Showing posts with label adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adult. Show all posts
Travel Texas - Fox4's North Texas Bucket List Bingo
Fox4 (One of Dallas Fortworth's local news network) has created a really fun way to explore popular locations and experiences in North Texas with their printable (or downloadable) North Texas Bucket List Bingo card.
In the mornings, when I watch the newscast, the hosts talk about which activities they haven't done yet. For people who actually live in Texas, it might be a lot. We all know about cowboy boots, but contrary to popular belief, we don't all own one much less have tried them on. And, for some odd reason, a lot of people think we own and ride horses.
Go ahead and download this list and see how many experiences you've tried or would like to one day.
Link to the bingo card: https://www.fox4news.com/news/north-texas-bucket-list-bingo
Book Review - Lonely Planet - The Big Trip
When I first found this book I was just looking for some overseas tips like obtaining visas, exchanging currencies, transportation, etc. Even though the subtitle suggestions gap years and long term travel plans, this book is so packed full of tips and ideas that anyone who travels will find it useful.
Pages 8-17 feature full-color photographs of some exciting and bucket-list experiences.
Part One focuses on "Travel Smarts" such as the things I was originally looking for - passports, visas, money and costs, health and safety, packing, getting to these destinations, getting around, and what to do when you return home.
Part Two offers interesting ideas on travelling solo, with partners or family, with kids, etc. And then transportation tips and accommodation tips. Then, if you do plan to stay in a location for more than a brief vacation, finding jobs or ways of making money. Or, more unconventionally, finding volunteer work to learn more about the culture and people of the places you are visiting. Followed by some educational opportunities.
Part Three is the fun part - where to go? Get suggestions for a whole round-the-world adventure or focus on one of the continents. Or, even if you don't plan to leave your location, find new things to explore in your home country. Each location section consists of getting there and around, points of interest, festivals, health and safety, websites and books for research, prices, itinerary maps, and so much more.
Part Four at the end of the book has directory listings of websites that were mentioned throughout the book in a convenient pull-out section.
This book was published in 2019 so be sure to verify information before setting out. But, overall, definitely a keeper guide to add to the collection.
Title: The Big Trip (Lonely Planet)
Author: Lonley Planet Authors
ISBN: 978-1788681292
Pages: 352
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Book Review - Frommer's EasyGuide to Toronto, Niagara and the Wine Country by Caroline Aksich
Great travel guide that mostly focuses on Toronto with a few side trips (Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Stratford, and Waterloo). The book starts off with "Best of" lists - "Best Authentic Experiences", "Best Restaurants", "Best Hotels", "Best Museums", "Best Free Things To Do", "Best Active Adventures", and the very interesting "Most Overrated Experiences", then "Best Festivals", "Best for Families", and "Best Neighborhoods".
Then you can find Suggested Toronto Itineraries and Neighborhoods in 1 Day, 2 Days, 3 Days, and 4 Days. Followed by "The Best of Toronto for Foodies" and more detailed info for "Best for Families" with highlights like the Ontario Science Centre and Centre Island.
This book has very detailed City-Street Maps which I appreciate.
Keep in mind that this book was published in 2019, so be sure to double-check operating hours and prices since Covid might have altered a lot of business's operations.
Title: Frommer's EasyGuide to Toronto, Niagara and the Wine Country
Author: Caroline Aksich
ISBN: 9781628874464
Pages: 288
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Event - #Travel #Texas - #San Antonio - Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival - November 8, 2025
San Antonio, Texas - Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival
November 8, 2025
Briscoe Western Art Museum
Wonderful annual festival featuring Native American art and culture. The festival will kick off with a Native American spiritual blessing and followed by a ceremonial drum circle. In addition to art demonstrations there will also be performances and hands-on crafts. Lots of fun for all ages.
“Yanaguana” is a word the Native Americans used to describe the San Antonio River.
Address: 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE admission and FREE parking
For more information - https://briscoemuseum.org/etn/yanaguana-indian-arts-festival/
November 8, 2025
Briscoe Western Art Museum
Wonderful annual festival featuring Native American art and culture. The festival will kick off with a Native American spiritual blessing and followed by a ceremonial drum circle. In addition to art demonstrations there will also be performances and hands-on crafts. Lots of fun for all ages.
“Yanaguana” is a word the Native Americans used to describe the San Antonio River.
