Be Sure to Try These Foods Next Time You're in Texas

Texans are a proud bunch and will tell you that everything is better in Texas. It is well-known that they are passionate about their food, most notably their barbecue. Modern Texan food culture, however, is comprised of so much more than just slow-cooked meat slathered in a tasty tangy sauce. Texans don’t do things halfway; they go full throttle and put the time, effort, and love into whatever they make until it is perfect. This especially applies to their food.

Here are a few examples of Texas cuisine you’re sure to fall in love with the next time you visit the Lone Star State.

• The Perfect Steak - Texas is cattle country so, of course, they are really into great steaks.  When you think of a Texas steakhouse, you may be thinking of some dusty old roadhouse, the kind of run-down place where you might find great barbecue. And while that definitely has its place, a nice family restaurant Grapevine TX is where you'll find that good ribeye, filet, or  massive porterhouse you're looking for. A great steakhouse meal is sure to be one of your trip highlights.
• The Perfect Burger - Once again, it’s Texas, and they do love their meat. In fact, they claim to have invented the burger and to have perfected it. It all starts with lean ground beef, a high-quality bun, either cheddar or American cheese and your choice of toppings. The official Texas-style burger has red onion, pickles, lettuce, and tomato, with mustard on one bun and mayo on the other. (Yes! All burgers need mustard!) Some would argue to include green chilis as well, but either way, you’ll be trying to make it at home. 
• The Perfect Chili - Texans are very particular about their chili, and fights have ensued over the inclusion of beans in the recipe. Purists insist that Texas chili excludes beans, also known as a “bowl of red,” and that chili with beans is a Tex-Mex bowl of horrors. Try each and decide for yourself, they are both delicious.

Whether it’s a steak, a burger, or a bowl of chili, you’ll have plenty of fantastic options to choose from on your next visit to Texas.

Three Alternatives to Airport Parking

Travel can be expensive, and parking at the airport can add significant expense to your travel costs. You also need to factor in the additional time and exertion to get to the terminal while towing luggage. You'll also be leaving your vehicle in an exposed lot for several days while you're gone, and there is always the risk of damage or theft. That is definitely not the way you want to end your trip!

Consider one of these alternatives:

• Public Transit - If public transit such as buses or trains is available, consider using that to get to your preferred location of departure. Mass transit can be a very economical alternative to airport parking. The local bus or train schedule may not match up perfectly with your flight times, so you will need to factor additional time and effort if you go this route. And if you have a lot of luggage, this may not be the ideal option for you.
   
• Shuttles and Ride Sharing - Shuttles and other transportation services can be a superior choice. A Houston to Galveston shuttle bus can save money and reduce the stress of parking and traveling to and from the terminal. Other choices for ground transportation include taxi and limo services which are available at most airports. Rideshare businesses such as Uber and Lyft may have available drivers nearby. Watch for price surges during busy times of the day such as morning and evening rush hours.
   
• Friendly Chauffeur Option - Having a loved one drop off or pick up is probably the cheapest and most convenient option. You may be obligated to return the favor with a meal, gas money or some other offer. A drop-off or pickup at the terminal is the ultimate in convenience as it saves you the effort of walking to a parking space, especially while schlepping luggage. This is especially helpful if you're someone like me who has yet to figure out how to pack light.

The idea of leaving your car in a public place for a few days might not be appealing. Reduce your stress and stop your worrying. Consider these options to airport parking that offer the benefits of convenience and potential savings.

Feast Checklist

✔ Condo reserved
✔ Airplane tickets purchased
✔ Airport parking reserved
✔ Rental cars reserved

Now, to figure out how to pack - when I'm used to being able to take whatever I want, since we usually take the minivan and the trailer. How am I supposed to get everything I need into one suitcase? Time to start watching helpful packing videos.

I do always take way more than I really need...

Feel free to share any packing tips you have! I do have some time to figure it out.

A Visit to the City

There are many great cities in the world with a wealth of different experiences to offer. Paris is known as the City of Lights and it offers a range of art and cultural attractions. London offers great theater and a sense of Victorian charm, while Rome has centuries of art to take in, along with incredible food. New York City, however, is a place that has something extra to offer visitors of all kinds. New York is a vibrant and vital place that offers a huge range of art, culture, and architecture to take in, along with amazing entertainment and a special kind of verve that’s unique to this amazing American city.

