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The Last Summer Hurrah!

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While we enjoy the heat, blossoms, and treats that summer brings, we also enjoy welcoming Fall just as much. However, we still have about two months left of summer. You are just in time for the last hurrah! There are plenty of things to see and do to close out the summer. With vacation seasoning ending and back-to-school time just around the corner, it’s time to indulge in every bit of summertime left. How can you enjoy the last bit of summer you ask? Well let us tell you – take an impromptu road trip, visit an amusement park for all the adrenaline rush thrills, visit a museum and learn a little history, or take the kids to a cool Dairy Farm. Grab that last minute summer bucket list and start crossing off those activities waiting to be explored. Now is the time to take a Rock & Ride Road Trip, a Family Fun Road Trip, or a mixture of both. We have partnered with Ohio. Find It Here. to bring you our top last minute summer activities for your August adventure.

Cedar Point

Have you been to an amusement park this year? If not, you must visit Ohio’s Cedar Point. Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, OH, right outside of Cleveland. If an adrenaline rush and need for speed is your thing, you will certainly find it here. They are known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, with jaw dropping drops on certain rides. Talk about a fun time and an amazing experience. They have your traditional rides like the Ferris Wheel, Loopty Loop Rides, Water Rides, and Kid’s Rides. Then there are the rides that they are most known for like Top Thrill Dragster, GateKeeper, Millennium Force, and more. This park is full of rides with adventure, twist, and turns. My husband and I went for a weekend on a couple’s date, and it was fun. Of course after riding all those rides and walking the park, you will certainly work up an appetite. After our adventurous day, we walked right outside the park to one of the restaurants and had a delicious dinner. Whether you like rides full of speed, twist and turns or you like simpler laid-back rides, Cedar Point has something for all ages and thrill levels.

TIP: Cedar Point is located on Lake Erie and offers a waterpark called Cedar Point Shores. If you are not a thrill seeker and amusements parks are not your thing, there are other activities to do in the area. You could enjoy the waterpark, or you could plan a weekend getaway, rent a hotel, and enjoy the beach. Also, water activities like kayaking are offered around the beach shore.

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

First and foremost, we would like to thank the men and women of the Armed Forces for their services! Did you, someone in your family, or someone you know serve in the Armed Forces? Are you just curious to know what soldiers go through from the time they enlist to the time they get out or retire? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is the place for you. Located in Columbus, OH, this museum is sure to give you another level of respect for the men and women that serve(d) our country. It is well put together, organized, and teaches you a lot about what a veteran may experience during his or her time in the military. It is so unique! Tiff Squared enjoyed our time learning about the process a veteran takes from enlisting to retirement or sadly even a lot of times death, listening to stories given by veterans, and learning history through a cool timeline wall. Tiff D. even lifted some tactical gear and my was it heavy. To think some of them must go to war with all of this equipment on is mind blowing. However, they go through rigorous training that “tries” to prepare them for the toughest moments they will experience ever in life. I use the word “tries” because no matter how much training you have, some moments can never be prepared for. It also allows them to form a comradery with their peers that is never lost. The military certainly makes tough people! It was also interesting to learn about the color flags some soldiers wear on their uniforms as to what war they served in. We both learned so much and found ourselves invested to want to keep reading and learning more. This museum is truly a wonderful experience as well as an awesome way to pay homage to the men and women that took an oath to protect and serve the United States of America.

