Cody Tolmasoff

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About Cody Tolmasoff
Cody is a solo-parent-adventurer who regularly takes his two daughters all over the San Francisco Bay Area for weekend expeditions. A San Francisco native, he uses his life-long experience to keep trips fresh and new, researching new ideas, and always looking for the best options for walks, hiking, biking, climbing, and camping all around the Bay Area and beyond.
Sharing ideas for adventures with other parents and families has become a passion and the motivation behind writing these books.
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Blog postFree 1-page printable
EXPERIENCE SAN FRANCISCO LIKE A LOCALSan Francisco’s Wave OrganA quirky memorable spot, a perfect place to take out-of-town visitors2 years ago Read more -
Blog postPhoto by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
As a new writer, with a new fiction book series, social proof is one of the most valuable things in my toolbox to encourage future sales.
Reading reviews or comments from other readers who have enjoyed the
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postPhoto by Aldric RIVAT on Unsplash
In this book, we are introduced to a character named Sophie. She’s a distant relative (through marriage) and is in a desperate situation when she encounters the girls.
Sophie is the younger sister of Anna Da
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postPhoto by Joe deSousa on Unsplash
A couple of years ago, my youngest daughter was getting ready to take a trip with her mom to Paris, arriving on New Year’s Eve. We had spent the evening talking about her trip, and as it got close to bedtime,
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postPhoto by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash
A little over 25 years ago I went backpacking through Europe with my sister. We each had one of those thick paperback (think small phonebook) European travel guides with details on hostels and hotels, quirky
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Blog postSeparated on the Paris MetroBook 2 of the Poppy-Dahlia Adventure Series Book 2 of the Poppy-Dahlia Adventure series is here! Follow Anna Dahlia and Zoe along with their cousin Thibault for a trip to Paris.
Their parents planned a Sprin
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe Poppy-Dahlia Adventure series isn’t your average read. One story, written as two books, told from each sister’s perspective.
In the first book, you will read the story from Anna Dahlia’s point of view. Then, continue with the second book to increase comprehension, add extra details, and story variations with the same story seen from her sister Zoe’s viewpoint.
Reading a book twice can dramatically increase reader comprehension. However, encouraging readers to read a story2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe Poppy-Dahlia Adventure series isn’t your average read. One story, written as two books, told from each sister’s perspective.
In the first book, you will read the story from Anna Dahlia’s point of view. Then, continue with the second book to increase comprehension, add extra details, and story variations with the same story seen from her sister Zoe’s viewpoint.
Reading a book twice can dramatically increase reader comprehension. However, encouraging readers to read a story2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe Poppy-Dahlia Adventure series isn’t your average read. One story, written as two books, told from each sister’s perspective.
In the first book, you will read the story from Anna Dahlia’s point of view. Then, continue with the second book to increase comprehension, add extra details, and story variations with the same story seen from her sister Zoe’s viewpoint.
Reading a book twice can dramatically increase reader comprehension. However, encouraging readers to read a story2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe Poppy-Dahlia Adventure series isn’t your average read. One story, written as two books, told from each sister’s perspective.
In the first book, you will read the story from Anna Dahlia’s point of view. Then, continue with the second book to increase comprehension, add extra details, and story variations with the same story seen from her sister Zoe’s viewpoint.
Reading a book twice can dramatically increase reader comprehension. However, encouraging readers to read a story2 years ago Read more -
Blog postPoppy-Dahlia Adventures Primarily aimed at middle-grade readers, these stories empower kids (especially girls) to embrace travel and see the thought process behind the decision-making process that drives adventure.
The story centers around Anna Dahlia and Zoe Coquelicot. Anna Dahlia is a 6th gra
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postWalk the Panhandle, Play at Children's Playground, and ride the Carousel This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postBike JFK Drive (closed to cars on Sundays), hike to the top of Rainbow Falls, and stroll around the rose garden. This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postGet your free 1-page printable!
