Sked

Fri 6/20 Kara – Free stuff to do in Aspen

Mon 6/23 Kara – Tug-o-War over Mississippi

Tue 6/24Jen

Wed 6/25 Shannon giveaway announcement

Thurs 6/26 Jen

Fri 6/27 Shannon – Smoky Mtns continued (top things to do)

Mon 6/30 Kara – Santa Fe Mountain Adventures

Tues 7/1Beth – something from road trip

Wed 7/2 Jen

Thur 7/3 Beth – something from road trip

Fri 7/4 Jen

Mon 7/7 Kara

Tues 7/8 Jen

Wed 7/9 Shannon

Thurs 7/10 Jen

Fri 7/11Beth

Mon 7/12 Jen

Best Adventure Outfitter for Families in Santa Fe

Outdoor activities abound in the wilderness surrounding Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rather than “do it yourselves” and book experiences, such as fly fishing, whitewater rafting and horseback riding, through a number of different outfitters, I suggest you have Santa Fe Mountain Adventures make all the arrangements for you.

This “adventure concierge” typically books various vacation experiences for families over a number of days. Mornings are typically reserved for outdoor excursions, such as the signature “Mountain Treasure Hunt,” a guided hike and geo-caching, where families use GPS devices to search for hidden shoeboxes (see photo) filled with trinkets for the kids. My family did this last year, and we are still talking about it!

Afternoon activities usually have an arts or cultural bent—such as cooking classes and historical walking tours. Then there’s family yoga, guided llama treks and nighttime star gazing with an expert astronomer. We chose to paint pottery together, and brought home two hand-painted wine glasses, a jet bank and a star jewelry box.

All the transportation, gratuities, snacks and guides are included in a day’s program with Santa Fe Mountain Adventures (plus nice perks like water bottles and a subscription to Outside). A one-day enrollment in the program with two activities is $135 per adult; $115 per child age 6 to 12. But rates decrease the more activity days you book. And if you’re staying at a downtown partner hotel—La Posada or the Inn and Spa at Loretto—you get preferential pricing as well.

WALL-E and Thoughts on Responsible Travel Plans

If you have kids, you know about WALL-E. And if you don’t, here’s a primer: It’s the latest movie made by Pixar, the folks who brought us Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, and many other CGI movies that are great fun for children and adults alike. WALL-E is no exception. Get ready to stand in line, because every child in the United States is going to be begging to see this one. And hold onto your wallet, because the market is surely about to be flooded with adorable WALL-E tie-in products and toys. Isn’t that always the way?

But one thing you don’t have to do is brace yourself for an agonizing 2 hours of kiddie fare. WALL-E is a terrific movie, and the creative geniuses at Pixar have skillfully balanced a child-friendly story (with more screen time for cute robots than people) with an enjoyable, futuristic tale of how said robots help humans (living in outer space) reclaim their own lives. The underlying theme of the environmental degradation of our planet is, amazingly, not depressing: This is above all an optimistic film, with hopeful messages about the resourcefulness of “the little guy” (or ‘bot) and the importance of taking care of planet Earth.

That being said, there are real ecological problems on our planet here and now. We don’t have to go 700 years into the future to see entire cities of garbage and human refuse. How can the Traveling Mamas, fervent proponents of the joy of travel, promote an activity with such a huge carbon footprint? Easy – because we also reduce our carbon debt in various ways, and to varying degrees. And you can too.

Tips and Resources to Travel Green

Airplane travel is certainly the fastest way to get to distant vacation destinations; travelers can buy carbon offsets to support sustainable travel practices. I like Sustainable Travel International as a resource for purchasing carbon offsets that invest in clean energy and help offset CO2 emissions.

Here’s a tip from a great resource, the Rainforest Alliance: “Have a fun vacation and make a difference.” The Eco-Index Sustainable Tourism site is a listing service for approved tourism businesses that strive to conserve natural resources in travel destinations (and improve the livelihoods of local cultures nearby). The Eco-Index is also recommended by Traveling Mamas as a reliable resource.

