Since it first came out probably in the late 90s I have always adored Novica.com and all it stood for. Over the years I’ve bought a number of gifts for friends here. Even set up a wedding registry.
It’s grown a lot since then but always with the same mission. It brings beautiful crafts made by local artisans around the globe, right to your door. You’ll get things here you would never find yourself unless you were a world traveler. And when you get your shipment, you get a little note from the artist, and it’s like getting a gift from yourself. And you can follow them online and learn about other artists. It’s just so great.
Not only does this site bring us cool stuff, it helps support these artisans locally and helps whole communities. I can’t tell you how much I love, love, love this site. I have often wanted to give up everything and go work for them. When I worked on women’s consumer sites like ModernBride.com, Disney.com, Babyzone.com and more, I dreamed of working for a site as meaningful as this.
Someday, someday. Who knows. But in the meantime, please check out all their amazing stuff. You’ll spend hours on it I guarantee it.
So please check them out. Right now. I mean, like right now! 🙂
So over Spring Break we took a much needed trip to the US Virgin Islands. While we stayed on St Thomas, we took the car to the ferry in the morning and headed over to St John’s by the port in Redhook.
My advice is to get to the ferry early. Sometimes there are not as many ferries as expected because they are still rebuilding on the islands after the Hurricane, and may need the ferry for supplies. Other times one is just plain ol’ broken down, so you have to wait for the next one. Even if you get on the line, the ferries can fill up quickly so you might find yourself parked and waiting for the next one that could be an hour later. Welcome to island time.
Making the Ferry
If you miss the ferry it’s not the end of the world as you can walk over to the little shops and cafes across the street from the Redhook ferry and get a smoothie and chill out and drool over all the beautiful yachts parked in the Marina. Then you can dream about how you will sell everything and move down here and live on one of them.
Me after we missed the ferry and had to wait for the next one at Redhook. I had to drink smoothies and check out yachts in the beautiful weather. Poor me.
It only really stinks if you’ve already gotten a really late start. Remember the last boat back is around 6 pm so its not a bad idea to book a room for a night or two on St John’s, if you are going to head over there and really want to see it. I know people do it without renting cars but I think it’s a much better experience if you get to drive wherever you want.
The Beaches
We drove to the different beaches in St John’s and while parking can be an issue, the beaches are absolutely amazing. And remote. Think Blue Lagoon remote. The beaches on St John’s are very raw and pristine and don’t have a lot of amenities or restaurants nearby, so make sure you bring your own water and snacks. Some of the beaches look like they had amenities but then the Hurricane came along and wiped them out. However, every one of the beaches we went to had bathrooms, so that’s one thing not to worry about.
We drove with my picky, hot and sweaty teen to see the various beaches on St John’s and finally stopped at Turtle Bay. We parked and strolled right in and vegged out on this medium-sized, blue-water gem, and there were only a few other families around.
Me at Turtle Bay on St. John’s Island, US Virgin Islands
Across the way from the Turtle Bay parking lot, we went for a hike on the nature trail and my daughter was in her glory looking for Golden Orb spiders. She thinks she saw one in between discovering all the other critters she was enthralled with–deer, hermit crabs, lizards, spiders, dragonflies, and Lord knows what else. This trip was great for getting her out in the woods and breathing in the sea air. She only took out her phone to either take pictures or look up what she’s looking at.
Cell Reception
Be aware that you don’t get a ton of reception on this island and it’s dead in some places. We also got a text while we were on the East side of the island that our AT&T International plan had kicked in because we must’ve been close enough to the UK part of the Virgin Islands. We had to pay $10 for that but I’m sure if I gotten around to to to call AT&T I would’ve likely gotten that reversed. Same thing can happen when you are near the Canadian border by the way.
We then drove through all the twisty, narrow, island roads, got turned around a lot, and then eventually made our way back to town in time to pick up the ferry.
Morgan looking for her Golden Orb spiders
Of course we were the first car in the cut off and had to wait for the next one so we parked the car and headed into town to check out the scenery and get some food. We went into one restaurant and ordered a chicken burger.
Free-Range Chickens
As I was about to bite into my chicken burger, I felt a pair of eyes staring at me. I looked up from my burger and there was a big Red Rooster with his big flowing tail feathers, glaring at me. And his girlfriend was right next to him. Clearly they were horrified. I felt a little guilty but once he strutted off down the aisle and out the door I went back to eating my burger.
Feeling guilty in a restaurant eating chicken on St. John’s with a rooster giving me the stink eye.
So apparently, this is a pretty common thing in St John’s. Free-range chickens alright. They have the life these guys. After we left the restaurant, we strolled around into a few shops and art galleries, a and had a lovely conversation with a woman who had moved down there from Boston and opened her own gallery. It was great to hear her story and chat with the locals. We also bought some nice jewelry out in the plaza.
