Amy Hagstrom - Pitstops for Kids

Vacationing for better mental health

April 28, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re reading this post during a time of social distancing, now is the time to plan and prepare for your next journey!

When thinking about steps you can take to improve your mental health, don’t forget to consider the often overlooked benefits of taking a vacation. Whether you’re interested in the natural beauty of a state park or looking to let your hair down in a big city, getting away from your normal surroundings could be the change of routine that you need.

Mental health is an all encompassing term that refers to your social, psychological and emotional wellbeing. Your grasp on such things is how you either foster or sabotage interpersonal relationships. It dictates how well you cope with stress and challenges and, more importantly, how you recover from them. It is important to know that you don’t necessarily need a masters in mental health counseling to take steps to strengthen your psychological happiness.

Traits

Being mentally healthy doesn’t simply mean that you are not inflicted with certain illnesses of the mind; it’s much bigger than that. Having good mental health means you enjoy life. You are confident and secure in who you are and you enjoy living your life to its fullest. You know what makes you happy and you aren’t afraid to pursue it. Being confident with who you are will make you less apprehensive about trying new things and meeting new people. You won’t be discouraged from adapting to any changes that life throws at you; instead, you will take it in your stride. Having a strong mental position allows you to bounce back from adversity and take life’s curveballs in your stride. You know how to adapt, be flexible and strike a balance between work and play.

It is important to understand that even with the best mental health you will have stress and anxiety. It’s not necessarily what life brings you, it’s how you deal with it. Life is full of ups and downs. It is normal to experience stress, sadness and disappointment; in fact, it is unavoidable. The most important thing is to remain focused and positive. Even if you don’t readily see the solution to whatever you are going through, being able to tell yourself that you will get through it and overcome it is the biggest part of overcoming adversity.

Get Away

Whereas it is commendable to be a hard worker and dedicated to your career or profession, it is also important for your mental health to get away and have a change of scenery. When you plan a break, whether it’s a week or two vacation or just a weekend away, you have something positive to focus on. Allow yourself the opportunity to get excited about what your upcoming event may entail and the memories that you will make. When it comes to true happiness, that is found in actual experiences as opposed to objects or things you may be able to buy. You can’t put a price on memories with those you love.

When you are feeling depressed, it is common to withdraw from interpersonal interactions. Even though you may think that solitude will help you because you don’t feel like you can face being social, it’s one of the worst things you can do. Human beings are social creatures. You need human interactions. When you feel low or sad, even though a phone call may help you, the best solution is to visit with a friend or family. Allowing yourself to share the in person company of a close friend who is a good listener and won’t judge or criticize what you have to say.

The journey to good mental health begins with being self-aware. Evaluate your life and interactions and make sure you are still enjoying things you always have. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you are feeling overwhelmed.

7 tips for keeping everyone healthy while traveling

April 23, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Read on for travel tips once it’s safe to travel again!

Face it. Germs are just a part of life, especially if you have children. From summer colds to that oh so awful stomach flu, there are quite a few different ways for little ones to become ill, even when the temps are high and the sun is shining. If you happen to be planning a vacation, here are a few tips that can help keep you full of energy and healthy even when you’re on the road.

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Keep Moving

It’s easy to keep the kids moving, but you can’t forget about your health. No matter where you go, keep moving. It doesn’t matter if you find kid-friendly gyms, go for walks with the kids, or even go for a swim at the beach or in the hotel pool. If you’re moving, you’re helping your body stay healthy.

Sleep Early

Whether you’re at home or on a Disney cruise, kids don’t always understand the meaning of sleeping in. When you know that the little ones will be up with the sun every day, you’ll know that you owe it to everyone to go to bed early every night. When you burn the candle at both ends, you’re just begging for a family that’s overtired and this can increase the chances of illness.

Farmer’s Markets

One big reason for people getting sick while traveling is that we tend to deviate from our typical routine of healthy eating. Eating fast food as often as three times each day means that your intake of fruits and veggies has dramatically decreased. Make it a tradition to visit local farmer’s markets when you reach your destination. This is a fun way for you to get to know a few locals, but having fresh produce is also an irresistible method of eating healthy when you’re away from home.

Water

Your body always needs to be hydrated, and this is especially true on those sweltering summer days. You can stay away from sugary drinks by ensuring that each member of your family has their own bottle of water every day. This makes drinking it a habit, and it only takes a few seconds each evening to wash them out if you want to reuse them on the following day.

Breakfast

One thing that many people enjoy about vacations is the spontaneity. Yes, you should check out that interesting looking pizzeria or stop for a gelato. However, it’s important for everyone’s health to ensure that before starting the day, you have a healthy breakfast. You’ll worry a bit less about the nutrition of the family if you know that they’ve started the day off right.

Down Time

There are times when vacations or family trips will be anything but a relaxing holiday. We tend to pack our days with so many activities that we end up collapsing each night from exhaustion. This is truly a recipe for those who want to weaken their immune system. Instead of courting disaster, plan a bit of downtime into each one of your days. It doesn’t matter if it’s simply snuggling with a movie or a book at night or just spending a leisurely morning exploring a local park.

BYO Supplies

Having the ability to change a dirty diaper without having to do it in a dirty public restroom or to clean up a spill without having to run out for paper towels can save you both time and stress.

If someone in your family does happen to get sick while on vacation, be sure that you have your insurance cards and identification on hand for a visit to a local doctor or emergency room.

