Posts Tagged ‘road trips’

Colorado friends: Don’t be surprised if you see a brightly colored, 45-foot tour bus covered with images of tropical Hawaii making its way in and out of the state February 4 to 7. It’s just The Vacation Gals’ buddies from from Marriott Resorts Hawaii on their Spirit of Aloha Tour, spreading the good word about the Hawaiian Islands on a month-long road show throughout the West, Midwest and Southeast U.S.

Marriott Hawaii's Spirit of Aloha Bus in Phoenix before it began its 5,530-mile road trip.

The tour started in Phoenix January 19, with a traditional blessing at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, and has journeyed east to Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Along the way, representatives from Hawaii — including traditional dancers from Oahu’s Polynesia Cultural Center — are visiting children’s hospitals to bring the spirit of aloha (and a luau show) to sick children, their families and hospital staff. The Vacation Gals applaud Marriott International and their longtime support of the Children’s Miracle Network; what better way to lift the spirits of tiny hospital patients and their hardworking caregivers with some feel-good Hawaiian music, bright colors and hula skirts?

In Denver this week, the Spirit of Aloha Tour makes a visit to The Children’s Hospital  (close to my heart, since Denver-area friends and family have been treated there — it’s a wonderful facility). The Polynesian Cultural Center dancers will also perform on two local morning shows this Friday: “Daybreak on the Deuce” at about 7:45 am and then “Good Day Colorado” at about 8:15 am.

From Denver, the bus heads west to Salt Lake City and ends in Los Angeles February 11. Keep an eye out for it!

My clan has been adding quite a few miles to the family car lately. Not only have we been traveling for fun, but we recently relocated to the Twin Cities from Tucson. Back in May we took a two-week driving trip to Minnesota to scout the area, and then we just finished our permanent move two weeks ago — making that long drive again. At three to four days each way, I needed a lot of in-car entertainment.

I’ve written plenty of road trip tips in the past for our blog and Fodors.com, and I even recently reviewed TravelKiddy, which is loaded with on-the-road entertainment  (and totally saved the day two weeks ago during our drive to the Midwest).

This summer I was interviewed for the FoxNews.com travel column. I offered a suggestion, which is one of my favorite cheap and easy road trip entertainment ideas and I would love to share it with you — pipe cleaners! It sounds so simple, and it is. First, a pack of colorful pipe cleaners is under two bucks — so it’s super cheap. Second, simply hand the kids a handful and let them go to town — super easy!

We had a “garden” growing in the back seat pockets, crazy looking monsters, glasses (see photo), hats, jewelry and headbands for my daughter. As you can see, my kids have a blast with a pack of pipe cleaners, so next time you’re hitting the road grab a pack  and create with the kids. It’s a good time for parents, too.

Road trips have always been a part of my life. Partly because “hittin’ the road” at a moment’s notice was a huge part of my Southern upbringing (roaming bayou by-ways and drives to the Gulf Shores or Pensacola).  Now I’m the one saying, “Kids, it’s time to get in the car!” And what an expert I have become. I admit, one of the most challenging aspects of combining children, cars (or planes) and miles is the kids’ travel entertainment. So, how do you find good entertainment?

My kids can only handle so many hours of movies and then they’re ready to “do something” and, unfortunately, running alongside the car (or plane) isn’t an option. I’ve been looking for new travel entertainment ideas to add to our books, Etch-a-Sketch and flashcard collection (especially with our pending four-day move up north). TravelKiddy approached us recently and asked us to take a look at their offerings (kids travel entertainment) – and guess what – fun stuff!

TravelKiddy is a fun activity kit loaded with all sorts of fun surprises for the road.

There are several models and two age groups (ages 3-6, and 6 plus). Since my little ones are in the younger group we received the age appropriate pack – and let’s just say the kids felt like it’s an extra birthday (now to make them wait for our next trip!). The first thing I noticed was the high-quality tote. It fits under the car seat, in my Camry’s back window, on the floor, even the seat back pockets. Then, I unzipped the pack and I’m pretty sure I started dancing around the kitchen. Now I don’t have to hit the store in search of busy-activities for the next trip. Our TravelKiddy is loaded with crayons, activity, coloring and doodle books, a Magnetic Blackboard, crafts, stickers, small toys, and more. For mom, the interior zipped pocket is loaded with a pack of tissues, Sani Hands Kids wet wipes, and bandages. (Yep, it’s a road trip party in a bag!) Prices start at $9.99 (for the PocketKiddy and go up to $44.99 for the Deluxe TravelKiddy).