Entertainment in New York

Many people come to New York to take in the amazing entertainment that’s unique to this city. A quick review of Broadway play reviews shows the range of choices tourists can choose from when they visit Manhattan. The Broadway stage offers amazing dramas headlined by major stars, as well as incredible musicals like the recent revival of “Hello, Dolly!”

The Vital New York Cabaret Scene

For those who enjoy seeing entertainment on a more intimate scale, the New York cabaret scene is also a great attraction. These shows take place in smaller venues, and they offer a chance to see great singers and comedians up close. These shows also offer food and drink to go with the show, which adds to the fun.

Galleries Galore

For those who love visual art, New York has a wealth of amazing museums to visit, including The Whitney Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are also many galleries in areas like Soho and Greenwich Village, and a visit to these areas makes for a great afternoon in the city.

Without a doubt New York is one of the great cities in the world, so be sure to add it to your list of must-see places to visit.

---

All that and no mention of the M&Ms Store! I've been to New York City once - on a weekend trip with the high school band - so our focus was a bit different. We toured Radio City Music Hall where we met one of the Rockettes, visited a museum, toured Carnegie Hall, roamed 5th Avenue, and took the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Overall it was a fun, if exhausting, trip. Maybe it's time for another trip? I would really love to see a Broadway show. Or two.

How to Genuinely Enjoy a Road Trip

Lots of people have planned a road trip absolutely thinking that they will enjoy every second of the trip, only to actually get out on the road and find out things aren't exactly as they envisioned. Now the only thing they want is to get to their destination as quickly as possible and just get this trip over with.

Here are a few things that can help you genuinely enjoy a road trip:

It is important to strike a balance between planning too much and not planning enough. If you over-plan, you will get frustrated if everything doesn't work out according to the plan you have set up. However, if you do not plan enough, you may end up having to stay in nasty hotels, eat unhealthy and gross food, or even get lost on the way to your destination. It is good to have an overall idea of which route you will take, which hotel and restaurant options are available, and also what kind of entertainment you could enjoy along the way while still being flexible and able to take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves.

The amount of time that you have designated for the road trip (and other factors) will determine how much you can see along the way. No matter how much or how little time you have, it is always a good idea to take a little bit of time to relax, see something new, and enjoy yourself. This will make the road trip genuinely enjoyable. It may be something like taking a detour and staying in a relaxing hotel for a couple of days. Or it may be as simple as stopping at a unique bakery Chicago IL in order to enjoy a fresh doughnut - as opposed to just stopping at any old convenience store to grab a snack. Do at least a couple of things along the way that you will truly enjoy and that will make the road trip memorable.


Consider the individuals who will be traveling with you. If this is a family road trip, make sure that there is plenty of entertainment (and plenty of snacks) for the children. Otherwise, you are practically guaranteed to hear, "Are we there yet?" coming repeatedly from the back seat. Many vehicles nowadays come equipped with DVD players, so don't forget to pack the movies! Or, for some family fun, check out this handy list of games to play in the car.  If you need to get to a destination quickly, consider driving at night so that the kids can sleep most of the way. Take into consideration the preferences of each individual in the car so that everyone stays happy and enjoys the trip.

And last but definitely not least, make sure your vehicle is in good condition.  This cannot be overstated. Dealing with car trouble along the way can turn a trip that could have been quite enjoyable into a nightmare. A few weeks before your trip, have your mechanic check the vehicle over. If you do all you can to prepare your car beforehand, you will likely avoid car issues along the way.

So, who's ready for a road trip?

I've Been a Bit Buried

Well, actually it was Jason who was a bit buried:

Me, I've just been a bit busy. We just got back from Florida where we enjoyed spending time with our kids and grandson and spending time on the beach. We even survived Nate - though the storm pretty much missed us where we were. Still the waves and the wind were pretty amazing to experience.

Now that we're back, I've got quite a bit of catching up to do, IF there's such a thing as ever actually getting caught up. It seems like a lot of things fell by the wayside before we left because I was concentrating on packing to go - and now I've got to get everything unpacked and put away. Thankfully all that laundry is done, and tomorrow I can move on to the next project(s).

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Communications While Traveling; You Don't Have To Do It All

As a busy global professional, you need to stay on the go so that you can meet with clients and make money for your business.  However, your busy schedule does not exempt you from fulfilling important obligations like corresponding by U.S. mail, sending out products, or notarizing documents needed for legal or business purposes.

Renting services for mail delivery, package forwarding, and notary NYC paperwork can help busy professionals like you continue your travels and stay on task.

