Tag Archives: family

San Diego: Life is Golden in the Sunshine State

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Day 1: Smooth criminal escapes to California

Missing four days of school for this trip would have officially pushed me over the 10-absence limit and straight onto the Truancy Watch List (as a repeat offender). But then—BOOM: The weather gods came through and turned our travel day into a snow/virtual learning day! Shoutout to Wisconsin weather for keeping me out of jail.

The downside? We had to drive to the airport in a “winter weather advisory” blizzard. For one long, miserable hour, we crawled through terrible road conditions wondering if this vacation was worth it. (Spoiler alert: It was.) Eventually we hit clear roads, made it safely to the airport, and officially began Vacation Mode.

In San Diego, things got dramatic again. We were supposed to rent a luxury Range Rover Defender or a BMW X7… but the people in line ahead of us took the last ones. Devastating! We may or may not have blamed Mom for chatting with her friend Stan at the airport. This delay also caused us to almost miss our luggage, which really added to the suspense. In the end, we claimed our suitcases from the Delta employee who attempted to cart them away, and we found ourselves in a (discounted) Mercedes GL 350, which still (mostly) satisfied our dreams of riding in luxury.

Then we drove 45 miles through rush hour traffic to our Airbnb in the rural foothills of San Diego County (specifically Descanso, California, situated in the Cuyamaca Mountains). While the bumper-to-bumper adventure was not the relaxed traffic scene we’ve grown accustomed to back home, our final destination cured all of our travel woes as we got to enjoy the most impressive accommodations:

  • A sparkling infinity pool
  • A relaxing hot tub
  • Incredible views across 45 private acres
  • Smart bidet toilets (automatic open + heated seats + undercarriage wash + automatic flush = life-changing technology)
  • A Nespresso machine (Dad immediately began living out his retirement dream of becoming a coffee drinker)
  • An old-school record player with new school music
  • A fancy double shower
  • A high tech induction oven
  • Robes and slippers for each of us

This is the good life! No wonder California is nicknamed The Golden State. The Sunshine State. The State You’ll Never Want to Vacate. (Okay, I made that last one up, but it has a nice ring to it, right?)

After settling in and adjusting to the two-hour time change, we made plans for the week before calling it a night.

Day 2: City Mode Activated

Genesee and I started the morning the correct way: in the hot tub, watching the sun come up over the mountains. Then, around 10:30 a.m., we left our peaceful mountain Airbnb life and headed into the city to follow in the footsteps of Lynette and Dr. Bee, who had just left San Diego the day before we arrived. Shucks!

First stop: Mission Beach. We walked the boardwalk, explored Belmont Park, and immediately secured $10 San Diego sweatshirts, which felt like an elite-level bargain. We also tried the viral Dubai chocolate crepe, which lived up to the hype and possibly shortened my lifespan in the best way.

For lunch, we ate at C-Level Lounge, which had incredible breezy views of the San Diego Bay, the downtown skyline, and the Coronado Bridge. Mom and Dad ordered blackened fish tacos like responsible adults. (Because when in San Diego, you must eat tacos!) Meanwhile, Genesee and I ordered filet mignon from the kids’ menu. (Yes, you read that right! No corn dogs or mac n cheese for the California kiddos; they treat you right here!) Unfortunately, it was only a petite 3 ounce cut, which looked a little small for my growing appetite, but mom coached me into eating slowly and enjoying the flavor of every bite!

After lunch, we headed to Coronado, where we walked near the ferry landing and saw the famous Hotel del Coronado. We even tried to meet up with Genesee’s friend Reagan, who was also in San Diego at the same time, but our schedules didn’t line up. Shucks again!

The temperature was cool and windy, with a side of sunshine. But you know what they say: “Beach hair, Don’t care.”

Day 3: Backup Plans & Baby Seals

We had big plans to hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve — which Dad was most excited about — until we discovered it was closed for construction. Huge bummer. But we pivoted to La Jolla, and honestly… it might’ve been an upgrade because we saw tons of seals and their babies just lounging on the beach like they owned the place. Super cute!

