Etsy Vintage Travel Finds

TRAV-L-BINGOA perfect solution for those long car rides.

Travel Sketchbook

Cards for Kids book
This reminds me of going up to the country by the lake.
No TV, no video games, but lots of fun with cards.

Car Game Book "Are We Almost There"
A good way to spend the ride, so you don't have
to hear the dreaded "ARE WE THERE YET?"

Zit-Zingo The Travel Game

Vintage blue child's suitcase

Pattern for Car Seat Cover & Travel Mat

Travel Soap Leaves Package
Instead of a bar of soap in the travel kit

                                       

                                   

Maude and Claude go Abroad by Susan Meddaugh
While cruising to France, a sister and brother go overboard
and begin their adventure.

1926 Parker Brothers Touring Game

Travel Scrabble
We had one of these when i was a kid...
This brings back memories.

                                     



                                     
                                                     


                                     
                                     

California on my Mind (still)

Lots has happened since August and unfortunately, the blog was one of the things I just had to give up in order to make do. But I'm back! ...I think.


Really what happened is that I got pregnant last August and the three first months of my pregnancy hit me like a Mack truck and I just felt narcoleptic - all the time. Not the greatest time to have a family vacation planned... So here I am, with a blog on family travel and how great it is and I had, what I think my husband and I will forever remember as, the most difficult family vacation ever. There you go, even I have suck-y vacation sometimes. California, I love you, but last fall, you sucked. Or maybe rather, it was E that  just sucked all the fun out of it. Now don't get me wrong, there were lots of great times, and we did have some great times, but dragging your kicking and screaming child through Alcatraz and fantasizing about leaving her there, is not something I'd like to experience ever again thankyouverymuch.


That being said, it hasn't killed the desire for family travel in me. In fact, believe it or not, we're planning another trip to the golden state in September with E and now little G in tow. That's how much my husband loves the coastal landscape... or maybe we're just masochists asking for trouble. I'll let you know how it turns out this fall, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share one of the reasons which keeps pulling us back.


Nestled in the lush landscape of Marin County, about 45 minutes North of San Francisco lies the place where in my mind, i am most of the time... Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes Seashore is where, in my fantasy world, I would like to take off to and cash in Freedom 55 a little early... say Freedom 35. In the real world however, if you're on the west coast, it's a great place to spend a refreshing and relaxing family weekend.

Tomales Bay

Nick's Cove in Tomales Bay

The Red Legged Frog Cabin at Nick's Cove

E on the deck, eating apples from our breakfast
delivered to our room

Right on the waterfront, Nick's Cove has beautiful cottages and has the most friendly staff I've met in a long time. The cottages are all recently renovated and feel luxurious and homey at the same time. We stayed in the Red Legged Frog and suffice it to say, none of us wanted to leave. Breakfast was included in the room rate and delivered to our cabin every morning. When E woke up early, we had breakfast on the deck and let my husband sleep. The bed was a pure dream and there was plenty of space in the room for the 3 of us, with E sleeping in her camping bed. Nick's Cove also has beautiful cottages on stilts which are directly on the water which is why they are not recommended for small children, but truly amazing nonetheless. The restaurant at Nick's Cove also has some great food and a great children's menu for the small ones. I honestly can't say enough about this place and can't wait until our next visit.


If Nick's is all booked up, take a look at the Sea Mist Cottage which looks beautiful and is also right on the waterfront of Tomales Bay. It's always been booked when we've wanted to go, but hopefully we'll get the chance to check it out soon!

Sea Mist Cottage

Oyster farming is a major industry on the bay. The two largest producers are Tomales Bay Oyster Co and Hog Island Oyster Co, both of which retail oysters to the public and have picnic grounds on the east shore. For the best oyster lunch you have ever experienced, you will never get them as fresh as at The Marshall Store. A small shack on the side of the road, you can have your lunch right on the waterfront, overlooking the oyster farms where your lunch came from... that's how fresh it is!

