Travel Blog Planet

Dumbo with Donald

My family and I recently took a 10-day trip to Walt Disney World in the Orlando, Florida area. Two things:

1. It was hot.
2. It was humid.

It was also a lot of fun. We took naps and hit the late hours (Extra Magic Hours) that the parks schedule for guests staying on property at a Disney World resort. By late I mean LATE. For example, about 1a.m. my son had the rare opportunity to ride Dumbo with one Donald Duck. Yes, the real Donald Duck.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a memory that will last forever.

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays

Photo by Whit Honea

Squamscott River, Exeter, New Hampshire

The Amtrak Downeaster Rail begins in Portland, Maine and ends in Boston, Massachusetts. In between there are stops in Old Orchard Beach ME, Saco ME, Wells ME, Dover NH, Durham NH, Exeter NH, Haverhill MA, and Woburn MA. For this series of articles I will expound upon the merits of each stop along the Downeaster Amtrak tour.

The town of Exeter has a very long history. The town was incorporated in 1638, and today hosts a wide variety of well preserved historic buildings. The American Independence Museum is located within walking distance of the Amtrak station, and boasts two rare drafts of the U.S. Constitution as well as an original Purple Heart, awarded by George Washington to soldiers demonstrating extraordinary bravery. History buffs will truly enjoy a tour of the museum, the 18th century Ladd-Gilman House, and Folsom Tavern.

A stone church in Exeter.

The extraordinarily beautiful Exeter Inn, built in 1932, features the renowned Epoch Restaurant and is a truly upscale and classy way to spend the night in the Exeter area. Patrons can indulge in a short walk to the center of downtown Exeter to enjoy such entertainments as the historic Bandstand, a variety of shops and restaurants, and museums. Adjacent to the bandstand is the Inn by the Bandstand, another historic establishment built in 1809 and featuring nine antique furnished guest rooms.

Exeter is yet another excellent jumping-off point to enjoy all of the sights of the New England coast as you continue along your Amtrak Downeaster Adventure.

Past articles in this series:
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Overview
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Portland, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Old Orchard Beach, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Saco, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Wells, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Dover, NH
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Durham, NH

Photo Credits (in order of appearance):
- “Squamscott River Exeter, New Hampshire” by sskennel on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Exeter stone church” by RGallant on Flickr Creative Commons.

The Welcome Center at Smuggs

When I go on a summer family vacation, I’m looking for nice accommodations, fun kids’ activities, good on-site restaurants, and at least one great place to swim.  I’ve written about Smugglers’ Notch before, and when I heard about all of the activities located on property, I was really surprised!  Here’s just a sampling:

• Eight heated pools
• Four waterslides
• The FunZone with a 22-foot Giant Double Lane Slide, 45-foot giant obstacle course, a bouncy house, a fidget ladder, and much more
• Mini-golf
• Tennis
• Disc golf
• A skate park
• A teen center…. and much more.

Our Condo at Smuggs

We stayed at Smugglers’ Notch for three nights, in a two-bedroom condo.  The condo includes a washer/dryer, full kitchen, master bedroom with master bath, balcony, second bathroom, and second bedroom.  While furnishings can vary, our room had a king bed, double bed, two twin beds, and a pull-out couch.

For meals, the onsite restaurants are good, especially the independently owned Hearth and Candle.  Smuggs also offers some special kid-friendly meals.  We attended the Friendly Pirate Breakfast, where Rockin’ Ron, Smuggs’ very own pirate, sings songs, tells jokes, and entertains the kids.  My two kids absolutely loved it, and couldn’t stop singing the songs well after breakfast was over.

My kids (ages 5 & 4) attended day camp on two days.  The camp runs from 10am-4pm daily, and lunch can be brought or purchased separately.  We knew that my daughter would love the camp, but weren’t sure about my 4-year old son.  When we picked him up, he was bouncing in excitement to let us know what he’d done for the day.  And, on our last day, my 5-year old daughter cried because she wasn’t able to attend camp that day.

If your kids are too little for camp, Smuggs also offers Treasures, an onsite, million-dollar mountainside daycare.  In-room childcare can also be provided, if you’d prefer.

On Saturday, while the kids were in camp, my husband and I headed out to the nearby Green River Canoes for a Smuggs excursion trip – the Water and Wine Canoe trip.  Our group all chose kayaks, and we paddled down the river for about an hour and a half before reaching the local Boyden Valley Winery.  We were treated to bread and cheese, as well as a tasting of the wineries’ delicious wines.  It was truly a fabulous afternoon.

We had a great trip, and my kids are already getting ready for next year!

Smugglers’ Notch Resort
4323 Vermont Route 108 South
Smugglers’ Notch, VT 05464-9537
1-800-419-4615

Photo credits: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: Smuggs provided us with a three-night Family Fest Vacation Package, and a complimentary Water & Wine Kayak trip.

Sidewalk Cubism!

You need to be very careful walking around the Red Cube in New York City. Obviously it can fall over at any moment and unless you’re lined up perfect with the hole you can kiss you Cats tickets goodbye.

