Think Pink! Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Island, The Bahamas
Posted September 3, 2009 , add a commentAs the mother of a three year old girlie girl I am forever on the lookout for pink sparkles and unicorns, bonus points if the unicorn just so happens to be both pink and sparkley. Redwood groves become fairy forests, broken shells at the beach the broken tipped fingernails of mermaids from the deep. It is a magical world through the eyes of a three year old girl who very much believes in the healing power of glitter, the decorative panache of a band-aid. What I wouldn’t give to be able to show her the wonder of Pink Sands Beach on Harbor Island in The Bahamas.
Think pink.
Ever since she was a baby my daughter has had an aversion to sand. When we try to put her down at the beach she curls her legs up like a snail exposed to salt. I don’t know if she thinks it’s dirty, if maybe she doesn’t like the consistency, the color. We live in Northern California where the sand is coarse, grey, tan sometimes and sprinkled with oyster shells broken and sharp. Somehow I have a feeling, though, that if we brought her to The Bahamas her aversion to sand would disappear. Apparently here the sand is 3 1/2 miles of hard-packed perfect pink perfection. A confection of a beach leading to crystal clear turquoise waters calm and warm enough for a baby. Or a stubborn three year old who wants to be a mermaid but doesn’t like getting water in her eyes.
Aptly Named.
The color of the sand comes from ground red coral which then mixes with the white sand so as to appear pink. Of course this is too logical an explanation for something so magical, and I prefer to think the sand is pink because it can hear everyone call it beautiful. At least this is what I would tell my daughter, the beach so pink because it blushes.
All photos courtesy of The Pink Beach Club’s Photostream.
Antlers at Vail Hotel’s Fall Foliage Lovers’ Package: Sundays Free
Posted , add a comment) Vail, Colorado ? August 25, 2009 ? It happens for just a few fleeting weeks every year: the Rocky Mountains are blanketed in glorious gold as the region’s famous aspen trees change color, making autumn one of the most spectacular seasons to explore the Colorado high country. Rob LeVine has been the general manager at the Antlers at Vail hotel for three decades, and guests often ask him about the best places to drive to see the gorgeous fall foliage.
“You can’t beat what I call the ‘Leadville loop,’” LeVine says. “You drive from here to Minturn, then take Highway 24 ? a National Scenic Byway ? to the old mining town of Leadville and follow it down through Copper Mountain. The drive takes about an hour and a half, the views are breathtaking and you’re practically guaranteed to see some beautiful fall colors.”
For people with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle who want to get off the beaten path, LeVine recommends the drive to Piney Lake. “It’s about 12 miles from here; the area is remote and rarely crowded. You could drive a regular car up the dirt road in about 45 minutes, but it’s pretty rugged and washboarded. In an off road vehicle, however, it’ll only take you about 30 minutes.”
Beat the weekend traffic with the “Autumn at the Antlers” getaway package, which offers free Sunday night lodging for leaf lovers who book two consecutive nights or more. Autumn is a wonderful time to experience the Vail Valley; summer crowds are gone, the days are sunny, the evenings are cool — and the values can’t be beat. The Antlers autumn lodging deal is offered from August 28 through November 22, 2009.
Since 1972, the Antlers has offered a unique Vail lodging experience in a relaxed mountain setting. The Antlers Vail condominiums ? recently named the ‘Green Business of the Year’ by the Vail Valley Partnership (http://www.visitvailvalley.com) Success Awards ? is also proud to be a Green Star (http://www.greenstarinc.org) rated business. With condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four bedrooms and plenty of space to spread out, each room at the Antlers offers all the comforts of home including fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor balconies, free Internet access and free parking in a heated indoor garage. The Antlers Vail is conveniently located in the Lionshead area of Vail with numerous restaurants, galleries and shops within walking distance, and the free Vail town shuttle stops just footsteps away. For more information, call 1-800-843-8245 or visit the Antlers web site at http://www.antlersvail.com
Netflights launches Weekend Megasale giving Supersize Savings on all American Flights, Hotels, Holidays and Car Hire
Posted , add a comment) It looks like the rain has become permanent, but before the nation starts swearing at TV weathermen and politicians for persuading everyone to stay at home this summer in an attempt to out-crunch the recession, www.netflights.com has launched a 4-day USA megasale, offering massive savings on all things American. That’s huge reductions on flights to America, holidays in America, hotels in America - from budget to 5-star - and America car hire.
