Many years ago, I drove by Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham for the first time. I thought it strange that this obviously abandoned factory would be left there for all to see -- an eyesore to passersby and a strange way to make a first impression on people coming to this modern city now known as a hub of … [Read more...]
Safety tips: How to prepare for a hurricane
We had a bathroom toilet overflow during the night in March that caused $40,000 in damage to our house. It took almost six months to repair, completed just two weeks ago. Today, we are preparing for the onslaught of Hurricane Florence -- with my house in the direct path of the hurricane track. We … [Read more...]
Fall getaways: Why let summer have all the fun?
This is a sponsored post based on my personal experience with Ibotta. All opinions are mine. With fall travel season just around the corner and the stunning North Carolina mountains just a few hours away, I am saving up for a weekend getaway to a mountain cabin. My son requested a trip to the … [Read more...]
Hiking 101: Hiking for beginners on a budget
Day hiking for beginners -- it might seem a bit intimidating. Visit an outdoor supply store, and it can be downright overwhelming: What are the best hiking clothes? Which are the best hiking boots for beginners? With all that gear, what is essential hiking gear for beginners? The truth is hiking … [Read more...]
Fun things for teens to do in Sandusky, Ohio… besides Cedar Point
We grew up in Ohio and made regular trips to Cedar Point in Sandusky. We never did anything else in Sandusky back then. But, living in North Carolina, I'm not driving all the way to Lake Erie without taking time to explore the area, not even for the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World!" We … [Read more...]
Family Travel Guide: Washington, DC with kids
I've always considered big city vacations to be pricey. Hotel space is in high demand, so room rates tend to be high. Restaurants, attractions, parking -- they all add up. But, I have found that visiting Washington, DC on a budget is easier than you might think. In fact, it's downright easy to take … [Read more...]
Feel like a kid again!
You've heard of "take your child to work day," right? What if we flip that upside down -- and let the kids show parents how to play again? That's exactly what the people at Discover Lehigh Valley and Crayola Experience decided to do this coming August 1st! They're calling it "Take Your Parent … [Read more...]
Cedar Point picks up speed, and not just on Steel Vengeance!
Growing up in Ohio, summer trips to Cedar Point with friends were a right of passage. We'd get up before sunrise and drive two hours for a day of thrills at the world's best roller coaster park. We would run through the park from coaster to coaster to ride as many as we could. Then, late at night, … [Read more...]
Best things to do in Put-In-Bay with teens
Travel with teens is not at all like family vacation with little kids. Teenagers have opinions and interests of their own. And that changes things! A successful trip with teens starts with involving them in the vacation planning from the beginning. Do stuff they like -- and they'll be happy to do … [Read more...]
Kings Island Theme Park: Your 411 for fun!
We kicked off our summer vacation to Ohio with a fabulous day at Kings Island theme park. Roller coaster fans know the park and its historic coasters, "The Beast" and "The Racer." For our adventure loving family, there was absolutely no better way to start our summer! After reading through the … [Read more...]