Just kidding, it’s art! Art never hurt anyone.

This post is a Wordless Wednesday entry and all of these words are slightly below the wordless part and should be read accordingly. Thank you.

Photo by Renée Mudd via Flickr

Blue skies and foliage over Durham, NH.

The Amtrak Downeaster Rail begins in Portland, Maine and ends in Boston, Massachusetts. In between there are stops in Old Orchard Beach ME, Saco ME, Wells ME, Dover NH, Durham NH, Exeter NH, Haverhill MA, and Woburn MA. For this series of articles I will expound upon the merits of each stop along the Downeaster Amtrak tour.

The town of Durham is home to the University of New Hampshire, and the Amtrak train drops you off right on campus. The town lies beside the Great Bay at the mouth of Oyster River. Visitors can check out the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to learn about upland hardwood forests, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh and mudflats. Explore the 19th century gundalow replica or wander through the native gardens surrounding the center. Birders can watch such local species as Great Bay’s wintering eagle population, migratory warblers, waterfowl, and osprey.

Adams Point - Durham, NH.

The Durham Historic Association manages a museum dedicated to the long history of this coastal town. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the trails along the Adams Point Wildlife Management Area.

While not the most bustling of Amtrak stops along the Downeaster Adventure tour, Durham is quaint and picturesque, and worthy of an afternoon of exploration.

Past articles in this series:
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Overview
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Portland, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Old Orchard Beach, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Saco, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Wells, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Dover, NH

Photo Credits (in order of appearance):
- “Blue Sky” by iLoveButter on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Seat with a View” by Robyn Gallant on Flickr Creative Commons.

An old mill in Dover, NH.

The Amtrak Downeaster Rail begins in Portland, Maine and ends in Boston, Massachusetts. In between there are stops in Old Orchard Beach ME, Saco ME, Wells ME, Dover NH, Durham NH, Exeter NH, Haverhill MA, and Woburn MA. For this series of articles I will expound upon the merits of each stop along the Downeaster Amtrak tour.

The next stop along the route is Dover, New Hampshire. The station drops you right in the middle of the thriving downtown area, from which you can walk to plenty of dining and shopping destinations. This historic little town is also great for exploring on foot or bicycle, with a newly renovated bike path system that takes you over tree-shaded bridges and along quiet sunny trails. The annual Cochecho Arts Festival brings thousands of folks from neighboring states. The summer-long festival includes musical performances, puppet shows, family oriented races, children’s plays, food and crafts vendors, and a packed calendar of other events and entertainment.

A section of the bike path in Dover, NH.

The Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center provides 90-minute walking tours that educate patrons about Dover’s “points of interest”. Additional downtown attractions include the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, and the Woodman Institute Museum. If you’re in the mood for a fancy dinner, the Orchard Street Chop Shop can’t be beat for a great steak and lovely ambiance. For a lower-key opportunity to nosh, check out Newick’s Restaurant, with fabulous views of Great Bay. Get a platter of fried clams – you won’t regret it.

If you’re planning on staying for a bit, and using Dover as your jumping-off point to explore New England, the Silver Fountain Inn comes highly recommended. The beautiful late 1800’s three-story, Mansard roofed Victorian is known for its comfort, elegance, and hospitality. Conveniently, it’s just a short walk to the Amtrak station for when you’re read to hop aboard and continue your adventure.

Past articles in this series:
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Overview
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Portland, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Old Orchard Beach, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Saco, ME
- Amtrak Downeaster Adventure – Wells, ME

Photo Credits (in order of appearance):
- “Dover – old mill” by Rgallant on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Foot bridge” by JDickert on Flickr Creative Commons.

As I’d mentioned previously, my husband and I went on a ten day vacation to my home state of Maine in mid-July. I’ve been going through the photographs – I’ve been working on them all morning, in fact, and haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’ve taken. So, I thought I would take a break and share some of them with you all.

This is the king room that we inhabited, on the 13th floor of the Eastland Park Hotel in Portland. Very comfortable, with great views of the city.

Our room at the Eastland Park Hotel in Portland, Maine.

One of the first things we did was some coastal exploring, with a trip down Harpswell way, and lunch on Bailey Island at Cooks Lobster House. Here is the absolutely necessary lobster roll, with a bite already taken out of it. Excellent coleslaw, too.

A lobster roll from Cooks Lobster House on Bailey Island, Maine.

Here’s a shot of the Old Port at night. A very happening and busy place at the height of the summer season!

The Old Port at night.

Here is a little fishing village near Harpswell. Places like this were absolutely everywhere, and we must have stopped and photographed a dozen of them.

A fishing village near Harpswell, Maine.

This is the Custom House Wharf, in the Old Port. I seem to take a picture of this scene every time I go home.

The Custom House Wharf, in the Old Port, Portland Maine.