Young’s Jersey Dairy

I get it, school is out, the kiddos are running around the house like crazy, and you just need to find something to wear them out! We have something fun for them and you. Take a visit to Young’s Jersey Dairy located in Yellow Springs, OH. It is also about 10 minutes away from the main strip in Yellow Springs filled with shopping, outdoor activities (bike riding, hiking, and more), and restaurants. Yellow Springs makes for the perfect weekend getaway. I know taking the kids to a dairy may sound strange, but I am here to tell you there is a lot more fun than the name suggest. Young’s Farm first started as a farm that grew grain, raised hogs, milked cows, and eventually sold their milk. Today they grew the farm into what we like to call family friendly fun at Young’s. I took my 5-year-old daughter for a mommy and me day. We both had a lot of fun! The farm offers their Dairy Store, Two Miniature Golf Courses, Batting Cages, Covered and natural grass driving range, Moovers & Shakers (a fun barrel ride around the farm), Cowvin’s Fast Slide, Cowvins Kiddie Corral, Young’s Annual Cheese Anniversary, The Wool Gathering, Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Cowvin’s Corny Maze + Playground, Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival, and Vintage Truck Show. WHEW, that was a mouth full! Haha! My daughter had fun doing the Moovers & Shakers, Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral and the Batting Cage. She enjoyed the kiddie slides and the tricycles that the Kiddie Corral offered. They also have goats that you can feed. Additionally, aside from their milk and cheese, Young’s Dairy is known for their fresh ice cream made on their site. They have a drive-through or a dairy store that you can purchase ice cream. There was a line for the dairy store, but we wanted the experience, so we stood and waited. My daughter loves ice cream, so this was her favorite part. She ordered her favorite, Chocolate Ice Cream. I decided to go out of my norm and try their Banana Split. Both ice cream treats were delicious, refreshing, and the perfect way to beat the summer heat, so grab the family and set out for a fun day trip to Young’s Jersey Dairy.   

Loveland Castle Museum

Where are the history lovers at? If this is you, plan a visit to Loveland Castle Museum located in Loveland, OH. The castle is filled with history about Sir Harry and the KOGT (Knights of the Golden Trail). I found it very interesting to learn we had a castle right here in the Cincinnati, OH area. When I hear the word castle, I offer times think of large castles such as Buckingham Palace. I do not think of smaller castles with a great foundation behind them. I was so happy to hear of a castle here in Ohio and it made me rethink of my appreciation of what is in my own back yard. I had to go check it out. At the Loveland Castle there are so many things do to and explore when you visit. You can have a family picnic by the river or enjoy a walk down the pathways of the gardens to see various plants and flowers. During my tour at the castle I learned about Harry, Picnicking, Games and Puzzles, Ghosts, Architecture, Swords and Weapons. There is never a dull moment when you visit the castle, there is something to learn around every corner.

Duke Energy Children’s Museum

Cincinnati is home and you know I could not give a list of last-minute summer bucket list activities and not feature a location right here in the Queen City. What I found unique about the atmosphere and look of the museum, was that is resembles the New York Train Station. With school getting ready to start back, what better way to get the kiddos back into the swing of things than exploring history and science at the Children’s Museum. This is a great way for kids and families to get out and explore together. The vision of the Cincinnati Museum Center is to bring understanding of their past, present, and future by providing world-class learning experiences enjoyable for children and adults, and they do just that! My family and I visited the Children’s Museum and had a blast. You will learn about dinosaurs, the evolution of technology, Cincinnati’s history, and so much more. My children’s favorite parts were the dinosaur exhibit as well as the hands-on activity exhibit. The museum offered different hands-on activities for the kids to learn different objectives. After we played and visited the exhibits, we watched a 45-minute movie in the Robert D. Linder Family OMNIMAX Theater. This was a fun, full screen experience. The theater is in the shape of a dome and the screen takes up the entire front side and moves up. Its pretty neat! If you are feeling inspired to learn more about the world through science and regional history in a fun, educational, and engaging way, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum is the place for you. It will open your eyes to a world of meaningful experiences.  

While summer is coming to an end, that does not mean it is over just yet. There is still plenty of time to get out and explore and make those summer bucket list items a reality. Whatever you have been meaning to do this Summer, now is the time! Grab those friends or family members and seize the day! Visit a place you have never been before, try something outside of your comfort zone, or find something that is familiar to your interest. No matter what you decide to do, you will enjoy every minute of soaking up the end-of-summer sun! 