• Save time – No more running around town at the last minute searching for activities.
• Reduce stress – Relax and enjoy the trip because the kids are entertained and happy.
• Save money – At least 50% less than purchasing the items separately.
• Plus,  you can order refills! Don’t forget to buy one for each child.
  

And there you have it…. The convenient TravelKiddy will keep the kids occupied on your next trip for hours and the best part is this kids’ travel entertainment will arrive at your doorstep, leaving you more time to shop for that cute vacation hat.

Travel deals are bringing the prices of vacations down to levels not seen since the 1980’s, multigenerational and green travel are burgeoning trends, and the economic downturn indicates that the classic car trip is sure to be a more popular method of vacation travel than ever before.  But cars emit CO2, a known greenhouse gas. How compatible are green travel and the Great American Road Trip?

Very, it turns out. Travel planners just have to do a little research before piling the kids and all their assorted acoutrements (Nintendo DS, iPod, etc) into the family car. As there are carbon offset for air travel, so there are carbon credits available for road trips. The following are reputable organizations that help concerned travelers calculate their automobile’s CO2 output, and purchase offsets accordingly.

NativeEnergy – Native Energy helps travelers buy carbon offsets to make their vacations more carbon neutral. Monies spent offsetting the CO2 output of car-based travel are put towards supporting Native Americans, farmers, and sustainable projects. The current portfolio includes the Kasigluk Alaska Native Village Wind Turbines, Boulder Creek Hydro Project, and Farmer-Owned Distributed Wind. The website is easy to use: NativeEnergy guides travel planners through calculating their cars’ carbon emissions and makes purchasing offsets as easy as clicking a button.

Terrapass – This green organization is prominent in its field. Offering air travel and home energy carbon offsets as well as for cars, Terrapass is an easily navigatable site. To estimate a planned car trip’s carbon output, the “carbon footprint calculator” asks for a given car’s year, make, and model. Then, input “miles per year” as the estimated mileage of the road trip (instead of the yearly CO2 emission). The same webpage then allows users to see results and buy offsets.

Carbonfund – Carbonfund offers “carbon free certification” for products, information about climate change, and carbon offset programs for individuals and businesses. In terms of planning a carbon neutral car trip, users can measure their cars’ CO2 output (hint: SUVs have a heavier carbon footprint than do hybrids and other efficient autos) with either preset values or for specific miles. The car calculator is similar to that used by Terrapass, with an added detail asking for specs such as automatic transmission.

Sustainable Travel International – STI has a carbon offset calculator for travel, along with an eco-directory and a program of travel philanthropy, Altruistic Travel.  Much like NativeEnergy, STI puts purchased carbon credits to good use with green projects in the US, China, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, and South Africa. STI’s carbon calculator is a bit simplified, compared to the details required above. The emission calculator may be more of a rounded estimation as a result.

Car trips are a great way for families to experience travel together, with the ride being as memorable as the destination. Families concerned about their relative carbon footprint can trust these programs to put their offsets to good, green use. Clean energy investment and support for tourism and sustainable development is key towards becoming carbon neutral.

Family road trip season is coming up, starting with spring break then Easter and soon summer. Last year I wrote a post about my husband’s road trip with our preschoolers and while many of those tips still apply, I’ve run across a few items along the way to help families cope on road trips:

Star Kids Snack and Play Travel Tray. Don’t you hate it when: you’re in the car driving along and the kids start screaming bloody murder because  their Cheerios or crayons fell to the floor. I love Star Kids Snack and Play Travel Tray because it avoids the above situation all together (unless my kids decide to drop or throw the items on purpose). The tray has a rim that keeps crayons and snacks from rolling off. The other nice features about the tray is it fastens to the stroller and has net pockets.

KiddyKap. This is a brilliant invention. KiddyKaps fit onto juice and water bottles, avoiding the hassle of sippy cups. My favorite feature is the re-snapping lids so the beverage can be saved for later. (The caps fit on 90% of bottles — so be sure to know what style bottles to purchase.) You won’t find these in stores just yet, so order directly through the owner on the KiddyKap site.

