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12 Tips for a Fun Family Beach Vacation | How to Choose A Vacation Rental | VRBO | Galveston

12 Tips for a Super-Fun Family Beach Vacation

We just got back from our annual family beach vacation in Galveston, Texas. We always rent a home through VRBO and have a great time just being together. Over the years, our family has grown and changed with the addition of grandchildren. And every time we take a trip together, I learn something new!

12 Tips for a Super-Fun Family Beach Vacation

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

Choosing a House

Plan early to ensure you get a house that meets your needs in the location you want to be in. We reserved our house in January for an August vacation. We have always found stellar rentals on VRBO. But you have to do your research and read the fine print!

Think about the location you want:

Is it important to have an unobstructed view of the beach?
How far do you want to be from the beach?
Do you want to be able to drive your car on the beach? Make sure you are in a location that allows cars on the beach.
Will you be walking to the beach? Think about who is in your party and how far they can walk. Last year we rented a lovely home in a beach community that was advertised as “1/2 a block” from the beach. In truth, it was about 3 blocks from the bridge that crossed over to the beach. Not a bad walk for the adults in our party, but we had a 2-year-old with us. And since we thought it was a short walk, we did not bring a stroller or wagon for her. So getting to the beach was not convenient.
Is the home advertised as “across the street from the beach”? What street? A 2-lane road that is not busy OR a busy 5-lane highway that is very hard to cross safely on foot?

Read the fine print

2. Read the reviews. Make sure they are current – within the last year. If someone left a negative review and the owner has not responded with how that problem was fixed – beware.

3. Read what is included with the rental so that you can make your packing list. Are these items included?

Fully stocked kitchen with cooking and dining utensils
Beach towels
Bath towels
Bed linens
Grill
Cable TV & WiFi

It is not essential that the house is stocked with these items. But you do need to know what is included so that you know what you need to bring with you. Also, if TV and WiFi access is important, be sure and check to see if that is provided.

Plan Your Meals

We tend to go to the beach and eat all of our meals at the house. If this is what you will be doing:

4. Plan your meals ahead of time and buy your groceries before your come. Don’t forget things like PAM, foil, seasonings – things that you have at home and take for granted.

5. Keep your meals simple. We cooked our meat on the grill each evening – bratwurst, hot dogs, fajitas, steak & chicken. I also made this delicious broccoli salad that keeps well for a few days in the refrigerator.

6. Is there a grocery store close by? Or do you have to drive for a while to get groceries? At our location, the closest store was 7 miles from the house. It had the few things we forgot, but at jacked up prices! The closest large grocery store was 30 miles away, so we sucked it up and paid the higher prices.

7. If you want to eat out, what restaurants are close by? Do they meet the dietary needs of your family?

Things you might need if you are traveling with kids.

We had 3 kids with us – 6 months, 3 and 9. Quite a range.

8. You might need:

Portacrib
High chair
Baby gate if it is a 2 story house
Beach toys
Wagon to carry stuff to the beach. I bought this one that folds up and it was the best purchase I made for this whole trip! It held our towels, life jackets, boogie board, drinks – anything we wanted to take down to the beach.

Stuff for family fun:

9. This rolling cooler is great for hauling drinks and perishable snacks to the beach. And because it is tall, we carried our wine and other adult libations in it!

10. A big puzzle to work on all week. The adults in our family and our 9-year-old grandson enjoyed this – especially on the few afternoons when we had rain.

11. Games. Card and board games are always good. This year’s games were Speak Out and Hedbanz. Speak Out says it is for kids 16 and up, but it was great to play as a family with our 9-year-old. Batteries were needed for Hedbanz, so we didn’t get to play that one. So…don’t forget the batteries if your game needs them!

12. Goody bags – I always make little goody bags for everyone at the start of our vacation. Just for fun. Most of these items were purchased at the Dollar Store. Here’s what they got this year:

6-month-old grandson – reusable swim diaper, nautical themed sleeper and romper and a crab rattle.
3-year-old granddaughter – water shoes, sunglasses, swim goggles & beach toys.
9-year-old grandson – boogie board, beach towel, & a woven straw beach mat
Adult daughters – flip flops & nail polish
Son-in-law – a bottle of bourbon

A little bit of thought on what you need. A little bit of research about where you’re going. And a whole lot of love and gratitude for the time spent together. That’s all it takes for a super fun family vacation.

You might also like: 5 Tips for An Awesome Multi-generational Family Vacation

A Beach Vacation in Galveston, Texas.

