On September 5, 2019, the school year started much like the prior years. The boys got up, I made them a special breakfast (one of the few times I do make breakfast), and I had them hold up signs telling the world what grade they were attending this year. However, this year was different. This year, I have a senior in high school. It would be the first of many lasts throughout the year. This would be the last “first day of school” photo he would take. It would be the last first day of school photo he takes with his brother. In 235 days, he will cross the football field and receive his diploma. In a year, he may be a few hours away from home enjoying college life. How did this happen?
On December 2, 2001, I held my sweet boy for the first time and thought of this day. I remember thinking, wow, he will graduate in 2020, thirty years from the day I graduated high school. I quickly pushed the thought aside. I mean come on, 2020 is so far away. It will be an eternity before it gets here. Not so much. Here we are 235 days until graduation.
I was lucky, both my boys were great sleepers. I never had those neverending nights that I wished would end. I did not wish away the infant stage. I mourned each stage as it ended. Yes, even the stage when my kid was a total jerk! He had his moments. Never mind the terrible twos, we had the f***ing fours! Even then, I never wished the days away. Now here we are, 235 days until graduation.
Robbie is our first, and the only one for almost four years. On October 19, 2005, he became a big brother to Nicholas. I want to say it was love at first sight, but this picture says otherwise.
Robbie enjoyed being the big brother. He had someone to share his childhood with and someone to boss around. There was a time where the boys did nothing but fight. It was terrible. However, now, I can say they are each other’s best friend. They share the same love and passion for sports. Nicholas looks up to his big brother, and Robbie thinks Nicholas is the smartest person he knows. The boys spend a lot of their free time together. Nicholas misses Robbie when he is away. It will be an adjustment for both of them. They have never been apart for more than a week at a time. My heart aches for them. Sigh…235 days until graduation.
Over the years, we have taken the boys on lots of vacations. I intended to show them as much of the world as I could before they left for school. There have been multiple trips to Cape Cod, New York, North Carolina, Washington, DC, Walt Disney World, Aruba, Disney cruises, Canada, Alaska, Europe, and more. When I look to the future, I see trips that include only three of us, not four of us like that past 14 years. We have less than a year to squeeze in as many family vacations as we can before other priorities take hold of our boy. He has only 235 days until graduation.
I look at my son, and I can’t help to think of my Mom. She adored this boy and thought he could do no wrong. They had an extremely close relationship. When she passed away five years ago, he was devastated. She was his biggest champion. She was to help guide him through these teen years. There was a time I was so afraid he would not get past her death. Well, he did, and I believe it is because she has been with him the whole time. In 235 days, she will be right by his side as he receives his diploma. In 235 days, I will whisper, “He did it, Mom.”
We are now in our second full month of school. We have a few more college visits planned. Robbie has retaken the SAT and started the application process. I thought I was doing okay. Then last Saturday night I received an e-mail with his senior photos. Once again, I was reminded 235 days until graduation.
#DONTBLINK
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, the different colors across the trees, the smell of apples, and pumpkin spice. I mean, what is there not to like? Growing up in New England, I have been blessed with some beautiful Falls. New England has a LOT to offer this time of year, and I would like to share some of these with you.
Apple Picking
One of our family traditions is apple picking. With over 80 pick your own orchards in Massachusetts, each a bit different, it is hard to decide where to go. We have a family favorite, Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stowe, MA.
We like Honey Pot for several reasons. First, the orchard has several varieties of apples. The orchard is quite large, and we never feel it is too crowded. Second, it is one of the few places that have ladders to climb the trees. I love that! For some reason, it makes a bit more fun and authentic. Third, APPLE CIDER DONUTS! Hello?!? These donuts melt in your mouth. Now I know many places sell them, but nothing compares to the ones we get at Honey Pot Hill Orchards. The orchard has farm animals, hayrides, three different mazes, pumpkins, a great farm store, and some food stands. New this year, a Cider Garden. They will be a Hard Cider Tent set up on the weekends. We are looking forward to trying that out.
cider donuts -photo courtesy of Honey Pot 
cute little pig – courtesy of Honey Pot
Go Leaf Peeping
The foliage in New England is GORGEOUS! Whether you want to make this a day trip or a weekend-long event, there is plenty of foliage to see among the New England states. Check out the best foliage drives here.
