Visiting Local Fairs

Fairs have become year-round activities that offer unique experiences to families and travelers alike. Today we will look at two of my favorite kinds of fairs.

CRAFT FAIRS

Craft Fairs are the most popular during the fall and winter holidays. I enjoy walking the vendor stalls to see what popular new and classic crafts are trending. Taking the kids along exposes them to ideas and activities they may usually not see. A vendor selling knitted items maybe create something while waiting for customers. As a child, I'll never forget the glass blower I met who created the most enchanting glass animals. Most crafters are willing to answer questions about their creations, so a visit makes for an educational and creative adventure.

STATE & COUNTY FAIRS

My love of funnel cakes and farm animals began at state and county fairs, so they hold a special place in my heart. My love of animals started when I was exposed to horses, lambs, pigs, and other farm animals at these fairs. At the last county fair I attended, I enjoyed seeing the entries from young children and teens. It was inspirational and made me want to dust off my family dessert recipe for the following year's competition. There are many things to see, from livestock competitions to live music. A well-run fair offers many things for visitors. 

 

Planning Your Mommy Travels for 2016

January has always been a reset for me. It's a time where I empower myself and reevaluate my yearly travel

Planning trips to nearby state zoos is an inexpensive family trip

goals. . A difficulty many moms have is time and money for trips. It’s easy to put off your dreams of travel when the kids have after school activities or when the boss requires you to work extra hours. To overcome these challenges I try to set personal deadlines for myself. For example, I have three “trips” planned in the next 6 months two are local and one is a 14-day cross-country road trip.  

Once my deadlines are in place, I try to figure out when I can travel and how I’m going to pay for it. Sometimes it means making a bit of money online while waiting on the kids or I find myself stretching the time between haircuts to save a bit extra or cooking at home more. My busy life has me saving everywhere I can so I have enough for my travel goals.

You can make your travel dreams come true, if you plan it to match your current lifestyle! For example, our 14-day road trip will involve camping at some locations and food I’ve brought from home to save money. We’ve decided to drive instead of fly. It’s cheaper and we have more to see.

 The following smartphone Aps have help me refocus me travel goals and I hope they set you on the path for success in 2016. These links are to Android Aps to help you plan your trips, Apple users can find many of these aps at the Apple Store.

Note and Planning Tools – These Aps allow you to write, make lists and plan your trips on the run then you can port to other  computers or print your stuff at home.

MS Office 

Squid – This is a favorite of mine. It has a pen function that allows me to draw or write notes by hand.

Trello – I recommend you take the online tutorial before using this product. It takes a while to get used to but it is the best tool I’ve used in planning trips, my published books, blogs and even my home life. It’s especially helpful in putting together savings plans for future trips.

Keep- This is a Google product and works very similar to Trello. I use this for making travel lists, writing poetry, and filing travel details directly from Google Maps.  

Exploring Tropical Travel in Belize

Belize is located on northeastern coast of Central America and is often referred to by divers as one of the seven wonders of the underwater world. The Great Barrier Reef that runs parallel to the coast of Belize is the second largest reef in the world rivaled only by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This dotted chain of cays shelters an astonishing amount of marine life and with a visibility of over 100 feet; it is considered a divers and snorkelers paradise.

For moms looking for a water travel adventure, Belize is the perfect place to enjoy pristine beaches and the ocean's natural wonders. Travel choices to Belize offer trips for any type of traveler. Travel moms can visit with their children using one of many guided family tours available in Belize. 

Very adventurous travel moms can also book their own trips and stay at resort hotels such as the Sunbreeze Hotel in Ambergris Cay. 

Most flights going to Belize land in Belize City but most recommend that vacationers take the time to travel to the more tourist friendly San Pedro. This city serves as a Belize tourist base for deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling tours. An example of such a tour is a visit to Shark Ray Alley within the Hol Chan Aquatic Nature Reserve where visitors can snorkel in an aquarium like setting along with nurse sharks, stingrays and a variety of other local tropical fish species.

Tourist friendly San Pedro boasts a laid-back atmosphere where golf carts, bicycles and walking are the preferred methods of transportation. In addition, many of the San Pedro hotels offer services to help visitors book guided Belize tours. 

Guided tours are the best way to explore Belize for first time travel moms. One tour that should not be missed when visiting San Pedro is the nearby archaeological site called the Marco Gonzalez Ruins. Over 2000 years old, these ruins are believed to be part of an important Mayan trading center. 

Travel to Belize can be found throughout the internet at reasonable prices, but make sure to check reviews and references before booking a trip.There is a high amount of crime in Belize City so a reputable agent with personal references is important.  

A Trip to Willamette Valley Wine Country

Age appropriate: 21 and up

Moms need some time off, too!  Not only does it give you a break but it makes those left behind more appreciative of your efforts!  As much as I love Napa Valley, it is an expensive trip for Travel Mommies on a budget. A great wine tour alternative that is often overlooked because of is west coast location is Willamette Valley in Oregon.  This 100 mile long valley named after the river that flows through it contains a number of charming towns and over 300 wineries. Cities such as Newberg in the valley offer a number of charming Bed and Breakfast inns such as The Dreamgiver's Inn, University House and Chehalem Ridge. 


Take a Tour

A hot air balloon scenic flight over the wine country of Newberg is an excellent way to view the area and enjoy the countryside. Most flights last an hour but are often combined with a catered breakfast and post flight celebration. Another fun way to enjoy Oregon's premier wine country is by bike. Bike tours will take visitors on an easy paced ride through picturesque country lanes past stunning landscapes, hillside vineyards, and century old farmhouses. Many tours will include wine tastings at local vineyards and a picnic lunches. For the truly adventuresome try taking the 132-mile Bikeway which starts at Champoeg State Hertiage park and winds through a number of picturesque Willamette Valley towns and ends at the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge.

For more Information visit the Willamette Valley Tourism Page.

Art, Gems & Rocks at the Lizzadro

Age Appropriate for mature 6 and up 

I was ten years old the first time I visited the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art and I had not been back for years until I decided to share my fond memories of this hands on museum with my Geo crazy daughter. Her love of art, Gems, gold and rocks made the perfect combination for this small but amazing museum.

The Lizzadro hosts two levels of exhibits. The first floor highlights a series of natural dioramas ranging from a prehistoric scene, created with stone palm trees and ferns with jade carved dinosaurs, to jungle scenes with elephants carved from ivory. Between the glass case exhibits on the walls, one notices beautiful scenes of the Italian countryside.  These realistic scenes are a part of the Lizzadro’s Roman mosaic stone collection created between 1780 and 1850.

 

Other exhibits include a real ten-panel screen once owned by the Chinese Emperor Qianlong. Each screen panel depicts the seasons of the year using precious gems, stones and other materials such as ivory and mother of pearl to create each scene.  Lizzadro Museum holds many examples of fine Chinese art.

Of the many marvels to see at the Lizzadro, the most precious exhibit is the 18k Gold Castle created in memory of James Lizzadro. This breath-taking castle combines the art of lapidary and goldsmithing to create a fairy castle where any royal would love to live.

The downstairs floor of the Lizzadro holds an exhibit called the Rock and Mineral Experience that any child interested in gems and geology will love. Each exhibit allows a hands on experience and girls will especially marvel at the ability to touch uncut Gems.  

Located at 220 Cottage Hill in Elmhurst Illinois the museum is located just off Wilder Park. Parents wishing to save some money can pack a picnic lunch to eat in the park and visit the museum on Fridays when admission is free.