There are many, many options for accommodations, recreation, and dining in Galveston. We stay on the West End of the Island at Pointe West. Along with your rental, you can have access to their pool, lazy river and club for a small fee. The beach is private and kept very clean. There are no cars allowed on the beach in this location, so it’s very safe.

Here are the 2 homes we have rented in Pointe West Estates

2017 – This home was on the front row, giving us an unobstructed view of the beach. It was 3 houses down from the bridge that you walk over to go to the beach. Having a location that was a short, safe walk to the beach was our top priority this year. This was the nicest, most well stocked with extras rental I have ever stayed in. We will definitely go back.

2016 – A lovely home with the same floor plan as our 2017 rental. It’s about a 3 block walk (although advertised as a ½ block walk) from the bridge that you walk over to go to the beach. Lovely, clean home that was perfect for our needs. But with a 3-year-old and a baby this year, we wanted something that was a shorter walk to the beach.

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August 15, 2017 10 comments

Outer Banks Girls Trip 5 Fun Things to Do | OBX | Lunch at Aqua | Wright Brothers National Memorial | Currituck Beach Lighthouse | Wild Horse Adventure Tours | Dirty Dick's Crab House | Outer Banks Vacation | Outer Banks Travel Guide | Outer Banks, NC | Things to do in Outer Banks

Travel

Outer Banks Girls’ Trip | 5 Fun Things To Do in Outer Banks, NC

My Outer Banks Girls’ Trip started a little differently than many of the trips I take with my favorite travel buddies. Harriet & I tagged along with Cassie who was babysitting her precious grandson in Norfolk, VA for the week. He was a doll and didn’t deter us one bit from having a blast and laughing until we peed our pants (one of the “perks” of middle age)!

The Outer Banks of North Carolina (or OBX as the locals call it) are only about a 1 ½ hour drive from Norfolk. An easy day trip for Harriet & I. Here are the 5 fun things we experienced in this beautiful part of the country.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Our first stop was at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC. The memorial that honors these two brothers who experimented with flight in the early 1900’s and eventually succeeded is a National Park. It costs $7 per person to get in and your admission ticket is good for 5 days.

Although the actual museum is under renovation until Fall 2018, there is plenty to see on the grounds:

Reproductions of the Wright Brothers’ camp buildings
Replicas of their 1902 Glider and 1903 Flyer
The monument commemorating the Wright Brothers’ achievement at the top of Big Kill Devil Hill

History and aviation buffs will enjoy a trip to the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

Aqua Restaurant and Spa in Duck, NC

View of the Sound from Aqua

Down the road a bit is the charming little town of Duck, NC. Filled with restaurants and cute shops, this is the place we decided to stop for lunch. We enjoyed cocktails and fish tacos that were fresh and wonderful while overlooking the breathtaking views of the sound. I loved their Tito Fresco cocktail so much, I made my own version when we got home. Check it out!

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

The Outer Banks are known for their beautiful lighthouses. The one closest to Duck was the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. This gorgeous lighthouse made of red brick is 162 ft. tall and was first lit in 1875. Visitors can climb up the 214 winding steps to the top for panoramic views of Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Currituck Outer Banks.

Wild Horse Adventure Tours

Have you seen the great pictures of wild horses running together along the ocean’s shoreline? Seeing wild horses in action is the idea behind Wild Horse Adventure Tours and it was one of the main reasons we ventured to the Outer Banks.

Wild Horse Adventure Tours offer a 2-hour long tour along the beach and through the dunes of the Outer Banks in open air Hummers, designed to give you the best views of the OBX Wild Corolla Spanish Mustangs.

An experienced guide will drive you along the beautifully untouched beaches and through the dunes, where you will see these wild horses in their natural habitat.

Although it is rare to actually see the horses running along the beaches, they are gorgeous and majestic, no matter what they are doing.

We booked the day ahead, which is a good idea. There are a number of wild horse tours in the area. We saw some of them in lots of different vehicles – including the back of a pickup! That looked uncomfortable! Take the Wild Horse Adventure Tour and ride in the Hummer. A 2-hour ride in the dunes in an uncomfortable vehicle would make for a long afternoon….

Dirty Dick’s Crab House

We ended the day with a huge seafood dinner at Dirty Dick’s Crab House. We had seen signs for Dirty Dick’s along the highway all day and just had to see it for ourselves. Since I have a juvenile sense of humor, I couldn’t wait to post the drink napkin they gave me that said “I got my crabs at Dirty Dick’s” on Facebook.

