road trip

3 Comments Posted on car reviews, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

5 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack,

While in San Diego two weeks ago for your Uncle Jake’s wedding, Grandma joined us in the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander for a drive to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park; the 3rd row seat was very useful. It was so nice having Grandma there to help with your baby sister.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) s3 s4 s5 s6

The 1,800 acre Safari Park was such a great speed for you. Even aside from the animals, it was such a beautiful place to be. And you didn’t mind doing so much walking, because it was it sort had a treehouse feel.

s7 s8

One of the things that really sets apart the San Diego Safari Park from a typical zoo is that in addition to its wondrous exhibits, there is also ride that took us through the free-range of “Africa” where we saw giraffes, antelopes, and rhinos in what appeared to be their natural habit.

Conveniently, the climate and landscape of San Pasqual Valley of San Diego appears to be similar to Africa’s. In fact, several times during the ride, I had to remind myself we were in southern California, not Africa.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) s11 s12

Mommy and I had agreed to give you a $20 allowance to spend on souvenirs during our entire trip. We suggested you save it for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, knowing they’d surely have an impressive collection of stuffed animals for you to consider.

We did see a giant life-size tiger, but it was a little out of your prize range, at $1000. But truly, you fell in love with the last remaining Fennec Fox.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander) s14 s15

I think you and I both considered the actual Fennec Foxes to be our favorite animal at the Safari Park.

You asked for help naming her. I suggested Fifi, and you accepted.

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack: The Beach Bonfire Family Reunion (San Diego Vacation in a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

I’m so glad our family got to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. What an adventure!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Our Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (San Diego Vacation/2016 Mitsubishi Outlander)

4 Comments Posted on car reviews, food reviews, Health, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nick A Jack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES 300h)

5 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

Dear Jack,

As you and I were getting ready to start off our 1st ever father and son road trip, you decided to pack a few more of your stuffed animals, in addition to the dozen or so you already had ready by the door.

I let you pack up the Lexus ES with much more than was necessary for your upcoming week-long stay at Nonna and Papa’s, but with the road trip just being you and me, I figured it wouldn’t hurt anything.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

Just as the sun was coming up, we left our home in Spring Hill, Tennessee. You used a glow stick and your finger-flashlight to help see in the dark as you spent the first hour designing monster trucks on Mommy’s Kindle.

You also enjoyed checking out one of many brochures you picked up at the rest stop. Your favorite was for Star Cars, which features the car from Ghostbusters; the movie we saw together just the night before.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

Granted, we stopped at the Whole Foods Market in Chattanooga, Tennessee for lunch; to cater to my vegan and your vegetarian lifestyle. Right across the road was Learning Express Toys where I bought you a souvenir that you are currently obsessed with.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

The first major stop on our trip was Nick A Jack Road, in Flintstone, Georgia; which borders Chattanooga, Tennessee. I am very familiar with it, since that’s where Papa’s side of the family lives.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

It’s the road that goes from the bottom to the top of Lookout Mountain on the Georgia side; where as Nonna and Papa live on the other end of the mountain, an hour away on the Alabama side.

Nick A Jack Road is a particularly special road for us as father and son, as it always was for Papa and me when I was a kid. Papa’s first name is Jack, just like yours; and of course mine is Nick.

So “Nick A Jack” combines both your name and mine; as it always has for Papa and me…

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

Therefore, I made sure we stopped for a photo op there at the top of the mountain, where Nick A Jack Road comes to an end.

I have always wanted us to take our picture together there in front of that street sign. My dream finally came true!

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

From there, we drove another 20 minutes to Cloudland Canyon Sate Park, which made for our next amazing stop on our 1st father and son road trip…

Love,

Daddy

P.S.

Here’s the collection of stories from our father and son road trip…

Ghostbusters and the BFG

Nick A Jack Road

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel

Azalea Cascade Trail at DeSoto State Park

2016 Lexus ES 300h Father & Son Road Trip (Table of Contents)

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Nickajack Road (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

4 Comments Posted on car reviews, fatherhood, movie reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES 300h)

5 years, 8 months.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

Dear Jack,

With Mommy still on maternity leave for a little bit more, she took Baby Holly to Sacramento, California for the week to visit family.

We decided this would be a perfect opportunity for you to spend a week at Nonna and Papa’s house in Fort Payne, Alabama; as your first sort of summer camp experience. Meanwhile, I would stay behind here in Tennessee as I work a full time job.

But of course, I would be the one to take you there to Nonna and Papa’s house over the weekend. I saw it as the perfect opportunity for you and I to have our 1st ever father and son road trip. We were able to score a 2016 Lexus ES 300 Hybrid for the 3 day weekend!

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

The event began when we dropped off Mommy and Baby Holly at the Nashville Airport at 3:00 AM on early Friday morning and said our sleepy goodbyes to them. We then drove all the way back to Spring Hill and slept in until 8:00 AM.

Next it was time for our haircuts. Then I made us some lunch by reheating leftovers from the dinner Mommy made the night before, and after that, we were off to the movies!

We always love watching movies together so I decided we should spend the whole afternoon at the movies on such a sweltering hot July Friday afternoon, by watching two movies, back to back.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

For months now, we couldn’t help but be curious about the new Ghostbusters movie. So I decided to make our viewing very special by opting for us to see it in 3D. I’m so glad we did.