Address: 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE admission and FREE parking
For more information - https://briscoemuseum.org/etn/yanaguana-indian-arts-festival/
Review - Travel - Oklahoma - Oklahoma City - Six Flags Frontier City - Fright Fest and Boo Fest
Since there were only a few days left for Fright Fest, our family decided to endure the loooong 3 hour drive from our home in Dallas to visit Frontier City just outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We drove up Interstate 35 which has a lot of construction going on - even through the night - so beware of closed lanes and slow trucks.
One note is that the park doesn't have clear signage on where guests should enter along the road. After you exit I-35 you will go along E Hefner Rd. Pass N. Coltrane Rd which is actually one of the the parking lot exits. the actual entrance is just past the park to an entry sign. Parking is either $30 for standard or $40 for premium, but the parking lot is really small so there is no need to upgrade to the higher priced parking unless you have the need.
During the day from 1pm to 4pm CST (but they closed up most activities before 3:30pm) children can participate in Boo Fest throughout the Happy Trails children's area. Start at the first stop on the left and ask for a treat bag. Then go stop-to-stop for fun Halloween-themed crafts, games or more candy. One note is none of the candy contains chocolate and many of the candies were really sticky (like airheads). I recommend bringing your own bag because the bags are not easy to carry and they are also too small to hold any of your crafts, OR, one of the craft stations has large white paper bags to decorate you can use (but they are hard to carry around too).
One craft station features pumpking decorating with paint markers. You grab a pumpking and head up the stairs (or walk a few feet over to the ramp up) to tables that have TONS of paint markers to use.
Throughout the area are decorated pumpkins that small kids can climb inside or face-cut-out photo props.
At the end of the Happy Trails area (right next to the restrooms) is a fun Little Monster Maze. Note, there are only 2 days left for Boo Fest - October 25th and 26th.
Fright Fest starts around 6:00pm CST and ends at 10:00pm CST Friday through Sunday. The last day for Fright Fest this year is November 1st. Fright Fest is included in the price of your entrance but the Haunted Attractions are not. You can buy a combo ticket (entry + Haunted Attractions) or an add-on Haunted Attractions pass online or at the gate. There are five haunted mazes, several scare zones and some Halloween-Themed shows. Like other parks, the scare zones are easy to find with the fog machines blowing out clouds of fog and black lighting.
One thing that was different at Frontier City's Fright Fest than other parks I've attended recently was the Fright Fest Parade (which isn't advertised online and I only found out when they started blocking the street). You will see several themed cars (like above) and most of the entertainers who are working the festival. Just a note, many of the entertainers target young kids and those who look scared. There are loud noises (chainsaws and metal scraping the cement) and some screaming. I'd keep younger kids away from the main street just in case.
Although there are not a lot of food options throughout the park (and note, Wild Bill's Chicken is currently closed) they did offer some Fright Fest specialty items for sale (or as part of your add-on Dining Pass).
The Pumpkin Patch snack was delicious (I mean, it's fried donut balls, of course it would be delicious). Bring patience as the food locations are understaffed. The Fort is the main dining hall with options plus drink refill area and a central restroom location. Avoid the back room with broken-down and non-working arcade machines.
The Fort also hosted a magic show (at 4pm CST and 5:30pm) and then freak shows afterwards. There are also some live entertainment shows across the way (near the spinning rides) but they are short so get there early to not miss the fun.
Overall, it was a good visit for a small park with enough to keep older and younger kids entertained and fed.
Address: 11501 N-I35 Service Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73131
For more info: https://www.sixflags.com/frontiercity
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Book Review - Fodor's Travel Guide - Essential Costa Rica
Costa Rica has become a popular tourist destination and is definitely on my bucket list. A lot of airlines fly directly to the city of San Jose which is in the center of the country or Liberia which is in the northwest. Cruise lines are also making Costa Rica a stop on their itinerary. This guide is massive and very thorough with lots of colorful pictures and maps.
"Experience Costa Rica" is the first chapter and lists out most of the "must do" reasons to visit Costa Rica - Top 18 experiences, Best Beaches, Best Ecolodges, What to Eat and Drink, Eccotourism, Outdoor Adventures, Weddings or Honeymoons, The People, and Families. Followed by a "Travel Smart" section listing out how to get here and get around, the main language is Spanish and there's a handy guide of useful phrases, What to Pack (expect rainy weather), Tours and Calendars. The rest of the book is divided out into areas starting with San Jose, The Central Valley, Northern Lowlands, GuanaCaste, The Nicoya Peninsula, Central Pacific Coast, South Pacific, and The Caribbean Coast.
