Emhoff Family Adventures

Friday, July 20, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

We drove down to California and dropped our kids off with Becky's parents. We then caught an early flight from San Francisco back to Seattle. In Seattle we met some more of the teachers that were going on our tour with us (several were from Yakima). After a long layover, we boarded the plane to Beijing. When we arrived in Beijing, there was a guy holding a paper sign with SNA written on it. When our group walked over to the guy, he handed us a cell phone. Our tour guide was on the phone and appologized for the very informal greeting, but said that traffic was extremely bad due to a national holiday, so the main bus that was supposed to pick us up was still stuck in traffic with the other part of our group and that another smaller bus was on its way. The normally 30 minute ride from the airport to our hotel took almost two hours.

Day 1

After having a great breakfast at the hotel, we boarded our bus for Tiananmen Square. On the way there our tour guide Wilson (this is his English name, after the volleyball in the movie "Cast Away") told us a little history of the Square, but told us to not talk about the inicidents that happened there in the 80s. To get into the square you have to go underground through tunnels and security check points. Once you are there you see police officers, soldiers, even undercover police listening to your conversations. The whole area is covered in cameras and microphones.

Tiananmen Square

Notice all the cameras on the light pole.

After touring the Square we made our way over to the Forbidden City. Since it was a national holiday, everyone and their brother was visiting. As one person in our group put it, we were in the "sea of humanity". It is customary in China to push your way through crowds and no one takes offense. This took a little getting used to. Once inside the Forbidden City we toured the grounds. It was amazing to see how much power the Emperor once had.

The Sea of Humanity!

After the Forbidden City we had a late lunch of Peking Duck and then toured the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics. From there we went to a tea factory and tasting room. We had dinner on our own that night and went to bed somewhat early and worn out.

Notice the large Lazy Susan with all of the dishes.

The Bird's Nest

Nothing like have a homemade barbeque on the back of your bike!

Day 2

Our first stop was a jade museum and factory. Some of the carvings were unbelievable, in both size and price!

This was our favorite one. This is one piece of multi-colored jade with tons of horses carved in it. A bit out of our price range.

We then drove out about 50 miles for Beijing to the Great Wall of China. There was a chairlift from the parking area up to the actual wall, but we decided to hike up the hill. it was a steep hike just to get to he wall.

"Chinglish" sign on the hike up to the great wall. I think it is supposed to mean no open flames...

The number one injury they have is people trying to take pictures and walk on the wall at the same time.

After the Great Wall, we went to Sun Village. Sun Village is an orphanage for children whose mothers are in prison, mainly for political purposes. It was started by a female police officer that discovered that when many women were arrested and thrown in prison there was no place for their children. The kids put on a show for us and we toured the orphanage. At the end of the day we went to a farm where the kids learn farming techniques and then sell the produce in the market and learn sales skills as well. This way they can eventually leave the orphanage with some skills and training. The kids then made us a traditional dinner. Becky had a chance to make dumplings with some of the girls.

Some of the children at Sun Village. The founder of the orphanage is to Becky's right.

Becky making dumplings.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Canadian Rockies, 2011

Post under Construction...

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Maui, 2010

Post under Construction...

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Australia, 2009

Post under Construction...

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Baja Peninsula Mexico Road Trip, 2009

Post under Construction...

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

USA Road Trip 2008 Part I

During July and August 2008 we decided to take a road trip throughout the United States. The following is an essay Matt wrote in a writing workshop about this trip.

How to Go Crazy in 30 Days or Less, Part I

It all started with an innocent conversation. I had no idea what would take place over the next couple of weeks. While eating hamburgers and hot dogs before the big Fourth of July fireworks show in Long Beach, Washington, my wife’s cousin Russell inquired as to where our family would be traveling this summer (since we always plan some sort of adventure). I replied that we were looking at doing a circular route through the Dakotas and then through Wyoming and Montana. Then, without thinking, I said, “We could drive out and visit you?” Russell replied, “Seriously? You do know that I live in Washington D.C.?” I answered that I did and thought it might be a fun drive. Russell thought we would be crazy to drive across the country with three little kids just to come visit him. I took his words as a challenge.

