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10 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor Maine

One of the places that I’ve always wanted to visit is Maine. The thought of seeing beautiful lighthouses and eating lobster sounded great. And let’s get real. For this Texas girl, visiting anyplace in the summer with temperatures below 90 degrees sounded like Heaven. So when the time came for my husband and me to actually plan our trip to Maine, we decided to spend most of our time in Bar Harbor. Here are 10 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor Maine.

Why Bar Harbor?

If you love beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures in the summer, Maine is the place. And for us, Bar Harbor, a tourist destination on Mount Desert Island, seemed to offer the most bang for your buck!

Bar Harbor sits on Frenchman Bay and is right by Acadia National Park, which offers hiking, bike trails and beautiful mountains, ponds, and beaches to explore.

If you are looking for traditional Maine lobster, you won’t be disappointed. You can get steamed lobster and lobster rolls from many restaurants and lobster pounds. Bar Harbor is the place to enjoy the wonderful things that Maine has to offer.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

As with any tourist destination, there are a number of big and small hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and vacation rentals. We opted to rent a condo through VRBO.

The one bedroom condo we chose was perfect for the two of us. It was 3 miles from the entrance to Acadia National Park and walking distance to everything in Bar Harbor.

Things To Do In Bar Harbor Maine : Acadia National Park

We started our day at the Hulls Cove Visitors Center to get our park passes. We were about to purchase the $30 pass for a private vehicle that is good for 7 days. However, a particularly astute park employee surmised that one of us may be 62 (and it wasn’t me…just yet) and suggested the Annual Senior Pass for just $20. This pass would get us into any National Park for a year. SCORE for being on THIS side of 50!

We could have purchased the $30 pass online and not gone to the Visitor’s Center, but I’m glad we did. First, because they have nice bathrooms and for me, it’s always good to stop at a clean one before I head out ANYWHERE (can I get an Amen?). Secondly, I was able to talk to one of the park rangers about our plans and get some great direction from these very friendly and knowledgeable folks.

We were there during the peak of the summer season in July, so the park was full of people and parking at the main attractions is limited unless you get there early.

The Island Explorer Bus offers transportation to all the main park attractions from Bar Harbor or the Visitor’s Center. But after talking to the park ranger, we decided to chance it with our car because she said that the buses were often crowded and there was a wait to get to where you wanted to go. As far as transportation goes, it seems to be six of one, half dozen of the other. The main tip is to go and see what you want to see EARLY in the day.

What We Did At Acadia National Park

Sand Beach – This is a gorgeous 290-yard long beach nestled in an inlet with granite mountains on one side and the rocky shores of Mt. Desert Island on the other. Although the water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees in the summer, we saw a few of the many people on the beach dipping their toes in the water.

There is a lifeguard on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day and changing rooms are available near the parking area.

Hiked around Jordan Pond, which was formed by a glacier and is beautifully clear. There is no swimming or motorboats allowed so the atmosphere around this scenic place is peaceful and serene.

I like to walk so I thought hiking the Jordan Pond Trail would be a great outing one of the mornings we were there. When I hear the word “pond” I often think of the tiny, man-made pond in my neighborhood. Don’t be fooled! The trail around Jordan Pond is 3.3 miles. And although most of it is well-maintained and relatively flat, there are areas of large rocks you’ll need to walk/climb/step over if you want to make the full loop. But it is so worth it!

Following our hike, we had lunch at the historic Jordan Pond House, which is right off the trail. Jordan Pond House opened in the 1800’s and is famous for its popovers. We arrived about 10:30 am and were able to get our name on the list to be seated at 11. Don’t be discouraged by the crowds. Jordan Pond House is large with both indoor and outdoor seating and the wait probably won’t be long.

We lunched on lobster salad, blueberry lemonade and of course, Popovers!

Cadillac Mountain – Standing over 1500 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view the sunrise in the U. S. from October 7 – March 6. Getting there early to see the sunrise or going in the evening to view the sunset is one of the most popular things to do in Acadia National Park.

We took the scenic Summit Road to the top of Cadillac Mountain in the afternoon, stopping at several of the scenic overlooks along the way. Each one provided beautiful views of ponds, the ocean, bays, and mountains. Truly breathtaking.

When you arrive at the Summit, there is a large trail where you can walk to different points and take some gorgeous pictures as you look down on Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay and see the blue expanse of the Atlantic.

Whale Watching in Bar Harbor

There are several cruise lines that offer whale watching tours in Bar Harbor. We chose to take Acadian Boat Tours Sightseeing in Nature Tour which promised that we would see some wildlife, not whales specifically. This tour was a 2-hour cruise with an extremely knowledgeable tour guide.

We got lucky that day and we did see whales. Or I should say the blow holes and fins of some small whales. If you think you are going to see a Shamu type creature jumping out of the water, that probably won’t happen.

Other wildlife we saw were seals, jellyfish, porpoises and a bald eagle that flew over us just like it was a scripted show! It was awesome to see.

We also learned about the history of the area, saw some gorgeous “summer cottages” (mansions) and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Coastal Maine. Pictured here is the Egg Rock lighthouse.

Acadian Boat Tours also offers these tours:

Sunset Cruise
Fishing Trips
Puffins, Lighthouse and Seabirds Cruise
VIP Somes Sound Fjord & Harbors Tour

I was so impressed with this tour company from the first person we talked to who guided me to a cruise where I would not get seasick to the captain and the tour guide. I highly recommend this company!

More Things To Do In Bar Harbor

Shop in the Bar Harbor Shopping District which is really the 5 or 6 streets that makeup Bar Harbor proper. Lots of specialty stores, touristy places, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars! Something for everybody!
Explore all the things there are to do in Acadia National Park. Take a Ranger Guided Cruise or Bike Tour. Explore the many different places to hike or rock climb.
Visit Agamont Park – a beautiful park on Frenchman Bay with plenty of benches to sit on and enjoy the scenery.
Take a relaxing stroll down the Shore Path, which you can pick up at Agamont Park. Relatively flat and not too long. An easy stroll where you can see great views of the coast an islands in the bay.
Have a cup of coffee at Coffee Hound Coffee Bar. Delicious hand-crafted specialty coffee and espresso.
Dine outdoors or enjoy at a cocktail at Bar Harbor Inn’s Terrace Grille. The perfect location for outdoor dining overlooking the bay.

