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Welcome to the 1st edition of the Travel Bucket List Series. Our first stop, the Canadian Rockies. I chose to highlight the Rockies first, as this is our big family trip this year.
We chose the Canadian Rockies for a couple of reasons. First, we fell in love with Canada when we explored Vancouver and the Yukon a couple of years ago. Second, our kids are not fans of extreme heat. The last big trip we did as a family was the Mediterranean in July. Can you say HOT?? We knew we wanted something a tad cooler and a bit closer to home. Lastly, Adventures by Disney offers a trip to the Rockies. We have loved the last two trips we took with ABD, so it made sense to book this trip through them. The Rockies seem like the logical choice.
Calgary and Surrounding Area
Our journey will begin in Calgary. Calgary is located 150 miles north of the US/Canadian border. Located in the province of Alberta, Calgary is the largest city in all of western Canada. For three nights, we will be staying at the Fairmont Palliser.
Calgary’s premier hotel, The Fairmont Palliser, is located in the heart of the city. It is within walking distance to the city’s retail shopping, museums, and entertainment venues. It is a historical landmark offering distinctive accommodations in elegant surroundings.
The hotel has 407 newly renovated rooms that include high speed internet and entertainment, such as in-room movies. There are three categories of rooms, as well as suites. Want to be treated like a queen? Stay in the Royal Suite when Queen Elizabeth II stayed while visiting Canada in 1990. The hotel has one restaurant, the Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a Sunday brunch. Afternoon tea is held on Saturday and Sunday. I have heard it is fantastic and I think we may give it a try.
The hotel has a fully equipped health club and a unique guest service hotline called Royal Service. The Royal Service is a dedicated team on hand to assist with your every need.
We plan to arrive a day early and we will have some free time to explore the city on our own. The two
Heritage Park is a living historical village that spans Western Canadian history from the 1860s to 1950s, and is broken out into four time periods:
- 1860s Fur Trading Fort and First Nations Encampment
- 1880s Pre-railway Settlement
- c.1910 Prairie Railway Town
- 1930s, ’40s and ’50s Gasoline Alley Museum and Heritage Town Square
There are over 100 exhibits. The exhibits include an aboriginal encampment representing the First Peoples in southern Alberta in the 19th century. There is a working smithy, bakery, hotel, and several shops and restaurants. Horse-drawn wagons are all around. For those that love the rails or transportation of any kind, check out the streetcar from the Calgary Street Railway, or a re-creation the paddle steamer, S.S Moyie. Open year-round is the Gasoline Alley Museum. This museum houses the park’s extensive collection of antique cars and memorabilia.
Another must-do on our list is the Calgary Zoo. We love a good zoo. My kids are
While in Calgary, we will not be limiting ourselves to the city. We are in the wild, wild west, and it would only seem right that we spend the day along The Cowboy Trail. The Cowboy Trail is a scenic route through the Canadian Rockies. Nestled between the Canadian Rocky Mountain foothills and the Canadian Praire, it features horseback trail rides, ranches, western-themed attractions, historical sites, and more. Our first stop will be the Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch.
The Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch is a 540-acre ranch home to bison and elk. Here we will tour the ranch and get an up-close and personal visit with these magnificent animals. Next on our list, Saskatoon Farm.
One of the region’s signature food is the Saskatoon Berry. Though it resembles a blueberry, this delicious berry is more closely related to the apple family. After a tour of the farm, we will be treated a delightful lunch and get to try one of the tantalizing desserts made with these berries.
Our final stop of the day will be the Chinook Honey Company. We will learn and taste some honey wine. Afterward, we will have the opportunity to see the inner workings of a honeybee colony.
Dinner will be on our own. Though there will be some suggestions from our guides, I have taken upon myself to research a couple of places. So far Starbelly, Sky 360, CIBO and River Café has caught our attention. I will let you know what we pick after our trip.
Banff & Surrounding Areas
For the second part of this trip, we head to Banff. We are staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Another gorgeous hotel that has been called Canada’s Castle in the Rockies. The hotel is located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Open year-round; it has a championship golf course, winter skiing, and an award-winning spa. The hotel has over 700 guest rooms, including suites with rooms to accommodate everyone’s needs. It is also pet-friendly!
We will spend two full days discovering what Banff has to offer. First, a float trip down the Bow River. Starting in the picturesque town of Canmore, we will float down the Bow River and take in the majestic mountain views. After, we will have some free time to explore the town of Canmore. Canmore consists of just over 13,000 residents. Though small in population, the town is spread out due to wildlife corridors, railway highway, and the Bow River. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, though I am not entirely sure how much time we have on our own. I prefer to walk the downtown area and get some lunch. The Wood Restaurant and Lounge has an excellent menu that would please all the picky eaters in my family, plus it boasts the best patio in the Rockies.
For our second full day in Banff, we have planned a jammed packed day. First up, a bike ride along the Bow River. Here we will stop and hike to see Bow Falls.
Next is a gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. At the top of the mountain is hiking trails, restaurants, cafes and a new Interpretive Center. It offers observations and hands-on experiences for the whole family. There is a rooftop observation deck that looks amazing. It looks down at the town of Banff and six mountain ranges. While up at the top, we will be eating lunch at the Northern Café, taking in these views.
Later that day, we will have dinner on our own in Banff. I am excited to check out this picturesque town.
