Family Fun Activities - Vacations

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Family Vacations

Going East
Several years ago my husband and I took our kids on a trip back East. Being “westerners” that’s how you refer to traveling toward the “right coast.” We did it in an effort to expand the kids horizons—help them see more than just “life as they knew it to be.” It worked, and we had a fun time to boot. In brief, here’s what we did during our 17-day summer time journey.

We flew to Toronto, in Ontario, Canada. In a rented mini van we took a couple days to see things around that city, such as the top of the CN Tower (tallest space needle). My boys were thrilled with that but not as thrilled as they were with a guided tour of the Skydome, and later watching the Blue Jays play the Twins in that awesome facility.

We drove to New York after our stay in Toronto, and visited some LDS (Mormon) historical sites in the Palmyra (New York) area, as well as attending their famous “Hill Cumorah Pageant” near Manchester, which we enjoyed immensely. After what my kids would call the “calm” part of the trip, we headed for New York City, and found it to be anything but dull.

Perhaps the thing my children talk about most in their reminiscences of the trip, is just our drive around the BIG city, and all the “honking”! They saw and heard things they never had before (windows rolled down on purpose to hear, and then rolled up on purpose, to feel safe). It has meant some lively discussion since then, in recalling memories of those couple days. While there we went atop the then standing World Trade Center, and the Statue of Liberty. We did some shopping, and when finished with our plans in the big city, we headed to Harrisburg, PA, where my father lived at the time.

The kids really enjoyed a break from some of the rush, rush schedule we had kept since our trip began. While in Harrisburg we visited the famous Hersheypark where we toured the chocolate factory, and visited the amusement park, sports arena, and gardens. It is just 12 miles east of Harrisburg. Another day we went to Gettysburg, about 40 miles south, and a little west. It was a great experience for the kids to see where one of the most important battles of the Civil War took place.

After re-fueling our personal batteries, due to a little slower pace at grandpa’s, we headed for Washington D.C. where we saw the memorials, monuments, many of the Smithsonian museums, and Arlington cemetery. Nothing can beat that as a great history lesson for the kids, and an opening to discussions on how we feel about this great land of ours: the many sacrifices made so that we can enjoy opportunities and freedom unmatched anywhere.

On our final leg of the trip we drove to Niagra Falls to take in a truly magnificent wonder of nature that you can view up close from a boat that takes you near the bottom of the Falls. The little kids thought the blue raincoats, to keep them dry from the spray, were cool (the older ones hesitated putting them on). From here we drove back to Toronto where we caught our flight home. In one way we were exhausted, but in another way rejuvenated, and definitely better for having had the experience.

This is a brief description of the tiny piece of the East that we took in, but it was enough to whet our appetites, and some of us have been back a couple times since then.

Winter vacation in the Northwest
How does the song go? “Christmas in the Northwest is a gift God gave to me?” At any rate, those lyrics hit the nail on the head! My favorite family winter getaway was a three day stay on Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint Idaho. Sandpoint Idaho is a small town on the northern shore of huge Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho’s Panhandle region.

I think the Northwest is a corner of the country that is tucked away and sometimes forgotten. Therefore prices are good for the adventures that abound, and crowds are usually minimal.

We stayed in the Selkirk Lodge which was clean, rustic yet modern, a part of the quaint little ski village, and very close to the ski lift (ski in/out). The runs were wonderful—everything from a long beginners slope with a rope tow, to challenging mountain top runs. The view of the pristine area from the top of the mountain, with its evergreen pines galore, and lakes below, was breathtaking beyond description!

There was a long sledding hill within walking distance of the lodge that the kids couldn’t resist, and the village has quaint little shops on either side, with daily activities taking place in the middle. We went during the Holiday Season, and in the evenings a horse drawn sleigh with passengers bundled in blankets slid past the lighted shops. Hot chocolate and hot cider were served free outside the lodge much of the day and night—ready for you when you’re done skiing. It was a Christmastime to remember.

You can buy very reasonably priced packages that include lodging for a few nights, ski passes each day, and access to the pool and hot tub. Kids under 12 are free! (To ski and sleep) For all the details go to www.Schweitzer.com.

Trip of a lifetime, Summer 2004
Growing up in the west I think I took the national parks and sights for granted. I just assumed everyone eventually visits these places and understands them. Well, 4 kids later, I have learned that this is not so. In describing such places to my kids (16,15,11 and 9 at the time), I was usually met with the response of," it looks so desolate and lonely. Why would anyone want to go there? " It was time to plan a trip.