The Rainforest Alliance itself is in itself a trustworthy resource for eco-travel. The Go Green SmartGuide to Sustainable Travel is recognized as a great source for information regarding hotels, restaurants, and other elements of the travel industry that help promote or operate with environmentally sound business practices.

If you’re taking a car trip this year (and with air fare the way it is these days, who can blame you?), consider switching your auto club membership to Better World Club. It’s a “green” alternative to AAA.

There are many ways to be kind to the Earth and still travel around it. The future represented in WALL-E is avoidable, after all. We don’t have to live in such disposable ways, in such a consumerist culture – the choice is ours. We can see the world and help keep it healthy.

Winning Wednesday: William Joseph CD

Italy, Hawaii, Australia, Alaska, Ireland, Paris, and tropical getaways seem to be tops on everyone’s list of dream places to visit.

The last time someone mentioned to me that they dreamed of going to Australia, I encouraged her to go. It happened to be my cousin, who came back after a two week tour to sell her condo and car and ended up moving to Surfer’s Paradise.

We never know what path in life we may travel, but keep those dreams and actually plan to see these places. Some of you want to see family, others just want the excitement of seeing a new place. I know first-hand how awesome it can be to work towards the goal of a destination and the emotions that overwhelm you once you get there.

Congrats to the following winners of William Joseph’s latest CD, Beyond. We hope you will travel to your dream destinations in the near future. Be sure to take your new CD with you on your journeys.

Sharon Fairclough dreams of Paris. Bobv wants to see Tahiti. Flora Presley fantasizes about Greece and has a closer dream of Mount Rushmore. Debf would like to visit Australia (say hi to my cousin for me) and Andrea Bialy has a desire to see Lebanon.

Congrats to all our dreamers. Check your email addresses so I can get a mailing address to send your prize. Remember that dreams can become a reality. Be sure to check out some of Traveling Mamas tips for saving. Instead of saying you would like to go somewhere, change your thinking and say you WILL go to that special place.

Space Camp

Raise your hand if you wanted to go to Space Camp when you were a kid. Me! Me!

I used to spend every childhood summer in Huntsville, AL, the home of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. I would beg my grandfather to take me to the Space Center so I could buy astronaut food, bring it back to his house, and suck on the freeze dried sponges of chocolate ice cream or strawberry sandpaper until the inside of my mouth was on the verge of bleeding. Then one day, this awesome movie called Space Camp was out at the theaters. This classic movie became the dream of kids for decades. Everyone wanted (and still wants) to go to Space Camp. Remember Max and Jinks?

Well, guess what? You can go to Space Camp. Your kid can go to Space Camp (mine did). And, you can even go to Space Camp WITH your kid. How cool is that?

The Space Camp experience isn’t cheap, but scholarships are available for a select few. However, getting the chance to live a childhood dream and inspire your own child is a priceless experience that your child will always remember.

I wish I could say that I had that parent/child experience, because I know I still want to go to Space Camp. Maybe I will keep that on my list of things to do, but after years and years of planning (and a little help from the grandparents) we were able to send our son to Space Camp for a week. He had the best time and learned so much. It was worth every penny.

Even if you don’t get a chance to stay for Space Camp, all families can enjoy a day exploring the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL or any of NASA’s other space centers. You never know when you might have the chance to see something that will be inspiring to your child’s life.

The Best Luau in Hawaii Isn’t a Luau After All

Luaus are a staple of Hawaiian vacations. Many hotels and resorts, on most parts of the major islands, either have on-site luaus or provide shuttle service to them. Several boast of having the best luau in Hawaii. And, frankly, many luaus are interchangeable. Sure, one has more fire-twirling than another, say, but the buffet dinners (always with poi, another staple of a Hawaiian vacation) and shows can seem pretty much the same.