Then we walked the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail, a scenic path with incredible ocean views and steep cliffs. Much to my mother’s dismay, I loved forging my own path, climbing the rocks like I was in an adventure movie. It was epic!

After my James Bond audition, we ate lunch at Nautilus Tavern, ordered some fancy drinks, and then hit the shopping scene, where Genesee secured a Lululemon purse. As her self-appointed financial adviser, I warned about the dangers of prioritizing “wants” over “needs,” but she remains committed to her spending strategy.

Of course my sister needed to demonstrate how to use her new purse, so she proceeded to spend more money on Italian ice cream at a sweet shop just up the hill from Ellen Browning Scripps Park. It should be noted here, that if Genesee grows up with an aversion to seagulls, it will be because one tried to snatch that ice cream cone straight out of her hand. It was a bold, aggressive move, but that bird quickly learned that no one should go to ice cream war against my sister. It might not be pretty, but Genesee always wins.

We ended the day at Gliderport Park, watching the sunset while paragliders floated over the cliffs. Not a bad way to recover from our failed hiking plans.

Closed trail, but still a solid day.

Day 4: Best. Day. Ever.

On day 4, we went to the San Diego Zoo and I would just like to officially announce that it was my favorite part of the entire trip.

First of all, this zoo is HUGE. Like, “why are Genesee’s legs filing a formal complaint?” huge. It’s one of the largest zoos in the world and covers 100 acres. Our feet can confirm. The zoo was also ridiculously clean and somehow didn’t smell like a zoo, which seems scientifically impossible. Also, the plants alone could qualify it as a botanical garden, showcasing over 700,000 species!

I took my role as Official Family Tour Guide very seriously, navigating with the zoo app like a professional wilderness expert. Thanks to my skills, and maybe a little luck, every animal appeared on cue when we walked up to visit them. It was almost like they had our itinerary.

My favorite animal? The orangutan named Labu. It was wild how human he seemed… his facial expressions, the way he moved, his side-eye. I’m not saying I saw myself in that orangutan… but I’m also not not saying that.

Genesee loved the baboons (chaotic energy recognizes chaotic energy, I guess). Mom appreciated the koalas, flamingos, and the surprisingly graceful hippopotamus. Dad was impressed by the pandas and gorilla. He liked the mountain lion, too, but that thing looked like it could bench press me without warming up!

It was so much fun; I was all smiles all day. I especially enjoyed the Wildlife Wonders at Wegeforth Bowl, the Skyfari aerial tram (which gave us a bird’s-eye view of the whole place and made us feel like we were in a nature documentary), and our sit-down lunch at Albert’s where we reserved the best seats in the house.

The zoo was amazing, but the real talk is that zoos are complicated. On one hand, they do important conservation work and help protect endangered species. On the other hand, it’s a little sad knowing these animals aren’t in their natural habitats. I guess both things can be true at the same time.

Upon closing, we drove next door and walked around Balboa Park, which is massive and full of museums and cool Spanish-style buildings from, like, 100 years ago. Unfortunately, all museums were closed when we arrived, but even without going inside anything, the place felt special and important.

Day 5: Slow Mornings & Small Town Wins

After four straight days of go-go-go, we decided to stay close to “home” and enjoy a lazier Tuesday. So, we slept in, hung out at the Airbnb, and actually enjoyed all the cool stuff we’d barely had time to appreciate: hot tub, gorgeous views, coffee experiments, and the whole mountain-life vibe.

Eventually, we left our luxury bubble and headed out to hike Lake Cuyamaca. It was a peaceful, scenic, calm, muddy loop around the lake, which was surrounded by the freshest air. Dad’s favorite part was discovering the granary tree: a dead tree modified by Acorn Woodpeckers that stores thousands of acorns for winter survival. We learned that these birds “drill, maintain, and defend up to 50,000 precisely sized, individual holes in the wood, often using the same tree for generations.”

