A trip to the beach is easy with little kids. Pack sunscreen, a bucket and shovel and let kids play till they can’t play anymore. Teens, not so much. A day or two on the beach, maybe, but they aren’t likely to find building sand castles for a week as entertaining as little ones do. […]
Complete Outer Banks Vacation Planner: Sun, sand, and sea (and more to explore!)
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a popular vacation destination for families who want to enjoy sun, sand and sea. A successful vacation takes just a bit planning, though. This guide walks you through everything you need to plan a wonderful Outer Banks vacation. We’ll cover: Outer Banks accommodations, OBX attractions in each region […]
Complete guide to the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
If you’re a regular reader (and I hope you are!!!), you know I’m a big fan of Alabama’s Beaches. As a regular visitor, I get to try new restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach every time I go. I have collected a few favorites along the way, the very best restaurants in Orange Beach, […]
19 top bloggers share the best romantic getaways in the United States
Kids, pets, work, home repairs, bills, taxes… the stresses of everyday life push in from every direction. We need a weekend away to relax and reconnect with the one person who means the most to us. For our 20th anniversary, Rob and I went to Disney without the kids, perfectly fun and carefree! And for […]
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 […]