My Travel eVentures

Family Car Trip Across the South

2008-07-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a great family car trip across the South. We went through seven states in seven days. The highlights of our trip were stops in Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, Asheville, Atlanta, and New Orleans.

We hit the road at 5:00 a.m. on a Thursday morning. It's amazing how a long car trip to a vacation destination doesn't seem as long as the trip back! We pulled into the Holiday Inn Chattagnooga Choo-Choo hotel a little after 9:00 p.m. The Choo-Choo is a historic hotel in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's really a complex of building including an old train station which houses the front desk and restuarants. There are 3 buildings on the property that appear to be built at different time periods as hotel rooms. Each building has its own swimming pool. I was a bit concerned about staying here after reading several negative reviews on the Internet, but it turned out to be a great experience. Some people complained about a musty smell when you walk into the hotel lobby. The building is old and probably needs renovating, but it is beautiful and historic. The smell does hit you upon entering the lobby, but quickly fades away. I suppose it's a matter of perspective. The man who checked us in was great. He gave me coupons, advised me of places to eat, and gave me directions and maps to the places we wanted to visit. He even called our room each day to make sure we were happy. Customer service was 100% top notch.

Another concern I had about the the Choo-Choo was also based on online reviews. A number of people claimed the hotel rooms were dirty. The front desk told me our rooms were recently renovated. The room was nice (standard room with two double beds, non-smoking), and very clean. Each day the room was cleaned thoroughly by housekeeping. I have no complaints.

Since we came in late all of the hotel restuarants were closed. The front desk told us about a place down the road called City Cafe Diner (901 Carter StChattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 634-9191‎). The service was great, the food was good and reasonably priced, but it was the enormous cakes that made our mouths water! They have dozens of 3 layer cakes in every flavor you can imagine. I tried the Strawberry Shortcake - delish... We went back one morning for breakfast, but it was too crowded, and we didn't want to spend our time waiting. They have an "atlas" of a menu - everything from breakfast to dinner.

Friday morning we spent some time exploring the hotel. We ate breakfast at the Garden Restuarant. I'm sorry to say I can't honestly recommend it. We had the breakfast buffet. It was a small buffet, the food was cold, and way over priced. We decided not to eat there again. Next we walked around the Choo-Choo complex. There are shops, a railroad museum, a trolley (you can take a ride around the complex), an old time photo studio, and an arcade. You could easily spend a day just hanging out at the hotel. Some of the areas of the building could handle some maintenance and renovation, but for the most part, the hotel is an fun place to stay, especially if you like staying at historical hotels. You can even elect to stay in an authentic train car!

After exploring the Choo-Choo we headed out to the Chattanooga River Walk. This area came about as a major revitalization effort on the part of Chattanoogans. We took the free shuttle bus next to the hotel down to the Tennesse Aquarium on the Chattagnooga Riverfront. We've been in a number of large aquariums, so we decided to skip this attraction. We did hear a number of people say it's a great aquarium. Next to the aquarium is the Chattanooga Visitor's Center, and outside of the aquarium is a built-in "stream" where children can splash around (or grown-ups can cool off their tired feet). We walked over to the Walnut Street Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, but due to time we decided not to walk across the bridge. We had a reservation for lunch on the Southern Belle Chattanooga Riverboat. Lunch was nothing to brag about (sandwich fixings, chips, cole slaw, cookies, and a drink), but it was a fun and relaxing trip down the river. The trip takes about an hour and a half. During the trip, the captain entertained the guests with stories and jokes.

One of the things he mentioned was that the Moon Pie factory was across the river. We asked a lady if they had tours. She said no, but they did have a gift shop. After we got off the riverboat we took the shuttle back to the hotel to get our car. We needed to make a trip to Walmart, and the Moon Pie factory was on the way. When we drove up to the Moon Pie factory, my husband was positive we would not find anything there, but I insisted we go in and see. We walked into a small lobby through the front door. There was a small glass case with a few souvenirs and a small display of Moon Pies. We waited behind a man who was buying three cases of Moon Pies. We thought we would buy a few Moon Pies and go, but we were delightfully surprised when we were told we could each have one of each flavor of Moon Pie for free! If you have never had a fresh Moon Pie, you are missing out on a real treat. They have four flavors: chocolate, banana, strawberry, and vanilla.

After our trip to the Moon Pie factory, we headed back to the hotel for a swim and dinner. Our section of the hotel (# 3) had the best pool with a hottub, waterfall, and smoothie bar. After drying off and changing clothes we headed over to the Station House for dinner. The price wasn't too bad when you consider you get an all you can eat shrimp and salad buffet with your entree. The food was okay, not terrible, but not to die for either. Our server was prompt and sweet, but the highlight of the evening was getting to see her sing on stage! All of the waitstaff at the Station House take a turn entertaining the guests in song. They are known as the singing servers. Eating at the Station House is a unique and fun experience. Couples will appreciate the candlelight atmosphere.