After dad was done being wowed by the woodpeckers, we drove into the town of Julian, “a historic, high-elevation mountain town famous for its 1870s gold rush, 4-season climate, and, most notably, its iconic apple pies.” Then, on our way back up to heaven, I mean the house, we ordered delicious tamales to-go from Veronica’s Kitchen, so we could indulge in Mexican goodness while snuggling into the king bed to continue our TV series marathon of Ted Lasso.

Day 6: Go Big or Go Home

Wednesday was our last full day and it did not disappoint.

We hit SeaWorld San Diego right when it opened — actually, before it opened — because that’s how we roll when the ladies aren’t slowing down the departure time.

We scored free entrée vouchers by purchasing tickets through Undercover Tourist, thanks to our savvy dad! Mom called it a win, since each entrée was priced around $20+, but I felt like I was winning when we experienced the sea lion show and the Orca Encounter. The sea lions were so smart and funny and the orcas were massive, powerful, and somehow graceful at the same time. But Genesee’s favorite part? Not the whales. Not the stunts. Instead, it was the sea lion pre-show, where the maintenance guy started dancing with his mop and absolutely stole the spotlight.

We also saw silly walruses, majestic beluga whales, playful penguins, and mesmerizing jellyfish. We rode every ride (some of them multiple times) because there were basically no lines! And we even let tiny fish nibble on our hands, which was ticklish for me, but slightly terrifying for Genesee. It was practically empty in some corners of SeaWorld, so it felt like mom and dad had rented out the park for their VIP children!

But because our parents want to teach us about critical thinking, critical feeling, and general ethics, we learned that, like the zoo, SeaWorld is not without controversy. So while we had lots of fun, we also made space for the complicated reality of appreciating rescue and rehabilitation work while also contemplating the drawbacks of marine life in captivity.

After SeaWorld, we returned to Mission Beach and Belmont Park… where it all began. It was a lovely full circle moment that got tragically interrupted by The Great Slushy Incident. At the end of a long day, we were subjected to a 20-minute unnecessary wait for frozen greatness, only for the slushy machine guy to casually and unapologetically inform us that the machine was not working. The betrayal. The heartbreak. The injustice. And then…. the laughter after Dad’s blood pressure returned to normal. In fact, Genesee and I have since reenacted the entire debacle multiple times for dramatic effect. (see videos below)

Day 7: Farewell, Sunshine

And just like that, our San Diego adventure wrapped up — rides conquered, animals encountered, and slushies denied.

Of course, we made sure to get a late checkout, a final hot tub session, and one more slow morning pretending we lived there.

We had breakfast poolside — scrambled egg, cheese, and bacon sandwiches with fresh fruit — and then executed the grand finale operation: convincing Dad to jump into the “refreshingly” cold pool “with us.” (see video below)

It really was a great trip. Each day got warmer and sunnier. We figured out the traffic patterns. We knew the shortcuts. We had officially adapted to California life. In fact, I’m not sure how I will return to a world where I must manually lift up the toilet seat, after being spoiled in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

But since all good things must come to an end, the time eventually came to fly home to snowy Wisconsin. And as much lust as I have for wandering, I always love coming home. This time, on the return trip, we scored seats in the same row, flew over the Grand Canyon, and I heroically completed my homework packet midair like a responsible almost-12-year-old.

We landed in Minneapolis, drove home in the dark… and almost hit a cow just a few miles from our house.

Only in Wisconsin.

We rolled in around midnight, tired but victorious, and just in time to unpack and repack for a home basketball tournament on Saturday.

But first: Snugglefest with sweet, sweet Artemis. We can visit all the animals in the world, but our favorite will always be Arty-Farty. Of course she was greatly missed while we were away, but we are certain she was well loved in our absence. (Dog-sitting / Dog-spoiling grandparents for the win!!!)

