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Glamping trips to book this summer

May 9, 2019 By

Have you ever enjoyed turn-down service…in a tent? How about foot warmers, breakfast in your camp bed or nightly s’mores service? Even if you’re a hardcore camper, happy to rough it, c’mon…this sounds pretty great, right? Get your glamp on at the following glamping resorts in the western U.S.

Glamping trips to book this summer

Over the top:

The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

Located on Montana’s Blackfoot River, Paws Up going above and beyond for its tent camping guests, with private camp butlers, a concierge tent serving gourmet breakfast, snacks, and drinks, and luxury bedding. Plus, daily activities at Paws Up can include cattle wrangling, helicopter rides, hot air balloon journeys, and fly fishing.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia

Each private tent at Clayoquot is described as five-star luxury, with an African safari experience feel in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Sign up for spa treatments, fish for salmon, head out of bear sighting expeditions, or rock climb or mountain bike during your days here.

Bull Hill Guest Ranch, Washington

At the northeastern edge of Washington State near the Canadian border, guests at Bull Hill experience authentic ranch life, but sleep in comfort in glamping safari tents, each with a private bath or shower, wide front porches, and lodgepole railings.

Fireside Resort, Jackson Hole Wyoming

Jackson Hole has its share of luxury accommodations, but at Fireside Resort, you can pretend you’re roughing it in your own tiny house-style cabin. Enjoy a full kitchen, curl up by your own fireplace, and cross-country ski from your front door in winter. There’s an outdoor fire pit if your camping experience won’t be complete without a campfire!

Glacier Under Canvas, Glacier National Park, Montana

Under Canvas is a glamping resort company that currently operates in Glacier, Zion, Moab, and Yellowstone. At their Glacier location, safari-style tents and teepees are available just a few miles outside the national park, with the option to elevate your experience to a deluxe tent, cabin, or treehouse.

Dunton River camp, Dunton, Colorado

Dunton River Camp operates three camps in Colorado, but the Dunton Hot Springs location is the place to be for alpine meadow views, hot springs, and open-air tenting. Need more cover? Wooden cabins are on offer in addition to the river tents.

AutoCamp, Russian River, California 

Camp overnight in an Airstream trailer decked out with showers, hotel bedding, and extra touches. Only 90 minutes north of San Francisco, AutoCamp’s Russian River location is within easy distance of the Sonoma wine scene and plenty of outdoor recreation in the California redwoods. Choose between Airstream camping or luxurious canvas tent glamping.

Terra Glamping, California

Located on the northern California coast on Highway 1, all of Terra Glamping’s ten safari tents have ocean views. Ideal for whale watching, stargazing, or simply relaxing in a hammock or with a good book in hand, the Terra Glamping experience comes with hot showers, a deluxe continental breakfast, and memory foam mattresses.

Less ‘glamp’, more ‘camp’:

Doe Bay, Orcas Island Washington

A long-time retreat with a friendly commune feel right on the coast of Orcas Island, Doe Bay caters to earth-friendly types with organic produce at their on-site market, tent camping spaces, yurts and canvas tents, and clothing-optional outdoor soaking tubs and saunas.

Lakedale Resort, San Juan Island, Washington

Neighboring Orcas Island, San Juan Island’s Lakedale Resort offers the perfect glamping vacation for families with children, with tents that include breakfast and hot water bottles delivered to your bedside, or cabins next to all the lakeside action, which includes kayak rentals, paddle boards, arts and crafts, and more.

Willow Witt Ranch, Ashland, Oregon

A farm stay perfect for families that includes canvas-sided, wood-floored tents in addition to farmhouse accommodations, Willow Witt is tucked into the mountains about thirty minutes from Ashland in Southern Oregon. Meet the farm animals, hike on nearby trails, and enjoy the communal outdoor kitchen.

Treebones, Big Sur, California

Stay in a canvas yurt perched on the edge of the California coastline. You can even camp in the ‘human nest’, a cozy shelter that resembles a bird’s nest. Treebones boasts an organic garden, inspired architectural designs, and even a sushi bar on premises. Note that Highway 1 south of Treebones is currently closed after the impressive winter storms of 2017. Approach from the north.

River Dance Lodge, Kooskia, Idaho

Located near Lewiston, Idaho, River Dance Lodge offers glamping tents outfitted with old-fashioned pitchers and wash basins, wood stoves, and clawfoot tubs heated by propane (think hot tub!) within listening distance of a rushing river. Guests utilize a shared washroom. Plus, you’re within a stone’s throw of the best of Idaho’s outdoor recreation, including river rafting, lake swimming, and fishing.

Filed Under: Adventures, travel planning, Travel Tips Tagged With: , , ,

Mendocino Coast: Little River Inn review

January 31, 2019 By

The Mendocino coastal area offers stunning natural beauty, warm hospitality, quaint, unpretentious towns, and outdoor exploration galore! It’s a great region in which to base your California northern coastal road trip, and a stay at Little River Inn is a must!

Tip: We tacked a trip to the Mendocino coast onto our Grown-Up Getaway to Sonoma, and the two destinations paired beautifully, but kids love the Mendocino coast as well!

Little River Inn review:

This multi-generational family business lies right on the coast at Little River, just minutes from Mendocino. Families have their pick between seaside luxury accommodations, oceanview rooms, oceanview fireplace rooms, and Victorian gables. Our oceanview fireplace room was spacious, and boasted a wood-burning fireplace, which we really loved. We also loved the value: check for current pricing on the official website, but off-season deals abound at the Little River Inn. The large patio was semi-private and featured several chairs from which to view the ocean, which is directly across Highway 1. From our room, we could even spot seals on the beach at Little River.

