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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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
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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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Lodging | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
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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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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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Getting There | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs
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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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 & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
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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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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A mind game: fly-fishing in Yellowstone National Park
Fly fishing in Yellowstone is a big deal. If I could have only one fishing license in the world it would be here at Yellowstone National Park,” says Almond, who traded an executive career to become a fly fishing guide.
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A different kind of camping – Under Canvas
This is camping Under Canvas style, modeled after the traditional safari experience and especially welcome this Pandemic summer when everyone is anxious to enjoy the outdoors but may not want the work of camping, sleeping on the ground or sharing communal bathrooms.
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Big Geyser, Little Geyser – social distancing at Yellowstone NP
We’re at Yellowstone National Park but we’re not at Old Faithful. We’re a few miles away at Lone Star Geyser that required a little over a two-mile hike—really a mellow walk along a beautiful steam.
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As Orlando Reopens, Safety First at Theme Parks
Just to enter, you’ll need an advance reservation, temperature screening and a mask. Welcome to the New Normal as Orlando begins to open in this Pandemic Summer.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Travel Diaries
On the Road – Covid Summer 2020: 1st stop Jackson Hole; it’s cold, rainy and tourists and businesses are coming back
ckson, of course, is the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. This time of year, the town should be buzzing with tourists, including many from overseas. Summer is high season—typically.
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Pandemic Family Travel | Parks & Outdoors | Taking the Kids Blogs
Rocky Mountain Towns are Reopening for Adventurers
As long as you are willing to wear masks and social distance, you will find mountain towns have fine-tuned their lodging, restaurants, and guided adventures so that you can get outdoors and enjoy yourselves this summer—safely.
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Getting There | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
On a road trip to South Dakota’s Black Hills and Badlands
This summer, it seems, road trips are expected to be particularly popular — if families opt to leave home at all. That’s why throughout the summer, we’ll spotlight some classic American road trips — like to South Dakota’s Black Hills and Badlands.
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Heading outdoors any way you want this summer
Families, it seems, think camping can be the antidote they seek — and a way to get out of town safely, according to a new COVID-19 edition of the North American Camping Report, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America.
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Getting moms and daughters out of their comfort zones
When Steff Keene wanted to backpack for the first time, she didn’t turn to adventure-loving friends for advice like college students might. She turned to mom.
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Backyard Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Families & Groups | Getting There | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Thinking about adventures past and to come — in Alaska
Nearly a year later, stuck at home, trips canceled in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I smile thinking about that stellar day and the rest of last summer’s trip to Alaska
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To Golden Gate Park for its big birthday
They called the area the Great Sand Wastes, but even those who believed in the project could never have imagined what Golden Gate Park would become
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Backyard Vacations | Cruises & All-Inclusive | Destinations | Families & Groups | Parks & Outdoors | Weekly Column
Thinking about the great outdoors
As for Doc, he retired and opted for a second career where people meet him with big smiles on their faces, some having waited more than a year to meet him
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Pandemic Family Travel | Taking the Kids Blogs
7 Great Destinations to Visit from Home
Whether you’re sheltering in place by choice or command, we hope you’ll enjoy touring seven great destinations you can visit virtually from home.
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Traveling through the COVID-19 crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has derailed many upcoming family trips — everything from shipboard reunions to destination weddings to spring breaks. What to do?
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To Philadelphia and celebrating women during women’s history month
For 2020, Philadelphia has officially changed the city’s “City of Brotherly Love” moniker to the “City of Sisterly Love,” acknowledging that women of color were not fully enfranchised until the 1965 Voting Rights Act
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A Teen’s Perspective – The Perfect Teen Trip to Orlando & WDW Resorts
While family trips are a lot of fun, one-on-one time with only one parent and one child allows for really special time and bonding that often does not occur with a lot of family members around
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Snow graffiti? Who knew? The kids program at Vista Verde Ranch
All you need is some snow and spray bottles with food coloring—blue, yellow, green, red, purple…
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Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Families & Groups | Food and Dining | Lodging | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Travel Diaries
Under the Devil’s Thumb, a guest ranch for XC, snowshoe and spa lovers
We see that giant snow-covered thumb as we are getting a Nordic classic ski lesson at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, a four-season resort on 6,500 pristine acres about 75 miles west of Denver and 15 miles from Winter Park and its famous downhill slope
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Families & Groups | Backyard Vacations | Destinations | Parks & Outdoors | Snow Vacations | Travel Diaries
Tweens Spill on Skiing in Vail and Beaver Creek
Local kids in Vail Valley say there’s so much to love about the area. Hear directly from kids themselves about their favorite ski runs, off slope activities and more!
