Jen here! I have been wanting to go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for YEARS.  Every March when my family starts planning our summer vacations, Dollywood is always my suggestion. Always. Unfortunately, my suggestion is always met with “the look.”  You know “the look” when your family thinks you just said something ridiculous but they are too kind to […]

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Hello, friends! It’s hard to write on the travel blog when I haven’t been anywhere except my couch in months.  It has been a rough traveling year but I’ve been re-energized with a quick trip to Delray Beach, Fla.! Pennsylvania’s been cold. We have had 3 feet of snow, sub-20-degree temps, and a lot of wind.  Not […]

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Last weekend the US Women’s Golf Open was in Lancaster. Exactly one exit up the highway from where my house is. I have to admit, I don’t watch golf unless I want to take a nap. The monotone voices are better than Valium! You should try it. Anyway, even though I didn’t know any of the players or who […]

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The husband and I just got back from an escape. An escape from the cold. An escape from the teenager.   My 18-year-old stepson recently moved in with us. Fun! And it has been so cold here in PA that we decided to book a hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, and drive down on a whim just for some […]

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It is officially halfway through winter and I am sick of it.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I am not a winter girl. It’s all about the summer for me! The only thing that saves me from my seasonal depression is Anthony Bourdain. You know, the guy on the Travel Channel that […]

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I am currently sitting in Barnes and Noble drinking a pumpkin spice latte, definitely my drink of choice when it starts getting cold.  Honestly, I love this time of year — sweatpants, sweatshirts, and some big fluffy socks. I just love it! This time of year also makes me reflect on my summer. I have […]

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I have spent the past few days in Ocean City, Md., with a few of my best teacher friends!  We have eaten our way through town and had a great time! Relaxing. Crabbing. And dining out, of course! Everyone had to go home on Monday but I was staying until Wednesday, by myself and I […]

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Ah yes, the joy of traveling to New York City with a 10-year-old who has never been there on July 4th. The sister and I decided that July 4th would be a good day to take my niece to New York City for the first time.  At first, I thought she was crazy for wanting […]

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I only have two more full days of school left. Only. Two. Days. It has been a trying and yet rewarding year of third graders that is coming to an end,  which only means one thing. Vacation time for ME. The husband and I are leaving for Cancun Mexico on Thursday morning and it cannot […]

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I am so excited to announce that my step daughter has got… “The Travel Bug!” I have been waiting many years for one of my kids to inherit my love of travel.  The oldest is happy with visiting the Jersey Shore.  She loves going to a beach three hours away and never even entertains the […]

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This has probably been the most irritating winter in a long time.  I’ve been absent from the blog because, honestly, I have had nothing to blog about! I have done absolutely nothing this winter. Nothing. Usually I have a restaurant or a weekend adventure to share but really, I’ve done N-O-T-H-I-N-G. The past few months […]

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You can bring alcohol onto the plane to add to your diet coke!!!! Here is what I found on the TSA website: Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. With the exception of medications, any amount of liquid including […]

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I never complain about travel. But … I will complain about booking travel. The husband and I are going to Mexico in June. We booked the vacation with Liberty Travel and began paying on it a few months ago. Despite the allure of online travel booking, I like using a travel agent for many reasons: […]

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My unsolicited advice to anyone who is building or designing a bathroom in a hotel suite … MAKE IT LARGE ENOUGH FOR TWO PEOPLE! Really. This was by far the worst hotel bathroom I have ever been in. And it was a suite! Recently, Roni and I went to Denver to scope out two hotels for […]

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There is a point in your life when you can’t go to Vegas for the parties and drinking anymore.Vegas in your late-30s is a lot different than your 20s. I had this overwhelming urge to see a show and take a nap.  Not the way I remembered it when I went in my 20s. This […]

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Friday was a good day for travel. It was announced that you no longer have to turn off your electronic devices when the plane is taking off! Apparently reading your Kindle, listening to an iPod, or playing a game on your phone no longer interferes with air traffic control. I just have to say it. […]

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Well, I did it. I took the dogs with me on a mini vacation to New York City. The husband and I planned to go to Brooklyn and stay the night because he was running in a 10K race through Prospect Park.  But, to stay at a dog-friendly hotel in Brooklyn would mean that I […]

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This week I am heading back to school after an AWESOME summer.  I have mixed emotions of both dread and excitement. I will miss my travel-filled summer. The lazy days at the beach to the miles and miles of city streets that I walked.  I was thinking last night that I have been to six […]

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UGH. I need a vacation from my vacation. Have you ever felt this way? This year we ventured for the second time to Seaside Heights for the week. The husband, kids and I had a great time last year and couldn’t stop talking about it. “Maybe we should all go!” said dad. “It will be […]

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Darn. Ryan (Roni’s son) recently had a birthday and I just stumbled upon a great gift I could have given him: The gift of travel … sort of. I’ve always been the aunt who wants to give something different. I cannot stand toys!  Kids have enough. My husband always tells me I am a horrible […]

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