Pumpkin Festival
Did you know that Laconia, NH, has one of the best pumpkin festivals in the country? Neither did I until I started researching for this piece. Each year, New Hampshire residents attempt to amass the largest number of lit jack o lanterns in one place, trying to meet or beat the world record, which the festival held for many years. The festival held mid-October attracts approximately 40,000-50,000 people each year. This year it will be held October 18th and 19th. There will be amusement park rides, a beer garden, music on the streets, a zombie walk, pumpkin displays, yummy food, which of course includes pumpkin everything and a five and a 10k on the morning of the 19th. Also, there are children’s games like pedal tractor pulls, corn hole, and more. There is fun for the whole family. We will be in Maine that weekend visiting colleges, so I am sad we are unable to attend. However, I will be sure to add it to my list for the following year.
The North American Wife Carrying Championship
Yes, folks, you heard it right. Such a thing exists! Sunday River in Maine is the second largest ski resort in New England. It is also home to The North American Wife Carrying Championship. This annual event is held over Columbus Day Weekend. Ironically, it does not have to be your wife that gets carried across a 278-yard obstacle course. It can be any woman of your choosing. The woman is thrown over the man’s shoulder. She is hauled across the course with her legs wrapped around a man’s neck and her arms around his waist. The obstacle course is made up of mud, logs, dirt, deep grass, and water, where her head is bound to get wet. A Finnish couple has won the event since 2013. This event coincides with the ski resort’s annual festival with chairlifts rides, live bands, food & beer tents and craft fairs.
4th Annual Harvest Festival at the Newport Vineyards
Newport is a seaside town in Rhode Island known for its historic mansions and sailing history. It hosted America’s Cup for many years. Next to Newport is the town of Middleton, home to Newport Vineyards. In addition to being a winery, Newport Vineyard has a brewery that offers fresh craft beer and a farm to table focused menu. There are events such as
This two-day event is Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th from noon -5:00 pm. It is two days of grape stomping (yes you read that right), sipping delicious wine or beer and eating delectable food. Or perhaps you are a pie lover? There is a pie-eating contest too! The cost of the event is $25.00 per person and includes up to 7 samplings of wine or beer. Children under 15 are free.
Viewing Foliage from High Above the Trees
For the adventurous leaf peepers, Connecticut offers a unique way to see the beauty that a New England Fall has to offer. Tree climbing, ziplining, and adrenaline-pumping rock climbing is some of the ways to take in vibrant hues of the season. Empower Leadership
Hiking with the Family
Not to be missed is the beautiful state of Vermont. Vermont is known for its yummy maple syrup and over 100 19th century covered bridges. It is also a great place to take a hike and see the beauty of The Green Mountain State. We are not that family that can hike for hours. Yes, I can run a marathon, but hiking up mountains for hours is not in the cards. However, we do love the outdoors and seeing the beauty around us. Here are 5 Kid-Friendly Hikes for your family to enjoy.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a hot vacation spot in the summer, but did you know that the Fall is one of the best times to visit this New England gem. The crowds are low, but a fair amount of restaurants are still open. House rentals are often half the price, and the beaches are there for all to enjoy. My sister and her husband head down the last week of September each year. Last September we tagged along for a weekend. We enjoyed hanging at the house, walking to the beach and a tour to see the seals that gather each year in Chatham, MA. I highly recommend the Monomoy Island Excursion. It is quite the site to see.
Salem, Massachusetts
The best place to be around Halloween, is Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is North of Boston and is famous for its witch trials in the 1600s. There are over 500 different events during October to
- Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour Salem Witch Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Halloween Cruises
- Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours
- The People vs Bridget Bishop
- Gallows Hill
- Salem Witch Museum
- Salem Wax Museum
Oh, and before you leave, make sure to stop by Enchanted. It is a magical shop for “witches & muggles” It is home to Laurie Cabot, Salem’s official witch. You can read about Laurie here.
Last, but certainly not least, Sitting by the Fire
Probably one of my absolute favorite things to do in the Fall, sitting out on the patio, cuddled up by the fire enjoying the cool, but pleasant weather. As New Englanders, we need to enjoy this season much as we can because we all know what comes after Fall.
Whoa is it just me or did this summer go by in a blink of an eye? I can’t believe Labor Day weekend has come and gone. Crazy! Thankfully, Fall is my favorite time of year, and we have a lot to look forward to over the next 3-4 months. However, before we bid farewell to summer, I thought I would recap our adventures.