Lake Louise and the Surrounding Area
The last couple of days we will spend at Lake Louise, Alberta. Again , we will have the pleasure of staying at a Fairmont Hotel. We get to rest our weary heads at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. This gorgeous hotel is a luxury mountain resort open all year. It has world-class skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating in the winter, hiking, fishing, and canoeing in the summer, a kid’s camp, spa, and award-winning dining. There is something here for everyone. I am looking forward to checking out the spa!
For our first day in Lake Louise, we will venture out to the Columbia Icefield, located in Jasper, Alberta. This is the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. It feeds eight major glaciers. We will walk on the icefield and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Also, if we dare, take a walk along with the glass-floored Skywalk at the cliff’s edge. After our tour, we will have lunch at the icefield. (Though we will be warm in cozy in a restaurant). Dinner that night will be at the hotels Laga Italian Kitchen.
Our last full day will take us to Moraine Lake.
Moraine Lake is at an elevation of 6,183 feet. It is a glacier-fed lake; hence the brilliant blue-green color that it is a result of light refracting off the small particles of rock. Due to the elevation, the lake does not begin to melt until June. The color and water levels are at its peak in late June. Just in time for our visit! While at the lake, we will hike and take in this beautiful scenery. I have heard from friends that have been; the color is just a vibrant in real life as it is in the photos.
Later in the day, we head back to Lake Louise to have a picnic lunch. After lunch, we have various options. We could canoe on the lake, go horseback riding, biking or hiking on your own, hang back at the hotel and take advantage of everything it has to offer or take a hike to Lake Agnes Tea House. We plan on hiking to Lake Agnes Tea House.
The Tea House is on the shores of Lake Agnes, at an altitude of 7,005 ft. The hike is approximately 2 miles long, with an elevation gain of 1,300 ft. It is a family-run tea house that serves homemade sandwiches, hearty soups, baked goods, and more than 100 varieties of tea! Our evening will consist of our farewell dinner and soaking up our beautiful surroundings for one last night.
Stay tuned for the second edition of the Travel Bucket List Series, where I will highlight a U.S destination. Until then, happy travels!
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Three weeks ago, we embarked on our first trip to visit 2 of the 63 National Parks located here in the United States. This trip came about in March after our Canadian Rockies trip was canceled for the second time. After some research, we decided to spend ten days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Attendance at the National Parks is at a record high. It started last year at the height of the pandemic and is continuing this summer. In June 2021, Yellowstone saw record attendance with 938,845 visits, making it the most visited June on record. So far, Yellowstone has hosted 1,587,998 visits, and that is up 17% from 2019. The National Park Service has told people to expect crowds and to plan ahead. Here are ten tips to help plan your next trip to one of our 63 parks!
Before sharing my tips, I want to preface this by saying these tips worked for my family. We are new to exploring the National Parks, new to hiking, and some of these other outdoor adventures. If you have followed me for a while, you will see this was a bit of a different vacation for us. We were not sure what to expect, and I wanted to maximize our time in each park.
1) Purchase a U.S. Park Pass.
The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass can be used at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. The pass includes admission to parks for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free. The cost to enter Grand Teton and Yellowstone is $35.00 for seven days for each park. We plan on hitting Acadia later in the summer, that is another $35.00, for a total of $105.00. The U.S. Parks Pass is $80.00 for 12 months! Well worth the price. You can find more information here.
2) – Stay in a Central Location.
Many of the National Parks are pretty vast. Did you know that Yellowstone is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined? To cut down on driving, I highly recommend either staying inside the parks or finding lodging near where you plan to spend your time. For our ten-day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, we stayed in 4 different hotels.
For the first 4 nights, our home base was Jackson, Wyoming, located 15 mins from the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park. It made the ride to and from the parks easy and convenient. There were restaurants, shops, a grocery store and other activities nearby in downtown Jackson.
When left Jackson and Grand Teton and headed to Yellowstone; we entered from the south entrance and followed Grand Loop Road along the eastern side of the park, all the way to the northwest entrance of the park. It made for a great day of sightseeing. When visiting Yellowstone for five days/four nights, we stayed in two locations. The first was Gardiner, MT, which allowed us easy and quick access to Mammoth Springs and Lamar Valley.
The third hotel was located in West Yellowstone, which made seeing the western part of the park much more manageable.
Plus, when we left Yellowstone to head back to Grand Teton and Jackson, we were able to make stops along the western side of Grand Loop Road that we have missed. Our last hotel was back in Jackson. It was close to the airport and our remaining activities.
3) Plan Meals Ahead of Time.
I mean all meals and snacks! As mentioned, attendance at the parks is at an all-time high. This includes the towns bordering the parks as well. In Jackson, we soon learned if we did not have a dining reservation, we were not eating. Thankfully we had a small kitchen in our cabin, and there was a grocery store. We made sure to pack a breakfast and lunch for the days we were out in the parks, especially when exploring Yellowstone. Fortunately, every tour we booked included meals and snacks. On another note, we soon realized the lodges and hotels inside Yellowstone only had quick serve. The majority of the restaurants were closed, and it made for very long lines. We waited 30 mins for ice cream at the Old Faithful Lodge.
4) Water, Water and More Water
Hydration is vital when exploring and hiking the parks. The higher the altitude, the drier the air, and the more you will need to hydrate. I was a bit fearful we would all get altitude sickness, so I made sure we hydrated well before leaving Boston. Once we were in Wyoming and Montana, we bought cases of water and made sure to have at least two bottles per person with us at all times. While hiking, we carried backpacks that had hydration bladders in them.
5) Book a Tour or 2.
