Adventures in Burlington, Vermont

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

We had a great time in MA and now it was time to start thinking about heading home.  Since we've never flown Space A from the states back to Rota we weren't really sure what route we were going to take.  We started looking online to see what flights were looking like leaving from Dover or Norfolk, and even Westover, MA, which was kind of a long shot.  Through a friend of Eric's, we found a C5 that was flying to Burlington, VT to get supplies and then flying direct to Rota.  This seemed perfect (and too good to be true) Burlington is only a 3.5 hour drive from where we were in MA.  Eric called the flight line and sure enough this flight was leaving on a Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.  We decided to take a gamble and go for it...C5's break down a lot so we were risking that.  We were also risking the flight being cancelled or just not taking Space A passengers because of hazardous material on board.  

On Wednesday morning we packed up, picked up a rental car and headed to Burlington.  We went to the flight line first thing to learn that the flight had already been delayed until Thursday morning at 7am.  No big deal, we got a room for the night and decided to take in some sights in Burlington.  At 3 a.m. that night the phone rang, the flight was delayed until Friday morning.  Okay...another night in Burlington and we were able to take in some more sights.  At this point we were also a little nervous...what if this flight never took off and here we are in Burlington, VT...not near any other place that could get us to Rota.  On Friday we arrived at the flight line at 7:45 a.m. for what was suppose to be a 9:45 a.m. flight.  We were delayed a little but finally took off at 11:30 a.m.  We were the only Space A passengers on the flight...so we had the plane to ourselves.  Eric says he finally took me on a private jet...somehow it didn't really feel like that.  We arrived in Rota around midnight Spain time.  

We took the tour and of
course sampled ice cream!

We ended up having a mini vacation in Burlington, VT.  We did all the touristy things in Burlington, ate some good food, went shopping and even took naps.  It was a perfect way to end our time in the states.  We were able to spend time together as a family before heading back to our life and routine in Spain.

So...what will Space A be like in December when we try to fly home for Christmas?  Who knows...we already have round trip commercial tickets and I am just fine with that!

First Space A Flight

For awhile now we have been talking about our trip back to MA in October.  The plan was to take a military flight to take advantage of the low cost...it's FREE!  Well, the time had finally come.  I was a little nervous about this trip since I have never flown Space A and was doing it for the first time without Eric and with two toddlers.

The main thing to remember when flying Space A is that you have to be flexible and patient.  I started trying to come home on a Tuesday and got on a flight on Friday.   I was really trying to get on a flight to somewhere in New England but had to settle for Dover, Delaware.  I boarded the plane with the kids at 8:00 p.m. Spain time and arrived in Dover at 5:00 a.m. Spain time (11:00 p.m. eastern time). The girls did great...they slept most of the time.  We flew on a C17, which means we sat in jump seats against the walls of the plane, there was cargo in the middle of the plane that was being transported (No pics to post because I'm not sure if we were allowed to take them).  The great thing about the C17 is that once in the air you don't have to stay in your seats.  I was able to make a bed for the kids on the floor so they went to sleep.  The downside is that it is really cold and really, really loud.  

Once in Dover I checked into a hotel...thanks to a really nice retired military couple for driving us to the hotel or I would have had to walk three miles with the kids at midnight with luggage and without a stroller...so again THANK YOU! Although we slept on the plane we all slept for a little while longer at the hotel.  The following morning I picked up the rental car for the last part of the trip...the drive to MA.  I have to say this was worse than the plane ride.  I was so tired and have never driven 7 hours with the kids by myself...even as I write this I don't know how I did it.  However, the kids were so good during the drive...they slept most of it and then kept themselves entertained with Leap Pads, iPad, coloring books and snacks.  I think the highlight of the trip was when Rebecca threw up all over herself while I was driving over the George Washington Bridge...too many snacks!

Finally at around 4:30 in the afternoon we arrived in Townsend, MA...I was so happy and grateful that we made it.  The kids were so good throughout the whole trip!  Although it was an almost 24 hour trip to get home the cost was about $200 compared to flying commercially, which would have cost $3000 or more.

Next up...the trip back...that included an impromptu mini vacation!

Lisbon, Portugal

Columbus Day weekend was the first long weekend where we felt adventurous enough to take a trip from Spain.  We decided on Lisbon, Portugal since it was drivable and we wouldn't have to deal with planes or trains.

We left Rota around 10:00 in the morning and arrived at 4:00 Lisbon time (they are one hour behind Spain).  I found this great apartment on homeaway.com to rent for the weekend.  It was 10 minutes outside the city with street parking and the cost for the whole weekend was what one night in a hotel would have been.  The great thing about the apartment was that the girls were able to sleep in a separate bedroom from us and their was a kitchen so we didn't have to eat out all the time.  The apartment also came with cable and wifi, hotels usually charge for wifi use, so that was another benefit.

Our first night we took a cab into the city center of Lisbon.  It cost 10 euro but was worth not having to worry about the car.  We ate a Portuguese restaurant that was okay and then found a Starbucks!  Yay...coffee that isn't the size of a shot!  We spent the rest of the time walking around and checking out the area.  The girls were in the stroller and pretty content since they had gelato and were pretty wiped out.