Fresh oysters at the Marshall Store

Lunch at the Marshall Store

Hillsides east of Tomales Bay are grazed by cows belonging to local dairies. One of the best by far is the Cowgirl Creamery which has some of the best cheese you'll ever find. You can even book a tour of the farm, or simply buy some of their delicious products at the Tomales Bay Foods market in downtown Point Reyes Station.

Tomales Bay Foods

While in Point Reyes Station, there is a great little bookstore just around the corner from Tomales Bay Foods called Point Reyes Books. Celebrating their 10th year anniversary, they have a great selection of fiction and non-fiction and also have the cutest corner with children's books. They even have a small cubby with a gently used selection so you can share some of your out of print childhood favourites with your kids. Last time we were there we picked up some amazing photography books and cookbooks and a great non-fiction book about the benefits of eating locally. They also have many guest author and book signing events. E left the store with these two children's classics.


Stop for coffee and a delicious snack next door at the Bovine Bakery where you will find fresh hand-made organic coffee,  pastries and baked goods.

Chillin' outside the Bovine Bakery

The National Parks Service operates the Point Reyes National Seashore and wile we where there we were lucky enough to visit during the Tule Elk Season (form July - September) and the three of us took a lovely hike through the park and got to see the Elk roaming free and hear the sounds of their mating calls.

E and her dad walking through Point Reyes National Seashore

Tule Elk

The parks service also operates a great Visitors' Centre from where you can have your own Ranger-Guided tour of a Coast Miwok village during the Kule Lolko walk.

E in the Coast Miwok village

Entrance of a Coast Miwok sweatlodge

After a long day of hiking, enjoy a great Italian dinner at Osteria Stellina, where fresh delicious dishes are made from local organic products. We're still talking about the Bellwether Farms ricotta & toasted hazelnuts crostini... mmmm.


Point Reyes Weekend is a great source of information of what's happening in the area and if you're lucky enough to visit the area during Memorial Day weekend or Thanksgiving weekend, then do take in the local artists' Open Studios.


California, you will be on my mind for a long, long time...

A weekend in Burlington, Vermont

Take a long weekend in Burlington, Vermont to just unwind and relax. We recently made the trip. Refreshed, we are sure to do it again before the end of the summer.

The Gray Room at Shelburne Farms 

The Pottery Cottage at Shelburne Farms

The Vineyard Cottage at Shelburne Farms

Stay at the beautiful Inn at Shelburne Farms. Room rates start at $155/night, they also have private cottages with kitchenettes on the farm grounds which offer families a little more privacy, which start at $260/night. Clients of the Inn and/or restaurant supports the farm's sustainable farming, conservation and their educational programs. On the shores of Lake Champlain, the inn was originally the 19th-century country home of Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. Restored in 1987, the inn today retains its historic character and continues the tradition of warmth, informal elegance and hospitality. 

Petting the Animals at the Children's Farmyard

While your there, visit the grounds of the beautiful farm with your own guided tour, or or take a wagon ride (offered every half an hour) form the visitor's centre to the Children's Farmyard where the kids will be able to get close to Brown Swiss Milk cows, Brown Swiss calves, goats and kids, sheep and lambs, pigs and piglets, several breeds of rabbits, polish Crested hens and bantams, laying hens and roosters, meat birds, turkeys, miniature Sicilian Donkeys and a Belgian draft horse. Kids can also milk a cow, collect eggs, pet and brush a rabbit, brush the horses and the donkey and all kinds of other farm activities. You can also go visit their cheesemaking facilities or if it's a nice day wander around the grounds on their walking trails.

On Saturday, make your way to City Hall Park in downtown Burlington for the weekly Farmer's market where local farmers sell some of the best local, organic produce and meat. Stock up on delicious food from farms such as the Boucher Family Farm  and Willow Hill Farm (who also offers blueberry picking if you go visit their farm site) only to name a few of the many, many vendors, and pack your picnic basket before you head down to North Beach for the rest of the day.