Yes, other area hotels probably have sea views as well, but what sets Little River Inn apart is the spacious grounds with so much to do. There’s a golf course on-site, which dips into the woods behind the hotel, as well as a putting green and tennis courts. The small but welcoming spa sits next to the golf clubhouse and pro shop, and offers a full array of services, as well as beauty services. We loved that this option existed, especially during the winter months when the weather might keep you inside.

And if it does, no worries: our room had cozy arm chairs situated by the large windows overlooking the ocean, where we settled down with books. Ole’s Whale Watch Bar is a local favorite, it seems, with a friendly staff and a deep wine list. We loved their signature cocktails, too. Families could order off a bar menu in Ole’s for casual dining, or head into nearby Mendocino for a variety of diners and cafes. Since we were visiting Little River Inn without the kids, we opted to make a reservation in the inn’s dining room, where we enjoyed a stand-out meal. Try the award-winning crab cakes! Dessert was fantastic, too.

Outdoor exploration:

We recommend booking at least a two-night stay at Little River Inn (mostly because we didn’t want to leave when it was time to go!). In the immediate area, there’s lots to do outdoors if the weather is cooperating. The best beaches can be found at Van Damme State Beach (just about one minute away), or Caspar Beach, on the Point Cabrillo Drive off Highway 1.

We went hiking at Van Damme’s Pygmy Forest (ask at the park ranger station at the entrance to the park for directions, as its in a different location, and free to enter), and we wished we’d had time to explore The Fairy Trail inside the Botanical Gardens at Fort Bragg. Jug Handle State Preserve also has hiking, including an ecological science hike for older kids.

Order breakfasts directly to your room each morning to get an early start on your day, or visit the Little River Inn dining room. Their specialty is the Ole’s Swedish pancakes, but I also loved the eggs benedict. There’s a small market and gas station across the street as well. Pets are welcome at Little River Inn for a $25/night fee, and parking on-site is free, as is WiFi.

From Little River, head up the coast past Mendocino to explore Eureka and the redwoods, or cut back to Highway 101 and back toward the Sonoma area if your trip takes you that way!

Disclosure: We were guests of the Little River Inn for the purpose of review. All opinion remains our own.

Filed Under: Beach Resorts, Best Beach Towns, Best Vacation Towns, California, Grown-up getaway, Highway 1, Interstate, Resort or Hotel, state Tagged With: , , , , ,

Grown-Up Getaway: Sonoma County without the kids

January 28, 2019 By

Sonoma County is certainly a kid-friendly destination, but to best enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, fine dining, and wine tasting opportunities of this region of Northern California, we suggest planning a getaway to Sonoma County without the kids. Here’s how we went about it, including our favorite wineries, dining opportunities and hotel options.

Grown-up Getaway: Sonoma County without the kids

Sonoma County runs parallel on the east with Napa County, and as such, all the wineries and tasting rooms of both counties are easily accessible to you. We think it’s best to break up the county into sections by city, then decide where to stay and what attractions you most want to visit. We drove from Southern Oregon and filled our days with wineries, quaint shopping districts, and restaurants.

Healdsburg:

This town represents some of the best of Sonoma County, with a pretty downtown shopping and wine tasting district and nearby wineries that will wow you. We came in on scenic Highway 128, so we could take in the rolling hills lined with wine grapes to immerse ourselves in our location. Along the way to Healdsburg, we stopped at Silver Oak winery, which has recently built a very impressive LEED-certified facility in the Alexander Valley, and at adjacent Hawkes, both of which produce big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tip: To enjoy popular Sonoma and Napa wineries without crowds and the need for reservations, consider visiting in the off-season, as we did. We had our share of rain during our January visit, but we also got the full attention of staff at wineries and felt completely relaxed.

Once in Healdsburg, we shopped along the central square where we found a lot of fun boutiques and fair trade stores that we doubt the kids would have had the patience to peruse. If you want to stay the night in Healdsburg, you have a wide array of options, from AirBnb rentals to traditional B&Bs and inns. Try The Girl and the Fig for lunch, if you want to linger over a meal here.

Santa Rosa:

We continued to Santa Rosa, where we settled in at The Sandman. Recently renovated in 2017, The Sandman has been elevated from roadside motel to an up-market boutique feel. The value is definitely there, especially in the off-season, as you get a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, free parking and WiFi, included basic breakfast, and a staffed poolhouse bar (during the weekends). During the summer months, look for weekend pool parties with food trucks and live music! The Sandman is pet-friendly and the rooms have been upgraded to have a chic, modern feel. We were within easy access to downtown Santa Rosa, where we ate a fun meal at Gerard’s Paella, and within just minutes of Healdsburg wineries.

Poolhouse at The Sandman

Sonoma:

From Santa Rosa, we drove about 45 minutes to downtown Sonoma the next day, where we once again browsed boutiques and bookshops, stopped in at Basque Bakery, and had our pick of dozens of tasting rooms. This is a great way to taste area wines more efficiently if you don’t have time to visit the wineries themselves. We spent the better part of a day here, before heading just outside of town to visit Cline Cellars, which we found delightfully down-to-earth (the most affordable wine we found in the valley, but also simply very friendly) and the adjacent Jacuzzi Winery, owned by the same family.