Anyway – I had a seafood platter of delicious, fresh seafood and the most wonderful AUTHENTIC Key Lime Pie I had ever tasted. Dirty Dick’s is also open for breakfast and brunch. It was packed on a weeknight – a sure sign of good food and a great reputation!

If your travel plans take you anywhere near OBX, be sure to take in a few of these sights! We’re so glad that we did!

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July 18, 2017 19 comments

Health & Wellness Travel

Tips to Avoid Traveler’s Constipation

Traveler’s constipation. Is this a problem for you? If so, you are one of the estimated 40% of people who suffer from constipation when you travel. Talk about a way to mess up a great vacation!

via GIPHY

Why do people suffer from traveler’s constipation?

Different meal times, sleeping schedule and jet lag can throw off your circadian rhythm and affect your digestive process.
Safe toilet syndrome – not being able to relax enough to go in an unfamiliar bathroom.

Today, I am pleased to introduce Jess Brassington, a nationally certified holistic health coach who empowers her clients to take control of their health through food and lifestyle changes. Here, she shares her experiences with traveler’s constipation and how she “nips it in the bud” before she even starts a trip.

Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Take Control of Traveler’s Constipation and Make Traveling Comfortable Again

Are you ready for vacation and a little travel time? There is so much to do. Are you prepared? Finding your luggage. Picking out just the right outfits. Deciding on regular or travel size toiletries. Figuring out how many pairs of shoes you can bring.

But… did you remember to include your digestive health?  I don’t know about you, but many times in my past travel efforts, I had a history of not being able to go the restroom ( at all ). It was so frustrating!

My husband and I decided to get away on a much-needed trip, alone! We chose the Bahamas. A place you don’t want to think about constipation and being miserable.

I knew we would be around many public restrooms and of course, my fear of pooping (yes, I said the *P* word) in public restrooms doesn’t ever help a situation where there is a problem already.

If you’ve ever had a fear of “going” in public restrooms, read here how I overcame my fears!

Who wants to be uncomfortable when you are planning a romantic getaway? Or a special trip with your family? Not me.  I’d had enough of this problem!  I decided I wouldn’t let this problem affect my travel plans and my much needed R&R. I made up my mind to be intentional about digestive health BEFORE I left for a trip.

This is what I do now to prepare for traveling away from home.

TRAVEL TIPS To Avoid Traveler’s Constipation

Take probiotics at least 2 weeks before you leave

I’m BIG on probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and great gut health in general. So many Americans suffer from symptoms stemming from an imbalance in their guts due to stress, processed foods, medications, etc.  I take these daily but it’s especially important before a trip. You’ll be flying, exposed to a new area, foods, and germs. Support your immune system to keep it healthy and create a better environment to handle these changes and remain above the wellness line.

Bring Probiotics With You 

I bring probiotics along with me on travels and make my husband take them also!  Probiotics help restore the “good” bacteria in our guts that are often killed off by environment and lifestyle choices. Professional Supplement Center has a great selection of high quality probiotics.

Take probiotics before & during your trip to avoid traveler's constipation. Click To Tweet

Do you experience traveler’s constipation or other tummy issues while traveling? If so, let me know! I want to help and bring more tips people need!

From Cathy – I love Jess’ idea of getting ahead of the issue by taking probiotics. But there are also some things you can do while traveling to help avoid traveler’s constipation.

Take a walk when you wake up. Exercise increases the motility of the GI tract.
Don’t sit for too long. If you are on a long flight, set a timer on your phone and take a walk every hour. If you are waiting in the airport – walk around. Don’t sit waiting for your next flight. Traveling by car? Schedule regular breaks to stop and get out of the car.
Don’t skimp on fiber. Most of us don’t think a lot about fiber when we’re traveling. We’re focused on decadent treats and enjoying regional favorites – at least that’s what I do! You can still do that, but be sure and include produce at every meal and have fruit for at least 1 or 2 snacks.
Drink lots of water. This will keep you from getting dehydrated and helps fiber more effective.

Do experience any kind of “digestive distress” when you travel? What are your tried and true methods to remedy those painful and inconvenient episodes?

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May 23, 2017 35 comments

Food Travel

Best Austin Restaurants | According To The Locals

The week marks the end of the era where we frequently enjoyed dining at the Best Austin Restaurants. Why? Because our Austin kids, daughter Allison & son-in-law Mike, are MOVING BACK TO HOUSTON (that’s where we live) with my 3 month-old-grandson. We are so excited!

Allison & Mike moved to the Austin area 10 years ago when they left for college. They earned their degrees, started their careers, got married and had a baby. And all of that time we’ve made regular visits to see them that always included going out to great places to eat.

