Montana: Have a Dinosaur Adventure in Makoshika State Park in Glendive

The largest state park in Montana, Makoshika sits on 11,538 acres located just east of Glendive, Montana, in the eastern part of the state on Interstate 94. Follow the signs through Glendive to get there – it is well marked, but does involve a couple of turns in residential areas.

Pronounced Mah-koh’-shi-kah, the park draws its name from a Lakota phrase meaning “land of bad spirits” or “badlands.” The rock formations of this beautiful landscape are well worth the stop.

Visit in summer for Shakespeare in the Park, a summer youth program, or Buzzard Day. Or follow our lead, and go when the park is quiet, to enjoy the real untouched feel of the Montana wilderness. Pack a picnic, or head back into town for reasonably priced eats.

This part of the country is well-known for dinosaur discoveries, and this spot is a great one to learn more about that. Ten species have been found here, and one highlight of the displays in the visitor center is that all of the fossils on display were actually found right there in the park. What a terrific way to spur the imagination! Check out the visitor center, and then head off to make your own discoveries. Imagine yourself as an archaeologist, finding the bones of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops.

As with all state and national parks, it is important to remind children of the adage: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” No souvenirs for the road, and the park does ask that you leave your metal detector at home.

There are several options for enjoying Makoshika, including a six-mile loop of scenic roads, dotted with great spots to pull off and take breathtaking photos. Hiking trails abound, so be sure to bring along sturdy shoes and a bottle of water. In addition, there is camping, and adisc golf course, which is how we chose to spend our afternoon.

Looking for wildlife? Makoshika will not disappoint. Depending on the season, you might find sage lizards, bull snakes, rattle snakes, coyotes, bobcats, muledeer, and turkey vultures.

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Texas: Kemah Boardwalk – A Relaxing Getaway

We had an evening free during a quick business trip to Houston, and decided to check out the Kemah Boardwalk. Twenty miles from downtown Houston, the boardwalk is loaded with charm – a refreshing getaway from the city that somehow manages to be busy and activity-filled and simultaneously immensely relaxing.

If you love a good roller coaster like I do, check out the Boardwalk Bullet, a good old fashioned wooden coaster on the gulf. It may have only opened in 2007, but it is reminiscent of the seaside classics dating back 100 years. The slice of Americana boasts 3,300 feet of track, crossing over its own tracks a record-breaking 42 times, and travels at more than 50 mph. There are plenty of other thrills to be had on the boardwalk, as well. Tickets are available individually or as a package.

Thrills are not the only thing offered at this little escape on the Gulf Coast. The sea air blowing through our hair was just the thing after a long day of meetings and work. We enjoyed an open-air dinner on the patio at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., then took a relaxing stroll along the boardwalk, tossing a handful of food to the catfish and exploring the shops.

The boardwalk also features an aquarium and a beautiful little inn. Check out their website to learn more.

We found ourselves at the boardwalk on Tribute Band Tuesday, which was a fun surprise. The evening featured “Walk This Way” and “Guns4Roses.”

It was a treat to unwind with a drink (check out the little booths around the square for the alcoholic and non-alcoholic sort alike – we partook in a yard long frozen concoction) and people watch to the tunes of these great bands.
Children splashed and danced on the splash pad, couples moved to the music, the smell of funnel cakes hanging in the air. There’s something special about summer nights on the water, and Kemah Boardwalk was a great place to spend this one.

The drive back to Houston was painless, too, which was an important feature. (They sure do have a lot of toll booths here, though! Have small cash ready to go to save time.)

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CARES helps children fly safely

Flying with a little one brings with it concerns over safety that parents struggle to find easy answers for. Bria is small for her age — about 30 pounds at age four — and we really feel most comfortable if she is buckled into a car seat, especially for take-off and landing.

But if you’ve ever tried lugging a car seat through the airport (especially on an international trip), you know it is far from convenient. Even with the wheeled cart to turn it into a semi-stroller, there’s nothing simple about traveling with a convertible seat in tow. I am certain I have said at least once that I would NEVER do it again!