And then there’s The Gathering of Kings, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Part mystical creation-story and history lesson, part Cirque de Soleil, The Gathering of Kings is to a luau the way toro sushi is to a tuna melt. I’ve been to a few luaus in my time, and believe me; this is more a theatrical dance performance, and truly the one to see. The show is based at the Fairmont Orchid, a top luxury resort on the Kohala Coast, and tourists come from all over the island to see it. The Gathering of Kings tells a story through song and dance – the story of Polynesian travels and how they settled on islands such as Tahiti and (of course) Hawaii. Each island’s traditional dances are performed, and it’s really a magical – and enlightening – experience to watch the joyous, flirtatious Samoan dances and the warrior-like dances of the Maori. The Polynesian cultures adapted to each Pacific island. Each island, in turn, was irrevocably influenced by the Polynesian culture.

The dancers perform skillfully with, alternately, wonderful grace and strength. I found the leads to be incredibly charismatic throughout, and I’m so happy I was fortunate enough to see The Gathering of Kings on the Big Island of Hawaii. At the end of the performance, the four kings representing the settled islands stand together on stage, and this show of unity is more than a little moving.

It’s no surprise that the soundtrack from this best (non) luau in Hawaii won a Hawaii Music Award (like a Hawaiian Grammy). The music perfectly captured the magic of the creation story and mystic Polynesian travels, with each island’s music integrated into the flow. Listening to the music now, as I am, not only brings back memories of an enriching evening. It also stirs thoughts of how everyone is descended from travelers and settlers – and that the unity represented at the end of The Gathering of Kings is a concept we can all learn from.

Tug-of-War across the Mississippi River

As travel writers, the Mamas and I receive dozens of press releases in our email in-box weekly. We typically don’t pass them on willy-nilly to you, since we prefer to draw from and write about our own personal experiences in various destinations — from eating well in New Orleans to hiking in Hawaii, and from sky diving in Florida to drinking bourbon in Kentucky.

But this event just cracked me up and I wanted to share. The 22nd annual Great River Tug Fest is a humongous tug-of-war, using a 2,400-foot, 680-pound rope, across the Mississippi River between the towns of Port Byron, Illinois, and LeClaire, Iowa. It takes place from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, August 9.

Local organizations form 11 different teams on each side; they raise money for area nonprofits, so the event benefits the Boys & Girls Scouts, Chambers of Commerce, Lions Clubs, Parks & Rec Departments and more.

Each team tries to gain advantage as they tug on a rope stretched across the Mississippi River between LeClaire and Port Byron. The side with the most winning teams takes home the rotating trophy for that year. Currently, Illinois is in the lead with 11 wins over Iowa’s 10 wins.

While the actual tug-of-war is the highlight of the weekend, other events include Friday night fireworks, carnival rides, live entertainment, a huge parade and a 5k run/walk, kids’ tug-of-war and more. Admission to the LeClaire and Port Byron Festivals are $2 for adults and children under 12 are free.

For more information, visit the official Tug Fest website.

Weekend Road Trip: The Arizona Salsa Trail

A few weeks back my husband and I decided to load up the tots and take a little jaunt over to Safford, Arizona and explore an Arizona culinary attraction: The Salsa Trail. The “trail” runs along Southeast Arizona’s Old West Highway and consists of thirteen restaurants, a tortilla factory and a chile factory.  

When we pulled into the parking lot of the Best Western Desert Inn, our home for the night, the parking lot was filled with a rainbow of polished classic cars. The owners were walking around in hats and t-shirts that said, “I Survived the Salsa Trail”. It was the Classy Car Club from Wickenburg, Arizona in town for the weekend cruising the Salsa Trail. 

Not only were the car club members friendly, the entire town welcomed us with open arms. Locals waved as we drove by, while a smile and warm hello became the norm every time we passed someone on the street. Even when I tried to push the double stroller up a curb and my children almost ended up splattered on the concrete locals ran up to help.