As I mentioned, this was our first time visiting the parks. We had ten days, and I wanted to see as much as possible. Over the ten days, we went on six different tours. All of them were amazing. In Grand Teton, we did an all-day tour of the park, a sunrise safari that included breakfast, and a 10-mile float ride down the Snake River. In Yellowstone, we did an all-day tour of the park, a Bear and Wolves Wildlife tour, and a guided hike around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We maximized our time; it gave us an excellent overview of the parks and gave us an idea of what we wanted to go back and see on our own. I highly recommend it.
6) Pack and Wear Layers.
We had a lot of early mornings, and it was rather chilly in the parks. We always had sweatshirts to start with a short-sleeved shirt underneath. More times than not, I had on workout pants that fared well in cool and warmer temps.
7) Grab a Map.
Either grab a map at the entrance or download one to your phone. There is minimal service in the parks, and the car’s GPS may not work. I found the maps the park rangers provided to be very helpful.
8) Download Park Apps.
The National Park Service puts out an app that lists all the parks. You pick a park, and it details what to see, things to do, self-guided tours, a park calendar, and more. I found the individuals parks each have apps as well. The best part is you can save the app for offline use.
However, my favorite app is called The Gypsy Guide. It is a narrated audio tour that gives behind-the-scenes stories about the history, geology, hikes, wildlife, and cultural highlights that play automatically along the route. The app is used offline, so no need to worry about the lack of signal. We used it when we drove from Jackson through Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The only downside, they don’t have a tour for every park. I would love one for our Acadia National Park trip. Check it out here.
9) Essential Toiletries.
The air is dry in Wyoming and Montana. It affected every part of the body, from our nasal passages, lips, and skin. We made sure to have saline, chapstick, and moisturizer. The saline is a lifesaver. Without it, Nicholas and I would not have been able to breathe through our noses.
10) Have Plenty of Storage on your Phone and Memory Cards
The amount of photos we took is crazy. Everywhere we looked, we were surrounded by beauty. I wanted to capture every moment!
Happy Exploring!
A year or so ago, I started my Travel Bucket List Series. The list has my top 30 destinations to visit, 15 U.S. destinations, and 15 international destinations. I have written about the Canadian Rockies, Savannah, GA, Greece, Wyoming, Germany, Alaska, and more. Today I am headed back to Europe and will share a bucket list trip my husband and I plan to make in the next couple of years. In 2023, we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. To celebrate this momentous event, we are headed to Venice, Northern Italy, and Switzerland.
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First Stop- Venice, the “City of Canals”
Where to Stay in Venice?
Venice has been on my husband’s travel list for quite some time. The architecture and canals have always fascinated him. Our adventure starts at the magnificent Hotel Biennale Hilton Molino Stucky.
The hotel is in a restored flour mill on the island of Giudecca. There is a shuttle boat to central Venice to take you to attractions like St Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, and Doge’s Palace. All can be reached in around 20 minutes. The hotel has a rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views of the city and its surrounding canals, a Nutella Bar, and exceptional views of Venice.
Things to do in Venice.
Gondola Ride
The first thing on the list is to explore the City of Canals by gondola, the traditional mode of Venetian transportation. Gondolas allow you to see Venice from a completely different perspective and better appreciate how the city functions with canals instead of streets.
Doges Palace
Get an up-close look at this monumental palace built in Venetian Gothic style. Now a museum, this landmark was once the residence of the Doge, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice. For centuries, the Doge’s Palace had three fundamental roles: the Doge residence, the seat of government, and the palace of justice.
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is the city’s main public square and contains its most famous buildings, such as St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. We plan on doing a walking tour and visiting the piazza’s top sites. In addition to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, I want to:
- Have coffee at Caffe Florian, one of the most famous and traditional coffeehouses in all of Venice.
- Climb the Campanile di San Marco a 99-meter-high tower in the center of the square. At the top are the largest of the tower’s five original bells and a breathtaking view over the whole city of Venice.
- Walk over the Bridge of Sighs, one of the most famous bridges in the world. A popular local legend also says that lovers, who kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs, will be granted eternal love and happiness.
- Have a delicious meal.
- Shop!
Tragicomica – Venetian Carnevale Mask-Making
Tragicomica—a shop where you can participate in a private, hands-on workshop in the art of mask-making under the guidance of an artisan. And create a masquerade masterpiece of your own! How fun does that sound???
Stresa, Italy
After a few days in Venice, our next stop on our itinerary is Stresa, Italy. Stresa is a picturesque town on Lake Maggiore in a lovely setting. It looks right out at the lake’s Borromean Islands.
Where to Stay in Stresa?
On the shores of Lake Maggiore, the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées & Spa in Stresa represents the sumptuous and charming elegance of Italy’s Grand Luxury Hotels.
Things to do in Stresa.
Isola Bella
Board a ferry and cross the water of Lake Maggiore from Stresa to Isola Bella, which means “Beautiful Island,” for a tour of the historical Palazzo Borromeo and its scenic baroque gardens.
From Isola Bella, take a ferry to the charming Isola dei Pescatori, or Fisherman’s Island. The island is known for its promenade and cobbled alleys lined with restaurants, gift shops, and boutiques filled with
local crafts.
Lake Como
Take an Italian Cooking Class
Enjoy pasta-making at a beautiful villa on the banks of Lake Como with hands-on instruction by a professional Italian chef.
Explore Lake Como
Embark on a boat tour of one of Italy’s most famous lakes and drink in the
scenery, dotted with Baroque and Neoclassic villas, Romanesque churches, lush gardens, and small medieval villages.
