Pool in the Caribbean Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos

When I was a kid, our family vacations usually consisted of long car rides and gas station food serving as bookends for a holiday spent with grandparents. In really good years, we got to add state parks or a visit to the regional amusement park to the mix. I was just happy to be out of school and sleeping in a house where I couldn’t get grounded. I had no idea what I was missing.

Today’s family vacations have been given a major upgrade by all-inclusive resorts like Beaches Turks and Caicos that cater to families. The Illinois countryside has been replaced with a Caribbean beach, and the pint-sized travelers can expect just as much pampering at the luxury compounds as the parents who are footing the bill.

Turquoise Waters behind the tops of the French Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos

The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort is a sprawling compound on Providenciales island in the Turks and Ciacos Islands, a British territory about 650 miles south of Miami. The resort is divided into three villages purportedly designed to pay homage to France, Italy, and the Caribbean. The beach-side paradise includes over a dozen restaurants (where every meal is included in your nightly rate), a water park, six pools, a spa, a night club, and game room stocked with the latest consoles and video games. There’s no shortage of things to do here, but the real treat is the way they’ve managed to make family vacations relaxing and luxurious.

All-inclusive resorts are nothing new, of course, and you can expect the standard all-inclusive amenities at Beaches, including:

• Breakfast buffets at most of the on-site restaurants
• Full menus for lunch and dinner at all restaurants
• Swim-up bars in several of the pools
• Planned group activities, like the weekly beach party

These included services ideally help families manage their vacation budgets. In reality, however, the term “all-inclusive” is often a little misleading and travelers are surprised to find out how quickly extras like alcohol, tipping, and optional activities like water sports add up – and how frequently the words “for an additional cost” seem to appear. Constantly fending off the ancillary services can leave vacationers feeling downright miserly on the luxury vacation for which they’ve spent months saving, especially if kids are involved; no one likes to spend their vacation invoking the “No.”

One of the benefits of Premium Butler service - Towel art in your private cabana

Beaches Turks and Caicos takes all-inclusive to a new level, including more and taunting guests with fewer additional costs. If you pay to stay, you’ll be treated to:

• Over a dozen restaurant options
• An in-room mini bar stocked with drinks and snacks (including wine, champagne, beer, and liquor for Mom and Dad)
• Water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba-diving
• Kids club for all ages (yes, that’s childcare included!)

Of course, you certainly can spend more money on your family vacation if you really want to. Spa services, local tours, and first-class butler services are available for families looking to really pamper themselves, but the beauty of Beaches is that you don’t have to purchase a single extra to enjoy your vacation.

Enjoying the water park at Beaches Turks and Caicos

And you shouldn’t have to. A family of four can expect to spend at least $5,000 in the off-season for a week at Beaches Turks and Caicos; for that kind of cash you should feel like you’re getting a world-class vacation experience. And you will. Whether you choose to spend your days reading while the kids float down the lazy river or learning to snorkel as a family, you’re sure to leave the Caribbean feeling rested, connected, and more than a little spoiled.

I received a 4-night complimentary stay at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

Photos: Britt Reints

Spring Training in Phoenix

Although it’s still football season here in New England (go Pats!), I’m excited for baseball season to start.  While my beloved Red Sox don’t play in the Cactus League, many other great teams do.  If you are looking for a March getaway, and want to catch some great spring training games, consider visiting the greater Phoenix area.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Phoenix during spring training, and I had such a great time that I decided to visit this year with my family.  We are visiting in March, and plan to check out several games.

During spring training, there’s no such thing as a bad (or expensive) seat.  I went to three games at three different stadiums, and loved feeling like I am part of the action.  Although Fenway Park is small, I never get that kind of up-close experience during the regular season.  Plus, the warm weather makes it such a fabulous outdoor activity.  We plan to get lawn seats, like those shown in the photo above, and just spread out and enjoy.

Spring training in Phoenix starts March 2, 2012.

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: The Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitor’s Bureau covered the expenses for my spring training and family fun trip last year.

Jellyfish

Although their bodies are composed of 95 percent water, jellyfish remain some of  the most fascinating and diverse sea creatures.  They also prose real creative challenges for researchers, which is why the elaborate exhibit, “Jellies” at the Shedd Aquarium through May 28, provides such a rare glimpse into the world of these see-through sea animals.

