Kauai – the garden island with so much to explore

Kauai – the garden island with so much to explore

There’s a reason they call Kauai the garden island. There are all varieties of plants I’ve never seen and whose names I can’t pronounce. They also happen to be very rare—endangered, in fact.

The joys and values of summer sleepaway camps

The joys and values of summer sleepaway camps

I’m a real fan of sleep away camp. I went as a child and all three of my kids went for many years—my son to Camp Nebagamon in Wisconsin and my daughters to Camp Kamaji in Minnesota. My girls worked as counselors there as well, teaching sailing and leading wilderness trips.

It’s getting easier to eat healthier away from home

It’s getting easier to eat healthier away from home

My interview with the First Lady got me thinking of all the power we have as parents if we let hotels, resorts and restaurants know in no uncertain terms that we don’t want to feed kids a steady diet of chicken fingers, fries and mac and cheese on vacation.

Parents need sleepaway camp too!

Parents need sleepaway camp too!

Migis Lodge in Maine is a small resort too—just 35 cottages—at most, 150 guests.We could all use a place like that this summer to get unplugged with the kids, if only for a few days. There’s no glitz or glam, just old-fashioned family time.

Remembering a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tahiti

Remembering a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tahiti

That trip was three summers ago and since Mel left for college, we’ve shared adventures but she’s gone off much more often on her own—as it should be. I’m glad we made it to paradise when we did.

Flying this summer?  Get smart before you go

Flying this summer? Get smart before you go

Millions of children will be flying this summer. As we head into the summer vacation season, let’s all try to be nicer to our fellow passengers whatever their ages. Here are some tips for traveling parents to de-stress the experience.

Half million more of us will vacation this summer

Half million more of us will vacation this summer

Memorial Day official kicks off summer vacation season and AAA says 34.8 million of us will be traveling—up 500,000 from last year. We’re not letting gas prices keep us home and most of us—almost nine out of 10 holiday travelers—will drive.

Remembering a friends getaway to Puerto Rico

Remembering a friends getaway to Puerto Rico

I’m here with two old friends for a girlfriends’ getaway too and we decide Puerto Rico is a good bet—easy to reach, no passports required and plenty to do (even a big outlet mall, if you are so inclined.)

Eating your way through a destination city

Eating your way through a destination city

A prominent food magazine editor wrote recently about traveling to a far flung destination just for a great meal. I guess that’s a more common practice among foodies than you might think. I can relate.