Enter the CARES Airplane Safety Harness – an excellent answer for a frustrating dilemma. Made for kids 22-45 pounds and up to 40 inches tall, it helps kids fly safe in an FAA-approved way.

The CARES weigh less than one pound, and fits easily in any purse, diaper bag, or carry on – that’s a stark comparison to the Britax car seat we used to lug along! Now we check the car seat (free on most airlines), and don’t have to deal with it until we reach our destination.

Installation is simple, taking just a few short steps. It even comes with a card to share with the flight attendant or anyone else who might be wondering about the seat (we always get asked). Additional documentation is also available for download on the FAA website.

We have found that if there are any indentations in the seat to contain the tray table, the strap doesn’t work underneath it. Unfortunately this means the strap has to go over the top, effectively rendering the tray table of the person behind you useless. For this reason, if we will need seats in more than one row, we usually book two rows in front of each other, rather than next to each other, so we don’t have to inconvenience other travelers. Of course, that doesn’t always work, so be prepared to smile big, apologize lots, and remove it promptly outside of take-off and landing times.
Traveling with kids can be hairy — the CARES system relieves some stress, which means I’m all about it!

UPDATE: Not all airplanes are created equal! We have found that there are plane seats the CARES does not seem to be compatible with. When the seat front is concave, it makes the strap the shoulder pieces hang off sit out away from the seat, pushing her head forward. Unfortunately that made the harness very difficult to use on this particular plane.

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North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s North Unit

Sharp, unforgiving badlands. Rolling rivers. Oceans of prairie. Breathtaking wildlife. There’s something genuinely special about Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota.

The park is separated into three units – the North Unit, just south of Watford City, is nearest our home, so we popped down to do the Junior Ranger program and have a picnic. (The other units are the South Unit, with an entrance near Medora, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit – Roosevelt’s home base.)

A favorite area of the 26th president, the rugged landscapes of this park is largely untouched more than 125 years after he spent time here. If you go seeking bison, you will most certainly not be disappointed.

Bria loves to do Junior Ranger programs each time she visits a national park, and this one is a great example. This booklet is aimed at ages 6-12, but with a little reading help, it’s a great fit for preschoolers. Bria loves that the Theodore Roosevelt Junior Ranger includes a ranger program and hiking a trail. And of course there’s a badge!

Stop by the ranger station near the entrance to get all of the information before heading in to the park. The program is free, but they also have fun little Junior Ranger kits available for purchase.

The views in this park are spectacular. Be sure to plan enough time to just sit and drink it in when visiting.

Other favorite stops are the Prairie Dog Town (there are literally hundreds, and you may find that they are inches away at times) and the 14-mile scenic drive.
For longer stays, camping is also available. Check out the park’s website for details.

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Costa Rica: Logistics and the Unexpected – 7 Travel Lessons

1. Laundry was harder to come by than we expected. All of the places we stayed had the option of sending it out with a service that charged by the piece. As every family knows, laundry multiplies when left alone, so this is no small endeavor. We planned to do laundry twice, but ended up doing it once, at a cost of $76.

2. My cell phone was a bit insistent that I unplug this trip, even though I was expecting to be reachable by text. Verizon told me I would have service and quoted me rates, but apparently my phone had different plans. We switched data off before we took off in Houston, and it was basically a brick with the ability to (sort of) connect to Wi-Fi once I turned it on in San Jose. I was appreciative of the Verizon text app, which did work when I was able to connect to Wi-Fi. Next time I think we will pick up a SIM card if we need to be reachable.

3. Google Translate is amazing – I wouldn’t want to be in the phrase book business these days. Be sure to “pin” the languages you need and complete the download at home so it is accessible offline.

4. Have your photocopies of passports on hand while traveling – police may want to check them (especially when near borders with Nicaragua and Panama), and you will need them for hotel check-ins. You might want to have your arrival hotel make a copy of the visa page, as well, since it shows your legal entry to the country. You will only need the actual passport at the bank or to secure equipment/car rentals, so store them in the hotel safe when not in use.

