April 4, 2017 - Travelin' Tuesday and Summer trip updates

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 8 DAYS

Summer Weekend Trips

Hey!! Well, I'm back and I'm in a much better mood  than yesterday when I was on a "rant-fest" lol.

With Tuesday here, I'm realizing in only 8 days till we leave for London!! YAY!

I can't believe I found the above quote, because it is really like my mantra!!  And my dear cousin Tanya's as well!

Every single experience you have seeing a new place - whether it's a Vacation or a Staycation - there is always something new to see or learn or experience.

​Of course, my upcoming trip next week is to Europe, which required a great deal of planning. However, one of my favorite things to do, is to take short weekend trips close to home!

It's not so easy to do during the school year, with homework, projects, school-related commitments and of course, riding.  

In the Summer, when the kids ride during the week and the pace is much slower on the weekends, one of the best things to do is to pack up overnight bags, load up the car and hit the road!

Of course, with the girls, I've done my research based on their ages and interests as well.

I'm thinking perhaps two getaways over the eight weeks of Summer would be perfect. However, , here are five options that I'm considering:

1. Mohonk Mountain House
New Palz, New York
1 hour 40 minutes from NYC

MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE (NEW PALZ, NEW YORK (credit: vacation idea.com)

Since our gang's usual hangout in the Summer is by the shore - out on the East End of Long Island, with where the kids' barn is located, I thought it would be lots of fun to offset that with a visit to the mountains.

Situated only an hour and a half from New York City in New York's Hudson Valley,  Mohonk Mountain House is one of those local destinations that offer SO MUCH in every season.

Surrounded by 26,000 acres of woodlands and the scenic Lake Mohonk this castle-like building offers guest accommodations with a Victorian feel and  lovely views. ​

With a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, I think me and my girlies would have no trouble figuring out things to do to invigorate ourselves.

​The hotel has a luxurious 30,000-square-foot wellness center, a tennis center, stables, a 107-year-old 9-hole Scottish golf course, spectacular gardens, 18,000-square-foot Skating Pavilion and 85 miles of hiking trails.

The good news is, both of my daughters love being pampered, (like their mom!) so I can definitely see us taking full advantage of the wellness center's services that cater to kids.  These are limited to manicure and pedicures, but I'm sure they will enjoy getting their nails and toes done while mom is getting a massage!!


​Hershey, Pennsylvania
​2 hours 50 minutes from NYC

HERSHEY, PA (credit: hersheypa.com)

A world unto itself, just east of Pennsylvania’s state capital, Harrisburg, Hershey, PAoffers fun for all ages.

"The Sweetest Place on Earth" was the focus of a weekend trip with the kids about five years ago.  And we ALL had a blast!!

I'm always looking for fun things to do that are not highly focused on "History" and "Learning' - two things, my kids hate.  

However, The Hershey Story museum does not feel "hardcore" at all and the tour is full of fun that the kids don't even realize they are soaking up historic knowledge!!

The museum chronicles the community's creation as a model town for the workers at Milton Hershey’s chocolate factory. as well as the life of Mr. Hershey, which was pretty amazing and philanthropic.

And what kids weekend is not great with the infusion of rides and attractions!

Opened in 1907, as a modest green space, Hershey Park grew to include rides and attractions, including a zoo.  A big kid myself, I don't mind driving several hours to enjoy of rides!!

Nearby Hershey Gardens, with its rose garden and butterfly house, breaks up the hustle-bustle of lines and touring.  Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center host concerts, so you may want to check the schedule.


New York City, New York
0 miles from NYC

THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING (c) travelincousins.com

I bet you are wondering if you read that correctly. Yup, you did - New York City, for residents of the city and surrounding areas, is not often thought of as a "destination."

But, let's think for a moment just how many things there are to do there!! And in the Summer, with the crowds heading out to the beaches both on Long Island and on the New Jersey Shore, what better way to enjoy The Big Apple!!

The "I Love New York Travel Guide" is a wonderful resource for how to plan a weekend to remember in the city that never sleeps!

From Broadway Shows, to shopping, to museums and restaurants of every kind New York City is a great destinations for family!

You can also get some very affordable rates in the Summertime, since it is not the peak travel season for the city. 

I love the idea of taking my girls to the city for a weekend - instead of rushing in and rushing back home for a specific event The idea of just strolling around, seeing a Broadway show, making our way to some of the most iconic sites in the world, like the Empire State Building, Liberty Island or One World Trade Center -- all while planning out our next eating experience, is so exciting to me!!

I could literally write all day about the things to enjoy in the Summer - in fact, I think I just may share a home-made itinerary of what I envision to be the perfect New York City weekend with my girls -- tomorrow!!