Travel Gear We Use: The Seventy2 Survival System bug-out bag

March 25, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

You may not be a doomsday prepper or preparing for a zombie apocalypse (or maybe you are), but every family should have a car bug-out bag, ideally for each family member and certainly for road trips and emergencies.

Opt for the Seventy2 Survival System from Uncharted.

Preppers define bug-out bags as gear they can grab quickly in case of emergency, that’s ready to go when they are. The folks at Uncharted simplify this even further: their Seventy2 bag are designed with the premise that 95 percent of emergencies are rectified within 72 hours, so they make sure you have everything you might need for those crucial hours, nothing more, nothing less. The result? A streamlined system in an easy-to-carry, high-quality backpack that you can gift to family members or buy for yourself.

The ‘shell’ of the Seventy2 bag is a 48 liter backpack that’s waterproof and very clearly organized. This backpack alone is worthy of a review. It has pockets and features galore. Inside, clearly marked ‘survival pouches’ make it easy to find essentials, plus know what to do with them. The ‘tools’ pouch is thus labeled, for instance, with all the contents listed underneath, including paracord, shovel, axe, duct tape, knife, and fire starter. In the ‘warmth’ pouch is a tent, blanket, hat, gloves, and hand warmers. For a full list of everything in the Seventy2 bag, including USB chargers, radios, and more, check here.

Can you put together your own survival go bag? Of course. Will you, to this extent? I can almost guarantee you won’t. At least, I won’t, which is why I gifted my college-aged son with a Seventy2 bag and now need more for my household. This bag could be essential on a camping or road trip, but it might also save your life when you’re not traveling.

Pick one up this holiday season as a very special gift for $349. You will have purchased peace of mind along with essentials you needed any way.

Want to design a less extensive, road trip bug-out bag?

For families who like to road trip or car camp, a car bug-out bag can be any kit that contains supplies and extras, such as MOLLE gear, that may be needed in an emergency while away from home.

Whatever type of bug out bag you create, be sure to stock it regularly for minor injuries, sickness, or weather conditions. We’ve never needed ours for a serious emergency, and hope we never do.

Start with any large backpack or duffel. We keep our basic bag, which we use in addition to our Seventy2 bag now, in our primary vehicle. You don’t want to put it anywhere it will need to be frequently moved. Ours is in the back, near the space reserved for the car jack and jumper cables.

What to put in your more basic road trip bug-out bag:

2-4 emergency blankets: These blankets are made of vacuum-metalized polyethylene and reflect 90% of your body heat, allowing you to stay warm despite their thin shape and low weight. They are the size of your palm when still folded, and can also be used as shelter or a ground cloth. We use SOL emergency blankets, which are less than $5 on Amazon.

1 small first aid kit: Ideally, you already have a family-sized first-aid kit in your car (if not, check out our recommendations). However, since your car bug-out bag is meant to be portable, opt for a smaller sized one. We use Adventure Medical Kits’ .5, which is housed in a lightweight, waterproof pouch and includes all the essentials (and not much else). At $15, you can’t make a cheaper one at this weight. Place some extra easy-access bandages in there, too. These nifty band-aids require only one hand to unpeel and place on a cut.

Gloves and winter hats for everyone: Reuse or buy a cheap pair of fleece or knit gloves for everyone in your family, and place them in the bag. Ditto for winter ‘beanie’ hats. These don’t need to be anything fancy; after all, you’ll want to wear your good ones regularly, and you’ll likely never use these. But in case of bad weather or the need to put chains on your tires, you’ll be glad to have some protection for your hands and heads. In winter months, we also add a lightweight jacket for everyone, which just stays in the bag until summer. Remember, you’ll have extra seasonally-appropriate clothing for everyone in your car already if you’re on a road trip or camping trip.

Pocket survival pack: These neat packs fit into your pocket, and include only the barest of essentials for outdoor survival. We have a pack in our backpacking gear, in the ‘just in case’ category, and one more in the car. In the case that someone needed to leave the shelter of the car to seek help, I’d want him or her to have this kit on them. Included is a whistle, mirror, sparker and tinder for an easy flame, and tiny portions of helpful items such as duct tape, safety pins, wire, and foil. It doesn’t seem like much now, but as a former Search and Rescue volunteer, I’ve seen people do amazing things with these items. We like the SOL pocket survival pack, because it comes with a waterproof card of instructions. Pick one up for under $30.

2-way radios: Sure, you have mobile phones, but as we all know, they can be unreliable. If you’re out of coverage area, low on battery power, or–unlikely but possible–if cellular service is down, you’ll want another way to communicate. We recently tried out the Motorola Talkabout 2-Way Radios (in other words, walkie-talkies), and they’ve now been added to our bug-out bag. Why we like them: they’re easy to juice up, they have a long range, and you can receive NOAA weather alerts through them. The Talkabout runs on either alkaline or rechargeable batteries (or can be charged using a mini-USB port, if you have access to that). They work in a 23 mile range, and has a scan feature which allows you to search a programmed list of channels. In the past, we’ve found that walkie-talkies can be useless if too many people are using them, but the Talkabout filters interference from non-Motorola units. They’re not toys, by any means, but still under $50 on Amazon.

Supplies for your car: Hopefully you already know where your car’s extra tire and jack are housed, but in addition, most families should carry chains for winter weather (depending on where you live), and jumper cables. We also store a small, collapsible shovel in our bag, which can (and has been) used to dig out of snow or mud.

