Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Michigan City, Our new Beach Vacation Spot!

Our family vacation is going wonderfully. We spent our first night exploring the beach resort. Our house is situated across from "waterfall park," and overlooking Lake Kai, one of the man-made lakes. So that is where we went first. It is a pond surrounded by tall grasses and has a waterfall in the middle and a dock that extends out in the water. While we were there, we spotted a beaver at work, he was pulling sticks across the pond and took them under with him. Then we went to go find Sheridan beach, since we planned to go there in the morning. Along the way, we toured the streets and admired all the beautiful houses. The community is perfect, from the houses to its people. Everybody is very friendly. The community is very diversed and everyone seems to get along well. Nothing like you find in the city. When we arrived at the beach we went across a long board walk that is surrounded by an aray of plant life, trees, and birds chirping. The sounds the birds make are very relaxing and beautiful and is only a prelude to what it is like at the beach. I would never have imagined these freshwater lakes would be like the ocean, and even more breath-taking. We played on the beach some, and then headed back to out house, when it started to get dark.

The next day we went to Beachwalk's community park for children. Hannah wanted to go the night before, but it got too dark. The park has lots of tires, slides, a treehouse, and is equipped with a zip line just for small children. Nicholas likes playing on the tires and Hannah likes the zip line. After the park, we went to the beach. The kids have really got into playing in the sand and water. We have fallen in love with the community and could even imagine living here.

Sunday we woke up and got ready to play on the beach. After the beach we retreated back to our house and ate dinner. We went to the park and headed back home when the bugs started biting. We have played in the houses back yard with their yard toys and of course the red wine has been flowing. We ended the night playing boards games with Nicholas and Hannah.

Monday was pretty much like Sunday, more relaxing times on playing on the beach and at the park. Jason played in the sand with the kids and sculpted a crocodile. The kids loved it. We also brought the ipod for tunes at the beach. The weather and everything couldn't be more perfect.

Tuesday was Hannah's birthday. I woke up and baked a cake for her 6th birthday. I can't believe it has been six years already. We first spent the day playing on the beach. Jason made another crocodile for the kids. I don't know who is enjoying the sand the most. We also brought the ipod back again, so we could enjoy the tunes while we were relaxing on the beach. Then we came back and ate lunch. Hannah wanted to go to the park and Nicholas wanted to go to the swimming pool. So that is what we did. Jason took Hannah to the park, and I took Nicolas to the swimming pool. Jason played hide and seek with Hannah in the park, and Nicholas and I played "going on a shark hunt" in the pool. Nicholas loves the water and can't get enough of it. That night we ate a crock pot dinner along with birthday cake and played in the backyard with their yard games and bubble guns, I packed. After the bugs started to get thick we headed indoors where they all enjoyed playing on the playstation.

Wednesday we went to the beach, it was a little breezy, so we didn't stay as long as the other days. We went out into the water mostly since the sand was really blowing on the beach. Hannah and Nicholas wanted to come back home to the "purple" house, so we headed back and stopped at the heated swimming pool on the way.

There are people across the street who live in Moores Hill, IN. They came over and said hi and they knew a friend of Jason's. They also gave us access to their wireless network, so Jason doesn't have to go into town to check his email. We've used all the amenities of the house fully. Jason sits out on the top deck with his guitar (or laptop) and we've been through the yard toys and games inside. We're only half way through the vacation. We have a lot of pictures and video that we'll get up when we get back.

More in day or two, Susan.

Labels: family, summer, vacation

posted by Jason Morgan at 4:33 PM 0 comments

Monday, May 08, 2006

Gatlinburg, TN 2006

Nothing complex.

This year, we wanted to do a vacation that was different from the rest... you know, one of those vacations where upon return, it's not like you slump down on the couch and say "Scccchhheeewwww... it feels good to be home!"

Well, don't get me wrong... we have kids... and it feels good to be home. But this trip rocked. It was just what we set out for. Easy booking... no check-in... impressive accomodations! ...at a great price too, nature so accessible, you jump off the porch into it.

I got to try out the new camera in many of the environments I have been wanted to try. I took the video camera... but it made it as far as a walk-through of the accomodations. I'll probably put that up later for family.

My brother-in-law and I fished the lake just outside. We caught us 7-8 blue-gill and decide to eat them. Alas, I need to refer to my local country einstein for the refresher on cleaning blue-gill. While we managed to get a few slabs and some pop-corn sized bites, still delish, I thought there was a better way to go at it. Scott?

There's something about nature that everyone can relate to... and you've maybe felt that feeling before when you're leaving the forest without having found what you went for in the first place.

Well, that was not me this weekend. A strong chord was struck that the whole family danced... no, not danced... aggressivley "jigged" to.

My little girl was so receptive to the nature around her, it brought a tear to my eye. We did two nice hikes and saw two great water falls. We made it to the aquarium... another thing we meant to do. And despite the Gatlinburg traffic (that we expected :) we still got to and fro.

For future trips to Gatlinburg... the "Gatlinburg By-pass" is a must to remember.

Last but not least... it was Susan's 30th birthday. We had a little party out on the spacious deck with hammock and citronella candle.

Anyway... I could really go on, but I hope these pictures will say it all.

View the pictures!

Labels: family, vacation

posted by Jason Morgan at 8:40 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 16, 2006

The Park City, Utah 2006 pics

My nose is burnt, my board is on fire and my body is exhausted. This Utah trip was just WAY TOO GREAT. I'm not worthy. There is nothing like sushi, saki, hot-tubbin' and shreding up some of the finest snow in North America. I'm back folks and I'm tired and ready to do it all over again.

Here are the pics.

Labels: jason, snowboarding, vacation

posted by Jason Morgan at 8:33 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Boarding the best of the west

Today is the last day of a fine adventure out west. The last 4 days have been nothing but shreding in some of the finest conditions I've done. The sun is blazing and my face is burnt. I love it.

After wrapping up a couple days at Park City, one day at the Canyons and one at Brighton (the BEST so far) we wrap up this trip with a visit to Snowbird. I've never been here and I look forward to it. I hear it's better then Solitude, which we were pretty impressed with!
One of the sweetest things about the Park City area is that you can rip a half hour from the Salt Lake airport and take your pick from 6 or 7 different resorts.

Ok, let's top off this coffee and get moving. Pictures coming in a day or so!

Labels: jason, snowboarding, vacation

posted by Jason Morgan at 8:34 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Park City, Utah, here I come... again

Only 3 weeks left. On Feb. 10, I'll head to Utah to board some of the best powder in the US. A friend/client of mine invites my partner and I to his condo right on the slopes each year. I took him up a couple years ago, but popping out kids makes it difficult to make it every year. After taking a year off to help my wife with the birth of our son, Nic, I'm finally heading back.
You can never prepare enough when it comes to the proper workouts leading up to a ski trip, but I try. It has literally been just over 2 years since I strapped a board on. However, I've had longer stretches before. While there is fast access to over 5 resorts, I'm looking most forward to Solitude again. It's a boarders paradise and a place that in one day, you can get almost a week's fill. Solitude is not packed with the tourists. I think it's more of a local favorite. Its altitude is higher than the other nearby mountains and when the snow is heavy, the pass is sometimes closed and you can't make it up (Argh!).
This all said, I still need to get out the board and tune up, move a shit-load of work off the platter and countless things around the house. More later.

Labels: jason, snowboarding, vacation

posted by Jason Morgan at 7:59 PM 0 comments