Tag Archives: road trip

Apr 15 2014

Spring Break with a Plan

Fun, Sun and Safety

For many families it is Spring Break which means it’s time for a family vacation. Here are a few tips to make your travel plans a little safer and less stressful.

road-trip

  • Get a Tune Up. Make sure your car is in good working order before hitting the road.
  • Pack Thoughtfully. Keep safety and economic benefits in mind when you are loading up the family van. Also, prepare for the unexpected by packing an auto safety travel kit with useful items in the event you run into a problem.
  • Research Your Route. Find out before you leave what the road and weather conditions will be like.
  • Don’t Be In a Rush. Allow enough time to get to your destination safely. Planning ahead will help avoid aggressive driving and road rage.
  • Stay Connected. Let a friend or other family member know your travel plans.

All that is left to do now is sit back and enjoy the ride!

Apr 11 2013

Are You Street Smart?

See If You Can Name These Iconic Streets

America, the land of the beautiful. Nature’s paradise jam-packed with some of the most amazing landscapes and breathtaking architecture, many which include the very same streets you drive on. A lot of these streets, some right in your own backyard, in their own right have become famous from being idolized in movies, books, and songs, have made them not only iconic in history, but fascinating by all. So, just how many can you name?

Rodeo Drive
SIX: When you cruise down this well-known street, not only will you feel like a million bucks, but be prepared to spend a little as well. This three-block long drive is full of high end designer fashions, including: Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Yves Saint-Laurent, Jimmy Choo and so much more. A fashionistas dream! You can find some of Hollywood’s A-Listers shopping here, or surrounded by the millions of tourists who simply go just to stargaze.

BroadwayFIVE: The biggest and most famous theatre district in the United States. A lot of the big celebrities that can be found cruising down the street above have launched their Hollywood careers on this iconic block. There have been countless songs recorded about this street. It is the oldest north-south route through Manhattan. It is right up there along with other famous New York City streets, such as Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Fifth Avenue. While you’re there, be sure to catch a show or two.

Bourbon StreetFOUR: On this famous street, the party never stops! It’s a major tourist attraction when visiting the oldest neighborhood in the French Quarter. The street is lined with buildings influenced by its French and Spanish culture, accompanied by bars, restaurants, and many other establishments to keep you entertained. This iconic street draws thousands of people from all over the world, especially during its annual celebration of Mardi Gras.

Wall StreetTHREE: Banks, stocks, and capitalism are just some of the words associated with this New York City street. This particular street has been famous since America’s earliest days. George Washington was inaugurated to the presidency here in 1789. It is about eight blocks long and features a bull statue guard. It is also the mecca of the New York Stock Exchange.

Lombard StreetTWO: This famous street located in the heart of San Francisco is known as the “crookedest” street in the world. It is one of the Bay Area’s prime tourist attractions, featuring a 16 percent grade and eight unbelievably wild turns. Originally, it was a 27 percent grade, which made it impossible for motorists to drive down. Today, it has become one of the most must do drives in the world!

View from the roof of Market SquareONE: Lastly, this street just might be the most famous street in the world because it is home to the most famous address in the country. This street is a must see attraction and just about everyone who visits has to at least get one photo opt here. This avenue runs approximately 6 miles and features some of the most important buildings in our nation’s history. However, due to the high importance of this street, a part of the avenue is closed off to traffic.

 

6) Rodeo Drive 5) Broadway 4) Bourbon Street 3) Wall Street 2) Lombard Street 
1) Pennsylvania Avenue
Feb 16 2013

Distracted Kids Don’t Distract You

How To Survive A Mommy Road Trip

Kids Gone Wild Can Be a Real Distraction

Although it is fact that new moms are among the top most distracted drivers in the country, it is also true that mothers of multiple children can become just as distracted as new moms, especially when it comes down to those road trips. Of course the idea of family vacays are wonderful, but let’s face it, they can be extremely long, and yes while family bonding time is the best time, it may not always go as smoothly as you dreamed it to be. You’re not alone. Mommies, we’ve all been there before. The destination ahead of you, while the kids bicker behind. The big debate: One Direction vs. The Wanted. Your six-year old asks repeatedly in the most intonation voice, “Are We There Yet?” while the youngest one screams in sheer agony for that 2pm feeding. The worst part, 90 miles left to the next rest stop. Enough to make any parent rethink the idea.

However, all can go really well if you take a few extra moments and develop a plan that will lessen your stress, causing you to focus more on the road. So for starters, make a checklist. Hey most of us have a ‘To Do List’ on a daily basis, so why not make one for the road? Aside from your luggage, maps and/or GPS, don’t forget your emergency car kit, which can come in handy in the event of the unfortunate. But, when traveling with children, you’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of distractions to keep them entertained while you navigate through the open roads. Snacks and beverages are a must! Hungry kids aren’t the happiest kids. Growling bellies lead to complaints and whines, which lead to growling mommies. Especially with little ones under the age of five, prepare bottles, treats and schedule your rest stops according to feedings and diaper changes. No one, including baby wants to be around if you don’t. Trust me!

Furthermore, one of the absolute most important things you need to have on your road trip is…entertainment! A bored child will surely let you know, and without anything to do, they will begin to ask you every question under the sun, making a one-hour trip seem like a cross country adventure. However, when packing games for the road, make sure the activities you bring along don’t create so much noise that your children distract and hinder the driver.

So we thought we’d share with you five of our favorite travel games to keep your little ones entertained…and you alert. Happy Traveling!

Rock, Paper, Scissor: a classic game for all ages, but most importantly, doesn’t require any board games or small pieces to pack. Your hands are all you need to enjoy hours of fun!

Memory: choose a name that begins with any letter of the alphabet. The next player has to repeat the previous name, followed by a new name of choice, beginning with the same letter, and so on to the next player. With so many topics and letters to choose from, you could literally spend the entire trip engulfed in this game.

I Spy: who doesn’t love a good game of I Spy? One person chooses an object around them. He or she then gives the other people in the car a clue by saying: “I spy with my little eye, something…” until the object is named. One of the best travel games ever!

Spelling Bee: parents can get involved in this one too! Not only will your child have a fun time spelling, but they will also enjoy learning new words in the process.

The Banana Game: a pretty simple game, but tons of fun! The color yellow is a rarity in vehicles, so be the first person to spot a passing yellow automobile. The more you see, the more points you’ll receive. The person with the most points wins.