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boleyn-falcon · 5 years ago

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The Queens of the Castle Chapter 3

The queens finally get off the plane are start heading to their destination!

Chapter three

The queens finally make it to the baggage claim area after a few minutes of trying to find their way around. They get there and there's not as many people as they expected, but there's a good bit of luggage on the conveyor belt. Jane knew this would happen so Jane had all the queens get very unique bags. Aragon had a black bag with bright golden flowers, Anne’s had a lime green bag with black lightning bolts across the front, Jane’s was white with a black and red picture of minnie mouse, Kathrine’s was black with a white cat face and pink hearts, Anna’s had an intact patterned reddish wolf face on the front, and finally Cathy’s was white with blue books and pens on the front. They first found Cathy’s, then Jane’s, then Kat and Anna’s at the same time, then CAthrine after them, and finally Annes after 30 minutes of waiting. “Ugh i can't believe mine came out last!”, Cathrine turned from the front of the group to look back at grumpy queen, “ oh pipe down Anne! The order they come out in is merely chance”. They make it out to what looks like a train, but oddly futuristic and slightly cramped. “What the bloody hell is this?''Cathy said in confusion, “This is just a shuttle! It's like a train in air supported by beam-like things on the ground, it's gonna take us to the main airport!”, the Blonde queen said happily as she started to find some space in the cramped shuttle. They all got on, a bit reluctantly at the idea of a train suspended in air, but they really had no choice. They finally got their way to the main airport itself, it was bustling and full of people, it felt so weird hearing people speak in such an unfamiliar accent. First things first, getting food because all the queens were starving and it was breakfast time. They make their way into a large food court like- room full of people talking and ordering food. “Woah i've never seen that place before!”, Kat points to a place with a red sign above it saying ‘Chick-fil-A’. “Then they may not have it in London, or at least our part of town”, Cathrine says inquisitively. The Tudor queens make their way over to the line to look at the menu of this foriegn fast food chain to find the only thing on the menu was chicken. “Well I see where they get the name from” Anne says with a snort. They all get their meals and go to sit down and eat. Catherine,Jane, and Cathy get basic chicken sandwiches, Anne and Kitty get 12 nuggets each, and Anna gets a grilled chicken club sandwich. They sat down and began to eat at a table as Jane started to check the time for their bus to arrive at the airport to take them to their resort. After their meal, Jane gathered them girls up to get them ready to find the bus. “Okay girls let's get going! The bus should be out there soon to take us to our resort!”, she led them outside to the front after fighting through crowds and getting into elevators. “Woah mom look! Those women talk funny!”, a small presumably american boy maybe bout 5 years old said as he pointed at them whilst tugging on his mother’s shirt. ‘Well so does he’ Cathrine whispered to Jane under her breath, Jane giggled slightly at that but continued on. As the sun came out the queens noticed it was getting a bit warmer than they expected. Cathy takes off her blue hoodie and tries it around her waist then took her book out of her backpack and started to read. After fifteen long minutes, a blue and white bus appeared with a little Mickey mouse picture on the side of it. “This is our ride girls! Get ready!”Jane hurried to the front as the doors opened. They all got seated at the back of the bus and got comfortable. The bus started and they overheard someone in front of them talking about something called a ‘Monorail’.Cathy deducted that it might be something similar to what they used to get from the terminal and the main airport. They all start to talk and laugh about their trip till Anna notices something. “There's a lot of trees in this place, you’d think there would be more buildings”, Kat looks around and notices the same thing, “ well the closer we get the more buildings we will probably find” and Kat was right. After a few minutes of chit chat and playing on their phones they start to notice more and more buildings, they eventually find their way into the bustling part of Orlando. The bus takes a turn and all the queens start to hear people start to awe at the sight in front of them, it was a large sign that displayed Mickey and Minnie that said “Walt Disney World, where dreams come true”. The queens awed at this began to all get really excited and bubbly, even Cathrine who normally wasn't very outworldly excited often. They all stare out the windows to see purple signs, some even with little mouse ears, describing where all the different parks and resorts are. About twenty minutes past of the queens looking at all the new places the bus stopped at till finally, they were there. Jane and Cathrine decided in secret that they would be staying at ‘Animal Kingdom Lodge’ . The two motherly queens smiled as they saw their friends’ faces light up when they saw the huge and beautiful resort. “ lets go loves, this is our stop”, Jane started to get up and walk as the other followed her off the bus. They all stop and gaze upon the magnificent building before them. “ There's no bloody way Jane! You’ve got to be joking with us!”, Anne said loudly as they began to walk into the lobby. Cathrine smiled as Cathy’s face was lit up like a christmas tree as she walked into the large lobby. “You lot go on and look around, i'll get us checked in”, the spanish queen said as she walked over to the counter and began speaking to the cast member. Kitty was amazed at all the pretty wooden beams that held everything together, the flower-like patterns that decorated the walls amazed her. She skipped down some stars with both of her bags in hand to see a huge glass window which gave her a great view of the newly risen sun above the fields of grass off in the distance. Cathy had gone off with Jane into the gift shop that had loads of themed merchandise of the Disney characters the queens have grown to love in the year they’ve come to the modern world. Near the front held a table full of cared statues of giraffes. Some had two grown and some had a mother a baby giraffe, the two queens were loving this place already. Even the gift shops for elaborately decorated, everything in this place looked magical to them. Thier visit to the gift shop was cut short when Cathrine walked in with her bags in hand and Kitty,Anne, and Anna at her side. “Okay girls, let's go find our rooms' '.

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OKAY SO BOOM CHAPTER THREE

oh and ill mostly likely have a post up around the time of this one with pictures of their bags if i can :P @prisky0731 @oneofakindnocategory @radcowboyalmondtree @patdfobmcr-yt @whenallthestarscollide @mang0m0ther if i missed you i’m sorry i need to like make a list or something!

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annchumleigh · 5 years ago

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What are the Best Indoor Water Parks in Michigan

For families who are looking for a fun-filled adventure, there’s no need to get out of the state and travel far: Michigan has a number of exciting indoor water parks that are perfect for day trips and full weekend getaways. They say nothing brings a family closer together than a Pure Michigan water park adventure.

If you’re ready to have a wet and wild adventure, here are a few of our recommendations. LivnFresh has listed some of the best indoor water parks in Michigan.

1. Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark

Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark is an incredible family resort located in Traverse City. It has over 38,000 square feet of splash-loaded rides, slides, and pools. This water park has eight waterslides, five different pools, a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, and a multi-story interactive tree house that’s sure to entertain the whole family.

With all these amazing options, you will surely have a few favorites. Outside the park, the fun continues: you can grab a wand and fight a dragon in MagiQuest or visit Scoops Kid Spa to get an ice cream-themed manicure. Mom and dad can relax at the full-service spa and fitness room. On top of all that, there are plenty of shopping and dining options. The Grand Lobby also holds a nightly fireside Story Time, which is a great way to cap off your adventure at Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark.

2. Fairview Beachfront Inn & Waterpark

Over at Mackinaw City, families that are heading to the Upper Peninsula can reserve a stay at the Fairview Beachfront Inn & Waterpark. It has water cannons, geysers, dump buckets, and more fun-filled activities within the 5,000 square foot water park.

It’s not all adrenaline-filled too—adults can take a breather and enjoy a huge 25-person Jacuzzi that is sure to relax and revitalize anyone. There are day passes and packages that are available here. Also, the inn is only minutes away from the Mackinac Island ferries, for those who want to take their adventure to the next level.

3. Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark is the ultimate family adventure, being Michigan’s largest indoor water park. This 88,000 square foot water playground is located in Boyne Mountain and is the largest in the entire state. It has five different water slides, a lazy river, hot tubs, an interactive play structure, a wave rider surf pool, and a climbing wall.

Boyne Mountain also offers guests a menu of activities such as Michigan’s finest downhill skiing, golf, and spa. There are lodging options like hotel rooms, chalets, and charming Austrian-themed houses.

4. Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark

Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury features a variety of water activities all within a 60,000 square foot property. You and your family can play water basketball, or try out the water slide, float down the lazy river, or splash around in the wave pool.

Guests can also take a thrill ride on the white water raft. Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark also boasts Michigan’s tallest indoor waterslide. For adults who want to slow it down and unwind just a little, the indoor/outdoor family hot tub is a great choice.

5. Bavarian Inn Lodge

The Bavarian-themed town of Frankenmuth offers the Bavarian Inn Lodge for those who are looking for a new water adventure. Guests can dip into five indoor pools and three whirlpools. One pool features a waterfall and another is just for adults. There is also a special pool that is designated for toddlers. Your kids may also enjoy the two-story children’s play village.

When you’re done swimming, you can also try their indoor miniature golf or more than 100 arcade games. The Bavarian Inn Lodge offers dining, 350 rooms and suites, and several packages perfect for families, groups, and special occasions.

On top of all these, the inn overlooks the Cass River, which is a nice and relaxing view.

6. Zhender’s Splash Village

Also in Frankenmuth, Zehnder’s Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark promises an unforgettable weekend with the family. This water park is located just one mile from downtown Frankenmuth. It offers 30,000 square feet of aquatic adventures.

There are four-story tube slides, a lazy river, water geysers, a toddler area, huge 400-gallon dumping buckets, sprays, and a hot tub. The 146-room hotel also offers a game arcade, a snack bar, and a dining area for breakfast and lunch.

