Stupid random Monday morning comment: Did I ever tell you guys that I’m a jet freak? Don’t ask me why. One of my favorite memories EVER is when Kent & I and the kids were on a Lake Michigan beach once with our bible study friends and the Blue Angels went screaming by right overhead doing some practice runs. It makes me giddy just thinking about it again. (I tried starting a Facebook topic on that…I asked what YOU love that’s kind of weird…but it didn’t come out right over there and I sounded even more odd than I really am. So tell us here in the comments OR over there, is there something odd that YOU love?! UPDATE: wow, that ended up getting some interesting comments and made my little jet fetish seem pretty boring! You'll have to scroll down a bit to find that conversation.)
- Speaking of jets, I need your help, reader friends! It’s been years since we’ve taken a family vacation (besides weekend things) and this summer we’d like to fly to Colorado when we can work it in around Kal’s summer college classes. We want to go white water rafting, hike, visit Focus on the Family, etc. BUT, the only airfare I’ve found is at least $350 per person, so flights will be over $2000 for the six of us! That’s not setting well with us at all, obviously, and I feel like there’s got to be a way to get a better deal on flights, but I have no idea how. Do any of you have some good tips for getting affordable airfare?
OK, now I’ll get back to health or nutrition related scoop…
- Here are a couple sick Monsanto articles, and the first one especially bothers me since Kent & I had many miscarriages… Yes, this is about animal miscarriages, but it makes you wonder doesn’t it? Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Crops Contain Organism Causing Animal Miscarriages, Scientist Says. Here’s an excerpt from the next article: “If you want to avoid sugar, aspartame, trans-fats, MSG, or just about anything else, you read the label. If you want to avoid GMOs — genetically modified organisms — you're out of luck. They're not listed. You could, until now, simply buy organic foods, which by law can't contain more than 5 percent GMOs. Now, however, even that may not work.” Read the article: Why Aren’t GMO Foods Labeled?
- OK, I wasn’t going to add this one but I found it when getting those Monsanto links above, let me know what you think: Breast Milk Ice Cream Coming to London Shop. Weird, huh?!
- Hopefully Mercola’s peeps won’t jump all over me for posting this video like they did last time I mentioned him on my blog… Parents in Washington state, you’ll want to watch this!
- Thank you to Elaine for sending me this list of 8 known carcinogens to remove from your house. I didn’t know about a lot of this stuff.
- Have a great week!
Jon says
You may wish to check out the information concerning the security screening at airports. It’s not good. 🙁
Go to the Natural News website to find out what’s happening.
KitchenKop says
I have heard, and it’s creepy.
Michelle in Colorado says
On the flying to Colorado what airlines are you looking at? Southwest and Froniter tend to have the best prices but you have to go to their websites. Most likely you will not find anything under 250.
KitchenKop says
I’d be happy with $250! I looked again a bit ago and found much better rates out of Detroit…
Robin says
Hi Kelly-
I live out here and here are my thoughts-on flights to Denver, I assume you’ve been checking sites like kayak.com? And I would second checking into other nearby airports, like Chicago. I don’t think it’s so much flying into Denver that’s making it more expensive (we have a pretty large airport) as much as flying out of Michigan.
And I know it’s far, but what about driving? For 6 people, it would save a ton of money, and then you’d have your car with you already once you get out here and wouldn’t have to rent one. Especially if you’re wanting to see Focus on the Family (down in the Springs), get into the mountains, etc. that’s quite a bit of driving to get everywhere and you’ll want a car.
Let me know if you do decide to come-I’ve lived out here for about 13 years now and would be happy to answer any question you might have! Also, my husband and I have been doing some restaurant sleuthing in Denver the last year or so and have found some awesome local places that you would love (using a lot of local organic stuff), and I’d be happy to send you info on those as well!
KitchenKop says
You’re so sweet! I’d love to hear more about the restaurants when it gets closer. 🙂
On driving vs. flying…the thing is, it would take so much of our time off getting there. We may end up going that route though. One of our sons LOVES jets though, so we really wanted to fly, but if we can’t we can’t.
Kelly
Robin says
yes, I definitely understand about the long drive-my family lives in GA, and believe it or not, we’ve actually done that drive a couple times (about 24 hours!).
Also, just have to throw my two cents in here-most of the whitewater rafting is going to be to the west/southwest of Denver, which would work out well if you wanted to loop down thru Colorado Springs (i.e. Focus on the Family, and you could even swing by Garden of the Gods, Pike’s Peak if you like). There is great rafting in the Buena Vista area which is also gorgeous for hiking, etc.