You and I had so much fun watching it together. You liked all the Ghostbusters’ cool gadgets and weapons.

I’m pretty sure your favorite holiday is Halloween. You love scary stuff. For example, your favorite episode of Saved By the Bell is Episode 26 of Season 3, “Mystery Weekend”, the one with the haunted house.

Not to mention, you’ve seen nearly every episode of Goosebumps, plus the movie at least 2 or 3 times by now.

So while perhaps not all soon-to-be Kindergartner boys would be ready for Ghostbusters, you proudly watched it with me and thought it was so cool.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

I let you completely decide what our 2nd movie would be. Instead of Star Trek (which would have gotten my vote), or even Tarzan (which I know you would have loved since it has animals in it), you chose The BFG, which you’ve been excited about for weeks now.

By the way, you took your “big-eyed” Panda, who you dressed up in one of your sister’s outgrown dresses. I think that’s your way of saying your miss her.

From 2:05 to 6:35 Friday evening, we were at the movies. Seriously, how cool is that? It’s not something we would normally get to do, for sure.

As for me, that was the one day of our father and son road trip that I actually took off work for, as the weekend followed. It felt like a real day off for me. Such a good time.

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

I took you to Moe’s for dinner, as they are able to easily cater to my vegan needs and your vegetarian needs. Afterwards, we headed home to get to sleep as soon as possible; since early the morning, we would be taking the Lexus ES across state lines for our inevitable amazing adventures together…

Love,

Daddy

P.S.

Here’s the collection of stories from our father and son road trip…

Ghostbusters and the BFG

Nick A Jack Road

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel

Azalea Cascade Trail at DeSoto State Park

2016 Lexus ES 300h Father & Son Road Trip (Table of Contents)

Dear Jack: Our 1st Father and Son Road Trip- Ghostbusters and The BFG (in the 2016 Lexus ES Hybrid)

1 Comment Posted on car reviews, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

11 weeks.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Dear Holly,

You met all of your great-grandparents in one weekend, in the midst of our family’s 1st road trip as a family of four; in which we drove from Nashville to Atlanta.

2016 Toyota Highlander Limited: 3rd Row Seat Space & Child Car Seat Placement

Granted, you were asleep during 95% of the drive, in the 2016 Toyota Highlander. But you woke up just in time to meet everyone and were able to get your picture made with them.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

First we drove through my hometown of Fort Payne, Alabama; where you met your Mexican great-grandmother, Lola Mendez Metallo; whose parents moved here from Michoacán, Mexico and settled in Buffalo, New York. I’m pretty sure she thought it was a dream that we stopped by, as we kept it a complete surprise we were coming.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

She was married to my Italian grandfather Albert Metallo, whose father moved here from southern Italy and settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I wish you could have met him too, but you were born about 8 years too late to meet him.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

We stayed the night at Nonna and Papa’s house that night. Your cousin Calla brought some leftover fireworks for Uncle Andrew to light and shoot off in the front yard, while I helped supervise for safety.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

It was quite a show. You were never once scared by the noise or the minor explosions. In fact, you took it all in with a straight face the entire time.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip) a6 a7

We spent the next couple of days in Atlanta, where visited the Atlanta Aquarium as well as the Delta Flight Museum. On the way back home though, we stopped by Flintstone, Georgia, right outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, so you could meet my dad’s (Papa’s) parents; which is who we get our last name from.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Since we were just passing through and didn’t know what time we’d get there, it was a quick visit; as opposed to having a big family reunion. We’ll have to save that for a day when we aren’t in transition.

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Your Great-Aunt Rosa was there though, as she kept your brother Jack busy as she wrestled him.

I’m so glad you were able to meet your great-parents this past weekend. You are quite a big deal to them!

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: Meeting Your Great-Grandparents (2016 Toyota Highlander Family Road Trip)

Leave a comment Posted on fatherhood, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

5 years, 7 months.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack,

As we journeyed on in our family’s first road trip as a family of four (in the 2016 Toyota Highlander) last week, we made our next stop the Delta Flight Museum.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

The funny thing is, I really didn’t what know to expect beforehand: I’m not sure I had ever been to any kind of airplane museum before.

But once we got there, I realized what a great fit it was for our entire family!

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

I loved seeing how excited you were by everything surrounding you- there were planes hanging from the sky, planes for us to walk through, a small plane for you to get in, and a tunnel… all for you to explore.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Not only was there so much to see there, but Mommy and I loved the pace of the place.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

It was so open and spread out, and served as a non-intimidating environment for a family with a small baby. They have a theater room that plays a short film about the history of Delta Airlines.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Mommy was able to feed your sister her bottle there in the theater while our family watched the big screen.

I also couldn’t help but notice how helpful and courteous all the staff was.

Of course it wouldn’t be an event if Mommy and I didn’t let you get a souvenir, so you find the gift shop and you were excited to adopt a white bear in a bomber jacket.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

It was a wise decision to make the Delta Flight Museum part of our Atlanta road trip. Your attention was easily captivated the entire time we were there- and like I mentioned, it was very easily to manage a 2 month-old baby the whole time as well.

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia

Perhaps your favorite part was the little “photo op” plane for you and your sister to sit inside. You kept going back to it, even asking me, “Daddy, does this plane really fly?”

If it would have, I’m sure you would have been ready to take flight.

 Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: Our Trip to the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta, Georgia