The Best of Vacations

Horse and Cattle Ranches

2009-06-08T06:04:00.005-04:00

We recently spent a week at the French Broad River Outpost Ranch and were thrilled with the experience. It was such a peaceful setting in the Smokey Mountains, 15 miles from the nearest town of Newport, Tennessee.

The staff were all helpful, friendly and smiling. The horses were also that way! My horse, Felicia, actually came to me when I called to her.

We went cattle herding, did cow penning and everyday went on trail rides up into mountains. The sunset dinner ride took us up 2600 ft to a beautiful view of the valley below and the mountains around.

The mealtime we all gathered at one table, and talked over the events of the day with other guests and wranglers. The food, was good, down home, cooking and you never left hungry.

The buildings and are rooms were all made of rough cut wood and reminded you of a western town, with a saloon and hotel. There was game room for pool, foss ball, and games. There was square dancing one night in the saloon that even my husband who "doesn't dance" joined in the fun.

The owners the Gannon's were informative and friendly and can be absolutely proud of this fantastic retreat they've made.

Beach Volleyball Vacations with GOLD!

2008-09-16T18:33:00.003-04:00

Yes, that's right. AL-B Hannemann (AVP Pro player) is having gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Phil Dalhausser at one of his beach volleyball vacations on the TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TRIP NOVEMBER 8-15, 2008

And our beloved AVP CHAMPION SEAN ROSENTHAL (Rosie) IN CANCUN, MEXICO OCTOBER 5-12, 2008.

Not too mention, all the other cool guys and gals like Casey Jennings, Matt Olson and , Paige Davis and Nick Lucena.

If you like volleyball at all, or even think you like, this is where you want to go. And if you don't like volleyball that much, there are still lots of things you can do, including all water sports, diving, sailing, you name it.

Our friend Tabby went and said it was the best vacation he had ever had.
So check it out at http://www.volleyballvacations.com

BUGS, bugs, BUGS...that's what the locals call them

2008-07-08T13:36:00.007-04:00

....which of course stands for lobster. We're getting ready to head to the Florida keys, namely Long Key for the upcoming lobster season. We usually like to
camp at the State park, mainly because it's cheaper, you have a waterfront view with your boat parked in front of your spot and it's quiet. A great vacation spot.

There's a limit on your bag take per day per person and also how you catch them. They're very strict about the rules and you can get up to a $1500 fine for an undersized bug, so get all your information before you go. The best place is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Also you need to pick up a fishing liscence and get the lobster sticker. You can get these are KMart or Walmart usually.

There are tons of places to stay from fancy to rustic. For entertainment you can head south to Marathon or north to Islamorada. For some fine dining you can visit Pierre's. Ask for Cindy. For simple fare you can try the Island Fish Company. The food is excellent in the keys, along with the fishing, diving and everything "water".

Enjoy your vacation, we will!!

All Aboard for the "Scenic Railway of the World"

2008-06-29T12:39:00.007-04:00

Built in 1898, Skagway's White Pass & Yukon Route during the Klondike Gold Rush, climbs nearly 3000 ft and travels through tunnels and over bridges.

The different types of rides include travelling in old-fashioned parlor cars and can last from a 3-hour day trip to 6-hours. You can extend your route by adding on sailing or motorcoach travel. Visit http://www.wpyr.com/excursions.html

You can also travel up to 15 days from the Pacific to the Atlantic on the
Trans Canada Railway following the Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route. See http://www.rockymountaineer.com

Adventure Specialists!

2008-06-19T12:13:00.003-04:00

Well, I didn't know there was such a thing, until I began searching and found them!

They have the ultimate adventure in Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Mexico's Cooper Canyon or Peru;s Vilcabamba range! Horse back treking, with white water rafting, research expeditions, hiking or a pack donkey! This is the kind of adventure we are looking for.

They have everything from day rides to a 5 day Ultimate Pack trip complete with long days in the saddle, campfire meals and lots of wildlife. This one is rated "confident riders only" but there are other packages that are rated "easy", like their "Surf and Turf". "We combine horses, wilderness camping, and white water fun with two nights of comfortable lodging. A Friday evening return allows weekend exploration of historic Colorado Springs." says their website.