On our way up the mountain

View from the top of the Castle

The next day we ventured into Sintra.  It was a twenty minute drive and is known for its architecture, landscape and castles.  We parked in the center of town thinking this would be a good central location.  It was...unless you want to visit the Castle of the Moors...and walk there.  After pushing the stroller up steep hills the hills turned into stairs and Eric had to carry the stroller while I carried Lily and Rebecca walked.  The kids were troopers though and made it to the top.  The walk down was a little better because we took a different route that didn't involve stairs...still about a 5k walk down.  After our walk down we ate at a cute little restaurant then headed back to the apartment to take a nap!

Wiggling like fish!

The last full day in Portugal we took the kids to the aquarium.  It was huge and the kids really enjoyed it, especially the penguins.  After the aquarium we took a sky ride that both the kids loved and the views were beautiful.  After the aquarium we went to Belem, a little town a short walk from our apartment that is known for yummy custard pastries.  The place to get these pastries is called Pasteis de Belem.  We got some pastries and coffee (at Starbucks right next door) and enjoyed our snack while the girls napped in the stroller...Yay! 

The ride to and from Lisbon took about six hours and had its ups and downs.  The great things were that we hit no traffic, it seemed like whenever we took a road trip from D.C. we had to add at least two hours for traffic, and the drive was beautiful.  The not so great things were that we weren't sure where to pull off to eat, go the bathroom and gas up since we don't know the area or the language.  The other down was the girls were done being in the car after four hours!  

Off to start planning our next adventure!

Bike Riding and Churros

Eric biking...the kids are in the trailer.

Eric and I are lucky enough to live close enough to some restaurants and shops that we can get to easily by walking.  When we are feeling a little more adventurous we can take out the bikes and hop on the bike trail that is a few minutes away.  The bike trail is 5 minutes from our house and right on the beach.  A few weekends ago we took the kids out for a ride with the hopes of getting something to eat for breakfast along the way.  The Spanish don't actually eat breakfast like Americans.  A common spanish breakfast is toast with jam or ham and cheese.  Some kind of taste like grilled cheese, it's good but not what you would expect to eat for breakfast.  Another common spanish breakfast is churros...yummy...but not very good for you.

Rebecca and Lily eating churros

Our bike ride took us along the beach and then into downtown Puerto.  On the way to downtown we found a restaurant called La Ponderosa.  They have indoor or outdoor seating.  We sat outside near the bikes since we couldn't find a spot to lock then up.  It was very busy and the down side of sitting outside is that they were many people smoking (smoking isn't allowed in the restaurant). We even had to move seats once; don't sit near the main entrance to the restaurant because the people come out to smoke and then go back in.  We didn't have to order churros, the waiter brought them right to our table.  They were light, fluffy and crispy and were delicious on their own, even though I would have liked some chocolate to dip them in :).  We did order toast with cheese and tomato.  It wasn't as good as some that we have had.  The cheese wasn't melted and although the bread was good, it was kind of chewy and hard for the kids to eat.  Luckily they had churros to fill up on.

All in all I would that it was a great morning out.  We were able to enjoy a nice bike ride along the beach and get some breakfast too.  I'm not sure that we would go back to La Ponderosa for breakfast but will probably check it out for lunch, dinner or tapas.  

Dona Blanca and Casa Texas Mejico

A month after I arrived in Rota I was lucky enough to have one of my best friend's come visit.  Not only was she a huge help unpacking and making our new house feel like a home but she made it easy to explore the area without freaking out about driving in Spain or getting lost because I had someone to help me navigate.  

One of the first places we visited was Dona Blanca...it's only a 15 minute drive from Rota and it's free!  If you like history, especially ancient archaeological sites then this is a must place to visit.  It can easily be done in only an hour and with kids.  My oldest daughter came along and with a stroller it was easy to get around with her.  Dona Blanca is only open from 11:00 - 2:00. I would recommend going as early as you can.  We didn't get there until 1:00 and it was extremely hot.  You could even save this as an activity to do in the winter.  Before going make sure you check to see if they are open, I don't think they are open 7 days a week...we went on a Wednesday.

Rebecca at Donà Blanca

Me at Casa Texas Mejico

Because I have an amazing husband who is also a great dad Melissa and I were able to have a few dinners out on our own while he stayed home with the kids.  Since I am new to the area I haven't been to many places to eat and it's even harder to go out to eat with two toddlers.  We were in the mood for Mexican one night so after doing a quick search to see what was around we decided on Casa Texas Mejico in Rota.  We didn't have the kids with us, but it is definitely kid friendly.  I wouldn't say the food was awesome...it was okay.  It was a little blander than I think Mexican food should be.  I ordered the Enchiladas de queso con pollo and Melissa had Tacos crujientas, the tacos were definitely better, I would recommend asking for a side of salsa to add more flavor.  We also ordered strawberry margaritas, which you could skip...they didn't taste great and weren't worth the calories or price.  All in all I think that I would go back and give this restaurant another try if I were looking for a place to go with the kids.  I don't think I would pick this place for "date night".

Until next time.  Adios!