Ohio Road Trip: Day 2 & 3

Well, both Day Two and Three of our Ohio Road Trip have come and gone and I have no pictures to share. Can you believe that I lost me camera? What’s up with that?

Two days of  meet ups with old friends and family, more driving and very little sleep! It’s a good thing that I’m one of those people that feels so much better with little sleep.

Visiting Ohio is always a bit stressful because we want to visit everyone and we never have time to do that. Someone always feels that we didn’t spend enough time with them and is slightly hurt, not realizing that we always leave wishing there were more people we could have seen and spent time with.

Though I had planned to visit some of our favorite attractions in the Ohio area, on Saturday I realized that maybe I had been a bit overly ambitious with planning. After all, if you haven’t seen a wonderful friend for 2 or 3 years, wouldn’t you rather spend a few minutes with them over coffee than go to the state park?

The entire reason for our trip was to attend my sister-in-laws baby shower. I hope we haven’t bored our traveler to death! 

Though we’d planned to hit the road bright and early Monday morning to return to Alabama, I’ve finally accepted the fact that it is easier for me to stay up then wake up and we got a head start by leaving Sunday night. We only drove for three hours before stopping, but that means today we’ll only drive for seven. Sometimes it’s just nice to break up the trip.

So, we’re hoping to find something to do today so that you’ll actually feel that this is a road trip worth following.

Until later~ Happy Roadtrippin’!

Ohio Road Trip Part 1

Well, I’ve already learned that blogging and tweeting from the road is an easy concept to think about but not so easily implemented. I have a few kinks to work out, but then, that was the idea for a trial run, right?

First of all, I’ve not been able to figure out how to add a mobile status update to my Facebook page without it posting to my personal page  instead of Live the Adventure’s. Any ideas?

I also have been unable to Tweet pictures from the road.

Other than those few hitches, the the road trip itself is going well despite the fact that we got off to a late start. I’d planned to leave Alabama Thursday night, but we didn’t leave until later Friday morning which called for a change of plans. I wasn’t able to make a couple of the stops I’d planned along the way, but I’m hoping to make those up on the way back to Alabama.

So, this is what our road trip has looked like so far…

 

After our late start, we passed into Tennessee rather quickly which really made us feel like we were making progress.  

I love Nashville’s skyline. I had hoped to make a quick stop here but the metropolis is fairly close to our home so we can make that trip another time. 

We passed into Kentucky and though I thought about stopping at Mammoth Caves, we decided to go in search of the World’s Largest Bat. We found not one, but two. Any guesses on where we were?  I’ll share more on this later.

 

And don’t forget that Maureen from Spell Out Loud graciously allowed Lil Pumpkin to join us on our trip and we’ve picked up a few goodies for her along the way. It just so happens that Maureen is giving away a fun Road Trip Curriculum, how fun is that?  

I always love to see the Cincinnati skyline because it means that I’m almost where I need to be!

Stay tuned as I spend the next two days in Ohio on our very brief, but so far, very fun Ohio Road Trip!

If you want to follow along you can follow along with Twitter. 

Until tonight ~ Happy Road Trippin’!

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal ~ Week 12

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal meme is hosted by Sue a.k.a. The Homeschool Chick. You can click the link or the button below to see how you can participate or to read other link ups.  

 

In my life this week…

I’ve been gearing up for a weekend getaway. Two of my children and myself are hopping in the van early Friday morning and heading to Ohio for my sister-in-laws baby shower. I can’t wait to see some of my old friends and the kids have been counting down the days ever since our trip was announced to see theirs.

This is the first time that I will be tweeting and blogging from the road, but not while I’m driving of course. Seriously, this trip is in preparation for another longer trip that we’ll be taking this summer. If you want to see some of the fun and random stops we see along the way make sure you stop back over the next few days or follow me on Twitter or on Facebook.  

In our homeschool this week…

The kids have gotten lots of P.E. and some art appreciation. Other than that we’ve continued working on the basics and even took a day off so my boys could each take their driver’s test.

One passed and one didn’t. Let me give you a bit of advice, if you have children that are fairly close in age and could potentially take their test on the same day for whatever reason, do anything you can so it doesn’t happen. Just think of me as an example, okay?    

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

The kids have gone ice skating and we had a wonderful walk on the UAHuntsville to see the Spaces Biennial Sculpture Trail with other teens and their families.

And of course, we’re embarking on our road trip…

 

My favorite thing this week…

I loved inviting friends to our home to help us celebrate my son’s 16th birthday. Though the day couldn’t have been too much more stressful and I even cried after I burnt two batches of cupcakes,  my handheld mixer broke (when I was attempting to make the icing for the cupcakes), the belt broke on my vacuum and the heel ripped right off my favorite pair of shoes. Now, let me say that I LOVE having people over and entertaining, even though our house is small and we don’t have much seating but by 4pm, I didn’t care if anyone showed up. Turns out that company was good for the soul and I enjoyed our get together every bit as much as my 16 year old did.

You know what makes this even more special? This is the first time in nearly six years that we’ve been “home” for his birthday rather than in a hotel room. I’m sure that was a favorite for him.    

What’s working/not working for us…

We are planning a trip out West this year and the kids have been researching where to go along the way. I asked them if they would each like to plan our stops in an entire state and go from there. In their research they are learning some really cool history and adding some geographical features to their lists of places they’d like to see that aren’t common to Alabama.

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have…

Have you read Christian Unschooling? I dug my book out earlier this week to pass on to a friend and found myself rereading it yet again. It’s so encouraging to me.

A photo, video, link or quote to share… 

And since travel is on my mind, I shall leave you with this quote from Danny Meadow Mouse, character in Burgess Seashore Book for Children.

