Apr-2017
There we were, celebrating our 10-year anniversary, in wine county, never been wine tasting and NO idea where to begin. We decided to book a half-day excursion with The Wine Wrangler through our hotel—figuring my husband’s taste for beer and my love for anything from a wine bottle wouldn’t get us to the “best” wineries. […]
Mar-2017
Many make the trek out to Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, during the peak season of mid-March to Mid-April, in hopes of spectacular array of color. The reserve is nestled in the Antelope Buttes, near Lancaster, on the most consistent poppy-bearing land in the state. However, a lot of factors are involved for a vibrant […]
Feb-2017
Once a playground for Hollywood’s rich and famous along with a escape for snowbirds wishing to get away from the cold of old man winter, this picturesque desert oasis has changed in the 21st century into a very family-friendly vacation getaway. LOCATION Palm Springs is tucked away in the Coachella Valley between Los Angeles and […]
Jan-2017
What is it about ghost towns that allure tourists from all parts of the world? Abandoned old towns can offer a unique experience of history for kids of all ages. Calico Ghost Town is an old silver mining town that has been around since 1881. But when the silver market collapsed in the late 1800s […]
In the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains lies the town of Tehachapi, California. It’s a small farming and railroad town whose claim to fame is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the Tehachapi Loop. This loop built in 1876 is where trains climb a long spiral to make the grade and bridge the difference in […]
Oct-2016
The Great Wolf Lodge Resort— the largest chain of indoor waterparks in North America—opened their latest location in Garden Grove, California a mere two miles from Disneyland earlier this year. And, in taking advantage of their grand opening special, we booked a one-night stay recently. On top of the hours of fun the family can […]
Jun-2016
While Spring Break usually means enjoying the hot sun, donning bathing suits and relaxing at the beach or poolside we decided to the hit the road, for northern Oregon on our alternative take of the springtime tradition. Museums This city divided by the Willamette River offers many choices when it comes to stimulating the mind. […]
On our recent Oregon road trip, we had the pleasure to enjoy a short stay at the Running Y Ranch Resort. We used the ranch as our jumping off point for the lower Oregon area and Crater Lake National Park. The ranch featured an overall comfy western ranch-style atmosphere with attentive staff and nicely appointed […]
The Oregon coast has over 300 miles of rugged shoreline, windswept beaches and moody skies. We continued our spring break road trip hugging the Oregon coastline from Astoria down to Lincoln City. Around every twist and turn were rocky vistas, sleepy coastal towns, miles of public beaches and working fishing towns. Oregon’s unusually mild weather […]
Apr-2016
Nature in winter can be one of the most beautiful things you will ever witness. The crisp white of fallen snow seems to sharpen the contrast of the other colors in the environment. The greens and browns of the landscape pop out and the blue of the sky and deep water appear endless. On our […]
Perched atop pilings 300 feet or so out into the swift current of the Columbia River is a unique building. The Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa was the dream of a local Astoria native, Robert Jacob. It took Jacob thirteen years to see his dream built, but it was well worth the wait. Location The […]
Mar-2016
Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s Gold Country is this 1850’s boomtown frozen in time, Columbia, California. Once one of the largest cities in California, after the gold rush dried up the city fell into decline and was finally saved from demolition in the 1940s when the State of California bought the town […]