Category: Couples

Alaska by Train

3/10/2016

Most people think about cruising when talking about going to Alaska, but there is another way that gets you to the inside of Alaska's frontier: the Alaskan Railroad. Choose from a 1-day tour to a 12-night adventure. Many of the tours start in Anchorage, which is the main hub, and from there you can explore by train staying in areas such as Denali or the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. You can also fly in and out of Fairbank.
With a railroad adventure, you get the opportunity to tour Alaska's National Parks, the Glaciers, or even take a day or two and backpack on their "Rails and Trails". Alaska is home to many different types of wildlife like grizzly bears, grey wolves, the red fox, and caribou, just to name a small few. Most of the wildlife is right at your doorstep no matter which package you choose.
Perhaps you just want to take the train and stay a few days at one of the beautiful resorts along the way. There are plenty from which to choose. Here are two of the Princess Lodges that you might consider.

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge: a luxury Princess resort with its
riverside accommodations and viewing decks. Learn about the sport of sled-dog racing or take a helicopter tour. The list of activities are endless.

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge: features stunning mountain views
and is situated at the Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. From here,
you can take optional tours for sightseeing, copper mines, or even rafting. For dining, perhaps you want to try one of the two river dining view
restaurants.

For information on trains, tours and resorts check out:
http://alaskarailroad.com/Vacations/tabid/121/Default.aspx
http://www.princesslodges.com/
http://www.princesslodges.com/denali-lodge.cfm
http://www.princesslodges.com/alaska-rail-tours.cfm

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Roswell UFO Festival

6/15/2015

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In July 1947, something happened northwest of Roswell, New Mexico. A mysterious object was reported to have crashed on a ranch about 30 miles north of Roswell. Skeptics, believers, and conspiracy theorist alike wildly debate what happened. Was it an alien craft? Was it a weather balloon? Was it a military experiment gone wrong? Maybe it is time to check it out and decide for yourself. Every year, Roswell’s UFO Festival, a three-day event featuring all things UFO, takes over the town. The UFO Festival is tentatively scheduled for July 3-5, 2015 with guest speaker, authors, costume contests, live entertainment, and family friendly activities.

While you are in town, make sure and visit the Roswell UFO museum. Unfortunately, there are no specific UFO hotels, or UFO restaurants in town, but most places have a touch of the UFO theme. The McDonalds is designed to look like a spaceship on the outside, but inside it is just another McDonald's. The KFC at 2423 North Main St. has a large, green wood-carved alien outside its front door. You can see a few scattered alien heads streetlights hanging on Main St. and, although it has been described as a novelty store, the Area 51 Museum, Alien Zone, can make a great souvenir stop.

I know it is not an alien, but you might want to consider the Tree of Knowledge on Roswell Public Library Grounds, I hear it is worth taking a look.
http://alienzoneroswellnm.com/ http://www.roswellufomuseum.com/museum.html

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Weekend in San Francisco

4/16/2015

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Spending a weekend in this very busy city will keep you on your toes, but it is doable. I don't really recommend a car since parking alone can be outrageous and there is plenty of transportation, but if you must, consider a smaller car for parking spots and with good GPS.

We stayed at the Radisson on Fisherman's Wharf and found this to be a great choice because they have an exit right out to Fisherman's Wharf, right across from Boudin's. If you have never heard of Boudin's it is an A-Mazing restaurant for their delicious clam chowder in a fresh sourdough bread. This location is also, for many, (but know your own limits) a perfect walking distance to the cable cars on the wharf and down the street from Pier 39. The hop-on-and-off bus also comes right to their front door. For wheelchairs, we found that it worked well for a quick exit but make sure you stay on the ground floor for better access.

In a quick weekend, we were able to walk over to the Red & White fleet and jump on an audio boat tour around the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. We enjoyed a meal on the wharf, dined on fresh seafood right from the vendors, walked around Pier 39 for shopping and lunch, hit up Ghirardelli for a chocolate sundae, and had a lovely anniversary dinner for my in-laws at Scomas. If you take the Hyde-Powell Cable car, you can also get off on Lombard St. (The crooked street) and walk down.