Given the current state of the British weather, destinations such as cosmopolitan New York and family-friendly Orlando, where the temperature is now a pleasant 25C, not to mention entertainment capital Las Vegas at 27C and glamorous Miami at a sweltering 28C, are great places to escape the drizzle. At www.netflights.com, return flights to these great cities start from under £300 ? that’s direct ? from airports UK wide. What’s more, Netflights have managed to snag completely exclusive holiday offers in these and more of America’s favourite holiday destinations, including free nights and discounted hotel rates in the most exciting cities Stateside, such as vibrant Boston and cool, eclectic San Francisco.
To make getting around on holiday an affordable piece of cake, at www.netflights.com this weekend, USA car hire rates also drop to an incredible ? and unbeatable ? price, starting from just £6 per person per day! Netflights offers cheap car hire in America’s most popular ? and drivable ? holiday destinations, including Florida, San Francisco and Las Vegas, as well as discounted car hire rates in all other worldwide destinations. So rather than have to fork out for taxis or wait around for public transport, you can have your own transport at your disposal to take you where you want to go, when you want to go there. Even after adding the price of fuel, car hire can still work out a lot cheaper than other means of transport. And let’s face it, being able to pick where, which way, and when to go, makes these rock bottom USA car hire prices from www.netflights.com all the more appealing.
About Netflights
Netflights is part of the Thomas Cook Group and guarantees fantastic offers on flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide. Thousands of discounted airfares from over 135 airlines, reduced rates at over 15 000 hotels, great holiday offers and cheap car hire are all available at www.netflights.com, giving you easy access to all the latest and best travel discounts.
Netflights is a fully bonded member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), and every flight, hotel, car hire booking and holiday sold is ATOL protected, giving you full financial protection and complete peace of mind when booking ? whether online or over the phone.
To book, visit www.netflights.com. Offer ends midnight Monday 24th August 2009.
USA: Western Edge, Best Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals for Families 2009.
Posted , add a comment
From San Diego to Seattle seasonal festivals make the weekend awesome. Mazes provide unique signatures as the lunar calendar ends the calendar year. Escape and run through a corn maze and tap your feet to a banjo; make a wreath of heater; sample local honey; carve a pumpkin or stuff a scarecrow; ride on a wagon full of hay or bob for apples, make time for fun. We’ve selected some of the best for your review and consideration. Forget the lawn. The laundry will wait. Take the kids and go.
