Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, East Coast, USA, Family Travel, Major US Cities, Most Recent Travel, New England, USA, Overseas Travel

Cruising on the Disney Magic NYC-Bermuda

Departure from NYC The Manhattan Cruise Terminal was a breeze for us compared to Port Miami, although the size of the ship may have accounted for that also. We arrived at the tail end of our 11:30am-12pm boarding time and walked through security/check-in and onto the ship with no lines. We spent the afternoon on… Continue reading Cruising on the Disney Magic NYC-Bermuda

Family Travel, Most Recent Travel, Orlando Theme Parks, Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort, June 2022

My last trip to Universal Orlando Resort was in May of 2021. My return this year was part girls' weekend and part theme-park research trip. Cloudy with a Chance of a Tropical Storm Because people weren’t sure of the impact of Tropical Storm Alex, many resort and park reservations had been cancelled or postponed. Islands… Continue reading Universal Orlando Resort, June 2022

East Coast, USA, Family Travel, Most Recent Travel, Outer Banks, North Carolina

Okracoke Island, OBX, North Carolina

2020 & 2021 Ocracoke Island is at the southern tip of the Outer Banks of North Carolina and can only accessed by ferry. Ocracoke Island became our home away from home in 2020 & 2021. Our goal was to find a vacation destination that provided opportunities to be mostly outdoors and stay in somewhat private… Continue reading Okracoke Island, OBX, North Carolina

Art Museums, Family Travel, Major US Cities, Most Recent Travel, Museums

Chicago with Kids: Art & Architecture

Art Institute of Chicago This was my second visit to the American Art Institute in Chicago; my first was on a 40th birthday trip with my high school friends. We were disappointed that the cafes had yet to reopen after covid (I’m always more introspective about art post-wine), and the museum was very crowded. We… Continue reading Chicago with Kids: Art & Architecture

Family Travel, Major US Cities, Most Recent Travel, Museums, National Parks

Winter Vacation 2021- Denver & Reno on The Amtrak Zephyr & The California Coast

Our 2-week winter holiday started in the Colorado Rockies and ended in sunny San Diego. Learn more about each destination by clicking on the links in the timeline. The Amtrak California Zephyr took us from Denver to San Francisco. A series of road trips allowed us to see the California Coast and to Joshua Tree… Continue reading Winter Vacation 2021- Denver & Reno on The Amtrak Zephyr & The California Coast

East Coast, USA, Family Travel, Most Recent Travel, Orlando Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, January 2022

The Ervings Return to WDW Day 4- Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane & Park Opening Park opening still had a line for Flight of Passage snaked all the way to the land’s entrance, and we were glad we had secured the paid Lighting Lane for later that day. We used our first Genie+ reservation for a… Continue reading Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, January 2022

Family Travel, Most Recent Travel, Orlando Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, January 2022

The Ervings Return to WDW- Day 3 Lightning Lane & Park Opening Prior to 2020, I loved the challenge of securing as many attractions as possible in one day using the FastPass System (17 was my record), so I was anxious to give the new Genie+ a try. Jungle Cruise was our “must ride” and… Continue reading Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, January 2022

Family Travel, Most Recent Travel, National Parks

Joshua Tree National Park, California Christmas 2021

Winter Holidays 2021 Day 11- Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park, California After staying with friends in Los Angeles, we drove 2 ½  hours to Yucca Valley, where we grabbed a to-go lunch from Yucca Tree Eatery.  There are no dining options once you enter Joshua Tree National Park, but there were many other… Continue reading Joshua Tree National Park, California Christmas 2021