Stroll around the Music Concourse, visit the Japanese Tea Garden, tour the free areas of the de Young Museum, and visit the Shakespeare Garden. This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings arou
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postStroll around Stow Lake, hike to the top of Strawberry Hill, paddle a boat around Stow Lake. This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postStroll along the Great Highway from Golden Gate Park, visit the Camera Obscura, learn some history about the Cliff House. This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postRent Archery Equipment in the Richmond District and head over to the park to discover your inner Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen! This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postEnjoy the model boats at Spreckels Lake, hike around the Bison Paddock, Walk around North Lake, and visit the Fly Casting Pools This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postStroll through Speedway Meadows, cross the Polo Fields, visit the Portals of the Past at Lloyd Lake, and climb to the top of Rainbow Falls This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postPicnic at the Dutch Windmill, sip (root) beer at the Beach Chalet, hike around to the Murphy Windmill, and play at the Blue Boat Playground. This is part of a series of family-oriented day trip outings around the San Francisco Bay Area I look forward to enjoying with my kids once social distancing and shelter in place isn’t the norm any longer.
2 years ago Read more
Titles By Cody Tolmasoff
Immediately, Zoe saw the stress in Anna Dahlia’s eyes.
Now, lost at dusk without a flashlight, this weekend trip to Pinnacles National Park was much more than either of them had expected.
Caves, tarantulas, bats, lizards, feral pigs. Now, which way to the campsite?
Follow Anna Dahlia and her younger sister Zoe as they go on a surprise weekend camping trip with their father and some family friends for an unforgettable adventure.
Reading a book twice can dramatically improve reading comprehension for older elementary school and younger middle school students. Convincing your child to read a book twice is a lot to ask.
Why not make it interesting?
Included in this title are two complete books and some helpful bonus content. Read the first story from Anna Dahlia’s perspective, then read the second story from Zoe’s point of view for added details. 2 books in 1!
Enjoy either story on its own, or read them together for a more complete version.
Enjoy the bonus material and encourage a love for adventure by reading letters between the characters as they plan future trips. Caregivers will appreciate story summaries and reader questions too!
And keep an eye out for the next book in the series:
Separated on the Paris Metro
Anna Dahlia pounded on the door of the Metro car to let her in, but the train lurched forward and pulled away from the station.
She glimpsed a sudden look of alarm on the faces of her younger sister and cousin on the other side of the glass and yelled, “go to Thibault’s house!” Then stood there watching helplessly as the train disappeared into the tunnel.
Twelve-year-old Anna Dahlia wanted to prove her independence and show how responsible she could be on a family vacation to Paris. She never thought it would be this hard.
While boarding a connecting train on the Paris Metro, her purse gets snatched. To make matters worse, it had a valuable family heirloom inside.
Left without directions, phone, or wallet, and no one around to help; will she
- Avoid a panic attack?
- Find someone to help her?
- Make her way to her cousin’s house?
- Locate her sister and cousin, or can they manage on their own?
This wasn’t the vacation she expected.
★★★★★
Two Books in one, with useful additional bonus material for your next trip to Paris!
Reading a book twice can dramatically improve reading comprehension for older elementary school and younger middle school students. Convincing your child to read a book twice is a lot to ask.
Why not make it interesting?
Read the story from Anna Dahlia’s point of view, then experience the same story from Zoe’s perspective with additional details and story variations.
Enjoy the bonus material and encourage a love for adventure with a basic French vocabulary, itineraries from various characters, and character biographies. Caregivers will appreciate story summaries and reader questions too!
Get great ideas for your next family trip to Paris!
"What are we doing this weekend?"
Your child asks this simple question, but you have no idea.
"We can use our membership at that science museum," you answer to a frown.
"Again?!"
Weekends used to be great.
An easy day out to the playground, a trip to the kids museum...
...but now your kids want more.
What new and interesting adventure can you put together at the drop of a hat?
San Francisco is full of wondrous places to go, but you are drawing a blank.
What do you do?
"Let’s go to Golden Gate Park?"
You find that spark of an idea, but what do you choose, where do you go, what are the parking options, and how do you make it interesting?
Generations of San Franciscan’s have delighted in what Golden Gate Park contains.
Reclaimed from the sand dunes, west of San Francisco’s city limits 150 years ago in an area called the Outside Lands, San Francisco undertook a massive project of turning 1000 acres of land into a spectacular park that would reach all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Have you ever wondered
- Why are there two windmills at the west end of the park?
- Where did all the lakes come from? Are they all man made?