North Beach, Burlington Vermons

This beautiful clean, family friendly beach has a space for all and is great for little kids as it doesn't get too deep. Older children will still enjoy enough depth to swim and jump around in the water. There is a beautiful park area with lots of shady trees with picnic tables so you can have your family lunch feast and a bbq grill for each picnic table in the park. There is also a large gazebo with long tables for large groups which you can reserve for special events. There's also a great playground where E made lots of new friends. Camping is also possible on the park's grounds. After a full day outside, watch the sunset on the waterfront while having dinner at Splash, where there is a kids menu and something for the whole family.

Playground at North Beach

On Sunday, head out to Waterbury (about 30 minutes) to go visit the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory and take in a tour and some ice cream samples! Throughout the summer they also have a Free Outdoor Movie Festival where you can take in a flick for the whole family.

Sunday afternoon, head back to Church Street Market place and stroll around the pedestrian streets and take in some shopping and street performers of all kinds. Events of all kinds are planned throughout the summer and year-round. End your day by having dinner on one of Church Street's many restaurants, sit outside and enjoy the people watching and the scenery!

My 7 links... A look at a year of Accompanied Minors

As I come close to the 1-year anniversary of Accompanied Minors, I look back at what I have done in this first year, thanks to the folks at Tripbase who started My 7 links. Thank you to the lovely Corinne from Have Baby Will Travel for nominating me...

- Your most beautiful post:
Okay... so this one is pretty subjective... But I have to say that my post on the remote Dog Island in Florida still has me dreaming and planning... I am close to having a complete itinerary for the eventual trip (hopefully not in the too far future).

The beautiful remote shores of Dog Island, Florida

That being said, I have recently read some reviews on the Pelican Inn which don't sound too favorable... So, just in case... I have found some house rentals in the area. I will soon share the entire planned itinerary.


– Your most popular post
I have to say that I'm pretty happy that 5 great baby travel items is the  most popular post, as this was one of the directions I originally wanted to take when I started this blog.

The Sack n' Seat makes this post the most popular

– Your most controversial post
Uhhh... so this one's a toughie as I don't exactly think of this blog as controversial but since is the case, I will share a story of an awkward moment of my blogging career... There are many amazing family travel blogs out there where I gather fantastic information from for my vacations. I have to be honest, I don't always keep notes from where I get the information from which can lead to sometimes unbeknownst to me to being very inspired by a post when I then create my own, as it happened in this post on a trip to Messanges. If this has taught me a lesson though, it's to keep notes of my sources and credit them as often as possible. Once again, thank you to Vanessa Boz for the great family travel info on her amazing blog, Boz Around. Check it out if you haven't yet. 

– Your most helpful post
Judging from it's recent success, my post on a New England Mini-Vacation seems to be sharing a great idea for an inexpensive long weekend away.

Sleepytown Cottages in Wells, Maine

– A post whose success surprised you
I'm actually surprised by the success and traffic my post about Portugal has received. That being said, with beaches like this one, who wouldn't want to go...

The beach in Algarve, Portugal

– A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
Being still relatively new at this I guess I'm always surprised when my posts get any attention, and quite appreciative that they do. That being said I hope that more people discover this post and get inspired to discover Newfoundland's beauty and all it has to offer.

E discovering the Touch Tank at the Terra Nova Park visitor's centre

– The post that you are most proud of
That's easy, my first one. The discover of the Tomo Hotel in San Francisco's Japantown and the great night we had there, (following the lousy night we had elsewhere) was the inspiration I needed to finally start this endeavor, and I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished since.

The great night that started it all at Hotel Tomo

So here are my nominations:
- Celina and her Petit a Petit and family blog. I wish I could sew like she does and come up with the amazing creations she does.
- Emeline who co-writes the blog at Emeline & Annabelle Couture Café. Her adventures make me laugh and this post has inspired me beyond belief. I hope to be able to go visit her amazing shop one day, and maybe learn how to sew.
- A blog I discovered out of the blue Chantal from The Adventures of Skinny Mini Kiki amazes me with her talent in creating beautiful bento boxes for her daughter.


