10-plus Black Friday travel deals worth considering for 2021
As the holidays approach, there’s no better time to think about where we want to go next, once it is safe. Cheer up the family by planning a trip for next year
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BLACK FRIDAY/ CYBER MONDAY — 49 travel deals for 2021
With promising news on the vaccine front, this is an opportune time to book great travel deals for 2021. Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Nov. 27 & 30) traditionally offer some of the best deals of the year
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Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Snow Vacations | Weekly Column
Planning for ski season during the pandemic
Many ski areas will open before Thanksgiving, promising to be ready with additional pandemic protocols to keep us safe.
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To Olympic City USA
Welcome to the new 60,000-square-foot U.S Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, located at the base of Pikes Peak
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Steak, lobster, chicken, trout: Gourmet fare at a dude ranch in Colorado Springs
By Eileen Ogintz COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — We are at over 8,000 feet up a steep gravel road from Colorado Springs in the Pike National…
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The Ranch at Emerald Valley – history, charm, family-central by The Broadmoor
Today, all that is left of the Nanny’s cabin is the foundation and a huge stone fireplace after a fire many years ago. Camp Vigil is now The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley.
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Taking the kids – and leaf-peeping safely
Whenever you head out to unfamiliar climes, you need to be prepared for the unexpected — a tumble on the trail, a rainstorm, a road so bumpy it leaves the back seat passengers queasy
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Dreaming of a Sustainable Trip to Norway In 2021
We might not have been doing much traveling this year with our families because of Covid-19, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start bookmarking some of our favorite spaces and places for 2021.
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A quick fall getaway to Vail. Forget something? The Antlers can substitute most anything
Unlike most rental condos, The Antlers at Vail come equipped with aluminum foil, plastic wrap and containers, a fully equipped kitchen and more. The location also can’t be beat—at the Lionshead base area a short walk on a pedestrian path from Vail Village.
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10 ways to celebrate Halloween safely in these strange times
This will be a different Halloween experience with virtual or socially distant outdoor costume parades, face coverings, socially distant trick or treating, frequent hand washing and the necessity to sanitize treats, if trick or treating is allowed at all
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Fall road trip: exploring Utah’s Grand Staircase
We’re looking at the famous tall, red and pink hued Hoodoo rock formations in Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah
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Sailing the BVI: stopping for lobsters in Anegada on a chartered catamaran
We’ve been sailing around the BVI on a chartered catamaran. We sail to Anegada for the lobsters as well as the beautiful empty, wind-swept beaches
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A bucket list in the U.S. that few take
With cruises and many trips canceled, national parks have been jammed, but not on the Colorado River deep in the Grand Canyon.
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12 must-haves for gearing up for a fall outdoor adventure
This fall, with remote work and school, many families are taking the opportunity for a fall getaway focused on the outdoors where we feel safest. The right gear will help keep you comfortable — and confident — on your adventures.
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Better and best: Thoughts on our last day rafting the Grand Canyon
Everyone is glad to have been unplugged from the news for a week, didn’t mind the mitigations that are the result of the Pandemic and are genuinely glad to be here
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Three waterfalls in one day in the Grand Canyon!
The first waterfall on the agenda is Elves Chasm, requiring a difficult, steep hike and scrambling over rocks and boulders. “But definitely worth it when we got there”
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Big rapids, beautiful waterfalls: Day 4 of our raft trip down the Grand Canyon
We navigate more than two dozen rapids including “the big three,” starting the day with Hance Rapid, which drops 30 feet over its length; Hermit with its 10 consecutive “haystick” waves, and Crystal rated a 10
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Day 3 in the Grand Canyon: tragic crash site, fun on the Little Colorado River
The hot hike is soon forgotten. We all consider how privileged we are to be playing in a place few Grand Canyon visitors ever see – the Little Colorado River
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Day 2 in the Grand Canyon: exploring the “ancients,” a dubious crowd estimate and birthday cake!
I sit up in my sleeping bag and look around. We are steps from the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The light on the multi-hued rock—pink, orange, brown is spectacular as the sun comes up
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Rafting the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions
We are diverse group of 32 (not including four guides) on this seven-day rafting adventure in the Grand Canyon, from across the country and generations.
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Getting There | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Tips for the first time RVers this fall
Because of COVID, plus the desire to get outside safely with your own bathroom and kitchen, many Americans are turning to RVing
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SO MANY CHOICES FOR FALL GETAWAYS
This fall, with many schools, starting with remote learning and parents working from home, there is an unprecedented opportunity for a family road trip
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A hike to remember: North Rim of the Grand Canyon
After a five-mile hike, we’re sitting on a rock taking in the panoramic view from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
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Bryce Canyon National Park: Hoodoo you think you’re feeling?