- Where are the relics from the 1906 earthquake?
- Did the Polo Fields ever host a Polo match?
- Are they buffalo or bison, what’s the difference?
- Who sails all the tiny boats?
- Do the fly fishing anglers catch any fish in the park?
- Are there old rail lines in the park?
- Is there a place to practice archery in the park?
- Where can I get a freshly made (root) beer?
Or venture beyond the park and make your way to explore the ruins of Sutro Baths and imagine the swimming palace that burned down behind the Cliff House. Go up the hill a little further to explore the park that was once his estate and gardens. Venture out further and hike the former rail line kids from 100 years ago could ride for a nickel and delight in this cliff hugging trip followed by a day at Sutro's.
Explore several wondrous days out wandering the west end of Golden Gate Park with your family, learning a bit of history along the way.
Start creating memories you and your kids will cherish, get to know this city better than before.
This book will show you where to go and stories to share.
Get it now.
Where should we go this weekend?
Explore the east side of Golden Gate Park like you never have before. Read about its beginnings and see how the past has shaped the park into what we experience today!
Inside you’ll get details on 5 fantastic days out on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park. Each adventure includes two bonus locations to extend your trip, or give you ideas for another outing soon.
- What was the structure at the top of Strawberry Hill?
- Why was the Music Concourse built?
- Was the fortune cookie really invented at the Japanese Tea Garden?
- Where is the Dahlia Garden?
- Where are the prehistoric plants kept?
- How long has Children’s Playground been entertaining kids?
- What is it like inside the Conservatory of Flowers?
Sign up for our special mailing list at the back of the book to get your free bonus content, a series of printable pocket guides to take with you on your outings.
Now that we have more opportunity to spend more time outside, where are you planning to go?
♥ This book is the answer to: “where should we go this weekend?”
...easy enough, or so you thought!
Maybe you had such a great day at the zoo, you got a yearly membership. Now how often can you go? Once a month, once every two months?
What about all the other weekends and holidays? How do you create regular weekend adventures to motivate your kids, to spark their wanderlust, and want to explore and engage with the world around?
Adventuring is a practice, much like yoga or your favorite sport. You can’t expect to do it occasionally and be successful at it.
Through regular weekend day trips, your world can open up. You can engage with local history, summit a nearby hill and enjoy an incredible view, spark curiosity at a science museum, and create a wanderlust for the world around us.
We had a great day planned...
...but leaving the house was so much trouble!
Leaving the house prepared for your adventure doesn’t sound that hard. With a little planning, you can leave the house without feeling exhausted.
Starting the day successfully can set the tone for the entire day. Fighting your way out of the house can create failure and stress that can ruin your adventure.
How do you want to start the day?
I want to take my kids to cool places...
...but, how do I keep my sanity along the way?
Remember when getting in the car to go somewhere was exciting, even though all you had was an AM radio and each other for entertainment? Getting there can be half the fun if you keep your family engaged during the journey, and not lost in their devices.
- When was the last time you played punch bug?
- Set up a playlist with your kids.
- Have you tried out an audiobook or a podcast with your kids?
- What about a best of 80s music playlist, give the kids a music history lesson?
Make the journey part of the adventure!
I planned a day trip and managed to get there...
...but now everyone is falling apart, and I just want to go home!
It can be hard to stay engaged with your adventure. We all get bored, tired, and hungry. If we know the problem points to look for, we can handle them before they become real issues.
Learn to recognize potential problems with your kids, and with yourself, before they become actual issues. Learn how to diffuse a situation in stages and still feel like a successful parent and adventurer. Sometimes a slight change in venue or a little downtime is all you need to turn things around.
We had a great day out, but...
...getting home was such a nightmare, how do I successfully end the day!?
A day can go so well, that you never want it to end. But then you face exhaustion, hunger, and bedtime routines. How do we make this better?
Even the most successful day out can feel like a failure when it ends with a bedtime meltdown, and this goes for parents too! We all have our occasional moments.
With a little preparation, we can have a successful end to our amazing adventures. Are you looking forward to your next day out?
Develop strategies for a successful adventuring practice. This book will help you get organized so you can create amazing memories with your kids on regular weekend day trips.
Get ready for your next adventure.