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7. Wyndham Garden Sterling Heights

The Wyndham Garden Sterling Heights is not far from downtown Detroit. Here, you can plunge into the activity-filled 32,000 square foot indoor water park. It features a three-story water slide, a lazy river, and geysers. What makes this unique is the 2,300 square foot interactive Splash Play Park that kids will surely enjoy.

For those who want to stay active during their weekend getaway, Wyndham Garden Sterling Heights also has an indoor running track, a basketball court, and a fitness center.

8. Splash Universe Water Park Resort

The Splash Universe Water Park Resort in Dundee is a great destination for a family adventure. The 25,000 square foot water park offers over 100,000 gallons of water park excitement. This is not just an indoor water park, as some of its features are outdoors, so this place offers a lot of versatility in that department. There are water slides, adventure areas, an interactive play structure for kids of all ages, and the so-called Ripplin’ River. It’s the perfect birthday destination and weekend getaway spot. Splash Universe Water Park Resort has you covered.

Other Amazing Indoor Water Park Options in Michigan

Surfari Joe’s Indoor Wilderness Waterpark in Watervliet is Michigan’s newest indoor water park. It offers two premier water slides, a kiddie water playground with a tipping bucket, a lazy river, and a hot tub with waterfall. There’s something for everyone. Whether you want to host your child’s birthday party or you just want to relax for a day, Surfari Joe’s is a great destination to meet your needs.

The Soaring Eagle Waterpark & Hotel in Mt. Pleasant is a 45,000 square foot indoor waterpark that is designed for people of all ages. It has a wave rider, body slide, bowl slide, rock climbing wall, lazy river, children’s play area and a private adult pool, hot tub, and sauna.

Lastly, the Lakeside Resort in Houghton Lake is an indoor water park in Northern Michigan. It is a 9,000 square foot water park that offers water slides, a lazy river, kid’s pool, and a hot tub.

Michigan certainly offers a diverse array of indoor water parks. This is just another reason why we here at LivnFresh are always inspired to make great state pride apparel that reflects our love for Michigan. Visit https://www.livnfresh.com/ for more information.

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from Livnfresh Blog|The Coolest State Apparel Co. https://blog.livnfresh.com/water-parks-in-michigan/ from Livnfresh Share Your State Pride. https://livnfresh.tumblr.com/post/190238217812 via https://livnfresh.tumblr.com/

#Livnfresh Share Your State Pride.

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livnfreshmichigan · 5 years ago

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What are the Best Indoor Water Parks in Michigan

If you’re ready to have a wet and wild adventure, here are a few of our recommendations. LivnFresh has listed some of the best indoor water parks in Michigan.

1. Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark

2. Fairview Beachfront Inn & Waterpark

3. Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

4. Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark

5. Bavarian Inn Lodge

On top of all these, the inn overlooks the Cass River, which is a nice and relaxing view.

6. Zhender’s Splash Village

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7. Wyndham Garden Sterling Heights

For those who want to stay active during their weekend getaway, Wyndham Garden Sterling Heights also has an indoor running track, a basketball court, and a fitness center.

8. Splash Universe Water Park Resort

Other Amazing Indoor Water Park Options in Michigan

Lastly, the Lakeside Resort in Houghton Lake is an indoor water park in Northern Michigan. It is a 9,000 square foot water park that offers water slides, a lazy river, kid’s pool, and a hot tub.

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from Michigan | Livnfresh Blog|The Coolest State Apparel Co. https://blog.livnfresh.com/water-parks-in-michigan/

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psalm51-6-blog · 6 years ago

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Joy Equals Strengths - Week Twelve

Hi friends!!! Week 12 brought some of my favorite memories of 2019! While many of you just finished Spring Break, we decided to hold off a couple of weeks and take the girls on a mini-vacation once the crowds died down. Randy has been trying to plan a trip around the Texas pinball festival. Who knew there was such a thing? Well, I did! But only because my hunky honey has a nerdy side- don’t most husbands? So we took advantage of this event and created a great vacation! Check out the details below.

So instead of just heading straight up to Dallas, we took a few stops- sure the trip was longer, but we all got to do something fun and it makes for a great blog post!

Lord knows that traveling on the road with two kids can be exhausting- but we managed to have a great time and I’d love to share my tips, tricks and favorite spots.

Saturday

First stop- Gruene, TX

It just so happened that my parents were celebrating my mom’s birthday in a cabin in Wimberly, TX. So we aligned our schedules to meet for lunch at the Famous Gristmill River Restaurant and then head on our way!

Taking mom to the Gristmill has been a tradition for a couple of years, and it continues to be one of our favorite spots. On a nice spring day, you can sit outside to enjoy a river view and a slight breeze! Menu favorites? We’ve never had anything bad at the Gristmill! But here were this weekend’s choices.

Mom: Chicken fried steak

Dad: prime rib sandwich (probably the BEST thing on the menu)

Randy and I: grilled chicken sandwich

Landry: kids chicken strips with fruit

And while we don’t usually do dessert, we were celebrating, so we ordered the German Chocolate cake AND the Jack Daniels Pecan Pie! Both are incredible- but for me, the pie took the cake!

Aside from the wonderful company and delicious food, the staff is always so nice, always accommodating our odd requests (like salad crackers for W), and the constant need for extra napkins

Second Stop- Waco, TX

On our long trip to North Texas, I just happened to need to stop for a bathroom break right as we were heading into Waco (maybe it wasn’t coincidence). Randy took a quick turn and we stopped at MY favorite spot to stretch our legs. Many people ask, what’s the big deal about Magnolia Market?! Well, in theory, it’s a simple idea- shopping, food, and fresh air. But I truly believe that place bring some peace! Seeing people from around the world (no joke) find a commonality in the simplicity of life, it’s just a beautiful thing. The girls love running around and getting to get out of their seats for a while. I didn’t even make it into the market- because I bee-lined it straight to my favorite food truck, Alabama Sweet Tea Company! Do I put for an $8 glass of tea? You betcha! And now that they serve their Holiday Tea all year round- oh my lanta, I should just buy stock!

Waco was just a quick stop, and we were on our way!

Third stop- Frisco, TX

Since the Texas pinball festival wasn’t until Sunday, we decided to stay the night in Frisco and get good sleep before a full day of fun! But first- Food!

In Beaird family tradition, we had to stop at The Star in Frisco- because well, the Cowboys! This is another fun place to let the kids run around and be kids. Ever see kids playing tag and football in the middle of the city just for fun? You will here! The star is surrounded by great restaurants and shopping.

We finished our day staying at the Westin Stonebriar Hotel and Golf club. We made a last minute decision to stay an extra day in the DFW area- I was worried that we were going to have to pay a lot for a last minute hotel that was just bleh. Well, thanks to priceline.com, we managed to stay at this 4-star hotel for $107 (minus tax and insurance, $140 total)

When booking on Priceline, you don’t get to see what hotel you’re staying at until you book- all you know is that it’s a 4-star hotel. So, how bad could it have been!

The cleanliness and size of the room, friendliness of the staff, excellent location- I could go on- we’d definitely looking at staying here again, and on purpose!

Sunday

Well, it was a bright and early Sunday- and we were ready for a fun day!

Growing up, Randy’s grandfather owned a Putt Putt golf and games. Randy’s love for arcade games came from working and spending hours at that place. So naturally, he shares his love with those he loves. And while, I never had any interest in the history, manufacturers, or technical side of these games, it’s been so fun taking an interest in his Hobbies. Not to mention, L wants to everything with her daddy.

Here, they feature hundreds of pinball machines- old and new- alongside arcade games. For $25, you can free play all the games you want- plus, Kids under 5 are free!!

As you can imagine, about an hour and a half of playing, we were done- so After a fun lunch at Rainforest Cafe at Grapevine Mills mall- mostly for the girls because the food is fine... the experience was a blast!

The final destination of our trip was Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX! I wasn’t quite sure how L would react. Much to our pleasure, she was thrilled! From the time we walked in to the time we left, she was in heaven! And well W, had the best time any 8 month old ever had.

Great Wolf not only provides a great weather friendly water park, but has tons of free (and paid) activities all times of the day. Between morning breakfast with their famous characters, story times, dance parties, scavenger hunts- you are sure to have a fun-filled stay!! We can’t wait to go back!

Trip Tips:

Traveling with two littles can be tough, and while we usually drive straight through (as much as possible), we found it helpful to chart out our trip and take meaningful stops.

As mentioned above, if you are traveling to a new destination and need a great hotel for a great price, checkout Priceline’s 4-star hotel deals. You won’t know where you are staying until you book, but with it having to be a 4-star choice, the risk is worth it!

Great Wolf Lodge

This place is always busy, since there are no dates in which you can’t play. However, we definitely noticed that checking in on a Sunday got us a better deal and smaller crowds. Sign up for their emails to get great deals and last minute trip steals at greatwolflodge.com

Night Time

With all of the fun, you would have thought the girls would’ve just passed out! Not the case. And of course being away from home and your normal routines can always be a challenge. This little sound machine owl from target has saved us on trips (especially in hotels). It was gifted to us, but I would highly suggest purchasing one to help mask unfamiliar noises and provide an little night light.

https://www.target.com/p/skip-hop-moonlight-melodies-owl-nightlight-soother/-/A-53021517

Baby Carriers

Baby carrying is something I love to do when I know that we will be in big crowds. Strollers are great, but sometimes they are bulky and can inconvenience others when you are in the midst of lots of people. I personally have never tried a fabric sling, but my favorite carrier is a structured ErgoBaby. Not only do I wear it, but randy wears it too! EegoBaby provides thicker waist bands and shoulder straps, while being breathable.

https://www.target.com/p/ergobaby-omni-360-all-carry-positions-ergonomic-baby-carrier-pearl-gray/-/A-52767767

What are your travel plans for this year? Any tips you wanna share?