Austin is a town for foodies. It has every kind of restaurant you can imagine. It had food trucks way before food trucks were cool. Delicious Mexican food, spicy Thai food, food for vegans and those who only eat grass-fed, organic, antibiotic free, cage free, mountain roaming, fresh water swimming food, and the best Texas Barbeque. It’s all there.

Now, it’s not like we can never go to Austin again. It’s only a 2 ½ hour drive. But since our kids are “coming home”, we just won’t have the occasion to make as many trips. So as we say goodbye to frequent visits to this beautiful Central Texas city, here are 6 of my favorite Austin eateries. In no particular order….

Best Austin Restaurants – The Peached Tortilla

The Peached Tortilla, like so many Austin restaurants, started as a food truck and is housed in a re-purposed building. It looks like it might have been an old Firestone Tire Store. Their menu is Southern comfort food with an Asian flair. How’s that for a mash-up?

We’ve eaten there for dinner and Sunday brunch. Both are outstanding and moderately priced.

Some of the things we love are:

Starters:

Charred Brussels – OMG – these will make a vegetable eater out of anybody. Brussels Sprouts charred and cooked with bacon jam, parmesan, and lemon oil.

BBQ Pork Buns – We split an order of these delightful buns stuffed with Vietnamese braised pork belly, green onions, cucumber and Chinese BBQ sauce. But I could eat a whole order of these for my entrée.

Entrees:

The JapaJam Burger – A 6 oz. burger topped with tomato jam, pepper jack cheese, fried egg, tempura onion strings & Chinese BBQ Sauce.

The Taco Trio – Pick from these selections – I always get one of each:

Bahn Mi Taco – Vietnamese braised pork belly, Daikon pickled carrot, sriracha mayo
BBQ Brisket Taco – Dry rubbed brisket, apple slaw, smoky roasted peach bbq sauce
Crunchy Fish Taco – Crusted white fish, apple slaw, chili aioli & purple cabbage.

No matter what you get at The Peached Tortilla, you are guaranteed something delicious and original twist.

Best Austin Restaurants – Foreign & Domestic

Foreign & Domestic has a neighborhood vibe with a fine dining menu. Housed in part of an old strip center, this restaurant is ultra casual and only seats 47 people. Reservations are a must. They are famous for their Gruyere & Black Pepper Popovers, which were featured by Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. You have to try these as your appetizer!

The menu changes a bit, depending on what is in season. When we go for dinner, someone in the family usually orders one of their seafood dishes. The last time we went, I had a beautifully prepared Branzini. The Roasted Wagyu Beef Culotte with Diane Sauce is melt in your mouth delicious! And my husband frequently enjoys their burger with aged cheddar, green tomato jam, and pickled onion. Top it with a fried egg and you’ll be full for a week!

Best Austin Restaurants – Noble Sandwich Company

This is the place to get the best breakfast and lunch sandwiches in Austin. These are hand-crafted sandwiches made with bread and pickles that are made fresh on the premises. The ingredients are high quality and include locally sourced and sustainable items. All this adds up to some yummy, gourmet sandwiches.

One of my favorites is the Thai Chicken with jalapeno cabbage slaw and cilantro.

Other popular items include the Smoked Duck Pastrami (with the restaurant’s signature, made in-house rye pickles), the Creole Catfish, and the infamous Noble Pig Sandwich (which gathers spicy ham, pulled pork, provolone, and bacon).

Best Austin Restaurants – Chi’Lantro

Chi’Lantro is a Korean Barbeque inspired restaurant with a mix & match menu that allows you to customize your own salads, rice bowls, and noodle bowls. You start with your base, add your Korean BBQ inspired protein, greens, toppings and dressing.

My lunch selection on the day we ate at Chi’Lantro was a noodle bowl made with their famous sweet potato noodles, spicy chicken, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, cilantro, guacamole and topped with Chi’Lantro Magic Sauce! YUM!

Other Korean BBQ Inspired proteins include beef ribeye, spicy pork, and marinated tofu.

Best Austin Restaurants – Gourdough’s

Gourdough’s is housed in an Airstream and parked in a food truck park. At Gourdough’s they make HUGE, hot, fresh, made to order doughnuts. I swear, you have never had anything like this. And these aren’t any doughnuts. They come in the most interesting combinations with names you will not soon forget:

The Mother Clucker – Fried Chicken Strips Honey Butter

Fat Elvis – Grilled Bananas & Bacon With Peanut Butter Icing & Honey

Mama’s Cake – Yellow Cake Batter Filling With Chocolate Fudge Icing (husband & daughter’s favorite)

Son of a Peach – Peach Filling, Cinnamon, Sugar & Cake Mix Topping

Blackout – Brownie Batter, Fudge Icing & Chocolate Covered Brownie Bites (favorite of chocoholics like me!)