Matches and firestarter: If you need to, you want to be able to make a fire for signaling help, warmth, or cooking. If you’re on a camping trip, you’ll have these supplies anyway, but we keep a waterproof case of matches and fire cubes in our bug-out bag all the time, so we don’t have to remember to grab them on each trip. What are fire cubes, you ask? These sugar-cube sized fire starters burn at 1300 F in any conditions…even a downpour. Use them to start a campfire or even boil water. Speaking of which…

Water: This is the only item we do not store in our bug-out bag, because we all carry personal water bottles with us in the car for any trip, so we already have them at the ready. For longer trips, however, we buy a case of water and place it in the back by the bag. If we don’t need it, we use this water on our travels, and buy more.

Want to be even more prepared? Have a water filter handy, or do what we do: pack your bug out bag with a LifeStraw or LifeStraw Go. This award-winning personal filtration system uses a filtering straw, so you have safe water to drink anywhere, anytime. We use ours on international travel days, too, so we get use of it regularly, not just during emergencies. After our son Nate lost his on a trip to Costa Rica, we replaced it immediately!

Basic foods: We don’t go overboard on this, which would probably dismay true preppers. But our bug-out bag is only meant for short term emergencies and even car-ride inconveniences, so we pack snacks with a long shelf life, like beef jerky and Nature Made granola bars. We change these snacks out every 2-3 months. I simply like knowing they’re in our bag should we get stuck in traffic for a very long time or need to leave our car for any reason.

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Find more Travel Gear We Use!

Do you have a car emergency bug-out bag? What’s in it?

Photo credit: Richard Riley

Exploring Tucson with kids

March 9, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Looking for a winter getaway? Thinking ahead to Spring Break? Tucson delighted us with genuine nature and wilderness, a lively, historic downtown, which has been newly revitalized, and resorts with all the amenities for a sunny vacation. We’ll definitely be back!

Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring Tucson, so start here as you plan your wintery vacation.

When picking a hotel, remember that Tucson’s warm weather makes outdoor space crucial: you’ll want a resort with all the amenities, with leisure space for soaking up the sun and a refreshing pool. If you plan to golf, hiking, or horseback ride, staying at a resort out of town will put you close to the outdoors. If shopping and dining is the central focus, stay right in town!

What to do in Tucson with kids:

Saguaro National Park:

This park of desert landscapes has two entrances, and two ‘sides’. Its two sections are on either side of the city of Tucson. The park is named for the large saguaro cactus, native to its desert environment. And yes, this is the type of cactus you picture when you think of the Southwestern desert. On the west side, Signal Hill Trail leads to petroglyphs of the ancient Hohokam people.On the east, Cactus Forest Drive is a loop road with striking views of the desert landscape. There is a robust array of ranger-led programs and junior rangers at the park; they even have Not-So-Junior Rangers, catering the the retirees who visit.

If you can’t make it into the park, try Sabino Canyon, just outside of town. This awesome hiking park has a tram system to take families to the top of a canyon loop, which they can then hike down (or stay on the tram). For families with kids ready to do more hiking, there are many loops that don’t necessitate the tram at all. Just be sure to take plenty of water, and a hat/sun protection. There are bathrooms and drinking fountains on site.

Tucson Botanical Gardens:

Open 8:30 am until 4:30 pm daily, the botanical garden is a great spot to hit in the morning, while the desert sun is still mild. There’s a butterfly garden, and plenty of meandering walking trails, plus tours if you’re up for it (the bird tour is a good one). It’s $13 for adults and $7.50 for kids; consider becoming a member if you think you may visit more than once a year.

Horseback riding:

Check out Houston’s Horseback riding with kids. There are many options in and around Tucson, however, as well as several dude ranches, should you want to make an entire vacation of it. On average, two-hour rides are around $60.

Arizona Sonora Desert Museum:

See raptors, visit the ‘Cat Canyon’, check out a desert garden, feed birds in an aviary, and hike short nature trails and loop trails at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, celebrated as one of the top museums in the Southwest. Kids can easily spend half a day or more here, so plan accordingly! There are indoor and outdoor attractions, so bring sun protection and water. Check out the hours of operation here. Adults are $20 (age 13 and up), kids are $8 (under three are free).

Where to eat:

Tucson has been recently awarded with the UNESCO designation of World City of Gastronomy. The city’s cultural heritage is celebrated in its food, which is very multicultural. For a memorable meal, head to Downtown Kitchen, the Flying V, or, especially with kids, the Tucson Tamale Company and Cup Cafe. Many restaurants are within a few blocks of each other in Tucson’s downtown area, so make an evening out of it and wander a bit after dinner, keeping an eye out for ice cream and cocktails (if desired).

Tip: wherever you lay your head will become your oasis in hot and dry Arizona. Make sure your hotel or rental has a swimming pool, shaded grounds, and some indoor activites in addition to the standard tennis courts, fitness center, and workout clubs.

Mega cruise guide to family cruise vacations

March 3, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Wondering how to pick the right cruise? Our cruise guide will steer the way! A cruise is a great way to enjoy multiple destinations while only unpacking once. Cruisers combine the convenience of an all-inclusive resort with the adventure of ports of call and international experiences. However, planning a cruise involves a special set of considerations that planning your average trip does not. How will you get to your departure port? Should you book excursions ahead of time? What does your ship include in the fare? Here’s what you need to know to plan the perfect cruise, using our cruise line comparison chart and more!

