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Amy Packer

Amy Packer

Living in: Chattanooga, United States Read more🇺🇸Chattanooga
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    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      Finally got our quintessential NY diner breakfast!
      Holden loved all the exhibits.Finally found Dum Dum!This brachiosaurus was huge, stretched clear into the other room.Holden finally found Rexy!...and Everett finally did, too.So much of the museum is old, classic architecture but I loved this new section.Giant geode for my rock loving kid.This blue whale replica was incredible in size and detail.E propping the whale up.Finally found Teddy.Moynihan Train Station is really lovely and bright.Pikachu making his first train ride with Holden.

      NYC - Last Day & Natural History Museum

      July 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

      After the late night at the play, we had a slow start to our last morning in NYC, but we made the most of it, starting off with a perfect diner breakfast.

      From there we headed up to the American Museum of Natural History across from Central Park. The boys have watched all of the NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM movies, so had high expectations for this stop. Alas, they both lamented, "this looks NOTHING like the movie!" Despite that, they both had a great time exploring the museum. Holden was especially booked right from the git go, spending at least 30 min in the reptile room and only seeing half of it before Nate finally got him to move on. The boys enjoyed seeing some of the artifacts/replicas that are characters in the movie along with loads more. Safe to say that Holden, especially, would be happy to go back and explore other areas again and again. I especially liked the Central/South and NW Americas sections.

      Once we finished up at the museum we headed back to Hell's Kitchen for lunch, hugged Heather and Robbie goodbye and made our way to the train station to make our way back to DC.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      Little Island rising up from the river.
      Can you tell that Holden had a chocolate popsicle?Summer flowers showing off against the cityscape.One of my favorite travel buddies.The Lyric Theater was so beautiful.So many fun Hogwarts photo ops.Arrived at Harry Potter!They were excited to see how to dial "an old fashioned" phone.Holden is in Griffindor.E's a Hufflepuff.Waiting for the show to start.1Family Hogwarts selfie.Baby's first Butterbeer. It's basically sparkling butterscotch. Glad someone liked it.

      Day 4 - NYC - Park & Harry Potter

      July 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 93 °F

      After some downtime, we made our way down to The Little Island on the Hudson. Little Island was developed on the remnants of an old pier and has an amphitheater and loads of native plants. It's a beautifully designed park not far from the Highline. The boys complained about how there are buildings everywhere in NYC, but this was a great chance to show them how the city creates green spaces. It was still hot, but the breeze from the river felt amazing. We also found popsicles that helped cool us down.

      No trip to NYC is complete without a show, and this trip we joined the masses at Harry Potter & The Cursed Child at The Lyric Theater. It was a fantastic production with a solid story and incredible special effects. I will be wondering how they did some of the special effects for a long time. The boys really loved it.

      The production was 3.5 hours long, so we weren't heading back to the hotel until almost 11. As we walked back, E was most astounded that so many people were still out and so many shops and restaurants were still open. He now knows what it means by "The city that never sleeps."

      After over 19,000+ steps, we all collapsed into bed to rest up for our last day in the city.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      E in heaven.
      E at the Manchester City Football Club store, and you know he spent some of his money there!It is appropriate that E wanted his pic at 30 Rock given how much I watched that w/him as a newborn.Holden couldn't resist photo bombing.Swarovski Crystals has Avengers. Why was I surprised?St. Patrick's sure was pretty while we briefly waited to get into the LEGO Store.This store was 9 year old boy Nirvana.Delighted to finally find the Eiffel Tower in NYC 😆Hulk Smash on the bench.This car took well over 500 million bricks to create.Dolly Varden near our hotel.Pizza & Pepsi.

      Day 4 NYC - The Shops

      July 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 91 °F

      After the Empire State Building, the boys felt their hard-earned chore money burning a hole in their pockets, so we started making our way to the LEGO Store, unsurprisingly we got sidetracked along the way.

      We came around a corner and E's eyes nearly bugged out of his head and he made a beeline when he saw the Manchester City Football Club store. This summer has been full of soccer - the Euros, Copa - so he was stoked to find this shop.

      I was delighted that he made us go in because that store had the most amazing air conditioning in the entire city. We managed to schedule this trip during an NYC heatwave. It was definitely hot, not quite as oppressive as we are used to, but still steamy & sweaty. Walking into that ice box of a store was absolutely divine. I joked with the doorman that having the best AC in the city must be part of the club's marketing to get Americans into futból.

      We meandered a bit more, stumbling onto Rockefeller Plaza & Radio City Music Hall. Eventually we found the LEGO Store. I didn't really see the allure of the store but was fine to go there for the boys. But walking in was like walking into a fantasy land, it was such fun. I'm very happy to report that their prices were reasonable so the boys dropped more of their chore money there.