Have you been to Bar Harbor? What is your favorite thing to do there?

Watch for my next post where I tell you about all the great places to eat in Bar Harbor!

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August 21, 2018 6 comments

Picture of Clock with the Caption Protecting Your Time When You Retire

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Time For You | Time Management In Retirement

Have you ever thought about needing to have a strategy for time management in retirement? Or are you looking forward to retirement as the season of finally having unlimited time to pursue your interests at a leisurely pace? Just getting up and doing what you want when you want to? You may have to think again.

In the midlife “space” where I publish this blog, there is lots of talk about women pursuing new interests after the kids leave home or they retire. That period of time can be filled with a lot of angst and confusion as women figure what they want to do in this new season of life.

But eventually, they hit their stride as they step out, try new things and discover a whole world of possibilities. They begin filling their time with things that bring them joy. Trying things they always wanted to do and never had time for. It could be a hobby. Or taking the time to exercise. Or perhaps embarking on a different career path.

Then, this happens. Grandchildren are born. Parents get old and need help. Husbands retire. Friends and family members assume you have a lot of time on your hands and are free to help them out whenever they call. Before you know it, there is no time left for you to pursue that thing you have found that gives you a reason to get up in the morning.

While family and helping others are an important part of life, if you’re not careful, everyone else and THEIR needs can take over and you have no time left for YOU. And if you don’t protect your time, there will be no time for you!

My Story

After raising my kids, leaving my job in the non-profit sector and caring for both of my parents before they died, I discovered blogging. I love it. It is so different than anything I have ever done before. What was once just a hobby has now become a part-time business. It’s work for sure, but the writing and creativity and relationships that are part of the blogging world fill my soul. I find that if I don’t get to blog, I get grumpy.

I am also blessed that both of my adult daughters and 3 grandchildren live close to me and I get to see them all the time. I love my girls and the grandkids. I would do anything for them.

But I recently discovered that if I wasn’t careful, I could be taking care of the grandkids or going to kids activities every night of the week. And that was infringing on the time that I blog and do things to take care of myself like exercise, cook healthy meals and rest.

I must offer this disclaimer. My daughters are wonderful. They always ask if I can help with the kids. They never assume that I am available. If they ask and I say no, it doesn’t make them mad.

We’ve talked a lot about the fact that I have raised my kids and am Gaga now. The fun one, not the parent. The back-up – not the one who is responsible. They totally get it.

They also know that they all get the best of me when I take care of myself and have a life of my own besides them. I have friends whose adult children are NOT as gracious as mine and feel absolutely entitled to their mother’s time! UGH!

But grandchild care issues don’t have to be the thing that eats away at your time.

Maybe your spouse has retired and wants your attention 24/7. Or wants you to stop whatever you’re doing to do something with them. Or be home to fix them lunch every day.
Maybe your parents or other family members call and want you to come at the drop of a hat (when there is not an emergency).
Maybe people from your church or other organizations assume that you can fill in or take on a lot of other responsibilities because you are retired or an empty nester.

Or sometimes it’s not OTHERS who sabotage your time. It’s YOU!

Do you drop everything to help out with your kids or grandkids even if they don’t ask? Maybe because you feel guilty and you feel like you SHOULD? After all you are just doing ________.
Do you assume that because your husband is retired, it’s now your job to make sure you have 3 meals on the table every day, even if he can take care of himself, doesn’t ask you to and is perfectly capable of making a sandwich?
Do you feel guilty spending the time to pursue your own interests and passions, so you volunteer all over the place because you feel like you SHOULD, always putting your need for fulfillment last?

Don’t let any of that happen! In order to thrive in retirement, you need to protect your time.

Instead, try this:

Communicate! Talk to friends and family members about what you are doing, why it’s important to you and why you are scheduling the time to do it. Ask for their support. I did this with my daughters and received nothing but cooperation and understanding from them.

Schedule the time that you need to do whatever YOU are doing first. For example, I work out every day at 4:30. Sunday afternoon is my time to read and rest. I go out to dinner with my girlfriends once a month. I work on my blog every day from 8-4. Whatever it is that you do for you – get it on the calendar and let everyone know.

Decide in advance what you are willing to do for others and be pro-active in scheduling that time. If someone gets their feelings hurt because they think that you setting some boundaries means you don’t care for them, say something like, “I’m sorry I won’t always be available when you call, but because you are important to me, I’d like to schedule this time __________ to do________”.

Here’s how I worked out my schedule:

Kept two eldest grandkids 2 nights a week while Daughter #1 had some important appointments and no other childcare options.
Eldest Grandson had 2 baseball practices and 2 games a week. I said that I would attend one baseball event a week.
Daughter #2 and husband attend a church group one night a week. I said I would keep their baby every other week, alternating with another family member.

Does that mean I never waiver from the schedule? No!

Or that if there is a real emergency or need that I don’t jump in to help? Absolutely not!

Or that I don’t sometimes drop everything to take my daughters to lunch or just hang out with the grandkids? No way. I love all of those things.

My point is, it’s important to find the things that fulfill you and make them a priority. If the thing that brings you joy is babysitting the grandkids every day while their parents work – do it!

If you find great fulfillment pursuing interests and activities with your retired husband – do it!

If just having the time to “be there” for friends and family when they need you, by all means – give yourself permission to do it.

None of us is the same. It’s not an all or nothing or one size fits all proposition. Just remember to protect and manage your time so that you have time for YOU!

Have you found time as an empty-nester or retiree to pursue what gives you joy? How do you manage your time so that you have plenty of it to devote to these pursuits?

