For months, I looked forward to a December trip to Dallas, Texas and the warm, sunny temperatures sure to greet me. As luck (bad luck is luck too) would have it, the Dallas area got walloped by a fierce ice storm that shut down the airport, the mall, restaurants and — well — the whole […]
7 Outstanding ideas for a romantic getaway in 2019
The ability to travel with ease has allowed us to come up with creative, romantic getaways. For newlywed couples, this means more exciting beginnings that go beyond just lying on a hammock in Hawaii or having a romantic dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower. For couples celebrating milestones, the same is true. Here are some of […]
5 reasons to visit Niagara Falls, NY
Ellie and I were hosted by the Niagara Falls CVB to learn about the area for purposes of writing these articles. All opinions are our own. Read my full disclosure policy here. To prepare Ellie for our trip to Niagara Falls, I showed her pictures of the falls. She thought they looked neat, but […]
Conquering fears: Take two!
A couple months ago, we went to a high ropes course close to home. Rob and Ellie attacked it with gusto. I looked at the first obstacle and froze. Totally. Chickened. Out! That kind of thing used to stop me in my tracks. Fear would keep me from trying new things. But, I’m a new […]
Visiting the whimsical gardens of Phipps Conservatory
This post contains links to products for which I might receive a small commission. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood (near the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon), has been entertaining visitors with world-class gardens since 1893. It has expanded through the years, most recently adding the LEED certified […]
High flying fun on the Xtreme Park ropes course
This post contains affiliate links for which I may earn a small commision. Every time I try a new adventure course, whether it’s a zip line or a ropes course, it seems that each one gets more challenging. That’s certainly the case with the ropes course at Xtreme Park Adventures, an adventure park near Durham, […]
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 for beginners is really […]
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 […]
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 to Play Day.” Doesn’t that sound […]
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, […]