Originally I planned a day at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park, but after looking at the website, my son thought it looked lame, so we decided to skip it. After a relaxing day on the riverfront, my kids had a change of heart. They were ready for some thrills, so we decided to head down to Lake Winnie (the park's nickname). In order to get there you must take a little trip through the mountains. After passing several residential areas and crossing into Georgia (about a 20 minute drive), you might wonder if you will every find it, but don't worry, it's really there. We only had a couple of hours to explore the park before closing. We bought the kids unlimted ride passes and a few tickets for ourselves. The park was clean, the rides were fun, and the lines were short. Lake Winnie is definitely a fun, family park. As it turned out, we could have easily spent the day there.

On Saturday we drove to Lookout Mountain and spent the day visiting Ruby Falls, Rock City, and riding the Incline Railway. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and stable shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots). Expect to do a lot of walking and stair climbing. If you are sensitive to cold you might want to tie a light sweater around your waist. It can get a bit chilly walking through the caverns at Ruby Falls. I highly recommend taking a small ice chest with bottles of water. You will need the water and will save money bringing your own.

We began our journey at Ruby Falls. After you get your tickets (you can save a little money buying tickets for all three attractions together) and take a restroom break (you definitely want to go to the restroom before you begin your tour), you get in the tour line. You will take an elevator deep down into the caverns. Your tour guide will take you on a near mile long trek through the caverns, pointing out interesting features and telling you the fascinating story behind the falls. After your walk you will enter a large, open cavern with an amazing waterfall. The site is breathtaking and well worth the trip. Once you go back up you can grab a bite to eat and pick up a few souvenirs in the gift shop.

Our next stop was at the Incline Railway. The Incline Railway climbs the historic Lookout Mountain, and has the unique distinction of being the steepest passenger railway in the world. You can begin your journey at the top or bottom of the railway. Since we visited Ruby Falls first, we went up the mountain to the top of the railway. After passing through the gift shop and snack bar, we had to stand in line for quite awhile waiting for our turn. Once you board the train, you sit down and enjoy the mile long trek down the mountain. At the bottom of the track you must get off and get back in line to get on again. Before going back up the mountain, you can take in the gift shop, have an ice cream, or go across the street to Mr. T's Pizza and grab a bite to eat. The pizza was hot, fresh, and tasty. We got back in line to head back up the mountain when we lucked out and were offered the opportunity to pass everyone up and get on the train (since we were only going one way). There was a catch - we had to stand up! Try standing up in a train car on a mile steep climb up a mountain. I hope the man standing behind me forgave me for stepping on his toes.

I really didn't know what to expect when we got to Rock City. We were pleasantly surprised. We walked through beautiful gardens up the mountain and through Fatman's Squeeze (I was excited I made it through and only had to turn sideways slightly), across a swinging bridge (if only the kids in front of us didn't jump), and up several steps to a beautiful panoramic view of seven states. We took the opportunity to rest, grab something to drink, climb a rockwall, pan for gems, and take pictures before heading back down. The trip down was enchanting as we walked through a fairyland. We could have easily spent an entire day at Rock City.

We spent the evening enjoying the entertainment at Jukebox Junction. We had the pleasure of watching two variety shows with music, dance, and comedy: The Rock n' Roll Revue and Elwood Smooch's Choo-Choo Cha Boogie Show. We didn't realize we were getting two shows for the price of one until we got there. The talent was great and the shows were fun.

The next day we checked out of the Choo-Choo and headed down to Pigeon Forge to spend the day at Dollywood. We've been to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood once before. You can spend days in the Smoky Mountains shopping, seeing shows, going on outdoor adventures, being entertained, and eating pancakes (we decided it must be the pancake capital of the world since it has so many pancake houses). Dollywood is a great, family friendly theme park. You can't beat the cool mountain air, short lines, fun rides, and great shows for a reasonable price. Go after 3:00 p.m. and get the next day free. My bones are still shaking after riding the Thunderhead Roller Coaster.

After a great day at Dollywood we spent the night at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable. We skipped the free breakfast the next morning and chose to eat at the Red Rooster instead. You can't miss it. It's right on the Parkway and has a red roof. I had the pineapple upside down pancakes...yum.

On Monday we decided to take the scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains. We stopped at the Smoky Mountains National Park Visitor's Center before beginning our journey. If you are the outdoors type who loves camping and hiking, you will definitely want to spend time exploring these beautiful mountains. Our trip through the mountains was slow. We had to stop and take pictures! We ended up taking a lot more time than planned reaching North Carolina. By the time we made it to the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville it was 4:00 p.m. Asheville is more spread out than we imagined. The freeways are a bit confusing, so it took us extra time to find our way around. We planned a visit to Chimney Rock Park, but were afraid we didn't have time to get there. After checking into our hotel, we decided to go for it. We were told it would take us 45 minutes to an hour to get there. Since it was barely 20 miles away, we didn't quite believe it, well, not until we started going up the very curvy mountainside. We made it into the park before closing and head straight over to Chimney Rock. My husband and kids wanted to climb the steps up to the rock, but I knew I couldn't hang, so I took the elevator. I walked through a delightfully cold tunnel, pushed a button and waited for an attendant. We took a 30 second trip on an elevator carved out of the mountain. At the top I went through a gift shop and snack bar before heading out the glass doors to the rock. I had to climb 44 steps to the top, but the view was worth it. After waiting for about 15 minutes, my husband and kids appeared. They informed me I was the smart one taking the elevator. The climb up was a bit tough. We took pictures, ate a hotdog in the snack bar and then we went back down in the elevator. We only had an hour left before the park closed, but we decided to try and make it up the Hickory Nut Trail to the waterfall. About 10 minutes into our journey the rain came down in cold plops. We were soaked (and laughing) by the time we made it to our car. There are a number of trails and views at Chimney Rock Park. Hikers will want to make a day of it.