This post first appeared on Sizzling Towards Sixty and Beyond.

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July 30, 2018 3 comments

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Ship Sponsored or Independent Shore Excursions | Which One Is Right for You?

One of the most exciting parts of any cruise is getting off the ship at the various ports and going on a shore excursion. I remember when I took my first cruise. I started reading about all the fun and exciting ship sponsored shore excursions. But there are other types of shore excursions besides what the cruise line offers. So here’s the question: Ship Sponsored or Independent Shore Excursions | Which One Is Right For You?

Ship Sponsored Shore Excursions

The most convenient way to book a shore excursion is through your cruise line. Other reasons to book through your cruise line are:

The excursions are carefully vetted and validated for quality and reliability. From their experience with thousands of passengers, cruise lines offer excursions that they know their passengers will enjoy.
You can apply any onboard credits you have toward the cost.
The ship guarantees to wait for you, even if your tour is delayed and you are late getting back to the ship.

Here are two tours we booked through our cruise line on when we went on an Alaskan cruise. Both were excellent and worth the cost.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

5 Reasons to See Beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC

Shore Excursions With Independent Providers

[bctt tweet=”Did you know that you can book a shore excursion in advance through an independent provider? #shoreexcursion #cruise” username=”MySideof50″]

Did you know that you could book a shore excursion in advance with an independent provider through sites like Shorefox and Viator? Here are some reasons to consider booking through an independent provider:

They have different types of tours that may not be available through the cruise line.
Sometimes they offer the same tours as the cruise line but for less money.
Their tours often have fewer people than those offered through the cruise line.
You can read detailed reviews and see photographs from travelers who have taken these excursions.
You can find providers who guarantee that you’ll get back to the ship on time OR they will pay for you to get to the next port to get back on the ship.

Going on an Alaskan Cruise? Get my Ultimate Packing List Here

Shore Excursions With Private Guides

Private Guides take individuals or small groups around to the main sites and are able to tailor your tour toward your interests.
Choose guides with some type of accreditation through the local tourism board or tour guide association.
Book in advance rather than negotiating with someone who comes up to you when you get off the ship.
Do your research. Go on message boards on sites like CruiseCritic.com where you can ask for recommendations on guides from experienced cruisers.
You can also research private guides by contacting the local tourist office in the city where you’ll be touring.

Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Shore Excursion

Many ports have a bus line like this operated by operators like City Sightseeing or Big Bus Tours that are reliable, have quality information and good prices.

You can usually purchase tickets and get on near where you disembark the ship.
With these tours, you’ll get a map of the city, transportation to key sites and recorded commentary.
You can get off at the sites you want to see and get back on to go to the next destination. These buses run on a frequent schedule, so you don’t have to worry about long waits for transportation.

Self Touring Shore Excursions

You can have a custom tour experience without spending a lot of money by doing a self-tour. I’ve done two of these on our Alaskan Cruise with great success:

4 Fun Things To Do In Ketchikan

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

If you decide to go the self-tour route, research your destination to find the must-see sites and the most cost-effective way to get there.
Read advice on cruise forums and cruise travel reviews to get the best information on your destination.

With so many options, take the time to look into each one. You’ll certainly find the best shore excursion at each port for you!

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July 3, 2018 2 comments

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Transition to Retirement: What You Should Know

Is retirement on the horizon for you or your spouse? I must admit, my radar is definitely up on this topic because although we don’t have a set date, I know my husband’s working days are numbered. And I’ve often wondered, “What will Tony do if he’s home all day?” “What will I do if he’s home all day”? But there are a lot more things to ask and to consider when retirement for anyone is looming. So I am pleased to welcome Elizabeth Estelle from Goal Accomplished to the blog today. She and her husband are a year into this retirement gig. Here’s her Transition to Retirement: What You Should Know.

My husband retired last year on July 1, 2017. He had worked for 31 years for our local school system and he was ready to be out and to work on his own projects. When you’ve set your actual retirement date, you go into a stage I call “Meetings”. And since we agree with the proverb: two heads are better than one, we attended these meetings together.

Transition To Retirement: Meetings

Work meetings: We went to meetings with the Human Resources department and filled out forms for direct deposit and made decisions about which health care plan we would need.

Financial Meetings: We went to an investment advisor. Most people do not retire at the same income level as when they were working. Budgeting and financial obligations have to be addressed seriously and realistically. Our investment advisor gave us good information on how to best use the money we had saved.

Meetings between husband and wife: We also discussed the following questions that involved how we would spend our money:

Would we need one car now or still two?

We didn’t need to buy work clothes anymore so how would our wardrobes be changing?

We wanted to travel but did we still want to camp or were we now at the hotel stage of life?

Pension Meetings: We went to a meeting with the retirement pension people. They explained the 16 different options we had to choose from. We thought they would also be advising us, but their job was only to explain the options. After a certain number of days, that choice was irrevocable. Our financial advisor was a big help with which option would work best for our situation.

Maybe you have heard that retirement is all fun- but as a housing counselor, I saw a lot of retired people who were not having fun. They were in unmanageable debt because they couldn’t manage their money, there was no money to manage and/or they had health problems that had used up their money. It is essential that you know your income and your expenses. That information is crucial to your financial decisions at this time of life.

Transition to Retirement: Time Management

The next stage of retirement is called Time Management. How are you going to spend your time now that you are in charge of your schedule?

My husband and I agree that you need to make sure you are taking good care of your best friend, your spouse. It is extremely sad to us to hear about post-retirement divorces. In each stage of life, there are struggles, but with the help and support of your spouse, you can make it through together.

Retirement should be the time when you can reap some of the rewards of working hard for years and years and years. Make sure husbands that you are taking care of your wife through the years so that you can enjoy retirement happily together!

Wife, make sure you are helping your husband as he transitions into retirement. It is a big change for both of you!

Don’t get frustrated-keep talking through things.