Cruise Guide: What Type of Cruiser do You Want to be?

The first decision to make in the cruise planning process is to pick the type of cruise that’s best for you. If budget is a primary factor, a large, budget cruise ship will work nicely. Most sail for 5–7 days to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Central America, and Alaska. Large cruise ships mean bigger crowds but they offer more onboard amenities, like multiple restaurants, pools, rock-climbing walls, and bigger gyms and spas. If budget is not a concern but onboard amenities are still important, opt for a mid-sized luxury ship, which will be more personalized with great service and (usually) true all-inclusiveness, with drinks and exercise classes included in your fare.

If unique ports of call and an active itinerary are more important to you than onboard amenities, consider a small cruise ship. These ships, which hold fewer than 200 passengers in most cases, are highly personalized, and they can stop at smaller ports off the beaten path. Many small cruise ships include daily opportunities to snorkel, kayak, hike, and photograph wildlife, but they will cost more than traditional cruises.

Once you’ve decided on the type of cruising that works for you, it’s time to pick a cruise line. Compare lines by looking at their destination ports (where do you want to leave from?), the itineraries they offer (this is where you’ll choose between tropical cruises, Alaskan cruises, and European cruises, for instance), and their levels of inclusiveness.

The best way to compare cruise lines, prices, itineraries is to check a reputable cruise agency with years of experience in organizing cruise trips. Your best bet for finding early birds and simply enjoying the trip goes for Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises.

Note that while virtually all cruise lines include room and board in their fares, some are truly all-inclusive, including alcohol, all excursions, and activities. Most charge extra for drinks, some onboard activities, and all excursions. Almost all lines prohibit bringing your own liquor or beer onboard, though most allow up to two bottles of wine. Ships store wine and liquor purchased at ports until disembarkation. Cruise lines that do not include alcohol in their cruise fares offer alcohol packages; do the math to determine whether such a package makes sense for you.

Planning Your Cruise Transportation and Getting Settled

Once you’ve settled on a cruise, it’s time to figure out how you’ll get to your embarkation port. One thing all cruises have in common is that they will leave without you. Therefore, plan to arrive the day before your departure if you’re flying to your port and plan to arrive several hours before boarding time if driving. You can even plan to drive the day before and stay the night at a port-side hotel (many will allow you to park your car there instead of at the port for less money).

If you’re flying to your port, look for a pre-cruise hotel that offers a shuttle service to your cruise or that is within an easy Uber fare. Check in online before you arrive to the port for ease of boarding; almost all cruise lines offer this service. Be sure to bring the paperwork that your cruise line requires, including your passport. Most cruise lines allow you to start the embarkation process by 11:30 am on the day of departure, which gives passengers time to eat a leisurely lunch while waiting for their staterooms to be ready.

Tip: Pack a day bag with swimsuits and essentials so you don’t have to wait for your bag to be delivered before enjoying the pool. Consider booking a massage or other spa service for your embarkation day to get you into “cruise mode.” These services are usually discounted on the first day.

Making the Most of Cruise Excursions

While onboard amenities are fun, you probably aren’t going on a cruise just to stay on the ship at every port. To avoid long lines at guest services during your cruise, book your excursions online before departure if you’re booking them through the cruise line. If you’re booking excursions independently, plan to book them for mid-morning on your days in port since many large cruise ships give priority disembarkation to passengers booked on cruise-specific excursions. Booking independently has its perks, however – you’ll usually save some money, you’ll help the local economy by paying tour operators directly, and you’ll avoid crowds of cruise passengers. To find safe, reputable excursions on your own, contact the local tourism board before your trip and make arrangements with verified businesses ahead of time. However, it’s important to remember the first rule of cruising: your cruise WILL leave without you if you’re not back on time. If your ship has limited time at a port (under 6–8 hours), it’s usually safest to book official cruise line excursions that guarantee your prompt return to the ship.

Planning to Disembark

At the end of your cruise, you’ll likely have an early-morning disembarkation. The process is known to go slowly since all passengers need to go through customs, but you can make it go faster by hanging onto your carry-on luggage (instead of putting it out the night before). Have your paperwork ready, and schedule a late-afternoon or evening flight home to be on the safe side.

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Source: Fix.com Blog

Five family outdoor adventure vacations worth planning for

February 24, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Embarking on a jungle trek in search of sloths. Skiing fresh powder accessible only by snow-cat. Climbing up a waterfall using only a rope tied to a tree. These kinds of adventures are not behind you now that you have kids. If anything, with the right planning and the right guides and tour operators, they’re perfect for families who want the chance to explore the outdoors beyond a nature walk or zip-line.

Five family outdoor adventure vacations to take with your kids:

A jungle cruise you can’t find at Disney:

Have you heard of Uncruise? It’s a company doing exactly what the name implies: taking your preconceived idea of what a ‘cruise’ entails out of your mind, and replacing it with something better. We took Uncruise’s adventure itinerary through Panama and Costa Rica, where every day started with a briefing on the day’s excursions over a gourmet breakfast. Unlike on a large ship, you’re off the ship (in a new destination) at least twice per day, hiking the jungle, kayaking, paddle-boarding and swimming, and wildlife watching. Uncruise vacations are offered throughout the year, with nice discounts in the shoulder seasons (mainly non-holiday periods when kids are in school). Read more about Uncruise’ Panama and Costa Rica itinerary.