Each section lists contains a map, detailed information on the national park within it, food and accomodation suggestions, "planning your time" info, nightlife and shopping. I really appreciate the safety callouts for some of the more adventurous activities (like ziplines). The table of contents lists out all the maps with page numbers if you want to pull those out to pack in your luggage (like I do since I don't trust Wifi internationally). Excellent guide published in 2025.
Title: Fodor's Travel Guide - Essential Costa Rica
Author: Fodor's Travel Guide
ISBN: 9781640976924
Pages: 528
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Book Review - Lonely Planet Epic Drives of the World
If you ever wander around the travel section of your local library or the bookstore there is a small section on road trips and awe-inspiring drives. That's how I came upon this big book of drives around the world.
For those of us who enjoy road trips and admiring views from the window of a vehicle, this is a great guide. The book covers six continents with bucket list routes such as Crossing the Kalahari (in Botswana - which is also on my bucket list for safaris), The Pacific Coast Highway, India's road from Srinagar to Manali, the Black Forest High Road of Germany, and more. Beautiful photography. Well written and clear. The only negative is that it was published in 2017 so some of the data might need updates (always check ahead before starting your journey to be sure areas are still accessible).
Title: Lonely Planet Epic Drives of the World
Author: Lonely Planet
ISBN: 978-1786578648
Pages: 328
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Book Review - Fodor's Travel - The Complete Guide to African Safaris
Flying to South Africa and heading to the other countries to enjoy animals in nature is on my bucket list (and many of the readers here). This guide is an EXCELLENT resource and a definite keeper. The first few sections contain an overview of the "Big 5" animals (Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhino) and where to find them. There's also a section on Planning Your Safari such as getting to Africa and how to get around, working with tour operators, planning timeline, vocabulary, and more. The rest of the book is broken out by country - Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, and Victoria Falls. In the back are really, really good maps.
What I also love about this book is each expert gives you pro/con for every location which is so useful. What really shocked me about planning a safari was how expensive it can be when you add up the flights, transportation, camp fees, park fees, food, and more. Also, many camps do not accept children under 16 and some do not accept young children. There were a handful that welcomed young children and had activities specially for them.
Title: The Complete Guide to African Safaris
Author: Fodor's Travel
ISBN: 978-1-64097-507-1
Pages: 528
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Event - #Travel #Texas - #Hillsboro - ChurroFest - May 17, 2025
Hillsboro, Texas - ChurroFest
May 17, 2025
Hillsboro Downtown District
Head southwest of DFW for a day of family fun. Adults will enjoy the Margarita Walk (purchase a drinking glass and then taste a variety of margaritas). Kids will like the bounce houses, activities, lawn games and more. There will be 12 chorro vendors competing for the 2025 Best Churro Trophy. Throughout the day different bands will entertain guests.
Address: Hillsboro Downtown District
Hours: 10:30am - 10:00pm CST
Fees: Different activities, foods, or drinks have fees (see website)
For more information - https://hillsborochamber.org/churrofest-returns-in-hillsboro-on-saturday-may-17th-and-heres-the-details/
May 17, 2025
Hillsboro Downtown District
Head southwest of DFW for a day of family fun. Adults will enjoy the Margarita Walk (purchase a drinking glass and then taste a variety of margaritas). Kids will like the bounce houses, activities, lawn games and more. There will be 12 chorro vendors competing for the 2025 Best Churro Trophy. Throughout the day different bands will entertain guests.
Address: Hillsboro Downtown District
Hours: 10:30am - 10:00pm CST
Fees: Different activities, foods, or drinks have fees (see website)
For more information - https://hillsborochamber.org/churrofest-returns-in-hillsboro-on-saturday-may-17th-and-heres-the-details/
Review - Washington, DC - Cherry Blossom Festival
I had the privilege to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC this past Sunday. I lucked out in that it was right during peak bloom (meaning the flowers were the biggest they were going to be and then start falling off the trees). The festival itself lasts until April 13th this year. There seems to be a lot of events that happen especially on weekends.
One thing I learned from the National Park service (you can find helpful guides at the Welcome Tent which according to the website below, is open 10 AM – 5 PM, Mondays – Thursdays, and 10 AM – 6 PM, Fridays – Sundays.) is that there are many different Cherry Blossom species! So, even if you come later in the festival, there will be blooms. You can find maps, pins, and Junior Ranger activities at the National Park tents.
Is it Crowded? - I visited on a Sunday so I felt it was less crowded. What makes it feel crowded is that there is a walking trail all around the Tidal Basin and people stop and take photos. The areas furthest from the monument was less crowded. Really pretty picture spots were definitely more crowded. Inside the monuments was a bit hectic as people are trying to get their pictures with the statues.
