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| Tune out the world...and travel! |
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February 2006 |
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| Greetings!
During a recent ski trip with my son Teddy, he suggested that I should always sit to his left on the chairlift. Why, you might ask? Because he skis with one IPod earphone in his right ear. If I am to his left, we can still visit on the chair. Wow! I was reminded of how much technology has both aided and hindered our lives. And, I am more motivated than ever to write about and take those kinds of trips where tuning into our family members is more important than ITunes! You'll find some great examples of those kinds of holidays throughout our site, especially within the Family Adventure Travel Collection. Here's to making your own music in 2006!
Lynn O'Rourke Hayes
| Saddle up! |
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 Word is that 'Brokeback Mountain' fans are actively seeking their own cowboy experience. If there's one place wanna-be cowboys and girls can safely ride, rope and take in some breathtaking scenery, it's on a dude ranch.
"Bookings for 2006 are already about 30 percent higher over this time last year," reports Colleen Hodson, executive director of the Dude Rancher's Association in Cody, Wyo. While there is no sure way to link the increased bookings to the 'Brokeback' phenomena, Hodson says the numbers and the renewed interest should alert fans to book early.
Dude ranches are ideal places for kids and families to re- discover each other. On the ranch folks are cut off from their usual distractions of TV, phones, computers and electronic games. Consequently, they end up doing such novel things as taking an evening walk together, talking to each other, or playing old-time children's games on the lawn in front of the lodge.
These are the times that build family bonds and a sense of togetherness that helps families weather the more difficult times in life.
Plan your ranch vacation! »
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| The Wonder of Whale Watching! |
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 Sea Kayak Adventures recently launched an eight-day Baja Desert Whales excursion that promises whale sightings in the protected waterways of Baja California's Magdalena Bay.
Guests will paddle kayaks along a 35-mile stretch of lagoons, visit a sea lion colony and spend nights camping in sheltered coves.
A trip highlight is two afternoons of whale watching from a motorized skiff for a close encounter with the California gray whale in the deeper waters of Boca de Soledad.
Departures are scheduled now through March 6 beginning and ending in Loreto.
Find out more! »
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| Sail on! |
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| For several years, my partner Pam Plesons and her family planned for adventure. In October, Dennis, Pam, Marina and Niko set sail aboard their 45-foot boat Ohana.
From now until they return, you can read about the many facets of their exciting journey through Pam's log on our site. The family is currently in Zijuatanejo and will soon leave the boat in the marina and head for Oaxaca. There they will live with a Mexican family and take a Spanish language course for a week.
Join the many readers who have been invigorated by their tales of adventure, family bonding and new discovery.
Perhaps you will be inspired to set out yourself!
Read the Ohana log now! »
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| Destination Wilderness Offers Family Adventure |
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| A recent addition to our Family Adventure Travel Collection, Destination Wilderness offers a wide range of adventure activities in Alaska, Oregon, California and Idaho.
Whether it is rafting trips, hiking tours, or fishing excursions, the company offers a variety of family outings led by guides who are often parents themselves. Thus they understand the nuances of wilderness travel with youth and are quick to provide activities that are geared specifically to kids.
The company's owner, Ken Streater, was a classroom teacher in rural Alaska before launching Destination Wilderness. "Family adventure holidays are successful in large part because of the challenges they provide and the camaraderie that results from successfully meeting those challenges, " explains Streater. "There is nothing like climbing up on a horse for the first time and pulling on the reins to get it to gallop through a mountain meadow, or paddling a bouncing raft through eight-foot waves. Successfully steering your horse or helping paddle a raft through a rapid are what makes family rafting vacations and adventure holidays so rewarding. What a great feeling it is to face a challenge and do well!"
Find out more! |
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email: lohayes@familytravel.com
voice: 480.556.6266
web: http://www.familytravel.com
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Family Adventure
Travel Collection
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