So, two weeks later, my wife Becky and I loaded up our minivan with everything we would need for the next four weeks or so. We also somehow managed to squeeze our three kids in the van as well: Jacob, four and a half years old and a well seasoned traveler; Marcus, two years old and also a well seasoned (but not necessarily a very well-mannered) traveler; and Siena, at five months old the youngest adventurer. So far, so good. Now, let me explain how you can go crazy in 30 days or less.

Day One: We drove eleven hours today, just enough to make it half way across Montana. We decide to stay at a “free” campground right along a river. As we admired a beautiful sunset, we realized why the campground was free. Swarms of mosquitoes invaded our site, biting every living thing in their path, which included our children. Marcus seemed to get the worst of it, of course, and since he is mildly allergic to mosquitoes, ended up with giant welts in the morning.

Corn Palace...lots o corn

Day Two: Drive another twelve hours or so. We decide to go to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota before eating dinner. We end up dragging three starving and tired children around the street.

Day Three: We have to make it past Chicago, I keep telling myself. We do make it, barely. After ten hours in the car, the kids are ready to get out and run around. Too bad we’re on the expressway in downtown Chicago. There’s nothing like driving through heavy traffic with screaming kids in the backseat.

I had time to take a picture while weaving through traffic

Who knew it was so hot at Notre Dame?

Day Four: We decide to take a nice, relaxing walk around the campus of Notre Dame. Bad idea. First off, it was about 90 degrees and 85 percent humidity. Second, the campus was a lot larger than my wife and I imagined. I ended up carrying Siena on my back in a backpack and carrying Marcus in my arms. If I wanted to sweat a gallon, then mission accomplished. My wife ended up dragging Jacob, since his legs somehow quit working.

Days Five through Seven: More driving and sight seeing in the humidity.

Kirtland, Ohio

Palmyra, New York

Having a blast at Fort Stanwix

Caught in a downpour in Concord, Mass.

Day
Eight: Never, ever try to drive in Salem, Massachusetts. There are no street signs. There are no straight streets. All we wanted was to buy a loaf of bread. I guess they don’t eat in Salem, since there are no stores either (at least we couldn’t find any). We end up driving around for an hour with no luck. We end up paying five dollars for a dinky loaf of spongy bread at the only convenience store we could find. All the while our three children are starving to death in the back seat and are very vocal about it. Somehow we find our way out of Salem and drive to Maine, just so we can say we’ve been there.

Salem, Mass. Note the beloved "Baby" Care Bear. It was still somewhat clean.

Rebecca Nurse House, Salem Witch Trials

Kennebunkport, Maine, The farthest north we'd go on this trip.

Maine

Day Nine: We learned two important lessons today: first, you shouldn’t visit Hersey, Pennsylvania with three little children before dinnertime. Unless you love dealing with crying children begging for more chocolate, I would not recommend this experience. Second, thunderstorm has a different meaning on the East Coast than the West Coast. When we pulled into our campground outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the weather seemed to be calm and tranquil. That all changed by about 10 pm. The rained poured down on our tent. Lightning bolts tore through the trees around us. For about ten minutes, the thunder and lightning were so loud and bright, it was as if we were somehow transported back in time onto the battlefields of Gettysburg. I’ll admit, I was more than a bit scared. Needless to say, our three kids slept right through the whole ordeal.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

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Gettysburg, PA

Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

Days Eleven and Twelve: Fortunately, the weather is on our side as we take on Washington D.C. The weather is a pleasant 80 degrees with low humidity (i.e. we won’t be too drenched in sweat). Since the best way to tackle our nation’s Capital is by foot, that is what we decided to do. My wife carried Siena on her back, while I had Marcus on mine. Jacob alternated between walking and getting a ride in a stroller. Most people looked at us as if we were out of our minds. We rendezvous with my wife’s cousin Russell at the feet of Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial, with the feeling of accomplishment. By this time, though it was four in the afternoon and our children were exhausted. Jacob resorted to whining about how tired he was and Marcus decided that the floor of the Lincoln Memorial is as great as place as any to lie down and roll around. Though we had come through with our challenge of meeting Russell in Washington D.C., our trip was far from over.