The summer started with a Memorial Day weekend trip out to Chicago with my sisters. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, staying long enough to attend a baby shower, spend some time with family and to experience the Chocolate Pinata from Uncle Julio’s.
Chocolate Pinata 
Kristen & Dick Tracy
Back at home, more celebrating as our nephew Josh graduated high school and Robbie and I went on some college visits. Oh, and Nicholas and I started our ice cream tour. 🙂
Josh’s graduation 
Robbie @Nichols College 
Ice cream time!
The summer continued with me heading down to Orlando for a work conference. I stayed at Universal Studios for the first time, and though the weather was terrible, I was able to try some local treats.
The Chocolate Emporium 
Hello?? Chocolate & Peanut Butter 
Chocolate martini anyone?
And I wonder why I gained a few pounds this summer?
At the end of the month, our travels took us to West Dennis Beach and Provincetown, MA. P-town is located at the tip of the Cape. My sister had a family wedding and needed someone to her little guy. My other sister and I, along with my kids, got and kept JJ overnight. We took in some of the local sites as well.
West Dennise Beach 
Cousins-minus one 
Always fun with Auntie Jen 
“Living” Statute
June came to a close and the 4th of July was upon us. Every July 3rd, we head over to Gilette Stadium,
My bib. 
It is all about the bling. 
Baby you’re a firework!
I feel blessed to live in such a great area of the country. Yes, it gets warm and can be stifling, but it rarely lasts more than a few days. The weather is great for hanging at the beach or exploring our cute seaside towns. We can watch movies outside while enjoying some yummy meals.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts 
Lobster Salad 
Halloween in July! 
Lobster Mac & Cheese 
Raspberry Lime Rickey 
Marblehead Harbor 
Rock sandwich anyone? 
Deveraux Beach 
Do it for Johnny 
Dinner and a show
Ahhh, Topsail Island, you own a piece of my heart. Five years ago we started spending part of our summer on this little piece of paradise. After taking a couple of years off to sail to Alaska and the Mediterranean, we went back. This time it was Nicholas and I, along with a friend and her family. Bill and Robbie chose not to come due to work obligations. The vacation started a bit rough as I had some sciatic nerve pain and numbness in my foot. The 16-hour drive was brutal. We stopped in VA overnight, but that was not enough time to recoup. The remaining 5 hours was horrible. Each morning I could not sit until I had taken 4 Motrin and 2 Aleve. Even then, I could not sit for long periods. However, I made the most of it and enjoyed our time on the island. We spent plenty of time on the beach, went to a craft show, ate out, explored the island, and found fresh farm goods, explored Bellamy Mansion, and did an Escape Room.
Our backyard 
Surf City Pier 
Nicholas met a friend. 
SHARK!! 
God Bless America 
Fresh jam and maple syrup 
Slave quarters at the Bellamy House 
Escape room 
Our home for the week.
The drive home was a tad better. I made sure to stop and stretch every two hours. Nicholas and I treated ourselves to a stay at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. I was a bit sore, but we did take some time to eat and snap a few photos.
Virginia is for lovers. 
Girl Power! 
A Marine like his Grandfather.
Back home, Robbie was busy at his new job and spending lots of time with his grandfather. I missed having my boy with me, but I understand that he has obligations, and I am proud of him.
We had a couple of weekends home before our next adventure, so we stayed closed at home. I worked on my 2018 vacation scrapbook. I am happy to report I finished that. I read a couple of books, and we went blueberry picking. Nicholas attended camp at a local college. For three weeks he took Fishing, Forensics, Chemistry, and Wildnerness Exploration. He has participated in this camp for three years in a row and looks forward to it each year.
Bill and Nicholas picking blueberries 
Yummy blueberries 
Forensics 
Gone Fishing
No sooner did he finish camp up at home, we were on a flight to Huntsville, AL where Nicholas was to attend a week at Space Camp at the U.S. Rocket and Space Center. I will be doing a separate post on this, with help from Nicholas, so be on the lookout for that. Nicholas stayed onsite at the camp, while I worked out of a hotel for a week. I spent some time walking the grounds of the Space and Rocket Center each morning and afternoon. I also checked out the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Challenger Monument 
Where the campers stay. 
Having fun! 
Botanical Garden
Phew.. after a whirlwind trip back home, we had a half a day to recoup and then it was all about celebrating this cutie. Our nephew John Joseph, IV (JJ) turned one year old!
Finally, we ended our summer at the most magical place on Earth, Disney World. Be on the lookout for more on this trip, but it was an adventure. It involved a hurricane, a journey to a Galaxy Far, Far Away, club level at the Beach Club, walking onto rides with little to no waits, a Halloween party and more. What a way to end the summer!
Jessie & Woody 
Haunted Mansion 
The famous Blue Milk! 
Mickey blowing kisses 
My boy 
Kylo Ren’s ship 
Magic Shot
No wonder the summer went by in a blink, we were go, go go Were there things on our bucket list that we did not get to do? Yep! Fortunately, these are things that can be carried over to the Fall. Speaking of Fall, I am working on a post about the top 10 things to do in the Fall in New England. I will also be sharing my bucket list for the remainder of the year.
Until then,
Heather
Last week I shared a Summer Bucket List of Ideas for Teens. It consists of a list of things I would like to do with my boys this summer. In addition to that list, I have created my own bucket list. Though I adore being with the kids, I have my own list of things I would like to accomplish this summer. Some involve them and some do not. Believe it or not kids, this Mom has her own life! Now before I dive into my list, I want to explain why I have a bucket list.
A few years ago, I was asked this very question, why a bucket list? Why do you feel the need to plan every moment of your life? Well, besides the fact I am a Type A personality, there is research that shows how beneficial a bucket list can be. A bucket list can help create a fulfilling life. It is essential to take time for things that we enjoy doing. Fitting in things like vacations and hobbies bring happiness and satisfaction in our lives. It makes life FUN! By fitting these things into our every day, we reduce stress and enhance our lives. Less stress??? Sign me up!
Here are the top things I want to accomplish this summer.
- PR in a 10k race.
- Road trip with the family.
- Finish my 2018 scrapbooks.
- Date night with the hubby and friends in the North End.
- Visit the new wax museum in Boston.
- Hit the beach at least every other weekend.
- Read six novels before Labor Day Weekend.
- Girl’s night once a month.
- Try the Alice Tea Room at Patriot Place.
- Visit some local craft fairs.
- Attend the Scrapbooking Expo in New Hampshire.
- Try a new restaurant twice a month.
- Freedom Trail Tour in Boston.
- Food Tour in Boston.
- Water Fires in Providence.
- Stay club level at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
There you have it, my 2019 Summer Bucket List. Between this list and the one I did for the boys, it is jammed packed with activities. Will we do them all? Maybe not, but it will be fun trying. Now tell me, what is on your summer bucket list? Post a comment here or hop on over to one of my social media pages and let me know. Happy Summer!
Ahhh.. we had our first real taste of summer this weekend. I am so excited for the season. The days are longer, our schedules are relaxed and we live life at a different pace. The kids are out of school in a few short weeks and it is time for me to create my summer bucket list.
When my boys were small, I had an endless list of things I wanted to accomplish over the summer. It would include play dates at the playground, a day at a spray park, the children’s museum, etc. Now that R&N are 18 and 14, it gets a bit harder to come up with something that we would all enjoy. It is not impossible, but it takes a bit more planning and in some cases more money. Below are some ideas I have planned for my boys and I would love to hear your own ideas.
- Hit the beach! We get up early, spend most of the day at the beach, have a yummy dinner, and hit an ice cream shop on our way home.
- Try a different ice cream shop each week. We love ice cream, and though we have our favorites, we want to explore and see what else is out there.
- Attend a professional sporting event, like a baseball game or soccer match. I see a visit to Fenway Park in the future.
- Be a tourist in your own capital city. This summer we plan on walking the Freedom Trail with the boys. We also want to check out the new wax museum and a few new restaurants that have opened up in town.
- Go for a hike.
- Have a family movie night outside. Rent a projector, set up a white sheet as a screen, make some popcorn and you are good to go.
- Attend a firework show. Every July 3rd, my family gathers at Gillette Stadium for the local fireworks put on by the Kraft family. Harvard Pilgrim puts on a 5 and 10k race, Finish at the 50, on the same night. I run the race, my family cheers me on and then we stay to watch the fireworks. We set up a picnic, meet friends, and ring in the 4th a day early.
- Visit an amusement or water park.
- Buy a metal detector and go hunting. My son received one as a birthday gift and we plan to use it this summer.
- Volunteer. This summer I am looking for someplace to take my boys to volunteer for the day.
- Take a road trip.
- Get a job. This applies to my 17-year-old, but with college around the corner, it is a good one.
- S’mores over a firepit.