Babies Go CDs. Over the last several years I have found bald spots on my head due to the repetition of  “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Old Mac Donald.” Fortunately, my kids are old enough now to dig Jimmy Buffet, but if you’re still in that “Itsy Bitsy Spider” stage, guess what! There is relief ahead, especially if you have hours of driving ahead of you. Babies Go CDs offers tunes of songs or “melodic reinterpretations” we grownups love (Pink Floyd, Guns and Roses, Cold Play, Queen, Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, etc.) but the children think the songs are for them. Tricky! You can cruise by the Babies Go site and listen to the songs yourself.

Preserve Tableware. Roadside picnics are quite common on family road trips. You’ve been or seen the kids running around a rest stop while the parents relax on a nearby picnic table. If this is your scene, skip the disposable paper plates and opt for an eco-friendly option such as Preserve Tableware.  All Preserve plates, tumblers, and cutlery are super sturdy, dishwasher safe, reusable, made from 100% recycled plastic and recyclable in communities that recycle #5 plastic. Preserve even makes toothbrushes recycled from yogurt cups!

As you can see from the explanations above I adore each of these items for their helpfulness for a  family road trip. Hopefully you will find these tips/products helpful, too.

Two weeks ago I did something I had never done before: I flew with my two kiddos – alone. My middle brother (there are five of us) was getting married, I was to be god-mother to my first niece and I had research work to do. Originally we, the whole family, were going to drive to Denver and stay at the elegant Hotel Teatro where my future brother-in-law works (Hi, Gabe!). Long story short, I ended up on the plane alone with the kids and sleeping in my college football-playing brother’s room which was plastered with Cornell College football paraphernalia (Go Rams!).

The plan was to check the two car seats and pick them up upon arrival at the Denver International Airport. However, I had a lot of “what ifs” going through my mind. As an ex-airline employee I thought the worst: What if the car seats get damaged during transport? What if they get lost? What if someone swipes them at baggage claim (I’ve see it all happen!). But the thing that weighed most on my mind was, Ugh, what a hassle!

My dad asked what I thought about renting the car seats and sent me a link to a Denver car seat rental company. How convenient, I thought. After all, who wants to tow two kids, two car seats, two roller bags, a double stroller through DIA, all while trying to keep their sanity?

Ironically, our friend Debbie at Delicious Baby had recently posted on her blog about an ongoing terrible car seat experience at San Diego’s Advantage Rent A Car (which even made the news!).

I decided to touch base with the Denver company Baby Stay – Baby Equipment Rentals before making a decision. They quickly answered all of my questions and put my mind to rest that I would have a pleasant experience. They told me they not only rent car seats but also your “typical” baby items, like full-size cribs, highchairs, and pack n’ plays (very cool!).

I asked the owner (a mom herself) what she suggests parents should inquire about when considering renting baby equipment at their destination. She suggests parents query with specific questions, such as brand, make, model of equipment, what types of cleaners are used, how old the equipment is, how often the equipment is refreshed and to ask for a reference or two or three if you’re still concerned.

I have to say I was impressed with the overall experience. The car seats, a toddler and booster, were in great condition and the kids were safe and comfortable the entire time we were in the Mile-High City. The brands were even the same ones we have at home. My parents were pleased as well. In fact, we were so happy with the experience we passed along Baby Stay’s information to my mom’s friend whose grandbaby will soon be visiting Denver.

Thanks for the suggestion, Dad – and for picking up the tab – (wink!).

So, parents, the moral of the story is: If you do bring a car seat along on vacation, don’t check it, use it on board. If you decide to rent a seat, do your homework. Check out the company before you travel and don’t be afraid to ask for references or dig for information. There is nothing more important than your baby’s safety.

Here we are in the heat of summer. Swim lessons are in session, ice cream cones have melted all over my patio, and when I open my car door in the afternoon I get slapped in the face with a blanket of heat. As I write this it’s 104 degrees outside in Tucson and every parent has one question, how do you keep the your car seat chilled?

My kids dread getting in the car this time of year because they know how hot their car seats can get – that was until I came across the brilliant, and I do mean a brilliant, invention called Cold Seat.

