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South Carolina

Rainbow Row! Charleston, South Carolina

Your Guide to an Epic Week in Charleston with Kids

February 11, 2021
by Carrie

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Exploring the SF Bay Area & Beyond!

I’m Carrie, a native to the San Francisco Bay Area. I have a huge passion for outdoor adventures (hiking, kayaking, zip-lining, scuba diving to name a few) and love taking my family along with me. I love to inspire other families to get outside with their kids and find outdoor activities everyone will enjoy. We love exploring not only the Bay Area but also California & beyond! I aim to show families with busy school & sports schedules that you can still find time to adventure together!

Follow me on Instagram!

marquezfiveadventures

Riding the Skunk Train rail bikes was a must for u

Riding the Skunk Train rail bikes was a must for us when we visited Mendocino! The bikes are electric-powered making pedaling virtually effortless. We loved riding across bridges and under the towering redwoods.

Arrive at Glen Blair Junction for a 50-minute layover where you can hike through the redwoods or just relax at a picnic table. Then return back to Fort Bragg!

(Note: This was a few years ago when masks were required - they are no longer required.)

#visitmendocino #skunktrain #fortbraggca #fortbraggcalifornia #visitfortbraggca #californiaredwoods #californiahiddengems #skunktrainrailbikes

Hiking Fern Canyon to a stunning waterfall in Russ

Hiking Fern Canyon to a stunning waterfall in Russian Gulch State Park is a must do in Mendocino! 🌿💦

We tried to do this hike on our first trip in 2020 and it was closed for restoration. I was crushed. When we returned a year later, it had partially reopened and it remains this way today. We have not been able to hike the full 6.2 mile Fern Canyon to Waterfall Loop Trail, but there are still options to get to the waterfall (which is 100% worth it - especially now after all the rain!).

🥾From Russian Gulch State Park, take North Trail to Waterfall Loop Trail - also around 6 miles. North Trail pretty much parallels Fern Canyon Trail, but does not follow alongside the creek. One of the draws of this trail for us was the creek so we opted not to take this route.
🥾From Caspar Little Lake Road, take North Boundry Trail to the East Trail to Waterfall Loop Trail. There are a couple of benefits to this option. 1) It starts from outside the park so no park entrance fee is required 2) At 3.9 miles roundtrip, this trail is shorter which was a bonus for my kid. 3) There were sections of the trail that were right alongside the creek, everything was green & stunning, and we got to the waterfall more quickly!

We went last winter after a series of storms and the 36 foot waterfall was incredibly impressive. I can only imagine what it looks like right now after 12 atmospheric rivers! 😍

When I used to think of Mendocino, I’d think of

My 3 kids have 3 different school calendars which

My 3 kids have 3 different school calendars which makes planning family vacations a bit challenging. The ONE break they all had in common this school year was a mid-winter break in February. I was determined to take advantage of this common break so back in July I booked a family ski trip to Whistler! 🎿🇨🇦

Whistler-Blackcomb is AMAZING! We were out on the mountain skiing/snowboarding every day and then I planned an extra activity each afternoon.

On our first full day, my husband & 2 teens did the passenger bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Center. This was the real thing, on the same track used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and hands-down their favorite part of the trip!

🛷3 passengers + a trained pilot
🛷Race through ten twists and turns at speeds of 125+ km/hr and feel the acceleration of up to 4 g-forces
🛷This is the only place in Canada where the public can try this (1 of 6 places worldwide)
🛷This is the fastest course in the world.
🛷Minimum age: 14

Unfortunately, my 12yo couldn’t ride, but he & I went along to watch which I found to be thrilling enough. We listened to the safety briefing at the beginning and then went to the observation point along the course - this is where the bobsleighs reach their top speed and then the course turns uphill to slow it down. Before each ride, they announced who was on the bobsleigh and there was a video screen we could watch until they came tearing around this last corner.

Their bobsleigh hit a max speed of 123km/hr and took 41.8 seconds to complete the course - they finished 1.2 seconds behind the top bobsleigh (which put them 12th!!)

A guide to Punta Mita with Kids! Awesome Activiti

A guide to Punta Mita with Kids!

Awesome Activities:
🏄🏼‍♀️Surf with Wildmex in Sayulita!
🌴Zip-line through the jungle - adults can do an apres zip-line tequila tasting
🐳Take a day trip to the Marietas Islands where you can explore hidden beaches, snorkel, look for whales, SUP & swim!
🎨Visit local artisans in their home or place of work: learn about their trade, their challenges & triumphs. Part of the money you pay for this tour with Human Connections goes back to the artists.

