Are Kids “Worth” It? A Book Review on All Joy and No Fun
Many moons ago according to my Goodreads, I devoured the newly released book All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior. While at the time, I didn’t jot down any formal notes (immediately launching myself into the brainless yet fantastic Mortal Instruments series instead), Senior’s words keep coming
About Watkins Glen, New York (It’s GORGEous!)
Watkins Glen State Park is where things went off the rails for us on our Road Warrior Trip (quite literally). Pulling in after a long drive from Gettysburg National Battlefield, it was nearing 5:00 p.m. on a weekend. We easily found our spot and, after some negotiation, backed into the
Things to do in Steamboat Springs, CO in the Winter (& Tips to Ski Steamboat Springs)
My winter visit to Steamboat Springs, CO was filled with lots of phrases like “best outdoor activity yet,” “my favorite yet,” and “absolutely wonderful.” There are so many things to do in Steamboat Springs and while I tried to dampen my enthusiasm and be more writerly with my descriptions (and
Hiking on a Glacier in Iceland – Walking on Vatnajokull in Skaftafell
This is a hard post to write. Hiking on a glacier in Iceland, hiking on “Europe’s largest glacier,” was a remarkable and unforgettable experience for me. As far as the eye could see, the expanses of ice – all the blues, the gravel, the eerie silence, the strange sculptures –
10 Ways to Prepare NOW for the Holiday Season
It might seem a little crazy to start planning for Christmas now. But I know if I spend time doing things that help me prepare for the holiday season now, I can enjoy the time when it is here. My intention this year is to say “no” to some things
10 Things to Know about Skiing Snowshoe Resort, West Virginia – and other fun family adventures!
I love to ski. I have been to Snowshoe Resort, West Virginia quite a few times, including with the kids. It has been the largest ski resort within driving distance for most of my life. There are so many things to do and some things to know about skiing at
Visiting Gettysburg National Battlefield: All the Tips You Need Because it is BIG!
We’ve revealed that the ultimate destination of our Road Warrior Trip was Niagara Falls, but our first stop was the Gettysburg National Battlefield. This place is HUGE, so I thought I’d share what you need to know when visiting Gettysburg National Military Park and Battlefield. It is the site of
What to See & Things to Do in Niagara Falls (Go to the Canadian Side!)
Our Road Warrior Trip had one epic goal: to see Niagara Falls. Is Niagara Falls the tallest waterfall in the world? No. Is it the “biggest?” Also, no. But it is definitely one of, if not THE most famous. Visitors have been flocking to Niagara Falls for honeymoon and “bucket
Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, PA (with a review of the Hersheypark campground!)
On our late-summer Road Warrior Trip, pulling Shirley Jean all the way from the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia to the Canadian/NY border, our last stop was Hersheypark, PA. While I am still processing the entirety of the trip, tips and reviews for visiting Hersheypark are easy to share. This
An Organized Art / Homework Station & 40+ Great Art Supplies and Kits for Kids
I don’t share much by way of home design, styling, or our renovations. I love unleashing my creativity on our home, but nothing ever feels finished. Additionally, most of the things we buy are in the “budget” category and certainly not on-trend. We know what we love and what makes
Hiking Glymur Waterfall in Iceland: What to Know
“I am not going to be dramatic about this or make a big deal out of this, but this is as far as I want to go. You can continue on if you want, I will wait here, with this fantastic view.” – Things Said on the Glymur Waterfall Hike
Classic Cocktail Hour: How to Make the Best Gin & Tonic
The gin & tonic drink is a summer classic, but there are some tips and tricks to making it the best ever. This drink, when made right, has all the perfect tastes on a hot summer day: juniper, citrus, crispness, tang, and a touch of sweetness. What more could you
Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland: The Best Tours, Things to See, and Places to Go!
