Category: Travel

Orlando, Global Travel Hotspot

map orlando florida

Orlando is a fun place to vacation. I went there earlier this month and had a blast. Upon the arrival of our plane at the Orlando International Airport the pilot welcomed us, claiming the airport as one of the largest and one of the busiest airports in the world. I know Orlando is popular but I never actually thought about it on a global scale. There is so much to do there. If you’re considering traveling to Orlando start planning ahead of time because you’ll have a lot to decide. There are Orlando vacation packages, amusements, activities and so much more to think about. Basically, there’s something for everyone.

Feb 28, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Mail Call!

my mail

Upon arriving home last night one of the first things I encountered were two GIANT piles of mail and packages. Both the kitchen and dining room tables each had a pile. I usually get our mail but since I was away RB got it. I couldn’t believe how much of it there was, until I remembered that RB had also been taking in my parents mail. He had thought to split the mail, ours on the kitchen table and my parents on the dining room table. My parents pile included a lot of mail and two boxes, one of which seemed to contain commercial kitchen parts. I couldn’t understand why my Mom would be ordering frymaster parts for her built in stovetop fryer until she reminded me that she’d gotten a new stove a month ago. I have to finish opening and sorting our mail tonight. My Dad is going to have so much fun opening all that mail. I’ll never understand why my Dad loves to open the mail, it’s a fascination he’s always had. He actually rushes out to the mailbox to get the mail before my mother. In the end it’s usually bills so I’m not sure why he does that. Who gets the mail in your house?

Feb 15, 2010 | 12 comments | View Post

To The Tune Leavin On A Jet Plane, The Armageddon Movie Version - All My Bags Are Packed

carryon luggage

We’re packed! I packed the bags last night. We don’t own luggage so I had to borrow some bags from my parents. They travel all of the time so they have a lot. I’m only bringing two carryons, because they’re actually big enough for the length of time we’ll be away. I just have three things I have to throw in right before we leave and we’re all set. I feel like I’m bringing a small electronics store – cell phone, ipod, Nintendo DS, Vsmile, digital camera and video camera. I have to decide if I’m bringing the laptop or not. I tucked a spare flash drive into my bag so I can move pictures off of the storage card as it fills up. I hope they don’t ask me to take it all out of the case or turn it all on at the airport, we could be there for a while.

Feb 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Nervous About Tomorrow

flights delayed sign

I’m supposed to fly out to Florida tomorrow and I’m getting a bit nervous. We had about two feet of snow over the weekend. Flights today are delayed or canceled. On the news they’re showing people waiting around in airports like they’re on line for front row Broadway theatre tickets. There’s now another snowstorm in the forecast for tomorrow evening. Driving down is not an option as the truck won’t make it. An electric bicycle would stand a better chance of making the trip uneventfully. Plus, the schedule just doesn’t have time in it for a road trip. I think I could handle a delay but am worried about a major one as I will have CJ with me. I don’t want to be sitting in the airport for hours and hours with him after RB drops us off. And I’d hate to have to ask RB to come back and get us at a later time. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, feel free to join me!

Feb 08, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

Only A Few More Days To Florida!

map east coast i95

I’m so excited - I’m going to Disney next week! I’m really looking forward to seeing CJ’s reaction in the parks as he’s really into Mickey and Pooh. He and I are flying out on Tuesday. My parents, as well as my brother LB3 and his girlfriend Diva, are driving down. They left last night. I have a close relationship with my parents but always worry a little when they travel, which is often. You know what I mean right? Stuff happens. I’ve often thought it would be awesome if I could use gps real time tracking to keep tabs on where they are. Until there is an easier way I rely on phone calls. I’m a little worried because that area is expecting some severe weather, which makes driving a camper a bit less fun. Fortunately, my Dad will be sharing the driving with my brother, which should make the long drive easier and quicker. At 7:30 am this morning they were in Virginia and my Mom was eagerly awaiting checking out some outlet stores that she always stops at. I’ve never met anyone else who know where every outlet and mall is, no matter where she is. She’s like a 411 for malls. Do you know anyone like that?

Feb 05, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

Winterizing - Learning From The Past

our trailer

I reminded my Dad yesterday that we still need to winterize our campers, particularly considering the fact that winter is here. I have a travel trailer that we got at a great deal, we pull it behind my truck. Two of the things I like best about this type of camper over a motor home is that it doesn’t require motorhome insurance and I always have a vehicle to drive when we go camping. Anyway. Our last travel trailer wasn’t winterized one year and we had a line break, as well as a tank. As it turned out that repair came with quite a price tag. I’d like to avoid that happening again. Dad????

Jan 09, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

I Can Do Without This Cold

All in all this summer was fairly mild. We had a couple of really hot days but it wasn’t as bad as soon. Now we’ve gone to extreme cold for an October fall day. Northern New Jersey actually had snow a couple of days ago. I broke down and turned the heat on. My parents are leaving on one of their
Orlando vacations in two weeks. The idea of a bit warmer climate is appealing but that’s not the main reason I’m bummed we weren’t able to go. My Mom booked into a place that I’ve always wanted to stay. Also my brother LB2 and his fiancee are going. It would have been so much fun. Oh well. Maybe another time.