 

Over two days we hit five of the restaurants (Safford is home to eight of the restaurants, tortilla factory, and the chili farm) and believe me when I say this is an experience where polishing off an entire bowl of chips is not recommended. Our first stop was at the Salsa Fiesta in Wilcox. We ate a full lunch there, which was quite good by the way, but from then on we simply tasted the variety of salsas with a few chips. Each restaurant’s salsa was so unique and tasted so fresh.

 

After we all had our fill, we took the kids back to the Best Western to splash in the pool and watch a stunning Arizona sunset. The next day we hit the local coffee shop on Main Street called A Step Back in Time where barista Mikayla made us a couple of great cups of java.

 

Next, we crossed the street for breakfast at El Coronado Family Restaurant where it seemed everyone knew each other by name. The kids indulged in yummy pancakes while Jeff and I had some tasty breakfast burritos, with their special salsa of course. Delish! I can’t wait to go back and try the rest of the Salsa Trail restaurants.

 

 

Giveaway: William Joseph CD BEYOND

Listen to: William Joseph

I’ve been searching for road trip music for all the many road trips I have planned this summer. I like to find tracks that go with the destination, kind of like my own soundtrack. I came across artist William Joseph, who released a new CD, BEYOND. I decided to do a little research on him and found out that not only is he a very talented pianist and composer, but he’s also a hottie (sorry single mamas, he’s married).

William Joseph’s new CD offers a variety of compositions, like the forceful “Standing the Storm,” the edgy “Asturias,” also “Heroes” and the dramatic “Kashmir” which is a reworking of the Led Zeppelin classic

William says the title track sums up the entire album for him,” If someone asks me what my music sounds like, I would play the ‘Beyond,’” He says. “Making this album took me on an intense journey through all these feelings that I feel –romantic, hopeful, excited, intense—and I hope anyone who listens can relate, and go on that journey with me.”

You can take William’s music with you on your own journey and it can be the soundtrack for your trip through the mountains, at the beach, or even in the air.

Five lucky readers can win a copy of Beyond just by leaving a comment telling us the destination that is top on your life’s list of places to visit. Giveaway ends on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at midnight EST. Winners will have 3 days after initial contact to provide a mailing address or they will forfeit their prize. As always, US residents only and immediate family members of any Traveling Mama is ineligible to enter.

For more information about William Joseph and his inspiring music, please visit his official website.

Summer Bargain: Mendocino Inns Offering Gas Deals

This summer the DesertFamily is beating the desert heat by taking off on a road trip up the coast of California. Our final stop is three nights in the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area where there are tons of family fun activities. We have a terrific itinerary including the Skunk Train, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, a stop at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company and much more. I promise to tell you all about it. But in the meantime I thought I’d share some summer gas deals several Mendocino Coast inns are offering.

Fensalden Inn in Albion is offering $50 off a two-night stay. The Stevenswood Inn & Spa in Little River is giving guests checking-in between now and September 30, 2008 a $50.00 gas card. Guests arriving in a hybrid or bio-diesel auto will be given a $100.00 cash rebate (now that is a sweet deal!).

The MacCallum House Inn & Restaurant in Mendocino is giving guests booking a two-night mid-week stay a $200 credit meant for gas costs. If you only want to stay one mid-weeknight or a two-night weekend stay and they’re giving a $75 gas credit.

The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek in Little River is offering a $75 gas rebate with a 3-night stay Sunday – Thursday.

Don’t let those gas prices get you down this summer…there are great travel deals out there.

Happy Travels!

Budget Travel: Free Stuff to Do in Aspen, Colorado

Top-notch hotels, fine dining and luxury shops are found throughout charming (and expensive) Aspen, Colorado. But locals know how to enjoy the upscale resort town without breaking the bank.

Here are a few free things to do in Aspen this summer:

Listen to a free concert. Outdoor music abounds in the summertime. Relax on a bench and listen to Aspen Music School students play for donations on the downtown pedestrian mall. Take the Silver Queen Gondola (or hike for free!) to the top of Aspen Mountain for free classical or bluegrass concerts. Pack a picnic lunch and sit on the lawn outside the Benedict Music Tent during the annual, summer-long Aspen Music Festival. And the big daddy of free concerts: the Thursday-evening shows at slopeside Fanny Hill in Snowmass Village featuring major headliners from June 26 to August 21.