Oregon: St. Paul, French Prairie Gardens and Fall Harvest Festival (9/26/2009-10/31/2009). Located in the tranquil Willamette Valley French Prairie Gardens (image to the left) maintains a delightful farm produce market from April to Thanksgiving. It is the place to get a luscious fruit shake or eat simply scrumptious Umpqua Ice Cream. The 500 - acre farm grows fruits, vegetables and grass seed. Wander through the two-acre pick-your-own Pumpkin Patch. See bunnies, sheep, chickens, and visit the Kids Corral or the Two Acre Corn Maze. Watch the secret lives of chickens from the chicken coop with observation window. Investigate the Tonka toddler dirt play area or participate in the Toddler Hay Maze and Toddler Tricycle Races. Bonus points: Farmer John and Farmer Eric host the Pigtucky Derby. During the crazy weekend there will be hayrides, hay maze, two-acre corn maze, farm animal display, a obstacle course, pumpkin sling shot, kids corral, pig barrel train rides, and two 20-foot hay slides. (French Prairie Gardens, 17673 French Prairie Rd, St. Paul, OR, 97137. (503) 633-8445 or www.fpgardens.com)
California: Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. (10/17/2009 – 10/18/2009) The world’s biggest pumpkin can be found each year in the World Pumpkin Capital – Half Moon Bay, California. This year’s festival will feature a fantastic lineup: rustic pumpkin patches, harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, expert pumpkin carvers, three stages of entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, and a bone-chilling Haunted House. Not to be missed: Also worth checking out will be the titanic weigh-off of champion pumpkins, and the pie-eating (for 11 and under and 12 and older) and costume contests. Bonus Points: Hundreds of costumed children and adults march in the Great Pumpkin Parade. It is the ultimate old-fashioned parade featuring the winner of the mighty pumpkin weigh-off as well as marching bands and classic cars. (Main Street, Half Moon Bay. (650) 726-9652 or www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest)
California: Ukiah, Pumpkinfest (10/17/2009– 10/18/2009). This year’s Ukiah Country Pumpkinfest blends a harvest and music festival into the Halloween holiday. Along with a variety of delicious foods, the streets of downtown Ukiah will be filled with craft vendors, fine arts exhibits, and ” Scarecrow City “. Enjoy live music, a country fiddle contest. Try your luck at a pie-eating contest or show off your green thumb by entering the great pumpkin weigh-off! Bonus points: The celebration includes the ever-popular children’s carnival including many games and amusements. (Pumpkinfest (707) 463-6712, (707) 463-6231 or www.cityofukiah.com)
Washington: Walla Walla, Fall Harvest Festival. (9/26/2009- 9/27/2009) Visitors at Fort Walla Walla may observe numerous pioneer crafts and skills, classic cars and trucks, and Living History programs. Many exhibitors offer handiwork for sale, re-creating the old-time harvest get-together atmosphere. This family-oriented festival includes games for kids, vendors seling pioneer-style crafts and food and treats. (755 Myra Road, Walla Walla, 99362. 1(509) 525-7703 or www.fortwallawallamuseum.org)
Washington: Port Angeles, Forest Storytelling Festival. (10/16/2009 – 10/18/2009) Spend the weekend listening to wonderful story tellers from around the world, join in workshops and enter to win local gifts through a drawing. Program begins Friday evening at 7:30 with a Story Concert. Saturday starts with morning workshops, leading into Day Programs and an Evening Concert. Sunday has a free program, Stories to Inspire. Peninsula College, Little Theatre and Campus, Port Angeles. 1 (360) 417-5031 or www.dancingleaves.com/storypeople)
We want to expand the list and need your help. If you have a favorite fall festivial or know of an awesome corn maze please “Tell Mom”
and we will add it to the list. Make sure to include the name of the
festival or event and its location on the planet as well as why you
like it or what makes it worth the trip. Our next round up will
inlcude family friendly winter holidays and celebrations. We are
building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So
just “Tell Mom!”.
USA: Northeast, Best Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals for Families 2009.
Posted , add a comment
From Pennsylvania and Vermont to Rhode Island and New York, the idea is simple, enjoy the season. Select the perfect pumpkin, time travel, preview a film, or hike a mountain trail. We’ve managed to obtain a bird’s eye view of Vermont’s Apple Barn Maze to give you a sense of the season. Play flashlight tag or chase the kids through the corn stalks; ride on a wagon full of hay or bob for apples, make time for fun.