More Ferry
I am an awesome car ferry parker!
Morgan and I started heading back to the ferry and there were already cars going around us and getting on the boat. I was freaked out thinking we’d missed our spot but there was still plenty of room. So I turned the car on and headed on. I then found myself having to go through the Herculean task of parking super close to every other car on the boat, and squeeze right up on the side of the boat.
It was no small feat. While I was comfortable driving stick, I had to stay away because the stick was on the right, like any other car in the US, but the roads were opposite. So it’s like driving in England with an American car so you have to stay really aware of your surroundings.
Here are some pics from our trip to St John's Island in the Virgin Islands
Rooster
Hawksnest beach, St Johns Island, Virgin Islands
Amazing Views on St. John's Island, VI
St john's
Church on St John's Island, VI
Church on St John's Island, VI
Nature Hike on St John's Island, Virgin Islands
Morgan looking for her Golden Orb spiders
On the ferry at St. John's Island VI
The Sugar Factory Ruins, St John's VI
The road along St. John's Virgin Islands
Me on St. John's Island, Virgin Islands
View from road on St. John's VI
Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay
57783416930__8C76405C-29C6-43B0-802E-C0F5ADF2B0F2
Turtle Bay, Virgin Islands
Me at Turtle Bay on St. John's Island, US Virgin Islands
I got help from the guys working on the boat who were guiding me in from the outside, but I will say after I finally turned the car off, I felt like I’d killed my first buffalo. If you didn’t have to drive the car off the ferry in a half hour I’d otherwise recommend a good stiff drink after that. But either way, you make it. And you’re on an island, in the Caribbean, so you know…just chill.
For more information about Turtle Bay and the rest of St. John’s, go here:
My daughter and I went to the US Virgin Islands for Spring Break and I managed to find this nice resort at the last minute. It’s about a half hour away from the airport on a quiet side of the island and right near the ferry.
When we got to the Crystal Cove Resort we missed the entrance at first and had to drive back. There’s a little building in the front of a gate where you pick up the keys. The lady was very nice and gave us our keys and some beach towels and explained how the gate worked. Make sure you keep the gate number. I just put it on my phone and that’s all I needed.
Our Unit
Our unit was clean but I have a feeling this was probably the last one available because of the decor. They are privately owned units that the resort handles renting out. They are condos and you can either get a studio style place or a larger one with a master bedroom. The studio though is actually a Murphy bed with two single beds that come down. Not as comfortable as a full bed. The condo was dated and while it was great to have a kitchen, the utensils were a little cheap and the stove was old and the whole thing would get super hot.
The Twin Murphy Beds We Slept on For a Week. View from the Kitchen
I joked to my daughter that the Ropers must have left this to us for the weekend, but she didn’t get it. I had to explain Three’s Company to her but she didn’t get it. Anyway, totally Mr’s Roper’s kitchen. The porch was also not usable and clearly where they stored some things. But the price was reasonable and the place was clean and everything worked. The resort itself was very nice and right on the beach. I think we’d be happy to go back, but just be a little more discerning about which unit I’d get. I spoke with some other guests who talked about how beautiful their units were.
Hey, Mrs. Roper called and she wants her couch back!
The Caribbean Vibe
When we arrived it was Sunday and there was a great party vibe going on down by the bar and restaurant. We went and got something to eat and I had my first Pina Colada in awhile. It was great. The beach was beautiful and it has some great views. The only downside was that the bar closes at sundown, so I had thought I’d go home, take a nap and come back out. However, when I got there it was all closed down and each day it closed early. I had envisioned making dinner for my daughter, and then walking down the walkway and grabbing a Mai Tai in the evening with the adults but it was completely quiet by 7pm. Oh well. It was still relaxing.
The Wildlife
One of the first things we noticed was the free range chickens. It’s a thing in the Virgin Islands. It’s not like pigeons but these chickens just roam around freely and the chicks are so cute. Also, iguanas are fairly common so my daughter was in her glory. My daughter told me on the plane she’d love to see an iguana close up so mission ACCOMPLISHED!
Talk about free-range, cage-free chickens. If I were a chicken this is where I would want to be.
The Beach
Each morning I got up early and went out to the beach to watch the sun rise. It was so relaxing and of course, I would have brought my daughter along but you just try to get a teenager up at dawn to sit on a beach on their week off. So one of our days there I just got to the beach in the morning, took a swim and when I came out of the water there was a woman hanging dresses in a tree. So for $20 I got the loveliest tie-dyed beach coverup/dress. I wish I had bought a few more.
You can tell that the resort got hit hard during the Hurricane but they have done a lot of work to restore everything and focused on the areas where people would use most. There’s also another resort next store that shared Sapphire Beach with us that has a nice pool and also looks really nice. So when booking I’d take a look at both of them.