Eat:
🌮Rosa Mexicana - gorgeous tables outside with views of the ocean and the best guacamole
🌮Tuna Blanca - we ate at a table right on the beach where the kids could run around after they were done eating
🌮Don Pedro’s - in the heart of Sayulita - this fun open air restaurant overlooks the beach and is super casual

Click on the link in my bio for the full post!

We love traveling to Mexico during the cooler mont

We love traveling to Mexico during the cooler months (especially December - February), when it’s still plenty warm and rainfall is at a minimum. From California, getting to the Pacific side of Mexico is super easy and faster than flying to Hawaii or the Caribbean - very important when we’re trying to maximize vacation days!

By this point in winter, I’m usually ready for a warm-weather getaway. So it’s convenient that our kids get this week off of school for “ski week”. Usually we opt for a warm weather destination like Mexico, Hawaii or Costa Rica. However, this year we chose snow and it’s going to be COLD! So I’ll be thinking a lot about a warm beach vacation!

Are you still in winter-mode ❄️🏂 or ready for summer ☀️🏄🏼‍♀️?

🇲🇽Things to do in Punta Mita, Mexico with Ki

🇲🇽Things to do in Punta Mita, Mexico with Kids! 🇲🇽

🏄🏼‍♀️Take surf lessons
🌴Go zip lining
🐠Take a day trip to the Marietas Islands (the Galapagos of Mexico!) and go snorkeling, SUPing, and whale watching
🌯Try new foods!
🎨Connect with local artists with Human Connections
🏝️Play at the beach

Click on the link in my bio for all the details!

I recently asked my kids to tell me one of their f

I recently asked my kids to tell me one of their favorite activities, hikes, or trips we’ve taken that they’d want to do again. My daughter’s? “Visiting that farm in Ireland” 🇮🇪

We took our kids to Ireland in 2015 and this trip comes up over and over again as one of their favorites. Ireland captivated us in a way none of us expected. We’ve taken our kids to many countries across 6 continents and Ireland always comes up as the place they’d like to return. I LOVE that they have such fond memories of this trip. Was it as perfect as we all remember? Of course not. But it was pretty magical - visiting castles, exploring ruins, eating at pubs, walking around the quaint towns, horseback riding, trying falconry, hiking, and eating chicken goujons (Ireland’s chicken nuggets) 🏰🍀🦅🌈

We visited Blueberry Hill Farm in County Kerry, run by a husband & wife, which provided farm tours where the kids got to milk a cow, feed goats, and learn about the animals. We also opted to make scones with the owners in their kitchen and enjoy them with tea. The kids also made candles while the scones baked. It was such a fun day!

I looked up the farm to tag them in this post and learned they actually closed to visitors for good after struggling through the pandemic. Hope they know what an impact they had on everyone who visited, including my kids ❤️

⚓️The Pigeon Point Lighthouse stands 115 feet

⚓️The Pigeon Point Lighthouse stands 115 feet tall. It’s tied with Point Arena for the tallest lighthouse in California. This Pescadero lighthouse was first lit in November 1872 to guide mariners along the treacherous & notoriously foggy coastline. Still today, the light continues to flash every 10 seconds. 🌫️🚢

Be sure to stop at Whaler’s Cove Overlook and walk along Mel’s Lane, a half mile path along the bluff, for spectacular views of the Pacific. Both are located just steps from the lighthouse and sometimes you can spot whales at this time of year 🐳

Just to the north of the lighthouse are the Pigeon Point bluffs that look out over the Pacific as well as an accessible beach. We only saw 2 other people the whole time we were there! Time your visit with low tide to check out the tide pools- they are fantastic! 🦀🐙

🥾Hike the family friendly Sequoia Audobon trail

🥾Hike the family friendly Sequoia Audobon trail at the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, the largest coastal wetlands between San Francisco and Monterey. This is an easy 1.5 mile out-and-back trail that meanders through the Pescadero marsh.

🦅Here you’ll find more than 200 species of birds, including egrets, blue herons & pelicans, as well as migrating butterflies, endangered steelhead and Coho Salmon, and red-legged frogs. There are informational signs along the way pointing out wildlife and describing the ecosystem.