Stroll through a free festival. The place to be Saturday mornings is the farmer’s market in downtown Aspen. With cooking demonstrations and kids’ activities, it’s certainly got a festive atmosphere. And the outdoor festivals throughout the warm-weather season — especially in nearby Snowmass Village — offer plenty of options for food samples, street entertainment and kids’ activities. Check out Snowmass’ Mountain Masterpieces Arts Fair August 2-3 and the Snowmagical Family Fun Fest August 8-9 (pictured above; photo by Biege Jones).

Take a free hike. It doesn’t cost a cent to revel in Aspen’s gorgeous scenery along any one of the area’s several mountain trails. Visit the local Forest Service office for detailed maps and directions to trailheads. The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers free guided hikes on the top of Aspen Mountain.

Traveling Mamas On The Move Approved: Cold Seat

Here we are in the throws of summer. Swim lessons are in session, ice cream cones have melted all over my patio, and when I open my car door in the afternoon I get slapped in the face with a blanket of heat. As I write this it’s 104 degrees outside.

My kids dread getting in the car this time of year because they know how hot their car seats can get – that was until I came across the brilliant, and I do mean a brilliant, invention called Cold Seat.

The Cold Seat is a freezable seat cooler. Simply freeze the rolled-up Cold Seat then bring it along on your next outing. Cover the car seat when you get to your destination. Upon your return remove the Cold Seat, roll it up and store it. Your little one now has a comfortable seat to ride in. The Cold Seat has a Velcro tab to keep it rolled while stored and it fits easily underneath adult car seats. When you get home just pop it back in the freezer. (It fits nicely in my freezer door.) They come in the cutest patterns: Blue Camo, Sport and Pink Flower with little flip-flops.

The first time I put it to use I was so impressed how well it worked. It even kept the metal seat belts (which are normally on fire) a nice cool temperature. For the first time my little girl didn’t say “Hot!” when we put her in her car seat.

This is one product that definitely gets our Traveling Mamas On The Move Approved seal.

Shari Griffin, mom of two, is the brains behind this amazing creation. Nice job, Shari. Talk about a Super Mama!

Sharing Family Travel Memories with the Next Generation

I don’t know if it is because I’m a southerner, or because some of my “people” came from there, or if we always have a good time there, but the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is dear to my heart.

Back in the day, my parents would bring my brother and I to Gatlinburg where we would eat, shop, eat, hike, eat, and go places like Cherokee, The Nantahala River, and Silver Dollar City. We’ve even been fortunate enough to spend a few Christmas holidays with our extended family in a cabin on a mountain. This is a big deal to those of us from South Louisiana, because the closest thing we have to mountains are the Mounds at LSU.

It is only fitting that I schlep my children across the south to see this great wonder of childhood memories. Last summer I promised the kids that we would visit Sevierville, TN near the Smokies. However, Mother Nature had other plans for our family and Mr. CajunMama was sent off at the last minute to fight a wildfire somewhere out West. Not one to disappoint my little ones, I loaded up RedBugg and we headed out for parts unknown. ALONE.

I mapped the route on MapQuest and we opted for a halfway overnight stop in Tuscaloosa, AL at a budget friendly hotel I found on Expedia. Things would have been perfect, but our entire hotel was decorated with ALABAMA ROLL TIDE paraphernalia. As an avid LSU Fan, I kept reciting to myself, “Around the bowl and down the hole, Roll Tide Roll.” This was of course, the only way I could make myself feel better about sleeping in Tuscaloosa.

Along our route the next day we began to see old barns and rundown road signs painted with “See Rock City”. I decided to be a good mother and take my children to Rock City in Chattanooga, a place I fondly remember with little gnomes dresses in felt, hiding behind rocks, a waterfall, Fat Man Squeeze (which my brother and I would gasp in wonder that my dad could actually fit through), and the overlook where we could see seven states. Of course, the thing that impressed the kids the most was the doggie water fountain at the entrance.