Privacy and Convenience

Many of your business endeavors may require the utmost of privacy and security.  You do not want unauthorized parties to know what you are doing or with whom you are corresponding. 

Rather than rent an unattended mailbox or use the mailing address of a relative, friend, or business partner, you can keep your activities discreet and well-guarded by renting the services of a professional mailbox facility.  The staff on duty there are held to the tightest of privacy standards so that you can be assured that your correspondence and packages are handled confidentially and without the interference of parties who are not authorized to know your business.

Likewise, you can get these services on your terms so that you know when and how often the letters and packages will be handled and sent out on your behalf.  For example, if you run a business that specializes in seasonal goods like Christmas candy or Halloween costumes, you do not want your packages to be sent out to clients in March or April well before these holidays occur. 

Instead, you can secure the services to receive and send out the packages according to a timeline that fits your business's needs.  Your products can be forwarded in September or October, for example, so that clients get them early enough yet still close to the holidays for which the goods are intended.

Notarizing Documents

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need paperwork notarized before it can be filed or used for legal purposes.  Finding a notary public when you are away from home and in a place with which you are not familiar can be challenging.

The service has a notary public on duty who can notarize your papers before they are sent to you.  You can get the papers submitted and available for your use quickly.

Global travelers like you do not have time to worry about mail pickup or package forwarding.  You can get all of these services as well as notary help and more by renting from a mailbox facility today.

How to Travel When You Have a Baby on Board

I know so many people who have just had or are going to be having babies soon, so when I saw this list, I thought it would be worth a share.

New parents love staying at home with their new babies, but sometimes a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered. Getting out of the house and out of town can re-energize you and your children.

1. If you’re traveling by car, feel free to overpack. While you may not use everything you bring along, you’ll have peace of mind that you have everything available should something go wrong.
2. If you don’t want to bring along your regular baby monitor, apps like Presence work on two video-capable devices, like your iPhone and tablet. You can set one up with your baby and keep the other on you to monitor them when you’re not in the same room.
3. Be prepared to carry a lot more than you used to, both during the actual travel portion of your trip and when sightseeing, going out to restaurants, taking a walk, and whatever other activities you have planned.
4. Try to stay calm, no matter what’s going on. Children take cues from their parents. If you’re calm during a stressful situation, you’ll help your child stay calm, too. When you save money on hotels in Boston, it’s easy to feel at ease throughout your trip.
5. Make sure you have extra diapers in your carry-on, plus a few changes of clothes.
6. If you’re traveling somewhere sunny, don’t forget the baby sunblock! When you’re not used to being on the beach, in the ocean or out in the sunshine, it’s easy to forget sun protection essentials.
7. Always pack a baby emergency kit with medicine, bandages and anything else you may need.
8. Get your child amped for the flight by talking to them about what an airplane is and what they’re going to do to keep busy during the flight.

It can extremely hard in the early months to get out of the house. Rest assured that many travel vendors are accommodating to new parents. By vacationing in a family-friendly place, you’ll have the benefit of having plenty of resources and things to do nearby.

Do you have any great travel tips for new parents?

Something for Everyone in Las Vegas

Jeffrey and I went to Las Vegas three years ago.  We were only there for a few days, so we didn't get to see or do everything there is to do, but we certainly tried!  OK, maybe not, but we did do a lot of walking and tried to take in as many sights as we could.  We checked out the casinos, did a little gambling - which means I played the slots with the credit I got for signing up for a casino card until I lost it all, which took about 5 minutes, and Jeffrey played Blackjack a couple times.  We watched people, browsed some shops, saw Cher at the Coliseum, and wasted too much time with a stupid time-share outfit because they promised us Lion King tickets.  In the end we walked away from their stupid tour and purchased our own Lion King tickets - and it was awesome!  We enjoyed the fountains at the Bellagio, the Freemont Street experience, and the view from the Eiffel Tower at night.

There is certainly something for everyone.  Vegas is not just about gambling anymore.  Oh, sure there's plenty of that.  I personally don't see where the fun is in that, but there are lots of people who would disagree with me.  For thrill-seekers there is the roller coaster at New York-New York and the rides at Stratosphere.  Unfortunately we didn't get to those, but I definitely see the fun there!

