Category Archives: Leaps (travel-related stories)

Diary of a Wimpy Hiker

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

I am not exactly what you would call an outdoor enthusiast, but I’ve improved a lot.

As a kid I played in the yard but generally preferred sitting on the couch reading. Growing up, I favored sports like volleyball in an air conditioned gym, kickball on a freshly mowed neighborhood lawn or tennis on a nice crisp court. In other words, activities where you didn’t get too dirty and could even wear cute skirts. I never really wanted to go camping, fishing, kayaking, rock-climbing or mountain biking. Continue reading →

Coolest Vending Machine: Benefit Cosmetics

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

Until they invent a vending machine that delivers a plate of freshly made patatas bravas or croquetas de jamon y queso with a cold glass of cava, I’m deeming the Benefit cosmetics vending machine the coolest.

Have you noticed these in airports? I’ve run across 3 or 4, most recently in Reno/Tahoe and Savannah/Hilton Head, and every time I linger to wistfully admire the candy-color display. There’s something about Benefit’s cute packaging and cheeky product names that makes its brand kinda magnetic for gals who think makeup is fun. Not that their products don’t work well – those I’ve tried certainly do. But part of their allure is that they remind me of the thrill of messing about with blue eyeshadow and frosty pink lipstick as a preteen. Or wearing multi-colored fake eyelashes to a 7th grade mixer which your classmates think is weird but you feel as cool as David Bowie or Cyndi Lauper. I think Benefit celebrates that sense of play and individuality – it’s not just utilitarian makeup. Continue reading →

Keep Calm and Check a Bag?

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

I have to admit: those of you who check a bag have a point.

This revelation evolved during multiple attempts to cram liquid items for a beach trip into a quart-size bag. It was quite the puzzle. Usually this is fairly easy. I don’t know if I’ve ever spent so long on this aspect of packing. The casualties were two split plastic bags, as well as the hour or so I could have spent doing something else. Continue reading →

Nostalgia Across an Ocean

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

One of the rewards of visiting another country is the opportunity to observe and appreciate what is different – as well as noticing what is the same. These flashes of familiarity can make you feel very connected to a place in ways you did not expect. Dad talks about this a little in his Travel Epistle post, how senses are often heightened during travel, and how the basic human need of eating and drinking can help visitors get to know a new place.

The other week my eye doctor told me about a recent trip to Portugal with his sister. I’m a longtime patient of his, sometimes obliged to visit twice a year because I’m blind as a bat with unusually high pressure readings for glaucoma. Luckily this bat can see well with contact lenses and doesn’t get quite as nervous about these appointments as she did as a bat teen. It’s pretty routine, we shoot the breeze and I ask what cool trips he’s taken lately. Continue reading →

New York City Tips

by April, JA, Wendy and Jack

Earlier this month, we spent part of Spring Break in New York City. Despite the rain and the chilly weather, we had Big fun in the Big Apple. Here are a few tips from each of us based on our recent trip.  Continue reading →

Disneyland 60th Anniversay Celebration

by Sunny

follow me on Twitter @Sunnylooksleaps

So as a big surprise to no one, we visited a Disney Park during Spring Break.  We chose Disneyland this year for several reasons: the weather, the smaller crowds, the ability to walk between parks, and the fact that Disneyland is still celebrating its 60th Anniversary.   While we usually visit Walt Disney World in Florida, this wasn’t our first time to Disneyland.  But it was the first trip that Jimmy’s mom had ever been to a Disney Park.  Ever!  We spent our three days in Disneyland well, mixing the classics with the brand new attractions.

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Things I Love About Washington DC

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

After visiting a cool city, I realized I have a post-trip habit of telling Jack that we must find a way to move to New York/ Madrid/ London/ Paris/ Copenhagen/ San Sebastian etc. This goes on for a week or so and I’m sure it’s annoying. As much as Jack agrees that those places are amazing – and while he’s not opposed to visiting them often or even relocating for a period of time – Jack patiently reminds me that we already live in a great city.

When I moved to Washington, DC over 15 years ago, I honestly thought it was temporary. I had previously lived in Chicago for a year and figured I would spend 2-3 years in DC before settling someplace new. Funny how life works out. And while the choice to stay was originally due to Jack stealing my heart – not the city – I have grown very fond of DC and am happy to call it home. Below are a few things I love about Washington, DC. Continue reading →

The Fun of Repeat Visits: Disney Edition

by Sunny

follow me on Twitter @sunnylooksleaps

Spring Break is upon us, and it seems every conversation begins with, “So, do you have big plans for Spring Break?”  And yes, we are going to Disneyland!  No surprise to those who know us well, but in talking with other families, you hear about other points of view about visiting Disney.  I recently heard a tale about a 9-day beginning of summer trip to Disney World.  While that trip was no doubt expensive, it also allowed plenty of time to experience nearly everything while still having some down time at the pool.  If you are only taking the kids to Disney once or twice, I say go for a trip like this!  We visit every year, so our trips are much shorter (3-4 days).  We would rather be able to get our annual dose of Disney in shorter amounts, than only go once or twice during MJ’s childhood.  But the question remains: Is there really any difference between going at the age of 3 AND 4?  Will a 2-year-old really enjoy it?  Here are some of my favorite things about visiting Disney year after year. Continue reading →

Valladolid: Miss one Party, Find Another

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

For all my posts on Spain, I still haven’t written about one of the stories Jack and I tell the most. It takes place in an area north of Madrid, where Jack had a quick business appointment. I’m convinced that whether you spend 18 days or 18 hours in a Spanish city, you will see or do something interesting. Especially if you stay flexible and change plans as opportunity presents itself.

Enjoying the view from our hotel balcony… the day after the festival

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