Amy Hagstrom - Pitstops for Kids

Northstar California with kids: a stay at Big Horn Lodge

February 3, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

As with any large Tahoe ski resort, families have many lodging options at California’s Northstar-at-Tahoe, from rental homes to studio suites and condos, to hotel rooms. For our three-day weekend family getaway, we choose to stay in a luxury condo at Big Horn Lodge. Operated by Tahoe Mountain Lodging, Big Horn Lodge is located ideally in the heart of the Northstar Village. From our 5th floor balcony, we could watch the Big Springs Gondola whisk skiers and boarders up the mountain and eye the comings and goings on the lively village street below.

Last winter, our family enjoyed a week in an isolated vacation home on the south side of Lake Tahoe, so at first, the kids weren’t sure how much they’d like being so close to the action. They were won over by ‘village life’ almost instantly; they loved being steps away from the village ice skating rink (open afternoons and evenings and free to use), the hot tubs (directly across the village street from the Big Horn building), and most importantly, enjoying the novelty of grabbing their skis out of our assigned Big Horn locker and walking 35 steps (yes, they counted) to the gondola.

Our 1300 square foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom Big Horn condo included a full, gourmet kitchen (stocked with everything you’ll need except groceries), a dining area, living area (with fireplace), and sleeping space for six (two bedrooms, plus a quite comfortable pull-out sofa). The kids loved the deep tubs, and I appreciated having a full-sized washer and dryer…no more damp gloves! Our ski locker downstairs fit six pairs of skis, and the proximity to the lifts made getting three kids ready to go each morning very easy. Ditto for the reverse: it was so fun to ski right down to our door!

In the evenings, we stepped outside Big Horn (located at the end of the village next to the slopes) and walked just a few doors down to all village shops and restaurants, as well as the ice skating rink (rentals are $10, and run big), where the kids (and me!) loved roasting marshmallows on the big fire pits (surrounded by welcoming outdoor seating). Tip: S’mores kits are available for purchase at True North, directly across from the ice skating rink, but plan ahead…they close at 8 pm!

All Tahoe Mountain Lodging guests enjoy the use of fitness centers and hot tubs located within their properties (the closest to us was right across the street in the Catamount Lodge) and the heated outdoor pool (with lap lanes) in the Village Swim and Fitness Center (directly across from the village near the Hyatt). All amenities were within easy walking distance for our family.

Bottom line? Our condo at Big Horn Lodge was beautiful inside and out, but what guests are really paying for (and is it ever worth it!) is the location. At the end of our stay, I asked the kids again if they would rather be deep in the woods like last year, and they couldn’t decide! They truly loved both experiences, but if a relaxing stay for you, Mom and Dad, is paramount, go for village living! Our experience at Big Horn Lodge was the epitome of logistical ease: everything we needed was at-hand, and we never even saw our car again until we checked out!

Date last visited: January 26-28, 2012

Distance from the interstate: Several miles off I-80 near Truckee CA.

Rates and reservations: Rates vary by season and condo size. The rate for our two-bedroom, two-bathroom Big Horn condo was $425/night, at the time of our booking. Rates for a similar condo range from $300-900.

Directions: Northstar-at-Tahoe is located 30 minutes from Reno, NV or three hours from Sacramento, CA off of the Highway 267 exit on Interstate 80 (I-80). Follow signs from Big Spring Drive to the second loop (by the Hyatt), where you’ll see parking for Tahoe Mountain Lodging. Check-in is easy at their offices (open to 11 pm nightly).

As I disclose whenever applicable, Northstar-at-Tahoe and Tahoe Mountain Lodging generously hosted our stay at Big Horn Lodge. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Northstar on Dwellable

Northampton Parents’ Center

February 1, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Visiting western Massachusetts with young kids this winter? A great option for a cold or rainy morning is the Northampton Parents Center, a co-operative community center for young kids (birth to kindergarten) and their caregivers. While most visitors live in the area (my kids are regulars at the parents center—we’re there each week!), there are always new families stopping by, many of whom are in the area for a visit with local family or friends.

The Northampton Parents Center is open Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30am, has music class on Thursday mornings, and often hosts special events, such as local storytellers, musicians, or puppeteers (check the website for an updated schedule). There is a big room for tumbling, tricycles, and ride-on cars; a smaller room with rice and play-doh tables; and another small room with books and toys for younger babies.