While exploring the lake, visit the Gardens of Villa del Balbianello, famous for its elaborate terraced gardens. The garden was built on the site of a monastery. Several films have been filmed here, including a scene from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Wine Tasting
No trip to Italy is complete without a wine tasting. A friend recommended the family-owned La Cambusa Wine Shop. It is known to have some of the best wines in the area.
Zermatt
After some time in Stresa, we will head north toward Zermatt, Switzerland. We intend to drive the Simplon Pass to Zermatt. It is a road that dates back to the Stone Age and crosses between the Pennine Alps and
the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland.
Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn and is considered the most beautiful of all the Alpine villages. It is known for skiing and hiking, climbing, and biking. It is also an automobile-free town.
Where to stay in Zermatt?
Mont Cervi Palace has come highly recommended to us. The description is taken straight from the website. “Experiences at the foot of a glacier, on a green alpine meadow, at an idyllic mountain lake. The air is crystal clear. The view of the world-famous Matterhorn. The windows of the Mont Cervin Palace cast a warm glow against the darkening skies. You enter our hotel, and our staff warmly welcomes you. For us, that means No empty phrases, no fuss – just heartfelt hospitality. A smile surrounds you. You have arrived.” Now, doesn’t that sound amazing?
Things to do in Zermatt.
Cheese Fondue Lunch
One cannot go to Switzerland and not have cheese. A fondue lunch is a perfect way to sample the melted cheeses of the Alps.
Gornergrat Cogwheel Train
Take the cogwheel train up the mountain for a stunning view of the Matterhorn and lake-dotted countryside below. Take in the view of 29 peaks that are 2.5 miles high, the most in the Alpine region.
Visit Gorner Gorge
The gorge is a chasm carved out by the Gornervispa River. The walk along the rocks offers a marvelous view across the gorge.
Final Stop- Lucerne
Where to stay in Lucerne?
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern is located directly on Lake Lucerne and in the immediate vicinity of Lucerne city centre.
Things to do in Lucerne.
Walking Tour of the City
Visit tourist hotspots such as The Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. Stroll through the old town and see the fantastic architecture.
Boat ride on Lake Lucerne
We did this back in 2019 and plan on doing it again. The scenery on the lake is amazing.
Swiss Chocolate Adventure
“Swiss Chocolate Adventure explains the discovery, provenance, manufacture, and transport of chocolate in around 20 minutes. Immerse yourself in the world of chocolate in Switzerland’s most-visited museum. With its focus on this sweet specialty, the experience is a feast for the eyes, ears, and taste buds. After the adventure ride, you have a chance to taste various creations provided by Lindt’s master chocolatiers.” – Swiss Chocolate Adventure website.
Mount Titlis
Ride in the rotating Rotair aerial cable car up to Mount Titlis, Central Switzerland’s highest peak at 10,000 feet. Once at the top, delight in some of these snow experiences:
Glacier Viewing
Get closer to the crevasses of a glacier on the “Ice Flyer” chairlift.
Snow Tubing
Snow tube down the side of the mountain for a thrilling way to experience the Swiss Alps.
Hiking
Hike up one of the trails to see the mountain and its environs up close, enjoying the amazing views along the way.
The Titlis Cliff Walk
Stroll across Titlis Cliff Walk, the highest suspension bridge in Europe at a height of 1,600 feet (487.68 meters) and be awestruck by the astounding views.
The Glacier Cave
Venture into the very heart of Mount Titlis where ice crystals sparkle on turquoiseblue walls of ice in a cave that lies 65.6 feet (20 meters) below the glacier’s surface.
Cheese Factory in Engelberg
Head to a monastery for a tour of Switzerland’s only show cheese factory. Watch cheese being made by hand and see how milk is transformed into the famous EngelbergerKlosterglocke—a mild cheese pressed into the shape of a monastery bell.
Dinner at the Old Swiss House in Lucerne
From what I have been told, this is a must for anyone visiting Lucerne. We were unable to get there on our last trip, so looking forward to having a meal or two next time. The restaurant has 3 Swiss Alpen Horn Players playing traditional Swiss music—and then be served by wait staff wearing traditional Lucerne garb! The restaurant boasts a selection of
gourmet menu items, including the authentic Alpine specialty Wienerschnitzel.
Have I convinced you that this is a trip that needs to be on everyone’s list? We are looking forward to experiencing all that Venice, Northern Italy, and Switzerland have to offer. I would love to know if you have been to any of the destinations. If so, let me know what other things we can add to the list.
Until next time,
Heather
A couple of years ago, if you would have asked if a winter destination was on my bucket list, I would have thought you were crazy. I am not a fan of cold temperatures, nor do we ski, snowboard, or enjoy playing in the snow. However, a couple of friends went to Wyoming with Adventures by Disney during the winter, and it looked amazing. The scenery was breathtaking. There were other things to do besides skiing and snowboarding. With the right clothes, we could brave it! It is not like the snow is foreign to us. We are New Englanders! Now that we have decided to go, the question became when. I was hoping for the week between Christmas and the New Year. Well, then 2020 became a horror movie, and that got put on hold. We have quite a few things scheduled for 2021, so it looks like it maybe 2022 before we go. In the meantime, here is destination number 8 of the Travel Bucket List Series- Winter in Wyoming.
