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.

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.

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.

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.

Universal Studios Rewards Fire Fighters

That fire at Universal Studios was pretty big news, at least out here in La-La-Land. Now that the fire’s out and tour groups are being bussed around as usual, Universal Studios did a solid: The “Salute to California Firefighters” initiative allows all firefighters – who of course put out the fire and saved much of the back lot – can get free general admission to the studio. This is good for one fireman, and up to three guests get 50 percent off their general admission ticket too. Now, the freebie is for all fire department personnel, not just the ones who doused the flames. To obtain free admission, firefighters must show current photo employee identification at the Universal Studios Hollywood box office. Sounds like a nice way for firefighters to have a family-friendly day in Los Angeles!

It turns out that the massive fire was started by a blowtorch. The New York City movie set was destroyed (sorry, King Kong), but Wisteria Lanes has emerged unscathed. I guess those housewives have a little less to be desperate about.

Traveling Mamas on YouTube

We now have our own YouTube page where we will add videos and slideshows to go along with our posts.

You can visit the page here and see a slideshow about The Westin Maui Resort and Spa.

We hope that this will enhance your visits to TravelingMamas.com and give you a glimpse into the various hotels and destinations we’ve reviewed.

Discover Maui’s Upcountry

DesertMama and I decided to relax during our visit to Westin Maui Resort and Spa. The two of us spent a day enjoying lomi lomi massages at The Heavenly Spa while the other Mamas went hiking. We found out that the lavender spa products being sold were made right there on Maui. So we hopped in the car the next morning in search of lavender.

Ali’i Kula Lavender is located in Maui’s Upcountry, which is a day trip experience that will delight all the senses. The drive from Ka’anapali was a beautiful, relaxing 1hour journey into the higher altitudes of Maui. We could inhale scents of ocean and lavender at the same time. The calmness of the Upcountry enveloped us in a comforting embrace.

Upon our arrival to Ali’i Kula, were were greeted with warm lavender scones topped with lavender liliko’i jelly, lavender herb tea and lavender coffee. We sat at a corner table overlooking the gardens and valley while we awaited our tour. Our guide, Cookie, came to lead us around the gardens, snipping flowers here and there while educating us on the different types of lavender. By the end of the tour, each of us had a small bouquet of lavender. Of course I had to stop at the gift shop on the way out and DesertMama had to drag me out of there before I spent all of Mr. CajunMama’s money.

Our next stop was Tedeschi Vineyards, Maui’s Winery. It is said Ulupalakua simmers in each sip and that you can taste the sun, the soft evening fog, and a hundred years of history in each glass. We were already relaxed from the scent of lavender that enveloped the car, so we decided wine tasting was a fitting activity to pursue next.

Maui’s Winery Tasting Room is located in a historic cottage. The cottage was built in 1874 for King David Kalakaua. DesertMama and I walked up to the bar, which is made from the trunk of a mango tree. The winery offers grape, pineapple and specialty wines.

I’m not a big red wine lover, so I chose to taste the Upcountry Blush, Maui Blanc, Maui Splash, and Raspberry Wine. The Blush is a fantastic choice to bring home to friends and family. It does not need aging and its light berry flavors are subtle, yet nice. The Maui Blanc is my favorite. It is a pineapple wine with a subtle lingering tropical finish. The Splash was a delight as well, but very sweet with its essence of passion fruit. The Raspberry Wine tasted like a chocolate covered raspberry with a rich and full flavor that stays with you.

The Winery will ship your order to certain states, depending on your local laws. This is a great help in bringing home memories of Maui now that the airlines are charging for baggage. Unfortunately I brought a small suitcase and my state does not allow me to ship wine home. Pooey! I guess that means I’ll just have to go back to Maui.

We stepped across the street to the Ulupalakua Ranch Store and ordered burgers for lunch before heading out to find Surfing Goat Dairy, our last stop for the day. We went the wrong way and ended up being surprised by an ocean overlook. By the time we figured out the direction we needed to be going, we had the giggles. DesertMama and I were reminiscing about our favorite SNL skits of days gone by. We thought GoatBoy was fitting for the moment and we couldn’t sto-o-o-o-p laughi-i-i-ing!