Shop window in Sonoma

 

Sonoma coast:

From the town of Sonoma, it’s easy to head out to the Sonoma coast on Highway 1. After a scenic hour drive, you’ll hit the coast at Bodega Bay. From here, we drove north up the beautiful California coastline to Jenner, where we were warmly welcomed for the night at the gorgeous and cozy Timber Cove Resort.  Built in the 1960s and modernized and updated beautifully since, I cannot recommend Timber Cove enough. After our drive, we were welcomed with a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage from their bar called The Remedy (made with ginger beer to ease any rolling tummies after curvy Highway 1). The spacious lobby had a warm fire roaring, and even in the off-season, the bar was well-populated. We settled into our room, which featured a record player (with a full library of records available to us!) and other retro touches, plus a fireplace (gas burning) and balcony overlooking the stormy sea.

We half-wanted to get right into our cozy robes and curl up with a record, but instead we made it back to the lobby to dine at Coast Kitchen, Timber Cove Resort’s restaurant. The oysters were among the best we’ve ever tasted, and the wine list, as you might imagine, was impressive. Definitely, plan to spend at least one meal here.

Tip: Timber Cove Resort’s WiFi is spotty at best, but that’s okay! There are plenty of board games in the lobby, you have music to listen to, and out on the patio outside the main building, ping-pong and pool tables await, as well as a nice paperback book and many seating options overlooking the ocean.

Timber Cove boosts 25 acres, dotted with benches, nature paths and hiking trails. Consider getting the lay of the land with a personal tour of area hiking options with Unbeaten Path Tours, a local business that introduce guests to nearby Salt Point State Park, Sea Ranch architecture, and the Point Arena Lighthouse and Stornetta Lands National Monument. Timber Cove guests on the Seascapes tour will get an on-site tutorial of our trails, the Bufano Peace Obelisk and the Yakutia Totem (called a Serge).

Fort Ross is also only a mile or so away, a California State Historic Park showcasing a Russian-era church and compound with a National Historic Landmark designation. Fort Ross is surrounded by sandy beaches, panoramic coves, and redwood forests. 

After a 1-2 night stay in Timber Cove Resort, we recommend heading back to Sonoma to round out your trip with a few more wineries, or heading north up Highway 1 to explore the Mendocino coast next!

Disclosure: We explored Sonoma County as guests of Timber Cove Resort and The Sandman. All opinions remain our own.

Filed Under: California, Grown-up getaway, Highway 1, Interstate, Resort or Hotel, state Tagged With: , , , , ,

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows review

January 3, 2019 By

Can’t get to Hawaii or Mexico to escape the winter and don’t love Las Vegas? Head to Pheonix Arizona’s cozy neighbor, Scottsdale, for a relaxing, family-friendly and tranquil desert getaway at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. A Hyatt property tucked away on 20+ acres in the shadow of lovely Camelback mountain, the Andaz has a vibrant personality and friendly vibe. Upon arrival, guests are shown into the comfortable ‘guest house’ instead of a lobby, where they’re checked in by team members with iPads instead of going to a counter, then offered a complimentary beverage including wine. The mood is set right then and there.

Instead of rooms, guests are situated in bungalows (about 4-6 units to each adobe-style building). Each bungalow building is spaced nicely apart, and each has a small outdoor seating area (some with tables and chairs, others with outdoor beach seating). There are three room types in addition to suites; the largest room is where I was situated, in a Saarinen King (485 square feet, including a huge bathroom and back enclosed patio area in addition to the front patio). If you have kids with you and want to really splurge, opt for the Saarinen with cabana, for a private cabana looking out on the main pool. There’s also a more private enclave of the resort, called the Retreat. These rooms are situated around a private pool near the fitness center and spa.

andaz

In addition to the pool and hot tub, there’s a nice fitness center with some complimentary classes (yoga was offered during my stay) and a full-service spa with private spa pool. It’s worth looking into a day pass even if you don’t get a treatment. Other complimentary amenities included in the resort fee includes a wine happy hour and libations class, where guests learn how to make one of the signature cocktails at the resort (then get to sip them). You can also ask for a complimentary ride in the resort’s Tesla, within a 2-mile radius, I believe. I used this service to meet a friend for drinks at a resort about a mile away. The Tesla service doesn’t bring you back (because they can’t be certain of availability) but it does save you one way of your Uber. There’s also a golf concierge on site included in your rate.

The resort has only one restaurant, but it’s amazing. The Weft & Warp Art Bar is open, airy, friendly and inviting, with an artsy vibe to go with the partnership the Andaz Scottsdale enjoys with the art studio enclave, Cattle Track. (Local art is also on all the bungalow walls.) The food is fairly expensive, but it’s inventive and fresh, and the cocktails and wine list are creative and expansive. Enjoy a happy hour small bites menu each day from 3-5 pm to save some cash, or go to the pool bar in the day time. Definitely plan to eat at least one breakfast and one dinner at Weft & Warp, however, and enjoy some drinks there.

Certainly, the Andaz Scottsdale is set up to be a destination resort: you can certainly play all day here and not leave the property, soaking up the desert sunshine. If you do decide to head further afield, ample hiking, golfing, mountain biking, art gallery-hopping and shopping is in the area. Several additional restaurants are within walking distance, including a loud but casual taco place and a more reserved steak house.

In addition to the Andaz Scottsdale’s unique ambiance and relaxing setting, the Hyatt hospitality is what you’ll remember most. During my three day stay, every interaction I had with the service team was pleasant and the wait staff remembered me by name multiple times.