How to get there? – From Boston, we will fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole is made up of Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson. The majority of our time will be spent in Jackson Hole, but the first stop, Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park
An hour away, Yellowstone is part of the National Parks system and was the first National Park in the United States. Yellowstone is made up of 3,500 square miles and spreads into three states, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. It has enormous canyons, forests, alpine rivers and geysers, the most famous of all, Old Faithful. It is home to plenty of wildlife, such as bears, coyotes, wolves, bison, elk, antelope, and more. Here are a few fun facts about Yellowstone.
- It is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
- It has more than half the world’s geysers (Over 500).
- There are 67 species of mammals in Yellowstone.
- There are 290 waterfalls.
- It has roughly 1,000-3,000 earthquakes a year.
We will stay at the Mammoth Hot Springs and Cabins for the first few nights of our trip. The hotel underwent an extensive renovation in 2019. It consists of premium rooms, suites, and cabins. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, and a deli.
As I mentioned above, we do not go skiing or snowboarding. So what exactly is there for us to do in Yellowstone in the winter? I found several activities.
Old Faithful Winter Day Tour- with Snowshoeing
From the hotel, board a snow coach and make your way toward the magnificent geyser. Old Faithful was the first geyser in the park to be named back in 1870. It is highly predictable and erupts every 44 mins to two hours since 2000. It is a must-see. Along the way, the coach stops for wildlife viewing and at such sights like the Fountain Paint Pots. Once at Old Faithful, you have a couple of hours to explore and take in the magnificent wonder. There are several ways to explore the basin. You may walk or grab a pair of cross country skis or snowshoes and have some fun. I am excited to snowshoe.
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone’s thermal areas. Very few visit this area in the winter, and it is touted as one of Yellowstone’s best-kept secrets. The only way to see this area in the winter is by snowmobiles or snow coach. The trees are covered in snow, the snow is deep, and from everything I read, it is all so very magical. There are several things to see here, such as
- Steamboat Geyser: The world’s tallest active geyser, In the Back Basin, you’ll find the world’s tallest active geyser. Eruptions are rare and unpredictable, so I hope we time it just right.
- Porcelain Basin: This is home to Ledge Geyser, which erupts at an angle, and the ever steaming Black Growler Vent.
- Back Basin: a forested version of the Porcelain Basin and home to the Steamboat Geyser.
Winter Wildlife Tour
As a family of animal lovers, how could we not put this tour on our list? This tour explores the Northern Range, where there are wide open grassy valleys that, in the winter, are covered with less snow than other locations in the park, making it a bit easier to get to that food source. It is home to bison, elk, coyote, wolves, eagles, bighorn, and many more.
Another must go for me while in Yellowstone is a photography tour. Using a handpicked itinerary, it takes you through Yellowstone and shows you how to capture the best photographs.
Jackson Hole
After a few action-packed days, it will be time to head back to Jackson Hole. We plan to stay at The Wort Hotel. The Wort Hotel is Jackson Hole’s finest boutique hotel. It has 55 rooms, including five sophisticated western-themed suites.
Located in the center of town, the hotel is on the list of National Registry of Historic Places. It is within walking distance of numerous shops and bars.
Things to do in Jackson Hole
Oh, what to do first? With the Grand Teton National Park and the Snake River right there, the outdoor activities are endless.
Sunset Sleigh Ride– Take a sleigh ride along the Snake River as the sun sets over the Teton Mountains. The ride includes a stop at a Tipi Camp where a roaring fire and appetizers and drinks are served.
Sleigh Ride through the National Elk Refuge– thousands of elk migrate to the refuge each year, and the sleigh ride gives plenty of opportunities to see these animals up close and personal.
Snow King Mountain– Known as the in-town playground for adults and kids alike, this mountain resort offers skiing, tubing, snowboarding, and its winter cowboy coaster. There is something to do for everyone.
Jackson Hole Playhouse – The dinner shows here are not to be missed. I hear the food and entertainment are excellent.
Iditarod-Style Dog Sled Excursion– When we were in the Yukon, we experienced summer dog sledding. Since then, I have wanted to try it in the winter. This is a must-do for my family and me.
Granite Hot Springs– Relax in the steaming, rejuvenating waters of the Granite Hot Springs. Take in the beautiful Gros Ventre Mountains and the towering pines that surround you as you float, swim, and soak in these natural hot springs.
Snowshoeing at Grand Teton National Park– The park offers a two-hour guided snowshoe hike that meets at Taggart Lake Trailhead. Listen as a range talks about winter ecology and snow science.
After seeing all that Wyoming has to offer in the winter, I know we will be inspired to come back in the summer. I guess that means the travel bucket list continues to grow. Not a bad thing, right?
Are you interested in my other bucket list trips? Check them out and leave a comment as to which one you would like to experience first.
Wasn’t it just May? Where did June go? It came and went so fast; I did not have a chance to post about my goals or do my monthly check-in. Many of you have commented that you find these helpful and motivating, so I apologize for not posting.
I am going to do something a bit different this month. Instead of individual goals for July and August, I will combine the two and set my goals for summer. These two months go by so fast, and it makes sense to combine them.
Below is what I committed to in May and how I did.
Blog
I will build on what I did or did no do in April. Moving forward, I think four blog posts a month will be the norm. I will chip away at my courses and will try to do ONE session of SEO a month. I am not letting go of this goal; I am trying to make it attainable.- My approach worked. By breaking down the SEO goal even further, I was able to stay on track.
Personal
- I will build off my 2.5lb weight loss and aim for 2-5lbs this month.-I am down 7lbs!