Surfing Goat Dairy was a delightful surprise. At first we thought we just driving through a neighborhood when a long drive of palm trees appeared with a well-manicured entrance. We walked around the to the outdoor café with its funky surf architecture. The place just had a cool vibe. Tours are available and visitors can even milk a goat, but we opted to try a sampler of Surfing Goat Dairy’s award winning cheeses. The offerings are so delicious, it is no wonder their product is in demand at fine restaurants around the globe.

The day was wonderful and Maui’s Upcountry is suitable for families (except the wine tasting), romantic escapes, and girlfriend getaways. We even noticed a number of solo travelers biking their way around the Upcountry. Take some time to get away from your resort and discover the surprises Maui has to offer.

Molokai Sunset on Papohaku Beach

While I’m not even going to attempt to be as beautifully poetic as DesertMama was in her eloquent post about the break of dawn on Kaua’i, I did want to share with you my experience watching the sunset on a deserted beach on the west end of Molokai.

Hawaii’s sixth-largest island, Molokai is known as the “Friendly Isle,” and indeed its residents are incredibly welcoming — people think nothing of hugging you hello and good-bye, even if you’d just met! But it’s also wonderfully pristine, with very limited development. Zero traffic lights!

Molokai is an ideal vacation destination for folks who want to get back to nature to discover what the rest of Hawaii was like before high-rise resorts and sprawling strip malls. Just 38 miles long and 10 miles wide, with no more than 8,000 residents, it’s easy to get to know Molokai ntimately, even over the course of a short stay. (Though I did meet one East Coast couple who was on the island for 11 days in an effort to ‘drop out’ and disconnect for a while — from technology I presume, not each other…)

I read about Papohaku Beach in my trusty Frommer’s guidebook, which said it’s not atypical to find the wide, sandy bay virtually empty. No people, just footprints, the guide said.

Indeed, when i made the early evening, 20-mile drive to the westerly beach from the main town of Kaunakakai on the southeast end, I found only a handful of tent campers in the grassy stretch between the parking lot and the beach. I saw no families there cleaning up their towels and sand toys after a day at the beach, nor any couples sharing a bottle of wine while watching the sun sink into the ocean. No one. Nada. Zilch.

It was totally surreal to be walking such a large beach alone. Perhaps spooky is a better word. Just me in my own head, wishing I had my husband or someone else to share my experience with. The views were stunning: sand dunes and drifts as far down the bay as the eye could see–in both directions–totaling a three-mile stretch of beach. What a playground!

But seeing the pretty sunset — alone — just strengthened my resolve to bring my entire family back to Molokai — not only to take in the wonderful natural scenery and take part in fun excursions and outdoor adventures like snorkeling and kayaking, but to get to know “old Hawaii” and contrast it with some of the more populated resort areas we’ve visited.

For now, my photographs will have to suffice, but I do look forward to sharing this magical island with my family… some day!

Mama on the Move – Hawaii Hiking to Petroglyphs

Like millions of other Americans, I recently saw the new Indiana Jones movie, and I’ve been feeling a little ‘adventure-y” ever since. Looking over my map of the Big Island in Hawaii, I saw the perfect hiking opportunity to satisfy my outdoor adventure jones (no pun intended) by exploring the Puako Petroglyph Archeological Preserve, very near the luxury resort area in South Kohala. Now, the Big Island of Hawaii has the most – and best preserved – petroglyphs of any in the state. Visitors can park in the Holoholokai Beach Park lot and make it part of a day in South Kohala. Petroglyphs, for the uninitiated, are sort of like the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt, except they’re primitive carvings into stone. Each represents something, such as warriors, chiefs, and important births.

