2024: Year to Follow Your Dreams

New Year Resolutions: we all make them and very few of us complete them. Go to the gym, no alcohol, eat better, organize better. All of these are just a few of the more common ones. I know they were often on mine. But this year I’ve decided to switch things up. Our main resolution will be to travel more or learn more that will help us travel. Whether it’s an hour trip or going across the country, life is too short to not explore.

Some things that we can learn to help us travel is a new language. One of my daughters are taking German in school, my youngest is learning Spanish and while I took 4 years of French in high school; I failed to keep up with it and have forgotten a lot. So, our first goal is to start learning more of the languages we are working on and help each other with the other’s language. Between Duolingo, YouTube videos and other methods; hopefully we’ll be able to converse.

The next goal is to save money each week. Any $5 bill that we get will go in a savings account marked for travel and every $1 will go in an account for emergencies. We’re going to learn how to cook different dishes so we don’t eat out as much and pack lunches instead of buying. Hopefully we can save enough to plan for a big vacation.

The last part of our New Year’s resolution is to travel. I’m hoping to plan at least one full day trip a month that’s within driving distance and one weekend trip every three months. And each of these trips need to be somewhere that we haven’t been before or haven’t stayed overnight before. There’s so much to explore that you never think about right in your own hometown. The little mom and pop shop that you’ve drive by on your way to work. That hole in the wall diner that someone from work recommended. Or maybe that little bed and breakfast in the next town over. We’ve discovered so many cool things at home that I’ve never thought about when we decided to play tourist.

Let 2024 be the year that you decide to expand your world and explore your world. Take a chance, take that drive. Check out new places. Where would you love to explore? What resolutions are on your list?

Traveling on a Whim: Yes or No?

There is something incredibly exhilarating about the idea of spontaneous travel—the idea of throwing caution to the wind, packing a bag, and embarking on an adventure with no fixed plans or expectations. In a world that often feels predictable and controlled, embracing the unknown and allowing yourself to be swept away by the moment can lead to some of the most memorable experiences of your life. we will explore the magic of traveling spontaneously, the benefits it offers, and some tips to make the most out of your unplanned adventures.

Traveling spontaneously allows you to break free from the shackles of routine and open yourself up to endless possibilities. By relinquishing the need for a meticulously planned itinerary, you create space for the unexpected to occur. It might be stumbling upon a hidden gem of a town, connecting with fascinating locals, or experiencing a breathtaking sunset from an unplanned vantage point. Embracing the unexpected can lead to serendipitous encounters, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of the world around you.

Tips for Successful Spontaneous Travel:

• Pack light: With spontaneous travel, the less you carry, the more freedom you have. Pack essentials, a versatile wardrobe, and be open to buying or borrowing items along the way.
• Embrace uncertainty: Let go of the need for control and embrace the uncertainty that comes with this. Stay open-minded and be ready to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Trust your instincts: Follow your intuition and trust your gut feelings when making decisions on the go. It often leads to exciting discoveries and memorable experiences.
• Be open to serendipity: Leave room for spontaneous encounters and unexpected opportunities. Strike up conversations with locals, try new activities, and be open to invitations from fellow travelers.
• Stay safe and informed: While spontaneity adds a sense of adventure, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Research basic information about your destination, have a general idea of accommodation options, and ensure you have travel insurance.

Spontaneous travel is a gateway to a world of adventure, self-discovery, and unforgettable memories. By embracing the unknown and surrendering to the whims of the road, you open yourself up to transformative experiences and endless adventures.

Who’s Ready for Summer Vacation?

School is slowly winding down for most schools in the US and I know that I’m so excited to start planning for summer vacations. Whether they’re a day trip or a 7+ day trip, every trip is an opportunity to bond with your children. Some of our trips that we have planned are to Las Vegas and Utah, Ohio, Wisconsin, Delaware and probably a few other states thrown in. We recently bought a photo sticker map and my kids are excited to fill the entire US up.

What are some of your favorite places to visit during the summer? Where would you love the chance to visit? Share with us!!

Finding Fun During Quarantine

The world these days is full of confusion, uncertainty, and turmoil. Travel and vacation plans might be on hold but you can still find fun during quarantine and explore your local area. Hiking is a great way to discover new places and get some exercise (I might have added the Quarantine 15 ugh). My children and I decided to explore different parks and trails in our state, including some treasure hunts! 

Our first weekend we decided to head up to Swatara State Park to check out Bordner’s Cabin, a cabin that was built in 1939 by a local teacher and his students with materials they found nearby. They built it right by a waterfall which adds to its beauty. The waterfall is called Aycrigg’s Falls and is a little over 40 feet high but plenty of room to climb in and up along the rocks carefully.

The trail itself is about 3 miles and is mostly gravel with a bridge so it’s easily accessible. My child of no fear instantly was up the waterfall when we got there before I could turn around while the rest of us sat and relaxed.

Our trip back to the car took a little longer as we went off trail and climbed on rocks.