10/10 trip. Would absolutely risk truancy to do it all again.

Church on Friday

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This past weekend, I had my first experience going to Church. But this church wasn’t on Sunday morning, and there were no pews or prayers. Instead, it was big-stage, loud-music, lights-flashing, people-screaming kind of Church. It was actually Dad’s birthday present, but it kind of turned into a full-family adventure. We traveled 200 miles to see Eric Church, live from the Fiserv Forum stage, and it was epic!

But let’s back up a little bit because the fun actually started at PinSeekers, a hybrid-golf entertainment facility, where Dad and I hit golf balls like pros, and Genesee and mom kicked some grass at the soccer simulator.

Then we perused the Nike Clearance store at the Johnson Creek Outlet mall before mom gave us a tour of her old stomping grounds: the Brookfield Square Mall. Apparently, it used to be fun to hang out there? Well, just like our mall in La Crosse, this indoor shopping center now had major “ghost town” vibes. Mom felt equal parts nostalgia and depression walking through the empty mall, wondering if places like that will survive much longer. But since she also thinks we’re heading toward an apocalypse, thanks to Trump-era chaos, I assured her that zombies will probably need somewhere to shop.

After that, we went to The Melting Pot for dinner, where we enjoyed an interactive dining experience. It was the first time Genesee and I had tried fondue, and we learned that life is a whole lot better when you can dip everything in cheese or chocolate!

Finally, it was 7:00 p.m. and time for my first-ever concert! (I mean, Dad’s birthday present.) But before settling into our seats, we walked a few laps around the stadium, while the opening act played. Unfortunately, we had to watch the clock strike 9:10 p.m. before we were dazzled by the vocal chords of Eric Church, but it was totally worth the wait. Poor Genesee was tired by then, so she missed a few songs, but Mr. Church sang nonstop until 11:40 p.m., so my sleepyhead sister still caught most of the show, including Springsteen, which she didn’t want to miss.

We had so much fun! We stood almost the whole time and sang all the lyrics at the top of our lungs. Dad said it was the best concert he’s ever been to!

We lived like rock stars that day. By the time we got back to the hotel, it was past midnight, and I didn’t fall asleep until 1:00 a.m. — probably later than most actual rockstars, maybe even Eric Church himself. But our tour ended early, because we had a 7:00 a.m. wake-up call for my sister’s soccer game.

We went from concert crowds to corner kicks in less than twelve hours. But hey… juice boxes on the sidelines is a vibe, too.

It was an amazing adventure — celebrating my favorite dad with golf balls, ghost malls, cheese pots, and country rock. And moments like that stick with you. Now, everytime I hear a Church song, I will think of that day with my family. “Funny how a melody feels like a memory.”

Love Letter to Maui

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Dear Maui,

I miss you already. It’s only been a few days, but my hair still smells like sunscreen and my heart still feels like ocean waves. You were so warm and welcoming… you had me at Aloha. My parents warned that we might fall hard for you; they were not wrong. (And I’m not just talking about that forceful tidal wave that swept me off my feet and knocked Genesee on her face.) Still, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect because mom and dad said you’ve been burned since they first met you. I was sorry to hear that you felt devastated, and so I hope the joy I brought to your island helped you heal. But let’s go back to the beginning of our love story…

Before we arrived in your wonderland, Genesee and I convinced our parents to help us escape from school early so we could ride rollercoasters study calculus and visit Legoland explore careers in mechanical engineering, architecture, and 3-D design. Thank you, Mall of America, for your commitment to academic excellence! After that very enriching experience, we boarded our 9-hour flight, where Genesee and I scored our own row of seats and passed the time quickly without a single sibling battle. Miracles do happen.

Eventually, we arrived in Honolulu, where we had to endure a four-hour layover before finally getting to see you. It was just enough time to get acclimated to Hawaii’s 75 degree weather and grab some shredded pork nachos with a side of food poisoning. It wasn’t exactly the tropical experience I had dreamed of; we came to party, not potty. But this plot twist helped me and mom get well acquainted with your toilets, which were quite lovely.