There are shows of all kinds to see and restaurants, restaurants, restaurants.  For people who love antiques, there are victorian casino antiques to browse.  There are some pretty neat items available at the victorian casino auction  - coin-operated machines, slots, jukeboxes, arcade games, chip dispenser caddies, signs, etc. - that people who really love Vegas would love to collect and display in their own homes.   I personally think it would have been fun to look through everything just to see what they had and to live a little history of Vegas.  One thing I was really hoping to do while we were there was visit the Neon Museum and Boneyard where restored neon signs are on display.  Unfortunately, it was closed while we were there, but it would have been another great way to see some Las Vegas history.

Gambling, entertainment, food, history, adventure, and reasonably priced accommodations - there really is something for everyone in Vegas.  What's your favorite?

SAVE in San Antonio

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of SAVE for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you still looking for a place to get away this summer?  Be sure to check out San Antonio.  There are plenty of things to do and see - theme parks, water parks, ranches, zoos, and much more.  San Antonio is already known as one of the nation’s most affordable vacation destinations, but it's even better with SAVE – San Antonio Vacation Experience.  SAVE offers more than $600 in savings on theme parks, animal adventures, top shops and historic tours, plus great deals on hotels.  You can print coupons from the site or download the free mobile app and use the coupons straight from your phone.  Either way you can save lots of money on a great family vacation.
 
You know how much I hate paying full price for anything, and I rarely go anywhere without first checking online to see if there is any way to save.  This site makes it super easy to find all the savings available in the San Antonio area - without checking multiple websites.  If I had some time to get away to San Antonio, I'd definitely be checking out SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and the world-famous Schlitterbahn water park.  There are multiple discounts available at all of them, such as buy one get one free admission at Six Flags and the option to pay for one day's admission to SeaWorld and go back as many times as you want.  We've been to SeaWorld in Florida, and we liked it so much we would have loved to go back, but we didn't feel we could afford it.  With these kinds of savings, we could have.  SAVE gets you $2 off full-price admission to Schlitterbahn.

Something that might be a lot of fun would be to take a helicopter tour.  What a great way to see the area!  I'm sure it's not cheap, but SAVE offers 10% off Alamo Helicopter Tours.  And, of course, there are savings on hotels. SAVE rates at the Comfort Suites Alamo/Riverwalk range from $79-$189, and you get a suite room with free hot breakfast, refrigerator & microwave in room, free wifi, and even a free shuttle to downtown, so it looks like a great place to spend some time away.  And the Days Inn Seaword has SAVE rates starting at $59.

These are just a few of the many attractions in San Antonio and the savings that are available.  Be sure to check out the SAVE – San Antonio Vacation Experience site to see how much you can save on the attractions and accomodations you're interested in.  The savings are especially great for families because, in many instances, children's admission is free.  The Alamo IMAX Theatre Rivercenter is one of those places that offers free children's admission, and McNay Art Museum is another.  There seems to be something for everyone in San Antonio.

Besides the regular discounts and coupons available, SAVE also has many Limited Time Offers, so be sure to check the site right before you leave for vacation, or even better, while you're there - the mobile app will be handy for that - because you may be able to save even more or find a deal on something you really wanted to see or do but didn't think you'd be able to.  Be sure to follow @SAVEinSA on Twitter as well for all the updates on deals, limited time offers & ideas to help plan your trip to San Antonio.

Gone Visiting

Wearing Mammaw's shoes

First we went to visit Cory in Door County - where we had a wonderful time - and then I had one day at home and left to visit my parents (and brother, sister-in-law, and nieces nephews) in Kentucky.  So, I haven't been around much or had time to blog.  And I have so many things to share!

But, I don't get to see my family more than about once or twice a year - so I'm going to spend time with them.  I'm going to sit on the porch swing on the screened in porch.  I'm going to watch the hummingbirds, and I'm just going to enjoy hanging out with my mom and dad,  And I'm going to enjoy spending time with my brothers - both the one who lives here and the one who lives in Illinois and came down with us.  I'm going to read books with the little niece and nephews.  I might even go walking in the woods with them again.  And, of course, I'm going to enjoy my grandson - and enjoy watching him playing with his cousins.  Last summer when he came to visit, he was just a baby.

I can update this blog later.  When I'm home.  Alone.  (and that's another update I need to make)

Going to See Some Shakespeare

and our son!

We haven't seen much of him this summer.  Why?  Because he's 4 hours away having the time of his life.  As you know, he's a theatre major.  This summer he's had the amazing opportunity to be an intern with a theatre company in Door County - Door Shakespeare.  He's one of the lords in As You Like It as well as understudy for a couple other parts.  And he's an understudy for the other show, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). 