The Malama Trail leads right up from Holoholokai Beach, and the fun starts in less than a quarter mile. Now, this is no lush, green part of Hawaii. It’s hot, dry, and arid; you’ll sweat standing still. I found sunblock to be a must, at least initially. After passing some well-tended to petroglpyhs, the intrepid explorer (me!) heads down a tree-covered path, with virtually no other archeological adventure type tourists around (I passed two couples total). Crossing a fire road, I was happy and excited to hear nothing but tropical birds, and see nothing but trees, lava, and occasional, scattered petroglyphs. The iconic theme music for Indiana Jones bounced around my head: There I was, the rugged explorer, in a land that has been remarkably unchanged for 1,500 years (the estimated age of the first petroglyphs in Hawaii). Sure, instead of a fedora, I’ve got a baseball cap. And my weapon is not a whip, it’s a compact digital camera. So what? Look at me, I’m tromping around the underbrush just like my hero-slash-mad high school crush.

The hiking trail isn’t the most clearly laid out – all the better for adventuring – but you can’t get lost unless you try. I made a few detours and “discovered” prehistoric lava tubes. When the Polynesians landed on the Hawaiian islands, these lava tubes served as perfectly good homes and places for meetings of local chiefs. The entrances were mostly a little too cobwebby for me (sorry, Indy!) but there was one that I crawled into and was able to fully stand in without banging my head. At least not much, anyway. Ouch.

The proper trail ends quickly, in less than 2 miles. It’s here that we get to the star of the show: The Puako Petroglyph Preserve, with over 3,000 drawings in a flat rock field. The Polynesian and Hawaiian appreciation for lines through generations of families is laid out, in stone as it were, from right to left. The oldest and most simple petroglyphs are to the right, with stick figures representing canoes, animals, and important people of their day. As we look towards the left, we see the evolution from simplicity to more complex carvings that have triangles and squares for male and female torsos.

It’s inspiring to step back, and consider that a hundred generations of Hawaiian families trekked to this very spot to carve their place in history. No one knows for certain what all the symbols represent anymore – their meanings have been lost to time. And no one knows exactly why the Hawaii natives stopped doing this, either. Some suggest it’s because of the missionaries who came later, others say it’s because the ancient Hawaiians were concerned about running out of space on the stone field to carve important glyphs, and wanted to save room for their future generations. Walking lightly among the thousands of thousand-year old stone carvings, I know that not even Indiana Jones, archeologist of my dreams, could have the answers to these age-old questions. And I feel that we are all part of something larger than ourselves and our day to day worries. We are part of the lines of our own families, stretching back, and forwards, in time.

Mama on the Move: Segway of Hawaii

The other night I strolled along Waikiki Beach with my local friend Jeanne whom I met a few years ago. We watched the fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village that occurs almost every Friday night. I noticed a bunch of people on Segways and they looked like they were having a blast. So, I went ahead and booked a morning three-hour tour of Honolulu History and Culture.

First I was given a helmet, which made me feel a bit dorky, but for safety reasons I was glad to have something to protect my super powerful rock star brain. Alan, Segway of Hawaii owner, gave me a training lesson before the tour. At first I was hesitant, because this thing is just two wheels. It doesn’t look like something I should step my chubby body onto, but Alan assured me the weight limit is 280 lbs, so I’m all good on that problem.

I stepped onto the Segway, thinking it would tip over, but to my amazement the thing balances itself. Before long, I was gliding in and out of cones and able to stop on a dime (almost). Michael, my tour guide, felt confident that I was able to maneuver the streets of Honolulu, so off we went.

We started off on Waikiki Beach, where people stared and pointed. Yes, I wanted to tell them, it is CajunMama in the flesh, don’t be intimidated. We were almost like street entertainers, performing a ballet of environmentally friendly, gas free transportation, and I was the star.

Michael took Jeanne and I through bustling Chinatown, where I felt sure I was going to take out a pedestrian, but I did well, even when a store curtain blew into my face blocking my vision of the sidewalk baskets of fruit. Thanks to my pre-tour training, I was confident enough to maneuver around three baskets of bok choy and two elderly Asian ladies with canes. Whew! Crisis averted.

We stopped for a breather at Iolani Palace and glided by the King Kamehameha statue. Our return trip provided an open area for me to glide open wide. In fact, I think I’m ready for the Segway races now. I was glad I took the time for this environmentally friendly tour of Honolulu. The price of $130 for a historic, cultural and fun three-hour tour is worth it.

