{Travel Log} Boundary Waters | Minnesota Outdoor Travel

I just don't know where to start documenting our most recent trip! We spent a few days in Boundary Waters Area in Northern Minnesota and it was so divine. I have been looking forward to exploring BWCA for a long time and the area certainly did not disappoint.

This trip was slightly more "touristy" than most of the other Memorable Jaunts trips but I was not complaining. We spent quite a bit of time on the water exploring the area via a boat. You see, some areas within Boundary Waters are only accessible via canoe/kayaks! - and we did just that.

Our home base was a wonderful retreat by the water with gorgeous views and stunning sunsets. I love how the setting sun glistened over the water! 

We rented a pontoon and explored some of the inlets within BWCA. While on the water, we practices our boating skills & the little ones even got to sit behind the wheel! :)

The waters of Lake Superior were choppy and the winds were quite strong. But every now and then we would find small little islands that had boat docks. You could "park" your boat and go explore the island on foot - Stay a hour or actually camp overnight!

Our home away from home was a cozy cabin - complete with its own fire pit for a nightly smores snack!!

We even hiked the area around the cabin, taking in the sights and sounds on foot!

While in Northern Minnesota, we explored some of the local waterfalls and lighthouses and were in awe of the natural beauty in this state - the land of 10,000 lakes certainly did not disappoint!

If you happen to be in Northern Minnesota, definitely visit the areas in and around the Boundary Waters - you will not be disappointed!

{Travel Log} Group Camp | Memorable Jaunts Annual Group Event | Illinois Family Adventure Travel

Finally it's that time of the year again! - Time for the Annual Memorable Jaunts Group Event. Last year, 2011, we organized a group hike to Starved Rock State Park (you can read about our event here). This year, we are ready to take it up a notch! - a group camp event at a local forest preserve - Blackwell Forest Preserve in Wheaton, IL.

The word “Camping” most often conjures images of picturesque backcountry spots accessible only by foot, carrying supplies on your back, and disconnecting from civilization, setting up tents among tall trees & steep cliffs, and storing food supplies hanging from trees off the ground. While this very desirable and true in most situations, it is not always practical. Especially for families with young children. How much do we carry, how long can we walk, what about food, what about wildlife and how to avoid hotspots?

The good news is that you can still experience camping and all the pleasures it has to offer even if you don’t want to do backcountry camping - go local, camp for a night or two, sleeping under the starts in a state park or even in a private campground. If you are local to the Chicagoland area, come join us at Blackwell Forest Preserve. If not, signup for our twitter feed - we will be posting status updates live as we have a blast with our Memorable Jaunts friends!

For those families that have already signed up , THANK YOU for signing up for the Memorable Jaunts Group Camping Event at Blackwell Forest Preserve on Sept 15th - 16th 2012! - We are going to have a BLAST!

Please find attached some details around the trip, camping essentials, meal planning and distribution and  other general information about Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Basic Camping Checklist for the overnight camping trip

Most of these items may be purchased at REI (C), Cabela’s(C), or Dick’s Sporting Goods (C). If you don’t want to invest in a tent, sleeping bag or sleeping pad, REI provides most if not all of these items for rent at very nominal prices.

• Waterproof tent - Make sure the tent you get has a rain cover so that you don’t get soaked in the morning dew or sudden thunderstorms.
• Sleeping bags - Sleeping bags vary in quality and price. Most sleeping bags come with an EN temperature rating standard. Choose a bag rated for the coldest temperature you expect to encounter. Expect ~50-65deg tempreatures at night for the camp.
• Sleeping pads - Sleeping pads provide cushioning and insulation. Cushioning is certainly useful when sleeping on hard surfaces but the sleeping pad also provides insulation to your body from cold ground surfaces.
• Ground tarp or waterproof blanket - This is used between the ground and the tent and just provides an additional layer of insulation.
• Plastic tote to store food items - This helps secure food items from curious critters like raccoons and skunks :)
• Pillow - Some sleeping bags come with a built-in pillow. If you are among the group of people who cannot sleep without a pillow, get one from home :)
• Hammer - Very helpful to drive the tent spikes into the ground. 
• Extra blankets (weather dependent) - Nights are starting to get much cooler here in Chicago so an extra blanket or two will keep you warm and toasty in your tent. 
• Torch/Lanterns
• Socks (feet do get cold even in summer) 
• Bug spray/Sunscreen
• Extra pair of clothes and other personal items needed for an overnight excursion 
• Toys/Board games - especially for families with young kids
• Cooler - depending on the food you are signing up to bring for the group event

If you have never been to Blackwell, you are in for a treat. It is a beautiful preserve with a lake (boating is allowed and boats are available for rent) as well as hiking trails. Please bring a good pair of walking/hiking shoes so we can take a walk around the preserve.

Please bring the reservation materials that you received in the mail to provide at the preserve office.

Current Site Allocation for Memorable Jaunts Camping Event

As of August 25th, we have 20 adults and 14 kids signed up for the event. Each site allows a max 2 tents & 8 people. If you have a camper, then it’s 1 camper & 1 tent. 

Site 2 - Gupta family - 3 adults, 2 kids and 1 dog 

Site 3 - Srini family - 2 adults and 3 kids

Site 4 - Ghosh family - 2 adults and 1 dog 

Site 5 - Anand family - 2 adults and 2 kids 

Site 6 - Rammesh family - 3 adults and 2 kids 

Site 8 - Schaut family - 2 adults and 2 kids 

Site 13 - Krystinak family - 3 adults 

Site ??? - Singh family - 2 adults and 2 kids

Check-in is at 1.00pm on Saturday Sep 15th & checkout is by noon on Sunday Sep 16th.

