When we were planning our vacation this year, we made sure we’d be back in time to celebrate Independence Day at home. I look forward to spending the majority of the day in the hot July sun, in the pool, with friends—it was one of the things we first imagined when were moving here, and I wouldn’t want to miss it.
The day follows a fairly predictable pattern: we decorate the kids’ bikes (or strollers or scooters, as the case may be) and head downtown for the City of Davis Kiddie Parade, checking out the annual bicycle criterium en route, and then clean up the yard and prep for an afternoon pool party and barbecue before walking to community park for fireworks. I love comparing the photos each year—with so much the same, you can really see what’s different. In other words, you can see just how fast the kids are growing.
Some scenes from the day, which was a warm welcome back to California after two weeks away and our inspiration to fight the jet lag!
We’re on the west coast of Sweden right now! We just arrived to this view.
Thanks again to everyone who shared suggestions and advice for this trip—I so appreciate it. In case you’re curious, here’s the routing we ended up taking: Five nights in Stockholm, followed by a flight to Bergen, Norway, and two nights there; then a ferry through two Norwegian fjords and a train ride into Oslo, from where we have rented a car and are making our way down the coast of Sweden for a couple of days before dropping it back off in Copenhagen. We will be there a few nights before heading back home. I’ve been posting a few photos on Instagram (under the admittedly silly hashtag #ScandiScursion) along the way.
And it really is as beautiful as I’d always imagined it to be. Of course, as we crossed our fingers that the kids would finally fall asleep around 10pm tonight, in spite of the sun’s glow creeping into the room, I noted to myself that—when writing this—I should point out that no snapshots ever really capture the challenges of traveling with two young children. But not one has stopped us from feeling incredibly lucky to be here.
So I’m going to end this week early and wish you a great one and, if you celebrate, a happy Fourth of July!
In the meantime, if you happen to be in search of your next travel adventure, or are just feeling wanderlust-y, and enjoy those best-of-lists like I do, here have been some of my favorite destinations over the years… Keep Reading >
Soon we’ll be celebrating the Fourth of July in the United States, and though one certainly doesn’t need a holiday to throw a sensational barbecue, it never hurts to have a special excuse. Tossing things on the grill is great (and here is a great round-up of interesting toppings to make those hot dogs extra special); but let’s face it: cookouts are all about the sides! We’ve searched high and low and discovered great spins on your favorite all-American classics.
Spread the checked tablecloths, get the fireworks ready, and dig in!