A bucket-list trip to the land of Machu Picchu:

Every day of a Vantage Adventures trip to Peru, you’re outside and doing things that feel like a challenge, whether that challenge is walking up seemingly endless stone steps to the top of a UNESCO-protected antiquity or gathering ingredients for a group dinner at a bustling Cusco outdoor market. My point: adventure doesn’t always have to mean ‘extreme’ adventure. ‘Soft’ adventure can bring families together just as easily, and young kids can participate. Get a glimpse of what’s in store in Peru.

A whitewater camping trip:

When you raft an American river with OARS, my hands-down favorite family rafting operation, you get a camping trip and rafting trip in one. Even if you’ve never slept a night in a tent before embarking on a river, you’ll feel like an expert by the time you’re done four or five days later. Many families report that this is where their own traditions of camping began. If you’re a family accustomed and experienced in the outdoors, OARS will still bring on the challenges with whitewater, personal ‘ducky’ kayaks to command, and side hikes up to jumping rocks, to hot springs, and to waterfalls. Learn more about OARS trips.

An RV vacation under the Midnight Sun:

Maybe you’ve been on an RV vacation road trip, but have you done it in Iceland? In summer, the sun literally never sets, which means adventure is a 24-hour endeavor (much to my kids’ delight). Once you get the hang of driving one of Iceland’s many camper rentals on their narrow roads, you’ll be off and running…to glaciers, hot springs, geothermal pools and hiking trails. Do as much or as little as you want, and plan your itinerary as you go. Read more tips on Iceland camper vacations.

A week of Wild West adventure:

Maybe you’re not ready to tackle a glacier yet, or you don’t know if you can trek all the way to Central or South America. Maybe you just want to get your kids on horseback, learn to fly fish, or spend your days hiking and biking. A dude ranch vacation is like summer camp for grown-ups, because you’ll play right alongside your kids all day, and never have to worry about cooking, planning, or driving. Just wait for the dinner bell each evening (and maybe try your luck at rodeo or gymkhana games). Read our guide to planning a dude ranch vacation for next summer.

Why you want to invest in travel insurance for any family adventure trip:

Adventure trips that involve specialized guides, exotic destinations or extreme conditions are expensive and can sometimes be delayed or derailed by weather or other aspects out of our control. We never pay for a bucket list-worthy trip without buying Allianz Travel insurance. The Allianz Premier Plan is one of their annual plan options and covers everyone in your household…perfect for families. It gives me the peace of mind I need to hit that ‘book’ button. Why Allianz Travel? Read why this is the travel insurance we trust here.
Your credit card or health insurance at home may not cover you in full, and your airline won’t reimburse you or offer you credit in the case of weather-related delays or cancellations.
You want to be covered in case YOU have to cancel, for whatever reason.
You definitely want to forego all of that extra coverage every car rental company wants you to tack onto your reservation.

**General tips to ensure you won’t need to use that travel insurance:**

Fly into your departure destination at least a full day before any adventure cruise. Remember, if you’re delayed for any reason, the ship will not wait for you.
Opt for public transportation when possible, and hire local drivers in difficult-to-navigate areas.
Pay attention to seasons and weather. Will it be hurricane season where you’re going? How about wildfire season (in the American West?). Always, always invest in travel insurance when traveling during high-risk seasons.
Always pack a well-stocked first aid kit, that includes any prescription or over-the-counter medications your family regularly needs. For our crew, this means stashing plenty of antihistamine tablets for those of us with severe seasonal allergies and minor food allergies.
Prepare for any weather discomfort with the right clothing. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy the best of everything, but it does require an investment. Think sun protection and layering: make sure everyone in the family has wool or synthetic base layer items to wear against the skin for any outdoor adventure trip, wool socks, and a down or down-alternative puffer jacket and rain jacket.

This post is written in partnership with Allianz Travel, my preferred travel insurance provider. All opinions are my own.

Using FlyLine for cheap airfare booking

February 20, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

We like to think we’re pretty good at finding the lowest airfare for any trip. But it’s complicated and usually makes us want to pull our hair out. Plus, it seems there’s a new third-party airfare booking app just about every five days…how to know which ones to search through?

Enter FlyLine, a wholesale flight club with exclusive fares and zero markup. Instead of using a third-party booking site, with FlyLine, you pay for a membership subscription and book directly through their own booking engine…no more getting redirected like you do from third-party apps. Basically, FlyLine hops from airline to airline to obtain the lowest price, allowing you to skip the fees and markup and save up to 60 percent.

How does FlyLine work?

I wanted to find out, so I signed up with a trial membership and gave it a whirl. I have a spring break trip coming up, and wanted to get separate airfare for my college-aged son, out of his college city instead of our hometown. I did an active search on FlyLine just like one would on any of the booking sites: I plugged in the departure and destination airports, the dates, and preferred airlines.

FlyLine claims to specialize in international economy flight savings, and they did indeed deliver during my search, screenshotted below. When I booked a similar flight for myself and my other son, the cost was about $100 more, much farther in advance. This may be because they use virtual interlining (mashing one-way flights from different carriers into one itinerary) to get you the best deal.