The Northampton Parents Center provides a comfortable, supportive environment for parents and plenty of fun and stimulation for kids. If you do stop by, be sure to ask for me—I’m sure we’ll be there!

Date last visited:

Distance from the interstate: About one mile off of I-91, in the center of Northampton, Massachusetts.

Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday 9:30–11:30. The Northampton Parents Center follows the Northampton public school calendar, and is closed during school holidays and during the summer (although informal summer playdates at local parks will be posted on the website). Be sure to check the website to plan your visit.

Admission: Everyone is welcome at the Northampton Parents Center, regardless of ability to pay. Visitors donate between $0 and $5 per family for a visit, or local families can buy a year membership for $100.

Food services: Coffee is always brewing in the kitchen! Also, snack time is provided for the kids at 10:15am. There are also plenty of spots nearby in the town center for breakfast or lunch before/after your visit to the parents center.

Directions: The Northampton Parents Center is located in the basement of Edwards Church (the parents center is not affiliated with Edwards Church, although the church generously provides space for the center) on Main Street in Northampton, but the entrance is located on State St. (you’ll notice all the strollers parked by the door!)

Seeking ohana in Kauai’s quiet spaces

January 26, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

This post is sponsored by The Hawaiian Islands, where you could be Living in the Moment on the Island of Kauai.

Miles past the smattering of resorts, tourist destinations, and restaurants dotting Kauai’s scenic coastline, a rusted pick-up truck sits at the end of a dirt drive, waiting to be loaded with the week’s mango crop. My three-year-old nephew, barefooted and shirtless, hefts one in, grinning as it rolls loudly across the dented truck bed. His mother snaps a photo, catching the blur of his hibiscus-patterned swim trucks against the backdrop of the truck’s rainbow-tinted plates.

It’s their second day of vacation on Kauai’s North Shore, during which they’re staying at North Country Farms in Kilauea, just one of many tucked-away places in which families can slow down and find peace in the Garden Isle. A family-owned and operated organic farm, North Country Farms offers more than just a place to lay one’s head: it’s a quiet respite for adults that simultaneously provides endless entertainment for children. Their two guest cottages include dining areas and kitchenettes, and throughout their stay, kids and adults alike are encouraged to pick all the fruit desired from the surrounding orchards.

Down nearby (and ridiculously scenic) Kuhio Highway, additional genuinely Hawaiian experiences await (though I’ve heard there’s a killer shaved ice stand en route). Kids will appreciate the short commute to the sanctuary of the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, where the slopes of an extinct volcano provide able space to run and play and spot green turtles, monk seals, and even humpback whales.

Up the shore, the Na Aina Kai botanical gardens include playgrounds for little ones amid 240 acres of gardens, forests, and beaches. Bring a picnic meal to enjoy at a North Shore beach afterward; Anini and Ke’e are rarely crowded. (Ke’e is perhaps the calmest we’ve seen, making it perfect for babies and toddlers.)

Of course, the most hidden-away spots on Kauai can’t be reached by car. For a moderate hike even the youngest island visitors can manage (while still yielding big rewards), leave Ke’e beach to join the adjacent Kalalau Trail. Two miles in, families will be treated with Hanakapi’ai Beach, where shallow creeks and caves demand exploration.

Evening meals can be had back in the town of Kilauea, where the local fish market promises the freshest catch. Afterward, the sunset over the volcanic rock of the coastline beckons. Kids go to bed tired and get up with the sun on the Garden Isle, but that’s ok: back at North Shore Farms, the roosters will be crowing, anyway, and the organic coffee’s perking.

Is Mexico safe for traveling families?

January 23, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

The short answer: it depends on where you go. Asking whether Mexico is safe for traveling families is like asking whether the entirety of the U.S. is safe, or the Caribbean, or anywhere else you may wish to travel in the world. One cannot judge an entire country by unsafe activities in isolated parts.

For the long answer, I spent several days last month in Puerto Vallarta with the e-Commerce manager of Velas Resorts who, in addition to graciously (and enthusiastically) playing tour guide throughout her city of Nayarit and neighboring Puerto Vallarta, helped to put me at ease about the safety of the region.

The good news: traveling families can (and should) visit this beautiful Pacific coast of Mexico. Taking the following common sense precautions will ensure a happy (and worry-free) vacation:

1. Lock up valuables. Use your in-room safe! Store valuables whenever you’re out (even to meals). It may be an overreaction, but most hotels and resorts prefer you utilize the resource of your safe. That’s why it’s there!