I can't wait to sign on for this adventure. You can make it anything you want.

www.adventurespecialists.org

Travelling across the 1000 Island Bridge

2008-06-13T15:21:00.006-04:00

We're getting ready to fly to Syracuse, NY and then drive up to Ottawa, Ontario to visit with my family. We'll be crossing over the 1000 Islands Region. Both the US and Canada border these islands along the St. Lawrence River and the eastern shores of Lake Ontario.

Along the international waterway there are 1000 islands that dot the river and lake, hence the name the 1000 islands. On the Canadian side, it extends from Kingston to Cornwall and from Oswego to Massena on the US side.

Extending all the way inland to the foothills of the Adirondack mountains. There are lots of exciting or relaxing activities from hayrides to boat rides. You can explore historical sites. There's even a castle you can visit that was built by multi-millionaire George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise, as a sign of his unending love for her.

You can stay at a bed and breakfast like Stephies Bed and Breakfast on the River, or Gary and Lee's Indian Head Point and fish on Black Lake.

It will be a great spot to stop on our way up to Canada.

Like the Islands?

2008-06-06T16:01:00.012-04:00

How about a trip to Abaco or Grand Bahama for one of their events in July?

Would you love a weeklong regatta with 5 sailboat races in the Sea of Abaco? There are also festivities for the land lovers which include picnics on the beach, nightly entertainment, cocktail parties, cultural activities, and a grand finale party.

Then in early July celebrate Independence Week with celebrations marked throughout the islands by festivities, parades, and fireworks. It all leads up to Independence Day. July 10.

Bahamas Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla.
Make the 5-day crossing from Florida to The Bahamas (Port Lucaya's marina on Grand Bahama Island) in a flotilla of boats guided by a lead boat. You'll depart from the Radisson Bahia Mar Resort & Yacht Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Don't forget the incredible fishing and diving that are available. The crystal clear waters are like nothing you've ever seen before. The Bahamian cuisine is particularly good with things like baked grouper and peas-n-rice with johnny cake. Enjoy!!!

As the weather warms up head north..

2008-05-28T21:14:00.005-04:00

..to Wisconsin that is for an authentic American vacation adventure. There are powder muskets, cast-iron pots and beaver hats at the Prairie Villa Rendezvous 4 day event in June each year, located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

The re-enactment of times gone by when Native Americans, traders and fur trappers would gather to celebrate at the end of the trapping season, trade tales and furs and food.

Demonstrations range from blacksmithing, bow shooting, fiddling, tomahawk and knife throwing to weaving, pottery and traditional Native American dance and cooking.

For more information go to: http://http//www.prairieduchien.org

Home Exchange - the newest idea in vacationing

2008-05-24T10:45:00.003-04:00

Have you seen the movie "The Holiday"? Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet exchange homes between Los Angeles and England.

You can exchange homes to attend a specific event, or to see a different country. There are exchanges just about anywhere in the world.

You purchase a membership with an exchange program that gives you the rights to view their inventory and set up your exchanges.

There are lots of questions to be asked and answered, but it's an invaluable and much cheaper way to travel, so it may be worth looking into for something different and exciting!

Caladesi Island of Florida is being name the nation's best beach

2008-05-23T17:19:00.007-04:00

OK, so it's a beach. Aren't they all the same? Sand, water, shells, fish.

"Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, announced Caladesi Island State Park as having the best beach in America on Thursday, May 22nd, live on MSNBC." from CNN.com

This beach and island are unspoiled and pristine. There's no driving there even, you can only get there by ferry or your own boat.

The Caladesi Island State Park encompasses the beach where you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. There's fishing of course, a hiking trail with lots of wildlife and a 3 mile kayak trail through the mangroves.

For more information you'll want to go to:http://www.floridastateparks.org/CaladesiIsland/

Ever wanted to know what a Dolphin feels like?