The sprawling show invites visitors to dive into the world of sea jellies, exploring natural history, anatomy and life cycles with videos, life-sized models and of course, hundreds of translucent jellies representing  ten different species. This is an absorbing and overwhelming showcase that will engage three-year-olds and old geezers alike.  You’ll glean intriguing facts like how for 500 million years, jellies survive without bones, blood or brains, how their feeding arms can grow up to eight feet long and how they journey thousands of miles just by drifting with the sea current.  My favorite part of the exhibit is watching the haunting and languorous movements of the jellyfish up close.  I liked watching the flower-like structure of the Moon Jelly and the 100 -foot long tentacles of the Lion’s Mane Jelly the most.  Admission to the exhibit is included with the Total Experience Pass for $34.95 for adults and $25.95 for kids.  After an afternoon spent gazing at wiggly things, spend a few hours after eating wiggly things at Oysy Sushi and Izakaya in the South Loop. Don’t miss the chef’s choice sashimi platter.

Photo courtesy of Shedd Aquarium

With all of the presidential campaigning and primary hoopla, I thought it appropriate to ask some former presidents their opinion. So far, no comment.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located near Keystone, South Dakota and features some of America’s greatest presidential hits.

Mount Rushmore is an amazing place to visit and should be included on every family road trip within a 100 mile radius. Give or take. It’s fun and educational!

Over the years people have suggested other presidents be added to the monument — who would you like to see on Mount Rushmore?

Directions to Mount Rushmore

This post is part of the Uptake Monday Museums, Monuments and Memorials Series.

Photo: jimbowen0306 via Flickr

A graveyard at Brookgreen Gardens

Just 18 miles north of Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens stands as the country’s first public sculpture garden, with 50 acres of lush, landscaped gardens dotted with over 14,00 artworks spanning the early 1800s to the present.  Besides art, nature trails, a zoo and exhibits, Brookgreen Gardens also boasts ancient graveyards that give a peek into the history of the people that lived on the land centuries ago.

“Silent Cities” is a two-hour excursion that runs through March 1, 2011. Hop aboard the Trekker guide bus and roll through back roads and cemeteries for the four former rice plantations that compose Brookgreen Gardens.  You’ll get to walk through the graveyards of plantation owners and enslaved servants and learn about the burial customs of both groups. Glimpse the elaborate, marble and brick grave sites erected by British planters and hear tales about the West African Gullah traditions of burying the dead near the ocean so that the souls could quickly float back to Africa.

Tickets for Brookgreen admission is $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under and are good for seven consecutive days, since it takes several to see the entire complex/ Tickets for the “Silent Cities” excursion are $15 in addition to regular admission. Reservations are encouraged at (843)235-6042.

After checking out graveyards, journey to The Brentwood Restaurant, a noted haunted site and popular Low County/French eatery. Relax in the  restored Victorian building and don’t miss the shrimp & scallops chardonnay dish.

Photos courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

It was his first time visiting the city of San Francisco, and the look on his face shows it.

My oldest son and I took a weekend trip to San Francisco, just the two of us — although we spent time with friends during our stay. It was a different experience, and while we missed the rest of the family it was nice to have the time together. More to come!

This post is part of the UpTake Friday Family Series.

Photo: W. Honea

kayaking in Huntington Beach State Park

If you’re a fan of kayaking like I am, you probably enjoy the sensation of  of gliding across the water and feeling the gentle waves below you. Well I discovered a different sensation while kayaking  through Huntington Beach Sate Park, near Myrtle Beach.  I felt it shortly after I started paddling and felt something stuck  on my paddle. It was smelly, greenish brown  and it’s called pluff mud.

A pelican posing

Out guides explained that pluff mud was part of the unique joys of paddling through salt marshes.  This thick mud has been known to pull off boots, shoes and paddles that have been stuck in it. Suffice it to say, I really built up my biceps between the pluff mud and spartina cord grass during the two hour tour. Black River Outdoors Center guides kayakers through  the marshes and salt water creeks of Huntington State Park and it’s a really unique tour.  We paddled through Drunken Jack Island, which is supposed to harbor Black Beard’s treasures and I spotted pelicans, ospreys and herons, though not the alligators that are supposed to hang around the marsh. I highly recommend waterproof pants for the tour because all that splashing doesn’t just land on the kayak.   All that paddling works up an appetite so make your way to Bliss Restaurant and Lounge for a relaxed and elegant lunch. Try the pan-seared flounder with prosciutto hash.