2. When outside your room, take only what you need. All-inclusive resorts and resorts that allow room charges make this easy. During our stay at Velas Vallarta, my wallet and all cash was stored in my safe 90% of the time. When I did need money while away from the hotel, I found that all I needed was a small amount of cash, one credit card, and my phone. You can use a money belt, but you will probably feel safe without it.

3. Book excursions and activities through your hotel or resort. This is not to say you shouldn’t venture beyond your resort…you should! But use the resource of your hotel’s concierge or activities planner. He or she can book second party tours on your behalf, and/or recommend reputable and professional companies. If nothing else, a conceierge can point you and your family in the direction of the best beaches, snorkeling, or shopping.

4. Don’t drink the water. After talking with my host for some time about the safety of her country, I asked, mostly in jest, whether the advice not to drink the water in Mexico was a false rumor as well. Her face fell as she asked urgently, “You’re not drinking the tap water, are you?! Don’t drink the water!” So yeah…don’t. In all high-quality resorts such as Velas Vallarta and neighboring Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, families will be served safe, bottled water in their restaurants (so yes, you can order a glass of it there), and tap water, as Americans think of it, is not served (or used at all in food preparation) at all. Outside of restaurants, traveling families need to follow due diligence: this means no glass of water taken from the kitchenette tap at bedtime, no swallowing rinse water while brushing teeth or in the bath or shower. Kids, especially, have a hard time remembering all this, and parents do need to remind them. Instead, have bottled water by the bed and in the bathroom, and along with you on any outings.

5. That said, drink lots of water! It’s important to stay hydrated in the warm Mexican sun, especially if you’ll be consuming your share of tropical drinks by the pool (or pursuing strenuous activities such as hiking, snorkeling, or paddling). All-inclusive resorts such as Velas Vallarta makes this easy; bottled water is continually supplied. If you don’t have such service, be sure to make a stop at a grocery store (or Wal-Mart) after arriving to stock up.

6. Lastly, don’t be an easy target for scams. Upon arriving past customs at Puerto Vallarta airport, families face a gauntlet of official-looking taxi drivers, shuttle services, and the like, all ready to take you to your resort (often combined with a ‘resort credit’ or ‘discount’). These are actually time share affiliated. My advice? Pass right by this onslaught to curbside, where taxi cabs await. Better yet, arrange for a specific shuttle or car service ahead of time. On public beaches and streets, comparison shop before purchasing souvenirs, and when possible, arrange for tour experiences such as snorkeling or deep-sea fishing through the concierge at your hotel, not through beach or street vendors.

Family-friendly paradise: a stay at Velas Vallarta

January 16, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Guests arriving at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Velas Vallarta resort should expect to be greeted in the spacious, breezy lobby by a friendly staff offering a cool, freshly scented towel and an ice-cold bottle of water. My husband and I were also greeted by a resident peacock.

Throughout our four-day stay, we also made the acquaintance of a trio of iguanas, a turtle, a school of koi fish, and the rumor of crocodiles residing in a nearby river. The adjacent Pacific teamed with schools of fish, after which majestic pelicans dove. Suffice it to say, our kids would have been in heaven.

Of course, much more than a menagerie makes Velas Vallarta ideal for families. The following amenities make for a stress-free, kid-friendly family vacation, all in a stunning beachfront location.

All-suite room configurations. Velas Vallarta began as a condo development. As such, every room, from studios to three-bedroom units, include kitchenettes with stove-top, mini-fridge, sink, microwave, dishes, cups, and silverware. Studios sleep up to two adults and two children (making use of a pull-out couch), and one to three bedroom units provide separate space for families up to eight.

All-inclusive food. Any parent who’s vacationed with kids knows the truth: not worrying about meals and their costs is worth its weight in gold. Velas Vallarta provides all-inclusive guests with three meals a day in up to three on-site restaurants (our favorite by far was La Ribera, located directly on the beach). In addition to meals, additional snacks, beverages, and desserts are available virtually 24 hours per day, through their swim-up Aqua Bar, poolside service, and room service. Each room’s fridge is stocked with bottled water, soda, beer, and snacks daily, all at no extra cost. We loved that by showing their resort wristbands, parents could keep their kids properly hydrated all day, and that families could eat casual meals wherever they choose: the beach, the pool, the restaurants, or the balcony of their rooms.