Besides rehearsals and performances, they've got workshops and readings going on, and it sounds like he and the other interns, who happen to be his friends from school, are learning a lot and gaining tons of experience this summer.  As well as having a ton of fun.  Thankfully he's got a day off, so we're going to go and spend some time with him.  I think he misses us a bit!  And, of course, we miss him, too.  


So we'll get to spend some time with Cory, and we'll get to see As You Like It, which should be really good.  I would love to see the other show too, but we won't be able to; they're not performing it when we're going to be there.  And, we will finally make it to Door County.  15 years in Wisconsin, and everyone always talks about how nice Door County is - and we've never been.  Now we have a reason.


Shakespeare.

Legoland Sweepstakes from Atlantic Luggage

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You'll want to enter this sweepstakes!  I know I do, anyway.  Atlantic Luggage is giving away a 2-day vacation for four to Legoland Florida.   I grew up playing with LEGO, and my kids grew up playing with LEGO - doesn't everybody?  And you know you imagined being one of the little LEGO people and living and playing amongst your creations, right?  Legoland lets you do just that!  Seriously, I've been checking out the park's website - http://florida.legoland.com - and the whole park really is like a super-size LEGO experience with rides and games and attractions for all ages.  There are roller coasters to ride, LEGO cars to drive, amazing LEGO models to see, and a brand-new waterpark with a wave pool, water slides, and the opportunity to build your own LEGO vessel to float down the lazy river.
Sounds awesome, doesn't it?  AWESOME!

The winner will receive:

• 2 adult 2-day tickets and 2 children's 2-day tickets
• Hotel room for 2 nights (one 4-occupancy room at a 3-star or better LEGOLAND Florida Bed and Brick property in Winter Haven, Florida)
• Rental car for three days
• Meet and Greet with a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder
• AND a free set of Atlantic Luggage!

Atlantic Luggage is affordable, durable and lightweight and comes in many styles and sizes.  I've been wanting one of those rolling duffels for a while.  I think the design is brilliant!  We don't need any luggage right now, but I'd take that if I win.  We could get rid of the old stuff for some of this nice Atlantic Luggage.
 
All you have to do to enter the Atlantic Luggage and Legoland Sweepstakes is fill out the online entry form.  You can enter once per day per email address, and all entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2012.  The Grand Prize must be used between September 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012
 

Plan Your Pennsylvania RoadTrip with Roadtrip-a-Matic

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PA Tourism for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You know how much work is involved when you're planning a trip - visiting the tourism websites, requesting travel guides, trying to digest all the information so that you can make the most of your trip.  Where to go, what to do, where to stay, what to see - sometimes it can be overwhelming.  Or my personal regret - grabbing the brochures or the travel guides and then finally sitting down to read them after the trip - at which time I find all kinds of fun things I would have loved to do and see.

VisitPA.com, the official tourism website of Pennsylvania has come up with an awesome idea - pre-planned roadtrips.  They call it Roadtrip-a-Matic, and it's like they've got all these pre-packaged trips all boxed up and waiting for you.  Not that you're limited to just what they've planned for you, but it's certainly a great place to start.  It's like asking the locals what they'd recommend you see and do.  Simply browse the website and look through the dozens of ready-to-ride roadtrips available.  They've got trips for visitors looking for outdoor experiences, small town charm, historic landmarks, shopping, the best in PA beer, wine, and food,  and so much more.

When you find a roadtrip you like, you can download and print the pdf.  It tells you where to go, what to do, where to eat and where to sleep - all the planning!  How easy is that?  Of course, just because you printed the trip out, you're not commited to do everything on the list - and you can spend more or less time.  It's really up to you. There is also a whole list of worthy detours you can make along the way and additional resources for more information.  The only thing I don't see is a map or directions, or at least an address for each destination so visitors can plug that into their GPS or Google Maps on their cell phones, which would be really helpful.