If you wanted to head down the road just a little more, though, we recently made it to Crested Butte for the first time and LOVED it-the “wildflower capital of Colorado” and wow, it really was gorgeous-TONS of wildflowers everywhere and really green and beautiful, and Crested Butte was this super cute little town surround by the mountains. Maybe my favorite place we’ve been so far in Colorado.
Not to be giving unsolicited advice or anything…:-), just wasn’t sure if you’d been here before or had an idea yet where to go!
KitchenKop says
Hey, and that’s where Jenny lives! (Nourished Kitchen) 🙂
Robin says
Seems like a sign to me!! Also, forgot to mention before, but for your jet-loving son, you should definitely go by the Air Force Academy (also near Colorado Springs)-he’d love it!
KitchenKop says
Robin, that is a GREAT idea!!!!!!!!!! Can’t believe I didn’t think of this. Do you think we’ll get to see fighter jets take off?? If so, I am booking our tickets NOW!! 🙂
Robin says
Have no idea…I took my parents there years ago but that’s it. I would try calling or looking up online to find out about visitation, what you can see, etc, but you can certainly do that the same day you go to Focus on the Family.
Cindy Perez says
TUNNELS!!! Even now, after 36 years of marriage, my husband delights in honking the horn and saying, “It’s a tunnel, Honey!” every time we approach one. Once a little girl, always a little girl, I guess!
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
Wait, WHAT do you mean “organic foods can contain up to 5% GMO?!” That is NOT OKAY!! I hope you mean processed foods? And yes, I know that there is a problem with organic and non-organic fields cross-pollinating and such, but…UGH!!!!! I’m so tired of this.
KitchenKop says
That part of the post was a quote, not my words, unfortunately…
Liz Ferguson says
By the way, $350 isn’t a bad price for tickets to CO!
KitchenKop says
Not multiplied times six, though!
Liz Ferguson says
Hey Kel… regarding the flights to Colorado, in our experience it is always expensive to fly into Denver. I’ve never checked other airports though. Both my siblings and their families live out there, so we go fairly regularly. As stated above, purchasing tickets mid-week and flying midweek are typically more cost effective. Also, your best pricing will typically be within 9 – 12 weeks of your anticipated flights. It can be nervewracking trying to make plans leaving such a huge piece of those plans till last — also it can be very helpful to have flexible travel dates when searching for tickets. Lastly, check all different departure aiports, sometimes there are better deals out of Lansing, or Kalamazoo. The best way we’ve saved money though is to drive to Detroit and fly out from there. If you’re willing to drive to Detroit or Chicago, the savings is significant. Just make sure you don’t eat up your savings with the travel costs and parking. Hope you guys can work it out — Colorado is gorgeous!
KitchenKop says
Thanks for the tips, Liz! 🙂
Alexis says
I have to admit that I am a jet freak just like you 🙂 When I was growing up there used to be an observation area at Grand Rapids airport (a grassy pinic area) that my dad would take me and my sisters and I loved watching the airplanes take off!
Regarding airplane tickets, I have heard its cheaper to buy in the middle of the week. Otherwise the only suggestion is to marry an airline pilot and get free flying 🙂 I hope someone is able to help you out on this one!
KitchenKop says
Alexis, that picnic area is still there and I take the kids once or twice a summer! Last year we drove around the airport and popped into the airport fire station (one of our sons is a jet freak like me and our youngest is a fire truck freak!) and we ended up getting a tour – such a blast. 🙂
Jennifer says
The thing I love that’s weird? Car seats! Yeah, the contraptions that we strap our babies into to keep ’em safe in the car. Over 13 years now, I am just a huge sucker for new car seats. If I see a correctly-used rear-facing convertible seat, I actually TEAR UP. I actually used this weird love to train as a Child Passengeer Safety Technician, and volunteer in my spare time to teach people how to correctly restrain their kids (surprisingly, at least 95% of kids under 10 years old are not safely buckled in the car!)
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
I love seeing it too. 🙂 I’m not a CPST, just a safety freak! We only turned my oldest right before her 3rd birthday. Most of her friends’ parents said the usual: “Wouldn’t she break her legs? That can’t be comfortable.” Sigh. When she weighed over 30 lbs. and was about 3 and started to ask to be turned a lot, we felt comfortable doing so. But she’ll stay in that 5-pt. harness LONG after most of her friends are in boosters! It drives me nuts that many parents just don’t know….
KitchenKop says
Jennifer,
That’s how I first met you! I love driving away from those car seat safety events because it feels SO good knowing my kids are as safe as possible. I don’t tear up over it, though! 🙂
Kel