5. Wi-Fi is easy to come by, but not always in the places you expect. If it matters that you are connected, be sure to check the internet status when booking a hotel. We found most restaurants had a password protected network – just ask!

6. The country has two currencies – Colones and U.S. dollars – and both are accepted widely. We found it convenient to carry some of each. Be sure to have small bills, though. I wouldn’t bother with anything larger than a $20. Check out current exchange rates here.

7. Toilet paper. In the trash can. Seriously? There’s a request that is tough to get used to.

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Montana: Family Fun at Billings Brew & BBQ

We checked out the Billings Brews & BBQ festival at the Metra today – what a great family event. Yes, I said family event. There were families hanging out on the grass enjoying delicious treats and live music, plus there was a great variety of local beers. Learn more about the annual event here.

Held annually, the festival brings together brewers from all over the region to share their brews. It is a great place to roll out something new, but there is also lots of old standbys and favorites to enjoy.

Attendees purchase a glass (come early – they ran out this year!) and ticket package, and then exchange one ticket for each drink sample. It isn’t just about beer, either. Brewers brought along meads and handcrafted sodas, too. We tried several different versions of a Scottish ale from brewers around the state, and really enjoyed comparing the complexities of each. Is that mint I sense? What a surprise!

It wouldn’t be a festival without a variety of great local food, so follow your nose over the check out some juicy, slow-cooked barbecue, or opt for other choices from Subway to hot dogs to funnel cakes.

Local music and some great vendors rounded out the fun next to the lake on the Metra grounds.

To put this fun event on your calendar for next year, check out the Metra Calendar of Events. And don’t forget to drink responsibly!

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Costa Rica: Our Little Swimmer’s Big Life Lesson

It is one of the most amazing things to witness as a parent. It is that moment when something just “clicks” for your child.

We have exposed Bria to water since she was a small baby. She did a Water Babies program at six months old, and has spent time in pools every chance she gets. About a year ago we got her a swim float (similar to a life jacket), which allowed her a level of independence. She could kick around the pool on her own, but didn’t go far.

Things were status quo on this trip, and Bria was having a great time in the water, with and without her float. Then, one day at Los Lagos, she was playing in the pool when three little girls came over to play. One tried to pick her up, which she usually doesn’t like, but she smiled and went off to splash around with them (despite the fact they didn’t speak a bit of English).

After a few minutes, their mother said it was time to go, and Bria came over to us, where we were lounging in the pool.

“Watch this!” she announced, and put her face under the water.

We exclaimed – wow! It was so new for her to be willing to do that. And totally on her own? We told her how proud we were of her new skill.

“My friend taught me,” she said.

From that moment, it was as if a switch had been flipped. She was a swimmer! Over the remaining days in Los Lagos, she became more and more confident. She was swimming underwater more and more, and her form was constantly improving. Soon she was kicking her legs behind her and moving across the pool.

“Look, I’m doing the back stroke!” she announced, on the day we left.

Our next stop was RIU Guanacaste, and by the time she hit their pool, she was full on swimmer.

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Costa Rica: Mom and Dad Need a Massage

Let’s face it – vacation can be exhausting. With all of the hiking came a few aches and pains, and every once in a while, Mom and Dad need a break.

We decided Los Lagos was just one of those times (especially after the bike riding adventure), so we picked up a spa brochure. While everything sounded lovely and relaxing, we were on the fence about whether or not to pay the prices. So we decided to keep an eye out as we went into town for dinner.

Several options were available in La Fortuna, but we settled on one west of the Catholic church, where a pair of sweet ladies shared their brochure. Their packages were enticing, so we made plans to have dinner, then put the kids in a taxi and head over for some grownup time.

We chose the Natural Balance package, which included a natural massage, exfoliation, and reflexology for $50. They showed us to a simple open air room, with sheets fluttering gently in the breeze and soft music. Within moments, we could have been anywhere. It was an excellent experience, incredibly relaxing, and the ladies were well-skilled – all for about 1/3 the price of the resort. Check your options!