Volunteering: Once you are retired, there may be people who think you can now do all the work at your volunteer organization or church. While you might want to spend some extra time helping, how are you going to manage how much time you spend volunteering?

Hobbies: We know of one man who retired with the expectation of finally being able to play golf whenever he wanted to. What he discovered was that after 3 months, he was tired of playing golf!

Make sure you have some hobbies and ways to spend your time. The more meaningful you view your activity, the more enjoyment you will get out of it. One contractor we know enjoys helping out with house maintenance for his elderly neighbors. Floyd says “I’m taking the hands-on stuff that I’ve done for years and I’m using those skills to help people.”

Since both my husband and I are home now, we have to purposefully make a social calendar. We still want to get out and see people. We had different ideas about what our social interactions would look like, so we have had to work through that.

He doesn’t necessarily like going to lunch with my former co-workers but he does. I don’t necessarily like going to cut trees and move brush, but I do. We keep doing things together because we like to be together.

Transition to Retirement: Travel

Now it is June 2018. Since last year we have traveled thousands of miles during 9 trips. We have driven to Manitoba Canada, Denver, Colorado, seen family in Connecticut, visited the Creation Museum and Ark in Kentucky, taken our daughter to college in SC, driven to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, flown to San Francisco three times, seen the Living Gallery presentation at Bob Jones University (phenomenal), visited SeaWorld and Key Largo, FL.

We won’t always be able to travel so much, but while we can, we will. We enjoy visiting our family and friends all over the country and in Canada. We are having fun as we figure out what new adventure is on the horizon. In between our travels, there is plenty of lawn to mow and gardens to weed.

I hope this post helps you as you go through the meetings, time management and transitioning stage of your life. Happy Retirement! Now on to new adventures! If you are new to retirement life, how are you filling up your time? Please comment below.

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June 26, 2018 27 comments

Group shot of people running a marathon with an overlay that says Fitness Goals After 50 | Running A Marathon

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Fitness Goals Over 50 | Running A Marathon

Sue Loncaric is an Australian blogger and the inspiration behind Sizzling Towards 60 and Beyond. She writes about positive aging and embracing health in all areas – body, mind, spirit and in our relationships. Today, Sue brings us the first guest post in my new fitness series: Fitness Goals Over 50 | Running a Marathon.

I ran my first marathon at 55 years old.

Do you shy away from leading a fit and active lifestyle because you think you are too old?

Are you placing limitations on yourself by focusing on your age rather than your ability?

If you answered ‘yes’, then I hope that after you read my story you might be inspired and motivated to make some healthy lifestyle changes and start living life to the full.

Like many young girls, growing up I did dancing – ballet, tap, jazz and highland dancing. I then achieved my dream and opened a ballet studio at 15 years old, which I continued for about 15 years.

I was never athletic at school and tried to keep fit with aerobics back in the 80’s after I had my family. However, like many, life took over and I just didn’t have time (my excuse) or MAKE the time to keep fit and healthy. I would probably rate myself around 3.5 stars for health and fitness back then.

Of course, now I am 60 and over the last 10 years, my attitude toward health and fitness has certainly changed. Having lost my Mum at 60, Dad at 66 and my brother more recently at 65, all to various forms of cancer, as I neared midlife I was very conscious that I needed to make sure I did all I could to live a healthier lifestyle.

I wish I had known when I was 30 what I know now but the important lesson I have learned is it is never too late and we can achieve anything if we stop placing limitations on ourselves.

Fitness Goals Over 50 – When did I catch the running bug?

Just before I turned 50, I worked with some girls who were almost young enough to be my daughters. The wonderful thing was they never thought of me as an older person. I was Sue, the individual. They encouraged me to start running and booked me into Bootcamp, 2 mornings per week.

When I reminded them of my age and that I was old enough to be their mother, they wouldn’t accept it! I have these girls to thank for starting me on the running path, having the confidence in my ability and not accepting excuses such as ‘I’m too old’.

I then started running with some ladies I met through my daughter. We call ourselves the Saturday Sisters and are still running together each week 8 years later. One Saturday I told them I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 55. I had run a half-marathon at 50 and so my next goal was the full marathon.

Once I had told them my goal, my pride would not let me back out and so I started training and preparing. My friends trained with me for the long runs and one of them actually entered and ran the marathon with me.

At 55, I ran a full marathon. Crossing that finish line, to the cheering of my husband, daughter, and friends, I felt such a feeling of elation. I had achieved my goal in the time I wanted and although I was tired it couldn’t overshadow my excitement and happiness.

I know that running isn’t for everyone but that shouldn’t be an excuse not to include daily movement in our lives. The key is to find something you enjoy and can have fun with, and you will be more likely to stick to it.

Need help evaluating an exercise program to see if it’s right for you? Get my Exercise Evaluation Checklist.

Fitness Goals Over 50 | 7 Tips for Achieving Your Goals

Although I ran a marathon, you might have a different health or fitness goal. I would like to share with you 7 tips to help you achieve any fitness goal after 50. These tips are based on my marathon training but basically can be adapted to any fitness goal. You don’t need to run a marathon to be fit and healthy!

Disclaimer: Sue Loncaric is not a physician and any information provided here is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before embarking on any exercise plan.

Make the commitment

Nothing is achieved with a half-hearted attitude and if you set a goal you need to make the commitment. This means putting into place a realistic training program, eating well and being mentally committed. In some ways, you need to be selfish because so much time is required to train for a big event

Get the okay from your doctor

Before you start any new form of exercise or increased training after 50 you really need to have a full medical checkup and get the approval from your doctor. If you haven’t been active for a while, this is vital as it is easy to pull muscles or sustain injuries. You need to build up your fitness and this takes time.

Have a support group

I could not have achieved running the marathon without my husband. He accepted and encouraged me to achieve my goal and helped by preparing healthy meals and putting up with me getting out of bed at 4 am some mornings to fit a run in before work. If I didn’t feel like training, he would encourage me and remind me of what I was working towards.