“Travel will, I think you’ll find, greatly broaden out your mind”.

Ahhhh….isn’t that just lovely? 

Horseback Riding in Alabama at Star HB Farms

When my son was three he wanted to learn how to ride a horse. I didn’t think much about it because he was so little he often had grand ideas. When he was four, he talked about horses all the time and I began to think that his interest wasn’t simply a passing phase. When he was five I called all the stables in our area and tried to find someone that would give him lessons. By the time he was six and he could begin those lessons we couldn’t afford the $25 plus dollars a lesson that it was going to cost.   Eventually he quit asking and never rode a horse until last week.

Who knew that he’d actually get a chance to go horseback riding in Alabama and get a glimpse of one of his dreams?  

Star HB Farms, located atop Drake Mountain offers horseback riding and lessons for children ages 3 and up. At the request of a friend, the kids and I decided to visit and give horseback riding a try. All I can think of is what took us so long? 

As we entered the gate we saw this cute little expecting mama who announces everyone coming and going- you really can’t sneak past her.

 

You’ll find more than just donkeys and horses here though. We also discovered a sacrificial goat. If you get too close, she’ll fall over. We learned that sacrificial goats actually have a birth defect that was bred into them. Shepherds would keep one or two in their flock and if they were attacked by wolves or coyotes, the sacrificial goats would fall over and become prey for the hungry predators while the rest of the flock was able to scurry away to safety.    

Star HB Farms has  a herd of 22 very gentle horses that are available for riding. Here are three of them in the pasture.

It appears that these horses want inside the barn or are just really nosy.

Here’s a look at one of the pastures where you’ll find some of the horses.

Star HB Farms not only offers horseback riding in Alabama, but there is also limited broading for horses as well.

Since our friends broad horses at Star HB Farms we were able to get really hands-on. The kids began their lesson by brushing the horses.

Next, they received a lesson on horse anatomy, tack and the proper way to saddle a horse.

It was all very interesting and they listened intently.

We also learned that you can tell a horses age by their teeth.

There are different types of saddles and bridles that work best with different riding styles and preferences.

We learned that when you mount  and dismount the horse you need to do so in one fluid motion. This is often the most dangerous part of horseback riding.  

Once the kids were each on a horse, they practiced riding in the pen.

   Just look at that smile- his dream finally comes true!

                       

After they’d practiced and were comfortable on the horses, they headed out on the trail. I wish I could have taken pictures of the trail because the kids said it was really beautiful.

If you’re looking for a place to go horseback riding in Alabama, you may want to give Star HB Farms a call. Prices range from $20 an hour per rider, to $100 for the entire day. You are also welcome to ride their trails for only $10 if you bring your own horse. In addition to horseback riding Star HB Farms also gives lessons, pony rides and offers birthday parties.

You’ll find  Star HB Farms at 4483 Juniper Drive Huntsville, AL 35810 and can reach them at 256-527- 5399.  They are open Saturday and Sundays from 8am-4pm and weekday evenings by appointment. You can visit their website for more information. 

Huntsville

Ten Places I Want to Visit with my Son in NYC

My oldest child turns 18 this July. I’ve been in denial long enough, but it’s time to face the music and accept the fact that he’s growing up.  My husband wanted to do something really special for him, something memorable. We gave him a few options, white water rafting with his dad, a zip line tour, speeding in a race car around a racetrack, all ideas that would seem appealing for an adventurous 18- year old. Or so we thought. Right?

Turns out, after years on the road, he’s been bitten by the travel bug- he really is my son isn’t he? What does he want to do? He wants to go to New York City! Not to see the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island but to see the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine,  the largest cathedral in the world because he’s fascinated with architecture. So he and I will take off  in a couple months, destination, New York City.

He doesn’t care where else we go or what we do, so I’ve taken it upon myself to come up with a list of well known attractions that he may also choose to visit while we’re in town.

10. The New York Public Library Main Branch, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building- My son will love this National Historic Landmark, not only because he loves books, but also because of the architecture and because it was also seen in one of his favorite movies, Spider-Man.

9. We visited the Stature of Liberty and Ellis Island the year after the September 11th that many of us will never forget. The kids scanned the skyline for evidence of where the Twin Towers once stood and asked us to take them to see Ground Zero. We couldn’t quite bring ourselves to go at that time but this time around I’d like to see the memorial and possibly tour the Ground Zero Museum Workshop Tour.  

8. We’d both like to stroll through Central Park, specifically to see Cleopatra’s Needle, an obelisk discovered in Egypt that was gifted to the United States.   

7. Ever since we read From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the  Metropolitan Museum of Art has beckoned. In fact, I think that may be just the book to listen to on the long drive from Alabama to New York.

6. If we’re going to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we may as well visit the notable Guggenheim Museum. Though my son is most interested in gothic architecture at the moment, what serious architecture student would turn down the opportunity to view a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece?     

5. We’ll be taking the metro into the city so we may as well stick around and tour Grand Central Terminal.

4. Times Square is certainly not to be missed and will probably be a great place to grab a bite to eat.

3. After watching A Night at the Museum, who could resist a trip to The Museum of Natural History?  Too bad 18 and 39- year olds aren’t welcome for the sleepovers.

2. My son may not be fond of heights, but a glimpse of the Empire State Building, a true modern marvel should be on everyone’s list, right?

1. I’ve already told you the reason we wanted to visit NYC was to see the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, but did you know that New York City has a total of 18 cathedrals? Yep. 18. And my son wants to visit every last one.     

Now, do you have any tips on how I could manage to find myself inside the Cash Cab while we’re flitting from one attraction to the next?   

This post is linked to Oh, Amanda’s…