For selfish reasons I hesitate to write this post. Not having had the opportunity to truly enjoy this little piece of Shangri-la, I’m not sure I’m ready to share it with you. But times are tough and we need to eat, so my suffering is your good fortune.  

Last month, on our way to Carson City, NV and the annual Comstock Tournament, we had to make an emergency stop along Hwy 50. The boy was threatening to throw up, and rather than endure the rest of the drive ensconced in the sent of vomit, I bailed at the first available turn-out, where we practically shoved him out of the car.  

Fortunately it turned out to be a false alarm, but his wonky stomach’s impeccable timing proved to be a stroke of luck. Otherwise we would have blown right past the little sign marking this hidden slice of natural beauty.  

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Peanuts and Cracker Jack

One of the best things to do on a summer night is take in a baseball game. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of a road trip or an extended staycation — there is baseball happening everywhere.

High school, college and minor league baseball games are great stops on any trip, and taking the kids to a Major League Baseball game is something they’ll remember forever. Worried about ticket prices? Don’t be. These seats at Safeco Field cost us ten bucks per (about the same price as a beer!), and other parks run similar deals for families and kids (yes, even winning teams).

Cotton candy not included.

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

Photo by Whit Honea

Want to visit Sweden for free? Of course you do. Here’s how (straight from the press release):

CarplusVacation has partnered with Volvo, West Sweden Tourist Boards and Visit Sweden to give you the chance to win the road trip of a lifetime. Okay, Okay, so how does this work? EASY! Use the trip planner to explore exciting West Sweden and create your own itinerary from food to lodging. Submit your ideal vacation plan for a chance to win. Easy, Cheesy. [Editor's note - I like it when people say stuff like "easy, cheesy" in an official release, it's comfort food and comfort words.]

The prize includes: One winner will be chosen at random to receive two (2) return airline tickets with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), one (1) Volvo car will be loaned to winner for the duration of one (1) week including European road insurance. Winner will also receive a package of free accommodation and dining corresponding to items chosen in his or her itinerary. The contest ends July 1st, 2010.

Please note that UpTake is not affiliated in any way with Volvo, Carplus Vacation, the West Sweden Tourist Boards or Visit Sweden. Things show up in our inbox. We like to share things. The inbox is empty. Everybody wins.

Tell Sweden we said hello.

My husband waits patiently for me to take a picture, on the side of the road near Jackson, Wyoming.

A road trip is my ideal vacation (a fact many of you readers are probably amply aware of by now – there’s some link love at the end of this entry that demonstrates this obsession of mine). Even if my husband and I are flying somewhere, I still manage to work some sort of a driving trip into our final destination. I appreciate the ability to actually travel the miles. and see the environment. You can discover so much more about the country you live in or are visiting, and the world you live in, when you’re driving it and not flying over it.

A road trip provides excellent opportunities for photography. I am constantly pestering my husband (who is the one who usually drives) to pull of to the side of the road so I can take a picture of something. Like the photo above, which was me taking a picture of him, while he was waiting patiently in the truck after I finished taking photos of the surrounding area.

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