- Spend time with extended family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
- Go to the drive-in movies.
These are just some of the ideas I have jotted down. Ultimately, each summer the list gets a bit longer and we never accomplish it all. However, as I look at it, we are never bored.
Tune in next week when I share what it is on my personal summer bucket list. Yes, I have one for me and one for the boys. Until next time, happy planning!
Before the start of our Alaskan cruise, we spent two days in Vancouver, BC, exploring. One of the things on our to-do list was a whale watch. We went back and forth on whether to do one in Vancouver or wait until we were in one of the Alaskan ports. We ultimately decided on Vancouver.
I booked the trip through Viator.com. Viator is a marketplace for tours. We used them for a couple of other tours with great success. The cost of the tour was roughly $100.00 per person. It included pick up and drop off at our hotel, bottled water, and snacks. The whale watch itself was to last anywhere between 3-5 hours, depending on the whales.
The tour left from Steveston, a little fishing village, 40 minutes away in the city of Richmond.
In addition to being a little fishing village, Steveston has been the site for various television shows and movies, such as The X-files, Godzilla, and Power Rangers. You may also know it by its other name, Storybrooke. Yes, this was the onsite location for Disney’s hit show Once Upon a Time.
We arrived in this quaint village, checked into our tour and was given some whale watching gear to put on. I must admit, I felt like Gorton the Fisherman!
The boat was a high-speed zodiac vessel. Let me tell you, this boat could move! After we went over a safety drill, we were off. As we were leaving the harbor, we saw this beauty.
The boat took us through the Strait of Georgia all the way down to the San Juan island, which are part of the State of Washington back in the United States. We spent a fair amount of time sailing the strait. Here we saw seals, beautiful scenery and a humpback whale.
After seeing the humpbacks, our guide received a call that there was a pod of Orcas further south. He sped the boat along and we were cruising at a pretty good clip. Soon we were back in the good old USA, off the coast of Bellingham, WA. Here we saw, what we all had been waiting for, Orcas.
Unfortunately, the whales did not breach, so this is all we saw. The photos do not do these creatures justice. I was mesmerized watching them swim across the water.
Our ride back to the port was just as pretty. We continued to see the stunning coastline and islands that make up this beautiful area of the world.
When all was said and done, the tour was about 5 hours. It was a great place to do a whale watch and I would recommend it. I wished we had spent a little more time in town, but we had dinner reservations and tickets to a show over at Canada Place. Next time we will know better.
Prior to our Alaskan cruise, we spent a couple of days in Vancouver, BC. Vancouver is a beautiful city, rich in culture with plenty to do. The morning of our cruise we ventured out to Grouse Mountain and had breakfast with the bears.
Grouse Mountain is located 15 mins from downtown Vancouver. It overlooks this beautiful city. In the summertime, there are numerous activities for people of all ages to do. The mountain offers zip lining, hiking, heli-tours, tandem paragliding, mountain biking and more. For the less adventurous, there are ranger talks, a sky ride to the top, world famous lumberjack show, birds in motion show, an owl show, guided hikes, fine dining, and the ever favorite Breakfast with the Bears.
Honestly, when I booked the breakfast, I did not take the time to research what else there was to do on the mountain I wish I had. There is so much to do, and I wish we had saved it for after our cruise. The day we went, we only had enough time for breakfast.
We started the morning by taking the Skyride 2800 feet up toward the top of the mountain. The mountain is just over 4,000 feet, so about three-quarters of the way up, is where the bear habitat and other activities can be found.
When we arrived, we followed the bear paws toward the bear habitat.
Along the way, we saw these wood sculptures. There are 31 of these sculptures in all. Each was carved from dead standing trees found in British Columbia. The 31 carvings are called the Tribute to the Forest. They are quite stunning.
As we headed toward the bear habitat, we met up with our ranger. He took us over and introduced us to Grinder and Coola.
Both bears are orphans. Grinder was found roaming the roads back in 2001. His mother was nowhere to be seen and he was clearly malnourished. Coola was only one of three cubs that survived after his mother was hit and killed by a truck. The bears were brought to Grouse Mountain, where they are safe and secure.
After learning the history of the bears, how they spend their days and had the opportunity to ask questions, it was off to the Grizzly Lookout Cafe for a “beary” good breakfast.
Photo Courtesy of Grouse Mountain 
Photo Courtesy of Grouse Mountain 
Photo Courtesy of Grouse Mountain
Nicholas eating his breakfast with his bear ears.
