Vacations Blog

Beautiful Percheron Horses

“Dashing through the snow, in a two-horse open sleigh …”

Well, we did have to diverge from the song a bit on our recent winter sleigh ride. Our group of 20 couldn’t be pulled by a single horse, even a single 2300 pound Percheron. But what a magnificent ride they gave.

Brandt’s have been doing horse drawn wagon and sleigh rides for years. With temps just above zero, we bundled up on the sleigh, sang some songs and enjoyed a smooth ride through the woods east of Antigo, WI.

Family Enjoying a Sleigh Ride

The ride includes a stop to make a big fire in the woods where we heated up some soup, cooked hot dogs on a stick and passed a few bottles of wine and whiskey to warm our innards.

Brandt’s takes reservations and the father-daughter team are great about answering questions, adjusting the ride to suit your needs and giving all the little ones a turn to hold the reins where they also get a view of these giant Percheron horses.

It’s a semi-annual tradition for my family and one that I’m sure will continue.

Kettle Bowl Ski Hill

This Christmas, I was lucky enough to take my daughters to what absolutely has to be the world’s greatest family ski hill. It’s called Kettlebowl and it’s located near my hometown – Antigo, WI.

For little ones learning to ski, from age about 3 to teens, there can be no better spot on earth. Run by volunteers of the Langlade County Ski Club, it is amazingly affordable ($4 adults, $2 children over 6). The affordability extends to the food as well – if you spend more than $6 on lunch, you must be really hungry.

Kettle Bowl Chalet

View from the top

The 200 foot vertical drop hill is open when snow is available and school is not in session, usually weekends and holidays from Christmas or mid-January through March. It’s very family oriented so there are many parents out teaching their kids. Its common to see any adult helping out any little kid who has fallenwhether they know them or not.

My four-year-old mastered the rope tow in about an hour. My six-year-old advanced from the “baby” hill to the “bunny” hill, and could go up and down all by herself without Dad having to be there at all. The self-confidence and feeling of independence this gave her was amazing. Kettlebowl is not like most hills where the kids first learn the magic carpet and then have a whole new set of challenges with the chair lifts, which are usually too tall for them to get on and off. Each hill is just a little bigger and each tow rope just a little faster. My 10 year old nephew loved that he could leave his Dad behind and go anywhere he wanted on any of the 10 runs, except the one called “Face” which is still too hard for him – so he still has something to grow towards.

My little ones in 2006

In 2006 the Langlade County Ski Club did a fund raiser to build a new chalet and upgrade some of the rope tows to have electric motors as the power source. Previously the power source had been old farm tractors (I’m not kidding).

We made two days of skiing on a short trip home and I think that was the best present Santa brought.

If you live in central Florida, you know that it is not 90 degrees for 12 months out of the year.  However, if you live anywhere else in the world, you’ll mistakenly assume that the “Welcome To The Sunshine State” signs are sincere and equates to tropical paradise even in the dead of winter.

You have only to visit Florida’s famed Daytona Beach between October and March to realize the error of your thinking.

While even northern tourists will find it much too cold to swim in the Atlantic during the colder months, the beach is still a great place to find fun and relaxation.

How can you possibly enjoy coastal Daytona Beach with all of your clothes on?

Take A Walk Along Daytona Beach

Take a walk.

Sure, it sounds cliche.  But kick off your shoes, roll up your pants, and stroll along the edge where the tide changes its mind over and over again and you’ll soon understand how long walks on the beach became a romance movie staple.

It feels good.  It’s relaxing.  It’s cheap and easy entertainment for the kids that makes for very impressive pictures to take home.  Time flies by and before you know it’s time for everyone to head to bed, the sun and wind having sapped your children’s will to argue.

If you get tired of staring at the endless stretch of white sand, rolling waves and disturbingly unaware birds, Daytona Beach pier and boardwalk area offers slightly more commercial attractions as well.