      We finished up the morning by meeting Heather for lunch - the best slice in NYC, as multiple people told us.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      Fruity Pebble Pancakes so sweet E could only handle a few bites.
      Times SquareLoads of models during our tour.Of course this is the one my little climber wanted a pic with.Made it to the 86th floor. Holden wanted to find shade.Finally found the shade and a spot for a pic.Holden spent so much time and loved these viewers.

      Day 4 - NYC - Empire State & More

      July 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F

      When we started planning this trip we did it primarily to introduce the boys to NYC. Their big requests were to go up the Empire State Building (ESB - or as it jokingly became known as the Eiffel Tower when E flubbed the name of it one time), Times Square & the M&M store, to see the Statue of Liberty & go to Central Park. We knocked the last two out in our first days and since we finally had a day of clear blue skies, we made our way over to 34th St.

      Before we got to ESB, we did a quick detour through Times Square, which wasn't too bad at 930a. Thankfully they weren't terribly interested in exploring more of it, so we hopped on the subway to 34th St.

      I had been up to the top of the ESB one time when my Mom took me to NYC, but I discovered a lot had changed in the intervening 20 years. Instead of just cramming dozens of people into an elevator, now there's a whole museum and interactive element that was really well designed.

      Once at the top, Holden made the most out of every viewfinder he could get his hands on. We were able to make out some landmarks and got some fun pictures while at it.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      Hello, Ice Cream Museum
      Let's get this fever dream started.Subway theme room.Banana room of swinging bananas that they don't want anyone to touch.Scoop love..Climbing kids will burrow in for scoops.When loads of ice cream isn't enough, it's time to start on cotton candy.Bubble bowl.This was a lot of fun with lots of giggling and a very unsteady exit.Peak sugar high.They may have nearly OD'd the kids with sugar, but they provided plenty of ways for them to play .M&M Store visit in the books.Perfect drink and perfect time to catch up!The boys and Auntie Heather making the best of the sweltering subway.Dinner at Maison Pickle.Very reasonable portions.Double checking that we got the full 24 layers.Pickles visits Maison Pickle.

      Day 3 - NYC (pt. 2)

      July 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

      After filling up in some great Chinese food for lunch we made our way over to one of the places that Holden was most excited about: The Ice Cream Museum.

      Let's be clear. The Ice Cream Museum is light on the museum aspect, medium on the ice cream samples, but mega heavy on Sugar-fueled pink-fever-dream fun. Samples of ice cream abounded in a variety of different themed rooms. I personally love that right after the cotton candy room, the kids spilled into an indoor playground that would do well in Candyland.

      At one point Holden said, "I am SO happy we came here. It's probably all the sugar that's making me so happy." Truer words were never spoken.

      After the long morning of sightseeing and afternoon sugar rush we headed back to the hotel to crash, but not before getting sidetracked by the M&M Store. This was top on the boys' must-do list.

      While Nate & the boys rested, I met Heather for a drink and we had some time to catch up one on one. Then we set out to meet the boys for dinner on the Upper West Side at Maison Pickle. Heather mentioned that they had the best French Dips and the boys were stoked to try, and also the 24-later cake that we couldn't even finish between the 6 of us.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      9/11 Memorial
      Stumbled into the Oculus. What a weird subway station/mall.Sea glass carousel ride.Us & Lady Liberty.Is a pull-up competition on the subway grounds for getting kicked out of town?Lunch companion.Street buy that Holder. Could not refuse.

      Day 3 - NYC (pt 1)

      July 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

      We went hard on our first full day in NYC. First stop after bagels & muffins was at the 9/11 Memorial. The boys both have some general knowledge about what happened on 9/11, but it was a different experience for all of us being there and trying to explain what happened to these kids who weren't even born for over a decade after the attacks occurred. This was my second visit to the memorial and it remains a sacred and truly moving place to stop and remember, or as we were doing today, educating our kids about what happened.

      After the Memorial, we got lost in the Oculus for a while before finally finding our subway stop. From there we made our way to The Battery where we checked out the sea glass carousel and hopped on the Staten Island Ferry to catch some glimpses of the Statue of Liberty.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC

      Day 2 (pt 2) - NYC

      July 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

      From the train it was a straight shot up the subway to our hotel in Hell's Kitchen. We chose this spot for a few reasons - 1) close to Heather & Robbie's apartment, 2) close to Times Square & Central Park, both priorities for the boys, and 3) most importantly it's the only hotel I could find remotely within our budget that has rooms with 2 queen size beds - functional sleep is paramount for a happy Packers!