Can I Bring a Stroller? - the "trail" ranges from well-paved to decent dirt to massive holes/cracks to huge tree root dirt, so I highly recommend a stroller that can handle the rough terrain. I brought a stroller and was fine. They do have wheelchair/stroller ramps up to all the monuments.
Can I Use a Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter? - there are areas that will be manageable for people with mobility areas but don't plan to walk through the trees as the paths are dirt, full of treet roots and holes, and not very easy to manage. The areas around the monuments are paved and there are ramps (right now, the elevators are not operating).
How do I get there? - If you drive into DC, do not drive around the Tidal Basin itself as the traffic is VERY BAD. The free parking is very limited. Better to park away from the area and walk. Walking is very easy and strollers/wheelchair friendly. Parking is free on weekends at the metro stations and using public transportation is only a few dollars. I did see several hop-on/hop-off buses going around the city and to this area which is a good option if you plan to go outside the Tidal Basin but it costs money. I personally just used a public parking garage (I was able to pay online for cheaper rate) and just walked over. There are metro trains directly from the nearby airport. Or you can uber/lyft.
Food Tips - Bring snacks with you as the lines for the onsite cafes/vendors were quite long and the prices were high. Normally I endorse foodtrucks, but for the ones crowding around the streets in this area, I have my doubts. First, almost none of them displayed their prices and some changed the prices on the fly in addition to obvious price gouging. The quality of the product was questionable (a frozen drink that was not frozen at all). Some only take cash. Better to walk down the street about 5 minutes to an honest business.
Restroom Tips - I saw several restrooms with long lines epecially those inside monuments. Look at the map. There almost always was another restroom just a short walk away with no line at all. Try to use the restrooms around this area because once you start walking in the direction of the capital buildings, there are very few public ones available.
For information, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/maps.htm
For More Information, https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/
For LIVE web cam views, https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/bloom-watch/
Review - Florida - Orlando - Epcot - Moana Journey of Water Experience
Sunday was a Passholder preview of the upcoming Journey of Water experience in Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. We were added to a virtual queue (so I'm wondering if they plan to continue to use virtual queue for this experience when it opens to the public) then we waited probably thirty minutes or so once we were able to return. Cast members will move your stroller to the parking area on the right side of the exhibit if you brought them into the queue.
The Journey of Water is an interactive walk-through experience where the paths diverge along the way to offer participants the option to touch water exhibits or get wet by spray features, or if you would rather not get wet, you can take the "Dry" path. The paths are clearly marked and (for now anyway) there are guides to help you decide.
These warning are present as you first enter - you might get wet (including your feet) and don't drink the water as it's recycled. There were several families who had guide dogs with them and they are allowed to enter as well.
Throughout the walk you will find decorative stone features which make wonderful photo-ops.
I like how the journey is showing the different states and features of water (such as Rain).
Playing with the Water Strings
You can clearly see the "Dry" path marked. There were some kids who were splashing water everywhere so beware.
There are many carvings and paintings hidden in the rocks.
Lots of different activities through here.
Looking for Moana? There were a bunch in the water play area.
Overall Review:
The exhibit was better than expected. People of all ages were enjoying the water features. The best features (and those that will get you the most soaked) are toward the end. Plan ahead - bring waterproof shoes, a towel, and maybe have swim clothes for kids in case they want to get soaked.
The Journey of Water is an interactive walk-through experience where the paths diverge along the way to offer participants the option to touch water exhibits or get wet by spray features, or if you would rather not get wet, you can take the "Dry" path. The paths are clearly marked and (for now anyway) there are guides to help you decide.
These warning are present as you first enter - you might get wet (including your feet) and don't drink the water as it's recycled. There were several families who had guide dogs with them and they are allowed to enter as well.
Throughout the walk you will find decorative stone features which make wonderful photo-ops.
I like how the journey is showing the different states and features of water (such as Rain).
Playing with the Water Strings
You can clearly see the "Dry" path marked. There were some kids who were splashing water everywhere so beware.
There are many carvings and paintings hidden in the rocks.
Lots of different activities through here.
Looking for Moana? There were a bunch in the water play area.
Overall Review:
The exhibit was better than expected. People of all ages were enjoying the water features. The best features (and those that will get you the most soaked) are toward the end. Plan ahead - bring waterproof shoes, a towel, and maybe have swim clothes for kids in case they want to get soaked.
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