Our trip was pretty much last minute and off the cuff. Looking back, the hardest part was finding someone to watch the dog. We started by flying from Dulles, VA to Las Vegas. There are always special deals going on and now that Independence air flies non-stop, it's a bargain. We rented a van when we arrived - this of course is a must do for the expansive area we were planning to cover. We decided to really experience Las Vegas so we stayed at the Luxor. Our room was only $79.00 per night and when we arrived we asked if there was any chance of upgrading and they put us in a suite of our dreams. We stayed 2 1/2 days there. We saw the basics while in Las Vegas. Every cool themed hotel, the Belagio fountain and the Treasure Island show and volcano. We swam a lot. One day we went to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and stopped off at Jack-in-the-Box to re-live the taste of childhood with the best greasy tacos in the world. (Mom and Dad were in heaven, the kids were not impressed) One of our days we boarded a sight seeing plane and flew to the Grand Canyon - South Rim. (Take Dramamine) We were driven by bus to several look-out locations and then flew back to LV over the Colorado River, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. The views were breathtaking. Well worth the steep price tag. In all the day lasted about 7 hours. To top off our final night we splurged and went to the the Blue Man Group Concert. Hubby and I had been before and knew the kids would enjoy. They still talk about it - when asked what was the best part of Las Vegas they reply, the Blue Man Group Concert!

After the ringing bells of casinos had taken their toll on us it was time to move on. We headed to St. George, Utah. Lots of Red Rock and green grass. We attended Guys and Dolls at an outdoor theater set right up against the red rocks. The talent was good and the scenery was incredible. After the play we hadn't eaten dinner so we headed to the only open place in town at that hour - Denny's. We stayed at a Best Western that was inexpensive and clean and was all we needed.

The next morning we headed to Zions National Park. We took a tram up the canyon and stopped at many different areas to hike. Our final stop was at the Narrows. Following a stream until the red rock gets closer and closer - very cool, but never hike if a rain storm is coming. We spent all day there and then headed over to Wahweap, AZ on Lake Powell.

We spent two nights at Lake Powell at the Wahweap Lodge. Not too impressed with the Lodge, but never mind because Lake Powell was as awesome as I remember. We rented a ski boat for the day and an inner tube for tubing and then we took off for a day of viewing the rock formations, swimming, tubing and just hanging out. Lake Powell is one of those places where you can meander up fingers of the lake and not see anyone for the whole day. After 8 hours on the Lake we were tired but didn't want to leave. (By far and above our favorite place on the entire trip). After falling into bed that night we woke up and headed out.

Our next stop was 4 corners. We drove through the Navajo Nation and ended up at the monument on a day where the mercury was registering 113 degrees. We took the obligatory kid in every state photo (Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico) and then headed out. They now charge to see the monument $3.00 per person and they have all kinds of booths set up around the monument selling Indian arts and crafts. It used to be a monument that just stood out in the middle of no-where, but of course, commercialism has reached the desert.

Our next stop was Cortez. CO. This is the home of Mesa Verde. After a nights rest at a little Best Western on the Main Street. We spent the day at Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde is cliff dwellings of the ancestral Puebloans. A series of homes and villages that were built up against the cliffs. Dwellings are built on rock ledges out of mud and materials from the area. Some villages take some climbing but well worth it. Very interesting and some great hiking.

We then moved on to Moab, Utah. We spent one whole day at Arches National Park. Great Hiking and Photo Ops! You either feel like you are on Mars or a movie set. It is too cool to seem real. The next day we went on a half day river rafting trip down the Colorado River. All kinds are available. Class 1 to Class 5. The kids loved it. If you are into mountain biking or rock climbing Moab is the place, but we were on a limited time schedule.

After Moab we took off to Alpine, Utah. Here we hiked up to Timpanogos Cave. A beautiful hike and a cave full of interesting stalagmites and stalagtites. Onward to SLC. In SLC the big tourist attractions are the Mormon Temple Square with free tours and movies open every day, the University of Utah which was host to the 2002 winter olympics, the Great Salt Lake and of course the many canyons within a short distance of the city. We went up Parley's Canyon to Park City and rode on the Alpine Slide - a big hit. After 3 days in SLC we headed up to Yellowstone National Park. The drive is only about 5 hours.

After being in a hot desert Yellowstone was very different. We stayed in West Yellowstone in Montana. We took a day tour of the park which included, Old Faithful and the Old Faithful Lodge, many different geysers, Lake Yellowstone and Lodge and The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and of course lots of animal watching. We visited a bear and gray wolf habitat and the kids were even able to help feed the bears. We ended our visit with the best rainbow trout. After two nights we were on our way back to SLC. We stopped along the way and took pictures as we traveled through the Grand Tetons and stopped for lunch in Jackson Wyoming.