Hoodoos actually have eroded out of cliffs, forming thin walls of rock called fins.Isn’t nature amazing?! Here at Bryce Canyon we are at the top of what is famously called “The Grand Staircase”
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Taking the kids: To a museum safely
Many museums have reopened during the pandemic with restrictions, while many remain shuttered but with excellent virtual programming
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Family dynamics, safety concerns upend pandemic gatherings
When it comes to big multi-generational families, not everyone is on the same page about what they should do to protect themselves and others, wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands frequently.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Taking the kids: To Aspen this summer and fall
Everyone who visits Aspen — summer, fall or winter — should make time for an ACES activity, whether guided hike (there are free guided walks), winter snowshoe tours, storytelling, free junior naturalist activity books and the chance to visit the resident rescued Golden Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl that can no longer live in the wild
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Even if it rains, glamping is still fun
For the uninitiated, glamping means experiencing the outdoors without the work or challenges (except maybe weather!) that camping typically requires
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Staying safe in national parks from COVID, bears, bison and more…
As well as keeping our distance and wearing masks to avoid contracting COVID-19, it’s imperative as we flock to national parks to consider what else we must do to keep ourselves and our families safe
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
On the road this pandemic summer
We experienced the mask issue firsthand on our 2,850-mile road trip from Colorado to Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, social distancing as much as possible
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The short strange ride on an E-bike, up to Maroon Bells near Aspen CO
We headed up eight miles to the Maroon Bells, one of Colorado’s most iconic rides along Maroon Creek Road from Aspen Highlands to Maroon Lake
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Pizza in Aspen? Pizza in Heaven? This is Colorado
The Gant Aspen not only is Aspen’s only condominium hotel that offers food and beverage right here, but the new artisanal take out pizzas from Boulder’s popular Boss Lady Pizza has proved a huge hit on weekends.
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Pandemic Summer reunion in Crested Butte CO
This Pandemic summer, Elk Avenue has been made one way to allow for more outdoor socially-distanced seating and masks are required for those strolling on Elk Avenue.
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To a unique family-owned Montana ranch
A visit to Flathead Lake Lodge, just south of Glacier NP, this pandemic summer is about a lot more than learning a new sport or upping your skill, visiting kids say, especially after being stuck at home for months.
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On a Road Trip in Eastern Utah
Many families like to anchor themselves in Moab because they can visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as mountain bike, paddleboard, river raft, horseback ride, hike, fish, golf
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A picture perfect day in Jackson Hole WY on the last day of our epic #CovidSummer2020 road trip
The big difference this pandemic summer: Families wearing masks when they are near other people or inside shops. Clerks and restaurant servers are wearing masks too.
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More masks everywhere – including Jackson Hole WY
Certainly, there is a lot to feel anxious about this summer whether you are at home or traveling with spikes in COVID-19 cases in many states. Locals in Wyoming, like elsewhere, say they are nervous seeing so many out of state license plates
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Away from it all: At River Dance Lodge in scenic central Idaho
We’re spending a couple of days in a cabin at River Dance Lodge in Idaho, part of the Row Adventures portfolio, known for their rafting and sea kayaking trips.
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Planning Ahead for Next Year
there are also pluses to waiting until next year. Perhaps there will be a vaccine for COVID-19 that will make travel safer for all of us. And in many cases, you will get an especially good deal if you put down a deposit now.
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Families give Paws Up high marks
Suha Jhaveri opted for a mom-son road trip to the Resort at Paws Up, where they stayed in a huge safari-like tent
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Chuckwagon caps a day of weather challenges
When it rains, you just soldier on as we did horseback riding and riding ATV vehicles
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A cold summer rain can’t stop the fun: Paws Up
At least we are cozy and dry in our tent. That’s right—our tent. electricity, an in-suite bathroom, and heated floor.
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Navigating Glacier National Park during #COVIDSUMMER2020
So far this summer, the east side of the park remains closed due to heavy winter snows—we could only go as far as Avalanche, where we went hiking to Avalanche Lake, about a two miles each way with a gradual gain of about 500 feet in elevation.
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At Glacier National Park: a Covid summer like no other
Glacier National Park is only partially open this Covid summer. No park lodging. Eastern side closed completely. So be prepared for scarce lodging, food, even hiking options
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Flathead Lodge: Kids discover friendships and much more
After months sheltering at home, “This place encourages you to make new friends,”
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
How to make the most of the pandemic summer
The good news: If you can work remotely with kids’ camps and summer school canceled, you can opt for a longer break. Perhaps this is the year to take that big road trip out West or get a longer rental in a mountain or beach town.
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Best Bacon Ever: On a breakfast trail ride
“The breakfast ride is my favorite thing at the ranch. Breakfast tastes so much better,” says Sydney Byrne, 17, a guest at Flathead Lake Lodge in NW Montana
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Best of Taking The Kids | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
Three generations, 75 years: The Averill family and Flathead Lake Ranch
Flathead Lake Lodge is much more than a lodge – it’s a ranch, farm and acre upon acre of wilderness and lakefront.
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A huge menu at Flathead Lake Lodge in Montana
What should we today? that’s the biggest decision a guest must make with nearly two dozen activities—including those just for kids and for teens.
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Flathead Lake Lodge copes well with Covid Summer
At Flathead Lake Lodge, rather than 125 people spread out in 22 cozy log cabins and the main lodge, there are 83, including 30 kids