Rates are best in the off-season and shoulder season, and when I visited in late November, the resort felt comfortably busy but not crowded. Come even earlier in the fall or last spring for the best weather while snagging decent rates.

 

Filed Under: Arizona, Resort or Hotel, state Tagged With: , , ,

Year-round outdoor exploration from St. George Utah with kids

November 14, 2018 By

Need a home base for your Zion National Park adventure? How about a launching point for fall and winter outdoor exploration of Southern Utah? St. George fits the bill, with red rock canyons, mountain bike and hiking trails, and Virgin River. Families can bike, rock scramble, discover new parks, and even get some culture in St. George. Here’s what not to miss, awaiting discovery just outside your hotel room door.

Outdoor exploration from St. George Utah with kids:

Zion National Park:

Without a doubt, Zion National Park is St. George’s biggest draw, and for good reason. And guess what? It’s even better in the off-season. Explore Zion in the fall and winter to escape the crowds, and don’t worry, you can still hike the Narrows in winter. LINK From St. George, drive to Springdale, then park at the main visitor’s center and shuttle into the park from there during the busier seasons, making sure to hop on and off along the way for day hiking opportunities.

Hike Washington County:

When Zion gets crowded, head to the following adjacent trails:

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve: Here, you can try the Babylon Arch Trail, where the sandy, open terrain transports you to another planet (think Mars). It’s only a mile and change, so provided you time your hike to avoid the peak heat of the day, you’ll be fine. You can also head to the Elephant Arch in the reserve for a longer, sandier hike of almost four miles. If the kids want to dabble in a little of Southern Utah’s famed canyoneering on a trail that’s still just over a mile long, head to the Red Reef Trail, where they can do some scrambling as you hike. If you want to make a day of it and really get your hike on, the Red Reef Trail is part of the Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness system (allowing you to do an almost six mile loop instead).

Snow Canyon State Park: For us, the most intriguing hike in Snow Canyon was the Pioneer Names Trail, where yes, you can observe the names etched into the rock by early Mormon pioneers. I guess if graffiti is old enough, it’s historical! The north trail head to the site provides the closest access, but it’s a short trail either way. You can also hike to the Petrified Dunes in Snow Canyon, which is located in the center of the park, offering amazing views once you’re at the site of the petrified Navajo Sandstone cliffs.

Need to stay closer to town? Head to Dixie Red Rock, a.k.a. Pioneer Park, overshadowing St. George. It’s fun to pack a picnic and watch the avid mountain climbers who flock here.

Additional tip: Have time to go further afield? Cedar Breaks National Monument doesn’t get enough love! Located about an hour and a half away near Brian Head, Cedar Breaks provides fantastic canyons and forest to explore. In winter, this is a snowmobiling mecca, and in summer, this paradise at 10,000 feet is ideal for night sky gazing, hiking, and climbing.

Cycle and mountain bike:


The greater St. George area has over 60 miles of bike paths and literally hundreds of miles of single track and slick rock trails. Beginner mountain bikers who don’t want to be bored need to head to Barrel Roll, which is as fun as it sounds. Located in the Santa Clara River Reserve, Barrel Roll delivers views and twists and turns while not being too steep to handle. From there, advance to the Wire Mesa Trail, located just outside Zion. This single track is more mountainous (with a bit of shade as a bonus) and offers views. If you’re an expert, you have a slew of picks, the most epic undoubtedly Nephi’s Twist at Hurricane Cliffs, a steep, technical track that frankly, is way above my ability level (I’ll leave it to the experts). And don’t forget about the state parks for mountain biking bliss: Snow Canyon State Park is a good option (just double check that bikes are allowed on the trail of your choice.)

Weather not cooperating? Go museum-hopping:

While St. George enjoys near endless sunshine, there will be those days when the skies cloud up. Discover the early Jurassic dinosaur tracks at St. George’s Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, then head to the Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum nearby. Young kids will love the St. George Children’s Museum where they have the run of twelve rooms of hands-on exhibits where they can lose themselves in imaginative play.

Enjoy the water:

From late spring to early fall, boating and swimming is an option, thanks to Southern Utah’s warm water and air temperatures. Quail Creek State Park, Gunlock State Park, and Sand Hollow State Park all offer boating and swimming. The Quail Creek and Sand Hollow reservoirs are great for fishing, too (don’t forget to get all boats, and even tubes, inspected first). You can also ride the dunes of Sand Mountain in an off-highway vehicle at Sand Hollow State Park.

Want a different experience? The Virgin River cuts through the red rock landscape of Springdale, providing the perfect way to cool off. To escape the summer masses, head to Falls Park (Sheep Bridge). You’ll enjoy sandy beaches and perfect jump-off rocks (always check depth before jumping!). Families can find shallow pools for kids, and the more daring can find rapids to ride.

Want more space to yourself? As long as your vehicle has the clearance of an SUV, you can bump your way along a dirt road to Toquerville Falls, where an easy hike lands you at the base of a desert oasis. You’ll want your camera ready for these cascading falls over the rock, but you can take a dip, too.

This post is written in partnership with Visit St. George and Travel Mindset. All opinions remain my own.

Filed Under: Adventures, Outdoor Attractions, Parks or Natural Areas, Pit Stops, state, Utah Tagged With: , , , ,

How to spend two days in Banff National Park, Alberta

October 4, 2018 By

Hopefully, you have more than two days to explore Banff National Park with kids, but if you are limited on time, here’s what you should do first.