A small amusement park provides the opportunity to have yourself shot into the air at a freakishly fast speed via The Slingshot for $25 per person, per ride.  A two story strip mall (it is still Florida) offers tourist style shopping and Starbucks as well as several themed restaurants.

But perhaps the most unique experience at Daytona Beach that can be enjoyed year round is the sea chairs ride out over the pier and the water.

Daytona Beach Sea Chairs

It’s an old, rustic attraction that scares the crap out of some people.  But if you’re a fan of nostalgia and old fashioned charm, a tour along the skyline trolley is a true can’t miss.

And if you ride in December, for Pete’s sake, bring a jacket!

All pictures taken by Britt Reints.

There is a lot to do in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia. Many tourist activities center on Fredericksburg’s Colonial and Civil war past. These also tend to be outdoors. If your family vacation lands you in town on a foul weather day, all is not lost. I’ve spent many cold and rainy days in Fredericksburg and there are plenty of ways to keep the kids entertained. Here are a few of my favorite kid-friendly inside activities.

Riverside Center Children’s Theatre

One of our wintertime favorites, the Riverside Center Children’s Theatre is an excellent place to spend the morning. They offer kid-friendly shows and bag lunches every Saturday and additional performances on select Tuesdays and Thursdays. The dress code is casual; jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers are recommended. This is a place where children are encouraged to feel comfortable and enjoy the show. Performances start after lunch and they are around 90 minutes in length.

Admission is $16 and includes lunch and the show. Tickets must be reserved in advance.

The Bug Box in Fredericksburg, Virginia

The Bug Box

The Bug Box is a small building but if you are driving by you won’t miss it. Inside they have organized the small space into an insect cornucopia packed full of fun and learning for all ages. Divided up into habits, they have live insects, spiders, crustaceans and amphibians on display in their insect zoo. The gift shop, The Hornets Nest, is full of bug related items. There is also a quiet area to color bug pictures and play Geo Safari or bug themed computer games. I’m just going to say it…the place is crawling with fun.

Admission is $2 per person.

Paragon Training Center

If the school-age kids are climbing the walls and you need a break, Paragon Training Center offers an open gym on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Here the little monsters can literally climb the wall in their rock-climbing area, play supervised games, or try out the gymnastics equipment while you go and have a quiet dinner or enjoy a few hours of childfree shopping. They also offer a homeschool open gym from 1-4 on the first and third Friday of the month.

Open Gym Fee $10-$15 per child. Homeschool Open Gym $6 per child.

The Fredericksburg Ice Park Logo resembles a tooth!

Fredericksburg Ice Park

From a distance the logo for the Fredericksburg Ice Park looks a lot like a tooth. That’s why my children didn’t want to visit when they first opened. Who wants to visit a cold dentist? After explaining that the logo was a polar bear, they were all for it and we had a lot of fun teetering around the rink. Ice-skating is good exercise and a fun way to spend a few hours. I wish we had time to do it more often.

The Fredericksburg Ice Park has public skating seven days a week but times vary so you check the website or call ahead for the schedule. Rink Fees are $5 Monday-Friday morning, $8 Friday night-Sunday. Skate rental is $2.

Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop

Tucked on the corner behind a tree and sporting an unusual flag, Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary Shop is a step back in time. Dressed in period attire the assistant will suggest remedies for common ailments and show you the tools of the trade in the back room. If you’re lucky, they’ll have a fresh jar of leeches. Don’t forget to go upstairs and powder your wig when you are done.

Admission $5 adults, $1.50 Children 6-12, No charge for children under 6.

All photos by Sherry Roberts

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

Looking for a certain je ne sais quoi for your next Las Vegas vacation? Luckily the era of themed resorts added a little French to the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Whether planning a risqué weekend with a partner or a rendezvous with family and friends, the centerpiece of a French inspired vacation is Paris Las Vegas. The resort, along with a variety of French restaurants and stage productions on The Strip, offer vacationers who can’t afford a trip to Paris a taste of the famed City of Light with the added excitement of Sin City, of course.