Browsing through the pa-roadtrips available, I'm having a hard time choosing just one.  They all look great - except maybe the golfing trips, which I'm sure Jeffrey would like.  I'm thinking, since I've never been to Pennsylvania that this one called PA 101 - Western Pennysylvania's Greatest Hits would be a good one.  I think it would be nice to see a nice sampling of what PA has to offer and learn a bit about the state while we're there.  Here's a description of this roadtrip:

Duration: Two days and two nights
There aren’t many places where you can get a complete education that covers art, natural science and history like you can in the Pittsburgh area. This road trip will give you a lesson on two of the most renowned artists of our time in Andy Warhol and Frank Lloyd Wright. You will also learn the importance of economics during our shopping excursions. Nature will be front and center as you scale Mount Washington and visit one of Western Pennsylvania’s beautiful state parks. And, through it all, you will come face-to-face with history at every turn. Buckle up and hit the road with us as we explore all that greater Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania has to offer.

It would be a fun getaway for Jeffrey and me.  Maybe we could even find a golf course along the way - as long as he's scaling that mountain with me!

Be sure to check out Roadtrip-a-Matic on visitPA.com and pick out your own roadtrips.  Which one most appeals to you?

Good Night

It's not like we did much today - sat around and talked, ate, walked down the hill to see Darryl's house.  I rode Jessica's horse and did puzzles with Naomi.  I didn't get to play dominoes.  But it's definitely bed time.  The kids wanted to play Double Hearts, but we didn't get time for that before they had to go home to bed - and now it's about time for the rest of us.

Jeffrey and I are planning to pack up our clothes, stainless steel necklaces, toiletries, computers, and everything else, and head home tomorrow.  We'll get to spend some time with Cory over the weekend before he heads off to ACTF - so that will be nice.  It's been nice being here, but it will be nice to get home and see our boy.

I just wish home wasn't so far away and we didn't have to go so long between visits.  Somebody figure out how to get that Google Earth thing to work in real life.  I know a whole bunch of us who would get together a whole lot more often!

Still Not Home

Once we left Lexington, Jeffrey and I drove a couple hours to visit my parents - and brother, sister-in-law and their 4 adorable kids.  We have been blessed enough to see mom & dad a couple times a year these past few years.  They came up for Beth's graduation in 2009, came for Cory's graduation in 2010, and then came again last summer to see their brand-new great-grandson, Jason.  Then, each year since we started going to the Winter Family Weekend in Lexington, we've taken a few days to visit them, since they live in the same state and just a couple hours away.  It would be a shame not to!

So, after spending a great weekend with great friends, we're getting to spend some time with family.  It makes it hard to even think about going home or to even think about writing anything about eyelash enhancer! But, Cory's at home, and it will be nice to get to spend some time with him before he runs off to ACTF with the cast and crew of his play - and we have to get home in time to see it again on Monday night!

Fall Fun in Branson

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love Fall.  I think it's my favorite time of year - at least at this time of year!  Yeah, I'm fickle like that.  Whatever season I'm in, that's my favorite.  Right now I'm loving the colors on the trees.  They're just so gorgeous with all the bright reds and oranges and yellows.

Right now would be a great time to visit Branson.  Not only could we enjoy all the great attractions Branson has to offer like live theater music shows, championship golf courses, that zip line I'm really dying to try, shopping, museums, and more, but we could enjoy the beautiful Fall colors!  I'm thinking it would be really spectacular to try that zipline at this time of year - zipping through all the bright colored trees.

We could stay at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and be close to just about everything.  They're offering three great packages right now:

• The Silver Dollar City package which features two adult and two children's tickets to Silver Dollar City and rooms starting at $257.50/night.
• The Santa Claus package which features deluxe accommodations for a family of four (two adults and two children) and breakfast with Santa at the Level 2 restaurant with a special gift for the children. Rooms start at just $228 a night.
  
• And for the shoppers, a deluxe shopping package which includes hotel accommodations, a $25 gift card to Branson Landing, a second $25 gift card to Tanger Outlets, and complimentary breakfast buffet for two!
  

It sounds like there is plenty to do any time of year in Branson, and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel or the Hilton Promenade are the perfect places to stay.  Maybe even Thanksgiving when the Level 2 Steakhouse offers a Thanksgiving Brunch.

Win a Free Stay at the Kalahari Resort

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kalahari® Resorts for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
 
I live in Wisconsin.  Our summers are not excessively hot, and they're not really that long.  That's why I've always wondered who decided the Wisconsin Dells would be the 'Waterpark Capital of the World' when it would make more sense for it to be in a hot state - like Florida, for instance.  Then, someone came up with the brilliant idea of indoor waterparks.  Indoor!  Waterparks that can be used any time of year no matter the weather.  Perfect for Wisconsin.
 