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies:

Whyte Museum is a great place to start. It may be small, but does an excellent job with both an art gallery and exhibits detailing the history of the park, starting with the First Nations’ presence and continuing through the establishment of the park and the role of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. When you enter, you first walk through the art gallery, which showcases Banff’s rich art history. An interesting section covers mountaineering and climbing in the park, as well as the practice of heli-skiing and backcountry winter exploration. The museum is fairly small, but you’ll still want at least 45 minutes to tour. Best of all, admission is by donation. Whyte Museum is located at 111 Bear Street.

whyte museum

Cave and Basin National Historic Site:

Cave and Basin marks the birthplace of Canadian national parks, with the discovery of a hot springs underground by railroad employees (of course, this cave was not a new discovery to First Nations’ tribes). Now, this hot springs is closed to swimming due to preservation of a species of snail, but visitors can learn about the history of the site and the creation of Parks Canada in exhibits in the former bathhouse changing rooms and see the site of the former pool. You can also walk through a tunnel to see the still-bubbling sulphuric water in the original cave, as well as view the outdoor basin where the water pools. Admission is affordable, and there are boardwalks adjacent for a short hike around the site. Plan to spend about 45 minutes, then head to Banff Upper Hot Springs, where you can swim in even warmer waters. Cave and Basin is located at 311 Cave Avenue.

Banff Upper Hot Springs:

The Upper Hot Springs features a large outdoor pool located at a historic Banff bathhouse (that now also houses a spa). The temperature of the water is a respectable 104 degrees (40 C), and admission is very affordable. We forgot a bathing suit, and found out traditional bathing costumes of the ’20s and ’30s can be rented for just $1.90…fun and a deal! You can also rent towels, and there are large, clean locker rooms for changing. If you want to stay awhile, there’s a cafe upstairs in the bathhouse, and hiking trails nearby. If the weather is clear, pair an afternoon at the hot springs with a ride up the gondola, located nearby. Banff Upper Hot Springs is located on Mountain Avenue.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Surprise Corner:

So named for the surprise view of the beautiful Bow Valley and Banff Springs Hotel, this corner along Tunnel Mountain Road has a dedicated pull out and parking lot and observation deck. Take some photos and tell the kids about the role the hotel and the railroad had in Banff tourism (the hotel was built to lure rail passengers to the area). Look for wildlife here!

surprise corner

Hoodoos:

The Hoodoos feature geological formations similar to those found in Bryce Canyon in Utah, but more enticing is the amazing view of the Bow River and valley. Park and take the short walk to the viewpoint, bringing binoculars along; during our visit, we spotted elk grazing by the river bank far below. The loop hike starting from this location is a great option for wooded terrain and the chance to spot wildlife.

hoodoos Banff

Sulphur Mountain:

For a longer, more challenging hike that’s still close to town, the 11 km round-trip up Sulphur Mountain includes winding switchbacks for amazing views of the Bow River and valley. At the top, walk over to the Cosmic Ray Station (used to take meteorological readings) and take the gondola back down to save some distance.

Tunnel Mountain:

Tunnel Mountain is located near the heart of the town and takes families up a fairly steep but short hike to the top of–you guessed it–Tunnel Mountain. The distance is 4 km round trip. The main draw? The view of the town of Banff from the top. Due to use, you’re not likely to spot a lot of wildlife on the Tunnel Mountain trail, but it is guaranteed to give you a good lay of the land.

Lake Minnewanka:

During summer, Lake Minnewanka is the place to go for canoe rentals, a guided boat ride, or picnicking. During fall, it’s far less busy, and can get windy (ask to hear the First Nations’ legends surrounding this lake), but is a good place to spot big horn sheep, and, if you’re lucky, mountain goats. Take the short drive a bit further to Two Jack Lake for even more seclusion in the off-season.

Tip: If you have more time, booking a tour with Discover Banff Tours is a good way to get oriented and learn more about the park and its wildlife. The three-hour tour may be too lengthy for very young kids, but school-aged kids will enjoy the wildlife talks, and parents will get a feel for which destinations they’d like to revisit on their own time.

Wondering where to stay in Banff? Our Banff National Park hotel pick.

As I disclose whenever applicable, portions of our activities in Banff were hosted for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Filed Under: Alberta, Canada, international destination, National Parks and Monuments, Outdoor Attractions, Parks or Natural Areas, Pit Stops, state, Tours and Experiences Tagged With: , , ,

Adventure travel for your phone: Tech 21 case review

March 20, 2017 By

Gone are the days when leaving your phone on the charging dock, at the ski lodge, in your backpack, or in the car is an option. I’m a big fan of outdoor adventure travel, but also a big fan of having my phone with me when I’m on vacation. It’s often my camera, my communication device, my note taker, and my navigator. But I hate it when I feel limited because I’m worried about my phone.

tech 21

My phone ‘wears’ different cases for different activities, which protects it nicely from drops, spills, and any other silliness I may put it through. But when I travel outdoors, my phone brings along a second ‘outfit’. It’s essential that my phone owns a second skin that’s waterproof, dustproof, and generally adventure travel-proof.

Tech 21 Evo Aqua case review:

Enter the Tech21 Evo Aqua. Currently, we’re trying out the Aqua on my teen son’s iPhone 7+, but it also comes in the iPhone 7. Why test the Aqua on my son’s phone? Frankly, because it’s the phone that goes through the most ‘adventure’. Our first test came on a winter weekend at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, a ski resort known for creating its own weather system due it its large, volcanic peak. When we stepped out of the car, the temperature was 14 degrees F, with the wind blowing.