I allowed the kids to take the map and lead the way. The first stop was an ice cream stand. Then there was the section where you could pan for gems in running water. Then there was the jeweler with items made from the gems found in the running water. FINALLY, we made it to Lookout Point. I sat in the shade with bowls of ice cream slowly melting down my arms as I watched my kids giggle and laugh and try to point out each state. I really missed my husband at that point, but I was so glad to have this memory, of the wind blowing my daughter’s hair and my son squinting at me with the sun glinting off his metal mouth grin. Sometimes having special time with just the kids is just that….very special.

And to think we hadn’t even made it to the destination yet! Here’s to Mama Time.

Kids’ Book: Follow the Line Around the World

Here’s a great new gift for a young child who likes to learn about different parts of the world — without ever having to leave home!

Laura Ljungkvist’s brightly colored Follow the Line Around the World, for ages 3 and up, takes readers from Australia to the Amazon, Sri Lanka to the Sahara. A single black line, which morphs into elephants, camels, burros, cacti, evergreens and other shapes along the way, literally flows from page to page. Each two-page spread profiles a different area of the world, and captions are chock full of facts.

For example, “A taiga [which covers a large part of Russia] is an evergreen forest with very harsh winters and warm, humid summers,” and “Nearly 170 different languages are spoken in New York City,” and “Female donkeys are called jennies.” I liked the factoid on a page about space, where it says straightforwardly, “Pluto used to be considered a planet, but now it’s not.”

A simple message at the end of the picture book reminds us all to be gentle to Mother Earth — so we can continue to enjoy all the flora and fauna found in the various countries around the world.

Other books by Swedish author/illustrator Laura Ljungkvist include Follow the Line and Follow the Line Through the House.

Interview with a Traveling Mama: Author Karen Quinn

We Traveling Mamas are jumping with joy to have author Karen Quinn with us today. Her third book, Holly Would Dream, came out this month, just in time for summer reading. When you read it, keep an eye out for the saucy character Beth Blair (does that name sound familiar?). During the promotion of Karen’s last book Wife in the Fast Lane I entered her contest and ended up the grand prize winner of a Canyon Ranch gift certificate and a character in her next book (Holly Would Dream) named after me. My mom (who had met Karen at her Denver book signing) and I met Karen and her mom at Canyon Ranch last September and what fun we had. Now that you know our history, let’s chat with Karen about Holly Would Dream…

1. What a fabulous idea to write a book with an Audrey Hepburn slant, what inspired you to do so?

I just adore Audrey Hepburn and I know that so many other women do as well. One night, I happened to be watching Sabrina and I thought how nice it would be to live in that world. It seemed so much simpler and more elegant. That gave me the idea of creating a character (Holly) who wished her life was like a 1950’s romantic comedy. She is so obsessed with Audrey that she convinces her fashion museum to have a retrospective of the costumes she wore in all her movies. Later, she borrows some of those costumes and that’s when the trouble begins. Ultimately, my goal was to write a book that felt like an Audrey Hepburn-Cary Grant caper from the 1950’s.

2. What locations did you personally travel to researching the book?

A big part of the story takes place on a cruise ship — this segment parallels An Affair to Remember. So, I made my husband go with me on four cruises to research that. I am committed to truth in fiction, you see. We went on the Crystal, Silverseas, and Princess lines. Crystal was my favorite. We visited all of the ports that my characters visit — Athens, Istanbul, Ephesus, Santorini, Naples (for Pompeii), and Rome. When I wrote about Rome, I looked up all the hotels and restaurants my characters visited on the internet. Then I went there to make sure that what I wrote made sense. I had put my characters at the Hassler, a wonderful hotel at the top of the Spanish Steps. When we arrived, we learned that this is where Audrey Hepburn stayed while making Roman Holiday. I had set a dinner and dancing scene on a river barge on the Tiber (like in Roman Holiday), but when I saw the Tiber, it was a marsh that didn’t smell too good so I had to move that scene. One of my favorite spots I researched was Ephesus, an ancient town in Turkey.