We were grateful to arrive back at our hotel. We were wet, cold, and hungry. The Crowne Plaza Resort is a beautiful hotel set in a scenic area and surrounded by a golf course. The room was well appointed and clean. My daughter quickly claimed the gift bag on the bed filled with lavendar spray, lotion, and an eyemask. After drying off we decided to go and find something to eat. The closest restuarants that were open were a Denny's and a Pizza Hut. We went to the Pizza Hut and enjoyed a rare hot pizza (we are so used to delivery).

After a great night's sleep we drove over to Biltmore. The "wow" factor doesn't begin to describe your first reaction when you lay eyes on the largest home in America. At 175,000 square feet, Biltmore is three times as large as the White House. The house itself covers 4 acres. The grounds are amazing. We chose to pay an extra $8 a person for the audio tour. The house goes on and on. It's hard to believe a family actually lived there. After the tour of the house we decided to eat lunch at the restuarant on the grounds. Unfortunately we paid dearly for a mediocre meal. We walked part of the gardens (you could spend a day in the gardens alone), and then headed over to the winery. Biltmore is a beautiful place, and we regretted not having enough time to explore it further. In the future, I would love to stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate and spend a few days there. You can go on guided tours of the house and grounds; carraige rides, horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, kyaking, and even on segway tours. Of course, everything you do is charged an extra fee. It's a wonderful spot for couples looking to escape for a few days of romance. We enjoyed a self-guided tour of the winery and the complimentary wine tasting. They even gave the kids grape juice. We picked up three bottles of wine to bring home. My new favorite wine is the Century Rose. Unfortunately we didn't make it to River Bend Farm. I recommend planning at least two days to explore the Biltmore Estates.

You live a little, you learn a lot. We learned to never, ever plan more than a six hour drive when heading home after a vacation. We were totally fried (tired from so much walking and exploring) when we began our trip from Asheville to New Orleans. We got a late start and a bit lost before we made our way towards Greenville (heading to Atlanta). We stopped to eat at a Huddle House located in conjunction with a Stuckey's and a Bojangles. We had never eaten at a Huddle House before, but we were rather hungry by the time we came across it. The breakfast food was great and the service was good. We now feel confident stopping at a Huddle House on future trips.

Our planned stop was a bit aggressive, but worth it. We went to the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. We thought we were running in for a quick, 30 minute tour, but two hours later we figured out we would not make it to New Orleans until late into the night. The World of Coca-Cola tour was really cool. We watched a video, walked through the interesting history of Coke, looked at tons of memorabilia (including original Norman Rockwell paintings and several real torches from different Olympic games), and tasted different Coca-Cola products from around the world. The tour was fun and informative. Of course we came home with bottles of Coke and souvenirs. After our tour, we were starving, so we headed over the Hard Rock Cafe - Atlanta for a burger and t-shirts.

We decided to push it and went on to New Orleans. We arrived around 2:00 a.m. and after feeling our way around the city, we finally found the Drury Inn. Since we called ahead and let them know of our late, late arrival, they had us checked in and the room ready. We were grateful for the comfortable bed. We love staying at the Drury Inn. The one in New Orleans is a historical hotel and quite lovely. No other hotel beats their amenities for the price, including a hot breakfast. After checking out the next morning we drove down to the French Quarter. We noticed a number of new businesses, and several closed down businesses after Katrina. We parked and walked over to Cafe Du Monde. The kids loved their first beignet, and dad loves his new coffee mug.

On the way home to Texas, we stopped in Henderson, Louisiana for lunch. If you ever drive through here, trust me when I say you absolutely have to take the exit in Henderson to Pat's of Henderson. They have the best shrimp (or crawfish) etouffee you will ever eat. Henderson is between Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.

We loved our trip across the South, crossing through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia before heading back home to Texas. The scenic drive was beautiful, and we even found gas for $3.67! We felt as if we went on a buffet vacation, tasting a little bit of everything. We tried to plan something for everyone in our family to enjoy. We discovered many surprises along the way and had a great time, but in the end, we were relieved to see the exit sign that led to home.

I will post pictures a.s.a.p. I'm a teacher and it's back to school time. I have to get my classroom in order.

Getting Organized for Your Family Vacation

2008-07-10T10:48:00.001-07:00

My family loves to go on vacations, but let's face it, vacations are not cheap. We begin planning and saving months ahead of time. I also take the time research and plan our trips. It's important to me to get the most for our money.