- Continue to move my body 30 mins a day.-DONE
- All my summer races were canceled, but I plan to run them virtually.-3 virtual races were done and more to come.
- Research vacation options for summer to replace our canceled Canadian Rockies trip.-Two new vacations planned.
Household
- Purge Nicholas’s room.-Done
- Begin the basement (scrapbook room) project.-NOPE
- Clean out my garden boxes and start my veggie garden.-DONE
Wow, not bad! I would say May was a huge success! Except for the scrapbook room, I did everything I set out to accomplish. I think the scrapbook room project will wait until the winter months. With the beautiful weather here, I plan to be outside as much as possible.
Goals for July & August
Blog
Continue to grow my social media accounts, new course work 2-3 times a week, including SEO content and 8 new blog posts.
Time Management
Implement a new weekday schedule. I am going to start time blocking. Time blocking is a type of time management that has you divide your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task.
Personal
- Finish my 2019 scrapbooks.- This will be a heavy lift, but I am determined!
- Read 6 books.
- Explore 6-10 state parks in Massachusetts.
- Get back to date night.
- Spend more time outside.
Health & Fitness
- Build off the 7lbs loss and lose another 10lbs.
- Minimum of 10,000 steps a day.
- Consistently strength train.
- Continue training for fall races.
I am keeping it simple. I want to enjoy the summer and will hold off on the bigger household projects until the colder weather.
How about you? What are your summer goals?
Renting a vacation home is, by far, one of my favorite things to do. I am an hour away from the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod and have stayed there many times. This summer, we were skipping the vacation home and headed north to the Canadian Rockies. Then COVID hit, and all our summer plans were canceled. We have all been home since March, and a much-needed change of scenery is in order. We rented a beach house in July for two weeks, and I can’t wait!
Over the last few years, I have learned a thing or two about what to look for in a beach house.
Here are seven things to look for when renting a beach house.
- Rent from a reputable source. The company should offer protection policies and guarantees. It should have updated photos on its site.
- Location, Location, Location. We prefer to be right on the ocean. If that was not feasible, we like to be at least within walking distance. Our rental this year is 1/10th of a mile from the beach, so not too bad. Another tip about location, stay close to town. It allows for easy access to restaurants, the grocery store, ice cream shops, and more. We can drive or choose to walk to these places.
- Prioritize your amenities. Do you plan on doing laundry while on vacation? If so, make sure the house has a washer and dryer. Do you plan on eating meals in or out? A fully stocked kitchen is vital, along with a nice grill for BBQing if you plan on eating at home. Does the house come with linens, beach toys, and beach chairs? If you are driving to your destination, it may not be a big deal to bring these items, but if you are flying, you want to make sure the house has these items. Does it have air conditioning? Some homes on the Cape do not have air conditioning. No air conditioning is a deal-breaker for me!
- Two words, NO CARPETS! It makes such a difference when the kids come traipsing through with wet, sandy feet. We prefer hardwood and tile floors in our rentals.
- Delegate the space ahead of time. This is particularly important when traveling with another family. A house may sleep 10, but 4 of those beds may be in one room. This may not work if you have a mix of older and younger kids or males and females. If the house has more than one bathroom (which I highly recommend by the way), assign each family their own bathroom.
- Outdoor shower. Keep as much sand out of the house!
- A shaded area outside to eat, sit, and relax. The sun can be brutal, so always nice to have a shady, cool spot waiting for you.
I hope these tips have given you some ideas of what to think of when renting your next beach house. If you have any of your own ideas, you would like to share, and please do. I would love to add them to my list. Happy vacationing!
Another month has concluded. We are also on week 8 of a stay at home order. Crazy! How are you holding up? I hope you are all safe and healthy.
As I mentioned back in April, March was a bit of a cluster. As the world began to shut down, I lost my motivation. I knew I had to kick it up a notch in April, but also was going to give myself grace when I needed it. Like many of you, we have had a lot of travel plans canceled, the workload in my day job became overwhelming, and I had to oversee social distance learning. Life was a bit chaotic, but I was determined to make something work and that I did!
Review of April’s Goals
Blog
- 30 mins, three times a week on SEO.- NOPE – still did not happen
- Write and post 4 new blog posts.- YES
- Grow social media platforms by 5%.- Yes on a 2 of the 4. Not bad!
- Finish blog course work.- One down, 2 to go.
Work
- Find work-life balance- It can be hard to shut it down when working from home. I am setting my hours, and rarely will I make exceptions. I need to treat it as if I am going to the office every day.- YES! Though I was busier than usual, I did a much better job of this.
Personal
- Move my body 30 minutes every day. When I am in the office, I reach my 10,000 step count most days, without counting my exercise. Since working from home five days a week, that has not been the case. The result is tight hip flexors, a sore back, and feeling like a slug. Again, I need to treat my day as if I am in the office.- YES! I hit my step goal 22/30 days. I also moved my body 30 mins each day.
- Get up, shower, and put something on besides running clothes or yoga pants.- I would say I did this 75% of the time.
- Though I maintained my weight, my goal was to lose weight. I am going to give myself grace and aim for 5lbs, rather than 10lbs.- I lost 2.5 lbs, so half.
- My goal race, the one I was training so hard for was canceled. Yes, I had a pity party, but again, this morning, I said no more. I picked a fall race, and that will be my new goal race. My new training plan for that will start late May, but in the meantime, I have a short term training plan I am following for all my runs leading up to then. Plus, I still have summer races that have not been canceled yet.- YES! I ran 76 miles in the month of April
- Save all money not being spent on gas and entertainment and put toward our next vacation.- Half of what we are not spending went toward future vacations. The other half went toward some online shopping. LOL!