Read Sue’s Post: 5 Reasons It’s Better to Work Out In A Group

My Saturday Sisters were so supportive and trained with me each week. Working out with a group of friends helps to motivate you to keep going. This was vital as the longer runs kicked in as running 38 kms on your own can be difficult. As I had made a commitment to meet them at a certain time for a run, I would make sure I was there.

Ask for professional help from a personal trainer if you aren’t sure where to start.

Take baby steps, form the habit and achieve your goal

When you have made the commitment to your goal, it is easy to get carried away with the initial enthusiasm, only to find that soon that enthusiasm starts to wane. Breaking the goal into baby steps allows you to achieve at a regular rate, celebrate the success and keep moving forward to the end goal.

When I first started running, I couldn’t run more than 25 meters between two lamp posts which wasn’t very far at all. I made the goal to start by alternating walking and running. For example, a 5 – 10-minute walk to warm up then a jog then back to walking. I gradually increased the distance I could run.

By taking it slowly and adding distance each time I ran (or walked) I felt like I was achieving something more. This, in turn, motivated me to keep going. It also gave my body time to adjust and build up strength for longer walks or runs. You might also like to read my posts on Walking Your Way to Fitness from Beginner to Advanced Levels.

Strength training and Stretching is important

Strength training is so important after we reach 50 because it strengthens our bones, improves our posture and helps reduce the chances of osteoporosis. Strength training improves core strength so I made sure that I did some gym work revolving around that. Exercises like the plank, tummy crunches, squats and light weights all helped to improve my overall strength in addition to the running.

Yoga and stretching also helped to reduce the chance of injury and keep my body flexible and my mind calm.

Educate yourself about what fuel your body needs

Having never run a marathon before, I researched training programs from the internet and found one that would be suitable. I needed to educate myself on what foods to eat to provide me with enough energy during the training runs and also the marathon itself.

To be totally fit you need to vary the type of exercise and watch what you eat to help your body perform at its optimum level. My husband was great and made sure I had everything I needed to keep up the energy levels.

Keeping hydrated was a top priority so getting into the habit of drinking enough water each day was vital. It also meant giving up alcohol which dehydrates our bodies. Save the champagne for when you have achieved your goal.

Taking a rest day or two to help the body recover is vital as is getting a good night’s sleep. This is the time the body repairs itself so make sure you factor in days to rest and recover.

Believe in yourself – Mental strength is the key

To me, this is the most important tip of all. When we reach midlife we start to focus on the number rather than living life. We start to question our ability and our self-confidence can take a dive. It can be daunting trying something new.

Setting a goal and working through these tips will build resilience, self-confidence, and motivation.

What is one thing you can do today to start living a healthier and happier lifestyle?

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June 18, 2018 21 comments

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11 Fabulous Things To Do In Charleston

Every year I take a trip with my girlfriends. This year it was my turn to choose the location, so I picked Charleston, SC. We went in early May and the weather was fabulous – sunny and in the 70’s. Here are 11 Fabulous Things To Do In Charleston.

Street in Charleston. Building with Red door surrounded by baskets of flowers

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

Rent a House at the Beach

After we picked Charleston, we needed to find a place to stay, which wasn’t easy. Charleston is not a LARGE city by megacity standards. Places within Charleston proper are expensive. And we didn’t find out until we arrived that we were there on a major college graduation weekend, so I’m sure that contributed to the accommodation scarcity and prices!

When we travel together, we like to have our own bedrooms, so we often look for a house to accommodate us house on VRBO. I found a cute little 4 bedroom beach cottage outside of Charleston at Folley Beach, complete with a screened in porch that got a nice breeze. We enjoyed our coffee and the scent of magnolias on the porch every morning. The location was great. It was a 20-minute drive to all the places we wanted to see in Charleston.

Take a Carriage Tour

We started our first day in Charleston with a carriage tour around the city taking in all the historic sites. Doing this first allowed us to get our bearings so that we knew how to get around and see some of the other places we wanted to go.

Since a carriage tour ride is the quintessential touristy thing to do in Charleston, there are numerous carriage tour companies to choose from. We booked ours through Classic Carriage Works.

We booked an early in the day tour in advance, but we could have easily waited to book the tour when we arrived. Although we would not have had our choice of times, we probably would have been able to get on one within an hour. One advantage of going on one of the early tours is that you have a better chance of finding a place to park your car for the day since downtown parking is VERY LIMITED.

There are several types of tours you can choose from, depending on your interests. We took the Charleston History Tour. There is also a Civil War Tour or Slavery to Freedom Tour. Private tours and adults-only tours are also offered.

We had a super fun (and handsome) tour guide who gave us an hour tour through the historic district where we saw lots of homes (including Patricia’s from Southern Charm) and historic churches. Did you know that Charleston is often referred to as the “Holy City” because of all the majestic steeples and spires you can see as you drive through town?

Photo by Harriet Hollingshead

After our tour, we took a short walk over to the Charleston City Market, which is a historic open-air market where slaves used to take their wares to sell. In addition to touristy things, they have crafty and handmade items, a great lemonade stand and clean restrooms.

Have Brunch at Poogan’s Porch

Next on the list was brunch at Poogan’s Porch! OMG, was that wonderful! I had the BEST Bloody Mary made with Dixie Black Pepper Vodka, Charleston Mix & pickled okra, followed by an appetizer of Fried Green Tomatoes with Peach and Blueberry Chutney and a main course of Shrimp & Grits. You don’t get much more Southern than that.

And lest I forget the biscuits….

Other favorites: Pogan’s Salty Dog, Pulled Pork Benedict & French Toast.

Restaurant Tip: Many of the most popular restaurants in the city are open daily for brunch. Great option if you can’t get a dinner reservation or just want to go to brunch.

Go Shopping on King Street

We spent the afternoon on King Street – a LONG street for shopping. One end has unique high-end boutiques, antique stores, and art galleries. The other end has more of the luxury retailers you’d see at home.