There are many car transportation companies that will take you back and forth from the airport and we were quoted $59 for each way (4 people). If that seems high, remember that everywhere charges for parking, not including the rental car rate and gas. Our hotel charged $45 a night to park and the Pier 39 is $8.00 an hour.

http://www.radisson.com/san-francisco-hotel-ca-94133/cafisher?s_cid=se.ggl.rad_cmp16
http://www.redandwhite.com/
http://www.scomas.com/
http://www.sfcablecar.com/

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Brokechilla- April 18-19th, 2015

4/2/2015

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Looking for a concert-among-concerts, on a budget? Join the fun at Brokechella in San Francisco on April 18-19, 2015 with an awesome lineup of bands to check out.

Brokechilla was created in response to the frustration on crazy, out-of-control priced concerts. While some single artist concerts are running a minimum of $100.00 for a nose bled seat, Brokechilla is charging $10-$20 for admission to the event. What? Yes, a whole day event! Brokechilla started out in a coffee house and now has outgrown its first venue and has taken over the music scene in size and popularity.

Brokechella is the considered to be the concert that is gentle on your pocketbook. The experience offers a great lineup of bands at rock bottom prices.

Info according to their website: This year, BROKECHELLA is back to 590 Santa Fe Ave, in the heart of Downtown. We’ve got 4 stages, a World Initiative, comedy and variety stage, a bigger than ever vendor fair, more puppychella, giant jenga puzzles, and so much more.

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Yes, Texas has Wineries!

2/17/2015

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Everyone thinks California when they think wine, but did you know Texas has some great wineries as well? Traveling through Texas on our road adventure, we found that you could actually order a glass of wine and walk with it on the San Antonio River walk. We also located quite a few regional wineries through out Texas and found them to be a unique, fun, and tasty experience.

We found a gem of a place in Lubbock, Texas called Caprock Winery. This is a great place to stop as you are making your way across Texas or are stopping in at Texas Tech. Their beautiful facilities include an open wine-tasting room, an outdoor patio, and a banquet hall. They offer tours of the winery and delicious wine tastings. My personal favorite was their Blush wine. Our personal wine tasting hostess and crew were truly some of the most friendly people we met on our wine journey. As an added bonus, we each received an adorable commemorative wine glass to take home that was included with the tasting and they say it is shatterproof.

This place is a must for those traveling through Lubbock or actually a great destination stop. Looking at their schedule, the winery hosts really fun events as well such as live band performances, movies in the courtyard, a wine festival, and BBQs. These events they host sound great on their own, but paired with some of their lovely local wine, you can't go wrong!

Visiting regional wineries is a great way to experience a town, socialize with the people, and try locally-made wine. Stop in a few on your way across the lone star state and let us know which ones you enjoyed as well.

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Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises-Europe

12/2/2014

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Viking River Cruise's Christmas Market: This cruise tops off my personal list of things I would love to do! Floating through your choice of river cruise itineraries to explore a Christmas Wonderland.

The holiday inspired activities are endless. Sip coffee in Vienna, eat gingerbread in Passau, go gift shopping in Berlin, see wreath-making workshops; the list of things to do on this dream cruise is endless. Stay in the traditions of the season while enjoying the colorful and romantic Christmas Markets in Europe.

If this cruise is too far from your reach, sit back with a up of cocoa and enjoy their video on the different Christmas Markets. They did a great job showcasing the places they go.

http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/holiday-cruises/

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Rent a Teardrop Camper

11/18/2014

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Have you ever considered taking a unique camping adventure? Teardrop campers are basically high-end tents, but they are super cute and off the ground!

There are several themed campers that can add to your adventure, so, of course, we love that! Most are outfitted with a sleeping area, an area to keep some dishes and cooking supplies, a place for water, and some even have electricity.

These little darlings are attached by trailer onto your vehicle. According to people in the know, they are lightweight enough to pull easily. I can only imagine the attention your family would get driving one of these into a KOA park.

http://tinyyellowteardrop.blogspot.com/2013/01/rent-teardrop-trailer.html

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Paso Robles Wine Adventure

10/21/2014

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Years ago, all anyone ever talked about when looking into wine weekends was Napa, Napa, Napa. Not so much anymore. There are so many new possibilites of wineries to explore. Temecula is one, Sonoma is another, but don't forget about Paso Robles. We didn't forget and ended up enjoying a lovely, long weekend among the vineyards and restaurants in that area.