One of the biggest indoor waterparks in the Dells is at the Kalahari Resort.  They have an outdoor waterpark too, open Memorial Day to Labor Day weather permitting, but we've only been to the indoor one.  We had a great time.  They've got huge twisting water slides, smaller slides, water guns,net crawls, basketball hoops, the Master Blaster water coaster, water falls, hot tubs, a lazy river, and FlowRider which is like an ocean wave you can surf or boogie board.  I watched some people on that one but never actually gave it a try.  It's very safe, but I was afraid of wiping out and making a fool of myself.  I really should get over that, huh?  Well, next time!  Besides the waterpark, the Kalahari also has mini golf, laser tag, go karts, arcade games and more - which we did not have time for.
 
There is just so much to do, and I'm sure we would have been able to do more if we'd been staying at the resort instead of just spending the day at the waterpark.  There are several different specials and package deals available on the website that include not only overnight accommodations but waterpark admission for each registered guest, food credit, spa services, etc.  It would be a really nice getaway!
 
You could win your own getaway to the Kalahari Resort by entering this contest.  All you have to do is:

1. Leave a comment on the contest post about the feature or amenity you are the most excited to experience when visiting a Kalahari resort.
2. Tweet out a message containing a link back to the contest rules and the hashtag #KalahariResorts

and you could win a FREE 1-night stay for a family of 4, access to the indoor/outdoor theme parks, bowling & golfing. Total ARV of all prizes over $250.00.  Contest ends 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2011.  Good luck!

Stay up to date and be among the first to learn about new deals and contests at the Kalahari by connecting with them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kalahariresorts) or Twitter  (http://twitter.com/KalahariResorts)

Summertime in Branson

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
 

This summer would be a great time to get away to Branson.  Last summer we went to Vegas, which is trying to be a family vacation destination, but it's still mainly about gambling, partying, and drinking.  Sorry, Vegas, but you know it's true.  Branson, on the other hand really is a great family destination, and there are things happening all summer long.  National Kidsfest is happening right now through July 24th at Silver Dollar City.  There's a brand-new addition that's all about kids through age 7 as well as some great family-friendly shows.
 
We don't have young kids anymore, and it will be a while before Jason is old enough to enjoy something like this, but I'd like to visit Silver Dollar City and check out some of the over 30 rides and attractions they offer.  Moonlight Madness,  which runs July 23 - August 7, 2011, sounds like lots of fun because they offer extended ride hours and let you ride after dark, as well as hosting some great street dances.  Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
 

Besides the fun of Silver Dollar City, there are all the live shows Branson offers (Branson is known as the "Live Music Show Capital of the World") as well as shopping and golf and plenty of activities for everyone.  For a complete summer schedule, visit explorebranson.com.
 
The Hiltons of Branson are offering a Branson Best Value Vacation Package, which includes deluxe accommodations at the Hilton Branson Convention Center or Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing.  Each package includes two adult and two children’s tickets to the Legends of Kung Fu show at the White House Theater in Branson, two adult and two children’s two-day passes to Silver Dollar City®, a $25 gift card for shopping, and a $25 food credit for Level 2 Steakhouse. On top of all that, when you pay for two nights,  your third night is free!
 
Now really would be the perfect time to visit Branson!  Who's in?

Spring Break in Branson

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Why is it that Florida gets all the attention when it comes to Spring Break?  There's plenty to do in other places.  Take Branson, for instance.  There are some really great events happening there this spring, the Charlie Daniels Band, the 3rd Annual Missouri Food and Wine Festival, and something called Bluegrass and BBQ to name just a few.  There's always great entertainment in Branson, with 49 live entertainment theaters, not to mention shopping, golf, and Silver Dollar City.  I'm thinking we can leave Florida to the crazy college students, and the rest of us can enjoy Branson.
 
The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is offering some nice packages for Spring.  They include tickets to Silver Dollar City as well as food and beverage vouchers and start at $455 for a 2-day, 3-night stay.  We really enjoy amusement parks, so Silver Dollar City would definitely be on our list of things to do in Branson.  I'm also thinking that Food and Wine Festival sounds like fun.  I know Jeffrey would want to play some golf, and I would love to try the zip lines I've heard they have in Branson.  With so much to do, I don't think 2 days is enough time at all.  But at least it's a start.
 
Both the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing are in the midst of all that's great to see and do in Branson.  So, if you want to do more with your Spring Break than get drunk and enter wet t-shirt contests, give Branson some thought.  I'm certainly thinking I'd like to go.