You could eat one of these creations yourself, but you’ll most likely want to split one with a friend. This is not some light dessert after a big meal!

There are SO MANY great places to eat in Austin. This post just barely scratches the surface. Are you an Austinite? Have you visited Austin? Where do YOU like to eat?

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May 16, 2017 16 comments

Do you ever travel with several generations of family? It can be a wonderful, fun, bonding experience. Follow this 5 tips to ensure everyone has a great time making memories together.

Family Travel

5 Tips For An Awesome Multigenerational Family Vacation

Have you ever taken a multigenerational family vacation? I remember taking them with my parents and kids when our girls were growing up.

And we continue that tradition by planning and annual vacation with our now adult daughters and their families!

I LOVE these vacations together. It gives us time to spend with our daughter who doesn’t live in the same city as the rest of us. It’s a fun time for cousins to play together. And it’s just nice to go someplace away from home and share new experiences.

But traveling with several generations does require some special consideration and planning. Following these 5 tips will ensure that EVERYONE in your family has a great time AND wants to do it again!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

5 Tips for the Best Multigenerational Family Vacation

Family Vacation Tip #1 – Plan your dates FAR in advance.

When you are planning with several generations, figuring out a time when EVERYONE is available to go can be tricky. For example, my husband has been working for 40 years. He has more vacation time than he ever takes and can take his days just about any time he wants to.

Our kids, on the other hand, are just starting their careers. They are the “low-man on the totem pole” in their companies and are limited in the NUMBER of days they can take off and WHEN they can take off. So planning early enough for “the kids” to make arrangements is essential.

And as our grandkids get older and get involved in school and extra-curricular activities, there will be even more things to work around when scheduling.

Family Vacation Tip #2 – Have a “budget” conversation WELL BEFORE the trip.

Who is paying for what? For example, we rent a beach house every year and my husband and I foot the bill for that expense. However, in a few years, we will be on a fixed income and may not be able to do that.

What is each family’s travel budget? This will determine how far you can go away from home and what kind of accommodations you choose.

If you will be dividing up expenses, appoint one person to be in charge of this.

Family Vacation Tip #3 – Pick a place to stay that has SPACE.

The place you choose doesn’t have to be HUGE or especially glamorous. But it should allow for:

A place where everyone can get a good night’s sleep. Nothing is worse than a bunch of cranky kids, or worse yet, cranky adults because there isn’t a comfortable, quiet place to sleep at night. Don’t scrimp on this by piling 8 people into a hotel room!

A place where kids can play and be kids. A playground, pool or just open space for them to run around. A 5-star golf resort probably won’t allow many places for kids to be kids.

A place for some downtime for each family. You will have lots of togetherness on your trip. You will look forward to that time together. But there needs to be some time every day for each family to have a little time to themselves. Believe me, you’ll enjoy your extended family time more if you allow for this!

Family Vacation Tip #4 – Plenty of OPTIONS for activities

When you have several generations together, it is important to allow for different ages, energy levels, and interests. You may have 1 or 2 things that EVERYONE will want to do together. Otherwise, have your other activities be optional so that each family can choose what is best for them on a particular day.

Family Vacation Tip #5 – Divide up the work

Make no mistake – just because this is a vacation doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of work involved. Making the travel plans, getting places on time, keeping up with kids, meals, toys, suitcases, nap times, snacks….it’s a LOT of work.

So try to anticipate the things that will need to be done and divide up these responsibilities ahead of time.

Some of these tasks might include:

Meals – if you are at a place where you are cooking your own meals, how will that chore be divided up?
If you are dining out, appoint someone to research restaurant options.
Do the adults want a night out? Who will watch the kids? (Don’t always ASSUME grandma & grandpa want to do this).
Who will drive and keep gas in the car?
Someone to be in charge of the schedule and figuring out what time you need to leave to get places on time.

We have so many great memories of our multigenerational family vacations together. In fact, our 8-year-old grandson spends time on each of our vacations planning the next one! With a little forethought, planning, and communication, you can have a wonderful time making great memories together!

This post first appeared on Sweet Tea and Saving Grace.

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5 Tips for Traveling With Friends

April 11, 2017 24 comments

Butchart Gardens on Canada's list of historic sites. 54 acres of beautifully landscape gardens with flowers, trees and plants from all over the world.