My son’s phone likes to ‘die’ nearly immediately in very cold weather (it must have been fated for a life in Hawaii, not the Pacific Northwest), but right away, we noticed that the Aqua case protected the ports and speaker from the bracing cold, which I believe aided to a long day of battery life. (This is not a proven fact; just something we noticed.)

We then tested the Aqua in the snow, retrieving it from the protection of a ski jacket pocket often to take photos, take video while skiing, and take a few tumbles. We even dropped it from the ski chair, though I’ll admit that was an accident.

What’s comparable to other waterproof cases:

The Tech21 Aqua is waterproof to over 6.5 feet submersion, which, in my experience, is similar to a few other waterproof cases. It has FlexShock drop protection, comparable with others, and it retails for $89, which is a bit less, but fairly similar, to other waterproof cases I’ve tried. The Aqua also allows for full access to all your ports and buttons, which I’ve found to be true of other cases. It’s a bit harder to hear from the speaker, because it’s more securely closed off, but on the flip side, it’s easily to access my charging port on the Aqua than on other cases. All in all, it’s a pretty compatible experience.

Tech 21 Evo Aqua

What’s unique about Tech 21 Aqua:

When I first enclosed my iPhone in the Tech 21 Aqua, I did a double take. Why? The front of my phone was still unprotected! Then I looked more closely: while the front glass face of my phone was indeed ‘naked’, the waterproofing seal wrapped all the way around it. This is such a great benefit to the Aqua, because unlike other waterproof cases, this one doesn’t require me to practically beat my phone with my fists to get it to respond to touch. There’s no bulky plastic casing over my screen. Yes, it’s hard to trust this design at first, but once you do, you’ll love it.

The textured finish on the Aqua makes the case a little bit ‘grippy’, which is nice when your phone is wet. Combined with the open front face, I never felt like my phone was a slippery, plastic torpedo about to leave my grasp. We also tested the Aqua in the Narrows of Zion National Park, and I was grateful for its ‘grippiness’ there, too. Yes, it’s waterproof, but no, I don’t want to test that thoroughly (more on this below).

What to watch out for:

For this review, we didn’t submerge the Aqua all the way in water, but the phone certainly got wet, icy, and clammy, with no issues. We DID test it in water as instructed in the Tech21 instruction manual, which gets me to an important point: definitely, absolutely, no-joke, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS when putting the Aqua case on your phone, especially for the first time. It seems self-explanatory, but it’s imperative that you know how to put the case on correctly the first time, so you can see how it feels and looks to be on the right way.

Basically, you place your phone in the front of the case and then attach the backing of the case by making sure each section securely snaps and seals, working your way around the phone as you go, but if it’s not securely sealed, water WILL get in. The instruction book recommends installing a plastic ‘dummy’ phone (provided) into the case first, then submerging it underwater for 30 minutes to make sure you put it on properly. I highly recommend this as well. This process really made us confident when we put the Aqua on the real phone.

Note: I personally do not submerge my phone completely in water in ANY case. I’ve just seen things go sideways too many times. Instead, I use an underwater or waterproof point-and-shoot camera for underwater photos.

 Tech 21 cases for ‘low impact’ travel:

As noted above, you’re not going to use the Aqua for everything, or every day travel. On travel days, I use my earbud port and speaker more than usual, and I certainly don’t want to mess with a clunky case when my phone needs to be tucked away in my carry-on. I also use up a lot of battery on travel days, since I store my boarding passes and hotel reservations on my phone. For travel days, I tried the Tech 21 Endurance, which is a battery case that’s still streamlined and sleek. Not only is the Endurance a battery case, but it still provides protection from drops and spills. And unlike any other battery case I’ve tried, there’s no heat emission. That’s huge to me.

tech 21 gem

Don’t need extra battery power? For ‘low impact’ travel days (i.e., days I’m not hiking through rivers, skiing, or facing a thunderstorm or sand storm), I like the Tech 21 Evo Gem. It’s ultra-thin and lightweight, but still provides cushioning for drop protection. It’s the perfect level of case when you don’t need mega protection.

Filed Under: electronics and cameras, product reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Facing serious concerns when traveling with kids: how to get past the ‘fear factor’

April 1, 2015 By

 

facing-fears-traveling

Any parent traveling with kids off the beaten path has fielded questions from nay-sayers:

“Are you sure it’s safe to travel to Mexico?”

“You’re taking your kids how far along what trail?”

“How long will you be gone?”

“Solo, you say?”

As a parent who makes her living encouraging people to travel with their kids, I bristle at these fear-based inquiries. They are not grounded in research, but are rather knee-jerk, emotional responses to individualized worries. The good news: traveling parents need not listen to them.

However, we all know that as beautiful as the world is, terrible things do happen. They happen at home, they happen at school and work, and yes, they happen to families when they’re on vacation. Even though I believe strongly in the power and wisdom and sheer, live-altering joy of travel, my heart and stomach lurch just as quickly as any other mother’s when I read or see reports of tragedy while traveling.

travel-with-kids

There are risks we all assume when we step outside our front door, whether to go to the grocery store or another continent. Airplanes do crash. Cars do, too. Terrorists attack. Civil unrest, political strife, and diseases are sadly, alive and well on our planet, and awful things do happen. Which risks to assume and which to avoid can only be made on a personal level.

It can be hard to make these decisions with healthy perspective when tragedy strikes close to home. I can clearly remember learning of the death of a child on an amusement park ride days before visiting the same park with my own family, and of an accident on a cruise ship just before embarking. Most recently, I was made aware of this news story, in which 15-year-old Tyler Madoff was accidentally killed at sea during a Bold Earth trip.