Just a couple of reminders - alcohol is prohibited at the preserve and campground. Fires are allowed at the campsites but firewood must be purchased at the preserve store for $5. We ask that each family purchase their firewood as they check-in to their site.

Since this is a group event, we ask everyone to pitch in and provide food for the group. Please see the list below and let me know what you can bring so I can keep a running list and can allocate responsibilities. The group includes vegetarians as well so please plan your meal accordingly. Since this is a large group, more than one family can take responsibility for a meal. Please let me know if anyone has food allergies.

Meals (Assuming folks will have lunch on their own prior to check-in)

• September 15th - Dinner - suggested items - sandwiches, soups, pasta, salads 
• September 15th - Desert - suggested items - smores by the fire :) 
• September 16th - Breakfast - suggested items - cereal, milk, break, cheese, jam, biscuits etc
• Drinks - water, juices, tea, coffee, milk 
• Fruits,Snacks 
• Camping grill - we have two grills which we will bring - to reheat food, milk etc. Please let me know if you have additional camping grills as well.
• Cups, plates, spoons, napkins, garbage bags, dish washing liquid and sponge 
• Matchs for camp fire

Please let me know what you can bring by Sept 10th and I will send out a final list a few days before the event.

Last but not the least, we are camping in a forest preserve, please practice “LEAVE NO TRACE BEHIND” as you are packing for this event. Try and think Green (reuse). Instead of plastic utensils and paper napkins, consider using re-usable plates, cups, spoons, and cloth napkins. The food tastes just as good, and you will actually leave lesser of a trace when you leave.

{Travel Log} Day Hikes | Minneapolis Outdoor Travel with kids

Do you crave for wide open spaces and greenery? Do you scope out state parks and forest preserves to explore when you are on vacation? Would you like to have open, green spaces as part of your backyard. Well, if you live in Minneapolis, perhaps you can - Fort Snelling State Park in Minneapolis is a hiker's and biker's mecca.

On a recent visit to Minneapolis, the MJ family, minus Mr.MJ, ventured into this beautiful state park and experienced a case of hiker's bliss. The trails were extensive and we had a great time exploring this urban gem. The park has a huge visitors center that hosts a bunch of activities all catered to young kids. There is even a canoe rental store within the park!

The canopy of trees and benches scattered around the trails were much appreciated by tired feet and little bodies that wanted to take several breaks during the hike!

There is a section on the park that is closed to bikers and only accessible by foot. This area is broken into three different loop that caters to many. There is a short hike loop of less than half a mile as well as a larger 3 mile loop.

No matter which hike you choose, you come away refreshed and rejuvenated after being surrounded by all that green! You can even access the water at various points, which we did - nothing like skipping stones and getting shoes wet on a hot day! :)

What makes this trip even more memorable for me is that it was researched, planned and executed by me ALONE! :)

{Personal Expressions} Spring - How we longed to see you! - Welcome back! | Naperville Lifestyle Photographer

Spring has to be the most loved season of all. What's not to love about a season that bring with it an explosion of color, renewal of life, warm tempreatures and positive energy.

Most of the time, you don't have to look very far to see signs of Spring. Birds chirping right outside your window, shoots of green in the yard and tiny buds on trees are everywhere. We just need to take the time to observe and experience this breath of freshness and renewal.

Male red-winged blackbird calling out to the female a few yards away. We want them to pick our deck to lay their nest :) - that's hoping the mating call was successful ;)

With one 360deg turn, I found blue skies, green bushes and red tree buds...I love Nature's color wheel!

I am eagerly awaiting the transformation of these buds into green leaves!

I was cleaning out all the dead leaves from one patch in the yard and found these green "roses" hiding underneath!...

The other quintessential sign of Spring is when the cyclists start riding in their colorful clothing and sequenced formations!

Perhaps my favorite part is when the sun sets and everything takes on a shade of golden...trees, bushes and even light fixtures....

{Travel Log} A complete sensory stimulation in the Caribbean | Caribbean Outdoor Travel

What a wonderful way to relax, unwind and completely let go to the sensory stimulation found in the Caribbean. I think this can be said for most of the Caribbean islands but no where is it more relevant than in the wonderful island of Curacao!

Curacao is part of the "ABC" islands, but so rich in culture and vibrant in color - it is lively. It is a tiny island with a big agenda!!

I knew I was in for a treat when I got off the plane and saw this sign...the country has a "SUN" symbol in its name :)

 Have you tried "yoga" on the beach? We did and let me tell you it was "bliss".

I would love to have this view as I eat every meal ;)

Curacao is very colorful - everywhere you turn, you are surrounded by color. Not just outside but indoors as well. Downtown Willemstad is a world heritage site. No two buildings are alike in shape or color. Doesn't this give you home painting ideas? :)

Of course water is the key attraction here. It is a wonderful shade of green and blue and is crystal clear!

We saw some unique shape and patterns

Being true to any Memorable Jaunts adventure, we went off the beaten path and hiked into Christoffel National Park.

The views were simply stunning!

The sights around Curacao are really very unique - we saw countless varieties of lizards, birds, flower and vistas :)

Of course the animal life is equally diverse. We had a chance to watch a dolphin show and have a dolphin encounter. A visit with Tikko was definitely the highlight of our visit.

This was the resident pelican at the hotel who showed off his fishing skills twice a day, everyday!

The next time you want to get some sun, why not consider the country that has a "sun" in its name? - you will not be disappointed! You will be looking to go back there anytime you can - dare I say, annually perhaps ;)