Now I can say, “This is how I roll.”

Good, Big Eats at Kahuna Kabobs in Lahaina, Maui

After our morning of adventure the other day on West Maui, Mudslide Mama and I were hungry, so we stopped in Lahaina on our return trip to the Westin Maui. No, we didn’t backtrack on that super crazy, cliff-hugging road. We took the “safe” way back, turning inland and then skirting the west coast back to Ka’anapali (on a real highway, this time).

That meant we went through the former whaling town of Lahaina — a destination I’d heartily recommend to Maui visitors who are looking to do some fun shopping (loads of little boutiques and souvenir stores) and eating (seafood restaurants, little bakeries, as well as some chains) along the main drag of Front Street.

I remembered Mudslide’s rave review of Maui Tacos, and it only seemed fitting that we go there for some affordable, Hawaiian fast food. But as we were making our way to Maui Tacos, we passed by another freshly made meals-on-the-spot type of joint: Kahuna Kabobs.

Serving up Mediterranean-influenced plates, like fish, chicken, steak and shrimp kabobs, as well as pupus, wraps, burgers and soups, Kahuna Kabobs is fresh, fast, filling — and relatively cheap. It also seemed popular with locals, since quite a few young people (eesh, I sound ancient) stopped by to chat with the twenty-something guy behind the counter.

Jen ordered the Blackened Fish Kabobs — fish of the day with sweet Molokai mashed potatoes, asparagus in coconut curry sauce topped with wasabi cream sauce. And I scarfed down Dr. J’s Island Style Curry — roasted eggplant, bell pepper, celery, onions, pineapple, tofu, garbanzo beans in “secret yellow curry sauce” over brown rice. YUM YUM!

Our meals, each with a diet Coke were about $15 to $17 — again, not bad for Maui standards. The portions were super filling. We liked knowing that everything was being cooked to order. Sitting outside in the fresh air, picnic-style at a patio table was more enjoyable to me then paying for an overpriced burger at one of the sit-down restaurants along Front Street.

Kahuna Kabob’s is in a little pedestrian area/alley off of Front Street between Lahainaluna and Dickenson streets. Save your money for souvenirs by eating lunch or dinner at this great locals’ place.

Family Travel: A Great Child-friendly Luxury Resort in Maui

Let’s face it, there are a lot of hotels in the Westin family (owned by Starwood). We’ve been to some that are just fine; nothing wrong but nothing to write home about. And now, we’ve experienced the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, in Hawaii. This is, truly, an outstanding hotel, and great for family travel. The Traveling Mamas recommend it!

Located in the resort area of Kaanapali on West Maui, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is impeccably designed. The recent renovation resulted in calm, open spaces with simple lines and a lack of clutter in the hallways. The previous owner (over 20 years ago) left behind may genuine Asian antiques, which we found throughout the resort property. At first, the idea of real relics simply exhibited made me feel a little nervous – after all, this is a completely family-friendly hotel with lots of young kids running around - but the antiques appear to be in no danger of Destruction by Wayward Child.

Those kids running around are kept plenty busy, you see; the water slides, 4 family pools (and a 5th for adults only), an activity filled day camp…even daily feeding of koi, those big red carp, every morning at 9:30AM.

The Westin Maui has a Director of Fun, which just might win the award for Best Job Title Ever. If you’re planning a Hawaii family vacation at the Maui Westin Resort & Spa, the Director of Fun will help plan out all the child friendly activities you’d want to keep your children happy on the trip (as if “happy” and “Hawaii” don’t go together so perfectly anyway). Children will love starting the day feeding the koi, and ending it by making Hawaiian s’mores on the beach (these have pretty much the same ingredients as regular s’mores, plus fresh Hawaii pineapple). And for us old marrieds, the Director of Romance can help rekindle those honeymoon feelings. Fun and Romance: It’s what a vacation at the Maui Westin Resort & Spa is all about.

Aquariums to Zoos: Finding Family Fun on a Budget

The price of gas and rising airline tickets are forcing many families to stay closer to home this summer. Here are some travel tips to help families save money while still being able to vacation.