Dreaming Of The Amalfi Coast

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You know when you see something that looks so stunning that it’s almost too good to be true? That is how I felt about the Amalfi Coast. Italy has been on my list of places to visit for a long time so when a great opportunity presented itself, I booked my trip on the spot. Most travelers go directly to the major cities like Rome, Pisa, Florence, etc. (which I absolutely plan to visit one day), but my eye was always on the coast. There was just something magical about it. Even more than what pictures can showcase. Many think of this area as just relaxing and romantic, but there were so many great activities and things to do. The coast is also known to be pretty expensive, but there are also ways to save money while traveling and exploring the area. Read on to read tips on the best ways to make the most of your experience and save a little while you’re at it!

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8 ways to enhance your Cartagena, Colombia Trip!

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South America has quickly become one of my favorite continents to visit due to its liveliness and color. My visit to Cartagena was no different. From the moment we landed, we were immersed in the culture. The area was bustling with people, street vendors and markets were ready to accommodate your every request, the sun was shining, and music was playing everywhere. That is my kind of vibe! Although it is great to stay in the heart of the city the full time, below are sites within and outside of the city to make the most of your trip:

1. Tour Colombian City

 

There is such a rich amount of history in Cartagena. This is heavily influenced by the location being a main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire, the Spanish culture in general, slavery, religious ties, and its strong military background. As you walk the streets, you can feel the history through the art and graffiti. When you think graffiti, you may think illegal tagging, but it is true art here. I was mesmerized by the murals on the walls and the stories they told. The area has developed significantly within the last decade, which has greatly increased tourism and global attention. If you are looking for a great tour guide, look up Freddy Paz on Facebook. He was so knowledgeable, patient, and well known in the community.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014791723485

 

2. Visit Convento de la Popa

Behold, the highest point of Cartagena! La Popa Hill is on a 150m-high hill boasting, as you can imagine, an incredible view of the entire city. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to an Augustinian monk and instructed him to build a monastery at the tallest point in Cartagena. Whether true or not, I’m glad it’s there! It is a great location to take pictures and read more about the history of the area. There is also a charming flower-filled courtyard that I could sit in for hours!

 

3. Dive into the Totumo Mud Volcano

Get ready to get muddy! I’d seen the pictures, but actually going to a mud volcano is a one of a kind experience! El Totumo is a bottomless, active mud volcano located near sea level in northern Colombia. It supposedly has many healing properties that will leave you feeling light and refreshed afterwards. It’s a heavy tourist location so I’d suggest taking a tour rather than taking a cab.

A few things to remember before diving in:

Bring an old swimsuit– I did not, which prevented me from getting in. I kick myself when I think about how I should’ve prepared properly for this.

Bring cash– There will be workers everywhere that will give you a massage, rinse you off, hold your camera, watch your shoes, etc. They all expect 1 peso for each service they provide.

Be prepared to get close!- It gets pretty packed in there so expect to rub shoulders with whomever you came with and strangers!

Go Early- Lines will begin to form around 10:30/11am. Try to get in and out before then or you’ll be baking in the hot sun for a while.

After you climb out of the mud, you will be able to wash off (with help if you’d like) in a nearby lagoon.

 

4. Visit and dine in Galerazamba

This little town is located about 10 minutes away from the volcano and is where many of the employees’ work. We first stopped at the Etnoindustrial museum, which is dedicated to the indigenous history. It is located seaside and has a peaceful beach. We also dined here, eating fresh fish, rice, and salad. You have the option of ordering chicken or vegetarian if you don’t like/eat fish or can’t deal with eating a fish with the head still on . After dining, us ladies danced with an instructor, which ended up being quite the workout! It was fun to experience how their subtle movements can make for powerful dancing.

 

5. Walk in the Pink Sea (El Salar de Galerazamba)

This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. During certain times of the year, the water at this location turns pink due to the salinity in the water. We were lucky enough to visit at the perfect time of year when the pink was nice and vibrant. Most don’t know the level of salt in the water is just a few points behind the dead sea, which means no wildlife swimming throughout. It was amazing to see the large salt rocks washing ashore. This was definitely one of those moments where I was so thankful to be able to travel and see all of the beauties of the world.

