Hello Hiking!

Today kicks off National Park Week; time to lace up those boots, head outside, and reintroduce yourself to fresh air and sunshine. Hiking is also a great way to work off some of those unwanted pounds you may have packed on during your winter hibernation. What’s more, you can do so without breaking the bank as National Park Week yields free admission to more than 100 parks which typically change a fee to get in. If you are looking for the perfect spot to get your springtime hike on, consider the following: The Appalachian Trail: Known as the granddaddy of … Continue reading

Family Visits Can Surprise You With Family History Goodies

I love visiting my parents. Every time I go, not only do my son and I have fun with them in the present time, I also learn a little more about my early years as well as my family history. I just returned from a two day visit to my parents’ house, during which we created some special memories for me and my son. This trip to visit my parents illustrates an important point – there really is no end to the amount of fun and interesting things that a person can discover about their family history even by making … Continue reading

Lyme Disease and Your Family

Summer is officially here and that means your family will likely be spending a lot of time in the great outdoors during the next three months. That’s good news for parents who want their kids to take advantage of the fresh air. However, the bad news is that being outdoors increases your children’s chance of coming into contact with ticks infected with Lyme disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Lyme disease is an infection caused by harmful bacteria typically found in animals such as mice and deer. Ixodes ticks can pick up the bacteria when they bite an … Continue reading

Memorial Day Family Fun

For most families the Memorial Day holiday weekend provides a taste of summer fun. Unfortunately, most schools don’t break for summer vacation until June, so the long weekend is typically reserved for abbreviated, wallet-friendly family activities. If you are looking for affordable Memorial Day getaways, consider the following kid-friendly picks: PENNSYLVANIA Seven Springs Mountain Resort, located in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, kicks off its summer season this weekend with a slew of family-friendly events. The resort is sponsoring live entertainment all day and well into the night. In addition to the concerts, the resort is offering climbing wall races, fishing demonstrations, … Continue reading

Ideas for a Fun Family Weekend in Nature

You couldn’t pick a better weekend to spend outdoors with your family. In many parts of the country the weather is ideal and the leaves are peaking. What’s more because of Daylight Savings you have an extra hour to spend exploring the great outdoors together. Make the most of the season by bonding with your loved ones in the following picturesque destinations: Great Smoky Mountains This time of year the Great Smoky Mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. The mountain foliage has exploded into brilliant crimsons, oranges, yellows and purples, for a view that’s nothing short of awe-inspiring. The popular national park, … Continue reading

The Pets Blog Week in Review for July 7 – 13

The Pets Blog Week in Review endured somewhat of a hiatus the past month or so, but now it’s back. Have you missed this handy cheat sheet way of quickly finding out what Aimee and I wrote about the week before? Sorry about that, but without further ado here’s this week’s installment. Monday, July 7 Aimee detailed the many medications guests at the cat care facility where she works take. Tuesday, July 8 Aimee got in touch with her crafty side and offered some neat suggestions for DIY chew toy projects. After an absence of my own, it was with … Continue reading

Hiking and Camping with the Pups

Love the great outdoors? Your dog just might love it, too! If you’re planning a hike or camping trip with your four-legged best friend, here’s a list of supplies to get you started. For your pup: Collar and ID tags — these are essential on ANY trip. If your dog becomes separated from you, how will you find him again? Make sure your cell phone number (if you have one) is on your dog’s collar. A leash. Just because you’re in the wilderness doesn’t mean you want to let your dog run wild all the time! Current vaccination records. They’re … Continue reading

Saving Money While Celebrating the Fourth with Family on the Road

Chock it up to the exorbitant price of gas, or perhaps the summer traffic, either way a new AAA report says many Americans plan to spend the Fourth of July holiday closer to home this year. The news has sparked lodgings in the Northeastern portion of the U.S. to offer amazing summer savings to families who want to hit the highway and spend the holiday weekend away from home. Take a look: NEW HAMPSHIRE Your family can take a step back in time and enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July at the Sunset House in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire for … Continue reading

More Tips for Hiking with a Baby

Now that you know how critical it is to plan ahead before embarking on a trip to the wilderness with your baby it’s time to discuss other tips to make your trek memorable. First of all, if you are planning to hike in any one of our country’s awe-inspiring National Parks you should know that there are rules that prohibit the disposal of human waste within 100 feet of a water source or camp site, or within sight of a trail. The National Park Service has also adopted principles from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which recommend … Continue reading

Tips for Hiking with a Baby

Going on a hike with a 7-year-old is far different than loading up a 7-month-old and hitting the trails. Still, what some would consider a daunting task (and others would call crazy) should not deter you from enjoying the great outdoors with your bundle of joy. The key is preparation. With a little planning and a lot of thought your day in the woods can become a cherished memory. Be Prepared You don’t have to be a Boy Scout to know how vital it is to plan ahead and expect the unexpected. When packing for your trip include the must-haves … Continue reading