Two weeks and 8 states later we flew out of SLC back to VA. I failed to mention the array of laundromats that I visited throughout our trip - I'm happy to report that the price of a wash and dry stayed consistent through every state.

This was definitely a trip of a lifetime. Our screensavers on our computers and wallpaper on our cell phones now reflect somewhere we visited on that trip. The kids have a new appreciation for that part of the country and my husband and I have revisited some memories from childhood.

Cheryl J from Va.

Our Greatest Vacation Ever!
I thought I must be crazy when we first started our trip to the “World’s Largest Entertainment and Shopping Complex,” West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Canada. Oh, not that I wasn’t curious about it, or trust that the mall would be huge, and beautiful. But with six kids in tow, shopping was not exactly my thing, and nightmares of keeping the little ones (and not so little ones) busy haunted me. My husband thought it would be a great place to go, so there we were, on the road with a 12 hour drive ahead of us. We started from our home in Eastern Washington, and after packing up EVERYTHING one needs on a long road trip and beyond, for six kids ranging in age from 5 months to 13 years, I think I was in a stupor, almost wishing it was over before it had even begun!

We stayed at the Fantasyland Hotel located right on the Mall. The back door of the hotel lets you out right into the mall—so cool, my children thought. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left we had a blast! It was exciting stepping into our room because we were suddenly in a whole new world. Each floor of the Hotel had a different theme running throughout the rooms, and hallways. Despite our travel weary bodies, we all perked up with interest when we arrived at our home away from home. The room at Fantasyland offered spacious living too—room to move, which we definitely needed with all those kids! And the large Jacuzzi in each room became a favorite spot for some of the little ones.

A favorite activity became checking out the different floors of the hotel. We’d walk the halls and try to peek into rooms while they were being cleaned. We of course visited every floor before the vacation was over, and we took pictures of the kids with some great décor in the background. Themes include Western, Igloo, Water Park, Hollywood, African, Roman, Truck, and more. Older kids may not find this activity so much fun, but my kids were the perfect ages for what the hotel and mall had to offer.

Like I mentioned, shopping is not my thing and it wasn’t for my 3 oldest (13, 11, and 9) either—all boys. I’d say the entire time we were there, which was 4 days, we went in half a dozen stores is all, for just a few minutes here and there. There was just too much other fun stuff—all within walking distance, right on the mall--to do to be bothered with shopping! But, if you like to shop, it’s the place for you too. The mall boasts 7 ¼ miles of fun, and we found that to be the case. It’s a place you never need to leave once you get there. There’s even a little chapel that holds Sunday services.

Besides miles of stores there are 19 movie theaters, an ice rink, dolphin pool with shows, submarine ride, an amusement park, miniature golf, 110 places to eat, a “mock” Bourbon Street (New Orleans), a European lane, and the all-time favorite--huge water park. We only stayed at the water park for 7 hours the first day, and returned for a couple hours several times throughout our stay. My husband couldn’t get over the fact that the water was warm! It’s a gorgeous indoor facility that makes you feel like you’re outside. There are slides for all ages—lots of them—a wave pool, and tube ride.

All the activities associated with the mall were geared to young through preteen age, so for us it was perfect. If you wish to learn more, the hotel’s website is a good resource. Go to www.fantasylandhotel.com. The only thing I needed, and had to find elsewhere was a laundry facility!

Takin’ On The White Water
When I was a teenager I went on the “perfect” vacation with my dad and brothers. We floated down the Colorado River on J-Rig rafts through the spectacular Grand Canyon. It was a 6 day adventure of relaxation and excitement. We didn’t have to bring anything with us but a few personal belongings—no tents, tarps, food, sleeping bags, etc. Everything was provided.

We put in at Lee’s Ferry, a perfect spot on the Colorado River to begin a lazy trip down a river. In fact Lee’s Ferry is the only place visitors can drive to on the Colorado River in over 700 miles of Canyon Country. It is a corridor between Utah and Arizona, actually in northern Arizona, and at the beginning of the Grand Canyon.

The river soon offered white water excitement that I’d only dreamed of to that point! One of the rapids we went through near the end of our 6-day journey was Colorado River’s most notorious one, Lava Falls. The river water was flowing wild and crazy the week we happened to book our trip so it was a wild ride—so fun! Some of the east coast guests (no offense) chose to get out on shore and watch us smash into the rushing walls of water—up one side and down the other-- twisting and turning like you couldn’t imagine the raft could ever survive. The “spectators” met us on the other side of the rapid.