Side note: The three activities above can be combined into a single tour. That is the best bargain and a great way to meet strangers. If you’re looking for a suggestion, book through Book Back Packers. They were great!

6. Relax at Baru island

Baru Island is a nice beach once you get past all the tourist traps- and there are many! I would encourage you to just keep walking until you find a nice quiet space. Otherwise you will be surrounded by vendors the whole time. We used Book Back Packers again for this which covered our transportation from Cartagena (about an hour) and provided us with a private space and lunch. It was a really nice experience if you can get past someone coming up to you to sell you something- not as bad as the public space, but still a bit interrupting. Don’t be surprised if someone (or multiple people) touch you to give you an idea of what their massage will feel like. This is something that you can’t quite get away from in Colombia. Outside of this, the beach has clear water, nice sand, and offers excursions!

 

7. Take a night cruise with a 4 course dinner

The night cruise was a great way to cap off our final night in Cartagena. Our cruise was about 3 hours and included a four-course dinner and a bottle of wine while sailing across the sea and viewing the beautiful evening sites. It was such a great way to connect and reflect with the group while eating delicious food. There are many cruise ship options you can find that are both during the day and at night. From researching, you can’t go wrong with any of them!

 

8. Find a way to give back

You will find many beautiful areas to visit, great restaurants to try, and history to explore, but Cartagena is a very, very poor area. You may get a bit turned off by the number of people who approach you trying to sell something when you are trying to have a peaceful time. As frustrating as this might be, try to overcome it by remembering that while we are enjoying the beauty of their land, they are trying to provide for their families. You can find opportunities to serve the community if you’d like or you can do simple things like tipping beyond what you normally would (our dollar goes far there) and giving money to the performers on the street. Often, we watch their entertainment and forget they are doing this as a profession. This is something I am going to remember everywhere I go!

I’d like to give a quick kudos to The Flight Life group, who coordinated the entire trip. You can find additional information about Cartagena and the many trips they have coming up here . Whether you want to go on an organized group trip or with a small group of friends, these suggestions will hopefully make your trip a spectacular one!

Cheers!

8 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Sedona Trip

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I’ve always heard Sedona, Arizona was a magical place, but couldn’t quite understand why, as I’d never been and could only view others’ photos. Of course, it looked beautiful from afar, but magical? I assumed you just had to experience it to understand. Finally, …experience it, I did! In January, I took a trip to this well-known area to learn more about the history of the town and what makes it special. In short, I was blown away by how peaceful I was and by the constant surroundings of beauty. It is not a large area, but it is filled with many great things in town and nearby. If you’ve been thinking about visiting, here are 8 suggestive tips to make the most of your time.

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Submerged In Brazilian Culture

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Each time I travel, whether it’s for an extended or short amount of time, I am always ready to get home. For me, there’s nothing like experiencing my natural elements, sleeping in my own bed, eating my usual food, etc. Brazil was the first trip I’d been on where I did not have any of those feelings. After being there for nine days, I was ready to stay and continue the journey. Sometimes when people hear the word “Brazil”, they have a sense of hesitancy. If you are one of them, this post will help you release those preconceived notions and have you ready to book a trip tomorrow! I was pleasantly surprised with the endless amount of fun I had. Continue reading to find out why this trip was my favorite experience to date!

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Pursuing Iceland

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As many of you may have noticed from scrolling through social media, Iceland has become quite the tourist location for people of all ages. Part of this is due to the fairly new Icelandic WOW airlines expanding their territory across the U.S. and Europe. With their dramatically cheap prices, it has given tourists the ability to explore places they have never been, with Iceland being the hub.

Iceland overall is fairly large to explore, which leaves some at a loss of where to start. Well, that is what the Pursuit of Delights is here for! Rather than just providing a long article of tips, we’d like to share our pictures and personal experiences to help guide you along! Let’s begin… Read more