Upon arrival at the 2,915 room Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino the essence of Paris is overwhelming apparent as the front facade of the elaborate and luxurious structure is designed to emulate elements of the Paris Opera House and the Louvre. Its architecture also incorporates many of the famous sights of Paris, including a 540-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, now a signature of the LasVegas Skyline, a neon sign in the shape of the Montgolfier balloon, a two-thirds size Arc de Triomphe and a La Fontaine des Mers. This picturesque resort is sure to make any vacationer utter “c’est magnifique!”

The Eiffel Tower
Start your vacation on a high note with a trip up the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget your camera because the observation deck provides extraordinary views up and down the Las Vegas Strip and a 360° panorama of the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Tickets may be purchased at the Eiffel Tower Box Office located inside the casino. The cost is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors 65 and older and children 6-12; free for children younger than 5. From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when the Las Vegas Strip lights up, admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children. Family packages (two adults and two children) are available for $30 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Las Vegas Strip north from the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

A Culinary Adventure
If you’re like me, you’re really into food. Paris Las Vegas’ restaurants turn vacationers into the bon vivant with an offering of everything from the classical French cuisine to the Pan Asian Parisian.

Popular for its al fresco dining, with an up close view of the impressive Fountains of Bellagio, Mon Ami Gabi French Bistro offers a simplistic French menu with everything from traditional Hors D’Oeuvres to Steak Frites. The restaurant’s desserts, including profiteroles and crème brûlée, are awe inspiring. A children’s menu offers a number of kid-friendly meals, including macaroni and cheese and burgers.

Reservations at Mon Ami Gabi are highly recommended for indoor seating. Unfortunately, seats on the patio are first-come, first-serve. Since they are highly sought by guests, a request may result in a long wait as guest tend to stay a while. Of course, who can blame them for enjoying a café au lait and the stunning view after their meal?

Another great restaurant with al fresco dining is Ah Sin, offering an Asian Fusion menu with a diverse collection of flavors and cooking techniques from the Pacific Rim. Reservations are recommended for both patio and indoor dining.

You’ll say “bon appetite” as you make a toast to the dazzling lights 100 feet below your table at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Located on the 11th floor of the iconic structure, the restaurant is fine dining with view. The restaurant serves the most acclaimed French cuisine available in the city, including a flawlessly seasoned lamb and foie gras that’s unrivaled. To ensure a seat with the best view, reservations are required.

It’s all about great food and ambiance at the two-story, art deco inspired Les Artistes Steakhouse. The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers a variety of specialties, including grilled rack of lamb, a 50-ounce porterhouse steak, and roasted whole Maine lobster and tasty poultry dishes. Reservations at Les Artiste Steakhouse are recommended.

In all, Paris Las Vegas offers 11 dining options, from the low-cost, no-frills to the epicurean experience. There are also a variety of French restaurants in the Las Vegas resort corridor, including Daniel Boulud Brasserie at Wynn, Alizé at the Palms, Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay, Joël Robuchon at the Mansion at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio, and finally the famous Pamplemousse, located at 400 E. Sahara Avenue.

No matter your appetite, you’re sure to find the right French meal for the occasion.

Bring on the Night
After the sun sets behind the Spring Mountains to the west and the neon glows, Paris Las Vegas’ nighttime establishments come to life. From the ultra-chic Risqué Nightclub, to the charming Le Cabaret lounge to the lively Napoleon’s Bar, guests are sure to find the right setting for an all night vacation celebration.

Paris Las Vegas’ location at the center of the LasVegas Strip also provides for easy travel to city’s most popular nightclubs, including Pure at Caesar’s Palace, LAX at Luxor, Tao at the Venetian and Tryst at Wynn. Take a taxi, limo, the Las Vegas Monorail or a walk along the Strip to find your ultimate party spot.