Family-friendly activities. On the resort grounds, families have the run of three connected, free-form swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, ping-pong tables, beach volleyball courts, scheduled activities, a full kids’ club, and beach access (complete with cabanas to help reduce sun exposure). Velas Vallarta’s pool-side kids’ club is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily for kids ages 4-12, is professionally staffed, and is included in the all-inclusive nightly rate. Kids’ Club staff take kids to the pools, organize games and sport tourneys, teach arts and crafts, and provide meals. Each evening, themed entertainment is on stage in the lobby bar. Tip: for beach rentals such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, and boat rentals, Velas Vallarta recommends neighboring resort Malia Vallarta, located a 5-10 minute walk down the beach. We rented a kayak from their beach rental tent for $15/hour.

Attentive activities desk. Organized tours such as whale watching, snorkeling, hiking, or horseback riding in the nearby Sierra Madre mountains can be easily arranged by Velas Vallarta’s activities desk, located in the main lobby. Activities can be arranged once you arrive, or before your reservation date.

Proximity to town and airport. Velas Vallarta is only five minutes from the airport, and only a 10 minute (or 80 peso) cab ride from downtown Puerto Vallarta’s famed Malecon boardwalk (definitely worth touring). Though most organized tour operations do not pick up guests directly at the resort, it’s 2-3 minutes by cab or car to all Marina Vallarta pick-up points.

Relaxed atmosphere. When we travel with our kids, above all, we want to feel comfortable. Kids are welcomed with both arms at Velas Vallarta; in every pool (though one is designated ‘quiet’), every restaurant, and every activity. The Velas staff is friendly and attentive, from the poolside waiters who ensure you’re never wanting to the groundskeepers and service staff. Wherever you and your family go in the resort, you’ll hear ‘hola’ or ‘buenos dias’ or ‘hello’.

Options. Most guests at Velas Vallarta don’t realize the hotel actually has a sister resort, on the coastline in nearby Nayarit. The Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit defines five-star (and four diamond) luxury while still managing to be very family-friendly. I spent a good deal of time there, and can vouch for its elegance, attention to detail, and delicious fine dining. If you prefer a luxury stay, be assured that kids will be welcomed!

Tip:Velas Vallarta always has a lot going on, and guests need to know where to find information. Be sure to check the day’s poolside activities at the dry-erase board near the Aqua Bar; the evening entertainment is listed by the elevators. For any other activities or information, stop by the activities desk. Information is also listed on the Velas Vallarta website, but guests do pay for internet service (currently $16 per day).

As I always disclose whenever applicable, my stay, transportation, and meals were hosted at Velas Vallarta by Velas Resorts, for the purpose of review. And as always, all opinions are my own.

Camping with babies and toddlers: gear up!

January 12, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

The first time my family and I took our eldest son out camping, it was a three-day backpacking trek into Oregon’s Columbia Gorge near Multnomah Falls, and he was 13-months old. Were we crazy? Well, yes, but we had a great time introducing baby Nate to the outdoors we loved, and I believe the experience (and others that followed) helped him acclimate at a young age to the idea of roughing it.

Is your young one ready to camp or backpack once the snows melt and the sun shines? To make the trip easier on the adults in the group), I offer the following well-earned tips:

1. Bring a backpack baby or toddler carrier. We loved our sturdy REI backpack carrier, but that was, ahem, over a decade ago. If you’re looking for more updated equipment, I recommend Kelty’s line of carriers, and look for my review of their newest at Practical Travel Gear soon. (By the way, at the Campfire live chat, we’ll be giving one away.) Not only is a backpack carrier useful for its intended purpose of carrying the baby while hiking, it serves as an excellent mountain high chair. With a squirmy toddler and a rustic camp, the only other place you might find to serve him or her dinner is on the ground. Bear in mind: if one adult is ‘packing’ the baby, the other(s) are overly burdened with necessary supplies. Either pack light (good luck with a kid in tow) or invite friends (good luck with that, too, come to think of it).

2. If you’re car camping instead of backpacking, utilize a portable bed such as Regalo My Cot Portable Bed It’s more to pack than a traditional backpacking pad, but little children and babies slip and slide all night long on the regular ones. Dress babies warmly at night, and play by the same rules at home (no extra bedding around faces, etc). Obviously, you’ll want to camp in a warm climate while kids are very small.

3. If your child is walking, put bells on his or her shoes. Yes, they get annoying, but this wasn’t going to be the trip in which you waited patiently for hours for a glimpse of wildlife, anyway. Bells keep kids within close proximity and provide peace of mind. Bright colored clothing is a must, too!