What you get with FlyLine:

Huge International Economy Flight Savings (with any given flight search they typically come in $150+ less than the best flight available on Kayak)
Deal alerts. They scour the internet and are also able to share their exclusive fares on top of the ones the other companies offer
Their custom-built booking engine
Time-saving tools like automatic check-in
Use of their iOS or Android app

Not all savings on flights are in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, and when I search for a domestic flight, plus a flight from my west coast city to Baja, Mexico, I didn’t see a savings. FlyLine agrees that you won’t see a discount every time, but with the basic membership, you can book six trips per year, and if even a few of those offer significant savings, the others are worth it simply for the ease of booking. (Usually, I have to scour third-party sites then migrate to airline sites, which takes more time.)

Note: Remember that you can book as many ADDITIONAL passengers as your membership level allows. For instance, for my membership that allows me to book six trips, I can book two for myself (maybe work trips) and an additional trip for four people (myself and my kids for a getaway, perhaps). As long as you stay at six bookings total, you can configure it any way you need.

An example of another online search, with the FlyLine savings possible:

Depart Dallas 4/16/20 for Dublin and return 4/24/20:
FlyLine’s Best Price: $745
The Internet’s Best Price (Kayak): $764
FlyLine Savings: $18
Return on Basic Membership: .36X

Membership options:

As mentioned above, the Basic plan is $49 per year, for one user (allowed six bookings). The Premium plan is $79 and includes two users and unlimited bookings per year. Both include automatic check-in and deal alerts. Learn more about your options here.

Bottom line:

FlyLine offers virtually interlined flights. By combining multiple routes into a singular fare they create a seamless transaction for members that guarantees their connection and baggage transfers, while offering an unmatched rate.

They offer the rate straight from the GDS (wholesale rate with zero markup.

You pay for a membership so you can passively monitor their prices with deal alerts and actively hunt for deals with their booking engine. They are not always the cheapest, but they are competitive on domestic flights and often cheapest on international flights (about 70 percent of the time).

Have more questions? Check out FlyLine’s FAQ page and try a membership at no risk for 14 days!

Disclosure: I was invited by FlyLine to explore their website and review their membership as part of a partnership. All opinion remains my own.

Guide to flying budget airlines in Europe

January 30, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re like me, you find those super cheap budget airline ticket prices very tempting. €25 per person from Paris to Rome? €45 to Copenhagen? Sign us up! These prices are not too good to be true; families really can get fares like these on airline tickets in Europe. Fail to read the fine print, however, and you’ll end up paying more. Much, much more. Here’s what you need to know before flying budget airlines in Europe:

Ryan Air tips:

The mack daddy of budget airlines (and certainly the first I became familiar with), Ryan Air offers insanely low prices. However, know the rules to avoid extra fees:

1. Print boarding passes before your flight. I don’t mean just check in before your flight, make sure you have your confirmation number, or find that booking email on your phone. I mean PRINT YOUR BOARDING PASSES. Otherwise, you face a steep fine for them to print them at the desk. Is this silly? Of course it is.

2. You can (and should) check in with Ryan Air one week before your flight. For us, this meant that during a recent trip to Europe, I checked in for my Ryan Air inter-city flight scheduled for mid-way through our trip before I could even check in for our cross-Atlantic flight. When you check in and print your boarding passes, you’ll be required to enter every person’s birthdate and passport number.

3. When booking, be sure to buy adult tickets for adults and kid tickets for kids (under 16), no matter the difference (or not) in price. If you don’t, you’ll be unable to check in your child when promoted for his or her birth year if you’ve accidentally booked an adult ticket. If for any reason you can’t print your boarding passes, use the online chat option to resolve the problem immediately. I chatted with a Ryan Air representative when I couldn’t print my 16-year-old’s pass and screen-captured the conversation in which he stated a gate agent would print the boarding pass at no charge. They complied at the gate because the conversation was noted in their system and I had the screen capture. Just saying, ‘they said it would be ok’ is not enough.

4. Ryan Air now allows one carry-on and one personal item, just like in the US, though the officially carry-on size is one inch smaller. We had no problem boarding with 22 inch carry-ons, but we also made sure to queue up right when boarding was called to avoid being one of the last to board. These are the people whose bags were scrutinized.

EasyJet tips:

There’s nothing easy about flying EasyJet, but it’s certainly cheap. Here are a few tips:

1. Note their carry-on restriction of only ONE bag per person. This does not mean a carry-on and a personal item or backpack, but rather only ONE piece of baggage total. Families can check bags if needed, for 25 euros online, 35 euros at the check-in desk, or 45 euros at the gate. Ouch. Here’s what we did: each person in our family had a carry-on and a backpack. We put all our extra shoes and laundry in our largest carry-on, and paid to check it online for 25 euros. We then had just enough room for everyone to stuff their backpack into their carry-on for the flight, with one person carrying only the largest backpack. Whew!

2. Queue up to board early. If the boarding time is listed as 8:30 am, for instance, you’ll see people queuing as early as 8 am. By all means, join them, because like with Ryan Air, those last few to board have their carry on bag size analyzed more carefully. Though I will note that during the busy holiday season, a gate agent came down the line and measured each and every person’s bag. Talk about stress!

3. Bring water and snacks onboard. Nothing will be complimentary onboard. For those who have flown Frontier or Allegiant in the States, you know the drill.

General tips and cost traps:

Budget airline gates are almost always located at secondary or smaller airports, which in turn are almost always further away than the main airport serving a city. Take this into account: while some of these airports are served by metro trains or shuttles, expect to pay more per person on ground transportation. If you have an early flight, you may even need a private car service or taxi transport.