A Pit Stops for Kids reader brought it to my attention, with the question, ‘why didn’t this story get more attention? What can we do to travel safely with our kids?’

My own 15-year-old son had just returned from a very smilier trip, an adventure service trip to Costa Rica, and the terrifying thought, familiar to all parents, passed through my mind: it could have been him. It sent a shudder right through me, and for weeks, I struggled with how to address this question and the larger issue of keeping our kids safe while traveling.

How do you accept tragedy, and keep exploring?

First, my heart and thoughts go out to Tyler Madoff’s parents, and all others who have experienced such a tragedy. And then, I do my best to separate logical safety concerns from generalized fear. Some accidents are just that…freak occurrences no one could avoid…abroad or at home. Was this the case in Tyler Madoff’s situation? I can’t be sure without knowing more details…more safety considerations may have been prudent, but the travel operation in question does have a good reputation. Things simply do happen which are out of our control. But what about the rest of the time? What about all the travel decisions we make or place in others’ hands which could factor into the overall safety of our trip?

costa-rica

My reader offered some guidelines, parent-to-parent, that she hoped would help. I saw wisdom in them, and would like to list them here, expanding where I feel I can offer insight.  There are simple measures parents can take to make sure children are in the safest care.

1. Research destinations before you book a trip. There are no shortage of travel websites and handbooks. A few useful sites are TripAdvisor and Fodors, Camp Ratingz and Choice Camps. Checking out the travel company’s Facebook profile (and any related groups) is always helpful as well.

Certainly, it’s worth taking the time to check up on a tour operation or destination via social media. Poll your own friends or followers, or send a general inquiry into the Twittersphere. While reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor should not always be taken at face value, reading through at least a dozen reviews should give parents a general sense of guest satisfaction. Of course, the absolute best recommendations come from people you know. In the case of international travel, always—always—be up-to-date on the political temperature of a foreign country. Check travel advisories via your home government pages. If in doubt whether a fear is legitimate or not, talk to people who have traveled to your destination within the last few months, not people who have ‘heard’ something is unsafe via a friend of a friend or Fox news (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

Hiking Mt. Roberts

2. Ask the right questions. Before booking a travel tour, ask what isn’t included in the cost, and why. Is there travel insurance, or should you purchase that on your own? What kind of risk management policies are in place? What are the training qualifications of the tour guides?

It’s surprising to me how often this last question is not asked by parents, especially when leaving children in the care of others.

I am a generally trusting person, but trusting a care giver or tour operation based on trust of a brand is simply not enough. Yes, reputable destinations and resorts will absolutely strive to have the highest standards and using a brand you already trust is a great start, but ultimately, the responsibility is the parents’ to check credentials and qualifications.

3. Make sure your kids are prepared! If your child knows what to do in case of emergency, you’ll feel a lot more confident. CPR training, swim lessons, or simply informing them where to go or to whom they should speak if they feel like they’re in danger can go a long way when they’re on their own, as this Daily Beast article displays.

I love this tip. While parents need to be empowered, kids do too. Because we spend a lot of time in the outdoors, and I have outdoor safety training, my kids are very up-to-date on wilderness safety. They know what to do if lost, when encountering wildlife, and if they need basic first aid. We’ve started to ski more aggressively in the backcountry, which means I’ve been researching avalanche safety courses we can take together. We will not be exploring in snow country until this is done.

When it comes to international travel, my kids know how to contact us and family at home in other countries, and we always go over safety rules and back-up plans before entering crowded areas.

Basically, all the suggestions above follow one key guideline. Use common sense. Take reasonable precautions. Keep valuables in a safe place, have copies of important documents at all times, and use reliable, reputable transportation and services while traveling. Follow signage and heed posted warnings, and don’t take unnecessary risks.

Will you be embarking on an excursion to a particular tidal pool, bay, trail, or landmark? Do your own research about this place, instead of relying 100% on guides.

I’m not suggesting going it alone…we believe strongly in hiring local experts…but don’t follow blindly.

Your safety, and the safety of your children, is ultimately your responsibility, in so far as this is possible to control. The example that comes to mind is the dangerous yet exhilarating Angel’s Landing knife-edge trail in Zion National Park. People die there annually, mostly due to not listening to their own internal guidelines, knowing their own abilities, and trusting blindly that if there’s a trail maintained by a government agency, it’s for them. Not always. Again, even in our lawsuit happy world, I believe parents are ultimately responsible for their own wellbeing and their children’s wellbeing.

As for the risks you cannot control, you’re every bit at the whim of fate while in your own home as while traveling. Explore this beautiful world, share its people and sights with your children, and enjoy life!

Many thanks to reader Sue J. for taking the time to email her concerns to Pit Stops for Kids. Photo credit: Amy Whitley, Flickr/xlibber, and Brisbane City Council.

Filed Under: travel planning, Travel Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

Top 10 family hiking trails in Utah

August 2, 2012 By

It’s difficult to select only ten great family hiking trails in Utah, but the trails in Utah’s national parks are especially good places for families to explore the natural wonders of the world together. These are my family’s favorite trails from each of Utah’s national parks.

I use two criteria for determining whether a hike is family-friendly. First, the hike must be easy enough for a preschooler to walk on his own. My five-year-old has walked nearly all of these trails in the past two years. Second, the hike must be worthwhile for everyone in the family. If I’m going to spend the time and money to travel to a national park, I want to see what makes it special.