Saving and Planning

We begin saving money for our vacation anywhere from 3 months to 1 year ahead (depending on where we are going). I try to account for hotels, gas (or flight), attractions, meals, and souveniers when we set our vacation savings budget. Vacations are much more enjoyable when you don't have a big, nasty credit card bill when you return home. Pay cash...it's the only way to go. Think about how much you feel you can realistically save between now and your anticipated vacation date. Where can you go on that amount of money?

Planning ahead not only helps you save time and frustration on your trip, but it can also save you money. The Internet is a valuable resource for the vacation planner. You can fly by the seat of your pants, but don't get mad when you can't find a hotel in a hot tourist spot or you overpay for an attraction because you didn't get the coupon everyone else has. Planning helps you learn about the best places to stay, the best things to do and see, and even the best places to eat and shop! You can't underestimate the value of planning ahead. Now, does that mean you can't move off the beaten path? Of course not. Plan, but plan to be flexible and change your plans as you see fit.

Deciding Where to Stay

Consider your budget before choosing a place to stay. If you are like me you will want to find the best moderate priced hotel you can get for your money. I have a few favorites I always check first. I like a comfortable bed, clean room, and free breakfast! Drury Inn & Suites is my favorite general hotel. It's very nice and has lots of extra creature comforts for the money. They have the best free, hot breakfast around. Hampton Inn & Suites can be a little pricier, but sometimes you can get a good deal. The last time I stayed at a Hampton I got a free upgrade to a suite. The next hotel of choice is Fairfield Inn & Suites. I've never gone wrong with any of the three.

Deciding on What to Do

Deciding on how to spend your time depends your personality and your companion travelers. A couple on a romantic weekend will most likely take in different attractions than a family of four. What is your goal for the trip? Do you want to have a easy and relaxing trip? Are you game for adventure? Do you have a different peas in a pod to please in a family? Consider what you want to get out of your trip and then do an online search for attractions, shopping, museums, and other activities for your vacation destination. Find out what's out there before you decide. Perhaps you have some ideas in mind before from the get go.

In my family we have different interests. My husband loves anything outdoors. I love anything indoors (opposites do attract). My son is crazy about theme parks, and my daughter could stay in the hotel (as long as she deems it fancy) the entire trip and hang out at the pool. As I search for things to do, I try to find something exciting for everyone in my family. Compromise in planning your family travels is the key to a happy vacation.

Where Should You Eat?

I like to try new restaurants, but I don't like to be disappointed. As you plan your trip talk to others who have been there before. What do they recommend? Head on over to We8There and type in your destination. Real reviews from real people will pop up. Peoples tastes vary, but this may give you an idea of what to avoid! You can always go to old stand bys (chain restaurants) if you are not sure about the local places. Speaking of locals, don't forget to ask them! Where is the best seafood restaurant in town? Perhaps you will get lucky and find a true gem.

Traveling with Kids

One of the best ideas I ever came across is to put a day's clothing in an extra large ziploc bag. It's perfect for the kids. They grab a bag and get dressed. They put the dirty clothes back into the bag. This keeps things together and organized rather than dumped in your suitcase or spread around your hotel room.

Long car trips require entertainment. Put together a bag of all of their electronics, car games, books, and snacks. Take a stretch and potty break every couple of hours. Stop at a McDonalds with a playground and let the kids go to town for 10 minutes. Don't forget a small pillow, blanket, and stuffed animal.

Plane ride require careful packing. Double check to make sure you put your nail file in the check-in luggage. Pack the kids their own backpack with colors, coloring books, books, games, and snacks. Don't forget to make sure your older kids turn their cell phones off.

If you want to carry electronic entertainment, but don't want to carry half your house with you, then look at your different options. If your kid has a PSP you can get inexpensive software that copies movies from your dvds to your child's psp. They will need a memory card with a lot of memory. I bought my kids a large memory card for Christmas. It holds up to 14 movies! Ipods are small electronics as well. Keep all of the electronics and chargers in one bag. Don't leave your electronics in your car on hot days.

Making Memories

The one thing you don't want to leave at home is your digital camera. You can get a pretty good one for less than $200. When you get home you can create a digital scrabook at Kodak Gallery and order a beautiful hardbound book of your vacation adventures.

Vacations should be relaxing getaways and fun adventures. A little planning and foresight can keep your vacation from turning into a stressful nightmare.

Please leave your comments with other tips for vacation planning.

Tips for Traveling to Disney World

2008-07-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

Disney World is an amazing, magical place. If you have never been, but are planning a trip, take advantage of the months of research I conducted before going. In order to go Disney World you need to plan on shelling out some serious moo-lah. This is not a cheap trip, but there are ways to save money, time, aggravation, and have the time of your life.

My first suggestion is to get a good guidebook and familiarize yourself with the hotels and parks. There are a number of great books from which to choose. Select one or two and start reading.

