Vacations Blog

The W is for woof.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to stay at the W Hotel in beautiful San Diego.  My mixed feelings on that will come out in a later post.  Hey, that’s like suspense!

On the corner outside of the hotel’s main entrance you will find this water station for your canine companion, which is a nice touch.  Downtown San Diego is great for walking, which means yours dogs bark and your dogs get thirsty.

Seeing as right inside the lobby the price of water jumps up about $6 per bottle, you may want to sneak a sip or two for yourself.  It’s a recession, people.

Photo by Whit Honea

For more family-friendly (what? dogs are family!) travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

October is the time my kids and I turn our attention to ghosts, ghouls, and goblins.

Especially ghosts.

In a few weeks various haunted houses set up by local community groups will begin to open up, with the promise that they’ll scare the bejeebers out of us in return for a charitable donation.

And they do a good job, too.  But their ghosts leave something to be desired.

A Ghostly Town

Because I know where the real ghosts are.

Ghost towns.

Some of the best are in Western Montana, where the discovery of gold in the 1800’s led to mining camps popping up all over the place.  Many of these camps turned into thriving towns over time, but once the gold ran out, few of them could survive as the residents picked up and moved on to the next lucky strike.

Over the past century, these ghost towns were left to fall apart and fade away.  You could drive all over the western part of the state looking for the remains of hundreds of old settlements, but you’d need a lot of time, a very sturdy vehicle, and an extremely patient family.

Luckily, several locations have been well preserved by the State of Montana, so you don’t have to go hunting high and low.

Masonic Lodge at Bannack

You’ll have the best experience at Bannack, the sight of one of the first major gold discoveries in the area.  During its 1860’s heyday, Bannack had a population of  over 3,000, and it soon became the first territorial capital of Montana.  The town didn’t thrive for long, and by the 1880’s the population had dwindled to just a few hundred.  By the 1940’s the last resident had died or moved on, and Bannack became a ghost town.

By 1954, the state turned the town into a State Park in order to preserve it.  And that’s one of the keys to the place.  They preserve the buildings, rather than restore them. This isn’t some glorified amusement park recreation of history.  This is the real thing.

As you and your kids stroll the walkways, it’s easy to imagine what the rough and rowdy town might have looked like filled with prospectors, settlers, and thieves.  Special guided tours allow you inside some of the buildings, and even into otherwise restricted sites.

There’s really no better way to experience a little bit of the Old West.

Oh, and ghosts?  Yeah, they have them.  According to some people, Bannack has ghosts a plenty.

And at the end of this month, the ghosts will be walking the streets with you during the Bannack Ghost Walks.  These special performances are based on actual historical events, including gunfights, hangings, and other ghastly misdeeds.  Call (406) 834-3413 for more information about the Ghost Walks.

Bannack State Park is open all the rest of the year, with other special events during the summer that are fun for the entire family.  Entry fee is only $5 for your entire vehicle.  The park is easy to access, located just 24 miles southwest of Dillon, Montana, about 20 miles off I-15.

Visit the Bannack State Park website for more details.

If you’re a camping family, they have two different campgrounds in the park.  But if you like something a little nicer, I highly recommend Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.   It’s about an hour north of Bannack, just outside of Butte.  We’ve used it as a base of operations for exploring Western Montana, and it’s always a joy to end a tiring day by taking a dip in the hot pools.  While you’re there, you can also take a side trip to the Lewis and Clark Caverns, Montana’s first state park, and one of the largest limestone caverns in the Northwest.

Bannack State Park is also not too far off the regular routes to Yellowstone National Park.

Carriage rides at Bannack State Park

Photos courtesy of VisitMT, the official Montana Travel Website.

One great thing about living in Los Angeles is that no matter how long you’re here, you’re always a tourist. There are undiscovered wonders around every corner, if you can ever get around those corners, that is. Traffic, you know.

One of those wondrous, magical places is Lake Hollywood. Built in 1924, Lake Hollywood is a reservoir that provides Los Angeles with much of its drinking water.  As such, the perimeter is mostly fenced off and dogs are not allowed on the 3.2 mile path that circles it.

Right now the north gate to the path is closed, which means you enter at the south gate, walk across the dam to the other closed gate, then turn around and head back to where you started.  You don’t mind that you’re not going in a circle, because you are surrounded by this:

Read More »

American Gothic Statue - Chicago, IL

Technically, this is a Wordless Wednesday post.  Pretend you don’t see these words.  Also, pretend you don’t see all of the information below.  Thank you. Read More »

Set in close proximity to the lovely Pisgah National Forest.  Nestled, and gently hugged by mountains and  guarded by rivers, Weaverville has that Relief Factor.  And, Brothers and Sister, I’ve not seen a Main Street this homespun since Bill Murray woke up in Punxsutawney.

Lets get you a place to stay, shall we?  You know, unload the van, stretch your legs.  The Inn on Main Street B&B has all you could ever need.  And when the Mrs. and I stayed there, for Breakfast, they served us up a frittata made with veggies and herbs out of the garden on premises.  Nice folks there.