I’m going to have to wax ecstatic for a moment, here. This is a shot of the bar at Bull Feeney’s, on Fore Street in the Old Port. Easily one of the most beautiful establishments I’ve ever been in. I couldn’t stop taking pictures. I wanted to move in there. Old wood, fabulous lighting, and boasting a Scotch menu the largest seen outside of Scotland. If you’re in the area, you MUST stop by.

Bull Feeney's on Fore Street in the Old Port.

Last but not least, here is the inevitable shot of the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. Another scene I photograph every time we go home. This time I was lucky with my timing, and got a sailboat into the shot. A lovely, hot day.

The inevitable shot of the Portland Head Light - now with more sailboat!

These photos just scratch the surface of everything we did and everywhere we went. You’ll probably have to suffer through more vacation photos in the near future!

Photo credits (all): Tiffany Joyce.

Although significant travel events have been a bit scarce around here lately, mine is a road-tripping family at heart.

Whenever it’s time to plan one, there are a few guidebooks that I turn to again and again, because they are well-edited, accurate and it’s easier to skim through them than it is to plow through a jillion websites of dubious vintage.

You’ll notice that none of them are kid-specific;  I like the unusual, unknown and offbeat, and my children usually do, too. Plus, hey, I’m driving, so I get to pick.

Other than my other favorite tips (see my earlier post on how to plan a tailpipe-kicking road trip) here are my favorite references….

***  Road Trip USA – This is a top reference for me because Jamie Jensen’s Road Trip USA finds the most wonderfully obscure stuff. The book covers 6 major routes, and if my trip area isn’t included it doesn’t do me much good, but I always check it first (and the Road Trip USA blog, of course.) The series now has books for certain routes, like the Pacific Coast Highway.

***  Off the Beaten Path travel guide by Reader’s Digest – Yes, the old fogies at Reader’s Digest have one of my favorite guidebooks. Off the Beaten Path is packed with useful information about unusual sights that I don’t find anywhere else; I always check it for each state that I’ll visit.  Worth tracking down a copy, along with Most Scenic Drives in America and See the USA the Easy Way (great loop tours.)

***  Insiders’ Guide: Off the Beaten Path – from Globe Pequot Press, these are easy to find in the travel section of any bookstore. Super-detailed and usually written by locals, the Missouri and Kansas versions were invaluable to me when I drove from Texas to Chicago and back for BlogHer a few years ago, exploring the “Square States.”

***  1,000 Places to See Before You Die – Overly dramatic title, but I do find good things here, arranged by state.

***  Anything Frommer’s – my favorite general guidebook. I always have the current edition for wherever I’m living (currently Texas.)

***  RoadFood by Jane and Michael Stern – because, well, food. Must have. Preferably not from yet another Chili’s, although they’re fine in a pinch.

***  For any particular city where I’ll spend significant time, I look for the TimeOut guides. Very British, very detailed, very thorough. Can read them over and over during subway rides and never be bored.

My biggest guidebook surprise over the last decade?

The quirky and detailed Lonely Planet Guide to Louisiana and the Deep South, used to death during our Great American South road trip from Florida to Arkansas and back. At the TBEX travel blogger’s conference recently, I had the pleasure of telling the US Lonely Planet editor, Robert Reid, how much I used and adored this guidebook.

What are your road trip planning favorites? Please let us know in the comments.

The Exterior of the Edgartown Commons

Despite the fact that I’ve lived in or near Massachusetts much of my life, I’d never visited either of the MA Islands – Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.  This year, for our 10-year anniversary, we decided to take a trip to Martha’s Vineyard, and wanted to stay right in the center of the action.  The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce kindly offered to host us, and set us up at the Edgartown Commons.

Edgartown Commons is moderately priced (for Martha’s Vineyard, of course), and offers 35 efficiency units (either one-bedroom or two-bedroom units).  Each includes a private bath, and a fully-stocked kitchen.  Guests can use the on-property BBQ grills to save money while on vacation, and there’s also a pool and a swing set on site.  In addition, guests can enjoy free WiFi (an essential for us while traveling!).  One note – the note didn’t have any toiletries, so if you are staying there, I’d recommend that you bring your own.

The Edgartown Commons has free parking for guests and is located within walking distance of Edgartown restaurants and beaches.  We pretty much parked our car on site and left it there most of the time.  There’s so much to do and see right in Edgartown that you probably won’t need your car very much.  If you leave your automobile on the mainland, then the island bus is an easy way to get around, and there’s a bus stop right near Edgartown Commons.

Edgartown Commons
Pease Point Way
Edgartown, Massachusetts
508-627-4671

Disclosure: The Martha’s Vineyard chamber paid for our lodging for two nights.

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Sometime 'round midnight...

A trip to a Disney park can be a frantic affair or an affair to remember. There are crying kids, screaming parents and unbearable heat, but there are also quiet moments tucked among the chaos if you keep your chin up and wander off of the beaten path.

This photo of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is just one of the many places to stop, relax and catch the magic at its best. Crying kids are optional.

This photo is a Wordless Wednesday entry with words added for effect.

Photo by Whit Honea