Crawdads, Strippers, and Pralines...Oh My!

Okay, so I didn't actually see any strippers in New Orleans, but I'm fairly sure I passed one of those joints while riding in my stroller. I was pretty excited to check out the Big Easy, and it didn't disappoint. While I was there I ate at a lot of great restaurants, like G.W. Fins, and I visited some pretty cool places. I had a fun time riding the trolley to the Garden District. My mom, my dad, and I took a horse and carriage tour of the French Quarter. I learned that Ohio was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase. That's right, I'm actually from Louisiana!

While hanging around Jackson Square I got to chase the pigeons. Those guys are great! I also learned that the sound I hate the most in the whole wide world is that of a train whistle. Mom said that Choos Choos aren't scary. She's wrong.

On our last day, we visited the aquarium, and I went to my first movie. I thought the dinosaurs were pretty cool in the IMAX, but I had to catch up on some ZZzzzs after several wild nights. New Orleans - I can't wait to come back again!

Sunny Places, Smiling Faces

That's right folks, another state to add to my list ... Florida! While my mom was off traveling on business, my grandma and I decided to hit the road (or air) and head down to Florida. I had a great time visiting with my great grandparents, Marge and Ken. Great-grandma knew the way to my heart - through my stomach; she stuffed me full of delicious food every day. In return, I helped dig a big hole in their yard. I had a great time visiting with them and all of their neighbors. Those old ladies couldn't resist me!

Glaciers, Grizzlies & Golf, Oh My!

Once again finding myself in one place for far too long, I departed the good old Midwest for the far Northwest, with Montana (aka "Big Sky Country") in my sights. I had high expectations, as I had heard a lot of great stories about the wild west, with it's wild animals, including my Aunt Skinny & cousins: Celia, Rowan & Mason!

As soon as the plane touched down, I knew I was in the right place, as I was greeted by a 9 foot tall grizzly bear that was luckily past its prime. Once we got out of the car park, I took a deep breath of fresh Montana air and got a true sense of how Lewis & Clark must have felt.

Corny nostalgia aside, Montana is a state known for its great outdoors, punctuated by the bold Rocky Mountains piercing through the endless grasslands. Okay, now I'm really done with the corniness. However, I did not venture too far beyond my aunt's backyard. Most of my days were spent practicing to become the next Tiger Woods. I practiced my drives and putts, and worked my calf muscles out on the trampoline (video below). Like many great athletes, I try to train at high altitudes to get my lungs in the best shape possible. In the end, I had a great time with my cousins, and I can't wait for the next time I fly their way.

Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump Around!

The Vermonster!

Back Stateside, my feet started getting antsy, and I knew I needed to once again depart the Midwest. Thus, my Grandma & I hopped a plane and headed for good ol' Burlington, Vermont, better known as The Big Burrr in the winter. In this case, it was summer, and the snow was replaced by tons of rain for most of my stay.

I enjoyed a constant stream of visitors, from my Aunt Trina, to my Auntie Bon & Uncle Greg & finally, my Mom & Dad even decided to pop in for a bit. With all these guests, we took regular trips to Church Street, Shelburne & Stowe. On the 4th of July, we were treated to a fireworks show so great, I fell asleep after 15 minutes. This has led many to believe that I am a war time baby, born at the wrong time, immune to the massive booms. We also passed our time by Lake Champlaign's waters, and I chased the seagulls so often that now I've learned to squak like them.

Vermont might not sound as exotic as Italy nor France, but it's truly a place where I've learned the finer things in life. I've enjoyed frequent visits to City Market (aka Hippy Market), the Saturday morning farmer's market, American Flatbread (home of the best pizza this side of Italy) & Uncommon Grounds (roasters of the best steamed milk & vanilla syrup this side of Seattle). Vermont cheese really hits the spot, and I think this whole organic movement really has some legs. Me & cooperatives have become great friends, and I have declared myself a localvore. If it's not grown within 100 miles of my location, it will not touch my lips. If I didn't appear to be a pampered baby yet, the green mountain state has changed that!

San Gimgiano, Italy & Wine Tasting

My first European destination this summer was Italia! While there, I visited the old town of San Gimgiano, where I was strollered around cobble stone streets lined with shops full of vino, meat & cheese products. I made a pit stop at a gelato shop, and enjoyed my first taste of this Italian delicacy. They say it's the substitution of milk for cream that gives this treat a unique consistency. Whatever it is, I like it, but my diaper does not.

After San Gimgiano, I headed to a wine tasting where I enjoyed olive oil soaked bread, fatty meats & rich cheeses. I also snuck a sip or 3 of the local pour. Italians start 'em young. When in Rome...

Pisa & Portofino, Italy

After my adventures in San Gimgiano & the winery, I was a bit tired, but I trekked on to Pisa & Portofino. In Pisa, I would have seen that famous leaning tower, however, the wine hit me hard and I passed out. Makes me think of the song "Red Red Wine," because it went straight to my head. Anyways, I heard the tower is still leaning, but is in stable condition.