🔭Be sure to bring binoculars – our kids loved watching the birds up close and trying to track them as they flew.

🚗 Park at the Cabrillo S parking lot right off Highway 1 (vault toilets available here) and then walk north along a pedestrian walkway and follow the stairs down to the beach. From the beach, walk under the bridge (Highway 1 runs overtop) and you’ll see the trailhead. Using the pedestrian walkway to the beach path is much safer than trying to run across Highway 1 on foot 😬

❌ No dogs on this hike

🌲Butano State Park in Pescadero was created in

Have you been to Pescadero? Here’s a roundup of

Have you been to Pescadero? Here’s a roundup of the best things to do in this charming coastal town about an hour south of San Francisco:

🌊 Explore the expansive beaches
🌲 Hike among the redwoods at Butano State Park or through the wetlands at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
⚓️ Explore Pigeon Point where you’ll find California’s tallest lighthouse
🐐 Visit the goats at Harley Farms
🍓 Go berry picking
🍔 Stop downtown for lunch or just grab a coffee

✨Click on the link in my bio for all the details!

#pescadero #pescaderocalifornia #sanmateocounty #bayareadaytrip #roadtripcalifornia

The week after Christmas I went on my first post-o

The week after Christmas I went on my first post-op hike at Pulgas Ridge in Redwood City 🥾We stuck to the paved trail on the way out, but decided to try the dirt trail on the way back and my foot did great 🙌🏻 I did a total of about 2.5 miles with some elevation gain. My doctor said I could start building up my mileage, but I’m not sure he meant hiking - so even though I didn’t feel like it was too much, I was glad not to run into him on the trail! As of February 1st, I can start doing whatever exercise I want! I’m so excited to start pushing myself again and enjoying all the local trails.

I also can’t wait to go back here and see how much greener everything is after 9 atmospheric rivers 🌿🌿🌿

Finally! A break in the rain! There is nothing but

Finally! A break in the rain! There is nothing but ☀️☀️☀️ in my 10-day forecast! I wouldn’t mind storm after storm as long as the ground could effectively absorb all the rain and we could skip the flooding, damage and loss of life.

We’ve been staying off the trails since New Year’s. Many of our parks and the roads have been closed due to flooding, sinkholes, mudslides & fallen trees. And truthfully, I just haven’t felt like getting in the way or driving anywhere that isn’t necessary.

Looking forward to the sun drying everything out so I can get back out on the trails! Because in addition to the sun being out, my foot is healed and I’ve been cleared by my doctor to start building up my mileage! 🥾🏃‍♀️

One of the things I get asked for most often is re

One of the things I get asked for most often is recommendations for dog friendly hikes on the peninsula 🦮

There are hundreds of hikes in the Bay Area, but not all of them are dog friendly. Our dog loves to hike so we are always looking for trails that not only welcome her, but also have something for us - like great views, waterfalls, or a good cardio workout.

Gray Whale Cove Loop Trail in Moss Beach was a stunning find! This trail is located in McNee Ranch on Montara Mountain. All the trails in the park are dog friendly. The Loop Trail is relatively short (1.9 miles) but is amazing with spectacular views up & down the coast for most of the hike. The downside was a steep hill in the middle (which our dog didn’t seem to mind, but our kids did) and there was not a lot of shade, but the cooler coastal temps kept us from getting too hot - even in the summer. I loved the views from this hike so next time I would look to add on another trail to make it a little longer 🌊 🥾🐳

For more dog friendly hikes in San Mateo County, check out my new blog post which details 15 great hikes between Daly City & Woodside. We’re always trying new hikes so check back often for more ideas!

I had foot surgery at the end of October. It was e

I had foot surgery at the end of October. It was elective - I had a bunion removed from my left foot - it was causing pain and beginning to limit my physical activity. The recovery process has been more slow-going than I had hoped for. While I feel like I could be doing more than I am physically, I don’t want to do something dumb and risk reinjuring myself. I hope in the long run, this temporary setback will make hiking, running, and any activity where I have to bend my big toe much more tolerable. 🏃‍♀️🥾🚴🏻‍♀️

In 2020, I was training to run the Chicago Marathon and as I began to really build up my weekly mileage my toe began to hurt. My plan was to train through the pain, but the marathon was ultimately canceled. I had run many marathons & half marathons prior to this and I knew I’d never be able to complete my training without getting my foot fixed.