2008-05-22T15:25:00.004-04:00

This is an adventure of the mammal kind. The Florida keys is a wonderful place for either adventure or relaxing. The best Dolphin encounter program I have ever been through is at Dolphins Plus in Key Largo.

The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and humorous and so are the dolphins. Sugar the Sea Lion is like a big cat, and loves to pretend she doesn't see you!

This is fantastic for kids, adults, anyone! You can even propose to your fiance or get married there.

You've got to experience this. Put this on your list of 50 things I must do!

Best Deals for Vacations

2008-05-21T17:12:00.007-04:00

Of course to have the best vacation, it may involve getting the best possible deal.

You may want to know the best possible deals for Disney World to take the kids. Find out the how for a fraction of the price that most people pay. Click Here!

You may want to find out the cheapest possible way to fly there.

Where ever it is you want to go - you want to know if there's a discount and a frugal way to get there. With this economy every dollar counts.

And of course you'll want to know any travel secrets you can find.

Where do I find ideas for a great adventure/vacation?

2008-05-19T15:29:00.002-04:00

Everyone wants to enjoy their idea of the BEST of vacations.

You want to find a low cost vacation with a difference. But where? Everyone is watching their money and waiting for their check from the Government Stimulus Package. You want to get the most for your money. You want something exciting, adventurous and maybe a little daring!

You want an adventure vacation for your family that will be remembered for a lifetime. (Just in case you don't get another one for a few years!)

Creating the best of vacations can be very exciting to experience, but very stressful to plan and it can encompass everything from culinary tours to a dangerous sport. Vacationing can mean more than relaxing on a beautiful beach it can be full of adrenaline — and it can mean learning and practicing new skills, it can mean team work, and immersing yourself in activities or concentrating on accomplishing a goal.

There are lots and lots of magazines and internet sites to look at, but here is one of the BEST places to look first!
Can you believe it's in the collections of the Library of Congress, under Science Reference Services? http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGuides/vacation.html

Do you enjoy sailing, the wind in your face and the hint of pirates in the air?

2008-05-16T21:10:00.004-04:00

You'll want to check out the barefoot cruises then here. Climb the widow's net of the sailing ship in the Caribbean to catch a glimpse of the sunset while enjoying the view.

How about a vacation in the mountains by horseback?

2008-05-16T21:01:00.003-04:00

Mountains by horseback at Red Horse Mountain Guest Ranchand so much more!

It is located near Harrison, Idaho, just 1 hour south of beautiful Coeur d'alene, Idaho. Here you will find the perfect, all-inclusive Idaho guest ranch vacation experience. Red Horse Mountain Guest and Dude Ranch has something for everyone. Each day is completely customized by you.Red Horse Mountain Guest and Dude Ranch offers you an amazing number of guided adventures including horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayak touring, hiking, archery, sporting clays, swimming, challenge course, whitewater rafting, and kids outdoor educational programs, activities, and games. Add a little western flair to the list of activities and this is what sets your ranch vacation at Red Horse Mountain Ranch apart.

Maybe you want to learn a new sport or go on an adventure!!

2008-05-16T14:39:00.000-04:00

There are so many to choose from. However unless you try some you won't know which one you may be a natural at.

You can take a class or go to camp or go to your local park. Try something new. What appeals to you?

Don't like the heat, although summer is approaching. Try out something like snowboarding. Click Here!

Maybe you want to try something like an adventure into the unknown, check this out Click Here!

OK and for those who love their existing sport but just want to be better at it, you may want to go to a clinic or special training to improve. The sport that many young and old are always looking to improve of course is their swing - golf swing, that is. If you want to see how to immediately improve that, take at look,Click Here!

We're always looking for different ideas for vacations, right?

2008-05-16T13:51:00.001-04:00

What about a sports vacation or an adventure vacation? Do you love a sport that is offered as a vacation?

There's always diving which is offered in a package to beautiful places, like Hawaii, Aruba and Bahamas but what about other sports? Baseball, kayaking, volleyball, soccer, softball, handgliding, rock climbing?

Tell me your idea of the ideal sporting or adventure vacation, you would like to have or have had..