A cruise to Bermuda with old family friends
The cruise was long planned and then a week before tragedy stuck…
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To Yosemite National Park
I smile remembering two other kids about the same age who were equally proud of themselves for making it to the top of Vernal Fall, also their first “big hike” in Yosemite.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
A visit to California wine country
We drive to Healdsburg, a small picturesque town where, around the Plaza Park square, are tasting rooms, restaurants, antique shops, and more. My 23 year old daughter Reggie is excited because she scores a cast iron frying pan for $15. I’m excited because it is a perfect sunny fall day and I’m spending it with my husband and daughter.
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A quick trip to Yosemite National Park
DAY 4 — Five year old Rivers Klopson is turning cartwheels on the rocks next to Yosemite’s famous Vernal Falls. It’s sunny and everyone sitting…
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To the historic ships in SF where Reggie works
Here’s the chance to give your kids a lesson — without them even realizing it — in San Francisco’s seafaring past and the people who made their lives sailing in and out of San Francisco Bay, hauling lumber, canned fruit and more. Five vessels — the Alma, Balclutha, Eureka, Hercules and C.A. Thayer are designated National Historic Landmarks.
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Learning About African-American History at Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg explores the lives and complexities of free and enslaved blacks during the Revolutionary Era, highlighting personal and unified contributions, sacrifices and decisions made by 19th-century blacks in securing their freedom
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At the Cal Academy of Sciences
We’re at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco which in the year since it has reopened has emerged as San Francisco’s top cultural tourist attraction, drawing more visitors than even Alcatraz.
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Visting San Francisco with my grown up daughter
The Hotel San Francisco atop Nob Hill was getting ready for its grand opening when the city suffered its devastating earthquake April 18, 1906. The hotel survived and a year later, opened, celebrating the city’s renewal. The hotel has hosted celebrities and presidents. Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco “here.
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Traveling with a Heavy Heart
The cruise was long planned to celebrate the 85th birthday of my “second mom.” I grew up two houses away on suburban Long Island and over the years, her family and mine became one, her two daughters my oldest and closest friends, sharing good times and sad.
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Meeting Some Ghosts
Seen any ghosts lately? Now’s your chance. Time travel back to the 18th century where you can get up close and personal with pirates and ghosts at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.
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Taking the Grown Up Kids
We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Northern California that included museum-hopping in San Francisco, hiking in Yosemite National Park and wine tasting in Sonoma County. My companions, besides my husband Andy were my 23-year-old daughter Reggie and her boyfriend Dan Foldes. They live and work in San Francisco.
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Thanks for the Memories, Gus!
Yesterday was a very sad day in our house. We had to say goodbye to our 11-year-old Lab Gus who had developed a very aggressive and painful bone cancer.
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Beach Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
To an Exotic Place That Loves Kids!
Who says kids and romance don’t go together? Even in a place as famous for honeymoons as Bora Bora, families’ rule, especially as Air Tahiti Nui continues to offer kids free deals on flights. There are also great hotel deals
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A Drive Down Memory Lane
Five years ago, we visited Colorado Springs for our oldest daughter’s freshman Parent Weekend at Colorado College. We brought 13-year-old Melanie–not a happy camper that weekend to have all the attention focused on her older sister–and stayed at the iconic and sprawling Broadmoor resort.
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Getting Up-close and Personal with Animals at Zoos and Aquariums in the Fall
It helps to have the kids read up on the animals before you go, as long as it’s fun and doesn’t turn into something “completely boring and educational!”
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When Everyone Else is Back in School
So what if you’re toting a stroller and diaper bag or home-school assignments, while everyone else is waiting for the school bus and arranging car pools
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Food and Dining | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
New York — a foodie paradise
It’s impossible to go hungry in New York—not with vendors selling hot dogs, pretzels, kabobs and more on every corner. It’s also impossible to get bored eating in New York, whether you want to head to China Town or Ninth Avenue for good ethnic eats, great burgers, pasta, pizza or more gourmet fare.
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Central Park through a preschooler’s eyes
We saw the penguins and the puffins, the sea lions and polar bears Ida and Gus, the Red Pandas and the Snow Monkeys. The Snow Leopards — new to the zoo — seemed to be hiding. The Wildlife Conservation Society, which oversees The Central Park Zoo as well as the Bronx Zoo and others in NYC (www.wcs.org), is a leader in the care and conservation of these creatures.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Travel Diaries | Volunteer & Service
A few days in New York with a preschooler
This is my four year-old cousin Hannah Sitzman’s first Broadway production and she loves every minute of it — from the costumes and sets to the music to the black tee shirt which spells out “Shrek” in pink sparkly letters. I especially loved the magic of the costumes.
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Should resorts ban kids?
A Denver Post reader told me she was “seething” when she read the column I wrote about Bora Bora being a good bet for families…