For example, we had a 9 am flight out of Paris’ BVA airport, located further afield than CDG or even ORLY. While 9 am seems like a civilized flight time, we had to leave our accommodations at 6 am to get to the airport by 7:15 am. We used this airport shuttle service which picked us up at our door. Had we used the bus service offered, we would have had to leave earlier…too early to take the metro to the bus line. The takeaway: if you know you’ll be taking public transit to a distant airport, opt for a later flight time because the whole process will take awhile. If you need to fly earlier in the day, budget for a shuttle or car service. We paid $125 on ground transportation in this case. If we’d had a later flight, the bus would have cost us around $75. We still saved more than if we’d flown a more expensive airline, but the ‘hassle-factor’ is strong here.

For shorter airport transfers, consider booking a private car service in advance. Often not much more expensive than public transit for a family of 4-5, a car service is far more relaxing and convenient. We used Blacklane from CDG to our Paris accommodations, and liked them so much, we booked them again instead of a taxi when we needed early morning transportation from our accommodations to a tour office.

Don’t dismiss a taxi as an option. When we needed to get from our downtown Rome accommodations to FCA, the Da Vinci airport train would have been 14 Euros per person (almost 75 for our family of five) whereas a taxi cost us 60. Negotiate a price with the driver before you get in the cab. (In Rome, only take white taxis…the others are unofficial and illegal.)

We love multi-day metro passes in major cities, but these passes often do not include outer zones serving airports. Be prepared to buy one-way fare for each person if you book a later flight on any airline.

Even taking these ground transportation expenses into account, all our budget airline flights cost us less than their standard airline counterparts. By planning far ahead of time, using Ryan Air and EasyJet can absolutely be worth the hassle. Just don’t expect to come out ahead if you’re planning on the fly (no pun intended).

Winter backcountry skiing: a stay with Cascade Huts

January 27, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

As soon as I was made aware of Cascade Huts, a system of backcountry cabins in the Mt. Hood wilderness near Government Camp, Oregon, I knew we had to review it! Set miles away from civilization, each of Cascade Huts’ three rustic cabins are situated along backcountry ski and bike trails accessible in winter from any of three area sno parks. Overnight guests snowshoe or cross-country ski in, stay a night (or two or three!), and hike out on any of several available routes.

We’re avid backpackers, but even so, the idea of packing in overnight supplies (even to a shelter) in winter with the kids was intimidating. From the moment I contacted owners James and Don, my worries were set aside. James emailed me many times, answering all my questions in a very professional and knowledgable manner. One of the nicest things about the Cascade Hut system is its flexibility: guests can opt to hike a short or long distance, choose difficult or easier (note I didn’t say easy) terrain, and even navigate their own routes if they’re skilled in GPS navigation.

Since we’re not expert navigators, I asked James to choose the best route for our single overnight to the White River Hut. Because I was trekking in with kids who are new to cross-country skiing, and I’d be using the provided maps and directions instead of a GPS unit, he suggested we travel the historic Barlow Road from the Barlow Pass Sno-Park, on Highway 35 (longer in distance, but easier to navigate). On the provided maps, I noted that this route was marked as ‘intermediate’, as opposed to the ‘expert’ route also available.

Even so, the Barlow Road was no joke: we navigated the six mile wet powder trail (with multiple small creek crossings and over 1000 feet of elevation change) in just over five hours, needing to stop often to make adjustments, carefully cross creeks, and pick each other up! Luckily, we had planned to be on the trail most of the day, so we’d gotten an early start and made sure to have a picnic lunch ready for the route. Note: even in winter…especially in winter…make sure you include enough water for all members of your group, and keep hydrated.)

We arrived at the White River Hut before sundown, and trust me, it was a welcome sight! The kids (with their endless energy) made snow forts outside while we prepped the cabin: detailed instructions await you upon arrival, and include turning on the propane to run the heater, stove, and gas lanterns. The hut is 256 square feet and sleeps up to eight people. Four bunks line two walls, a third wall features a kitchen counter, supplies, and a stove, and the fourth houses the front door and wall-mounted propane heater. Small windows provide adequate light and ventilation (be careful of CO2 poisoning while using propane!), and a table and chairs provide a nice space to eat and play games.

While staying in Cascade Huts, there’s no need to overpack! I admit, we did just that; not being certain what would be provided (better safe than sorry), we packed in more equipment and water than necessary. Though there is no running water (or electricity), the cabin-side creek was running freely in February, and we were able to both pump clean water and boil snow on the stove for drinking water. In the cabin are sleeping bags (just bring liners), lots of board games (we didn’t need to haul in our poker chips and cards!), all kitchen utensils, pots, pans, plates, and mugs (could have saved pack space there!). Also stocked was a good first aid kit, toilet paper, a snow shovel, and plenty of extra gas cylinders for the portable heater. There’s also an outhouse about 40 yards down the trail, but we found it very difficult to access in the winter, due to a nearby stream.

Note: Summer guests are provided with food and water as well, but in the winter, it would freeze!

Once we figured out the propane and various features of the cabin, we were quite comfortable (cozy, even!) all night. It’s important to bring plenty of layers of clothing for each person, as drying out wet gear is tough. We brought two sets of gloves, hats, and under layers for everyone, and were glad we did, when we were caught in a snow/rain storm on our hike back out.