Being young and adventurous I soon learned the “best” seat on the raft for the wildest ride, and made sure I got that one for our day of riding the #10 rated rapids like Lava Falls. Sticking to the center and near the middle of the raft offered the calmest ride, so I tried to avoid that at all costs. Luckily there were enough “older” folks (thirty-something) that nabbed those spots.

In between the white water there was time to make friends, and strengthen bonds with my dad and brothers. Time to visit, play some creative games, and wonder at the truly awesome scenery that filled our eyes and spirits as we entered new and different magical places every time we turned another bend in the river. There was also time to enjoy the food that was prepared for us everyday. It was incredible. So good, and plenty to go around. Late afternoons we enjoyed white, sandy beaches where we’d sleep for the night. One night was somewhat miserable as the rain came down and water ran into my sleeping bag, but hey, wouldn’t be a “real” outdoor experience if there weren’t something like that. That was the only time it rained. Otherwise the weather was gorgeous. I think we went in the month of August.

We didn’t just do floating. Each day we stopped the J-Rigs at a fun filled spot on the river. We hiked to Elves Chasm and Deer Creek Falls. I dove off rocks in a secluded paradise, and swam in the turquoise water of the Little Colorado. We hiked to caverns and ancient granaries, etc. It was a 6-day trip in a world apart from the one I knew.

When we stepped foot off the rafts for the last time, not too far from Lake Mead, the adventure was not quite over. A helicopter ride to the canyon rim made the expedition fun to the very end. From the air we could see the 185 miles we had rafted over the past several days. It was breathtaking to get the big picture of the truly GRAND Canyon that we had enjoyed piece by piece up to this point.

From the rim of the canyon we took a plane to Las Vegas where we met up with mom and drove to our home in California.

For a truly wonderful vacation with your kids I highly recommend a white water rafting adventure. For more information on the particular outfitter we used go to http://westernriver.com. They have from 3-6 day adventures on several different rivers. The one I took as a teen was limited to people 12 years and older. Some float trips for kids as young as 5 years old can be found at www.adrift.com. You have to book EARLY.

Happy floating adventures to you!

World’s Fairs
I lived in two cities that hosted world’s fairs: Seattle, WA (1962) and Spokane, WA (1974). You could feel the excitement in the air as the events took place, and the lasting effects of them still lives today. My father worked on an upper floor of a skyscraper that overlooked the Alweg Monorail, built especially for the Seattle world’s fair, and as a little girl I watched the amazing (at that time) train-in-the-sky fly past his office window, and felt a sense of excitement every time. I always considered REALLY special family outings to be when we rode the monorail or went to the top of the Space Needle, also built for the 1962 expo.

In Spokane, a dirty, ugly, deteriorating downtown was transformed by the hosting of the world’s fair in 1974, and the downtown remains gorgeous and well kept in that area still today. My children and I have enjoyed many wonderful hours of play in Spokane’s Riverfront Park where the fair took place.

World’s fairs allow people to explore the world outside of their everyday experience — outside cultures, new scientific advancements, and new inventions. Some believe that these events have become obsolete with all the information that comes into our homes now via television and the internet. And some have simply forgotten about them, in part due to the fact that the United States has not actually hosted a World’s Fair since 1984. But new ways of offering entertainment, and hands on learning experiences are always a part of these international events—something that can’t be had at home!

World’s fairs are unique in that the everyday person can experience them firsthand, not just athletes, such as participation in the Olympics, or politicians, such as participation in the UN. Anyone can enter world’s fair expo sites and feel a part of something new, and realize what potential man has for doing good in the world.

So if you’re the traveling’s-in-our-blood type family, and have the resources to get you around the world, why not consider visiting world’s fairs? Here’s where we’ve had world’s fairs in the past, and where they’ll be in the future.

• Knoxville, USA 1982
• New Orleans, USA 1984
• Tsukuba, Japan 1985
• Vancouver, Canada 1986
• Brisbane, Australia 1988
• Seville, Spain 1992
• Genoa, Italy 1992
• Taejon, South Korea 1993
• Lisbon, Portugal 1998
• Hanover, Germany 2000
• Aichi Seto, Japan – March 2005 - September 2005
  Theme: Beyond Development: Rediscovering Nature’s Wisdom

Future events, for an educational vacation--

Zaragoza, Spain -- 2008 Theme: Water and Sustainable Development. Will run for only 3 months since this is a World’s Fair Limited

Shanghai, China – 2010 Theme: Better City, Better Life (Will run for 6 months)

Those being considered for expo 2012 and 2013 include New York, Antwerp, Belgium and Las Vegas.

