How to Choose the Right Backpack for Family Travel

I can't travel without a trusty backpack, so while on our most recent road trip, I paid close attention to the types of bags and packs other families carried in and out of restaurants, museums, picnic areas, and on hikes and tours. As you'd guess, I saw a vast assortment of styles and solutions ranging from fanny packs to Camelbaks to messenger bags, and for good reason: the family pack is an … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day Keeps the “Are We There Yets” Away

Or at least, that's my hope as my family and I embark upon a 22-day road trip, touring four national parks, six family-friendly resorts, eight states, and a partridge in a pear tree. Well, maybe not that last one (which means it's sure to show up on auto bingo, right?). Where are we going? Glacier National Park Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton National Park Zion National Park with … [Read more...]

When Pit Stops are Far and Few Between

When we first planned our recent spring break trip to Death Valley, CA (more on that to come!), I knew pit stops en route would be in short supply. I'd noted the lack of places to stop and play on Google Maps, and I thought I'd planned accordingly. Even so, I was concerned anew once we'd turned onto lonely I-95 shortly after our overnight in Reno, NV. For hundreds of miles, there's … [Read more...]

Madrid-Barajas International Airport

The cost of airfare for five has kept our family vacations grounded for a couple years now. While our budget restrictions have led to finding many great pit stops while on the road (crammed into a Prius, no less!), I do dream of the (relative) ease of air travel. Especially when an airport really knows how to do it right, such as Madrid-Barajas International. If you find yourself flying to … [Read more...]

Extensive Great Wolf Lodge review: Grand Mound Washington

This past week, my family and I spent two nights and two days at The Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. We arrived at the resort at approximately 9 pm on a Sunday night. The lobby was still filled with children watching the evening animatronics show by the Grand Hall's main focal point, the clock tower (more on that later), but there was no wait to check in. Get our top Great Wolf Lodge tips … [Read more...]