Zion National Park

1. Weeping Rock

I have visited Zion National Park dozens of times and there were few visits when I didn’t hike to Weeping Rock. This short, paved trail leads visitors to an alcove in the canyon wall where water drips continuously through the sandstone in front, creating a hanging garden in the desert. The alcove also provides a spectacular view of Zion Canyon.

2. Emerald Pools

This is my eight-year-old daughter’s favorite hike. Families will discover three waterfall-fed pools along this trail. The one-mile stroller-friendly walk to the Lower Pool is worthwhile on its own. The last third-mile between the Middle Pool and the Upper Pool is rugged and strenuous, but the Upper Pool is the best of the three.

Bryce Canyon National Park

3. Rim Trail from Sunrise to Sunset Point

The entire Rim Trail is about 5.5 miles one way, but it has several entry and exit points, so it’s easy for families to customize their experience. The half-mile between Sunrise and Sunset Points is flat and paved and gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs while appreciating some of the best scenery in Bryce Canyon.

4. Navajo Loop

This 1.3-mile loop starts and ends at Sunset Point. The trail descends dramatically through the hoodoos to the floor of Bryce Canyon. The walk back uphill is strenuous, but there is no reason to rush through scenery this beautiful. Even an amateur photographer like me can’t take a bad picture here

Capitol Reef National Park

5. Capitol Gorge

This two-mile flat, unpaved trail was the main highway through Capitol Reef until 1964. Petroglyphs and the signatures of Mormon pioneers in the rock walls indicate that it had been used this way for a long time. At the end of the trail, take the short, steep trail to see natural water tanks in the rocks where rainwater collects in the desert.

6. Hickman Bridge

Two natural bridges, an ancient Fremont dwelling, and magnificent scenery are a pretty good return on your investment in this 2.5-mile hike. Pick up a printed trail guide before you start to fully appreciate all this hike has to offer.

Canyonlands National Park

7. Mesa Arch

The payoff for this hilly half-mile hike is an arch that frames endless canyons behind it. There are unfenced cliffs at the end, but there is plenty of room to enjoy the view without going near the drop-off.

8. White Rim Overlook

We often have this trail’s spectacular panoramas to ourselves because it isn’t well-marked from the road. Look for a marked picnic area just down the road from the Island in the Sky visitor center. Signs for the trailhead are inside the picnic area. There are unfenced cliffs at the end of this trail, but there is a shady place to sit and plenty of space to enjoy the view without getting too close to the edge.

Arches National Park

9. Sand Dune Arch

The first time my husband and I hiked this short, flat and sandy trail, we found a family relaxing in the shade near the trailhead with their camp chairs, picnic, and sand toys. We haven’t hiked this trail with our kids yet, but we’re coming prepared with the same equipment when we do.

10. Delicate Arch

None of the many photos of this iconic arch compare with the experience of seeing it in person. The three-mile hike across exposed sandstone can be challenging, but the perfect photo ops and the opportunity to walk right up to Delicate Arch is worth it. Plan to hang on to young children at the end because there are some scary drop-offs once you get to the arch, but not before.

Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to hike in all of these parks, though Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands are a little cooler and Zion has a river in which to cool off. Winter is a great time to hike to Delicate Arch.

I grew up visiting Utah’s national parks and now I enjoy sharing them with my family. Make them a part of your family memories too.

Allison Laypath is a family travel writer at tipsforfamilytrips.com, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She and her husband took their first child on a two-week road trip at four-weeks-old and they have been traveling as a family ever since. Allison loves all types of travel, but especially road trips, national parks and travel within her home state of Utah.

Filed Under: Adventures, Extreme Outdoors, National Parks and Monuments, Outdoor Attractions, Parks or Natural Areas, Pit Stops, state, Utah Tagged With: , , ,

Our top ten national park travel moments

February 21, 2011 By

Posing on the brink of the Angel’s Landing knife edge.

The Pit Stops for Kids family does our best to do more than ‘talk the talk’ of family travel: we pack up the kids and walk the walk…through rainforests and woods, deserts and beaches, striving to take our kids beyond the boundaries of what they know of our corner of the natural world. I suppose it’s no surprise that our top travel moments have occurred on just such ‘foreign’ soil as our own national parks, a land which, despite many visits, remains largely undiscovered:

10. Watching Toby canoe across Grand Teton’s Jackson Lake under a mid-morning sun.

9. Feeling swallowed whole in the cold and eerie gloom of the Oregon Caves’ Passageway of the Whale.

8. Nate’s absolute joy upon dipping his bread into Many Glacier Hotel’s famous Swiss fondue.

7. Toby’s deep breath before disappearing into an ancient kiva within Mesa Verde’s Puebloan ruins.

6. Coming to a ‘black bear traffic stop’ on Glacier’s Going to the Sun Road.

5. Sweating in the rock solid desert heat under Arches National Park’s Double Arch.

4. Spending a lazy afternoon escaping Yellowstone’s crowds in the Firehole River.

3. Attempting to traverse the ‘knife edge’ on Zion National Park’s Angel’s Landing (and failing to find the nerve).

2. Standing amid the utter isolation of Death Valley’s empty landscape.

1. Watching my kids sworn into 12 junior ranger programs in two years.

This post has been entered in the Grandtourismo HomeAway Holiday-Rentals travel blogging competition in conjunction with HomeAwayUK.

 

Filed Under: National Parks and Monuments, Travel Essays Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,