Plan to visit relatives.

Grandma sure would like to see the grandkids, so why not save a few bucks by bunking at her place. Just be sure to help her out with the dishes and don’t eat her out of house and home.

Skip the fast food.

Rest stops are a great place to stop for a pre-packed lunch, which would save Dad from having to shell out the dollars at a drive-through. This will also help with back-seat wiggles that the little ones get during long rides. After the picnic, take time to walk through the rest stop to learn more about the state you are visiting (or just passing through) and collect a few brochures and attraction coupons.

Pack extra supplies.

Tourist destinations can be a pricey place to purchase diapers, snacks, and all the extras. Try and over anticipate your family’s needs so there is no need to visit a store for overpriced items.

Find current events for your destination.

Many places offer farmer’s markets or weekend festivals for the entire family to enjoy. Not only are some of these events free, but they offer great learning experiences for the kids. Visit your planned destination’s official website for current event ideas.

Find an Aquarium or Zoo to visit.

Most cities offer a zoo or aquarium near their area. These places vary in price, so be sure to check the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ website to find a fun attraction for your family that will fit your budget.

No matter where your family decides to visit this year, be sure to plan a budget that fits your family’s needs. Spontaneous activities sometimes end up being the most memorable on vacation, so don’t plan every second. Remember to have fun and check TravelingMamas.com for travel ideas for you and your family.

Travel Warning for Popular Mexico Vacation Destination

Is the travel situation getting worse in Mexico, or is it just that the media is picking up more stories about the drug cartels, gangs, and other generally illegal acts in our neighbor to the south? TravelingMamas posted earlier about the US State Department’s travel advisory against taking vacations in certain parts of Mexico. At that point, two suggestions was to stay in an all-inclusive resort, or to travel to the most popular tourist destinations, like Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. But a Canadian tourist was recently shot inside his hotel room in Cabo San Lucas (Calgary Herald) and the increase in criminal activity in Tijuana is well-known.

On the Gulf side (the Yucatan), Cancun and the Riviera Maya are gorgeous tourist destinations, with white sandy beaches and archaeological marvels that would make Indiana Jones drop his hat. The Riviera Maya starts at Playa del Carmen and ends in Tulum. Certainly worth considering for a family vacation, right? Consider this: The “hotel zone’ of small charming hotels and restaurants in Tulum is experiencing a scene right out of the Wild West.

One of those charming Tulum restaurants, owned by an Australian-born US citizen, was literally invaded last week by a group of men working for a corrupt local politician. John Kendall, who bought the land six years ago, already has a certified local presence in the Mayan Riviera; his acclaimed Mezzanine hotel overlooks the sea in along the same historic stretch of Mexico. The Mexican politician, Gaston Alegre, has called Kendall the “Devil of Tulum” and sent police (and 30 private security guards) into Kendall’s beachfront restaurant to take the property by brute force. The restaurant, El Pez, was filled with tourists and customers; they were kicked out, and the restaurant was completely trashed. When Kendall attempted to take back his property, corrupt police from nearby Playa del Carmen fought him off. Kendall has said, “Gaston Alegre still thinks he’s in 1930’s Mexico.” Kendall will get his day in court, of course, but clearly corruption runs deep in many travel destinations here. This illegal land grab illuminates the need for stronger anti-corruption laws in Mexico (or at least that the ones on the books be upheld).

Criminal activity in Mexico has not just increased in recent months, but also has begun to spread into popular tourist destinations. Pack more than just your bathing suit and sunblock for a vacation south of the border; take some extra precautions as well. Watching Indiana Jones on the big screen is one thing. Finding ourselves in the middle of frightening battles in real life, quite another.

Solar Phenomena or Secret Experiment?

A solar phenomena occurred during my visit to Key West a few weeks ago. I was riding along Duval Street when I noticed people stopping to look up at the sky. It was freaky and disturbing, like a scene out of a space movie.

So, of course I had to poke my head out the window to see what made people get out their cars in the middle of the road. I looked up in the clear sky and saw a shaded rainbow ring around the sun. It scared the heck out of me. I just knew that we probably had about three hours left on the planet before the END OF THE WORLD.