Visit the Cemetery at the Unitarian Church of Charleston

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

The cemetery at the 2nd oldest church in Charleston is a beautiful spot with gravestones dating back to the 1700’s. The pathways are maintainted for visitors, but the plots and grave markers have been given over to nature. Vines, shrubs, and trees grow among, around and through the cemetery. Ghost Tours of Charleston even offers a tour of the cemetery at night!

Rainbow Row

A street with beautiful homes in a rainbow of colors. One of the prettiest streets in Charleston.

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

Charleston Tea Plantation

The Charleston Tea Plantation is not a plantation in the “Gone With the Wind” sense, but an actual working plantation where they grow tea. In fact, it’s the only place in the US where tea is grown.

The plantation is picturesque with huge trees and a nice picnic area. They have a large gift shop with many different varieties of hot and cold tea to sample. If you are interested in how tea is cultivated, take the 45-minute trolley tour. We had a delightful tour guide and the tour was most informative. If your time is limited and you are not SUPER INTERESTED in tea, I would skip this.

Middleton Place

Middleton Place is the home of the oldest landscaped gardens in America. When you visit, you will see 65 acres of formal landscaped gardens, and get a look at 18th and 19th-century plantation life with costumed craftspeople and historic animal breeds in the plantation stableyards.

When I heard about the gardens, I thought of flowers. There aren’t many flowers, but it is a gorgeous place with big trees, ponds, creeks and sculpted bushes. There is so much to see and do, I wish we had started our day there.

We enjoyed walking through the gardens:

Seeing the animals:

And the authentic look of plantation life they offered:

Man splitting wood in 18th century costume

Photo by Meredyth DeBoer

If you go to Middleton Place, make it the first stop of your day. There is so much more to see and do there than we were able to do, including a tour of the original house.

Dinner at Wild Olive Cucina Italiana, Johns Island

Dinner at this lovely farm to table restaurant features house-made pasta and dishes made with primarily locally sourced food. Pasta and seafood are outstanding!

Breakfast or Lunch at Lost Dog Café, Folly Beach

A little breakfast and lunch place off the beaten path featuring all your breakfast and lunch favorites – bagels, biscuits & gravy, eggs benedict, sandwiches, salads, and wraps. My favorite – Blackened Salmon BLT Wrap with grilled blacked salmon, fried green tomatoes, crumbled bacon, romaine, and Cajun mayo. This wrap is HUGE. You could definitely split this with someone.

Dinner at The Fat Hen, Johns Island

Authentic French Cuisine in a casual, family atmosphere. Delicious steaks, seafood, Southern fare. Get the Flounder Nicoise and don’t’ miss out on the Bacon Cheese Grits.

We had such a wonderful time in Charleston. I wish we had had more time. Put this on your list of the best girl’s trip destinations!

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June 10, 2018 3 comments

Be Brave

The Cruise Beverage Package | Is It Worth It?

When you put down a substantial chunk of change for a cruise, you may be surprised to find out that although it’s all-inclusive, the one thing it doesn’t include is beverages – other than your basic tap water, coffee and tea. You incur additional charges for any alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, fruity frozen mocktails or specialty coffees you consume. So should you purchase a Cruise Beverage Package?

When you first start researching your Cruise Beverage Package and see the PRICE PER DAY PER PERSON you may say NO WAY! I’ll just pay as I go. There is NO WAY I will drink that much. And that may be true.

But before you decide, take a look at the average price per beverage when you purchase them a la carte:

Glass of wine $9-10
Cocktail – $12-17
Bottled Water – $4
Specialty Coffee – $5-7
Soda – $4-5
Beer – $6-10

Then see if any of these scenarios apply to you:

You don’t want a steep and unknown beverage charge at the end of your cruise. If you are on a budget, purchasing a drink package “up front” will save you an unexpected bill at the end of your cruise.
You drink bottled water. Or you may want to take bottled water with you when you leave the ship for a shore excursion. Think you’ll save money & just pick up a bottled water at the 7-11 as you walk off the ship? There is not a 7-11 when you get off the ship. And for some shore excursions, you may want to have a bottle of water with you.
You enjoy coffee shop style beverages. If you like these specialty coffee drinks in the morning, as an afternoon pick-me-up or after dinner, you can really run up a bill. Think the price of a Starbucks each time you get one. And since you will likely pass their Starbucks like coffee bar several times a day, you’ll be drinking more of them than when you are at home. Why? Because you are on vacation!
You drink soda or juice. Or you are traveling with kids who will be ordering a soda everywhere they go on the ship.
You enjoy a mocktail or a fruity frozen concoction. There’s something about being on a cruise that just makes it impossible to resist these fun drinks.
You enjoy beer, wine or a cocktail.

Before you decide NOT to purchase the Cruise Beverage Package, add up the cost per drink per person per day and see what your estimated cost will be. Even if your number is under the price but close, get the beverage package. You will be drinking more of whatever it is you drink on a cruise. The average number of beverages is 6-7 per day on sea days. Less on the days you are on shore excursions.

Get My Alaskan Cruise Packing List Here!

What to look for before purchasing a beverage package:

Look at the choices. Some cruise lines make it easy and give you just 3 choices:

A package that includes all types of beverages that aren’t included with your cruise price.
A soda package
A coffee package

Some even offer additional packages:

Wine & Beer only

And then some really break it down to the brand of liquor you prefer. Are you someone that absolutely has to have a certain brand of liquor in your drink? Then look for the package (if offered) where that brand is included.

Purchasing a wine or beer package? Is that by the glass or by the bottle? Is that the house chardonnay? What type of beer is included – domestic or imported?

Are you a Pepsi drinker but only Coca-Cola products are served on the ship? If they don’t have the soda you drink, no point in buying a soda package.

For cocktails, drinks up to a certain price point are the only ones included. For example, your package includes drinks that cost up to $10. But you want to order a drink that costs $11. You will not be allowed to pay the $1 difference. The entire $11 will be billed to your cabin if you order your drink.