The Kitchen in Our Unit at Crystal Cove Resorts
Either way if you are looking for a clean, chill, quiet beachfront condo, this is the place for you. But make sure you know the specific unit you are getting and what it looks like so you can avoid the dated rooms with the ancient VCRs and resin utensils.
However, no matter what condo you get you absolutely can’t beat the sun rises. Check out my pics and also go here for more info about Crystal Cove Resort
Here we are downhill mountain biking in Chamonix France.
We went to visit friends in Geneva Switzerland and took a drive out to Chamonix, France to get some downhill Mountain biking in. Amazing views, great trails, psychedelic mushrooms growing trail-side and all, I could do this every day.
Morgan Prepping Downhill Mt Biking Chamonix France
First off, get over the idea that you’re going to hike like the animal that you were before you had kids if you are bringing said kids. It’s not all about you and how far and how fast you can go. It’s about making sure the next generation is exposed to the outdoors and will remember what an awesome parent you are for taking the time to do it. Your kids are lucky they have a parent that wants to do this stuff with them and even if they whine now, they will remember it when they have their kids…and the circle of life, yadda, yadda.
But in the here and now you need to be practical. So here are my tips for having fun hiking, staying sane and making sure everyone wants to do it again.
1) Take it easy on yourself and give yourself every advantage. Charge the phone and the juicepack. Make sure you have a map as a backup, or download them on your phone before hand. Don’t be a martyr. Download some apps that can give you details on flora and fauna as you hike in the area. Also do yourself a favor and download some pics of Poison Ivy, Sumac and Oak. You’re welcome.
2) Dress according and bring extra clothes. Weather changes on a dime and a cold or overly hot kid, is a miserable kid and a miserable hiking buddy. Bring T shirts and an extra sweater and depending how long the hike, extra socks etc. Cold weather requires multiple layers. Think Under Armor.
3) Bring food and water. Duh, you say but how many people go out without enough water. Remember you’re bringing not just for yourself but the kids too. Snacks, snacks, and snacks. And throw in a few Hershey’s kisses and get over it. A low blood sugar meltdown in the middle of the woods has it’s own special place in hell.
4) Wear the right gear. Suck it up and buy the kids the best hiking boots you can afford. You don’t have to go crazy, but get some kicks with serious all terrain treds. I moved to NYC and went on a three day trip with my daughter’s fourth grade class. I thought I’d see 40 pairs of overachieving, top-of-the-line hiking boots that could handle Everest, lined up outside the bunks. And there were some. But I was surprised at how many kids were hiking in rubber rain boots. Don’t do that. The kids managed but the steep slopes were extra treacherous. I’d rather they were in sneakers.
6) Ticks. I can’t emphasize enough how much you don’t want your kids getting bit by a tick. As someone who suffered a long time with Lyme Disease, it’s not fun, or pretty, and can be expensive. I hate telling kids to wear long pants on a summer hike, but if you can, do. And if you don’t hike in long pants, make sure you cover everything with bug spray including the hair lines and socks, then hose off or shower and do a good tick check under the arm pits, behind the ears and knees, ankles afterward. And be diligent even for a good twenty four hours afterward. If you do see an embedded tick, save it and take pics of it if you can. Oh and a word on DEET. If you have a homeopathic bug spray that works, go for it. Me personally, I go for the strongest thing I can get my hands on. Yes, it was so powerful it peeled the ink off the marshmallows package and transferred it to my legs where it touched (my legs were covered in Deep Woods OFF), but I’m willing to take that. And the freaky thing was, the only way to get the imprint of the marshmallow label off my legs was more bug spray. I know, I know. I don’t like all the chemicals either but I like Lyme disease even less.
6) And bring these other things accordingly:
Hats, sunscreen, diapers, bottles, backpack, baby carrier, baby food, towels, swim clothes, swimmies, band aids, neosporin, and don’t forget the aspirin, you’re probably going to need it.
Seems simple right? We all went through it. But it’s been a long time since you sat on that seat feeling awkward and being afraid you’re just going to topple over. It really is a weird thing when you think about it. Sitting there suspended on two wheels, the only thing keeping you balanced is the fact that you are moving. Besides having to worry about your balance now you have to worry about where you are going and if you can stop in time. So it’s good to put yourself in their shoes for a bit. It will help you have patience. And believe me it’s worth it. There’s nothing I enjoy better than looking back at my daughter’s beaming face as we ride through the streets of NYC, central park or out in the country together. She’s so darn proud of herself.
So what do you need to do to get your child on the bike and eventually out on a biking adventure with you? If you live in a major city there are programs galore geared toward helping kids bike. Check out your local town’s website for information. But to do it yourself, here’s how to get started.