Next, I woke up for my trip to Portofino, the famous sea side town frequented by the stars. The place was unbelievably picturesque, just like me. I stopped at a local spot for a cappuccino to get the blood flowing while taking in the views. The waitress was giving me those hungry eyes, and so was the boat worker nearby. A reminder that I was in Europe after all.

High Rollin' In Monte Carlo, Monaco

After visiting some of the pastoral countryside, I needed to get back into the action. I headed with my mom and dad to the picturesque and oh-so-wealthy Monaco principality. With a whole day to tour the second smallest country in the world, I decided to catch some zzzzs. While I slept, the 'rents toured the gardens and checked out the graves of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III. With my batteries recharged, I was ready for my first taste of French grub. We grabbed some delicious tomato and mozzarella sandwiches (so much for the French food). Regardless, I devoured that thing - and with minimal choking!

After lunch, we walked around the palace and took in one last glance at the Mediterranean sea. I had my eyes on some yachts down below, but my parents insisted on going higher up the mountainside to Monte Carlo. I thought Monaco was ritzy, well, it has nothing on Monte Carlo. We walked by the famed casino, saw some awesome rides, and then hit the mall. I had been hoping to get some Louis Vuitton duds, but Mom wanted to go spend her money on Haagen-Das instead. When it's 95 degrees out, you've got to load up on the good stuff. With a giant sandwich and berry ice cream in my belly, I was about ready to call it an afternoon.

Barcelona & Seville, Spain

After France, I moved on to Spain, itching for a bit of salsa & sangria. In Barcelona, I was pushed skillfully through the loco crowds of Las Ramblas. What a place; there were street entertainers all over the place, along with pet shops and pick-pockets. They clearly have it all.

From Las Ramblas, I went and had a nice lunch, and then kicked on to Park Guell, made famous because of its designer, Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi's creative sculptures and park design really intrigued me. The style reminded me of a cross between Dr. Seuss and Lewis Carrol.

My next stop in Spain was Seville, which I reached after a long bus ride from Cadiz. In Seville, I strolled the streets, checked out some nice water fountains, and even got my mom to buy me some fancy cloths the ladies will be sure to love. We sat down and had a feast of tapas, before needing to catch back up to our bus. At that point, I was ready for a siesta.

Rockin' It Out on Gibraltar

I'm sure many of you have heard of Gibraltar or at least have the concept that Gibraltar is a giant rock. Honestly, I had no idea what we were getting into with stopping here, but I was ready to find out. The rock was bustling, hot, and beautiful. We worked our way into town. My stroller had to fight for sidewalk space with tons of other strollers - Gibraltarians love to have babies! My Dad did a great job of navigating through the crowds. He was on a mission - to see the famed monkeys! We got turned around a couple times, but we finally found the place with the mountain cable cars. After being in my stroller for so long on a hot day, I was starting to think that maybe a trek up the mountain to monkey land wasn't a good idea. My mom and my Uncle Brad were nice enough to take me back to the boat, but not before stopping and loading up on some necessary baby wipes.

Back on board, I came up with a great idea for Father's Day. I picked out a back massage and pedicure for my dad. Man oh man, was he going to be excited! Lunch was the next order of the day, and I lucked out - they had delicious mashed potatoes and chocolate chip cookies. Yum! After so much sun and fun, I headed back to the cabin for a nap. And, when I woke up, my dad was just getting back from his crazy time with the monkeys. My Uncle Jon even got some monkey poop on his shoulder - he can never complain about my diapers again.

Pouring Port in Lisbon, Portugal

Being the savvy travelers that we are, my parents and I decided to walk around the Portuguese city of Lisboa on our own. It was the first gray day that we had during our vacation, but I didn't let that get me down. We hopped a shuttle bus and headed right to the city center. I had a great time looking out the windows, and I even cleaned them off with one of my wipes. You know I can't stand it when people are messy.

In Lisbon, we walked up and down the city streets, stopping in any shops that tickled our fancy. My parents were pretty brave letting me go into the porcelain stores. I kept them on their toes, though, by tossing my bottle out of the stroller every five feet. And, you know what, I even got some delicious fruit juice out of the deal. I was starting to get a little stir crazy in my stroller, so we finished up with our shopping and called it a day.

Pilgrimaging to Santiago de Compestella

After visiting Portugal, we actually got to go back to Spain for one last stop - the famed pilgrimage town of Santiago de Compestella. With cockle shells and a gourd full of water, we hopped the bus to this holy city. Although I had only been on this earth for fourteen months, I think I experienced my first sense of 'stepping back in time.' Some of the buildings there dated back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries - I don't even know what that means, but I was sure to show my appreciation by running around the main square.