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @joy_equals_strength

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partysan · 7 years ago

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TUNE IN – EXPLORE – RESTORE Amidst a breathtaking scenery, Obonjan regenerates body, mind and soul. Reward yourself with the unique experience of music, yoga, meditation, fitness and sport.

This is just one of the many promises on Obonjan’s website. Marketing, SocialMedia, pictures, program – everything is superbly done – innovative, fresh, glossy, lifestyle-ish.

An adult glamping version of a festival away from the Springbreak Party Islands in Croatia with an extraordinary program of yoga, lectures, workshops, sport and music.

Sounds great – that’s what we wanted to see.

Obonjan is a 1.5 km long island on the Dalmatian coast, about 6 km before Šibenik. Originally conceived as an “island of youth” for boy scouts, the island is very beautiful and really serves all clichés of the Adriatic: turquoise-blue water, pine and olive trees, beaches and the obligatory background sound system for cicadas. With a small ferryboat you can reach the island about one hour from Šibenik harbour. In the 1950s, the scouts left behind a complete infrastructure of ports, houses and streets. All beautifully ingrown and a little wild. In 2016 the island was renovated by a Croatian/English event agency, partly rebuilt and put back into operation.

On the island there are tents for about 500 guests, divided into two categories. The tents are new and of high quality, equipped with AirCon and in the category “Forest Lodge” even with refrigerator, toilet and shower. For the tents of the “Bell Tent” category there are sanitary facilities available as on a camping site. All the public buildings we saw were in order, some of them new or renovated and clean.

Obonjan offers two restaurants and three food stalls (pizza, burgers, curry) for catering. In the big restaurant “The Kitchen” on the highest point of the island there is a breakfast buffet and a large seawater pool. The small restaurant “BOK” at the harbour opens at noon and serves mainly seafood. And then there is a small “Green Bar” which offers tea, smoothies and allegedly veggie / veganes food, but during our one-week visit the bar was mostly empty.

At the harbour there is a bar all day long which is played by DJs in the afternoon and in the evening. At events, parties or concerts there are more bars at the amphitheatre and at the open-air club. Then there is the “Zen-Den”, a wellness, massage and yoga temple and a pavilion for all kinds of events.

The seasonal programme is dedicated and of high quality. Every week a label, publisher, promoter, agency or other organisation takes care of the work. The curator brings together bands, DJs, performers, artists, trainers, coaches, etc. and brings the associated followers to the island. An interesting concept that reads itself thrillingly and holds many surprises and discoveries ready.

Here is an overview of the 2017 programme

[toggler title=”Curators” ] Gilles Peterson and Worldwide FM, Wanderlust, Electric Elephant, The Numinous, Late Night Tales, Hunger, The Hoxton, Unit 44, Supersoul, Fashion Revolution, Visual Fodder, Wildfitness, R&S Records , Ernest Journal, Secret Yoga Club, Gottwood, SHE, Phonica, She’s Lost Control, Soul & Surf, Creative Social, Refinery, Switch On, Serenebook, East of Eden, Yogarise, Your Space Berlin, and Yoga Hero.[/toggler]

[toggler title=”Tune-In – Music” ] Daniel Avery, Dave Maclean (Django Django), Flamingods, Garden City Movement, Gerd Janson, Gilles Peterson, Hercules and Love Affair, Horse Meat Disco, Jack Savidge (Friendly Fires), Jordan Rakei, Josefin Öhrn, Justin Robertson, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Khraungbin, Low Life (Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton), Man Power, Midland, Mister Saturday Night, Norman Jay MBE, Phaeleh, Prosumer, Ray Mang, Roy Ayers, and Sean Johnston.[/toggler]

[toggler title=”Explore – Talks + Workshops” ] Daniel Pinchbeck, Patternity, Laraaji, John Higgs, Lisa Luxx, Anthony Peake, Sam Bompas, David Bramwell, The Wild Swimming Brothers, Nick Jankel, Kto Wong, Loba Diaries, MA-TT-ER, and Super Human Earth.[/toggler]

[toggler title=”Restore – Wellbeing + Fitness” ]Jasmine Hemsley and Sound Sebastien, Patrick Broome, Meghan Currie, Seb Eubank, Ruby Warrington, Michael James Wong, Lani Rocillo, Steffy White, Alexandra Roxo, Toby Huntington-Whiteley, Swim Dem Crew, Susan Rozo, Chloe Brotheridge, Wolf Sister, Pip Roberts, Run Pack Berlin, Paula Andreewitch, Charlotte Welfare, Carlos Romero, Pandora Paloma, Jessica Skye, Bess Shipside, Gail Schock, and Kate Taylor.[/toggler]

And after a short acclimatization period you can get really busy. Here’s a typical Obonjan day.

[column size=one_quarter position=first ]07:30 am – 10:30 – 14:30 17:00 19:30 – -[/column]

[column size=two_quarter position=second ]Early Morning Yoga Breakfast Mediation – Session Lunchtime Beach Life, swim and/or swim and / or hang out at the harbour Readings, workshops, coachings, etc. on the tent veranda enjoy the view and sip the first glass of wine Sunset Yoga Dinner In the evening a concert, a party or a film on big screen?[/column][column size=three_quarter position=third ][/column][column size=three_quarter position=last ][/column]

Great! An Eco-Hipster-Art-Professional-Chiller-Paradise.

But on closer inspection we were really disturbed by some points, which we don’t want to share here as an offending online review and experience report, but as a call to guests, media and organizers.

If you look at the Obonjan SocialMedia and website and read through the programme, you will get the impression of a committed, sustainable, organic & eco-resort. Unfortunately, this is not the reality.

Disposable dishes, plastic cups, plastic cutlery, plastic straws, coffee to go paper cups even at the breakfast buffet. Not a single solar panel all over the island, no grey water recycling, no waste separation, delivery vans and cars on the island are normal petrol, no call to recycle or any other recognisable spirit for a sustainable island life. And the air-conditioning systems in the tents are not really necessary either.

The team, the employees on Obonjan seem to be recruited partly from unpaid volunteers, who are mostly gastro beginners and also by the bank only minimal-friendly. But the organisation worked out well for us – but good mood feels different.

Vegetarian or even vegan dishes are scarce. In the restaurants and stalls there are hardly any meatless or vegan options (or the veggie paddies at the Burger Grill or the summer rolls at the Green Bar are just randomly off…). If you are not into meat, fish and cheese, you should bring enough food from the mainland, otherwise it could get cramped. Anyway – Basically the food was good to OK everywhere.

At some bars, menus and drinks disappear inexplicably and drinks seem to be charged according to a kind of daily rate; especially the later the evening, the more volatile the prices can become. And watch out for the Beer/Lemonade Mix Shandy – then you will soon have two drinks on your bill: a small beer and a lemonade = 2 x 36 kuna / 9,80 € – without tip: -) Tricky is the payment even if you haven’t brought enough kuna. But it gets complicated when you pay in € and get Kuna change back. Then it becomes expensive and here too there are different, suboptimal exchange rates.

In the little shop with limited, completely commercial offer and prices like at the bar there is a ban on photos. On demand: why? … there’s the answer “Because my boss said so.” Which, by the way, is something you get more often as a curious guest.

The prices are not cheap all over the island.

Beer 0,3l = 35 Kuna / 4,70 € Beer 0,5l = 52 Kuna / 7 € Corona 48 Kuna / 6,50 € Cuba Libre 85 Kuna / 11,50 € Burger 65 Kuna / 8,80 € Pizza 85 Kuna / 11,50 € Curry 90 Kuna / 12 € Breakfast buffet 100 Kuna / 13,50 € Small Water 20 Kuna / 2,70 €

But hey – it’s an island and not the mainland, every can of beer is brought by ship.

All this is not dramatic and doesn’t deserve a rip-off stamp.

The somewhat „Mediterranean“ gastronomy practise has to be taken sporty and nobody can be really good and friendly all the time. But the impression transported by the Obonjan communication of an Eco Village, which is operated only by yogis, gurus, hedonists, vegans and mindful eco guerrillas, we see then nevertheless as genuine label fraud.

The people we met in Obonjan were just as amazed and disappointed about all the mentioned non-ecological points. Obonjan manages to bring a great, open, interesting and mixed audience to the island and then disappoints on the spot with small and big failures, which leave a more than bland aftertaste. Obonjan could be so much more.

Obonjan could be a lighthouse for the entire tourism industry of the Adriatic Sea. The advertising for this has already been placed, and the appropriate guests have already arrived.

“The spirits I called…”

Many of the Obonjan visitors we spoke to agreed that there will be a lot of feedback when you bring such an environmentally conscious target group to the island and then do not fulfill expectations. The pressure on the organizers must be big. The complaints, concerns and comments must take on alarming proportions. All curators have to be asked whether they will continue to support this or demand changes.

You can’t have a wellness / ecological festival, throwing around with disposable dishes and hardly offering veggie food without an echo of the guests?

Actually we are Obonjan fans. But just disappointed Obonjan fans. As a real eco island, the 2018 season might be fully booked already – think about it.

