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Three Things a Parent Should Carry When Traveling

Extra Change of Clothes -- Even if you have a suitcase full of garments, if you're traveling by car or plane and that luggage is stowed and out of reach, you should always carry an extra change of clothes for big and small kids. You just never know when someone is going to send a glass of tomato juice flying in the air and all over their clothes. I know that sounds like a stretch, but on planes when they serve drinks, fidgeting little kids can do all sorts of harm and foul. Also, small children may also have an unforeseen accident whether it's a missed trip the bathroom or just unexpected sickness. So, make sure you carry extra clothes in your carry-on bag. 

Snacks -- How many times have you been caught on the tarmac for longer than expected? More than you can remember or count? How many times have you had a little one hungry, whiny and unhappy while waiting somewhere? You should always carry some kind of nutritious snack you can offer along with some water. Children will cry and whine less with a happy, full belly. Filling snacks that are non-perishable include simple snacks like fruit rollups, pretzels, crackers or nuts. Smaller children can be offered Cheerios and other dry finger foods. 

Water -- No matter how or where you travel, fill up your cup holders with bottled water and keep spare bottles in your trunk. You can never have enough water. If you're stuck in a plane or even caught in a traffic jam or find yourself in the middle of nowhere, water on hand means you and your family stay hydrated and comfortable. You just never know when you're going to find yourself stuck somewhere and water saves the day. After all, we survive two weeks without food but not more than three to four days without water. 

Hiking Mount Rose

 

A pleasant day hike if you're looking for something new can be found at Mount Rose near Lake Tahoe. You will find several hiking trails including Houghton and Relay, which all lie in the same area and take you respectively to three peeks, Freel, Jobs and Jobs Sisters. You can begin your like on the north side of Highway 432 and follow the Tahoe Rim Trail to the Mount Rose Trail, which is where you'll find the trailheads. A few tips before you take these hikes that can go as high as 10,000 feet at the peaks. If you're older with any heart problems or perhaps slightly out of shape, this hike is not for you. It gets very steep in some areas and as you ascend in altitude, it can become difficult to breathe because of the thin air. You should definitely bring water, snacks or lunch in your backpack and expect this hike to take the full day or longer. You don't have to complete the trail if you just want to hike and picnic halfway to the top. Always make sure you bring reflective blankets and safety kits with water purifiers just in case you get lost, as the trails wind and weave. Bring a map and compass too. Better safe than lost. If you do decide to ascend to the upper peaks, the views of the lake are absolutely breathtaking and worth the work.

 

Marina Del Rey

Marina Del Ray on the coast near Los Angeles is a quaint seaside fisherman-like town. It has old-style buildings and docks that you would expect to see in a fisherman's village only updated and more commercial. The docks, of course, sit right off the beach where you can enjoy an afternoon of shopping and gazing at the Pacific Ocean. Now it's not like a Hawaiian beach where you expect to see palm trees and tropical foliage. It's really a shopping area backed right up to the beach front. You can eat fresh seafood at any number of restaurants and play on the beach. You can also schedule a boat tour and travel out to sea for the afternoon. Weekend parking is packed and crowded, especially on a nice, clear day. You might want to park further back from the shore and stroll to the beach lest you spend the afternoon driving in circles in search of a spot. The Marina Del Rey Hotel sits right up against the docks, so if you're seeking a nice ocean view, do stay there -- and it's especially convenient if you're planning a boat tour since the dock is right there.

Visit Maine in Fall

The turn of the leaves comes to Maine around the last week of September and first week in October. A tour throughout the state of Maine in the fall is one of the prettiest and most breathtaking fall trips you can take anywhere in the United States. We recommend you begin in the north and travel south, as the leaves turn northern to southern based on the temperature drops that turn the leaves. Favorite cities to visit include Bangor, Portland, Rockland and Waterville. The further north and inland you go you will find more deciduous forests that mix ever-greens with colorful maples and other trees with leaves that transform from green to bright yellow, orange, red and deep purple. If you really want to see the countryside, arrange a bus tour throughout the state with key stops along the coastline. Don't forget to enjoy some of the best lobster in the world and some fresh seafood and New England clam chowder right from the source. You can also plan to launch from Maine and travel up to Nova Scotia in Canada, which you will need a Passport to go in and out of Canada.

Get the Vacation Started Early with a Good Massage

Do you want to know how to mentally prepare and reduce stress before you get on a crowded airplane, bus or in a small car? Get a massage to sooth and relax your muscles or prevent back strain. Some airports also offer chair massage between flights to help sooth tight muscles before the next flight. You will be a puddle by the time you have to sit somewhere in a confined space and be less uptight. Also, if you're nervous about flying, it never hurts to ask for a glass of alcohol, but no need to overdo it. Higher altitudes make alcoholic beverages more effective faster. Just enjoy one drink, and you will relax and be fine. Alcohol makes some people tired and will help you sleep easier. Too much could make you feel lousy upon arrival.