Once you have a basic idea of where to stay and what to do, I am quite sure you will have lots of questions. You want to get the most for your money, so head on over to Magic Trips, and let the Disney fanatics show you around. Magic Trips is the best website for future Disney trippers. Register for the forums and hang out there several months prior to your trip. You will chat with DW experts. Some of the people at Magic Trips visit the parks two to three times a year. You will learn the ins and outs, get codes to save money on hotels, and gain invaluable knowledge. For additional information and current updates about the Disney scene, surf over to Mouse Planet.

Where to stay is always a big question of debate. A lot of people assume staying on Disney World property is more expensive than staying off site. Granted, you will find tons of off site deals, but truthfully, in the end, staying on Disney property will save you time and money, and your experience will be enhanced (not to mention more magical). We stayed at a value resort for $34 a night. You can't beat that deal! How did we do it? Hang out at Magic Trips. I already booked my hotel at the value resort (months ahead of time) for $79 a night. Someone eventually posted a code. I called Disney, gave them the code, and got the room for over 50% off my original quote. The value hotels are great. The rooms are clean, themed, and a decent size for a family of four. The hotels have food courts, arcades, gift shops, great swimming pools, and more. They are not your typical Motel 6 or Super 8. Compared to Holiday Inn Express you are getting a better deal. Included in all of the hotel packages are bus shuttles to all of the parks. This saves you on parking and gas!

Of course, you can also choose from one of the more expensive hotel options, but don't pay the first price quoted. Go get a code! One of the best places to pick up a discount code is at Mouse Savers. Not only will you get a lot of great tips for your visit, but you can get codes for everything from hotel rooms to Disney cruises. After you get a code, don't stop there, keep checking back. You might get a better code just before you leave for your trip!

What to do? There is so much to do at Disney World you couldn't possibly get it all in. Now you have an excellent reason to plan a second trip. First, I must impress upon you to purchase a park hopper ticket. You can go in and out of the different parks at your own pace. Hit the highlights of each park first (the things you want to do the most), and then go back to visit with a second agenda in mind. Plan to take hotel room breaks -especially if you have kids. One day at Disney is a grueling experience, and more than one day will turn your body into butter. You will walk and walk and walk. Take some mole skin and aerosal deoderant with you. Spray the deoderant on your feet each morning. Carry the mole skin in your bag. This will help keep your feet from feeling the pain. Wear a good pair of broken in tennis shoes, and start walking daily (the kids too) a couple of months before your trip. Plan afternoon swim breaks. Disney is a lot of fun, but it's also an enormous adventure. You will sleep well.

Which rides to go on and shows to see is a personal decision. Don't stand in long lines. Grab a Fast Pass. They are free and convenient. Fast Pass gives you a time to come back, skip the long line, and get on the ride. Choose the section you are going to hang out in for awhile and grab a Fast Pass for each ride you want to go on. You will save a great deal of time standing around. Plan to get in line early for the best seats at the shows. The shows are fantastic. Catch as many as you can.

What to eat? You can spend a ton of money on food. Some people request a refrigerator for their rooms (some of the hotels charge extra). They take a side trip to the local grocery store and pick up cereal and milk. If breakfast is not your thing then this might be your solution.

Personally, I love a big breakfast, and a big breakfast can sustain you for hours. Eat big in the morning, grab a snack at noon, and then eat a nice dinner. We decided to take in all of the different character breakfasts. Each morning we went to a different one. Since our kids were young (but old enough not to be scared of the characters), this enhanced our total experience. Character meals are not cheap, so you might decide to do just one or two. It's up to you. We really enjoyed it, and the huge breakfast meals were great.

Another way to save is to keep sandwich materials in your room. You can buy a Disney souvenier mug and get free refills of drinks (sodas, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee) during your entire stay. Carry small snacks (no chocolate unless you like it melted) in your bag. Plan on more sandwiches and less expensive meals if you need to conserve funds. If you are looking for a great meal you will find dozens of restuarants from which to choose. Personally, my mouth waters every time I think of the pot roast at the 50's Prime Time Diner. It was positively the best pot roast I've ever eaten.

At one time you could save a lot of money by booking everything separately, but now Disney has caught on and they are offering better package deals than ever. Crunch the numbers and see which is the best deal. Once you book your room or package (do so months in advance to save time, money, and headache), you will have it all paid for before you go. Set up a daily budget for food, drinks, and souveniers. Purchase Disney Dollars for the kids (trade dollar bills for Disney Dollars) to use in the park. Put each day's allowance in seperate envelopes. This will keep you on budget. You can also make purchases using your room card. Keep track of this carefully or you could soon over spend your allotted amounts. If you make purchases in the park, Disney will deliver your items back to your hotel for free.

Keep up with agenda by writing each day's plans and confirmation numbers on a seperate index card. Holepunch the corner of the cards and place them on a ring. Now you are set. Just throw them in your bag.

Speaking of bags, you will want to go as light as possible. Try to get away with each person in your party wearing a fanny pack. Think about what you absolutely need and take no more. Moms with babies will need a small backpack. Pack only the essentials. It's not fun lugging around heavy packs all day. What should you put in your fanny pack? Driver's liscense, credit cards, room keys, car keys, your agenda cards, mole skin, small digital camera, and any medications you must carry. Keep it simple!