@chimarathon gave us 3 years to defer our race entry - through 2023. I deferred the first 2 years and finally decided to schedule my surgery so I could run in 2023. This past October, I accepted my 2023 race entry and had the surgery. It’s going to be a long road to get to the Chicago starting line in October 2023, but I hope it’s the motivation I need to work hard and get back in shape.

Today, I get to ditch my boot and start walking in a regular shoe. I have a feeling this will feel like both a step forward and a step back. The boot has provided support and cushioning to make walking easier and less painful - it’s also a great conversation starter 😂 Without the boot, my foot will take on more stress and I’ll likely have to cut back on my steps and begin building back up again.

My doctor told me that if I just stopped running I could slow the progression of my bunion and may never have needed the surgery. That was never an option for me. Running, hiking, biking, and basically any activity outside brings me so much joy - I would never give that up by choice!

Rules to survive in San Francisco from @secret_san

Rules to survive in San Francisco from @secret_sanfrancisco. I didn’t agree with them all, especially “Man cannot live on burritos alone” 🌯🌯but here are a few of my favorites!

🥵Even if it’s uphill to get there it’s still uphill on the way back

✈️ SF is “The City,” SFO is the airport

❌ Don’t call it Frisco unless you are born and raised in Frisco (Don’t call it San Fran either!!)

✅ It’s pronounced “Gauff”

😎Summer is two weeks in October (or September…debatable)

🧣Always bring a hoodie when leaving the house. Doesn’t matter if it’s sunny. Always bring the hoodie

🚗 Drive in the middle lane

⛰Curb your wheels when parking on a slope (I know people who have gotten tickets for “not curbing wheels ENOUGH!”)

🚙 If you find a parking spot it’s probably not a legal spot (or it’s street cleaning)

❌ Never, under any circumstances, leave anything in your car

Last month Kate’s soccer team played in a tourna

Last month Kate’s soccer team played in a tournament in Virginia. While soccer was the primary purpose of the trip, I can’t help but explore when we travel. Luckily, the other families on her team felt the same way - these girls played some amazing soccer, but also had so much fun exploring the Richmond, Virginia area.

🍔We had fun team dinners out in Stafford & Richmond
👻They went to a super creepy haunted house @redveinhaunt
⚓️Took a boat tour of the James River & Kanawha Canal along downtown Richmond’s historic Canal Walk. We learned about the canal system, saw a Triple Crossing Railroad & old tobacco warehouses.

We rented 2 boats for $150 each from @venturerichmond and put the girls on one boat and the parents on the other. We brought dinner & drinks which we set up on a table in the middle of the boat and enjoyed as we cruised along. A fun & relatively cheap group outing 🙌🏻

These 17 teammates walked away from the weekend a stronger and more cohesive group. They played against some of the top U16 teams in Virigina and left feeling more confident as a team and as individual players ⚽️ But I think it was these extra local opportunities that gave the girls the time they needed to create deeper bonds & friendships with each other.

The best part was by the end of the weekend, the girls were all making plans for their next travel tournament. Where to next?? 🤣

Yay! We are getting some much needed rain in the B

Yay! We are getting some much needed rain in the Bay Area!! 🌧🌂

One of my favorite hikes after a rain is the Cowell-Purisima Trail in Half Moon Bay.

This trail is well maintained with ocean views the entire time. It’s an out-and-back trail (3.6 miles one way), but you can turn around at any point. The trail is mostly wide, gravel, and flat.

There is a northern & southern trailhead. We start at the northern trailhead (at the Cowell Ranch Beach Trailhead). It’s about a half a mile walk from the parking lot to the trailhead. About 2 miles into the hike, the trail narrows and dips down into a little valley where the trail crosses Purisima Creek - this would be a good spot to turn around if it’s muddy. However, we saw a bunch of banana slugs along this part which is always a good time! 💛

This trail is bike friendly and also wheelchair accessible (except for that middle part). The southern trailhead has an accessible restroom as well as parking for a full-size van. No dogs allowed.

❄️❄️Winter is Coming❄️❄️ Don’t

❄️❄️Winter is Coming❄️❄️

Don’t get me wrong - I will always choose sunny & warm over cold & snowy. But I do get excited about winter rains & snow and the coziness of sitting by a fire under a pile of blankets 🌧☕️🧣This will last a couple of weeks and then I’ll be over it and ready for summer again ☀️🌴🏖

Anyone else?

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