4. Stick as much as possible to your child’s normal foods. Yes, changes will have to be made to accommodate for packs and weight, but in general, pack your child’s familiar foods. Great backpacking fare includes fruit leather, trail mix (for older kids), organic pouched baby food (like these from Ella’s Kitchen), and instant soup.

5. Don’t slack on sun protection, bring basic medications, and pack a big first aid kit. Give up on keeping the kid clean, however. Just really…give up. Now. Preferrably before you even leave. In all seriousness, a little dirt won’t hurt, and you can’t avoid it. Just bring wet wipes and antiseptic wipes in case of cuts (and to wipe down hands before meals), and plan on a soapy, long bath upon return to civilization.

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Lastly, don’t be afraid! Just get out there and go! Your camping or backpacking trip will be more work than most, but the rewards will take your breath away (even more than a steep climb with 40 pounds of toddler on your back)!

Searching for Bigfoot on Collings Mountain

January 9, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

On a dreary but warm day in January, we skipped the ski slopes to brave a wintery hike skirting Applegate Lake near Ruch, Oregon. Our destination? A bona fide Bigfoot trap. Located along the Collings Mountain trail in the Rogue River National Forest, the trap is located on a low rise one-half mile into the hike, off a short spur trail (next to a long-destroyed caretakers’s cabin). The only one of its kind in the world, it resembles a huge wooden box with trap door, now securely bolted open.

The trap was built by ‘researchers’ in 1973 to aid in the capture a Sasquatch, reportedly seen in this area since the 1890s, and was definitely a bit of a thrill to see! The brush is heavy here with madrone, sagebrush, and scrub pine, and with the low-hanging fog tendrils persistent in winter, it was also a bit eerie! Either way, it was by far the coolest thing my kids have hiked into the forest to see.

The fun doesn’t have to end at the trap, however. Another .3 miles further along the main trail, you’ll find the remains of a spectator’s tunnel dug out of the side of the mountain slope. The tunnel is constructed in a short ‘U’ shape (though as my seven-year-old noted, ‘probably too small for Bigfoot to fit into’). If you want to keep your round trip hike under two miles, reverse your course here, returning the way you came. If you’re still game, however, continuing on takes you up a ridge to a summit with a nice overlook of the lake and valley below. We went this far (about 1.5 miles total), and turned around, making our total hike approximately 3 miles. Should you want to make a day of it, however, you can complete a loop instead; the trail continues another 2.9 miles past the summit to Watkins Campground, where you’ll need to hike another 3.5 miles along the paved road back to your car.

Date last visited: January 2, 2012

Distance from the interstate: Approximately 40 minutes from I-5 in Central Point, Oregon, and 10 minutes from Highway 238 in Jacksonville.

Hours of operation: The hike is accessible year round.

Admission cost: None.

Dining options: None, but the Bigfoot site makes for a perfect picnic location!

Directions: From I-5, take the Central Point (from the north) or Phoenix (from the south) exit and follow signage to Jacksonville. Once on Highway 238 in Jacksonville, continue to Ruch, then take Upper Applegate 15 miles to Applegate Lake. Go one mile past the dam. The trailhead is located across the road from Hart-Tish park and boat ramp.

Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum

December 28, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

As Northern California natives and Oregon residents, we’re well-versed in Oregon Trail pioneering history, and specifically, the Donner Party. We’ve taken the kids to Sutter’s Fort State Park in Sacramento, CA, where they first learned about the ill-fated party, and when we found ourselves on Interstate 80 at the beautiful Donner Summit during our Thanksgiving break travels, we just had to make a pit stop at Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum in Truckee.

In warm-weather months, the park features lakeside access, well-tended picnic grounds, and hiking trails, but it’s still very worthy of a visit in winter. The Emigrant Trail Museum features extensive displays depicting the Donner Party ordeal, and includes exhibits describing general pioneering ways: wagons, tools, maps of established trails, and the like. Most interesting is the video (shown on the hour) and the short walk (accessible even in early winter) to the site of one of the Donner Party cabins. The kids found it fascinating that it was still possible to see the discoloration on the granite slab that served as a cabin wall, caused by chimney smoke. The nearby Donner memorial statue is also worth a look: the pedestal (base) of the memorial illustrates the height of the snowfall during the winter the Donners spent below the summit.

Tip! If you’re visiting in winter, you might want to consider stopping to sled or snowshoe near the state park at the sno-park by Boreal (a few miles south on I-80).