The Obonjan project is a respectable feat of strength, the organisation, the infrastructure, the booking, all this is not stomped out of the ground in one season. We realize that. In the second year the shop seems to be running a little more smoothly, but in many areas there is still room to move upwards.

We could imagine going back to Obonjan again. But next time we’ll ask what has changed. And whether the eco awareness yoga meditation marketing show has perhaps even become a reality by now. We wish the whole Obonjan team much success for the third and many more years.

Go-bonjan! www.obonjan-island.com

Tips for the Obonjan trip: Bring: Eye mask (the tents are bright), Ohropax (the tent walls are thin: -). Food/Beverage: a bottle of wine, a few beers, some snacks and a couple of water bottles are allowed and useful. Of course, the organizers also have to earn money, but you can also bring along what you consume in the tent. Enough Kuna: the exchange rates on the island can become crazy. Except in the two restaurants, cash is used everywhere. There is an ATM on the island, but we didn’t try it. Internet / W-Lan: There are top free wifi almost everywhere on the island. Water: The tab water is drinkable. Children: Obonjan is not really meant for families / children. Guests: The promoters come from the UK, so most of the guests are british but we’ve met people from all over the world. Arrival with your own car / parking lot in Sibenik: We drove with our own car from Munich to Sibenik and after 8 hours of driving we stayed for one night in Hotel Jure **** / Solaris Beach Resort (170 € double room incl. breakfast). The resort has a large, guarded parking lot and we have parked the car there for a week (7 € / day) Taxi / Bus: From the resort there is a bus for 17 Kuna p. P. to Sibenik. With Uber the trip from Sibenik Harbour to the hotel costs 45 kuna, taxis in the city wanted three times as much for the same trip – they just haven’t heard the gong and keep trying to advantage from tourists.

Deutschsprachige Version dieses Artikels @ www.fernwehblues.de

Obonjan Island? Our Experience with the Million-€-Wellness-Organic-Musik-Festival TUNE IN - EXPLORE - RESTORE Amidst a breathtaking scenery, Obonjan regenerates body, mind and soul. Reward yourself with the unique experience of music, yoga, meditation, fitness and sport.

#English #festival

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mandimormon-blog · 8 years ago

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Fridge Perks

The new year is here and I'm happy to report we had a stupendous first week of 2017! We took advantage of one of our experience gifts, and on Monday we left for Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio. It was a popular time of the year to say the least, still decked out from the holiday. 4 children, 2 adults, and 3-hour drive wasn't horrible at all! Actually, I highly recommend this resort for a short getaway, if you have little swimmers. We do. Our children reminisce about our pool days, from summer, constantly. They love water. One super-duper perk for our family was one of the dining restaurants had gluten-free items on their menu. This takes the pressure off for finding hopeful alternatives. But life's a picnic for we, of the gluten-free variety. Literally, we take food wherever we go.

This water-park had fabulous water slides! Even a family slide to fit up to five riders. A wave pool, kiddie slides, lily pads, and a splash-park in an 84 degree environment. We went four different times. This resort also included a spa for little girls, an arcade, black light mini-golf, and bowling. There was so much to do we didn't have to leave at all, over our 3 day, 2 night stay. That's my review, sorry if it was boring or not your thing, good trip. Will we go back? Maybe, but we like to try new experiences and that's checked off the list. On Wednesday, as we departed for home, I decided I'd had enough JUNK and eating junky. Do you ever get that feeling? Bloated, with a mind-fog, and no energy, at all? That was me. I felt just blah, so I decided I would just go ahead and start following the Autoimmune Protocol. Of course, this was after I ate a bag of inorganic M&M's and chamomile tea with honey, for breakfast.

On our journey back home, we popped off the Interstate to Kroger in Crawfordsville, to grab lunch and a few organic items for my AIP. Good gracious, I skipped on the $8.29 coconut butter.

Back to school for our kiddos, on Thursday, and they were excited to go! In fact, Remi made all A's, Reis averaged all A's, and Jude forgot his report card at school. This scenario sounds about spot on. This day for me was Detox Bath Day, followed with chamomile, yoga and laundry. My deep, inspired thoughts included while building our next home, a deeper, wider tub, and hiring a personal chef. I've noticed a pattern in my life. How have I not realized this before? No clue, except I'm guessing it's a subconscious habit. As I go through my tasks of daily living, when I subconsciously finish a task, I automatically go to the refrigerator, for my reward. For example, I finished multiple loads of laundry. What's the first thing I do? Open the fridge. I finish mopping the floor and vacuuming the entire house. What's next? Open the fridge. I finish cleaning the bathroom. Open the fridge. *Palm to the face* What am I doing? This is a habit I have to break, especially with the Autoimmune Protocol, I'm limited with my food options and since a majority of it is organic, I can't be wasteful and just veg out whenever I please.

I purchased four snap-ware containers from Menard's and prepped a cookie sheet of veggies and fish + chicken, and then separated it into four separate meals. It literally took one hour, for four lunches (or dinners) for myself. I opted for broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, and mushrooms, as sides. They may sound starchy, typically I avoid starchy veggies, but since I'm completely grainless, starched veggies are perfect.

I saw a few friends on Facebook posting the following status update with a few minor changes such a booze: Today marks my first week without a drop of alcohol. Running 5 miles each day and yoga before breakfast. I've stopped eating meat, dairy, flour and sugar. All fruit and veggies are organic. No GMO'S. The change in my body has already been fantastic! I feel great! I plan to make this my new lifestyle. Zero soda. Eating a healthy diet that is completely vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free. And working out for two hours every day! I don't know whose status this is, but it said to copy and paste... I was so thrilled for the person when I started reading it but then I was like what, wait.. really? It is truly funny but come on, these are good goals! Let's build others up for wanting to better themselves instead or poking fun when they want to change their life. :D So, let me be real and say today would be day five and I feel like a new person.

Reflecting on previous goals where I've learned something every darn time. > In 2014, I went sugar-free. I stayed sugar-free the entire year except for a slip up in August and another in late December. Ran my first full marathon. > In 2015, I went vegetarian for a while slowly worked into Pescatarian (fish). > In 2016, my husband and I went vegan for a month together, as we completed the 21-day Daniel Fast. I continued for 3 months, after that. Ran another marathon. > In 2017, Autoimmune Paleo - for my Autoimmune disorder. It's an elimination diet that will clearly indicate what is right, for me personally, and what isn't right.

What have I learned? Well, I've learned we all make goals and being able to do ANY of it takes diligence, obedience, discipline, and growth! Why are we here? Growth. Being the best version of ourselves for our personal happiness, combating illness or depression, and for our families. Our spouses, children and family deserve all we can give them, right? Right. They do. What's given me the strength to know I can do whatever I set my mind to? I've said it before. The Gospel. All of those terms, I used previously, (diligence, discipline, obedience, growth) are just a few of the attributes I’ve developed (even if just a little bit) from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I realized I could do something really hard, something I felt was really hard in the moment, it helped me do another, then another. We are given weaknesses to make us humble and then strong or develop those into our strengths, as mentioned in the book of Ether, in the scriptures. Which may sound backwards but we’re here to learn and grow. If we think back on our life, it’s a continual learning process from birth. We constantly evolve into a different person, changing and growing. Personally, I’m grateful for that because the person I was 15 years ago is not who I am now, even five years ago, I’m different. We may make resolutions and keep a few of them, or maybe one, or not keep any, but that's ok. If we tried and we're constantly trying, every experience helps us become.

#lds #mormon #mormonmommy #family #resolutions #aip #glutenfree

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weightlossfitness2 · 5 years ago

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Vegan Shredded Carrot and Apple Muffins + Weekly Menu

Well, we survived Great Wolf Lodge. Four children (5 and underneath) and 4 adults. It was principally enjoyable, whilst somebody who doesn’t love swimming pools (I’m a seashore lady) or teams of individuals (SO MANY PEOPLE!). Getting eight individuals with totally different sleep wants and 1 who snores (responsible!) to get some high quality sleep, was…difficult. It was like a hearth drill all evening, rotating children into totally different beds and sleeping preparations.

We wore our ladies out for two hours earlier than throwing them within the automobile for the three.5+ hour trek residence on Sunday, and so they each slept. HARD. Piper woke with about an hour to go, however she simply frolicked within the again, quietly singing Frozen II. Shea woke about 10 minutes from residence. Girlfriend was WHIPPED.

Mark drove each methods so I may 1. learn my e-book membership e-book and end earlier than Wednesday after we meet and a couple of. plan out the weekly menu and place the grocery record order to be delivered after we arrived residence. We didn’t enable sufficient time for grocery procuring earlier than hockey – DARN 😉

Had I REALLY been environment friendly with my time, I’d’ve posted this right here weblog submit, however typically, it’s good to mentally take a look at of the to-do record that’s without end tabulating in my mind. I used to by no means be capable of sleep with to-do’s left undone and now I simply caffeinate every morning and hope for the perfect. What can I say?

What was time environment friendly was making dinner on Sunday evening, all whereas making breakfast for the week – these muffins! My pal texted to say they had been successful (I’ve a number of buddies who’re cooking by means of Thug Kitchen proper now!). The ladies helped (i.e. had been in my method within the kitchen and making a large number), however they had been fairly enthusiastic about the entire carrot and apple shredding. They would STILL be shredding apples and carrots had I not intervened…nonetheless, their fingers/arms had been secure from any harm on the tempo with which they had been shifting.