I hope you enjoyed this year as much as I did.

Oh Canada! Ottawa with kids.

We go to Ottawa fairly often, as one of E's favorite cousins live there. It's also only about 1h30 away from Montreal. Canada's Capital region has quite a bit to offer no matter what time of the year, it seems that there's always something going on there, whether it's Winterlude, or the Tulip Festival in the spring or the Blues Fest in the Summer, it's a great place to go for the weekend with the family. If you do go, make sure you check out  Kids in the Capital for some amazing activity ideas, for things to do and places to go.

In the summer, take a walk with the family along the Rideau Canal, a Unesco World Heritage Site which also turns into the world's largest skating rink in the winter. Weather permitting, try to catch the changing of the guard at the Parliament at 10:00 AM. After that, check out Byward Market and grab a quick lunch (maybe on the go for a picnic) at one of my favorite spots, La Bottega known as much for its espressos as it's delicious paninis or, for an incredible food experience, try Sweetgrass Bistro, Canada's first Aboriginal bistro, showcasing First Nations foods with ingredients provided from local farms. For all the crafty mamas, check out Adorit  an amazing fair trade eco-fabric boutique.

Kayaking on the Rideau Canal

World's longest skating rink: The Rideau Canal in Ottawa

Changing of the guard on Parliament Hill

La Bottega in Byward Market

In the afternoon why not take a walk, or a bike ride in Gatineau Park, Canada's Capital consevation park where there's always loads of activities, no matter the time of year. It's also home to the Mackenzie King Estate site. Another beautiful outside park is at Petrie Island where the kids can see turtles, different kinds of birds and a whole variety of wetland wildlife. There's also a great beach.

Gatineau Park in the Fall

Petrie Island park 

Another great option is the Agriculture Museum, a working farm where kids will be able to see the breeds of dairy and beef cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, goats, rabbits and chickens, go on Tally Ho wagon rides, a tractors exhibit, and discover the essential role bees play in the pollination of many Canadian food crops. They also have different special events and activities throughout the year.

The dairy barn at the Agriculture Museum

The Farm at the Agriculture Museum

 If it's not so nice outside, don't worry, there's still tons to do. The Children's Museum is a truly amazing pace at the Museum of Civilization. There are changing temporary exhibits are 30 permanent exhibit spaces where kids will dress up in different costumes, have hands on activities and discover different traditions from different countries. You can easily spend an entire day there, and if not at least half a day. While you're at the Civilization Museum, if you're there before October 10, 2011, there's also a great exhibit on JAPAN: TRADITION. INNOVATION where five themes—travel, automation, social status, consumer culture and entertainment—demonstrate how traditional influences have shaped contemporary Japan and touched the world at large. Another classic favorite is the Science & Technology Museum where there really is something for everyone! Don't forget your astronaut ice cream! 4Cats Art Studios have an Ottawa location which provides some fun Art Studio workshops for kids, and the Reptile Zoo is sure to fascinate kids of all ages.


If you're looking to pick up some cute things for the little ones, why not stop by The Extraordinary Baby Shop, which really truly lives up to its name, 3 Little Monkeys, or Chick Pea who all have beautiful things for the babies. Nest is one of my favorite places to get wooden toys, but also for all the other beautiful stuff they have. If you have a young one (or not so young one) in your life who loves toy soldiers, try this place out, in Byward Market.


After all that, if you're still looking for things to do, take a look here!

Stroller + Diaper changing table = Abbie G2G Baby Deck Stroller

This new stroller is nothing short of amazing. Ever been walking around with your baby and realize you need to change his/her diaper? Only you realize that there is no changing table area in a 4-block radius... Or you're baby's just a little too big to be balanced on the back of the toilet (I had to do this once when E was really little...) in an insanely tiny toilet? Especially when travelling...

The Abbie G2G Baby Deck stroller is one of the best developments in strollers in a long time. Seriously?!? How did someone not think of this sooner? All I can say is that I'm sure glad they did. Now if only they could make it as a jogging stroller with real wheels...