1) The Bike
Go to a bike shop and have her fitted for the bike. She should be able to stand comfortably over the seat. Hold onto the handle bars and let her sit on the bike. Her legs should be able to extend but not stretch. Make sure the seat is not just too low or high. If it’s not the seat, then the bike is either too big or too small. Don’t get a bigger bike hoping she’ll grow into it. You’ll just have a miserable kid who tosses it down in frustration. Better to pay a little less or get a used bike to start with then try to get one with room to grow.
2) The Bike Gear
Helmets, get one that fits her head. Many helmets have adjusters in the back. That will give you a little room to grow. Get one that is sturdy, is from a reliable manufacturer and be ready to replace it every few years. Once it’s taken a few hard hits, it’s time to get it replaced. Keep it from sitting out in the sunlight as well as it can damage the material. Never put it in the back window of your car
3) Forget the Training Wheels
They just teach kids bad behavior and they use them like a crutch. Better to take the pedals off and lower the seat. Let them scoot around on it in an open area. It will be much easier to get the hang of it. Let them focus on balancing and turning. No need to pedal just yet.
4) Scoot Around
When they’ve gotten used to the feeling of scooting around on the bike and can balance, put the pedals back on and adjust the seat to accommodate for the pedals. Â Let them try it in a flat, wide area. No hills please.
5) Practice Turning
Make nice wide loops (that’s why I said to find a big wide area). Let them go in and out of circles. Keep them big and then go smaller and smaller, then change to turn the other way.
6) Learn to Stop
Once they are comfortable with the pedals they need to learn to stop. Teach them to step on the petal to break or use whatever breaking system the bike has. Most importantly remind them to be ready to put their feet down as the bike comes to a stop.
7) Take it Slow
Keep going around in your wide flat area until they feel super comfortable. Next it will be good to branch out to a quiet road. A rails to trail type bike path makes the perfect place for kids to practice.
8) Don’t Push Them
Remember, it’s about getting them out there and experiencing it for the firs time. If they hate it or feel pressured, you’ll be hard pressed to get them back out there. So be realistic about what they can do the first few times out. Don’t worry, I promise they’ll be ready for those longer jaunts in no time.
So OK, you might have a road trip ahead of you, or some down time to kill in the hotel while the weather’s bad. As parents, especially the outdoor loving adventurous kind, we hate to plop our kids down in front of Nickelodeon or PBS Kids (which I prefer), or the TVÂ in order to play the typical kid games, like dress up games, cooking games or other funny games for hours.
And this is what they will happily to if you let them. But now you can feel especially less guilty with this line up of cool math games and other games and activities you can let the kids do. If you need a car game, and you have your mobile wifi, there’s nothing wrong with an hour or two playing learning games.
1) Addington Kids: has some really cool math games on their site. Save the space aliens from heading into the vortex by clicking on the right ones with the right numbers on their heads. When you get them all in the right combination and place them on the little teleporter table (I think that’s what it is) hit the button and voila, you’ve saved them. Watch though they get grumpy so you need to give them some attention by clicking on them.
2) Math Man:Â as you will see looks eerily familiar to our our little whacka whacka friend the Pac Man. Only now it has a math twist. But don’t let the ghosts get you before you can eat a question.
3) Super Math Multiplication Game: in typical math nerd form, this super cute game has a very bland title, but don’t let that fool you. Let the laser shooting cow help your child get a grasp on his multiplication table. There are several levels of difficulty but try them all. These kids games are free!
4)Â Cool Math Games: The whole site is about cool math. Prealgebra, algebra, geometry art and more.
5) Hooda Math You must escape the clock tower. You’ve somehow gotten in and now you have to figure out how to get out. Â And the great clock is broken. You need to help fix it.
Not every adventure has to be high octane physical exertion. Here’s one for the brain. If you’re heading off to the Alps for some family fun on the slopes, and come in via Geneva, Switzerland, make a pit stop to CERN, to see where the world wide web was born. There’s an interactive exhibit that talks about the big ticket item under ground, the Hadron Collider, which is helping to research how life began (as in Big Bang theory). Of course, my favorite part was seeing the original NeXT computer built by Steve Jobs during his temporary ousting from Apple. Tim Berners-Lee put up this little pet project called the world wide web on it. My favorite part was “Do Not Power Down” written in sharpie on a very ordinary looking computer tower. I didn’t know if I should say a prayer to it or something. But if you have a burgeoning Bill Gates in your midst, wow him or her with your unbelievable coolness. Keep in mind to score a tour of the actual collider plan a few months ahead. Visit CERN
elieve me it’s worth it. There’s nothing I enjoy better than looking back at my daughter’s beaming face as we ride through the streets of NYC, central park or out in the country together. She’s so darn proud of herself.