I’ve by no means had dangerous end result with a vegan baked good – oil makes vegan baking nice! I’d strive a number of modifications subsequent time (famous beneath within the recipe), however total, these had been an enormous win. The ladies love them and any time I can get a fruit, vegetable, and complete grain in them earlier than faculty? BIG mother win!

Vegan Shredded Carrot and Apple Muffins

Author: Nicole Morrissey

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Serves: 12 muffins

Ingredients

2¼ cups complete wheat pastry flour or white wheat flour

½ cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1½ tsp floor cinnamon

½ tsp salt

1¼ cups unsweetened almond milk

1½ cups grated carrots (about three)

⅓ cup grated apple (about 1)

¼ cup olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 levels F. Mist a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and put aside.

In a big bowl, whisk collectively the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt till well-combined. In a smaller bowl, whisk collectively the almond milk, carrots, apple, oil, lemon juice, and vanilla extract till well-combined.

Pour the moist components into the dry and blend till almost integrated. Fold within the chopped walnuts. Using a ⅓ cup scoop, fill every muffin properly ¾ths-full.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or till golden and an inserted toothpick is cleanly eliminated. Cool for 15 minutes earlier than eradicating from the muffin tin.

Notes

Recipe from Thug Kitchen Possible tweaks so as to add a little bit of sweetness: substitute half the almond milk with applesauce and/or add ½ cup raisins (along with the walnuts or changing)

Nutrition Information

Serving dimension: 1 muffin Calories: 201 Fat: eight.2 Carbohydrates: 29.three Sugar: 10.5 Sodium: 248 Fiber: three.6 Protein: 1.zero Cholesterol: zero

three.5.3251

Weekly Menu: February 23rd – 27th

Be properly,

The post Vegan Shredded Carrot and Apple Muffins + Weekly Menu appeared first on Weight Loss Fitness.

from Weight Loss Fitness https://weightlossfitnesss.info/vegan-shredded-carrot-and-apple-muffins-weekly-menu/

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weightlossfitnesssinfo · 5 years ago

Text

Vegan Shredded Carrot and Apple Muffins + Weekly Menu

Mark drove each methods so I may 1. learn my e-book membership e-book and end earlier than Wednesday after we meet and a couple of. plan out the weekly menu and place the grocery record order to be delivered after we arrived residence. We didn't enable sufficient time for grocery procuring earlier than hockey – DARN 😉

Had I REALLY been environment friendly with my time, I'd’ve posted this right here weblog submit, however typically, it’s good to mentally take a look at of the to-do record that's without end tabulating in my mind. I used to by no means be capable of sleep with to-do’s left undone and now I simply caffeinate every morning and hope for the perfect. What can I say?

What was time environment friendly was making dinner on Sunday evening, all whereas making breakfast for the week – these muffins! My pal texted to say they had been successful (I've a number of buddies who're cooking by means of Thug Kitchen proper now!). The ladies helped (i.e. had been in my method within the kitchen and making a large number), however they had been fairly enthusiastic about the entire carrot and apple shredding. They would STILL be shredding apples and carrots had I not intervened…nonetheless, their fingers/arms had been secure from any harm on the tempo with which they had been shifting.

I’ve by no means had dangerous end result with a vegan baked good – oil makes vegan baking nice! I'd strive a number of modifications subsequent time (famous beneath within the recipe), however total, these had been an enormous win. The ladies love them and any time I can get a fruit, vegetable, and complete grain in them earlier than faculty? BIG mother win!

Vegan Shredded Carrot and Apple Muffins

Author: Nicole Morrissey

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Serves: 12 muffins

Ingredients

2¼ cups complete wheat pastry flour or white wheat flour

½ cup sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1½ tsp floor cinnamon

½ tsp salt

1¼ cups unsweetened almond milk

1½ cups grated carrots (about three)

⅓ cup grated apple (about 1)

¼ cup olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 levels F. Mist a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and put aside.

Pour the moist components into the dry and blend till almost integrated. Fold within the chopped walnuts. Using a ⅓ cup scoop, fill every muffin properly ¾ths-full.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or till golden and an inserted toothpick is cleanly eliminated. Cool for 15 minutes earlier than eradicating from the muffin tin.

Notes

Recipe from Thug Kitchen Possible tweaks so as to add a little bit of sweetness: substitute half the almond milk with applesauce and/or add ½ cup raisins (along with the walnuts or changing)

Nutrition Information

Serving dimension: 1 muffin Calories: 201 Fat: eight.2 Carbohydrates: 29.three Sugar: 10.5 Sodium: 248 Fiber: three.6 Protein: 1.zero Cholesterol: zero

three.5.3251

Weekly Menu: February 23rd – 27th

Be properly,

Vegan Shredded Carrot and Apple Muffins + Weekly Menu Read more on: Weight Loss Fitness

from Weight Loss Fitness - Feed https://weightlossfitnesss.info/vegan-shredded-carrot-and-apple-muffins-weekly-menu/

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edmontontouris · 5 years ago

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Last we I told you about my little getaway during secret season at Jasper National Park. We decided to make it a resort getaway, so we booked two nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This is the place where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stayed for their honeymoon. The Jasper Park Lodge opened as a tent city in 1915 then eventually was taken over by Canadian Pacific Railway and became one of the great railway hotels of Canada. If you have stayed at any of the other Fairmonts in Canada, you know what I mean. It is high end and exquisite. I had been here before for a quilt workshop and my hubs and I came for a weekend getaway 25 years ago, but I had not been here since.

I booked through the AMA website and found a deal, and I mean DEAL for $200 a night. Worth noting – this is not a sponsored post. That is a typical night stay in town in a regular hotel. Offseason midweek makes a big difference plus being an AMA member sure helps. It’s worth it to keep your eye on deals.

We checked in late on a Wednesday afternoon. Earlier that morning the hotel texted to welcome me and asked why I was coming. I let them know it was a nice getaway for us since we hadn’t been in 25 years. They asked if there was anything they could do for me, and I said no. I did consider bringing Cap, with a pet fee of $50 per night, I thought against it. If my kids were with us then I would have brought my pal. When we checked in we were immediately upgraded to a cottage on the lake. Here was the view from the living room – that’s right I said living room.

Lac Beauvert was frozen without snow so in a few weeks there will be some good skating going on! The room was large with a king bed and the sofa was a pull-out. Down the hall were a coffee bar and fridge. There was a large double-wide closet with robes, slippers, and an umbrella.

The first thing we did was take a walk along the lake. To go around the lake takes about 45 minutes, we made it about halfway before it became too dark to walk in the woods in wolf country. The smell of pine in the air is an instant stress reliever for me. Honestly, I don’t know what I prefer more, the mountains or the ocean. The high-end cottages, where Royalty stays, were all decked out with Christmas lights. They were so pretty through the trees.

The big cottage sleeps ten (I think) and has a full kitchen, fireplace, study, dining room and three bathrooms. Everyone gets a bedroom. I want to book this one year for my family at Christmas. The hotel will put up a tree and we can either have Christmas dinner catered in the cottage or we can cook it. One day… its a bucket list item for sure. This is the Royal one. Very secluded and quiet on the point.

You walk down from the cottage and can sit on the cute bench, I guessed the royals sat here at least once.

We walked back to our cottage and I thought about how lovely this was. Very few people were around.

We made a cup of tea and I pulled out my knitting. It was quiet and peaceful, a perfect ending to the day. Eventually, we made our way to the main lodge for a bite to eat. Since we ate a big lunch at Jasper Brewing Company, it was late before we decided on cocktails and nibblies. We walked the 5 minutes to the lodge and went up to the Emerald Lounge. I looked at the menu and thought hard about creating my own Old Fashion. Look at the choices!

In the end, after all the big talk of wanting a cocktail, I had a glass of shiraz and the hubs had a Jasper Ale. We ordered the charcuterie board, it had interesting things on there like elk sausage and other game meats, cheeses fruit and nuts. We decided to share dessert and landed on the rhubarb sorbet and lemon mascarpone mousse. It was so good, we ordered another the next night.

We poked around the lodge before heading back to our room. Christmas in November happened the week before so the decorations were up. After hearing all about it, I put that on my bucket list for another year. Perhaps I can convince my mom to postpone her trip to Europe next year and I will take her for a treat.

The gingerbread house filled the lobby with the aroma of cinnamon and ginger. I am considering making one for my office and keeping it up all year round.

I only need 440 lbs of flour. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem, I can make it in batches.

Stanley the house labrador dog was off duty when we stopped by. I didn’t get to see him at all over the stay, he was either walking or resting.

The walk back to the cottage was surprisingly bright. The full moon lit up the mountain range.

This was the same shot the next morning.

We woke up early, and by early I mean we stumbled in for breakfast about 9:00 am. and ate at Orso Trattoria. The only problem with the secret season is the limited availability for dining options. However, the breakfast was good with a view that was only rivalled by my breakfast view at Wickaninnish in Tofino.

You are looking at Edith Cavell. That tiny dot on top of the mountain is the Jasper Sky Tram. You can go up there and see for days (but only in the summer season).

After our day of site seeing, we came back to this:

I guess they thought 25 years meant anniversary? It was so thoughtful and delightful! The raspberry macaron was the best one. They were super fresh. The champagne went in my bag for New Years!

We headed back to the Emerald lounge for snackies, we didn’t have the strength to drive into Jasper – buy that I mean, I didn’t feel like calling for the car because there wasn’t anywhere to self-park, they do it for you. I loved the ritual of walking to the lodge for meals. Especially in the full moonlight.