Household
- Finish organizing the cabinets in the kitchen.- YES
- Clean the fridge.- Nope
- Start cleaning and purging my scrapbook room, so we can renovate by the end of the year.- Nope
Miscellaneous- all were accomplished!
🌟 More doggie 🐶 walks.
🌟Scrapbook.
🌟Try new recipes.
🌟Read more books.
🌟Cherish the additional time I have with my boys being home.
Did I attack the month with gusto? Hummm..gusto is a bit strong of a word. I certainly had my days where Netflix came before everything else. I also took more time to do things that relax me. There were lots of walks. I read a couple of books and was able to scrapbook more of 2019. All wins in my mind.
Now, what will the month of May look like? Assuming we will remain under a stay at home order, I plan on more of the same, with a few additions.
Blog
I will build on what I did or did no do in April. Moving forward, I think four blog posts a month will be the norm. I will chip away at my courses and will try to do ONE session of SEO a month. I am not letting go of this goal; I am trying to make it attainable.
Personal
- I will build off my 2.5lb weight loss and aim for 2-5lbs this month.
- Continue to move my body 30 mins a day.
- All my summer races were canceled, but I plan to run them virtually.
- Research vacation options for summer to replace our canceled Canadian Rockies trip.
Household
- Purge Nicholas’s room.
- Begin the basement (scrapbook room) project.
- Clean out my garden boxes and start my veggie garden.
I am trying to be realistic with my list. I tend to take on a bit much and then get frustrated when I don’t accomplish them all. I have to remind myself that these need to be SMART goals- specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
Tell me, did you reach your goals for April? If not, what did you do to readjust? What is your plan for May? Please, let me know below.
Stay safe.
Heather
Welcome to the 4th edition of My Travel Bucket List Series. For those of that are new to my blog, at the beginning of the year, I published my top 30 destinations I would like to see in my lifetime. You can see the complete list here. Today we are going to experience some good old southern hospitality in the city of Savannah, GA. Of course, being a beach lover, I have added a couple of days on
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and 5th largest in the state. The city is known for its cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and southern charm.
Accommodations
For this trip, we plan on staying at the Cotton Sail Hotel. Once an 1800’s cotton warehouse, the Cotton Sail is located in the historic district of Savannah and minutes away from the riverfront. Amenities include a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a rooftop bar. This boutique hotel only has 56 rooms, with either a city or a river view. I love the idea of the river view.
Length of Stay
Including our stay on Tybee Island, I plan on 5 full days. Three days will be in the city of Savannah and two days on Tybee Island. I suspect our days will be jammed packed with activities.
Things to Do & See
Tours
There is no shortage of walking tours in the city of Savannah. I have reviewed quite a few, and when the time
In addition to the walking tour, I found two other tours that sound fantastic. First is a carriage ride at night tour. How does a ride in a horse-drawn carriage under the twinklings lights of the city sound? Amazing!
Have you ever taken a ghost tour? We did here in Boston. However, I have never seen anything quite like this. A tour in a hearse?? Sign me up!
Forsythe Park
Forsyth Park is a large city park that occupies 30 acres in the historic district of Savannah. Within the park are walking paths, children’s play areas, recreational areas for soccer, basketball, tennis, and more. An interesting feature of the park is a Fragrant Garden for the blind. The garden consists of plants with scents and textures that appeal to those with limited sight.
River Street
River Street has over 75 shops and restaurants to explore. This area of the city was once cotton warehouses. River Street is where we plan on spending our evenings, looking for some yummy southern food. I think a steamboat ride will be on the itinerary as well.
Wormsloe Historic Site
Here lie the ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones. These ruins are the oldest standing structure in Savannah. Mr. Jones was many things, including command of a company of Marines charged with defending the Georgia coast from the Spanish. The Jones family owned Wormsloe until the state of Georgia acquired it in 1973.
In the park, visitors can interact with costumed guides and view a museum with artifacts found at Wormsloe. There is a nature trail that leads to the tabby ruins over to the Colonial Life Area. This area is similar to a living museum where guides in period dress exhibit the tools and skills of colonial Georgia.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument is located on Cockspur Island, between Savannah and Tybee Island. It was during the American Civil War, that the Union Army successfully tested rifled cannons in combat, the success of which rendered brick fortifications obsolete. Sights not to miss are Battery Hambright, John Wesley Memorial, Construction Village, and the cemetery.
Tybee Island
I can’t think of a better way to end a few days of sightseeing than some beach time. Tybee Island is located off the coast of Savannah. It is both a city and a barrier island. We plan on calling Beachside Colony and Resort our home for the remainder of our trip. The only beachside resort on the island.
I would love to know, have you been to Savannah? Is there anything I should add to my list?
Check out the previous editions of my Travel Bucket List series.
Hello February! Tell me, did January seem long to you? I have heard several people remark that January was the longest month ever. I did not find it felt any longer than any other month. Perhaps because we had decent weather and winter is not as bad as it could be. Of course, the last time we had such a mild winter here in Boston, we ended up with 108 inches of snow. Every week in February was a snowstorm. No, thank you!
If you recall, back in January, I said I would be posting about my goals and my progress throughout the year. It helps keep me on point, and I hope to inspire others to reach for their goals. So how did I do?