We don’t really love big cities, Mr. Family Trip and I. We love seeing them, we love experiencing them, but after a few days, we’re usually ready to see land and space. So it was a pleasant surprise to us to experience Reykjavik – this smaller, northernmost capital city. We
A Perfect Night with an Oontz Beat: What We Miss As Parents
I wanted to roll in this night, live in it forever. The cooling saffron air, teasing my pallet with the first hint of fall, was lapping my newly styled hair – a haircut that made me look younger yet wiser. The pavement was sexy and enticing with a slight sheen
What to Know About Camping and Campervan Rentals in Iceland
We’re campers – we love camping, living outside, exploring nature. We bought a pop-up years ago and haven’t looked back. Yet camping in a different country was a totally new experience. We rented a campervan in Iceland and we loved it. I realize now how weary and close to burn-out
An 8-Day Itinerary of Iceland: The Ultimate “Best of” Iceland
Iceland: the land of fire and ice. It is a place popular right now with tourists (particularly Americans) and for a lot of great reasons. What appealed to us? Low airfare combined with a direct flight out of Dulles International Airport. We did this one without the kids. But (apart
Easy Ways to Love and Create More Peace in Your Life
This article was originally shared on a different site, but I still find the thoughts relevant to today’s world, so thought I’d take a moment to refresh it and share it again. Thanks for reading. xo, Mrs. Family Trip —– I lost the charm on my bracelet. Mr. Family Trip
The Best Travel Books to Read (Including Travel Book Classics and Newer Releases)
I read a lot – and by nature I read a lot of travel books. There are so many great travel books out there and many get overlooked. Below are over 20 yours truly has read and would recommend. But we have to start with the question: what makes a
Yogaville in Virginia: All About it, The Bizarre History, and What a Retreat is Like Today
The Christmas before COVID, my parents gifted me a certificate to stay at Yogaville in Virginia. A large ashram located just an hour outside of Charlottesville, in Buckingham, the idea of heading off into the peace of the Blue Ridge Mountains to do yoga was an intractable pull. I couldn’t
101 Things To Do in Charlottesville, VA
We love living in Charlottesville, VA and raising our kids here! There are so many things to do. And while Charlottesville is small enough to feel comfortable and easy to navigate, it is large enough to have plenty of opportunities. To help other families get the most out of this
Visiting Congaree National Park: Which Parks are “Worth” it?
It’s not the most glamorous national park. While people fly across the country to visit Redwood and Arches, visiting Congaree National Park doesn’t have the same allure. The numbers tell the story. Congaree National Park had 21,710 total recreational visits in April 2023 (the month we visited). Great Smoky Mountains
Why I Sleep with the Window Open (An Essay on Motherhood)
I get so tired of the whir of our nebulizer. I have spent countless hours, countless minutes, getting a secondhand inhalation of albuterol. Of course, the need to apply the treatment only comes in the wee hours. My 3 year old thrashes in bed, uncomfortable from what the doctors have
What to See & Do in Antigua Guatemala: A Quick Guide (with Lots of Pictures)
Antigua Guatemala was full of surprises, texture, warmth, and rest for Mr. Family Trip and me. This UNESCO world heritage city is small – with under 50,000 residents and the urban core covering under 50 hectares. Yet it packs a lot of interest into such a small area. This part
Top 5 Things to do in Puerto Rico: The Easiest Caribbean Vacation You Haven’t Taken
I’ve been to Puerto Rico twice. But the first time I wore my Lollapalooza T-shirt the entire time and had my nose buried in my required Norton Anthology reading for my college literature class. That’s how I rolled in the 90s as a 19-year-old traveling with my parents on a
How to Start – and Keep – a Hobby
As busy parents, it is easy to allow the time we set aside for ourselves be the first thing to slip away. But time for ourselves can be the most important investment we make. It helps us be the best parent, partner, and person we can be. Which is why
Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula? Here’s Why We Did the Dingle Peninsula Drive
When planning a trip to Ireland, there is one big question every visitor has to answer: the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula? These two beautiful circuit drives around Ireland are standalone adventures in their own right, but for most, one or the other has to be picked. They
Visiting the Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, CO
When my siblings and I went to Colorado to ski Steamboat Springs, I knew part of my trip would involve soaking my ski-weary legs in a natural hot spring. Before leaving Virginia, I didn’t know where that was going to be, but I presumed Steamboat Springs received its name due
How to Spend a Day in Killarney, Ireland & Killarney National Park
If ever there was a town that bewitched us with its magical charm, Killarney would be it. After days of traveling to other spots in Ireland, including the big city, the craggy monastery, and the gigantic Cliffs of Moher, this was the place where all of the Irish experience came
My Favorite Go-To Cookbooks (The 5 Cookbooks You Should Own)
Cooking and meal preparation doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. I think that easy meals are lovely, I think meal planning helps a lot, and I also think that in order to be a success in the kitchen you do not have to go it alone. In an ideal
Are the Florida Keys a Good Family Vacation Spot?
Ah, the Florida Keys, the legend of Buffet songs, and the promise of a lazy day. Sun and sand and clear waters tease our imagination when we think of the Keys. Our family felt the temptation of this spit of land at the base of Florida, and by the lure
How to (and why) Go on a Solo “Mini”Retreat
Quiet. That was all I wanted – literal quiet. When you are a mom, in a busy life with a busy home, there is much to be grateful for. But moments of quiet are rare. Eventually, I got to a point where I felt overwhelmed by all the noise. The
The Famous Cliffs of Moher: Worth It?
Nature creates landscapes more stunning and beautiful than our imaginations could ever dream. If someone gave me playdough and said, “Make some landscapes that human beings would want to see,” it wouldn’t be anything close to what we saw in Ireland. Obviously. I can’t conceive of things on the scale
Visiting Biscayne National Park (Are Parks Now for the Elite?)