Date last visited: November 2011

Distance from the interstate: Directly off I-80.

Admission costs: $8 per vehicle, payable at a self-pay station or within the museum. Note: cash only!

Hours of operation: The museum is open 9 am to 4 pm, year round. State park grounds are open sunrise to sunset.

Directions: The park is 100 miles east of Sacramento via Interstate 80, and is within the town of Truckee, just west of downtown on the south side of the freeway.

Winter camping: extend your outdoor travel season

December 22, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

‘Tis the season for everyone at the Around the Campfire community to be talking about winter camping. What’s quickly become apparent, however, is that everyone’s interpretation of ‘winter’ and ‘camping’ is different. As an avid camper and backpacker, I’m glad to know so many versions of outdoor overnights exist; no matter what your comfort level or geographic location, there’s a way to continue to camp with your family in the winter months.

Unless you’re a hardcore snow camper setting out on snowshoes or skis (next month, my family and I will be that brave!), you’ll need think outside the box to get full enjoyment out of your winter camping experience. The following tips will ensure happy campers while enjoying campgrounds and recreational sites during the winter months:

1. Seek out alternative shelter. You don’t need an RV to camp in winter! If you’re camping in a wintry climate that eliminates the possibility of tent camping, look for a state or national park that offers overnights in yurts, cabins, or teepees. Oregon State Parks offers all three, complete with heaters, electricity, and cozy beds. And if you camp in a less developed campground, take a look at this review for bringing a heat source with you! In fact, winter is our favorite season to camp in state parks: reservations for those coveted yurts are easier to come by, and parks are nearly empty!

2. Go south or go coastal. An obvious solution, if you can swing it, traveling south to camp rewards families with the same low crowds in weather that might feel downright balmy to northerners. My favorite picks include Georgia’s Reed Bingham State Park and Florida’s Florida Caverns State Park. For those in driving distance of coastal regions, heading toward the shore or beach can ensure milder weather. Plus, those seasonal storms off the ocean can be exciting (as long as you’re prepared!).

3. Sandwich backcountry overnights with lodge or hotel stays. Programs like CascadeHuts, which operates a network of backcountry huts in the Mt. Hood national forest of Oregon, provide warmth, shelter, and safety to backcountry campers. (We’ll be reviewing our own experience hiking the Mt. Hood wilderness with CascadeHuts next month!) Similar networks exist in or near most national parks, providing families with a string of cozy accommodations. When tackling difficult camping adventures such as this (especially for the first time), plan to sandwich outdoor stays between nights in hotels or lodges with more of the comforts of home.

4. Carry the right gear. Obviously, the more comfortable your family is, the more fun you’ll have. For winter camping (even in mild climates), we bring down, 0 degree sleeping bags (Kelty makes good quality ones for a reasonable price), propane heaters, and lots of extra clothes so everyone has dry layers. In snow, appropriate clothing is a must, and in any area, hats, gloves, and raingear are a good bet.

5. For a winter experience without the overnight, seek out sno-parks. Most mountainous interstates and highways have several sno-parks along its route: look for them as you would rest areas or service stations. In addition to providing some quick snow fun for kids, sno-parks often boast cross-country ski trails, winter animal sanctuaries, or sledding hills. Overnight camping is sometimes permitted (though you’ll need to go prepared for a night in the elements).

Full-time family travel: live chat with Britt Reints

December 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Tonight at Around the Campfire, we’re hosting a live chat with Britt Reints of In Pursuit of Happiness, in which she will discuss her family’s monumental decision to sell their possessions, alter their daily lifestyle, and set off to explore the U.S. in an RV full time.

The Pit Stops crew has taken our fair share of long road trips (as many as 21 days in a row!), so the idea of taking to the highway full-time intrigues us. But how to get away? Pay the bills? Stay in touch with our local community and family? Some of the questions I look forward to Britt touching upon include:

1. How have your children adjusted to life on the road? What type of schooling do you implement with them?

2. How do you plan your extended itinerary (or do you go where the road leads you)?

3. What difficulties have you encountered en route?

4. What have been some of the unexpected joys, surprises, and adventures you’ve experienced?

If the idea of full-time travel interests you, join us on tonight, December 12th, at 9pm EST! In addition to chatting with Britt, we’ll be giving away $150 worth of Visa gift cards to Live Chat participants! (Four $25 prizes and one $50 prize).

Hope to see you there!