January Goals
- Make an appointment with a dermatologist.- NOPE
- Start a new strength training program.- DONE
- Pick a marathon to run._DONE
- Purchase family room furniture.-DONE
- Save an extra $900.00.- DONE
- Schedule out scrapbook dates with friends.-DONE
- Organize bathroom.-DONE
- Write six new posts.- Missed it by 1!
- Learn more about SEO.- NOPE
Nine goals, and I only missed 3. Not bad. The dermatologist goal, I never got around to it. I never made it a priority, and I need to do that. I was also awful at setting some time aside to learn more about SEO. Tomorrow that stops. I am putting aside 3o minutes 3 times a week to learn more.
Though not explicitly called out in January, I did make progress in other categories and related subcategories listed for 2020.
Personal
- Health
- Get 7 hours of sleep a night.- averaging about 6.5 hours
- Run/Walk 2020 miles.- 148.82/2020
- Running consistently and on week 7 of my heart rate training program.
- Travel and Recreation
- Weekend away with Bill.- BOOKED
- The Canadian Rockies.- BOOKED
- Read 50 books. – three books read in January.
- Scrapbook once a week.-I have been consistently doing this.
Financial
- Less frivolous spending.- I was much better this month, but still not where I want to be.
Overall, January was great. Now it time to think of February. What do I want to accomplish this month?
February Goals
- Start weight watchers again. I need help in dropping this weight that I gained while injured and find this program to be the most helpful.
- Start planning Robbie’s graduation party.
- 30 mins, three times a week on SEO.
- Make the dermatology appointment.
- Come up with a savings plan with Robbie.
- Schedule posts for when I am on vacation.
- Try three new recipes.
- Read three books.
We are headed on vacation this month, so any household goal will have to wait until March. I think these will keep me busy enough.
What about you? Did you accomplish your goals for January? What are your plans for February? Post in the comments or reach out to me on my Goal Climbers 2020 Facebook page.
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Happy 2020! Wow, doesn’t it seem strange to be saying that? I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and ready for another spin around the sun. Ringing in a new year has me reflecting on 2019, the highs and lows. It also has me excited for 2020. As I review my 2019 goals, I am happy to report that I was able to mark many of them as accomplished, but there is always room for improvement. This is how I look at a new year, a time to level up, keep improving one’s self by doing and accomplishing the things that make me happy.
As I wrote about here, I do not make resolutions for the new year, but select goals for the year. I also create an action plan for each goal and write out how I will execute it on a monthly basis. Each week, I pick certain activities to do to bring me one step closer to accomplishing that goal. I write all this down in a notebook that I carry with me. It keeps me on track and laser-focused on what it is I need to do.
Another tool I use to assist me in accomplishing my goals is accountability. By sharing my goals, putting it out there in the universe, I am holding myself accountable. This year, I have decided to do this two ways. First, each month I will be posting my goals for the month, and at the end of the month, I will report back, right here on my blog. Second, I have opened up a private Facebook page called Goal Climbers 2020. This is a group of goal-oriented people who are looking for accountability and support as they crush their 2020 goals. I will provide resources and tips on how we can make 2020 our year to shine. If interested, leave me a comment or reach out to me on Facebook. I will add you to the group.
Now, for my 2020 goals. I break my goals down into four categories, Personal, Financial, Professional, and Household. Within those categories are sub-categories. Under the sub-categories are the goals I want to achieve and how I will go about making them happen. Below are some examples, so you get a visual of what I am doing. I will not list them all here, but if you would like to see my full list, I will be sharing it in the Facebook group.
Personal
- Health
- Make a dermatology appt.
- Get 7 hours of sleep a night.
- Run/Walk 2020 miles.
- PR at a 1/2 marathon.
- Sign up for my second marathon.
- Personal Growth
- Listen to one personal development podcast a day.
- Family
- Date night once a month.
- Try something new each quarter.
- Make the most of Robbie being home before leaving for college.
- Travel and Recreation
- Explore my own backyard.
- Weekend away with Bill.
- The Canadian Rockies.
- Mom/Son Disney trip.
- Read 50 books.
- Scrapbook once a week.
Financial
- Pay off lingering debt.
- Pay cash for the 1st year of college. ( HUGE ONE!!!)
- Less frivolous spending.
- Save, save save. Earmark money each week to be automatically deposited in savings account.
Household
Here I break down each room and list what if anything needs to be improved. For instance, we need new family furniture. Our upstairs bathroom needs reorganization, things like that.
Professional
Most of this will have to do with this blog. These goals include growing my social media presence, landing sponsorships, and connecting with other bloggers around the globe. Of course, I have goals for my day job, but in the interest of keeping those separate, I will keep those to myself.
My goals are listed in my notebook. I breakdown the goals by quarter, month, and week. This way, I am always working on something, but not becoming overwhelmed by it all. For January, I have decided to concentrate on the following:
- Make an appointment with a dermatologist.
- Start
new strength training program. - Pick a marathon to run.
- Purchase family room furniture.
- Save an extra $900.00.
- Schedule out scrapbook dates with friends.
- Organize bathroom.
- Write 6 new posts.
- Learn more about SEO.
As you can see, some of these will be quick and simple, and others will be more involved. Each week I will schedule activities that will assist me in the more complex goals (like writing posts, SEO, and strength training). Does this make sense? It may seem like a bit of work, but once you are in the habit of writing these down and planning your month and week, it all starts to flow nicely.
Now, what about you? Are you ready to set goals and crush the year? Let’s do this together.