The Cold Seat is a freezable seat cooler. Simply freeze the rolled-up Cold Seat then bring it along on your next outing. Cover the car seat when you get to your destination. Upon your return remove the Cold Seat, roll it up and store it. Your little one now has a comfortable seat to ride in. The Cold Seat has a Velcro tab to keep it rolled while stored and it fits easily underneath adult car seats. When you get home just pop it back in the freezer. (It fits nicely in my freezer door.) They come in the cutest patterns: Blue Camo, Sport and Pink Flower with little flip-flops.

The first time I put it to use I was so impressed how well it worked. It even kept the car’s metal seat belts (which are normally on fire) a nice cool temperature. For the first time my little girl didn’t say “Hot!” when we put her in her car seat.

Shari Griffin, mom of two, is the brains behind this amazing creation. Nice job, Shari. Talk about a Super Gal!

May 4th Joey, Josh and Adam, three guys in their 20’s, took on a wild venture: to go on one road trip and hit all 48 contiguous states and never stop (except for gas). Josh’s father was the original planner who mapped the trip and was going to take the challenge himself several years ago. The trip never happened due to the death of his mother shorty before the journey was supposed to begin. And so the baton, or map rather, was passed on to Josh and his two buddies. The world traveled with them on their blog.

The trip began in Boston and ended at the Four Corners (Brilliant!). To make a very long story short here is what these three guys accomplished in FOUR DAYS:

• 7,008 Miles
• Exact time: 106 Hours and 43 Minutes
• Saw 90 cops
• And never got pulled over (Wow!)
• Highest gas price: $4.15
• Lowest gas price: $3.45
• Showers taken: Zero (I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do.)

Congratulations, guys! Travel On!

Last week, while I was on my way to Lexington, Kentucky, my sweet husband did a pretty daring thing. He took my two preschoolers on a seven-hour road trip to Palm Desert, California to see his folks. The trip was a success. How did a dad survive such a challenge? In case you’re wondering, we do not have “perfect” kids. In fact, we are often that family – you know what I’m talking about.

With that said, here are the six secrets that helped my husband survive this long road trip with a two and three-year-old in the backseat:

1. DVD player. We scored some $7.99 DVDs at Wal-Mart and let’s just say the kids were as happy as the Berenstain Bears they were watching.

2. Zoobie Pets. Stay tuned for a rave review on these three-in-one critters. Zoobies are a travel-friendly plush animal, pillow, and blanket. The new Zoo Collection just came out this year. The kids don’t even want to take the short ride to the gym without them. Actually, my daughter is cuddled with hers on the couch as I type this.

3. Snacks. This one goes with out saying. But how can dad dish out snacks while he’s driving? I simply packed them each their own lunch box with their favorite snacks in Ziploc bags for easy access.

4. Water. Just say no to sugar on road trips, especially if you have a son like mine who will bounce on a trampoline for three hours after one M&M. Enough said.

5. VTech Tote N Go Laptop Plus is a terrific educational, interactive toy with an LCD screen that teaches the alphabet and numbers. Both of my children have their own “laptop” and it keeps the kids entertained for quite a while.

6. Finally, my husband was simply a good daddy. He stopped when the kids were hungry, required a potty break, or just needed to get out of the car. And that, my friends, is how my wonderful husband survived a seven-hour road trip with two preschoolers in tow.

I’m planning a family road trip this summer up the coast of California. With two preschoolers in tow, I know I will need to be prepared. I love to pack food for the road and one item I will be using is made by Pampered Chef and called Cut-N-Seal ($9). (Love it!) This is a must-have if your kids aren’t crust lovers or if you are tired of peanut butter and jelly dripping down into the grooves of your kid’s carseat buckle.

Here’s what you do: Take two slices of sandwich bread, push the center of one slice down to make an indent. Fill the indent with your choice of filling, then put the other piece on top. Place the Cut-N-Seal on the sandwich and push down so it “cuts” the bread then push the spring “button” on top so it “seals” the sandwich. Ta-da! That’s it. The kids love it because it’s fun and easy to hold. And there isn’t any bread sliding off the sandwich and onto the car floor.

Other handy road trip helpers from Pampered Chef include the Color Coated Santoku Knife (1059) is great to bring along because it has a cover and is ideal for easy apple sharing and of course the nice-size Insulated Tote (2137) will keep your items cold or hot (great for tailgating, too).