Okay, every winter you take off to the beach, with honey and kids, visit theme parks round the year or go skiing and snowshoeing in spring. Has anyone tried an off-the-beaten-path vacation with the children??
Very hew heads up, I guess. But I have some great ideas to do it off-beat with the kids. I want to share these with you all.
A Road Trip Instead: Yes, instead of hopping into the plane, we can drive to a fairly distant place and have fun all the way. We have such good superways. Many of us have done it before, I'm sure.
How about Oregon??: From July 13 through July 31, Hood River, Oregon, is hosting the Gorge Games. If you have teeny boppers at home, you can give it a go. It's an extreme sports fest, which means, the teens will have a blast. If they love kayaking, windsurfing, wake-boarding...they won't be disappointed. Also, you can check out the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, held around the same time. Culture and adventure...two shots at one go!
Put up your camp in the Zoo!: Right! These days, many zoos around are promoting sleepover programs. Meet the animals by day and sleep under the stars at night. Sounds like off-beat, no??
Enough of World History!: Of course! Let them read about world history in books. Why not take them on walk through the history of your own family? Take them to those places where you spent yoour childhood, or where your parents grew up. The old neighborhod always brings back sweet memories of the years gone by.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Roughing it up with the Family!!
When I was seven years old, I remember going out on a spring-break camping with Mom, Dad, some of my cousins, uncles, aunts...It was a big group and we had tons of fun.
We all long for the good times to pass by us. But did we ever realize that we can usher in plenty of fun moments anytime we go out on a vacation??
Yes! When we go out on a wilderness campaign with the kids, there are certain things that we have to bear in mind. It's important to introduce them to the joy of nature, but it's very difficulot when the kids are mere toddlers. You might not take a vacation at all, or you might want to call off the vacation midway. It's not easy, especially when they're still crawling.
Let's take a sneak peek at the 'to do' and 'not to do' list.
Gearing up
The destination has to be at a reasonable distance from home — you know how long your child can sit in the car. Consider things like drive time, arriving at your destination long before dark. You gotta pack carefully, and even excessively. We don't know whether there are grocery stores near the campsite.
Lodging
I bet, campgrounds with amenities like flush toilets and potable running water, or rent a room or cabin should be the first choice. There are many national parks, which have kid-friendly resorts. There are others that rent small cabins, while there are motels sprawling around many of them.
Don't forget the Weather Gods
Rain can be fun, but it can be a spoil sport too. We don't want to sing the song in the last moment. It's always good to bring the rain gear. Plus, in mountains, the temperatures vary wildly. What to do?? Dressing up the children in layers is very protective. My parents did the same when we went out.
Observing the Kids' Behavior
We know our child more than anyone else. A change of routines can either be amusing or upsetting for them. So, we plan accordingly. We might want to mimic the normal schedule while camping. Don't forget their special toys.
I think this can be a good primer for family vacationers, no? A rough guide, indeed!
We all long for the good times to pass by us. But did we ever realize that we can usher in plenty of fun moments anytime we go out on a vacation??
Yes! When we go out on a wilderness campaign with the kids, there are certain things that we have to bear in mind. It's important to introduce them to the joy of nature, but it's very difficulot when the kids are mere toddlers. You might not take a vacation at all, or you might want to call off the vacation midway. It's not easy, especially when they're still crawling.
Let's take a sneak peek at the 'to do' and 'not to do' list.
Gearing up
The destination has to be at a reasonable distance from home — you know how long your child can sit in the car. Consider things like drive time, arriving at your destination long before dark. You gotta pack carefully, and even excessively. We don't know whether there are grocery stores near the campsite.
Lodging
I bet, campgrounds with amenities like flush toilets and potable running water, or rent a room or cabin should be the first choice. There are many national parks, which have kid-friendly resorts. There are others that rent small cabins, while there are motels sprawling around many of them.
Don't forget the Weather Gods
Rain can be fun, but it can be a spoil sport too. We don't want to sing the song in the last moment. It's always good to bring the rain gear. Plus, in mountains, the temperatures vary wildly. What to do?? Dressing up the children in layers is very protective. My parents did the same when we went out.