Packing for your trip is a breeze when you put each day's clothing in a extra large ziploc bag. This works great for the kids. All they have to do is pull out a bag and get ready. Take extra socks for all the walking. And don't forget your swim suit!

Do you have a little girl? You just have to take her to Cinderella's Castle, but don't expect to get there and walk in. You've got to make reservations. Check with Disney to see how many days out you can make your reservation. Plan to make it the very first morning for the first day of your visit, and then plan to make it for each day you are are there. First you need to set your clock to the Eastern time zone (Florida) based on the official atomic time. You see, you will need to get up at about 5:00 a.m., set your phone (try more than one phone and get family members to help out) with the number so you can hit redial. If you are lucky, you will get in and be able to make a reservation. If you don't get in, try again the next day. Try for each day until you get in. If you don't get in, keep calling back in case of a cancellation. This sounds like a lot to go through to have breakfast or dinner with Cinderella, but if you have a little girl, her happy smiles are worth it! Make reservations months ahead of time for any restuarant or activity you really want to do.

Researching and planning ahead of time will help you cover more ground on your trip. If you are going to pay a ton of money to go then get your money's worth. Make the most of your trip by paying attention to the details. And speaking of details, watch for hidden Mickey's throughout Disney World.

Here is my Top Ten Don't Miss Disney World List:
1. The electric parade is fantastic. Make sure you catch it.
2. Don't miss the fireworks. Find a great spot to see Tinkerbell fly over Cinderella's Castle.
3. You can't go to Disney World without riding Peter Pan's Flight, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom); Test Track (Epcot); Rock N' Roller Coaster (MGM Studios); and Primevil Whirl (Animal Kingdom).
4. Take a trip on the Disney monorail at night. Ask to sit up front.
5. Walk through Epcot in the evening and catch the nightly parade.
6. Choose something to collect: mashed souvenier pennies, character autographs, or Disney pins. Of course, you can collect all three!
7. Catch the shows. They are awesome minature Broadway / Vegas type productions.
8. Take in at least one character meal. One of my favorite meals was at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Hotel.
9. Ask about wrist bands for extended hours at Magic Kingdom. For a few extra dollars you get a wristband to ride some of the most popular rides after the park closes. Few people know this little extra tidbit, so therefore you can practically run through the lines and ride over and over again. This is not offered every night, so keep your ears open.
10. Take the free transportation around and tour the hotels. They are spectacular, and it gives you a chance to choose your lodging for your next trip!

The Jewel of the Southwest

2008-07-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

Once known as "The Jewel of the Southwest", Galveston Island, Texas is a charming little paradise along the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The island's history goes back into time over 100 years ago when Galveston was posed to be one of the great cities in United States. During its' hey day, Galveston was a modern city with electric lights, bath houses, railways, fine homes, a busy port, and a balmy atmosphere.

On September 8, 1900 the little island was swept away by the worse hurricane in American History. Ten to twelve thousand people lost their lives. The destruction seemed endless. The survivors pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, rebuilding and mastering an engineering feat by literally raising the island.

Today Galveston is once again a tourist destination. The city is only half an hour from the outskirts of Houston. You will find plenty to do and see when you visit Galveston, Texas.

On the Way

The closest airport is Houston Hobby. Fly in, pick up a rental car take a 40 minute trip down I-45 South. Along the way swing down NASA Road 1 and stop to see Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston. Keep traveling down NASA Road 1 and take a right on FM 146. Cross the bridge and exit to spend a day at Kemah Boardwalk. The entire family will enjoy a day in Kemah. Enjoy a seafood lunch at The Aquarium Restaurant, an underwater dining experience. Shop, play carnival games, and ride the rides. Kemah has a giant speedboat and a 96 foot tall wooden roller coaster among other rides. You can even stay the night at The Boardwalk Inn, voted best hotel in Houston City Search in 2006.

Where to Stay

There a number of places to stay in Galveston, but I will only talk about my favorite hotels. Moody Gardens Hotel is located near popular attractions, but not on the beach. It's a lovely hotel and spa. Moody Gardens is a bit pricey, but worth it if you like a little luxury.

The San Luis Resort is a spa and conference center along the famous Seawall. The San Luis is in a great location not far from the island's attractions, and across the street from the beach.

The Treemont House is a historic hotel that survived the 1900 Great Storm. It's located in the historic Strand District. The beautiful European-style hotel with Victorian architecture is near the cruise line terminals.

The Hotel Galvez is a historic hotel and spa along the Seawall. The hotel has luxury accomodations and a fabulous pool with a swim-up bar.

The USS Flagship Hotel sits on a pier that stretches a thousand feet out to sea. If you are looking for unique experience then this is the hotel for you. The hotel is old, but retains most of its' charm. It is not a luxurious experience, but one for the historically minded. I was unable to verify this information, but I've heard it is the only hotel over water in the United States.

What to Eat

Although I've been visiting Galveston since I was a child, I certainly haven't been to every restuarant. I will warn you that a number of places are not clean. Stick to chain restuarants, hotel restuarants, and recommended restuarants (either here or by someone you know). Stay away from fast food places - even the most popular chains.