Actually, I picked up the phone and called a friend who was standing next to someone who knew someone at the National Weather Service. Its kinda like a cousin’s cousin’s uncle thing. The NWS explained that the ring was a product of ice crystals in the atmosphere mixed with smoke from the Yucatan. Ummm. Ok. The sky was clear. Something fishy was going on.

Me being the nosey Mama that I am, I dug around a bit and met a guy who is a former journalist. He admitted that he had been conducting his own investigation into this occurrence.

The ring around the sun that seemed to be shaded a bit inside was actually a military experiment to see what fallout would look like. The substance is supposed to be made of clay and chalk.

I have no idea what to believe, but that sure was a pretty rainbow around the sun. I just hope that pretty rainbow isn’t harmful and I’m glad to know it wasn’t some iridescent mother ship hovering over Key West.

The Legend of the Crystal Skulls

Mystery has always surrounded the Legend of The Crystal Skulls. I’ve heard different versions of the legend throughout the years, such. I had heard the legend originated with the Native Americans. I also visited Chichen Itza and noticed all the skulls at this ancient site. Others say that aliens gave the skulls to mankind and that all thirteen will be revealed when the world is ready to know the truth. Ummm, I don’t know what that truth is, but I do know that the Crystal Skulls do exist.

The release of Indiana Jones: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls has brought this legend back into popularity. I know I’ve always been interested in the Mayan and Aztec civilizations and stories of other cultures who seem to have disappeared from the planet. A recent article in Archaeology Magazine dismisses any claim of authentic crystal skulls that are ancient.

The British Museum released a statement about testing of the skulls, which many people claim is proof that these skulls are all fakes.

“Contrary to popular belief there are currently no scientific techniques which can be used to accurately establish when a stone or mineral object was produced. Research has therefore focused on how the skulls were carved, where the quartz originated from and what is known about the early history of the skulls.” Read the entire release here and here.

From what I comprehend, there is no way to date the skulls, so how can they be authenticated, or more importantly be unauthenticated? People like to believe in unbelievable things.

So here is a list of the current “authentic” crystal skulls that those believers of the legends recognize.

• Mitchell Hedges Skull
• Mayan Crystal Skull
• Amethyst Skull
• British Skull (British Museum)
• Paris Skull
• Texas Crystal Skull (MAX) (owned by the Parks Family of Houston)
• ET Skull (private collection of Joke van Dieten Maasland in Miami Beach, Florida)
• Rose Quartz Crystal Skull (last seen in Honduras and Guatemala)
• Aztec Skull
• Sha-na-ra
• Jaguar Man
• The Rainbow Skull (These three were recently found in an excavation in Guerro Province and are now privately owned)

As you can see, only twelve are listed. I guess we’ll have to wait for the thirteenth to reveal itself to find out what is really going on with these skulls, or we can all just go see the latest installment of the Indiana Jones series of movies.

Winning Wednesday: A Journey into Michealangelo’s Rome

Ah! The romance and culture of Rome is something that needs to be seen with one’s own eyes. Angela K. Nickerson’s A Journey into Michealangelo’s Rome is the perfect guide to follow in the footsteps of one of the great masters of art. This 163 page Artbook Series publication by Roaring Forties Press is a must for lovers of art, history, and Italy. We had 107 entries for our giveaway and want to thank Angela for the wonderful interview.

An entry from Sandy Miresse reads, “I threw my coin into the Trevi Fountain but haven’t been able to return to Rome yet. This would be the next best thing!”

Judith Hopkins admits, “I never get tired of learning about places, people and happenings…this would be a fantastic read!”A few entrants were interested in this book for Father’s Day or just to reminisce about Italy.

Our winner, Amy, is visiting Rome with her husband this summer. This will be a fantastic read to take on your journey, Amy. Congratulations!

Be sure to visit Roaring Forties Press where you can get your own copy of A Journey into Michealangelo’s Rome and also take time to stop by Angela K. Nickerson’s author blog.