Sandy Applebee

From the Glitz of Las Vegas to the Serenity of CA and UT National Parks

Our May 2023 desert adventure began amidst the vibrant lights and electrifying energy of Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World. It might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a family vacation but flights are pretty affordable for an extended weekend when school is cancelled for a day orContinue reading “From the Glitz of Las Vegas to the Serenity of CA and UT National Parks”

Spring Break in Charleston/Folly Beach, SC

The closest beach to downtown Charleston, Folly is a destination for lovers of the laid-back beach lifestyle. If you’re driving from Frederick County, Maryland, Columbia, SC makes for a nice stop to squeeze in a visit to the state’s only national park – Congaree. A beach vacation is great when the weather cooperates. When itContinue reading “Spring Break in Charleston/Folly Beach, SC”

Niagara Falls – Canada Side in the Winter

Niagara Falls: Canada Side vs. America Side? Canada – it’s not even close! We embraced the cold and made the drive in January 2023 for beautiful views of the frozen falls, which created a true winter wonderland. I had not been to Niagara Falls since I was a kid but only saw the NY side.Continue reading “Niagara Falls – Canada Side in the Winter”

Chicago at Christmas

There is no time like Christmas in Chicago, where you can’t help but feel the magic of the holiday season. The city is full of bustling excitement and seasonal celebrations, from The Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park. If you’re traveling with kids, Christmas in Chicago is a one of a kind experience for Home AloneContinue reading “Chicago at Christmas”

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, NY

Immortalized in Washington Irving’s famous tale, the village of Sleepy Hollow is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere that pervades the imaginations of its inhabitants and visitors. Located on the east bank of the Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow is an hour north of NYC and 4-1/2 hours from Frederick County, Maryland. Perhaps theContinue reading “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, NY”

The Great Plains – Oklahoma & Kansas

Oklahoma City surprised me in ever way as one of the best capital cities I’ve ever been to, offering all of the culture, cuisine, with a rugged Western past. We booked tickets to see Pearl Jam in October 2022 for a quick weekend trip because I wanted a really good reason to cross off OKContinue reading “The Great Plains – Oklahoma & Kansas”

America’s Roller Coast – Cedar Point, Rock & Roll, and Cuyahoga Valley, OH

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is known to theme park enthusiasts as the Holy Grail of Amusement Parks and literally the World’s Best Amusement Park. Now that my 8-year old is finally tall enough to ride all of the rollercoasters, we turned the 6-hour drive into a 2 day, 2 night Labor Day weekend trip and made pit stopsContinue reading “America’s Roller Coast – Cedar Point, Rock & Roll, and Cuyahoga Valley, OH”

Yellowstone, MT; Grand Teton, WY; Jackson Hole, WY; Western Idaho, and Bozeman, MT

Yellowstone National Park is a bucket list destination. There is no place else to experience the raw nature of earth while combining it with wildlife in stunningly beautiful landscapes. But sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. We planned our trip to America’s first National Park and the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone with our home baseContinue reading “Yellowstone, MT; Grand Teton, WY; Jackson Hole, WY; Western Idaho, and Bozeman, MT”

An Alaskan Cruise – with Covid and Norovirus

Thinking about a cruise soon? If you’re planning on heading out on the seas, it turns out that Covid-19 isn’t the only virus you need to worry about catching these days on a cruise ship. But if we had to finally catch Covid and suffer through norovirus, at least it was as a result ofContinue reading “An Alaskan Cruise – with Covid and Norovirus”

It’s Always Rainier in Seattle, WA

My family booked an Alaskan cruise leaving from Seattle and decided to spend two days in the Emerald City before departing. Rain, Starbucks, Amazon, and 90s grunge music are what come to my mind when thinking about Seattle. But there was much more to it than cliches, though our new raincoats proved to be veryContinue reading “It’s Always Rainier in Seattle, WA”