The Rainforest Cafe is a fun experience for the whole family. You can go on a little ride before dinner and shop afterwards. Try the crabcakes, shrimp cocktail, and fried shrimp! My family goes to here at least once a year. $$$

FishTales is a seafood restuarant on the Seawall. The wait is long, but the food is great. Grab a hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream before you leave. $$$

A friend introduced me to my favorite sandwich shop, McAlister's Deli. It sits along the Seawall next to Walmart (in case you need to make a run). They have the best potato salad! This is the only reasonably priced eatery I will go to in Galveston (until a friend finds me another one). $

Guido's has been around for almost 100 years. They still serve up great seafood in a pleasant atmosphere along Seawall Blvd. $$$

What to Do

There are a lot of great things to do in Galveston. I'm going to stick to the major highlights.

Visit the Beach - Oh the memories of those Summer days at Stewart Beach Park. You can locate this part at 6th Street and Seawall Blvd. The park features a children's playground, umbrella and chair rentals, volleyball courts, an outdoor pavilion with a snack bar, souvenir shop, restrooms, and bath house. They charge an entrance fee of $8 for cars and $16 for buses/RVs. You can also park along the Seawall and play on the strip of beach, or drive down to the East End to find other, less crowded beach areas.

Moody Gardens is the premier attraction on Galveston Island. You can spend an entire day visiting one of the three pyramids: the Rainforest Pyramid, the Aquarium Pyramid, and the Discovery Pyramid. Watch an IMAX 3D films or go on an adventure on the IMAX Ridefilm Theatre. If that's not enough, take a ride on Colonel Paddlewheel; or spend the day splashing around Palm Beach, a white sand beach with a blue lagoon.

Next door to Moody Gardens is Schlitterbaun Waterpark, voted America's #1 indoor waterpark. Cool off and jump in. Schlitterbaun is great fun for the entire family.

The Strand Historic District is a premier shopping and dining experience located near the cruise terminals. Discover everything from funky to antique in the dozens of shops lining the streets. As you are walking along the Strand (or riding the trolley car), stop and visit Pier 21 Theatre and watch a film about The Great Storm and The Pirate Island of Jean Lafitte. Walk next door to visit the Texas Seaport Museum and the Tall Ship Elissa. Near the corner of 25th Street and the Strand is the Galveston Island Railroad Museum.

For those who enjoy touring historic homes you will not want to miss Galveston's oldest buildings. Each one stood the test of time and survived the 1900 Great Storm. The 1838 Michel B. Menard House is the oldest surviving residential home in Galveston, and is on the National Register for Historic Places. The 1839 Samuel May Williams House is a rare piece of architectural history, combining Creole-plantation and New England styles. Visit this house and learn how Samuel May Williams, the secretary to Stephen F. Austin played an important role in history. The Ashton Villa is one of my favorite homes in Galveston. The Brown family, a prominent family during the Victorian era built this home as one of the first great mansions along Broadway Street. You will enjoy learning about this family and how they survived The Great Storm. For lovers of old churches you will not want to miss seeing the oldest German Catholic Church in Texas. The 1859 St. Joseph's Church is truly a white steepled church of bygone days. One of the most majestic homes in Galveston is the historic 1892 Bishop's Palace. Constructed of steel and stone, this National Historic Landmark is not to be missed. The Moody Mansion was completed in 1895, just five years before the destructive hurricane swept many of Galveston's homes away. The 20 room tour depicts the lives of one of the great American family empires.

Take in a theatrical or musical performance at one of the most beautiful live theatres in the country. The Grand 1894 Opera House is not only a hurricane survivor, but a incredible piece of history. Experience theatre as it was during the Victorian era. The Grand is listed on both the Texas and National Register of Historic Places, and is "The Official Opera House of Texas" as proclaimed by the 73rd Texas Legislature.

The Lone Star Flight Museum will surely tickle flight enthusiasts. Located near Moody Gardens and Schlitterbaun, visitors can take a quick trip back into time and see some of the finest aircraft in the nation. True adverturists will want to book a real flight experience in WWII aircraft.

Go on a Cruise - Four major cruise liners now set sail out of the Port of Galveston: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises. I've been on the Carnival Ecstasy and had a great experience. The only downside was a lame kid's area.

Whether you visit Galveston to shop, tour historical homes, play on the beach, fish, surf, or to check out the amazing museums, you will discover this little treasure of an island to be a great adventure for the entire family (or a romantic getaway for couples). Galveston Island is a great destination for your vacation.

Fredericksburg, Texas

2008-07-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

Every year I take a little road trip to Fredericksburg, a small town with a German heritage nestled in the Texas Hill Country. This little spot on the map makes for a wonderful weekend getaway. You are only an hour and fifteen minutes away from Austin, and a couple of hours away from San Antonio. Fredericksburg has a little something for everyone. Couples will find it a romantic hide-a-way. Seniors will enjoy the quiet beauty. Families will discover a place to connect and have some fun. Groups of ladies will enjoy getting together to shop and explore everything Fredericksburg has to offer.