Travel

5 Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens

It is with fond memories that I wrap up my Alaskan Cruise series and tell you about our last port of call: Victoria, BC. Our last shore excursion was a visit to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. Can I be honest here? We booked the Alaskan cruise to get out of the Texas summer heat and to see mountains and glaciers and bears and whales and by day seven of the cruise, we had seen what we came to see.

To make the tour, we’d have to get on a bus at 6:00 in the evening for a 45-minute ride to the Gardens. After the tour, we would get back to the ship about 11:00, just in time to grab a few hours sleep before we had to disembark at 7 am and prepare for a long day getting home.

I had seen gardens before. My hometown of Houston has great gardens. I had visited gardens in many other cities. Did I really need to see one more garden? I was ready to just relax on the ship, have a cocktail, a nice dinner and then turn in early.

But since the excursion was already PAID FOR, I decided to go. And I am SO GLAD I did. You see, Butchart Gardens are truly special and are like nothing I have ever seen! Here are the 5 Best Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.

5 Best Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens

The motor coach that took us from the ship to Butchart Gardens came with the most wonderful tour guide. In addition to showing us the sites around GORGEOUS Victoria (note: must come back here when I have more time), he told us why Butchart Gardens, established in 1904, was a Canadian national treasure and a designated National Historic Site of Canada.

Butchart Gardens were the creation of Jennie Butchart, who had the vision of beautifying an old limestone quarry that was part of her husband Robert’s cement plant. When you see pictures of what the gardens USED to be, you quickly realize that Jennie Butchart was an extraordinary visionary.

Visit Butchart Gardens Because All The Cool Kids Are Going

If you are a person who has to see and be seen where EVERYBODY IS GOING, Butchart Gardens is the place for you. It is visited by over million visitors annually.

At Butchart Gardens, You Get To See 7 Gardens in 1!

The gardens are a skillful mixture of rare and exotic shrubs, trees and flowers, many of which were collected by the Butcharts during their world travels. Over the years, the 55 -acre Butchart Gardens have continually expanded to become 7 different gardens with plants from countries around the world.

Sunken Garden
Rose Garden
Japanese Garden
Star Pond
Italian Garden
Piazza
Mediterranean Garden

Visit Butchart Gardens to enjoy all the plants, flowers and so much more!

Way to state the obvious, duh? Like I said before, I thought going to Butchart Gardens would be like visiting any other garden. It’s not. Spend time here walking along the paths of perennials, trees, and shrubs. See ponds, fountains, Quarry Lake and the Rose Carousel. There are so many varieties of plants, trees, flowers and shrubs, you will see many that you have never seen before.

Visit Butchart Gardens for the Seed and Gift Store

More than just an afterthought, as are so many tourist attraction gift shops, this expansive gift shop features hand packaged seeds, souvenirs and handmade gifts from local artisans.

Other things to know about Butchart Gardens

While strolling through the Gardens, there are a number of places that require walking up and down stairs. If stairs are an obstacle, there are routes you can take to avoid stairs and still see the gardens. These routes are well-marked.
Butchart Gardens has 3 restaurants. The Dining Room Restaurant for Tea and Fine Dining. The Blue Poppy Restaurant, a moderately priced cafeteria. The Coffee Shop with sandwiches, pastries, ice-cream and coffee.
Hours for all three vary by season. Since we were visiting in the evening, we planned to have dinner at the Gardens. By the time we were ready to eat, the Coffee Shop was the only restaurant that was open. Keep this in mind when you visit. Check to see when the restaurants are open and plan accordingly.

I’m so glad that we spent the evening visiting Butchart Gardens on the last night of our Alaskan Cruise. Having the time to enjoy such a peaceful environment filled with beauty was the perfect way to end our vacation.

This post first appeared on Sweet Tea and Saving Grace.

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February 28, 2017 35 comments

Top 5 Things To Do At Magnolia Market. See the Silos, Garden, Play in the Play Area, Eat at the Food Trucks and Bakery, and shop in the store.

Travel

5 Most Popular Things To Do At Magnolia Market

Fixer Upper, Chip & Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Market. My daughter and son-in-law are huge fans. They’ve watched every episode. So many of my Facebook friends have posted countless pictures in front of a sign that said Magnolia. Captions like “We’re here!” and “ We made it!” made me wonder where the heck this place was that was so popular. So on a recent trip to Central Texas, I decided to find out for myself. What is this Magnolia Market and what is the appeal?