When mom and I finally rallied, you showed our family your playful (and strict) side. Our Airbnb condo in Wailea was awesome, but your pool had way too many rules. No toys, no throwing a football, no Marco Polo. So we invented a game called “Genesee Jaeger.” It sounds just like Marco Polo and feels just like Marco Polo, but if you think you saw us playing Marco Polo, no you didn’t.

Maui – we loved everything about you, except for your prices. My parents spent $514 at your grocery store and mom said it hurt her soul. Luckily your beaches softened the sticker shock. In fact, they were all so gorgeous, we tried to visit a different beach each night to admire the sunset. We also enjoyed driving the Road to Hana, savoring shaved ice treats, meeting your wild chickens, hiking through your majestic bamboo forests, splashing in your waterfalls, and playing tag with your tidal waves.

Maui — you are so hot! Not only do I have the sunburn to prove it, but we even witnessed the haze from the volcano eruption at Kilauea’s summit, all the way over on the Big Island! You really know how to make my heart melt, and you also unlocked new levels of exhiliration… especially when you brought us face-to-face with your incredible wildlife. I was completely mesmerized watching your humpback whales perform their happy dances—leaping, twirling, and slapping their giant fins and tails against the turquoise waters. And even though our parents tried to drug us with Dramamine, my eyes were wide open and I couldn’t keep them off of you… your nature is so beautiful. It’s no wonder why whales blush when they see the ocean’s bottom!

After an epic whale-watching cruise, we set off on Alii Nui’s Turtles & Tacos snorkeling adventure. As you probably discovered by now, my sister left a little souvenir in your ocean: one of her incisor teeth! But just when we thought things couldn’t get more interesting, you surprised us with a 9-foot tiger shark encounter that cut the snorkeling tour short. Luckily, we lived to tell the tale and were brave enough for a do-over, where we submerged our faces in the waters of the Molokini islet and built a friendship with your gentle turtles instead. It was pure magic.

Oh Maui… You sure know how to make a dude’s heart race! Ziplining through your treetops had my adrenaline pumping—it was fast, fun, and just a little terrifying… kind of like falling in love with you. And as if that wasn’t enough excitement, you decided to shake things up, literally! One minute, we were eating dinner on the deck, and the next, I was experiencing my first earthquake. I was shook, but we lived to tell the tale—again. Sheesh! They say love can hurt, but why does it have to be so scary!?

Of course, as the story goes, all good things must come to an end. But Maui, I didn’t want to leave you; we just ran out of time… and money. Plus, I had to finish the fifth grade and bring back hugs to our dog who was missing us. So, on our last morning with you, I decided to stuff my sad feelings down with pancakes and fresh fruit at Kihei Caffe before taking the red-eye back to the cold Wisconsin winter.

I will never forget your final wave as we said goodbye; I hope you saw the shaka I offered, with love, in return.

Mahalo,
Your biggest crush (Jaeger)

P.S. I deeply regret that the sun had to set on our incredible love story. It was one for the ages! But don’t close the book just yet… I vow to write the sequel, when I return one day to Maui you.

Snow Much Fun: Our First Family Ski Adventure

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This year, we did something totally unexpected during Christmas break: we went on our first-ever ski trip! Mom and Dad planned it on a whim, and before I knew it, we were on our way to Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota, (a 5-hour drive north) for four nights of snowy fun. It was so last-minute that all the pet-friendly condos were already booked, so Artemis got to experience her own adventure: The inaugural slumber party at D & C’s doggy daycare. (Thanks, Grandpa & Grandma!)