Where to Stay

There are a number of bed and breakfasts in Fredericksburg. I've always traveled with my family, so I've never stayed at one, but if you are looking for a little romance, bed and breakfasts are the way to go. Visit this Travel Main Street to discover the right bed and breakfast for you.

There are a number of places to stay in Fredericksburg. I recommend you book a room early. Rooms tend to fill up on weekends, and especially on holidays, or during special events. This is not a place you show up without a reservation expecting to find a room. Here a few places I've stayed during my visits to Fredericksburg:

Sunday House Inn Sunday House is a charming inn that reflects the German heritage of the area. The rooms are clean and affordable. It's not the most luxurious place to stay, but it is decent. It's conveniently located on Main Street making the walking distance to town bearable.
Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericksburg The Hampton Inn & Suites in Fredericksburg has the best pool for the kids. You get free breakfast, clean rooms, and comfy beds. It's located on Main Street.
Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg If you like to know what to expect from your hotel, then the Holiday Inn Express is for you. The rooms are clean and the breakfast is free. It's located on Main Street.

Here are a couple of places I personally haven't stayed at, but I thought they were worth mentioning:

Hanger Hotel If you are a distinctive traveler with a sense of the unique, then the Hanger Hotel is for you. Hanger Hotel was designed with the exterior of a WWII hanger of the 1940's. The luxury hotel is adjacent to a runway and boasts an olympic size swimming pool, lighted tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball, baseball diamonds, picnic facilities, and an 18 hole golf course. Hanger Hotel is located 2 miles from Main Street.
Inn on Baron's Creek The more distinguished traveler might prefer Inn on Baron's Creek Spa & Conference Center. Inn on Baron's Creek is a luxury hotel and full service spa within walking distance of historic Main Street.

What to Do

There is plenty to do in Fredericksburg. You might begin by shopping. Walking down historic Main Street is part of the charm that draws travelers to Fredericksburg time and time again. You will discover dozens of unique, independently owned and operated shops filled with antiques, artwork, clothing, jewelry, and more. Of course, I have my favorite shops I always make a point to visit.

Chocolat The chocolates are to die for. They fill their wonderful chocolate with liqueurs. They also have plenty of alcohol free chocolate for the kids. You simply haven't lived until you've tasted their strawberry wine chocolates.
Rustlin' Rob Taste a little bit of the Texas Hill Country at Rustlin' Rob. They feature gourmet foods from local farms. You can taste before you buy! Try the pickles, Mayhaw jelly, Amaretto Pecan Honey Butter, and Blackberry Cobbler.
Hand Carved Candles If you enjoy candles then you don't want to miss watching beautiful candles dipped and carved before your very eyes.
Berkman Books Berkman Books is a charming, independently owned bookshop on Main Street. If you are a collector of antiquarian books then you must stop in. They also carry both new and used fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. The kids will love the two kitty cats that live in the store.
Der Kuchen Laden Cooks will love this little shop with every kind of kitchen gadget imaginable. I never leave Fredericksburg without something to add to my kitchen collection of gadgets I never get around to using!

Walking around town, shopping and exploring can take up a day, but for those looking for other kinds of adventures, here are some great activities and must see places to visit:

Rockbox Theatre Branson look out! Rockbox Theatre has come to Fredericksburg. Take a trip down memory lane when you attend this professional live-cast music and variety show. The music is fun, the comedy is funny, and the impersonations are amazing. Same cast, different show every weekend. Clean fun for the whole family! Rockbox Theatre is truly an enjoyable experience.
Texas Wine Tours Did you know Texas produces 1.7 million gallons of wine per year? Texas is now on the winery map, and Fredericksburg is one of the best places to visit several wineries in one place.
Enchanted Rock Outdoor enthusiasts will not want to miss the chance to climb Enchanted Rock. It is one of the largest underground rock formations uncovered by erosion in the United States. If you are not one to hike and climb, it is still worth a drive out to the park to see it.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historical Site
Lyndon B. Johnson National Park

History Buffs will want to take a trip to Johnson City. Take 290 E for a 20 minute journey to Johnson City. You can visit both the state and national parks. Along the way you will want to stop at one of the many roadside stands for farm fresh peaches, so carry a cooler! Add to your visit with a stop at Wildseed Farms. Walk through the wildflower gardens, shop, and have a bite to eat.

What to Eat

Fredericksburg claims a German heritage, and with a German heritage comes German food. You will find plenty of German restuarants to satisfy you palate. Three of the best know restuarants are Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant, Der Lindenbaum, and Altdorf Biergarten Restaurant.
For those of you traveling who are looking for both German and American food to satisfy everyone in your group, two of my favorite places to eat are Winslow's Restaurant and Wheeler's Restaurant.
Hill Top Cafe is famous for both their food and music. You have to take a little drive through the Hill Country to find them, but it's worth it.

Fredericksburg is a wonderful place to spend a few days. You are close enough to Austin and San Antonio to make a complete Texas vacation. I hope you enjoy your jaunt to this little town nestled in the Texas Hill Country.

Get out there. Go somewhere.