While all of the historical architecture was great, I really wanted to get back to the important stuff - the food! First, I snacked on a Palmier while we looked at the restaurant menus. We settled on a nice little restaurant that had a fish tank right by our table. I gorged myself on delicious bread and cheese, tetilla cheese, to be exact. Tetilla cheese is a famed Spanish cheese, shaped like a woman's breast. And, while I no longer drink breast milk, just tasting that stuff brought me back to the good old days! Yo quiero mas queso!

Ooh, LaLa, Paris!

One of the destinations I was looking most forward to was Paris. Over the past year, I've really developed a taste for extra stinky cheeses and a multitude of products derived largely from butter. Let me tell you, the place didn't disappoint!

After a long bus ride, where I learned once again that you can't judge a book by it's cover (this time via tasty cookies bought at a petrol station that had scary faces), we set foot in Paris. Unfortunately, we only had a few hours, so we immediately scrambled around the city, with my stroller, trying to see as much as possible. I felt like I was on the "Supermarket Sweep" game show, minus the cool crew-neck sweat shirts.

We visited the Eiffel Tower, some food markets & Notre Dame. I gorged myself so full of goat cheese & spinach tart, croissants, baguettes & crepes that I needed to take a breather and ride in my uncle's backpack. He explained that it's very common for Europeans to carry their babies in backpacks, but I'm not quite sure I believe him.

There is little doubt I'll return to this lovely place. I met a girl near the Tower, can't remember her name, who was traveling with her school group . We plan to rendezvous in 20 years. Stay posted, I'll blog about it!

Cobh & Kinsale, Ireland

The weather started getting a wee bit colder, and suddenly I found myself in the Emerald Isle. This was one pit stop I had to stay awake for. God forbid I miss my chance to liaise with a leprechaun or just toss back a pint of the dark & creamy stuff.

I explored the the hilly town of Cobh, taking a break to try scones with jam & clotted cream. Personally, I'd rather have some Krispy Kremes, but I'm sure my tastes will mature.

Next, I set off for the lovely seaside town of Kinsale, and the sun even decided to join me. In Kinsale, I enjoyed a bumpy stroller ride along the cobble-stone streets, and I stopped to enjoy a Guinness with the local gents and a watch a bit of the Gaelic Football. Afterward, I got some locally made ice cream, which screamed happy cows! This was a great stop that reminded me a lot of the East Coast US, and I hope to return.

Bruge & Ghent, Belgium

Pommes frites, monastery beer, thick waffles & world-renowned chocolates...What else could a little man need? Not much! Belgium really had everything on the shopping list of life. I visited the medieval towns of Bruge & Ghent, which were both spectacular! The buildings, squares, cathedrals & canals looked like they were right out of a story book.

The highlights for me were the fragrant horses that pranced around Bruge & the aforementioned pommes frites. Rumor has it that these are so tasty because of the local potatoes. However, the important lesson I learned is eat slowly, these things require chewing!

Among other things, I took a river boat cruise (which was a bit lame), ate some waffles with a vanilla shake & raided a chocolate shop. No doubt about it, the major souvenir from this trip can be seen in my thighs.

European Cruisin'

During the better part of June, I set sail with the fam on the classy Crown Princess. This journey started in Rome and ended in London; taking me through Italy, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Ireland & Belgium.

My time on board largely consisted of eating & drinking (milk), and things became quite routine. I met a nice Chilean chica at the coffee bar the first day, and we really hit it off from the beginning. The fact that she was 30 years my senior did not matter. As she would say, "Babe, age is just a number."

Some highlights while I was on board were: discovering my love for olives, playing my first round of golf, making friends with the local band (the Stranglers), dancing with a few ladies, and getting my sea legs. The cruise went far too fast, which has now left me and the fam contemplating ways that we can get paid to cruise. If you have ideas, drop me a line.

London

As they say, time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. Here I was, at the last leg of my grand European journey, London. I expected fog and rain, but got sunshine and warmth instead. My first mission was to find my uncle somewhere in the Heathrow airport underground. After nearly an hour of searching, we were ready to give into the fact that C.H.U.D.'s most likely got ahold of him. Luckily, this premonition did not come to fruition.

From the airport, we took the train into town and made our first stop at Covent Garden, where we had a nice pub lunch. After a few pints of the bitter stuff, we used the loo and hit the road. We checked out a great organic market within the garden and tried more than a few samples of the offerings.

From Covent Garden, we hopped the tube to Russel Square, so that we could check out the British Museum. By this point, I fell asleep, naturally. I did wake up in time to see a myriad of pillaged, I mean, well-preserved, Egyptian & Greek artifacts. Among the highlights were the Elgin Marbles (which included the Parthenon Frieze-37.5% of it to be exact), and the Rosetta Stone. We had an early morning, so I was back to my hotel and tucked in early, dreaming of cute flight attendants with warm milk while en route to home sweet home...