And who can forget the shows of Cirque du Soleil. Okay, the shows are not a product of France, but Canada’s Quebec province, so they are still essentially French. There are now six Cirque du Soleil shows at various hotels in Las Vegas: O at Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, Ka at MGM Grand, Zumanity at New York-New York, Love at the Mirage and the newest show, Criss Angel’s Believe. Tickets for these shows are expensive, but well worth the money.

From the street, the 540-foot Eiffel Tower extends into the clouds.

The Spa Treatment
After a night out, a spa treatment at Paris Las Vegas’ Spa by Mandara provides the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. Massages and facials, as well as other beautification packages are available. For folks not willing to skip their fitness routine, the spa also features a fully equipped fitness center, personal training and steam and saunas rooms.

Clifton, Ohio

I can think of countless ways to usher in the Holiday Season, but none better than a Christmas Lighting Extravaganza.  Couple over 3.5 million lights with the gorgeous backdrop of Clifton Gorge and the Little Miami River at Clifton Mill and your Holiday Season can officially be declared as having begun.  Clifton Mill has been celebrating the Christmas season for almost 20 years with an extraordinary lighting display that takes a crew of six roughly 3 months to set up.

The Mill is located at 75 Water St. in Clifton, Ohio just 9 miles south of Springfield.  Follow OH-72 south (Exit 54) off of Interstate 70 and you can’t miss the Mill on your right.  Parking is free.  Gates open daily at 5pm.  Admission is $8 (children 6 and younger are free).

The weekends are definitely the busiest time, so you may want to keep that in mind when visiting.  Loosely translated, you will have a much more relaxed and leisurely visit if you can swing a trip during the week.  This is really important when you travel, as I do, with a horde of small children.  The area is accessible to strollers but they are not allowed in some of the buildings.

Clifton Mill Lighted for Christmas

The lights go on at 6:00 pm with the flip of a single switch.  It’s absolutely amazing to see the darkened gorge and mill come to life with the brilliant lights.  A definite, “Ooh” and “Ahhh” moment.  My kids often prefer to just scream, “WOW!!!”  There’s even a synchronized light show set to music.  Each hour the lights go out leaving visitors standing in the darkness and slowly they dance back to life as music echoes through the gorge.  It’s captivating, really!

While at the Mill you’ll want to check out the Santa Claus museum, home to over 3000 Santas and Santa memorabilia, the Miniature Village and the spectacular views from the Covered Bridge which spans the gorge and river below.  Concession style meals are served (soups, hot dogs, hot chocolate, cookies) during the evening.

Hours of operation for the lighting display are from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  The display starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs every night until January 1st, closing at 8pm on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Eve.

The Waterfall at Clifton Mill

I suggest, though, that a trip to Clifton Mill should encompass the whole day.  The Millrace Restaurant located inside of the Mill is open for breakfast and lunch 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.  There’s no better way to start your day than with a stack of fresh pancakes.  The flour, of course, was milled fresh on the premises probably just hours earlier. (Normally closing at 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm on weekends, the restaurant observes abbreviated hours during the Christmas lighting season.)  Afterward, you may wish to tour the mill, which boasts itself as the largest water powered grist mill still in operation in America, for a firsthand look at one of America’s earliest industries.

You’ll have plenty of time in the afternoon to do some antiquing at Weber’s Antique Mall in Clifton or maybe just a leisurely hike at nearby Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve.  It offers incredible views of the gorge from several bridges and platforms.  If you’re looking for a truly unique gift idea or collectible check out The Fish Decoy Company on the corner of Dayton St. and OH-72.

Clifton Mill Overlooking the Gorge

After having explored Clifton’s charm you’ll have plenty of time to make it back to the Mill, grab a cup of hot chocolate and welcome the Christmas Season with the Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill.

Photos courtesy of Clifton Mill website and Bret Arnett (creative commons).