Before leaving home, Dad pulled out his old ski equipment, from when he was an avid skier, that had been buried under 25 years of dust. Emphasis on “old” because as soon as he tried everything on, the foam of the googles evaporated into fairy dust, the plastic of the boots cracked, and everything fell apart. So, upon arrival, Dad begrudgingly proclaimed, “we’ll take four rentals, please!” And as my parents looked around and noticed everyone wearing helmets, which was not the trend in the late 1900s, our bobble heads exited the rental facility with protected brains as well.

I’m so glad we decided to be spontaneous because this was the most epic trip ever! The weather was perfect and the Lake Superior backdrop made for breathtaking scenery. Genesee and I received beginner ski lessons the first morning, taught by George and Tim, and let me tell you, it was game over after that. We were hooked!

The chair lift was one of my favorite parts. It’s this awesome combination of peaceful and exciting, like floating above the world while you get ready to zoom down the slopes again. It was also neat to see how determined and fearless Genesee was to conquer any of the runs. (And how, upon completion, she’d immediately report her success to our ski instructors.) Another highlight was the super cool gondola ride… almost like being in a snow globe as it glided over the trees.

Speaking of gliding, Mom stuck to the green runs. She kept looking for the turtle hill, but it was nowhere to be found, so she became good friends with the Big Bunny hill…. mostly because her pulled hamstring and wobbly knees weren’t exactly up for the challenge of anything more. But also because her “worst-case-scenario brain” is always a spoiler of risky fun. Luckily, Dad isn’t as boring and safety-first as our mother is. So, by day 3, we ditched mom in search of steeper slopes and faster speeds.

Each day, after putting in about 5 hours of skiing, we’d head back to the Caribou Highlands Lodge to swim and soak in the hot tub. It was the best way to unwind after a full day of shredding (or cautiously zigzagging, in Mom’s case). In the evenings, we played card games, napped, ate spaghetti and chicken soft tacos (prepared by Chef Dad), and just enjoyed being together. On our last evening, Dad built a fire, mom poured sparkling grape juice into our makeshift wine glasses, and then we toasted to the new year as the ball dropped in New York City.

It was the most fun way to end the year and I’ve already decided that this should be an annual tradition. In fact, by the time the trip was over, Genesee and I declared skiing as our new favorite sport (outside of basketball, of course). It’s the next best thing to having wings, they say. So, next time you are near the mountains, look for us and watch us fly!

4th Grade Wisconsin Heritage Fair

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In late February, I was tasked with an assignment to research a topic that relates to Wisconsin. It could be a person, place, product, or event that we would be excited to learn more about. Naturally, I thought about the Milwaukee Bucks right away, but after exploring other ideas with my family, I decided to research and highlight my Great Great Uncle Alfred Gorham: Wisconsin’s only Tuskegee Airman!

All throughout March, I had weekly deadlines to meet, which included coming up with a project title, identifying credible sources so I could learn more about my topic, building a display board, and preparing a speech. It was a lot of hard work! Luckily, my family helped me along the way… We texted with Uncle Norman and cousin Michele to gather artifacts, and then my parents organized family movie nights (complete with Papa’s favorite microwave popcorn) so we could watch documentaries and movies about the flight and plight of Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Then, on March 28th, after completing my display board and presenting my speech to fellow Mel-Min fourth graders, we hosted a fair in the elementary gymnasium that was open to the public! I got a little nervous once people started rushing the doors to ask questions about our research, but some of my first friendly customers were Grandma and Grandpa, so that put me more at ease. Plus, I had studied hard so I knew there weren’t too many questions I couldn’t answer.

All in all, it was a great day! People seemed very interested in learning about this important piece of Wisconsin history, which I feel lucky to have such a personal connection to. And on top of that, I got selected to present my project at regionals!!

So, on April 23, I traveled to Black River Falls to brag about my great great uncle to a larger audience. I was thrilled to receive such rave reviews on that bigger stage, but the best part was getting to tell Uncle Alfred’s story because the Tuskegee Airmen story went untold for too long. I hope I did him proud!

Check out my recorded presentation (and outtakes) below and let me know what you think!