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Costa Rica: Horseback ride to La Fortuna Waterfall

The famous La Fortuna waterfall is breathtaking and well worth the effort to get to it – but after a solid few days of strenuous activity, this expedition was a bit too much for our little family.

Pick up was set for early – we received a note at our hotel the night before moving it back to 7:30 am. We arrived at the stables and signed the usual waivers, then got a little instruction on what was in front of us from an English-speaking guide, before we set off with our own guide, who spoke less English than we speak Spanish. Oops! As we realized his only words were “OK” and “right” (as in turn your horse right, not left), we once again found ourselves wishing we had learned more of the local language.

The horses were reasonably calm and laid back trail hoses, though we quickly found a few personalities in the group! Justin’s horse did not like it when others passed her, and got a little competitive if she wasn’t in front, while my horse was a bit on the stubborn side and definitely preferred things her own way.

The ride up was about 20 minutes long, mostly along a gravel road. At one point we stopped and left the horses in a small meadow, then walked up the road a bit to a building that served as their base camp. It had men’s and women’s bathrooms and changing rooms, and a platform looked out over the first of a pair of beautiful waterfalls. From there, steps descended into the bush toward the base of the La Fortuna waterfall and a swimming hole.

Donning their swimsuits and carrying Bria on their shoulders, most of the family bravely set off onto the trail, the promise of a cool swim baiting them on. The path was rough and steep, and when they finally reached the observation deck where La Fortuna Waterfall came into view, they realized they may be in over their heads, and decided to turn back.

While they hiked, I hung out at the base camp. No sooner were they out of sight than the next group came up the hill – set to zip line out over the waterfall. What an amazing view that must have been!

The scenery was nothing short of incredible, and I really enjoyed a few minutes of peace and quiet once the second group set off on their own adventure (in the opposite direction the family had trekked).

Soon I heard the hoots and hollers of my brood hiking back up the hill. Sweaty and exhausted, they appeared at the top of the stairs and collapsed. They had gotten down the trail far enough to see the beauty of the waterfall, but had decided it was just too far to drag little feet in order to take a swim. (Some of them were pretty sure the hike was going to kill them, it turns out, and our 13-year-old thought it was the worst day ever.)

Once everyone was dressed and rested, we made our way back down to our horses and mounted up again. The ride back took us off the road along some side trails, which led us up a hill and found us outside a little village of thatched huts.

Our guide quietly instructed us on a greeting, and we were met at the entrance to one of the huts by a young woman in indigenous clothing. The village was representative of the Maleku people, and our host, along with a second woman, gave us a brief presentation on their culture. We were pleased at the unexpected opportunity to learn about the indigenous people of this area. They shared a drink of fermented pineapple, and showed us several symbols of their people, then offered us the opportunity to browse a large collection of crafts made by local artisans. There were masks, instruments, wall hangings, and many other items in a variety of bright colors.

Just as we were gathering our packages and heading back to the horses, we heard the zip line party arriving. Their course ended nearby, and they were headed to the village next.

The horses knew they were on the home stretch, and soon they were trotting along toward the barn. Everyone was tired and happy and filled with new knowledge. It was a great day, thanks to a family that looked on the positive side and enjoyed time together, but I’m not sure I would recommend the trek to anyone headed to the Arenal region.

As Justin put it, “It was a bit of false advertising. It was not a horse trek to a waterfall, but a horse ride up a hill, then a long ass mountain climb to the waterfall.” The ride was all along a road, not through the forest or bush.

Of course, that was just expectation. When we saw “Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall,” we didn’t expect what we got – if you decide to make this trip, be sure to do so with your eyes wide open. We never made it to the waterfall, only to the viewing platform, which was a LONG way with a herd of increasingly discouraged children in tow. We did in fact go horseback riding, and the indigenous village was a delightful surprise, but for him, not enough to save the excursion, which he called “the only disappointment on the whole vacation.”

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