The next morning we repeated the same breakfast plan. Each meal we took the time to get to know the servers. Most of the staff come from Austalia or Ontario. The Alberta kids think the Rockies are old hat, so they travel farther west to surf and work at the Wick. The staff live on the property and are amazed at their view every morning. I regret not coming to Jasper after college. I thought about it but never did. In my next life, I am totally doing that!

We took a walk around the property before we headed back to pack.

The pool is open all year round. It’s heated obviously and you swim through a tunnel from the indoor pool. It was 32F that morning with one brave dude swimming and taking in the view. Its fine until your hair gets wet. We continued walking towards the boathouse.

If you are looking for peace, I recommend a few days here. Jasper National Park is a world-class destination, rich in history and wildlife. If you have been before, you know what I mean. If you have never been, come. If you see me poking around, come say hi.

Edmonton Tourist: Jasper Park Lodge Last we I told you about my little getaway during secret season at Jasper National Park…

#Explore Canada #Jasper Park Lodge #Parks Canada #travel #Travel Alberta #Travel Photography

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anachef · 6 years ago

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Dunkin’ Opens New Restaurant at Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains

New Restaurant Provides Unparalleled Convenience to Resort Guests

Canton, MA (RestaurantNews.com) Dunkin’, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, today announced that it has opened its newest location at Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains, Pa. making it the twelfth restaurant to open under a franchise agreement between Dunkin’ and Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts. Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. owns and operates all twelve of these locations, which serve Dunkin’s menu of delicious food and beverages to resort guests. These items include a range of hot and iced coffee and espresso beverages; hot and iced teas; a variety of donuts, muffins and croissants; and oven-toasted breakfast sandwiches available any time of day.

“Our partnership with Dunkin’ began in 2009, and over the past nine years we have been able to enhance our resort guests’ experience by providing them with easy access to great coffee, beverages and food from an industry-leader,” says Edi Kevorkyan, corporate director of food and beverage, Great Wolf Lodge. “We’re pleased that Dunkin’ has ‘checked-in’ to another one of our properties.”

Dunkin’ has existing restaurants at Great Wolf Lodge Resorts in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Concord, N.C; Williamsburg, Va.; Traverse City, Mich.; Sandusky, Ohio; Fitchburg, Mass.; Mason, Ohio, Garden Grove, Calif.; LaGrange, Ga.; Bloomington, Minn. and Gurnee, Ill. with additional locations planned to open in 2019, including Scottsdale, Ariz.

“Non-traditional locations for Dunkin’ restaurants at premier locations such as Great Wolf Lodge Resorts, Inc., can help introduce our brand to new guests while providing our existing customer base with greater access to our products as they embark on countless activities at the resort,” said Chris Burr, director of non-traditional development, Dunkin’ Brands. “We’re excited to serve the guests of Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains this fall and look forward to opening more restaurants with Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. next year.”

Opportunities exist to grow with Dunkin’ in the hotel sector. Flexible design options are available to suit any lodging facility, including full retail restaurants, kiosks and self-serve hot coffee stations perfect for gift shops and general stores. Dunkin’ locations can also be designed to suit specific areas such as snack bars and convention registration areas. Dunkin’ bakery products can be prepared in the property’s own kitchen, with the addition of some simple equipment, giving the food and beverage team flexibility to manage product inventory in accordance with guest traffic.

For more information about Dunkin’ please visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

About Dunkin’

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced regular/decaf/flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 12 years running. The company has more than 12,600 restaurants in 46 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

About Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. is North America’s largest family of indoor waterpark resorts, and through its subsidiaries and affiliates, owns and operates family resorts under the Great Wolf Lodge brand. Great Wolf Resorts is a fully integrated resort company with Great Wolf Lodge locations in: Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Mich.; Kansas City, Kan.; Williamsburg, Va.; Pocono Mountains, Pa.; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Mason, Ohio; Grapevine, Texas; Grand Mound, Wash., Fitchburg, Mass., Charlotte, N.C.; Garden Grove, Calif., Colorado Springs, Colo., Bloomington, Minn., LaGrange, Ga., and Gurnee, Ill. Additional resort planned in Scottsdale, Ariz. (late 2019) and Manteca, Calif. (2020).

Additional information may be found on the company’s online media center.

Contact: Courtney Whelan Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected]

source http://www.restaurantnews.com/dunkin-opens-new-restaurant-at-great-wolf-lodge-pocono-mountains-112818/

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thegloober · 6 years ago

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6 fantastically fun things to do in Orlando without kids. Hey, it’s your vacation too!

With winter breaks coming up, I know lots of our readers will be planning Orlando vacations. Because, family! And…Orlando!

Let me just say, our family is good at vacation. We trained on our first trip to Disney back when I was pregnant, and our sons were four and seven (perfect Disney ages, for the record). It taught us when to go, go, go and when to chill; when to split up for alone time with each kid and when to hang as a group. Thanks to hotel childcare, we even had a date night. (Also a great reason to travel with grandparents or a loving aunt or uncle, by the way.)

Our night out helped us refuel and enjoy the rest of our mostly kid-centered trip making the entire adventure that much more wonderful.

A night in Orlando without the kids is totally worth it

When you have young kids, it really does feel indulgent and wonderful to have great meal, see a show, or just wait in line for a few rides free from snack requests, strollers, and endless rounds of “how much longer?” And having recently spent a little kid-free time in Orlando myself, thanks to the folks from Visit Orlando, it gave me so many idea!

So if you can indulge — and I highly recommend it — here are 6 super cool ideas for kid-free things to do if you’re able to work in a little adult time on an Orlando vacation.

Pro tip: Don’t stay out too late, because you know the kids will want to hit the pool first thing or take advantage of those early-access park hours. Then you’ll be the one who’s tired and grumpy the next day, and we can’t be having that.

Related: 7 smart tips and hotel tricks that make travel with toddlers so much safer and easier

1. When you’re craving some theme park action followed by a bar crawl…

Wizarding World + Fast & Furious Supercharged | Photos © Universal Orlando

After a day at Universal Orlando with the whole family, grab a sitter through the hotel — they’re vetted and in the experience of our writers here who have used them, pretty terrific. Then head back to the park at night for the attractions you missed, because your kids were too young or too short.

At Disney, Epcot’s Future World and World Showcase stay open until 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on weeknights), while Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom close at 8 p.m. — those hours may be even later during peak vacation days.

At Universal Orlando, both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure close as late as 9 or 10 p.m. on peak weekends, with IoA generally open later than Studios — until 8 p.m., even on a random Tuesday night in October.

So what to ride?

Confession: I love a good movie car chase, and Universal’s new Fast & Furious – Supercharged (above), which puts you on a party bus that suddenly becomes part of a high-speed car chase, is pretty much made for me.

The Hogswarts Express | © Universal Orlando

And we know adults love Harry Potter as much as the kids, if not more! So while you’re there, be sure to revisit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Hogsmeade, which have a decidedly different vibe at night. Plus, you can take your time to explore all the tiny details you missed with the kids — and even grab a little something stronger than non-alcoholic butterbeer. Plus the Nighttime Lights at Hogswarts are terrific, if you have little ones who can’t make it up for that.

Roller coaster fan? Ride The Incredible Hulk Coaster or Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at night because, wow.

Then, after the parks close, make your way to Universal CityWalk, where lots of places stay open until 2 a.m. Enjoy hot spots like Pat O’Brien’s, pretty much an exact replica of the bar by the same name in New Orleans. There’s also Bob Marley’s, A Tribute to Freedom which is perfect for grabbing a Red Stripe and hearing some live reggae. If a night of dancing is more up your alley, the multi-room The Groove is such an Orlando hot spot, you’re likely to find more locals than tourists.

(However for the record, I do NOT recommend staying out until 2 a.m. because the kids won’t care how tired you are in the next morning.)

Oh, and if you’re staying at one of the Universal hotels? The water taxi runs until 2:15 a.m. I love a water taxi!

Related: Parents share their most helpful family travel tips and they’re brilliant

2. When you want to catch a show or concert…

Velvet Sessions at the Hard Rock Hotel | Photo © Universal Orlando

No, not every Orlando show features a Disney Princess. Blue Man Group Orlando on Universal CityWalk is as good as the original New York show, or check the concert listings at the Hard Rock Live, a 3000-seat arena featuring major acts.

For something more intimate, the Velvet Sessions at the Hard Rock Hotel hosts groups from The Wallflowers to Joan Jett to Foreigner. You may even be able to nab VIP tickets for a private bar area, or get a meet-and-greet with the band. And bonus for an Orlando night without kids: it’s 21+ meaning no little ones in sight — a nice break from the parks, for sure.

At Disney Springs, House of Blues is always good fun, or spend a night at the gothic-style Edison Live which has tons of cool cabaret style entertainment (more on that below). Either way, it’s unlikely that anyone will be dancing in a mermaid costume.

If you’re a Cirque de Soleil fan, you’ll want to look into Luzia, which is coming to Orlando spring of 2019. So cool!

And there are of course tons of movie screens at both parks, seeing as how they’re both owned by movie studios. Even a night spent holding hands, sharing popcorn, watching something R-rated and not at all animated, can be a delicious break you need to help refuel for the next day.

3. When you want a delicious meal at the parks without having to cut someone else’s food…

Rum ingredients for a rum tasting at Strong Water Tavern | Photo: © Loews Hotels

If you’re a little nervous about sitters and want to stay close to “home” at night I get it. Fortunately, you have lots of great dining options right at the parks.