New York: Green County, Massacre Mansion - Haunted House (7/1/2009– 10/31/2009). Located between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains two hours north of New York City, Greene County has embraced family vacationers for more than a century. Take a frightful guided tour in the scariest haunted house in the Catskills. Explore the house, dark maze and wolf hollow trail. (Blackthorne Resort, 348 Sunside Rd., East Durham. (518) 634-2541 or www.blackthorneresort.com) Bonus point: Checkout the Mountaintop Pumpkin Festival featuring dozens of quality craft and gift vendors, hay rides, and pumpkin painting. (Bear Creek Restaurant & Recreational Park, (518) 263-3839 or www.bearcreekrestaurant.com For more getaway options go to www.greenetourism.com)
Vermont: Danville, the Great Maze (8/1/2009- 10/18/2009). The maze and farm adventure includes a flower garden, perplexing puzzles, 50′ of bridges, trails and paths plus Miney’s Korny Kid Korn Maze - a smaller version of the maze. There is also barnyard golf - definitely something different and the Barnyard Nature Center where farm life experiences become a reality and visitors enjoy the animal petting area, pedal tractors, and good old fashioned fun comes easy. The maze includes not just corn alley ways but also 100′ of underground tunnels. On selected nights you can even enjoy the maze with Starlight Maze nights. Bonus points: For a more thrilling experience older kids will enjoy “Dead North”. This year’s haunt will include wagon rides, a ? mile walk of terror through a haunted cornfield and buildings including animatronics, special effects and three new buildings. There is also an ultimate laser tag with 2-acre playing fields which will open this year and is fun for the whole family, 9 to 90. (The Great Vermont Corn MAZE, 3260 Tampico Road, Danville, VT 05828. 1(802) 748–1399 or www.vermontcornmaze.com)
New York: Critz Farms Harvest Celebration (9/19/2009-10/25/2009).
From a petting zoo with more than twenty animals to pony rides for tykes this is a family adventure for all generations. They have a 10-acre corn maze as well as a hay bale maze. On Sunday afternoons there is live musical entertainment to compliment the country gourmet caf?. Wagons loaded with hay take visitors to the pumpkin field. Special events include a children’s pedal tractor-pull, a haunted barn for little monsters and magic shows. The Kiddie Corral children’s play area has a 45-foot wooden train. Bonus points: This farm also has a cut-your-own Christmas tree family adventure and they mail fresh wreaths almost anywhere. (Critz Farms 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Toll-free 1-800-442-3225 or www.critzfarms.com)
Maine: Oguinquit, OgunquitFest (10/23/2009–10/25/2009). The sixth annual OgunquitFest is a marvelously fun weekend festival with a scarecrow contest, a kids’ carnival, pumpkin decorating, a spooky scavenger hunt, costume parade, ghost stories galore, ghost tours, a Monster Mall market place and more. There’s even a nine-hole Graveyard Golf course along the beach for the grown kids. (All through the town of Ogunquit. 1(207) 646-2939 or www.visitogunquit.org)
Massachusetts: Warehamn, 6th Annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration (10/10/2009 – 10/11/2009).
The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association invites families to enjoy “two big days for a little berry” at the 6th annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration this Fall. Festival activities will include cranberry harvest tours, wagon and pony rides, games and crafts for kids, juried crafters and artisans, musical performances, cooking demonstrations, helicopter rides and more. Bonus: Children under 6 are admitted free, but the ticket price is only $2 per person. (A.D. Makepeace Company Headquarters at Tihonet Village, 158 Tihonet Road, Wareham. 1(508) 322-4000, 1(508) 759-1041 or www.cranberries.org/festival/festival.html)
New Hampshire: Hampton Falls, Harvest Festival (09/05/2009–10/25/2009). Now in its 35th year, the Applecrest Farm Harvest Festival is memorable and guaranteed to please the young and the young-at-heart. Starting the first weekend in September, the festival features free live folk and bluegrass music, “pick-your-own” apple and pumpkins, horse-drawn orchard hayrides, a children’s petting zoo, face painting, a pie eating contest, apple pie and ice cream, old-fashioned hot cider donut, make-your-own scarecrow and the world famous corn roast. (133 Exeter Road – along Route 88, Hampton Falls 03844. 1(603) 926-3721 or www.applecrest.com)
We want to expand the list and need your help. If you have a favorite fall festivial or know of an awesome corn maze please “Tell Mom”
and we will add it to the list. Make sure to include the name of the
festival or event and its location on the planet as well as why you
like it or what makes it worth the trip. Our next round up will
inlcude family friendly winter holidays and celebrations. We are
building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So
just “Tell Mom!”.