Left Bank - Main Street Weaverville

Now that you have some fuel in you, lets get the kids into something before they eat the furniture.  May I suggest Lake Louise.  Just a short drive down HWY 23 (Meriman Ave.).  Ducks, geese…..and more ducks.  Lake Louise offers up a paved walking track perfect for strollers and when you hear the little Demons yell, “I’m sick of ducks!  Ducks are stupid!” Just point them in the direction of the fantastic playground and have a sit down.  The bench under the Willow tree is my favorite. Read More »

Hiking Mineral Ridge

Spring is about to be sprung on us here in the Pacific Northwest. The one thing I look forward to most with the passing of winter is packing my kids into the car and finding a mountain trail somewhere nearby so I can stretch out my legs and shake off the cabin fever.

I’m familiar with most of the easy trails in Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Western Montana. By “easy” I mean, simple day hikes that won’t end with one or another child having a meltdown, pleading with me to “never do this again.” No, we’ve been on those hikes and I learned my lesson.

Today I’m going to highlight eight fun family hiking trails in North Idaho, close to the towns of Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, Idaho, and not too far from the metropolis of Spokane, Washington. If you’re in the area for a vacation, or just passing through on I-90, any of these treks will make for a fun, and relatively short, way to experience the wonder and wilderness of Idaho’s great outdoors.

Tubbs Hill Picnic Spot

Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene – It’s the crown jewel of Coeur d’Alene, situated right next to downtown. We’ve made this into two separate hikes; one from the 3rd Street parking lot out to the halfway point and back, and a second hike from the east side parking lot on 10th St. to the halfway point and back. Either one, or all the way around, is mostly level, with awesome views of the lake and hundreds of perfect picnic spots.  You can walk to Tubbs Hill from any downtown hotel or bed and breakfast.

Q’emiln Park in Post Falls – The hiking trails start right at the parking lot near the west entrance to the park. There are spectacular views of the Spokane River, and the rock climbing walls provide a chance for the kids to watch people scaling the vertical rocks. On a hot summer day the city beach with lifeguards is right there at the park for a swim or a picnic.

Higgins Point in Coeur d’Alene – At the east end of Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, it’s a leisurely walk along a paved trail next to the lake. Perfect if you don’t want to get your feet dirty. We go past the photographer statue and up the hill into the park, then down one of the rugged trails to the water’s edge.

English Point National Recreation Trail in Hayden – This one’s kind of hidden away off Highway 95. We love looping through the woods, catching glimpses of Hayden Lake, and generally feeling like we’re in the middle of nowhere. If you’re on your way to Silverwood Theme Park, make a quick stop at English Point.

Mineral Ridge in Coeur d’Alene – The longest of the hikes, at 3.3 miles. We only do it once or twice a year, and make it an all-day trip, with a picnic at the very top where the lake view is well worth the climb. There’s a little cave to explore on the way up, and the whole area is rich with mining history.

Beauty Bay Trail in Coeur d’Alene – At the east end of Lake Coeur d’Alene on Hwy. 97, the Beauty Bay Trail is the shortest and easiest hike, at just a half-mile to a viewing deck and then another half-mile through the forest. The kids might want to walk it twice.

Ancient Cedars

Cougar Bay Preserve in Coeur d’Alene – A few miles south of the Blackwell Island Bridge on Hwy. 95, Cougar Bay is one big wildlife nursery with miles of rugged trails. If you want to pretend to be lost in the woods, this is a good place to do it.

Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars in Murray – Further away than the other hikes, but worth the drive to the Silver Valley. It’s a quiet place, with few visitors. The level dirt trail winds through huge towering cedar trees that make you feel like you’re in another world. In Murray, the historic Sprag Pole Museum is a must-see while you’re in the area. It’s also a good place to get a huckleberry shake.

All photos by Phil Corless

Washington State Ferry from Seattle Waterfront

Seattle is a port city. It exists and thrives today because of its long history of maritime shipping, trade, and proximity to the natural resources of the Great Northwest. Scenically nestled at the edge of Elliot Bay on Washington’s Puget Sound, Seattle  still has a unique and intertwined relationship with the sea. If you are interested in experiencing a taste of that relationship the next time you visit, leave the high-tech, cosmopolitan atmosphere behind for a refreshing and scenic nearby side trip. No car required, just head down the hill from the heart of downtown shopping and dining, until you find yourself at the waterfront along Alaskan Way.

If you are interested in a walking tour of Seattle’s Waterfront, try starting on the southern end at Pier 52, where Washington’s famous ferries depart Seattle for Vashon and Bainbridge Islands, or Bremerton on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s enough fun to watch the big boats come and go, but if you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can walk on for a $7.00 round trip fare. It would be well worth your time, because on a clear day, the views are outstanding and the air refreshing, though cold, so dress warmly.

Walking North on along the waterfront you will shortly come to Pier 54 and another Seattle icon, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, a store loaded with interesting artifacts, novelty items, oddities, and the main attraction a pair of actual mummies on display, as well as rice grain carvings (seriously!) and other curiousties. It’s a bit tacky, but fun, so I recommend you stop in and take a peek, so you can at least say you have been there.

