we know and love today.  It now boasts an incredible 17 roller coasters, and tons of other thrill rides!

We just made the trip to Cedar Point with 2 other couples and had a blast!  As adults, the park is where you'll experience a few more of life's "firsts" -- your first beer in a saloon; your first backache from a wooden coaster; your first case of whip lash -- not quite as glamourous, but still milestones nonetheless. 

You can't call yourself a thrill seeker or roller coaster lover without making the trip to Cedar Point at some time in your life.  Go now before you're too old to ride the coasters ... lest be doomed to the role of "mom or dad" who holds everyone's fanny packs, waiting for the youngsters by the ride photo stand.

If you do decide to test your thrillseeker-ness at Cedar Point, be sure that you can stay past sunset.  Some of the best views from the top of the coasters are at night.  The twinkling lights and laser show make for some awesome landscapes.  I promise you'll love it.

My personal Top 5 coasters:

1)  Millenium Force -- The line is usually long at any time of day, but I promise that the ride is worth it.  It's over 2 minutes of hills, curves, twists and speed. 

2)  Magnum -- Another steel coaster, this one is a classic.  In its day, it was the tallest/fastest coaster in the world.  Now, it's the one you can ride over and over taking silly pictures in the tunnels, since the wait is usually pretty short.

3)  Raptor -- You've gotta ride this one at night.  Your feet dangle, so take off your shoes and air out your feet!  Lots of twists, turns and upside-downs on this one.  Great!

4)  Gemini -- I'm a Gemini, so I might be biased, but this one is fun because it's differnet.  It's wooden, and runs side-by-side with another car, so you race!  The multiple quick hills will surprise you!

5)  Mean Streak -- If you asked me 5 years ago, I'd tell you I hate this ride.  It's bumpy, I'm not gonna lie, and with over 2-minutes of belly drops, it will make you wish you didn't just eat those cheese fries.  I can't stop smiling on this coaster for some reason.  Others hate it and I understand why.

There's always a new ride to try out each year, and the newest, the Maverick, does not disappoint.

Other great rides you should try:

1)  SkyHawk -- This is basically a gigantic swingset for 40 people.  It's a fan favorite, especially for kids.  Lots of belly-dropping good laughs.  Short lines. 

2)  Power Tower -- Both Up and Down are great, but Down is my personal favorite. 

Happy Coastering!