Oct 17, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post

Wordless Wednesday - How to Avoid Attracting Unsavory Characters In Your Establishment

bahamas 2006 neon sign

In case you can’t see it, here’s a closeup.

wordless wed bahamas neon sign closeup

Thanks for stopping by! If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below on Mr. Linky! Then head on over to Here And There, What’s That Smell, Wordless Wednesday, Go Graham Go, 5 Minutes for Mom and The Not-So-Blog Blog for more wordless fun!

Sep 16, 2009 | 7 comments | View Post

Wordless Wednesday - Five Years Ago It Seemed Like A Lifetime Away, In Five More Years It Will Be Real

tj disney car 2004

Thanks for stopping by! If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below on Mr. Linky! Then head on over to Here And There, What’s That Smell, Wordless Wednesday, Go Graham Go, 5 Minutes for Mom and The Not-So-Blog Blog for more wordless fun!

Sep 09, 2009 | 5 comments | View Post

Take A Statecation At Holiday Inn

holiday inn logo

With the economy being pretty much in the toilet a lot of people aren’t traveling much anymore, if at all. One way to take a little vacation without going on vacation is to do things closer to home that you might not usually do. I’m talking about taking a statecation. A statecation means traveling locally to destinations within driving distance. It doesn’t require airfare or lengthy travel so you can save on some of the travel expenses while supporting the economy of your own area. Plus, you can try to find an area of your state you might not be extremely familiar with or may not have spent much time in.

If I were taking a statecation I would definitely look into staying at a Holiday Inn. The nice thing about Holiday Inns is that they’re been around long enough that you’re comfortable with the name and yet they’re affordable. There are more than 2,500 Holiday Inns across the country, many of whom are upgrading their accommodations. Updating their look and adding things like signature bedding with “soft” and “firm” pillows and power showers in the bathroom is sure to bring home the point that you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay in a nice place.

google map lbi

On my statecation I’d probably want to go about 30-45 minutes south to Long Beach Island. There’s a Holiday Inn right nearby that’s got a great location. We’d be close to the beach and could visit the Lighthouse, State Park, the Viking Village and a nearby Seaport. We’d also be within driving distance of Smithville, a really old village full of shops that’s a lot of fun to walk through. I could sleep in and then enjoy breakfast at the signature restaurant before heading out for the day. After returning I could enjoy a swim or go in the Jacuzzi to relax. I know we’d take advantage of the wireless internet too.

I’d love to hear what you’d do if you took a statecation?

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Holiday Inn. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Sep 04, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

Epic Summer Family Vacation Adventures

Both of the best vacations I’ve ever taken were all inclusive. It’s so awesome not to have to worry about last minute charges and how to pay for things. I learned about a new all inclusive family vacation that sounds like a lot of fun. Epic Summer Vacations aren’t just vacations, they’re adventures.

I love the idea of having someone put a package together to let a visitor experience the best parts of an area. It’s like having a friend or relative that lives in the area recommend activities to you rather than opening a phone book or relying on pamphlets found in a rest stop. Epic Summer vacations are set in Vail, Colorado and other areas like Keystone, Beaver Creek and Breckenridge. The adventures are full of activities such as gondola rides, whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding and gold panning. I can only imagine the terrific memories and photos a vacation like this would offer. It sounds like so much fun! You can learn more about Epic Summer by visiting http://www.epicsummer.com.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog and giveaway campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Epic Summer and Vail Resorts. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Aug 10, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Wordless Wednesday - Morning On A Disney Cruise

Taken in 2006.

wordless wed morning on a disney cruise 2006

Thanks for stopping by! If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below on Mr. Linky! Then head on over to Here And There, What’s That Smell, Wordless Wednesday, Go Graham Go, 3 Ps In A Pod, 5 Minutes for Mom and The Not-So-Blog Blog for more wordless fun!

Aug 05, 2009 | 8 comments | View Post

Preparing For Our Inaugural Voyage

Next week we go on our annual family vacation. Every year we go camping in upstate New York and attend the Nascar race. If you’re a regular reader you know that we got a larger travel trailer recently. This will be our inaugural voyage with it. Dad and I made a quick list of things I still need for safe rv towing that we have to get squared away in the next two days. RB already started loaded up the gear that will remain in the camper. I have to go in and clean it, probably tonight. I’m really looking forward to camping with about three times the space we’ve had in previous years. We’re going to try and schedule camping more often as well. Anyone else going to the race next week?

Jul 29, 2009 | 6 comments | View Post

Heads Or Tails 96

This weeks game is TAILS - “Summertime memory”.

One of my favorite summertime memories is from a camping trip taken several years ago. It was during early August, on a family camping trip to Watkins Glen NY. We camp there every year. We were all sitting outside - myself, RB, CJ, my Dad, my Mom and LB2. CJ had gotten so much watermelon juice on his shirt that his shirt looked pink and was permanently stained. He was quite pleased with himself. The only one not outside was TJ. He’d gotten fresh about something and RB told him to go to his room. Now we were camping, in a travel trailer. TJ took that opportunity to look his father right in the eye and said “it’s not a room, it’s a camper”. We had such a hard time not laughing out loud but after TJ went in we had a good laugh.

If you want to learn more about this fun meme or play along, visit Heads Or Tails.

Jun 23, 2009 | 7 comments | View Post

Wordless Wednesday - Dune Buggy Fun In Wildwood

Thanks for stopping by! If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below on Mr. Linky! Then head on over to Here And There, What’s That Smell, Wordless Wednesday, Go Graham Go, 5 Minutes for Mom and The Not-So-Blog Blog for more wordless fun!