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Eleven Tips for Safe Travel During the Epidemic

Has the recent lockdown made your urge to travel worse than usual? If so, you’re not alone. When Dennis announced that he had a business trip to the University of Cincinnati this past week, I was more than willing to go along. He needed to be there on both Friday and the following Monday, so it made sense to spend the weekend rather than drive the 300 plus miles back and forth a second time.  Rather than stay in Ohio, I thought we could travel a little further south and visit a few places in Kentucky.  Reflecting on our trip, I’ve come up with ten tips for safe travel during the current epidemic.

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Visiting Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Chaco Culture National Historical Park near Farmington, New Mexico, is a place that must be seen to be believed. It’s not easy to get to, but it’s definitely worth the trip. Located in the high desert of Northwest New Mexico, Chaco Culture is the site of the largest buildings built in the United States prior to the 19th century.

In addition to being a national park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the USA’s most important and comprehensive examples of pre-Columbian architecture.  Thousands of people lived and worked in these massive pueblos between 850 and 1250 A.D.  Chaco Canyon was the center of the ancestral Puebloan world with dozens of great houses connected to roads leading to 150 more throughout the region.

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Magic Kingdom Height Requirements

If you’ve been planning the perfect trip, you may wonder if your children are the right age and height to get the most out of Walt Disney World. While the Magic Kingdom and other parks are very family friendly, there are some rides that do have minimum height restrictions to keep guests safe. To help you figure out what your child can and can not ride, I’ve made a list of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom height requirements to make planning easier and to avoid disappointment at the parks.

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Clap When You Land: A Teacher’s Review

During the summer I’m always on the lookout for new books to add to my classroom library. This year, one of the ones I decided to purchase was Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. I hadn’t read much about the book, but someone recommended it on a Facebook teachers group I follow saying it was  a great book with diverse protagonists.  As I’m always looking to expand my students’ horizons and to create empathy for all types of people, I thought it would be worth buying.

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Bandelier National Monument

On our recent New Mexico adventure, one of our first stops was Bandelier National Monument. Bandelier National Monument is 33, 677 acres of national park land located near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The fifty square mile site preserves the ancient dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans who made their homes in and around the canyon in two different eras,  from 1150 to 1600 A.D.

President Wilson designated Bandelier as a national monument in 1916, making it one of the oldest national monuments in the country. With 50 square miles of undeveloped land, 70% of which is wilderness, Bandelier National Monument has over 70 miles of hiking trails.  It’s the perfect spot to explore ancient dwellings and view wildlife all at the same time.

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First Flight Lunar Module in Warren, Ohio

Many of us having been staying close to home lately and exploring sites that are familiar to us. For many years, I’ve passed by a small local monument and never taken the time to stop. This past weekend, Dennis and I had an excellent dinner at Sorrento’s Ristorante, located at 2488 Parkman Road in Warren. After dinner, we decided to check out the small fenced in park across the street. This small park , the First Flight Lunar Module, recognizes Warren native Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.

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Exploring the Ruins of the Southwest

Have you ever been surprised with a weekend getaway? This winter, Meghan and Joe surprised me with a weekend getaway to some of the historic ruins of the Southwest in New Mexico and Colorado.

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Visiting the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado

With recent events, many families are scrapping their summer vacation plans in favor of road trips and outdoor adventures. Luckily, we live in a big country with a variety of landscapes to explore. If you find yourself in Colorado, be sure to check out the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. With its spectacular rock formations, awe-inspiring vistas, and extensive trail system, there’s something for everyone to see and do.

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Aunt Dixie’s Rhubarb Custard Pie

One of my favorite parts about spring is that rhubarb is in season. For as long as I can remember, my parents have had a rhubarb patch in their garden or yard, sometimes two or three. Rhubarb is a plant with huge leaves and reddish green stalks. The leaves are poisonous, but the stalks are edible and oh, so good! When my brothers and I were little, we’d pick rhubarb stalks, snap off the leaves, and just chew on the tart stems. However, rhubarb is even better cooked. I love rhubarb sauce and rhubarb crisp,  but my favorite is rhubarb custard pie. And, my aunt Dixie’s rhubarb pie recipe is the absolute best!

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How to Get the Perfect Magic Kingdom Ride Photos

Guests at Walt Disney World encounter PhotoPass photographers throughout the park. This makes the  Memory Maker package a great investment if you are willing to take the time to stop and pose. But, did you know that the Memory Maker package also includes on-ride photos?  It’s a great way to get those action photos that you would otherwise miss out on. However, the secret to a great photo is knowing where the camera is. Luckily, with some research (both online and in-person), I’ve come up with a list of where the cameras are so you can get the best Magic Kingdom ride photos.

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