Having two couples, we decided a bed and breakfast might be a good option. That way we had a common area to hang in, breakfast included, and the personal touch of feeling like we were part of the area as opposed to hotel guests. We chose the Orchard Farm Bed and Breakfast. This, in my opinion, was the caveat of our weekend. We booked the Fireplace suite and the Country room suite. It turns out, by booking both rooms, we had our own little "house" in Paso Robles with the benefit of an amazing, fresh, and foodie-worthy breakfast every morning. It even included a cheese plate and bottle of wine when we checked in. If you are heading to Paso Robles, I highly recommend you check this place out!

Then, we took a service called My Wine Driver. This company meets you at your hotel or Bed and Breakfast and takes you IN YOUR CAR, around to the wineries you want to see. The big benefit is the cost. Our driver was both friendly and knowledgeable about where she needed to go.

There are way too many wineries to recommend one over another, it is a matter of taste. But I would say that you can get a great experience if you check the wineries around you and call the place you will stay to ask their opinion based on the type of wines you like. Some are commercial and busy and others are small personal wineries. I always recommend scheduling a winery that serves lunch mid-way through your touring and always bringing lots of ice water on hand for between each winery. We tried to drink one bottle of water in between each stop and that worked well for us.

Some of my favorite places were:
Halter Ranch- Very friendly staff, lovely grass area to enjoy out front of the tasting area.

Villicana- They not only make wine, but they also make brandy which is on their tastings list. Also a nice, friendly staff.

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Visit Superman in Metropolis

6/9/2014

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Visiting the Man of Steel may well be on your bucket list of things to do. Metropolis, Illinois is the official home of Superman and they have erected a 15-ft bronze statue to honor their famous friend. In fact, they also now have a statue of Noel Neil as Lois Lane about two blocks from Superman.

A few times a year, this fun city pays homage to Superman with festivals, special events, and activities that surround the Man of Steel. Check out their website to see what the upcoming events will include. Every year, during the second week in June, they host a Superman Celebration. This year, it is being hosted June 12-15th. If you live anywhere near this city, Dean Cane and Billy Dee William will be their special guests this year, along with plenty of other big name guests. The list of activities are unique and plentiful at this event. From the kick-off mini con, to puppet-making workshops, film festivals, and autograph signings, you can get your fill of all things Superman. This year they have their first annual SUPER POW BAM BASH which is an evening of fun and dancing for a great cause and includes an auction. The big item being auctioned off this year is a complete VIP package for next year's event. You can choose to go in costume, formal attire, or just as yourself for the BASH.

If you live too far away to participate this year, put it on your calendar to check out next year. That's what I'm doing!

http://www.supermancelebration.net/

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Temecula Wine Tasting

5/9/2014

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I know this is a bit early since we are not quite in summer yet, but if you want tickets and accommodations for either the Crush Fest in September, or the Harvest Fest in November, it is best to get them now. This year, September 13th is the scheduled date for Crush and November 1-2 is the scheduled dates of the Harvest Fest. The Harvest Celebration is a theme in itself. Over 35 wineries will be participating in this year's event. Temecula is a lovely, hidden gem in the wine world. Nestled only 45 minutes from San Diego in a valley of wineries, you can achieve the peace of a tranquil vacation along with some of the most amazing wines.

Last year we chose the Grapeline wine private tour and, although they do have a group tour bus that will pick you up at several hotels and is cheaper, if you have at least four people, you might find the private tour to be an acceptable price. Our whole group felt this tour company was fantastic! They show up on time with water bottles a plenty in the van and you set out to explore their recommended list of wineries. You can alter, of course, but they have a pretty good grip on the best stops. Our tour guy was engaging and wiling to go the extra mile, carrying our wines and storing them to take back with us as we sipped wines from place to place. For the harvest celebrations, they sell one or two day passes for a stop and taste, and most of the stops also have nibbles to go with the wine. Some wineries have bands on site and others just an amazing view. We chose the two day and it was just the right amount of time to see plenty of places.

You can choose to stay in a home rental and many can be found on VRBO or else there are several hotels including the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, which is a bit bigger of a hotel and has a spa, or else the charming and more intimate Inn at Europa Village that has a lovely view and a charm that adds to the wine touring feeling. Always ask about a grouped package since both Go Grape tours and some of the hotels sell ticket packages.

Crush Fest is Sept 13, 2014
Harvest Fest is Nov 1-2 2014