Oops - I just looked at the clock - have to go get my girlies at school.

I did some pampering today with my hair and the time just slipped away from me.

See ya back here tomorrow!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 2 DAYS

It's like several trips in one

Howdy y'all!

Typically while I'm in the states Elisa manages to write her column before I do (being that she is in the Eastern Time zone and 3 hours ahead of me here in the Pacific Time zone).  

So today when I read how excited she is to be leaving for London in only 8 days that made me realize how soon it is before we depart - 13 days.

Elisa and the girls will be arriving a few days earlier than us and we will be staying a few days beyond her return to the states as I have an annual commitment of spending Easter with the Fam Bam and she will be spending Easter abroad. 

Now whether it be 8 or 13 days before we depart I can look at it with both the perspective of "wow that's just around the corner" or "wow there is still plenty of time before take off!"   
That is just how my mind works.

The thing is and I briefly went over this with you the other day it is that I have yet another trip that is even before our trip to London that I leave for in 2 days - where even that I can look at and either feel like "yikes I'm leaving in only 2 days" or "hey, I've got all of 2 days before I leave town."
  
Again it all depends on how we view it.

With all the travel talk and with that being said I wanted to touch base with you on other travel updates, because as you know - I'm always working on something!

What I'm currently working on

One thing that is taking a heck of a lot of planning is our summer trip.
Because unlike your typical or average traveller I like to do it all and fit as much in as humanly (or non-humanly) possible.

So instead of just going to one or two destinations we adventure to so many places that it may be difficult to keep up...so do the best you can ;)

In June I'll be taking off with the kids and Dave C. and heading for New York (FLIGHTS BOOKED) but this will be by way of Chesapeake Virginia which will be our first stop.

credit: wiki

The kids and Dave C. have family down there that we will be visiting with as well as exploring local things to do.

I found out yesterday that we will also be there for Aiden's (my nephew and the kiddos cousin) 4th birthday!  

​With family spread out on up and down on the east and us here on west coast it gets difficult to attend these special family events and we are so excited to have this opportunity!

Aiden and his mom Lynn

Our next stop on this journey will be Assateague Island. 

Related reading:
Assateague Island AND L.A. County Fair

According to the National Parks Services website: "There are few places in the United States where you can view wild horses. Due to their complex social structure the Assateague horses display a wide range of unique behaviors."

credit: travelandleisure.com

Being an animal lover this will definitely be a cool experience and one that I'm looking very forward to!

This stop will be on our way to NYC - there we will be doing our full of visiting with friends and family, eating up a storm and going to Yankees Stadium to catch a game! Go YANKEES!

Speaking of which -
Did you know that the season just started on Sunday for the Yankees (but they lost to the Marlins). 

Okay so after our NYC visit we will be heading up to New Hampshire - where other parts of the family has moved to (years and years ago). We will not be doing our annual "Family Reunion" this year - because they changed the date and kinda screwed some of us up on that...but that is another story altogether.

So while in New Hampshire we will be doing more visiting until June 26th when Dominic and Dave C. will be returning back to California (FLIGHTS BOOKED) and Cosette and I will be meeting up with Elisa and the girls for our much anticipated Cousins Chicago Road Trip!

And once we reach our destination of Chicago and spend a couple of days exploring, then Cosette and I will be taking off for Miami (FLIGHTS BOOKED) rather than driving back to New York. 

Why are we going to Miami?

Well because that is where are Cruise to the Western Caribbean is sailing from and where Dominic and Dave B. will be meeting us (FLIGHTS STILL NEED TO BE BOOKED).

Ahhhh the Western Caribbean...

​We are heading to:

​GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS 

credit: caymanislands.ky

MAHOGANY BAY, ISLA ROTAN

credit: mahoganybaycc.com

BELIZE

Credit: loneyplanet.com

COZUMEL, MEXICO

My last visit to Cozumel in 2012 (c)travelincousins.com

By this point you might be wondering - is she still talking about the same trip???
You betcha I am talking about the same trip!

And once back in Miami, we'll be enjoying more sand, sun, sightseeing and the MLB All-Star Game and festivities

Related reading:

Statues on Parade? Nope. Not in San Diego!

All before the 4 of us head back to California (FLIGHTS BOOKED) just in time for Jet's Birthday - we actually arrive on her birthday!

In other travel updates, today we have a very special submission by guest writer Jane E. Johnson to share with you:

Where to go on Holiday in 2017

And while there is more, I've been fighting with my internet connection and I'm just gonna quit while I'm ahead and hope that my signal is better tomorrow!

Toodles,
​-T