Photos courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

If this roadside nut in Plains, Georgia reminds you of someone then congratulations, you recognize the smile of President Jimmy Carter. Have a peanut.

Mr. Carter is from the town of Plains, Georgia where he made his living as a peanut farmer before venturing into politics. The statue is all in good fun, and frankly, the resemblance is uncanny.

Do you know of any other roadside tributes to political leaders? If not, stick around, we have another one coming up next week! Hint: It’s really, really big.

This post is part of Uptake’s Tuesday Roadside Attractions Series. If you have a photo of an odd, funny or interesting roadside attraction that you would like to see featured here please submit it via the link in the sidebar with subject line: Roadside.

Madera Canyon, Arizona

Madera Canyon is a lovely little tucked-away spot in southern Arizona. My husband and I discovered it one weekend while we were whiling away the day in the Tucson area. We followed a winding road that crossed over low desert, then started to climb until we suddenly found ourselves among tall trees and greenery. Madera Canyon and Madera Creek traverse four different “life zones” which supports a variety of flora and fauna in a relatively small area.

The area is considered to be the third-best birding destination in the United States – ornithology enthusiasts will be able to sight over 256 documented species of birds, including 15 different kinds of hummingbirds and 36 species of wood warblers. Patrons of the canyon’s parks and trails will frequently come across small herds of deer and flocks of wild turkeys – even black bears, mountain lions and bobcats have been spotted on occasion.

A Mexican Jay spotted in Madera Canyon.

Madera Canyon has close to 100 miles of hiking trails that vary from paved, handicap-accessible trails and gentle walking paths in the lower canyon (including the Bud Gode Interpretive Nature Trail), to steep, expert trails leading to the top of 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson. As higher elevations are attained, hikers are presented with some spectacular views of the mountains and the Sonoran Desert.

Since the area is part of the Coronado National Forest and is designated a National Forest Recreation Area, the U.S. Forest Service charges a small fee for daily use which can be paid by cash or check. The Santa Rita Lodge is a favored place to stay for visitors of the area. Keep in mind there is no food service in Madera Canyon, so bring your own food! The cabins and apartments of the Santa Rita Lodge have kitchenettes for cooking. March, April and May are considered peak birding season so make your reservations in advance.

My husband and I passed the Chuparosa Inn along the drive and we are bound and determined to stay there. I’ve never seen a more picturesque little place in my life!

To get to Madera Canyon from the Phoenix area, take I-10 East towards Tucson. Merge onto I-19 towards Nogales, then take the Continental Road exit.

Photo credits (in order of appearance):
- Madera Canyon by Tiffany Joyce
- Mexican Jay by Alan Vernon on Flickr Creative Commons.

A farmer volunteer guide at the living history farm.

Farming is the foundation of American history but sadly, farms are quickly disappearing from the daily landscape of  the typical American experience. Generations of kids are growing up without a clear understanding of where their food comes from and how it’s produced. The L.W. Paul Living History Farm provides an active example of how small, one-horse family farms operated generations ago.

cotton fields

Located a few miles outside of Myrtle Beach in Horry County, SC, the L.W. Paul Living History Museum offers opportunities to witness and participate in centuries -old farm activities like cotton picking, grinding sugarcane and grits and syrup making.  A popular weekend excursion, crowds of families were strolling the 17 acre farm when I visited.

Each season brings new activities so I observed fall activities like meat curing and grinding grits. The grits mill was a community machine that farmers would use together and give some of their corn as payment. Another area featured clothes dying, where women used plants to make dyes. Black walnut was used for brown, madderoot for red and acorn for a yellow shade. Mules plowed fields and tobacco was hung up in small shacks to dry.

The L.W. Paul Living History Museum  showcases such an authentic farming experience that it was featured in the movies “Cold Mountain” and “The Patriot”. Admission is free and hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9-4PM. For a little more elegant relaxation after so rustic an experience, head to Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort and enjoy panoramic views of the beach in two or three bedroom luxury condos.

Photos courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates