• Travel

    Where in Canada Can You Stay in a Hotel Made of Ice?

    May 23, 2019 - By 

    I wake on a bed of ice, intricate carvings of a basilisk surrounding me, light subtly creeping through a snow ceiling and polished bricks of ice. Outside this crystal ice palace, the world is still and silent. The kids, in the bed beside ours, just a few feet away are still snugly bundled, not yet stirring. Beside me, wrapped in a burrito sleeping bag, is my husband. I hear the familiar rise, fall and slight catch of his breath. What Can I Expect Overnight at Hôtel de Glace Quebec? I squeeze my eyes shut a moment longer, listening with my…

  • family

    Useful and Fantastic Gifts to Get for Hikers

    May 15, 2019 - By 

    This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers.  Are you a hiker? Know someone who loves hiking and exploring? Wondering what presents make the best gifts for hikers? Well I have a few ideas for you to give your outdoor fitness junkie any time of the year. Here’s some extra motivation: Extra 30% Off Outlet Orders $100+ Code: MAY30 If you are considering a gift for a loved one who likes to be outside, or enjoys hiking and camping, here are a few ideas that any hiker will enjoy any time of year for any occasion. They are…

  • Wyoming mountain range with a bit of snow on the ground
    Travel

    What is There to Do in Wyoming?

    May 7, 2019 - By 

    Seems like I am forever travelling east or south, skiing with family, staying in ice hotels or seeking sun-drenched squeaky sandy beaches. It’s rare that I have the chance to go west. Last fall I took a five day tour of Wyoming with a group of travel writers, sampling local food, exploring museums, learning about a dramatic renovation of the State’s Capitol Building and staying overnight at a working ranch. Topaz Skies and Rocky Trails That 5-day trip through Wyoming reminded me there are many reasons to head west. Picture herds of antelope running across the sheer expanse of wide…

  • Technology

    Be Speed Aware When Driving

    May 1, 2019 - By 

    This post was sponsored by Best Buy which means I received compensation. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. We spend a lot of hours on the road together as a family because I write about travel often. So, I’m all about road safety and ways to travel safely, of course. If you knew about something that could keep you safe on the road wouldn’t you want to know more? When I learned about this new device – the Uniden R7 radar detector I was curious to hear more and I wondered how it worked. Let…

  • sunday_river_maine
    Travel

    Where Can You Find Amazing Skiing in Maine?

    April 30, 2019 - By 

    “There’s skiing in Maine?” That’s what my family asked the week before we left for a 12-day road trip through New England and up to Quebec. Oh yes, indeed, there’s great skiing in Maine and when it comes to affordable family friendly ski trips, Sunday River Resort delivers. Spring/Winter Family Road Trips As a family, we ski Vermont every year and we’re extremely familiar with that territory and the Green Mountains. But this year we decided to add on to our trip and keep exploring for as long as we could. So, after five days of skiing at Sugarbush and…

  • stylish sunglasses for women and a mom standing on a deck with sunglasses on
    family

    Stylish Sunglasses for Women from SmartBuyGlasses

    April 29, 2019 - By 

    Stylish sunglasses are a must for both looking good and keeping your eyes healthy. Two things that matter all year round actually. Recently I needed a high resolution business headshot to accompany a magazine feature. Simple enough, right? Wrong. I gave up on this endeavour because when I sat down to look for a high resolution headshot I realized all my photos featured me wearing ski goggles skiing or sunglasses hiking, walking, riding. Silver lining – I guess it’s good that I clearly protect my eyes all year round. Just not so great when hunting down a professional headshot. Start…

  • green mountains and sugarbush resort from high atop one of the runs
    Travel

    Celebrate 60 Years at Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont

    April 22, 2019 - By 

    Update – in November 2019, Sugarbush Ski Resort Vermont announced they’d been sold to Alterra. Win Smith told me in an email: “Alterra is focused on sustainability at all their destinations both in terms of doing responsible things but also in advocating for initiatives to deal with the growing climate crisis.  Sugarbush has been doing this already and will have a greater voice as part of Alterra.” Alterra Buys Sugarbush Ski Resort The sale is expected to go through January 7, 2020. Staff will retain their jobs, the reaction to the announcement has been positive and current staff will all…

  • Travel

    Don’t Miss – Prohibited Items Banned From Cruises

    April 16, 2019 - By 

    Prohibited items on a cruise ship can land you in hot water if you forget to check what’s allowed and what is not. SO, don’t forget to check the specifics of your cruise line before you head to port. Some cruise ship prohibited items are completely obvious to most of us. I mean logically most people know not to bring any sort of weapon, however there are some items that might surprise you. When traveling, knowledge is power, and it’s just as important to know what not to bring on board a cruise ship as it is to know what…

  • family

    7 Common Camping Mistakes Beginners Make

    April 8, 2019 - By 

    We have been cottagers all my life and we have done many memorable glamping trips, including this one to Norfolk County where we stayed in a gorgeous safari tent. But camping, well that was one we came to later in life. Seems to be our way. Late bloomers perhaps? I mean I only learned how to ski in my forties with my family and I banished my fear of heights in my mid 40s too. Finally, I realized we were missing a lot of opportunities to travel affordably by out ruling camping all of the time. So, now we camp…

  • harmony of the seas cruise ship docked in port and a family of three in front of the ship. Mom and two younger teens
    Travel

    The Harmony of the Seas – Epic Fun Cruising

    April 5, 2019 - By 

    Updated with more details in April 2019 This year, we took a family cruise on the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. The biggest cruise ship on the water at the time. As most cruisers know the biggest is only the biggest for a season, if that. But we didn’t choose The Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas for its size. We bought in this time for the laundry list of amazing activities on board and the ports of call. Cruising with teens needs to be fun, which means you need to opt for a cruise ship with a lot…