3. Did you have any memorable moments along your “research journey”?

I experienced many moments myself that inspired scenes in the book. My mother had told me a story about a woman who was doing the world cruise on Crystal one year. At the beginning of the journey, she was with her husband. There were pictures of the two of them up near the photo gallery (you know how they photograph you constantly on cruises). Anyway, he died a few days into the trip. But his wife refused to get off the cruise. She insisted they keep him in the morgue while she completed her trip. My mom said that this woman met another man on the cruise and by the end of the trip, there were photos of the two of them at the photo gallery! This incident inspires something kind of similar in Holly Would Dream. I told this story at my reading last week. A young woman came up to me and said that the man who died was her grandfather! It was her step-grandmother who continued cruising. This other man “comforted” her during the trip because of her husband’s death. Anyway, they ended up getting married. The young woman said it caused a terrible family scandal.

4. What is your favorite place on the planet to escape to?

I like nothing better than to take a European cruise on a Crystal ship. To me, that is the perfect vacation. Every day you end up in a different, interesting port. The service is amazing. I’m not the kind of person who likes to rough it while traveling. Here is something interesting I learned about cruises. We took the expensive Crystal cruise and the less expensive Princess cruise on one of those giant ships. The Princess cruise nickels and dimes you over everything. We even had to pay extra to sit on a less crowded deck. In the end, the less expensive Princess cruise cost the same as the expensive Crystal cruise. You have to be careful about those hidden extra charges.

5. Now that your kids are older is there a special destination you hope to take them one day?

Every year my mother and I spend a week together at Canyon Ranch in Tucson. I look forward to doing that with my daughter someday.

Thanks, Karen! Good luck with the book!

US Airways to Start Charging for Soft Drinks and Water

Oh, we’ve followed the nickel- and dime-ing of the airline industry since we started Traveling Mamas in January. First it was Southwest Airlines charging for a third checked bag. Later we discussed American Airlines charging customers for travel pillows and making us pay a fee for a first checked bag (with United Airlines and US Airways jumping on that bandwagon yesterday).

But in addition to charging $15 for a first checked bag later this summer, US Airways said it will start charging customers for in-flight beverages. We’re talking no more free Diet Coke, coffee, tomato juice or bottled water.

In addition to current sales of alcoholic beverages on all domestic flights, US Airways will begin selling all non-alcoholic beverages (including sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee) in its domestic coach cabins for $2 effective Aug. 1, 2008. Alcoholic beverages will be available for $7 (currently $5). Complimentary beverages will continue to be served in domestic First Class, US Airways Shuttle flights, trans-Atlantic Envoy and trans-Atlantic economy class. Unaccompanied minors will also receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

I just had to pick my jaw up from the ground after reading this. I’m so disillusioned.

But I guess it’s nice to know that if my kids ever travel by themselves, they won’t have to spend their hard-earned allowance on a cup of orange juice.

Bah!

Budget Travel: Discounts to Hawaii

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is making it much easier on your wallet to book a vacation to Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Lanai & Molokai this summer.

Through partnerships with American Airlines Vacations, American Express Vacations, Classic Vacations, Expedia, NWA WorldVacations, Orbitz, Pleasant Holidays, Travelocity, and United Vacations, travelers can save at least $200 on vacation packages this summer – and often much more!

While the offers vary on the different islands and at various resorts, incentives include deeply discounted airfare, free hotel room nights, free meals, free rental cars, and free food and beverage dining credits.

HVCB has created a dedicated website listing all of the special packages at GoHawaii.com/summerfun. You’ll need to move quickly — for many of the deals, you must book by July 15.

Budget Travel: AffordableTours.com Cheap Vacations

Full disclaimer: I am employed by AffordableTours.com as a marketing copywriter. But I thought these vacation deals were too amazing not to share with Traveling Mamas’ readers, so here goes!