Florida has never really captured my heart, at least not compared to the way it seems to have a love affair with many other people. Maybe because we are “Non-Disney people.” Or maybe it is because of our time living at the beach (the beach lifestyle has lost its mystery).
Best Books I Read in 2022
I still have so many travel-related posts to write, but these book-related round-ups are some of my favorites, so here we are! The best books I read in 2022. Reading is a passion for me. Yes, I love to travel because it opens the world up – it makes us
Our Monthly Tips & Trips: December 2022
December always scares me with its demands and yet I also relish it. Days that are busy fly by and resolve into a quiet week of peace and restoration. The world here in Virginia goes quiet and gray. Our fireplace heats us all day and the Christmas cookies on the
An Honest Review of the Most Popular Planners
I love a good paper planner. I always have. While I will pop stuff on Google calendar so Mr. Family Trip and I can stay in sync, keeping my weekly life, commitments, to-do lists, goals, menus, and notes all in one book that goes everywhere with me has been a
The Best Classic Christmas Cookies to Make
Everyone has a different approach to holiday baking. Some love to gather with others and do one big afternoon of baking multiple recipes together. In our house, we take a different approach. We slowly bake our favorites from Thanksgiving onward, so we always have festive cookies available. I feel as
Travels Around Ireland: How Clonmacnoise Hurt My Knee, Visiting the Burren & Heavenly Lahinch
I know firsthand how adventures and travel are always just a slip away from injury and trauma. It really shouldn’t surprise me anymore when a moment’s misstep waylays a plan or an intention. This section of our family trip through Ireland was filled with awkwardness, irritation, and also beauty. Fortunately,
Our Monthly Tips & Trips: November 2022
This post was supposed to be easy to write – and written last week. But here we are. I find myself practicing more and more moments of grace in regard to myself this month. It is surprisingly hard. I have such expectations for myself and desire badly to live an
20 Fun Stocking Stuffers for Kids & Tweens
I love Christmas, and in particular, Christmas stockings! In my mind, stocking stuffers are where we have fun. We get a little ridiculous and silly and really enjoy it. Sure, I like to stick in some things that we “need” and I always include one thing to “read,” but the
Fun Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland for the Family
Dublin is a raw city, with a big history and a large underbelly chained to it forever. James Joyce writes with both nostalgia and darkness about this place, yet popular culture delivers jigs, leprechauns, and pubs. Which is the real Dublin? Both, of course. But I find myself in a
Visiting Lake Atitlan in Guatemala – and What Expats “Owe” a Community
It was an eerie feeling: to be dropped off by a shuttle bus driver in the middle of a town we didn’t know the name of, not really functional in the local language, over two hours away from our luggage and belongings. We had WhatsApp and the number of a
Our Monthly Tips and Trips: September and October 2022
The joys of fall, quick weekend jaunts, the best things I bought and the book that surprised me.
What to do in New York City During Christmas – How to Experience all the Holiday Magic
New York City at Christmas – it captures our imaginations, makes us feel like anything is possible, and encourages us to lean into the magic. The bustling crowds, the parties and shows, the evergreens and twinkling lights all over the city, and the millions of stories of connection and redemption
A 9-Day Family Itinerary Around Ireland (where to stay, what to see, and what to know about rental cars)
Ireland. The emerald island people dream about. In the U.S. we celebrate the culture: St. Patrick’s Day, leprechauns, Guinness, shepherd’s pie, sheep, rolling green hills, and tin flute music. We had to get there and see it for ourselves. This summer, a dream years in the making was filled and
Guide to Wineries (including the best and our favorites!) in Charlottesville, VA
We love living in the Charlottesville area. Between the fantastic hiking, the University and history, the nearby National Parks, the paddling, the hot air balloons, the access to so many other fun towns & cities nearby… what’s not to love?! Well, get ready for me to gush about another one
Super Easy Updates for Your Pop Up Camper
I love our pop up camper, Shirley Jean. But, truth be told, she was a bit outdated when we got her. Additionally, one of the previous owners had done some “repairs” and “upgrades” that were not well-thought and starting to fall apart. While I love Pop Up Princess and we
Our Monthly Tips & Trips: July & August 2022
I like to pretend that I am in control of things – all the time – it is the great lie I tell myself. And it is a beautiful lie. But it is a lie, nonetheless, as sometimes a month or a season comes in and tells you to sit
Best Places to Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), or otherwise paddle, in Charlottesville, VA
A list, and reviews, of the best places to stand up paddleboard in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Antigua Guatemala
Don’t worry, our time in Antigua Guatemala wasn’t all backpack food and CLIF bars. Antigua Guatemala is a place brimming with locally owned cafes, outdoor patios trimmed with lights, and delicious smells. It was basically our duty to try as many eateries as we could. And here, we thought we’d