Our next trip with our first treasure hunt from Uncharted Lancaster, a website started by a local man who pretended to be an explorer off on great adventures. You can locate his website at https://unchartedlancaster.com

It’s full of history, adventure, hikes and lots of fun. My middle son and I decided to try out the Tunnels of Enola Adventure, a 4 mile round trip hike through tunnels, along railroad tracks, up and down hill in search of clues that you need to unlock the location of the treasure! There’s 2 different paths you can take, the easy path or the hard one. Of course my 12 yr old had to choose the hard one so off we went. You start in Conestoga, Pennsylvania at the Shenks Ferry Wildlife Preserve and go all the way to the Safe Harbor Power Plant. You will need to print out the instructions as we lost cell service in several places but that didn’t stop us.

The trail will take you through four tunnels, one of which you have to bend down and one you have to sit in the stream to get down and up from. Each tunnel has a clue that you have to look for and then you have to match the clue to a page in the diary on the website. Once you figure it out, you’ll be given the location of the treasure and have to hike to find it.

We had so much fun that we decided to do another one with all my kids: the Haunted Indian Gold Adventure. This treasure hunt is about 3 ½ miles long and is on the opposite side of Conestoga. Pay close attention to the beginning part of the trail as we walked right by it the first time and had to retrace our steps. Once again, you have to locate four clues that will give you the password needed to unlock the treasure’s location. We walked along the Enola Low Grade trail and up to the Safe Harbor Overlook Point. From the Point, you can see beautiful views for miles.

If you’re hiking with a younger child, like my 6 yr old; make sure to take breaks and lots of water. But it was worth it to see his face when we unlocked the treasure! If you haven’t heard of Uncharted Lancater, please check them out both on the website and on Facebook. You won’t be disappointed!

Our latest hike was this past weekend. I only have my two youngest so I let the boys pick where they wanted to go off the AllTrails App. They decided on the Shades of Death trail in Hickory Run State Park, about 2 hours north of us. Yes you read that right, Shades of Death. The app said it was only a 2.2 mile trail in and out and was along a creek with waterfalls. We packed up some lunch and changes of clothes because well kids will be kids around water; then headed up. If you do decide to hike there, please get there early as the parking does fill up fast.

The boys loved the trail with rocks to climb up and over and trees to act like they’re Tarzan swinging on.

The good behavior lasted until we came across the creek! From that moment on, they were wet. And loving it! There are some deep spots so be careful but for the most part you can walk in the creek. The waterfalls were so pretty and we couldn’t resist getting close but oh boy was that water cold brrr! Make sure to wear good shoes as the trail goes up and down, sometimes smaller paths and even a stone staircase.

As we walked back, we stopped to rest at the one pond on top of the first waterfall. Even with how cold the water was, they were both in it completely. It was a perfect trail and made their brother and sisters jealous when we told them all about it.

Even when everything starts to open back up and we can get out of our state, we’ll keep planning these hikes. We have lots more treasure hikes with Uncharted Lancaster to do and an whole app of trails to explore. Maybe we’ll even turn some weekends into a camping trip to explore. Who knows? Our only limit is our feet and our desire. Have any of you explored your local areas or hit up any hiking trails? Please share with us where you’ve been, I can’t wait to hopefully get some more ideas. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay active!

Visiting the American Helicopter Museum

Have you ever had a helicopter ride? Or have you seen a helicopter from very close? We had an amazing experience last week while visiting the American Helicopter Museum. My 6-year-old son Chase and I were invited by the museum and honestly, it blew our expectations.

The AHMEC (American Helicopter Museum and Education Center) is just outside West Chester, Pennsylvania and it was very easy to get there as they have access from several major highways.

It opened to the public around 20 years ago with the beautiful purpose of making a “tribute to the man and women who pioneered the development of rotary-wing aircraft”. They have been improving the public’s experience thanks to the contributions and donations, and as you can see, they make a huge effort to make it interesting and fun, not just for the kids but also for everyone young and old.

They’re open from Wednesday to Sunday, but on Sundays, they close before five, so if you’re visiting them make sure you arrive early. It’s also recommended to check closings on their website but it’s always better to give them a call before heading out there.

At the museum entrance, there’s a great exhibition showing the AHMEC history, how they got to settle in Pennsylvania,  where and how are they taking place with research and developments, and lots of more interesting facts. There are other very nice exhibits like the Dragonfly DP-4, the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) and the Pioneers of Helicopter Innovation. Chase really enjoyed this last one, they use graphics, movies and interactive models about helicopters engineering and building processes.

The outdoor area is fantastic. They have the biggest helicopters out there and it was awesome to be able to be that close to these incredible machines. I took lots of pictures because my son asked me to, he was so excited and wanted to save these moments forever. They also have a Rotorcraft Models Exhibit that shows many of the world’s more important helicopters and some future concepts too.

Apart from the amazing experience that brings the fun for kids to climb in the cockpits and try the controls, they also have lots of educational activities, workshops and also school groups of all ages. The length of each program is about an hour and people can learn about aerodynamic characteristics of helicopters, history, demonstrations and much more. They also have summer camps and a special program for girls called ‘Girls in science and Technology’.

We wanted to stay for longer but it was time to go back home, the experience was great and we’re planning to visit them again very soon. If you’d like to go check out their website (http://americanhelicopter.museum/) for more information or to book a visit in case you’re planning on going on big groups. Let me know if you head out there so we can share our memories and maybe plan a visit together.