      We checked in and promptly headed back out and up to Heather & Rob's apartment a few blocks away. I didn't realize it had been over 2 years since we had last seen them at their wedding. It's safe to say the boys have gotten a smidgen bigger since our last reunion. The boys also loved playing with their cats and bonus dog.

      We headed up to Central Park with Heather & Rob and of course E made a beeline for the Central Park boulders while Holden scouted the nearest food truck. We meandered about the park and wound up at the bar at Tavern on the Green where we shared some drinks & apps before saying our goodbyes and hopping back on the subway to meet one of Nate's best beds from college, Jon & his family at their apartment in Soho.

      Nate & Jon made the plan for us to meet there so they could watch the Copa America's Championship game. Argentina played Columbia and E sported his Messi jersey all day in preparation for the game. He did start getting a little nervous on the subway when he started getting unexpected - but good natured - attention from Columbian fans in their jerseys. He was relieved when they finally started walking in a different direction from us. There were LOADS of Columbian fans on the streets.

      Jon's family welcomed us with open arms and we had a wonderful time catching up with them as the kids made fast friends. Jon also took us downstairs to his store's listening room which was a cool experience. It's a fully sound-proofed room that is slightly disorienting in its extreme quietness amidst the loudness of the city.

      We finally headed home after 11p and we fulfilled Holden's NYC bucket list wish to ride in a NYC taxi cab.

      Solid start to our first day in the city.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC

      Day 2 (pt 1) DC → NYC

      July 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

      We started the morning off in DC. Since we had about 30 min to kill before heading to Union Station and it was a lazy Sunday morning with virtually no traffic, we drove through downtown DC on a mini-tour. The boys were excited to catch glimpses of the Washington Monument, White House, Capitol, Supreme Court and the legions of Smithsonians and as Holden said, "all those white buildings made with all that granite." It was a nice detour to whet our appetites for our official DC stops later in the week.

      We easily made it to the station and onto our train. Yesterday it took us 9 hours of driving and only went through 2 states. This train ride was less than 4 hours and we'll traipse through 5 states, all of them new ones for the boys.

      My favorite moment was when the train started coming into view of the NYC skyline. The boys lit up when they spotted 1 World Trade Center & the Empire State Building and Holdens eyes bugged out a few minutes later when I explained to him that yes, we were in a tunnel and that tunnel was going under the river.      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerSummer '24 NYC & DC
      We didn't find the ice cream. The ice cream found us.2Obligatory leaving town snap!

      Day 1 - Travel Day

      July 13, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F

      We hit the road for this trip on Saturday morning and made it to DC in time for dinner Saturday evening. Our hotel was in a great spot in Arlington. The boys played at a playground across the street from our hotel and in the pool for a while that night to get their energy out. And of course we got some ice cream at the park because what's a summer trip without daily ice cream?

      Tomorrow we hop on the train to NYC!      Read more

    • Amy PackerTravelerEl Potrero Chico, Mexico 2022
      About to head through the canyon on our way to El Arbolon.
      So surprised by this rich landscape.Panorama of this side of the valley.El Arbolon - Made it to the tree!These branches are mesmerizing.E leading a 5.7 route to kick off the climbing day.E working his way to the top of the 5.10d - the hardest climb he's ever done.Nate on his way up.Nate making it to the top of the 5.10dAnya hanging from the top of the 3rd pitch of the Bailey's climb.Everett and Steph on the wall.The boys loved that Papa came along on this trip with us.Post climb tacos!Holden loved this stray dog. He named it Handsome and El Dorado.This guy is the reason we made this trip!The whole crew!Great final day with our whole family.

      Day 6: EPC & El Arbolon

      December 31, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

      This day doubled as the last full day of our trip and New Years Eve! Dad and I began the day with a 5 mile roundtrip hike to El Arbolon, a tree that is thought to be at least 600 years old. Once we got through the canyon that makes up EPC, we were surprised to find such a verdant landscape. As we walked, we realized all this greenery was due to a mountain spring that provides water for the town. Things began to get more lush and shady as we drew closer to El Arbolon and crossed over a small creek. The tree itself has an enormous trunk and branches so thick they seem to defy gravity.

      We headed back and eventually met up with the climbing crew. Nate had picked out a section called Wonderwall that had tons of routes for both kids & their grownups. It was fun getting to watch everyone take on new challenges.

      We followed that up with tacos at Taco Locos and hung around until the rest of the crew left for their new accomodations. We went back to our house and enjoyed a few margaritas. We finished the evening with another delicious dinner at Leo's. Since it was NYE, they were prepping for a big party to ring in the new year. We enjoyed our dinner and left the partying to everyone else.

      Our last day was pretty perfect. Grateful to get to explore these new environments and do it with friends and family.      Read more

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