Istanbul, Turkey, Toronto, Canada, San Francisco, and Turin, Italy are being considered for a world’s fair in 2015.

Don’t Plan a Thing!
Have you heard about those wonderful getaways that provide everything you need to enjoy a terrific family vacation—the food, lodging and activities? Kind of like a cruise, but on dry land. This month we’ve listed some of those spots that require less pre-planning than many destinations.

Some years ago my family enjoyed visiting a place called Aspen Grove located on the scenic Alpine Loop in Provo Canyon, approximately a one-hour drive south from Salt Lake City, Utah. Aspen Grove sits at the base of majestic Mount Timpanogos. As they claim, “it is the perfect place for an unforgettable family vacation: a refreshing retreat that will excite children and teenagers and rejuvenate moms and dads.”

There are activities for the entire family to enjoy from arts and craft projects, to a challenging ropes course, family talent show, kids carnival, karaoke, family movies, swimming pool, sports activities (including archery, orienteering and tournaments), and hikes to places such as beautiful Stewart Falls. Teenagers have special group activities just for them such as night games, campfires, contests and dances. Children’s age-appropriate activities are scheduled every day and include a fish pond, games, treasure hunts, etc. From infant to 12 years, there are things for the kids to do!

Besides all the fun, Aspen Grove provides educational experiences also. There are two guest lectures per day in the Aspen Lodge. The speakers are qualified individuals that enhance the experience. They deliver entertaining and educational lectures on such topics as family relations, religion, communications, physical fitness, time management, and parenting skills.

For more information visit http://alumni.byu.edu/AspenGrove/

That’s the spot my family has visited. Here are some other places, perhaps closer to your area of the country that provide all-inclusive programs or activities for the family.

Outdoor Adventures

California: Montecito Sequoia Lodge
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada near Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the Resort is open for guests year round. It is the ideal launch pad for a family vacation because they already have the facilities, staff and activities on site. That means for vacation planning little effort is needed. Just select a date and bring the family. Montecito Sequoia has 36 lodge rooms with private bathrooms and 13 wintered cabins. Experienced staff members will assist in planning and taking care of the details needed to ensure a memorable family vacation. (8000 Generals Highway Kings Canyon National Park California, 93633. 800-227-9900, 650-967-8612 or www.mslodge.com)

Montana-- Montana High Country Tours
Russ and Karen Kipp, innkeepers for more than two decades, have built a new lodge surrounded by fishponds, pastures and gorgeous mountains. They know from experience that time spent in the mountains is premium time for families and they are able to customize the perfect multiple activity vacation for your entire family. From stream fishing to casting lessons or trail rides and gem hunting, they know what it takes for families to create memories. There is a cookie jar with no bottom and the lower level of the lodge not only has family rooms but a recreation space for congregating in a casual way. (Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway north of Polaris. (406-834-3469, 406-683-3469 or www.mhct.com)

Texas-- Guadalupe River Ranch
Located on the land that was once the estate of Olivia de Havilland, this spot has charm. Imagine cut-stone cottages in the woods plus river- or canyon-view rooms and suites (46 units total). All-inclusive stays allow time for gathering without worrying about meals ahead of time. Activity options include tennis, swimming, volleyball, horseback riding, croquet, a Frisbee golf practice area, and 360 acres to explore, including a mile of Guadalupe River frontage for tubing or kayaking. Where else can you find long horn cattle, fire pits, a petting zoo, hayrides, karaoke, a massage, marshmallow roasts, and a friendly staff? (P.O. Box 877 - 605 FM 474 Boerne, 78006. 1- 800-460-2005, 1(830) 537-4837or www.guadaluperiverranch.com)

New Hampshire-- Rockywold-Deephaven Camps
Located among the pines along serene Squam Lake, the film location for On Golden Pond, the 104-year-old complex contains 60 pine-walled cottages that have sleeping room for up to 14 people apiece. In addition there are two 15-room lodges with single and double rooms. All meals, served cafeteria-style are included with the stay. Guests enjoy the use of eight Har-Tru tennis courts, a ball field, basketball court, toddler playrooms, swimming floats, and library/reading rooms. Recreation staff members will organize square dances, talent shows, tennis tournaments, picnics, boat and bicycle tours, spectacular hiking, swimming and sailing events, nature walks, and ecology boat tours. The resort offers discounts in June, August, and September for stays of more than four nights (P.O. Box B Holderness, 03245. 1(603) 968-3313 or www.rdcsquam.com)