The cafe overlooked the bear habitat. The menu had both cold and hot options. There was Candied and Smoked Salmon, Red Onions, Capers, Crème fraîche Brown, White, Multigrain and Gluten Free Breads, Assorted Muffins & Pastries – including Bear Claws Assorted Cereals and Granola“Beary” Yogurt, Milk and Honey Forest Apple Crumble, Fresh Cut Fruit Salad and Coastal “Bearies”. As for hot food, the menu included Coola Pancakes, Honey Butter, Grouse Mountain Syrup ,Grinder ,“Bearioche” French Toast, West Coast “Bluebeary” Preserve, Scrambled Eggs, Braised Beef and Root Vegetable Hash, Bratwurst and Smoked Bacon Hash Browns. There was plenty of coffee, tea, milk, and juice. The food was delicious and the visit with the bears was even better. If you are ever in the Vancouver area, I highly recommend it. I know when we go back, we plan on taking advantage of everything the mountain has to offer.
The last couple of weeks my son, Robbie, and I have been on several college tours. Robbie is a junior and just recently, has shown interest in the whole college process. Last month he had met with his guidance counselor and had a chat about what he wanted to study. Now, up until this point, he had shown very little interest in college, at least to me. He mentioned 3-4 schools to his counselor and said he wanted to study sports management. After doing some research, we narrowed the list down a bit and made some appointments to see the schools.
Since mid-April, we have seen four schools and have three more on our list. This past weekend we were at a university up in New Hampshire for an open house and tour. It is a bit further away and slightly bigger than the other schools. However, from the moment he stepped on the campus, he seemed to fit in. He walked over to the mascot and had his picture taken.
He was engaged during the tour and had a great conversation with members of the sports management department. During our lunch, I asked him what he thought. He told me that this school is now his number one choice.
As we were walking back to the car, I could not help but smile and be excited about what lies ahead for him. At the same time, my eyes filled with tears and my stomach felt like it was in knots. You see, whether he attends this school or another, in a little more than a year, he will be gone. He will be off on this new adventure. It is was at this moment it became clear, he was never mine, to begin with, he was only on loan. I also realized the one thing no one told me when I became a Mom.
It is an exciting time ahead, but there will also be some tears along the way.
Each year I struggle on what to get my husband for his birthday, Christmas and Father’s Day. I, on the other hand, have a running list. LOL! Last Spring was no different, as Father’s Day was coming and I was fresh out of ideas. Then an ad came across my Facebook page. It was from Rail Explorers of America. Their tag line is “Experience the magic of the railway”. I was intrigued. I clicked on the ad and immediately knew this was the perfect gift for Bill.
Rail Explorers is a scenic ride along Aquidneck Island and beautiful Narragansett Bay on custom built pedal-powered vehicles. This particular location offers a couple of different tours. There is the Northern Ramble and the Southern Circuit. The Northern Ramble is a six-mile trek along the bay leaving from Portsmouth, RI. It travels up the island, passing waterfront homes, golf courses, the Newport Preservation Society Topiary garden, and the Audubon Society nature preserve. It is a 2-hour tour. Please note, it is one way. A shuttle bus will bring you back to the station after your ride.
The second tour is the Southern Circuit. This is a six-mile round trip tour. It also starts at the Portsmouth Grove Station and travels south to Bayside Station. Bayside Station is a waterfront picnic area. The trip is 3 miles down and 3 miles back. This is one we chose to do.
So, how does one ride the rails? You ride our own rail explorer of course!
Rail Explorers are pedal-powered rail vehicles. Since 1850, these vehicles have been used by maintenance workers to transport crew and materials along the rails. The tour offers a quad explorer and a tandem explorer. Since we are a family of 4, we chose the quad. The vehicle runs smoothly down the rails. It does take a bit of effort to pedal, but nothing too strenuous. There is a basket to put your belongings. We were not sure what to expect, and it had been raining, so I left my SLR camera at home, nor did we choose to bring a picnic. Though, I was happy to see there was enough space to store these items.
As I said, the ride down was three miles. You are led by a guide and asked to keep 500 feet in between your vehicles. I believe there were ten vehciles in our group. This allows for more a leissurley ride. We were able to slow down, so I could snap some photos.
The weather was less than stellar. It had rained all day and it was a cloudy evening. The views would have been better, had the weather cooperated.