So off I went on my pilgrimage to Waco, Texas. I must admit – I was excited to visit the mecca of all things home décor with Joanna Gaines sense of flair and style. I was not disappointed. You see, Magnolia Market is not just a store. The Gaines’ have made this into a Central Texas Destination.

Magnolia Market - A Central Texas destination for the whole family. #magnoliamarket Click To Tweet

5 Most Popular Things To Do At Magnolia Market

#1 – SEE THE SILOS At Magnolia Market

This is the landmark you can see from the highway to let you know that you’re at Magnolia Market. Something city kids don’t see very often!

#2 – VISIT THE GARDEN at Magnolia Market

Filled with seasonal produce, flowers, fairy gardens and a teepee, the garden is the perfect place to explore and relax.

It sits outside the garden shop – Magnolia Seed and Supply. I must say, this small shop filled with gardening supplies and plant themed items was my favorite. It was beautifully laid out with lots of treasures.

#3 – PLAY OUTSIDE at Magnolia Market

You can tell that the Gaines’ have a heart for family and have made their little section of Waco a place where “kids” of all ages are welcome. There is a big green lawn where kids can run, throw a ball around or play cornhole.

And then there are the swings….

#4 – EAT at Magnolia Market

Magnolia Market has a food truck court surrounded by a fresh, clean picnic area with covered picnic tables. Among the offerings are gourmet grilled cheeses, pizza, barbeque, crepes, coffee & a juice bar.

And don’t forget the Silos Baking Company. Magnolia’s own little bake shop has the most delicious breakfast pastries and cupcakes. My favorite was the Lemon Lavender followed closely by this yummy chocolate creation call “Silobration”.

#5 – SHOP at Magnolia Market

This is what you’ve been waiting for – right? The actual Magnolia Market is a spacious retail space with an industrial vibe and tasteful displays. I loved that it was not cram packed with items in every nook & cranny. You could actually move around and look at things – but we were there on one of the few days it wasn’t crowded.

When you walk in the market, you are greeted by a friendly employee who will give you a shopping bag. Stroll from table to table. Take pictures (it’s encouraged).

There are all kinds of things to look at. Some are items you could find at other stores for less money – candles, silk flowers, cookbooks, wall hangings. When you are buying here, you are paying for the Magnolia name. But it IS nice stuff.

Here is a pretty kitchen display.

Some of the items are really unique. I just LOVED this section of beautiful, high quality wrapping paper.

And this old-timey bell.

Even if it’s crowded, there are plenty of check out stations, so the line moves quickly.

We had a lovely time at Magnolia Market. It’s a great place for a girl’s trip, for Chip & Joanna Gaines wanna-bes and families. If you go – make a day of it.

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This post first appeared on Sweet Tea & Saving Grace.

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January 24, 2017 31 comments

Travel

Stocking Stuffers for Travelers

Not to skip over Thanksgiving, but since we are now into November, a lot of us will begin at least THINKING about what we will be buying for Christmas gifts. And not just gifts under the tree, but those stocking stuffers as well! Since I did a lot of traveling in 2016, I put together this gift guide specifically for the travelers on your list.

Stocking Stuffers For Travelers

Camry 110 Lbs Luggage Scale with Temperature Sensor and Tare Function Without Backlight Gift For Traveler, Silver, One Size I WISH I would have had one of these! I packed WAY TOO MUCH for our Alaskan cruise and got dinged for a $100 charge for going over the limit on our flight to Seattle! There are 2 ways you can avoid this! Get a luggage scale like this. And get my Alaskan Cruise Packing List here. I based my list on what I took and what I ACTUALLY WORE on the cruise. Travelambo Genuine Leather Luggage Bag Tags 2 Pieces Set (red) I love these bright red, sturdy leather luggage tags. They have a reinforced strap that won’t tear off your luggage, a large place to insert a business card and a privacy flap so everybody in the airport won’t have access to your personal information. ORB Travel Premium Designer Luggage Strap 2″x72″-LS303-Multi-Colour-Honeycomb This sturdy strap is 2″ wide, 70″ long and comes in lots of patterns and colors. Keep your luggage secure and be able to easily identify it at baggage claim. Bags for LessTM Folding Non Woven Tote Lime Green This tote measures 16” W x 14” H x 3.5” D and folds into its own pouch. Great to hold your water, camera, snacks and map for sight seeing OR as an extra shopping bag for souvenirs you pick up.

These are just a few suggestions to get your started. What are your “must have” travel items? Let me know in the comments below.