Have a different drinking style than your cabin mate? Some cruise lines require cabin mates to purchase the same beverage package. If you and your cabin mate have different drinking preferences, this may not work.

Ask your cruise line to answer specific questions about the price per drink and what brands are included in each package. It may not be on their website but you can call and ask.

Want to know all the details including what’s in the “fine print” for each cruise line’s beverage packages? See Cruise Critic’s post: Bottoms Up! A Guide to Cruise Lines All-You-Can-Drink Packages.

Cruise Critic also has a great forum for asking questions answered by experienced cruisers.

Wondering what to pack for your Alaskan Cruise? Get my packing list here!

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June 6, 2018 3 comments

Be Brave

Top 10 Ways to Have a Great Relationship With Your Adult Children

Today I am so excited to welcome Shelly Janac as a guest contributor to My Side of 50! You will recognize Shelly from most of the fashion round-ups I do. I love her fashion sense and she has given this “matchy-matchy” girl the courage to try some pattern mixing in her style – something Shelly does so well. But on her blog, The Queen in Between, she blogs about so much more than fashion. She shares who she is, about her family, favorite things she likes and all the ups and downs of being a working mom to 2 adult children and 2 who are still at home. I so admire her wisdom and transparency. Read what Shelly has to say about the Top 10 Ways to Have a Great Relationship With Your Adult Children.

One thing drawing Cathy and I together is we both know all stages of motherhood come with their own set of opportunities and blessings. Just when you think the diapers and sleepless nights will never end you are on to play dates and homework and navigating all that comes with the rebellious teen years and next thing you know you wake up as the parent to adults. To be honest, I truly believed if I saw my kids through college without anyone arrested or pregnant I could give myself a big A+ on motherhood and check parenting off my list!

Wow, what a fool I was! Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed parenting adults would be some of the most heart-wrenching days of mom life. If you have some sweet children heading off into the unknown waters of adult life, here are a few tips for continuing to build relationships instead of building up walls.

Set a standing date! Whether they are busier than you ever imagined or floundering in adulthood, setting up a set date on the calendar will ensure you have time to catch up. My older daughter lives in the same town but we have a standing dinner date to catch up once a month where she has my undivided attention. My son plays minor league ball and we stay connected using Facetime when he is away. This is not only for you to listen but also for you to share what is happening in your life.
Be a true friend. Yes, you are still a parent first but as they move into adulthood if you really want to have a close relationship you need to treat them with the same respect you would a close friend. What does this mean? It means being honest and building trust. If your adult child shares personal feelings with you it is between the two of you only. Sometimes you may have to work on your poker face as the information may be, well, adult-like. It also means offering your opinion only when you are asked! Yikes, keeping my mouth shut is the very hardest.
Accept their dreams may not be your dreams. As a mom, we want to see them utilize their gifts to achieve the highest results. What I’ve learned is sometimes the dream I have for them may not help them grow in the same ways the dreams they have will. The biggest relationship builder is supporting their dreams and offering your guidance when asked.
Do not make assumptions! In this world where we are so connected with social media, it is easy to see a post on Snapchat and start dreaming up assumptions as to what may or may not be going on in their life. If they are constantly at the bar or always alone you can really start to create some not so pretty scenarios and, if I’m being honest, some big judgments. Scheduling one on one time together will give you the assurance you need as to their current state of mind.
Get on their level. Since we are talking about social media, it is their generations way of communicating. Even if you are not into Snaphat, Instagram or one of million other platforms, taking the initiative to communicate in the way they are comfortable can really help you feel some connection. My oldest son loves food and shares the meals he cooks almost every single night and my daughter loves sharing videos of her with her puppy all on Snapchat. I look forward to receiving these little bits of their life!
Support without coddling. What do I mean? Well, they are going to run into so many challenges from broken hearts to struggles in the workplace, to hard life lessons. Let them face the consequences of their own life. Drawing the line between supporting and guiding them as they work out a plan versus trying to take over and fix it all is so skinny. If it is a financial situation it can become even stickier. Just because you can bail them out doesn’t always mean you should.
Trust them to make good decisions. You have spent years instilling your values and beliefs In them. Now, you need to sit back and trust they know how to make good decisions. I worried far too much about my children repeating my mistakes. My mom is always quick to remind me they are not me. They have their own brains and they know right from wrong and if they find themselves choosing the wrong path see number 6!
Have your own life! Believe me, there is nothing lonelier than sitting around waiting for one of your adult children to want to hang out with you. I am still fun and interesting and FUN! There are still so many things I love doing that define me and it is also just an amazing time to remember all the things you enjoy. Giving your child a guilt trip for declining your invitation to hang out will do more to drive them away instead of drawing them closer.
Put yourself in their shoes. If you take a step back to your young adulthood you will probably remember as much as you may have loved your family they were not your top choice for social time. Depending on where they are on their journey they may need to spend time nurturing their own new family or they may be enjoying the social perks of being single. Try to see their current journey through their eyes instead of your own.
Pray for them! And for God to continue to give you the wisdom and words to support them. When they do ask for your advice and guidance you have to be willing to accept if they do not take it. Whether it’s a boyfriend you feel is not a healthy match or a career change that is risky, at the end of the day it is still their life. Accept they have the right to live it and then you pray. You may pray the truth is revealed to them or pray the right people are put in their path but think deeply about your prayer and be sure you are offering it for their best interest and not your own.

As a bonus, I would say love them unconditionally and remind them of this every chance you get! At the end of the day, you will always be their momma.

Have a Blessed Day,
Shelly

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January 30, 2018 16 comments

Be Brave

Top 10 Tips To Stay Safe When You Travel

This post was sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As I sit down to write this post, it seems like most of the U.S. is experiencing blizzards, ice and altogether miserable winter weather. And what else is there to do when you are stuck inside on a super cold day? Start planning your next vacation! You’ll likely have so much fun planning where to go, how to get there, where to stay and what to do. But do you ever make a plan for travel safety? How to keep yourself, your belongings and your identity safe in the new places you’ll go? Here are my Top 10 Tips To Stay Safe When You Travel.