Waterfront Pier

Pier 56 is home to Argosy Cruises, where you can book a sightseeing or dinner cruise, book a sailing expedition on Puget Sound, or board the Elliot Bay Water Taxi ($3.00 one way) for a 20 minute crossing to West Seattle and Alki Beach which offers abundant dining and recreational activities.  A free bus shuttle on the other side will take you to Alki Beach or the West Seattle Junction (more on this neighborhood in a future post).

Walking further north along the waterfront, you will pass several shops and restaurants, including Ivar’s Seafood Bar and Elliot’s Oyster House (where I dined on delicious fresh pacific oysters during a rare night out not long ago). Eventually, you will come to The Seattle Aquarium at Pier 59. The recently remodeled Aquarium is a world class facility with several fascinating permanent exhibits focusing on Pacific marine life, including a 360 degree glass domed room which will be a hit with the small people in attendance. I have been a member, and highly recommend the aquarium.

As you continue north along Alaskan Way, you will be treated to abundant breathtaking views of Elliot Bay, and on a clear day, the Majestic Olympic Mountains beyond. Once you reach Pier 67 you will come to an attractive lodging option for your next Seattle stay, the luxury Edgewater Inn. The Edgewater, situated right on the water and which many will remember as the place where the Beatles famously fished out of the window of their hotel room during a 1964 Seattle concert visit, offers what could very well be the most unique and scenic lodging experience in the city.

Fab 4 Fishing from Edgewater Inn

Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park  (free to the public) is a wonderful outdoor space, just before the scenic and peaceful Myrtle Edwards Park. The Olympic Sculpture Park is a spectacular new waterfront park where visitors can view a variety of sculptures 365 days a year, in an outdoor setting. I have not been there yet, but my better half has, and she was duly impressed with the layout and interesting variety of the thought provoking sculpture.

You can check out nearly all these spots in a single day (with the exception of the ferry rides), but they are so nice you might want to take your time!

Too bad California will be paying tax refunds with I.O.U’s.  I was going to pay for our recent day trip to New York City with that.  Maybe theaters will start taking I.O.U.’s pretty soon?  No?

I was back in Connecticut visiting my family and a group of friends graciously moved their NYC day trip up to January so my husband and I could be included.  We were pretty terrified of going into the city and (gasp) walking from place to place when the forecast called for 20-degree weather and snow.  Turns out, it was fun and even beautiful.

Eight of us took the Metro North Railroad ($25 round trip ticket purchased at the automatic ticket machine with a credit card) to Grand Central Station, where much to the dismay of our more city-savvy friends, some of us stared up at the incredible ceiling.  Don’t miss it with its constellations and intricate art.  It’s been cleaned recently, and the cleaners left a tiny patch of dirt to show you just how dirty it once was (black).

From the station we walked to the Stage Delicatessen, home of the 4-inch pastrami sandwich.  All sandwiches were completely devoured.  Not sure how.  The place was PACKED but we managed to get in and sit at two separate tables (lunch cost about $20 per person) and then get out in time to make it to the show.

As we walked to the Gershwin Theatre, home of Wicked (tix cost $160 per person, purchased ahead of time online) it started to snow.  We were all bundled up nicely, so nobody really noticed or minded the cold.  And the snow made it all so, as my mother likes to say, romantic.

The Gershwin Theatre lobby is decked out with cool props from the set and signs that warn you about entering and exiting Oz.  Also?  Beer sippy cups.  Worth the $9 price with $5 refill for a crappy can of Bud Light.  Our seats for Wicked were almost all the way in the back, but still good.  One of those places where every seat in the house is a good seat.  During intermission the beer lines were long and the women’s bathroom lines were longer.  Don’t try to beat the lines by skipping out too early before intermission however, my friend did that and missed the best scene of the show!

After the show we all walked, in thicker snow, to Carmine’s, a family-style Italian restaurant where you basically eat like you’re at an Italian wedding.  The post-theater crowd was crushed together at the bar and in the waiting area, but thank goodness (and my friend Robert) we had reservations, so it was not a long wait for our big group.  Nine of us (Robert joined us for dinner) had several plates of appetizers, several more plates of dinner, a tiramisu, and several bottles of wine.  Final tab was about $60 per person.

Riding on the high of warm food (and wine) consumed in good company and inside a warm restaurant, we all decided to walk to a bar where the atmosphere was low-key and the music level was also low enough that we could still talk to each other.  Going by those requirements, someone had recommended Under the Volcano a tequila bar which did not disappoint.  The music was from the bartender’s iPod, there was plenty of seating at the early hour of 9PM, and nobody tried the tequila.  An unspecified bar tab later shows that we did try other things.

At some point someone realized that we’d better get back to Grand Central or we wouldn’t be making it home that night.   We made it just in time to wait 40 minutes for our train (too bad, because I had a fantasy that we’d get to stay in some kind of nice hotel, credit card bill be damned).  More staring at the ceiling ensued.  In all, despite the fat price tag, the trip was worth it, even if we never did get to stop at a Dunkin’ Donuts.

All photos by Christopher Tjaden