Observing the Kids' Behavior
We know our child more than anyone else. A change of routines can either be amusing or upsetting for them. So, we plan accordingly. We might want to mimic the normal schedule while camping. Don't forget their special toys.
I think this can be a good primer for family vacationers, no? A rough guide, indeed!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Cheap Vacations all the Way!
Hello, today I found a new blog, publishing a special series on Spring Airline Travel. Flabbergasting! The fares seem very low. It has some pretty good tips for honeymooners and couples traveling to the Caribbean.
It seems to me that the entire Caribbean is on SALE! It looks very budget oriented. But can I book? Not this time, Not again! I've been running low on cash recently. Whatever I stashed up last year is there somewhere making rounds in Rio de Janeiro. I spent up everything in the Carnival. Can CheapoAir do me a favor? Why not start a debit/credit program for me? I can't travel even with cheap airfares!
It's been 7 years since I slept on a hammock while sipping cocktail. The kids are going into the teens two years from now. I guess, that's going to be my time. A welcome-to-the-teens treat for my kids ain't a bad idea!!
FYI, the blog which I've been talking about all the while goes here:
http://cheapairlineflights.blogspot.com/
All my best for those who're taking off for a vacation this spring!
It seems to me that the entire Caribbean is on SALE! It looks very budget oriented. But can I book? Not this time, Not again! I've been running low on cash recently. Whatever I stashed up last year is there somewhere making rounds in Rio de Janeiro. I spent up everything in the Carnival. Can CheapoAir do me a favor? Why not start a debit/credit program for me? I can't travel even with cheap airfares!
It's been 7 years since I slept on a hammock while sipping cocktail. The kids are going into the teens two years from now. I guess, that's going to be my time. A welcome-to-the-teens treat for my kids ain't a bad idea!!
FYI, the blog which I've been talking about all the while goes here:
http://cheapairlineflights.blogspot.com/
All my best for those who're taking off for a vacation this spring!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Where are all the families heading to...
Omg!! Matt and his family too!! Most of my neighbors are going on vacations this spring. Spring-break fever. Ski getaways, and snowboarding is the buzzword in my locality. I've been hunting high and low. The kids are pestering for snowboarding. But my budget won't let me go anywhere. I'm just back from a familymoon; you know what I mean!.
Alice wanted to see the Rio Carnival. We'd been saving almost for seven months, until we had enough $$$ for airfares to Rio de Janeiro. I thought I'd join Steve's family at New Hampshire after we're back from the carnival. But it's not meant to be this time. I have to wait another year until I can take Sharon and Tim for snowboarding in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
Steve is my school time friend and the kids get really well along with his daughters. I know it'd have been fun. Even Matt and Jim took off to Waterville. But...
We have known Waterville as Mount Tecumseh family resort, long before it became fashionable. It's a low-key affair, but kid and teen-friendly programs go on year round. You know, it has three very impressive family features: a shuttle bus that runs between lodges, lifts and condos; a covered, hockey-size skating rink; and a massive fitness center with indoor pool. What else do we want??
Recently, it kicked off the snowboard program at Snow Mountain. It's the first snowboarders-only area in the East. There are rails, tabletops and quarter-pipes and half-pipes all the way. Next time, kids! I promise.
Alice wanted to see the Rio Carnival. We'd been saving almost for seven months, until we had enough $$$ for airfares to Rio de Janeiro. I thought I'd join Steve's family at New Hampshire after we're back from the carnival. But it's not meant to be this time. I have to wait another year until I can take Sharon and Tim for snowboarding in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.
Steve is my school time friend and the kids get really well along with his daughters. I know it'd have been fun. Even Matt and Jim took off to Waterville. But...
We have known Waterville as Mount Tecumseh family resort, long before it became fashionable. It's a low-key affair, but kid and teen-friendly programs go on year round. You know, it has three very impressive family features: a shuttle bus that runs between lodges, lifts and condos; a covered, hockey-size skating rink; and a massive fitness center with indoor pool. What else do we want??
Recently, it kicked off the snowboard program at Snow Mountain. It's the first snowboarders-only area in the East. There are rails, tabletops and quarter-pipes and half-pipes all the way. Next time, kids! I promise.
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