Once at Bayside Station, we exited our vehicles and spent about 20 mins or so enjoying the views. There were Adirondack chairs to use for our viewing pleasure, along with picnic tables to sit and enjoy a picnic dinner.
After about 20 mins, we got back in our vehicles and headed back.
Despite the weather, I highly recommend this adventure. It was a great way to see some of the Rhode Island coast. The price was decent. It was $135.00 for the 2 hours. The whole family agreed we would do it again. This summer we are going to try the Northern Ramble. The company also offers special events. There is Fireside Friday. This a lantern-lit trip, along the Southern Circuit, featuring a bonfire, s’mores and hot apple cider. The cost is $150. 00. Also, featured is a brunch tour with mimosas. Again, you make the trek down to Bayside Station, where you enjoy drinks and pastries. The cost of the brunch is $175.00 for 4 people or $180 to ride tandem.
After our ride, we drove around the corner and had dinner at a local seafood restaurant. It was a perfect way to cap off a great evening.
Not local to Rhode Island? Rail Explorers has locations in Las Vegas, Nevada and The Catskills, NY. I highly recommend checking these out.
Happy Exploring!
Two summers ago, we were fortunate enough to take an Alaskan cruise. We sailed on the Disney Wonder, leaving from Vancouver, British Columbia. To date, it has been one of our favorite vacations. The cruise sailed to Dawes Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. In each port, we did some fantastic adventures, but by far our favorite was the Yukon Discovery and Sled Dog Excursion.
In researching excursions for this trip, I found it was a better deal to book directly with a tour company, rather than through the cruise line. There was a significant price difference, and we traveled with a smaller group. I did my research and ended up using Frontier Excursions and Adventures. We were not disappointed. Our driver met us at the dock and escorted us to a minibus. There were a total of 12 people on the bus. It was perfect. Our guide handed us a map of the road we would be traveling and a list of points of interest we would see along the way. We would be following the Klondike Highway, all the way to Emerald Lake. The road passes through three different provinces/states (Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon). We traveled from Skagway, drove over the White Pass, went alongside the White Pass and Yukon Railway, drove by lakes, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and more. We drove through the rain forest, the tundra, and a desert. We made several stops along the way for photos.
The White Pass Summit is located at the U.S./Canadian border. Our guide pulled over (on our way back to Skagway) and took a photo of each family in front of the Welcome to Alaska sign.
At about mile 15, we crossed the border into British Columbia, Canada, and the landscape changed drastically. This area is known as the Tormented Valley. It is unique, and our guide pointed out that it looked lunar.
As we continued, the road took us around Tutshi Lake for almost 10 miles.
At around mile 50 we crossed over into the Yukon. Once in the Yukon, we drove along Windy Arm, which is part of Tagish Lake. We stopped for photos at Bove Island Viewpoint.
After about 2 hours we made it Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake is the most photographed lake in the Yukon. It is affectionately called the jewel of the Yukon. It was gorgeous. The bluish-green waters are the result of light reflecting off layers of marl (a mixture of calcium carbonate and clay) at the bottom of the lake.
After our visit to Emerald Lake, we headed back down to Skagway. However, we still had a few more places to visit. First, we stopped at Caribou Crossing Trading Post. Caribou Crossing is a great place to visit, have a delicious BBQ lunch, take a dog sled ride, pan for gold and more. Dog sledding was the highlight of the day for this dog loving family.
We enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch, along with the famous grandma’s donuts. After lunch, we were escorted over to attend a Sled Dog 101 presentation. We learned about the history of dog sledding, the athletes and even met a dog or two.
Then we were off to experience our own dog sled ride!
It was a bumpy, but fun ride. These dogs are eager to please and work extremely hard. The ride lasted approximately 15 minutes. Once done, we had a little bit of free time and wandered the property. We played with some puppies and took in the sites. Bill and I spoke to a gentleman about his life in the Yukon. He had moved here from Calgary and loved every moment of it.
Our second stop on the way back to Skagway, was the smallest desert in the world, Carcross Desert. It actually isn’t a desert, but the bed of a glacial lake. It is approximately 1 square mile.
After leaving the desert, we stopped at one of many waterfalls and filled our water bottles up with fresh, cold spring water.
Our last stop before heading back to the ship, the Welcome to Alaska sign of course!
Overall, the journey lasted about 6 hours. Our guide was terrific, and we had great people in our group. I highly recommend Frontier Excursions and Adventures.