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November 2, 2016 114 comments

Highlights of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour which was a shore excursion on our Alaskan Cruise. Includes time at Yukon Suspension Bridge. #alaskancruise #shoreexcursion

Travel

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour Alaskan Cruise Excursion

One of the most highly-recommended and eagerly anticipated shore excursions on our Alaskan cruise was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour. Beginning in Skagaway, there are several different types of tours that you can take along this scenic line that was built in 1898 as transportation for tens of thousands of men and women on the hunt for gold in the Canadian Klondike.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour. Fabulous Alaskan Cruise Shore Excursion. Click To Tweet

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

The tour begins with a train ride in old-fashioned parlor cars that take you up 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass. At Fraser, BC, you transfer into a deluxe motor coach and travel along the historic trail of ’98 to the White Pass summit and into the Yukon.

The Yukon Suspension Bridge

One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge that rises 57 feet above the Tutshi River Canyon and is 200 feet across. I was only expecting a quick stop and walk across the bridge, but there is so much more at the bridge to see.

There is a restaurant where we were treated to a bowl of bison chili as part of our tour (nothing to write home about). If you don’t like the chili, there are hamburgers and sandwiches you can order, but it is very expensive. I recommend packing a snack.

The walk across the bridge was fun and the views of the Tutshi River and mountains were breathtaking. I am usually afraid of heights, but the walk across this bridge was exhilarating and breathtaking. It was totally secure and fenced in – nothing to be afraid of. I loved looking down at the rapids of the river and the scenic mountains in the distance.

This attraction also includes large, detailed, 3-D exhibits with information on:

The trails, geology, glaciers and traditional life of the area from Skagaway to Whitehorse.
Human History including First Nations and stories of the gold rush.
The natural history of the area and how High Country nature at 3,000 feet above sea level varies from the coastal environment at Skagway.
A walking trail that leads to an authentic trapper’s cabin.

There are beautiful flowers throughout the area, most of which is wheelchair accessible. There ARE parts that ARE NOT wheelchair accessible, but beautiful views can be enjoyed at every part of this great attraction.

After our time at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, we took our deluxe motor coach back down the highway to Skagaway. We had a wonderful tour guide, many scenic views and time to stop for more photos.

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip! I highly recommend it!

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Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

The second port on our Alaskan Cruise was Juneau, Alaska and we opted for a do-it-yourself shore excursion instead of one booked through the cruise line. The weather was clear, warm and sunny, making it the perfect day to take the Mt. Roberts Tramway up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts.

Juneau, Alaska – A Do-It-Yourself Shore Excursion

Visting #Juneau? Take the Mt. Roberts Tramway to the top of Mt. Roberts for stunning views! Click To Tweet

Mount Roberts Tramway

Tickets and entrance to the Tramway are a short distance through the shopping district near the port. It’s an easy walk. We boarded the gondola at the base of the mountain and had a smooth, 5-minute ride up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts. The views of the Gastineau Channel and surrounding areas were stunning.

When you get to the top of Mt. Roberts, there is much to see and do for the whole family. All facilities and hiking trails are ADA accessible.

Stop at the Nature Center (more like a gift shop with all types of books and gifts related to Alaska’s natural habitat) and pick up your hiking guide.
Take a hike! The hiking trails are beautifully maintained with scenic overlooks at many points along the way.

Visit Lady Baltimore, the beautiful bald eagle at the Juneau Raptor Center.
Pick up souvenirs, clothing and one of kind pieces of art at the Raven Eagle Gifts and Gallery.
Enjoy fresh Alaskan seafood and locally brewed beer at the Timberline Atop Mt. Roberts.

Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill

It was dinner time when we came down from Mt. Roberts and we were determined to have some King Crab Legs while we were in Alaska. About ½ a block from the Tramway on the waterfront is Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill. Our party enjoyed the DELICIOUS King Crab Legs, but there are plenty of options – all kinds of seafood, steaks, burgers, pizza and other casual fare. It was the perfect ending to our do-it-yourself shore excursion in Juneau!

Twisted Fish Alaskan Grill - Best King Crab Legs in #Juneau! @TwstdFishAlaska Click To Tweet

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Is an Alaskan cruise on your bucket list? Pin this post! You can follow me on Pinterest here.

I have several boards about travel, including one just for Alaskan cruises!

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August 24, 2016 40 comments

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5 Most Popular Things To Do At Magnolia Market

#1 – SEE THE SILOS At Magnolia Market

#2 – VISIT THE GARDEN at Magnolia Market

#3 – PLAY OUTSIDE at Magnolia Market

#4 – EAT at Magnolia Market

#5 – SHOP at Magnolia Market

Stocking Stuffers For Travelers

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