Strong Water Tavern at Loews Sapphire Falls has a ceviche bar and can also hook you up with your very own rum specialist for a tasting. Awesome, right?

Compare different rums and learn something — even if it’s just that you really like rum. Or have dinner outside by the lagoon and pretend you’re on a Caribbean vacation.

After you eat, I suggest you take a stroll along the walking paths that lead to the Universal theme parks. Even if you don’t want to visit again, a walk along the water is a great way to relax, especially if you aren’t pushing a stroller or waiting for everyone to catch up.

There are some other top-rated restaurants at both theme parks, including The Palm (Hard Rock Hotel), Bice (Portofino Bay Hotel), California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort), Citrico’s (Grand Floridian Resort), Todd English’s Bluezoo (WDW Dolphin Hotel), and Jiko (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge), which our editor Liz swears is one of the best meals she’s had anywhere.

And she lives in New York City!

Related: 14 sexy at-home date-night ideas for parents…after the kids have gone to bed

4. When you want to shop a little, sip a little, walk a little, eat a little…

The Boathouse at Disney Springs | © Anne Wolfe Postic for Cool Mom Picks

For a leisurely night of shopping and strolling and eating, Disney Springs is the place to be. While CityWalk offers similar activities, the shops at Disney Springs may be more your speed, ranging from the souvenir-type shops you’d expect, to shops like Coach, Free People, Havaianas, Kiel’s, and Kate Spade NY.

As for me, I picked up a few souvenirs then took a break at The Boathouse with oysters and an aperitif. Then I did some more walking and popped into Zara (because it wasn’t crowded and I love kid-free shopping!) before enjoying a multi-course Italian feast at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante.

Tip: If you’re having a kid-free night, you can skip the carefully crafted Disney backstory about the restaurant and just savor the linguini and clams which are darned authentic, not too expensive, and totally worth getting a sitter and making a reservation.

The Edison at Disney Springs | © Anne Wolfe Postic for Cool Mom Picks

If you aren’t ready to call it a night, head to The Edison for a fancy cocktail. They also offer a late-night menu with fun dishes like a “Bacon Clothesline.” After 10 p.m. the Edison is just for the 21 and up crowd, and you might find live musicians, flapper-style dancers, aerialists or a DJ for dancing. Maybe all of the above.

Pro tip: Schedule a Disney character breakfast for the morning after, so you can bury your face in coffee while the kids are entertained by Goofy and Donald Duck.

Related: Pro tips for saving a ton of money on family travel

5. When you want to nerd out on nature, theme park style…

Pandora – The World of Avatar | © Anne Wolfe Postic for Cool Mom Picks

Okay, so it’s not quite the Audobon Center in Maitland or the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens (and those are cool too), but we are talking a theme park vacation here.

So.

Have you even been to Disney’s Animal Kingdom since they opened Pandora – The World of Avatar? I don’t care if you aren’t a fan of the cult favorite movie. Pandora is just soooo very cool!

(Besides, the next four installments of Avatar will be released starting in 2020, so start getting pumped.)

Stay until sunset and you’ll get to see bioluminescent plants and walkways powered by daytime sunlight. Bonus activity: Guess which plants are real and which were created by Disney. In many cases, if a particular plant won’t grow in the region, they find a lookalike that does grow there to take its place. If you’re a plant lover and you have time for a VIP tour, ask lots of questions. You’ll definitely learn some new trivia.

As far as rides, take a spin on Avatar Flight of Passage – trust me, you’ll want to talk yourself into it even if you’re scared, like I was. (You’re not technically moving very far, and it’s all special effects and 3-D glasses, but still.) I sure was glad I went for it.

Flying over this moon on the back of a mountain banshee – even if you really aren’t – is exhilarating. I even cried a little. Not because I was scared, just because it was so beautiful.

For a peaceful boat excursion through a bioluminescent rainforest and a little hand-holding with your sweetheart, try the Na’vi River Journey.

6. When you just want to get out of the parks for a night…

Sushi! | Photo © Dragonfly Robata Grill

When you need a break from movies, characters, and branded everything, if you can swing the ride off the property and you have a trusted caregiver with the kiddos, it’s so worth it to explore the rest of Orlando. It’s easy to forget there’s a whole city out there! And there are tons of fabulous Orlando restaurants in every price range, featuring every cuisine, for a fun, adults-only Orlando date night.

There’s steak, there’s Mexican, there’s Italian, there’s seafood, there’s barbecue.

As for me, my pick is Dragonfly Robata, a short drive from Universal Orlando and a slightly longer drive from Disney World. Might I recommend the Smokey Dragon Roll? Salmon, snow crab, tempura flakes, cucumber, avocado, torched tuna, lemon zest, kobachi, and eel sauce. Enough said.

I also know they make an excellent French 75, if that’s your thing. (It’s definitely mine.)

Thanks to the team from Visit Orlando for hosting me on a press trip, and covering my flight and some of my expenses. I was so happy to see how much more there is to do in Orlando since I was last there with my kids!

Source: https://bloghyped.com/6-fantastically-fun-things-to-do-in-orlando-without-kids-hey-its-your-vacation-too/

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gtfovacations-blog · 6 years ago

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How to See the Best of Toronto in Three Days

Canada is filled with beautiful cities that are packed with history, and culture, not to mention plenty of Canadian adventures for boomer travelers. Previously, we’ve told you about a Canadian wolf adventure, sailing Bras Do’r Lake and exploring Dawson City. Today, our guest contributor, Cheryl Rodewig, is taking us on a tour of one of the country’s most vibrant destinations, Toronto. Although you could easily spend weeks exploring here, Cheryl is telling us what to do when you only have 3 days in Toronto.

Toronto’s waterfront skyline is one of the world’s most recognizable.

The best tips for spending 3 days in Toronto

The largest city in Canada and capital of Ontario, Toronto, has enough to keep the most active traveler busy for a week or more. But I recommend going in summer, the city’s peak season, to make the most of your trip. While must-see landmarks are nice any time of year, warm temperatures open up even more possibilities. You’ll be surprised at all there is to see and do in this Toronto itinerary.

Visit Toronto’s Historical Landmarks

Construction on the castle started in 1911 and is one of the city’s most popular landmarks. Possibly the best attraction in Toronto, but only if you like fabulous castles and gardens, Casa Loma took three years and $3.5 million to complete. Built in 1911 and beautifully preserved, the building is impressive still today. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander through the great hall, conservatory, bedroom suites and grounds.

A tour through the rooms of Casa Loma is a great way to get to know its history. Allow two to three hours for your visit during the day, but come back at night to experience the castle in a whole new way. Imagine this: you’ve been recruited to find enemy U-boats from an undercover research center concealed in the castle. You climb up the tower (not part of the self-guided tour), and the countdown begins. Sound challenging? It’s one of three historically themed escape games offered at Casa Loma. Live actors, a dramatic intro video and cleverly staged rooms make the evening almost theatrical. You solve intricate and interrelated puzzles using teamwork and out-of-the-box thinking, and the ending — if you win — is climactic. It was easily the highlight of our trip to Toronto.

Explore Toronto’s Museums

Besides Casa Loma, there’s a host of cultural activities waiting to be discovered in “The Six” as Toronto is often called. Take advantage of senior discounts and spend a day touring the world-class museums. The Royal Ontario Museum (purchase your ticket in advance here) is arguably the most famous, spanning 30 plus galleries of fossils, architecture and nearly everything else. Meanwhile, art lovers can get lost in the Art Gallery of Ontario, which showcases work from Canada and around the world. More niche museums are worth a visit, too. Try the Aga Khan Museum, with its Persian salon and landscaped park reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, or the Bata Shoe Museum (purchase your ticket here), a glorious celebration of footwear in all its forms. Of course, culture’s not just in a museum. Stop into a board game cafe for a night out, Canadian style. These cafes started overseas, but it was the Toronto-based Snakes & Lattes that helped them catch on in North America. They now have three locations, a full menu and thousands of games, from classics like Backgammon and Monopoly to word games like Bananagrams and eurogames like Ticket to Ride. Order a drink and settle in. You could spend hours here.

Who doesn’t love a fun night of board games

Taste the Best of Toronto

For a taste of local culture, head to Kensington Market. Visitors flock to the landmark St. Lawrence Market in Old Town Toronto, but don’t overlook this bohemian street lined with eateries sporting names such as Big Fat Burrito and Wanda’s Pie in the Sky. Food is inventive and fresh. Millie Creperie, for example, serves Japanese-style crepes: pillowy cone-shaped folds of dough filled with creative ingredients. Try the salmon for something savory and the matcha or mango gelato for dessert. They encourage you to take your cone on the road and explore the market. There are plenty of funky shops, making this a great place to pick up a unique souvenir.

There’s so much goodness to try in Toronto. Make sure to ask for recommendations from anyone local!

Outdoor fun in Toronto

Museums are nice. Castles are cool. But the great outdoors in Toronto is really something else. Even in the city’s urban core, you’ll find oases of green space like the tiny Cloud Gardens Conservatory. Others are expansive. The nearly 400-acre High Park has room for trails, bridges, waterfalls and a free zoo. To really get away from it all, hop the ferry to Toronto’s car-free islands. Centre Island gets most of the attention for its amusement park, but the quieter Ward and Algonquin islands are magical. Enjoy views of the downtown skyline, tree-lined paths, quaint cottages and the general sense of serenity. It’s another world.