Cosmetic Bag Tips

You think your cosmetic bag doesn't matter until one day you open it and your shampoo or lotion exploded under cabin pressure on an airplane and seeped through the fabric to ruin your $200 blazer (true story). Most travelers don't give their cosmetic bags much thought. They see one at the grocery store and buy it. Your cosmetic bag does count, and here are some things to look for in one.

Two pouches, one for your dry goods like eye shadow and powders, and another for your liquids, which you should separate into a plastic bag and seal. Even in a plastic bag leakage can occur, which is why you need separation between dry and wet. Make sure the bag has a plastic lining so it can be easily cleaned up should anything spill. Even better, if your bag comes with a smaller bag to hold small items so you're not digging around for them in the larger bag, that would be recommended too. A small handle on the top makes it easy to grab hold of the bag should you need to remove it from a larger bag for inspection of your liquid contents.

Men don't exclude a cosmetic bag from your travel routine either. You need to carry aftershave, gels and cologne and face the same problems. Also, if you don't want to risk explosive items leaking in your bags with your expensive clothes, consult with your travel agent -- some tours will pre-deliver you baggage to your first destination (cruises routinely do this). 

Great Shopping Destinations

 

Some people when they travel just love to shop. Some destinations are also known for amazing shopping too. Here are some great shopping trips.

New York City and 5th Ave. -- If you've never walked 5th Ave. and just browsed you are missing out. Admittedly most of the high fashion fall out of the average person's price range, but it sure is fun to look. When you actually see a mannequin in the window display of somewhere like Barney's or Sak's 5th Avenue, it will hit you -- you are actually viewing a true work of art. Couture fashions up close and personal are artwork. We're not talking mass produced clothes. Most of these fashions are handmade or made with high-quality materials and fabrics. Same goes for the shoes and accessories. You will find some pretty unusual stores along 5th Ave. too. My favorite -- Smart Has the Brains and Stupid has the Balls. No idea what they sell, but that was just so funny to see. You will every now and again, find some great bargains, so don't despair if you truly want to shop. Many boutiques offer affordable goods and fashions too. Walking 5th Ave., though, is just a fun experience.

Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto -- This is a little nook shopping area located in Palo Alto. Shopping is mostly upper-class boutiques and expensive department stores such as Nordstrom's and Sak's 5th Avenue. The entire Standford area is beautiful and feels much like a bedroom community, with streets lined with trees and a more woodsy feel. The area is so beautiful, you may just want to shop to escape the typical crowded suburban shopping malls. Make it a day event, catch lunch, and browse the stores. Most of it is outdoor shopping, so do wear proper apparel if you intend to walk around. 

Capitola by the Sea -- This four-block radius of boutiques and restaurants is just relaxing and fun to visit. You can eat lunch out on the ocean, browse the numerous shops (mostly swimwear and outdoor shops), view the art in the galleries, or just get an ice cream and hit the beach. The boutiques offer quality fashions at medium to high prices. They sell numerous swimsuits, and most of the time, the suits' prices are competitive to what you would find in Macy's department store. Don't forget to catch some dessert at Gayle's Bakery just up the road from the village. They have premiere desserts and gourmet coffee to die for. 

South Beach, Miami -- This shopping area is super eclectic littered with lower-end and often trashy fashions mixed in with some higher-class stories. As noted in an early blog, you need to be careful where you shop with children. On the northern side, most of restaurants are located and right along South Beach the clubs. South Beach in general has an interesting array of tourist stores loaded with souvenirs. Their fashion stores were very affordable and fun to browse. 

 

Ukiah Wineries

Here is an interesting trip that you probably never thought about doing. Did you know that Ukiah, California has an abundance of wineries and vineyards? As you travel north on Highway 101, you will come to Ukiah sitting nestled in the coastal range mountains just outside of the famous California redwoods. Ukiah has a population of about 40,000 so it has plenty of shopping and things to do. It is sometimes a great stop as you travel north toward Eureka as a last stop in a major city to pick up supplies. Just outside of Ukiah, you will find numerous wineries. You can even camp at the regional Cloverdale Wine Country KOA that sits out among the vineyards. If you want to take some tours at the regional wineries, you might come with another family and switch off staying with the kids at the campground, which is loaded with plenty of activities to keep small children occupied. The reason you might chose Ukiah over the Napa Valley is that during crush, which begins at the end of September, the Napa Valley becomes overrun in crowds and tourists. It can be very difficult with all of the traffic to enjoy the wineries and activities. In Ukiah, not as famous as Napa Valley, you will not find the same crowds. The wines may not be as world famous, but it offers a good time to do something slightly different.