New LeisureScapes by AffordableTours.com vacation packages are targeted to folks (namely retirees) who have plenty of free time to travel. So, they’re not for everyone — or for families traveling with young children (kids over age 8 are welcome on these trips, and they receive a 10% land-only discount).

But if you have 13 to 22 days to spend in a warm-weather locale, and you don’t want to spend a ton of money, consider these escorted trips that include accommodations, transportation, daily breakfast, some additional meals, sightseeing, services of a tour director and more — for as low as $79/day!

The relaxed itineraries feature resort stays in southern coastal locations in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia as well as tropical Costa Rica. A tour director is on hand for participants throughout their trip, and city sightseeing tours or other excursions are included in each overnight locale. There’s a ton of unscheduled time for travelers to soak up the local culture on their own, participate in optional excursions (for an additional fee) or relax at resort accommodations.

Here are the seven LeisureScapes vacations (prices are land-only; air-inclusive is also available):

• Italy: Rome & Sorrento, 15 days, $1,630 ($109/day)
• Italy: Rome & Sorrento, 22 days, $2,300 ($105/day)
• Italy: Sicily, 15 days, $1,675 ($112/day)
• Portugal: Estoril Coast & Algarve, 15 days, $1,390 ($93/day)
• Spain: Costa del Sol, 18 days, $1,600 ($89/day)
• Croatia, pictured above, 15 days, $1,180 ($79/day)
• Costa Rica, 13 days, starting at $1,339 ($103/day)

All of the Europe trips depart November 2008 to March 2009; Costa Rica trip is available year round.

For more details, call 800-721-8526, or click here.

Fresh Snow in Colorado Rockies

Okay, I was shocked when it snowed in my front yard in May. But to wake up to snowfall on June 11??? Craziness! Especially, since record heat has blasted the East Coast. My heart goes out to all of you Easterners who are suffering in heat, humidity and temperatures soaring toward 100! Temperatures in Providence, R.I. reached a record 97 degrees yesterday.

But, nope, not here in the mountains of Colorado. I canceled my kids’ outdoor swim lesson this morning, since it was 37 degrees at 9 a.m.. And snowing. Granted, the precipitation may have been closer to sleet, and it didn’t stick to the ground, but there were big chunks of white something-or-other coming down from the sky this morning. This photo doesn’t do the little squall justice (can you see the few white spots of snow falling?):

With plenty of snow remaining on top of Aspen Mountain, the slopes are actually open for skiing this weekend! It’s also the annual Food & Wine Classic, three days of eating and drinking debauchery. Ski a few runs in the afternoon, then spend a couple of hours attending such seminars as “Sake for Wine Lovers,” “Party Drinks: Punches and Sangrias,” and “America’s Great Craft Beers,” followed by all-you-can-drink at the Grand Tasting Tent. It’s certainly looking like an amazing weekend to be in Aspen.

The Gratitude Campaign

Back when I was a flight attendant I worked a flight to Norfolk, Virgina. Several military men and women boarded our plane in Mississippi. It was the final leg of their journey home from Iraq. The civilian passengers were amazing. They kept approaching the men and women and offering their thanks for their duties and buying them drinks. One of the soldiers was going to meet his six-month-old baby for the first time. Another was planning a marriage proposal to his girlfriend. It was one of the most memorable flights of airline my career.

After we landed and the plane stopped at the gate the captain came over the PA system and asked the passengers to remain seated so our American soldiers could deplane first – just a little token of thanks. As the men and women proudly walked down the aisle in their crisp uniforms the entire plane broke into applause. It was a beautiful moment.

Today a friend of mine whose husband is in the military passed along a great link that shows another form of thanking those who serve in our military. It’s called The Gratitude Campaign and was created by Seattle’s Scott Truitt. Please watch this short 30-second film and as you make your way though the airports this summer, especially with the Fourth of July approaching, this little gesture will mean more to these men and women than you know.