If you go:

1. Make sure you feel comfortable in the backcountry. The Mt. Hood wilderness is very remote, and all guests should be comfortable following topographical maps and/or GPS units. We had several maps as well as a compass, and used all three. You won’t get cell phone service at the cabin, but it still doesn’t hurt to bring one along. My iPhone didn’t get a signal (though my compass app came in handy), but T-Mobile BlackBerry phones or other smart phones might. Cascasde Huts does a great job of preparing guests (and putting them at ease), and every guest signs a waiver, which isn’t only due to liability, but also ensure their location is known on the date they’ve reserved the cabin(s), an important safety step.

2. If cross-country skiing or snowshoeing is new to you, take a trial run. Since we’re expert downhill skiers, we underestimated the difficulty of cross-country skiing. Though I grew up with the sport, it was Nate (12) and Calvin’s (10) first time, and there was a slight learning curve. The terrain to the huts is steep in places, involves obstacles like logs, creeks, and rocks, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

3. If you need to rent equipment, go to MountainTracks in the nearby town of Government Camp. You can reserve what you need ahead of time online, making for an easy pick-up!

4. If you’re going the distance (six miles or more), opt for skis instead of snowshoes. Maps of all routes will be sent to you from Cascade Huts, but I also recommend picking up a snowshoe and backcountry trail map at MountainTracks.

Check out the Pit Stops for Kids’ Kid Cam video for a better glimpse of our experience:

Date last visited: February 20, 2012

Distance from the interstate: The Barlow Pass Sno Park (trailhead) is on Hwy 35 (just shy of Hwy 26). The area is approximately 1 hour from Portland, OR.

Nightly Rate: In winter, a Cascade Hut cabin can be reserved for $150 per night (for up to eight people). Additional nights (up to three) can be reserved for a discounted price. In summer, mountain bike routes are available, and prices start at $300 per person for a 4-day, 3-night itinerary that includes meals.

Directions: Depending on your route and hut destination, trailheads are located at any of three area sno parks. Our adventure began at the Barlow Pass Sno Park, located one mile from Government Camp on Highway 35. Be sure to get a sno park permit!

Thanks to Cascade Huts for providing us with one night’s lodging at the White River Hut. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Guide to skiing Breckenridge with teens (by teens)

January 20, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Breckenridge Mountain is a huge ski resort with something for absolutely every type of skier and rider. On our latest trip, we went with our teens and pre-teen, who are all expert skiers and riders. I thought I’d let them tell readers their favorite places on the mountain from their perspective. If you have older kids and teens who like steeps and deeps, this is the post to read!

Note to parents with beginning skiers and riders: Breckenridge’s ski school is among the best we’ve seen, and entire sections of the resort are devoted to green and blue (beginner and intermediate) runs. While this is not the ‘Breck’ we’re covering in this post, learners will be right at home!

Guide to skiing Breckenridge, according to kids who like moguls, trees, and bowls:

The bowls above the tree line are amazing, but only if conditions are right. On windy days or when they’re not open, due to avalanche control, head into the trees! Our favorite tree skiing at Breck is probably the Windows off Peak 9. From the Mercury SuperChair or the E Chair, take the trail to Window 1 and 2, and ski through trees into our favorite place in all of Breck: the ravine bordering a creek! There are winding trails, jumps, and bumps here and it goes on for ages!

There is a lot of out-of-boundary terrain at Breck, and there are gates to access these areas in designated spots. Don’t duck the rope! At the top of Peak 9, there’s a gate where you can hike for about 20 minutes to access some fun stuff, but remember: you have to have a pack, beacon, and shovel with you (and a friend). Our parents’ rule is that we have to take an avalanche safety course before they’ll buy us beacons, so we had to skip this spot.

But: if you still want to hike to great terrain, there are places to do this without leaving the resort boundary. If Imperial chair is not running, we like to hike from Peak 9 at the top of E Chair to the Back 9. The hike is long and hard (about 20 minutes, but it feels longer and you’ll get sweaty) but then you get to ski down your choice of double blacks that haven’t been skied out. After the open bowls, you’ll end up in the same creek run from above.

For lots of steep, mogul runs, head to Peak 10. This was our mom’s favorite peak. Go left at the top of Falcon SuperChair, and try Black Hawk or Dark Rider (double black diamonds).

Peak 7 is an intermediate hill, but at the top is lots of good stuff you can access if Imperial is open. We also liked 6 Chair, which had more moguls and above-tree stuff, on the side of Peak 8.

There are several terrain parks, but be warned: the large and medium ones are HUGE! We like terrain parks but had to stay on the small one…which was like our medium one at home! You can find the small one on Peak 9, called the Highway.

If you like bowls with plenty of spots to find trees to run through, get yourself to the T Bar. Riding the T Bar can be tricky at first, but just watch the people ahead of you, and don’t forget to stay standing…you don’t sit on the T. It’s harder to ride for snowboarders than skiers. When snowboarding, we place the T closer to our hip than our behinds. Riding the T Bar is entertaining, too, because about 1 in 10 people fall off.

Even if you are a very good skier, Breck’s kid zones are a lot of fun. Look for the small terrain trails throughout the family zones and intermediate runs. We found one with a mock mine tunnel to ski through and one with an ore bucket. It’s just lots of fun.

Disclosure: We skied and rode Breck as guests of the resort, in order to report back on where to go for the best runs. All opinions are our own!