In big cities, you should know the areas which are safe and those which are dangerous for tourists.
Travel like a Local: When visiting any location, know your surroundings and plan your route in advance. Be aware of how the locals talk and dress and avoid actions that will make you “stand out” as a tourist.
Check out travel guides and reviews before you take any excursions, tours or adventures. You want to make sure that the vendor is reputable and that you will get what is promised, have a good experience and are safe.
Don’t post itineraries or locations on social media! Posting your itinerary or location on social media allows potential thieves to keep track of where you are, making it easier for them to time a crime – both where you are and at home! Wait and share all those vacation pictures when you get home.
Don’t leave your bags unattended. You’d think that would be obvious. But it’s amazing how many bags are stolen when you set them down just for a minute and aren’t looking (think the baggage claim at the airport). If you aren’t vigilant, you are a target for thieves who are very adept, fast and determined to steal your bag.
Only carry in your purse or wallet what you absolutely need. Take just the credit cards you’ll be using, your ID and cash for the day. If you must carry your passport, carry it close to your body.
Keep a record of important documents in a place other than your purse or wallet. If your wallet or important documents like your driver’s license, credit & debit cards, and medical insurance cards get stolen, this will help you know who to call and what to tell them.
Don’t show your valuables around. Walking around with your big, expensive camera around your neck, especially in an area where the value of that item is several times the local monthly income could be a problem. Put things of value that you must carry, like your technical devices in a daypack and only take them out when you need them.
Password protect your phone. Your phone stores sensitive information, such as access to your emails, and possibly even credit card information. If your phone is stolen, you don’t want thieves to be able to easily access it!
Get Travel Insurance. Depending on the company and policy you choose, travel insurance can provide:
- Financial protection if your trip is canceled or interrupted for any reason.
- Hotline assistance, which is especially helpful if you are in a country where you don’t speak the language.
- Arranging Medical Evacuations.

Travel insurance policies, such as those offered by Allianz Global Assistance, are designed to cover you with financial safeguards in the case of events ranging from inconveniences to calamities. Coverage may include both costs incurred before your trip, such as nonrefundable event tickets or hotel stays, and during your trip, including travel interruptions and medical expenses.

You may think you don’t need it because you have certain safeguards with the airlines, cruise lines or travel agent you use. But maybe not.

For example, did you know that airlines aren’t obligated to do anything when your flights are delayed? When the airlines are the ones at fault, they may offer some assistance, but they’re not bound by law or duty to do so.

There are a number of similar misconceptions that travel insurance can guard against. Insurance comes packaged together with specific coverage benefits – the type and amount will range based on the provider and the package selected – that fill gaps where your travel plans may be exposed to a number of threats.

What kind of threats? Take lost baggage. Lost and damaged bags are the No. 2 complaint issued to the Department of Transportation. Additionally, while domestic airlines safely transport more than 99 percent of all luggage, international carriers still lag behind.

But a lost, damaged or even stolen luggage benefit is just one small benefit of most travel insurance offerings. Others may include:

Trip Cancellation Protection. This is the big one and includes reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits.
Trip Interruption Protection. Sometimes trips start on time and end prematurely due to forces of nature and other circumstances beyond your control. This benefit includes reimbursement for unused costs and transportation costs to return home.
24-Hour Hotline Assistance. While this doesn’t come with a dollar amount, getting real-time help when you’re in a pickle is invaluable. Especially if you don’t speak the native tongue. This can include the arrangement of evacuations for medical emergencies, pre-trip assistance, etc.
Coverage for financial default. What if the tour operator for your upcoming family vacation stops answering your calls? And then the line is disconnected and the company is out of business. Travel insurance may be your most reliable means of financial recourse.

How to choose a Travel Insurance Plan

Among the first considerations to make when selecting a travel insurance plan is whether to pursue trip-specific or annual coverage. Frequent travelers and those with a big family or young kids may want to carefully consider the cost savings that an annual plan can provide. It’s not hard to do the math: when travelers add up the piecemeal cost of insurance for the trips they plan to take in the next year and compare it to the annual price tag, there will be a more attractive choice.

At Allianz Global Assistance, offerings range from the affordable and simple Essential Plan, which may work for the quick weekend getaway, to the Classic Plan with Trip +, which is designed for families traveling abroad who may experience any number of unforeseen challenges and inconveniences. Travelers can find the plan that’s right for them by visiting the Travel Insurance Plan Finder.

One final note about travel insurance that doesn’t come with fine print or footnotes – and that’s peace of mind. It’s a product you hope you never need to use but appreciate when you have it, similar to other insurance products. Once you weigh the importance of this peace of mind, as well as the other factors outlined here, you’ll be closer to being able to decide whether travel insurance is right for your next trip.

Planning an Alaskan Cruise? Get the Ultimate Packing List for Your Alaskan Cruise here.

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January 5, 2018 32 comments

Be Brave

Fireball Mexican Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate. The perfect drink for a cold winter’s day. I love any kind of chocolate. I love any kind of hot chocolate – even Swiss Miss in a pinch. But Mexican Hot Chocolate? That’s something special. Made with whole milk, real chocolate (not cocoa powder) and just a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, & cayenne pepper – you have yourself a cup of rich, smooth, decadent delight. Something not to just be drunk, but to be savored. In my Fireball Mexican Hot Chocolate, I decided to make it more of an adult beverage by substituting Fireball Cinnamon Whisky for the cinnamon. To. Die. For.

Fireball Mexican Hot Chocolate

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1 cup whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 cup half & half

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

pinch of cayenne pepper

1 oz. Fireball Cinnamon Whisky

Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Combine milk, half & half, chocolate chips, nutmeg and cayenne in a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer. When it’s hot, turn off the heat and add 1 oz. Fireball.

Top with a dollop of whipped cream (you’ll have some leftover)

Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Enjoy!

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December 18, 2017 7 comments