Make time to explore the beautiful Algonquin islands. Still inside Toronto city limits, Scarborough Bluffs includes a series of parks featuring gardens, beaches and sandstone cliffs. There’s no real hiking required. Most of it is a few steps from a parking lot. Unbelievable, right?

These massive cliffs look they belong somewhere off the Mediterranean, don’t they? For rainy days or when you just need to enjoy a leisurely destination, the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a surprisingly fun place to visit, for all ages! Want to skip the entrance line? Click here.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada makes for a fun destination for the entire family! More Toronto active travel experiences

Enjoy these places to stay in Toronto

For lodging, hotels close to the attractions are convenient if pricey. B&Bs like Annex Garden Bed & Breakfast and Suites or Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast are more affordable and offer a personal touch. For a little luxury, the Broadview Hotel, built in 1891, has a swanky rooftop terrace and in-room spa services while the chic Kimpton Saint George, opening this summer, boasts the latest in comfort plus complimentary bikes for guests.

Tips for a Three Day Visit in Toronto

Toronto’s high season runs from June through August. While airfare and lodging can be a little cheaper outside those months, going in the off season could mean reduced hours for certain attractions or some things not quite yet ready for the public. When we went in May a few of the gardens were still struggling from the snow in April. Thanks to a robust transit system, you can get almost anywhere by subway or bus. If you’re driving, traffic is manageable outside rush hour, although parking is rough downtown. I loved the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (surprisingly fun for adults), but I’ll forever remember that we paid over $30 in parking. Wherever you stay, whatever you do, you can’t go wrong with a summer visit to The Six. Note: Tourism Toronto assisted with my trip, but all opinions are my own. Read the full article

#Toronto

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theglobediary · 7 years ago

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Last week, we headed off to Jasper for a quick one-nighter to show Craig’s mom the sweet little mountain-side town. You might have already seen a sneak preview in our Weekly Update #3, but here is our full travel diary just before the winter snow hit. Jasper is a completely different feel to Banff. While they’re both equally magical, Jasper feels a bit more like a National Park with the town right in the middle of everything and wild animals like Elk and Deer at every turn — you might want to come prepared with bear spray just in case! This time, we were extremely lucky: we spotted Deer, Goats, Caribou, Moose and even a Wolf!

[bctt tweet=”After reading this, I cannot wait to visit Jasper National Park!” username=”@theglobediary”]

DAY ONE: ARRIVING IN JASPER

The Drive:

The drive to Jasper only takes 4 hours from Edmonton, so it’s the perfect little, quick-getaway to the mountains. We always stop half way, in Edson, for a coffee stop before we get to the National Park entrance. You usually pay an entry fee into the park, but this year entry into all of the parks are free.

Late Lunch:

The drive does mean you’re usually still on the roads during lunchtime, unless you leave really early. We started out at 10am and got to Jasper around 2pm, starving! We headed straight to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for a quick bite to eat in the Emerald Lounge, where you can grab a seat in front of a fire. In the summer, you can sit on the patio with the view of the lake (below).

Stroll around the Incredible Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge:

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is by far my favourite place to stay in Jasper National Park. If the lakeside cabins with views of the mountains don’t sell you, I don’t know what will. That said, the luxurious accommodation option comes with a luxurious price-tag. So, if you don’t get to stay there, you should definitely take advantage of their dining options or even their spa. Craig and I did just that on one of our previous visits, and we had one of the best couple massages of our lives — its no wonder they’ve been voted one of the best spas in Canada. When visiting, you should also take some time to stroll down to the lake to walk alongside the water, exploring the large, picturesque property.

Pyramid Lake & Island:

Another must visit is Pyramid Lake and Island. If you have time to plan a head, this little spot would be great for a little picnic lunch or dinner, bearing in mind the weather! There are cute little log benches all over the island with incredible views that you could stare at for hours.

Check-In:

If only we were lucky enough to stay at the Fairmont, it is by far the best place to stay in town. Instead, we booked in centrally at the more reasonable Best Western. It didn’t break the bank, and we were planning on being out and about more than we would be cosying indoors. Here’s a list of other accommodation spots nearby.

Best Coffee in Jasper… is at a laundromat!

Snowdome Coffee Bar and Laundromat is my favourite concept ever. It’s so unassuming and simple, yet it boasts the best coffee in town. I’ve tried all the others. I promise, this is the best! And, bonus, if you need a place to do your laundry too!

A post shared by The Globe Diary Blog (@theglobediary) on Nov 2, 2017 at 7:14pm PDT

Dinnertime:

For a quick and easy dinner, I would recommend Famoso’s Pizza (which serves GF pizzas) or Earls. We opted for pizza on this particular night but Earls has amazing variety on their menu — plus some healthier options.

DAY TWO: EXPLORING MALIGNE LAKE

Breakfast in the Dark at Coco’s:

We woke up early (as usual), while the rest of the town was clearly all still asleep, to have a quick breakfast before we set out to explore. Luckily, Coco’s Cafe is open from 6 am and serves up celiac foods plus great coffee in their tiny cafe. From a granola bowl to breakfast wraps and bagels, I had quite a variety to choose from!

Maligne Lake at Dawn:

It’s about a 30 minute drive from town, up into the mountains to get to Lake Maligne (pronounced like “Malene”) so while we may have started the drive in pitch darkness, we arrived to the sunlight peaking over the mountains onto the lake — perfect timing, if you ask me. There was only one other photographer alongside the lake when we arrived so it felt like we were the only people for miles.

Driving back down the mountain, and out of the Park, presented a picture-perfect moment at each turn and bend. If you’re a nature lover, Jasper is one destination you cannot miss. Every time I think about how difficult it was to adjust to new life in Canada (you might have read all about it here), I remember how incredibly blessed we have been to experience all these new places — and to have this in our backyard!

“The Mountains are calling and I must go” — John Muir

Hope you enjoyed our little getaway travel diary in Jasper! Can you believe in two weeks we will be back in Vancouver again!? And a week after that, I’ll be off back to South Africa. SO. MUCH. TO. COME! Stay tuned! ��

PIN THIS FOR LATER

~ Leigh

INSTAGRAM LATELY:

[instagram-feed]

Travel Diary: Jasper, Just Before Winter Last week, we headed off to Jasper for a quick one-nighter to show Craig's mom the sweet little mountain-side town.

#Alberta #Canada #Jasper #Travel #Travel Diary #YEG Getaways

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jeremystrele · 7 years ago

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Daylesford and Surrounds with Paul Bangay

Travel

Paul Bangay

Leading landscape designer and author Paul Bangay is our one-time tour guide! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

I’ve always been obsessed with gardens, and in particular sprawling country gardens. I grew up in Vermont in Melbourne’s outer Eastern suburbs. We had access to a small farm next door where I had a horse, goats and a large vegetable garden.

After completing my Bachelor of applied Science in Horticulture at Melbourne University, I opened a nursery in Toorak and started taking on commissions to design gardens. Three decades on, I’ve authored eight books and I’ve got a team of 15 wonderful employees working out of our warehouse in Cremorne, Melbourne. Together we’ve been able to create thousands of special gardens for friends and clients.

My first home of my own was just off Greville Street in Prahran. It was very urban, but luckily had a large courtyard that I made into a small green oasis. I was able to garden in a small way, but it was never enough. I craved a large country garden in which I could garden and design on a large scale, hence my move to an old school house ‘St Ambrose Farm’ on two-acres in Woodend, an hour’s drive north west of Melbourne. It was a 120-year-old weatherboard home. It had character, but was totally unfriendly to human beings seeking heat in the cold winters of Woodend! I needed to expand the garden so looked for a property that was larger, more rural and had a good source of water… and then I found it!

For the past 11 years I’ve lived at Stonefields, a 100-acre property in Denver, just north-east of Daylesford. The climate here is perfect for me: mild summers with cool nights and freezing cold winters with some snow and frosts. I crave this kind of cool climate as it’s better for gardens, and there’s also nothing better than an open fire and a bottle of good red wine! The region is abundant with amazing restaurants, local produce and wineries… I can’t think of another area of Australia blessed in this way.

I recommend people visit our area for a great concentration of highly regarded food experiences, amazing accommodation, well-preserved gold fields towns blessed with wonderful architecture, great Botanical gardens and, of course, the lovely mild to cool weather.

Around this time of year, visit many of the restaurants with roaring fires and enjoy local wines. Then by Spring, there are lots of spring bulbs and blossoms appearing in the beautiful parks and many open gardens to tour. Summer is a great time for walks through the national parks and to see Trentham Falls, and in Autumn the tree colours are so incredibly intensified, thanks to our cool weather.

Paul Bangay’s Stonefields farmhouse and garden. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

The 100-acre property is located in Denver, just north-east of Daylesford. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Paul designed both the exquisite gardens and home himself. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Activity: Stonefields Garden Visit

The house and garden were created as a symbiotic process, as I was the designer for both it allowed a unique opportunity for the garden and home to be fully integrated; the colours, materials, layout, flow and visual site lines are all in harmony with each other.

Our seasonal guided tours provide visitors with an opportunity to have me guide them around the garden, explaning the planting and design process for each area.

The garden changes dramatically throughout the year due to its high seasonality, so there’s something special worth seeing!

Off Daylesford-Malmsbury Road, Denver.

Paul at Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens in Daylesford. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

A sculpture on display in the gardens. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Paul visits once per month, and especially likes to stop by in winter. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Nature • Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens

Established in c.1863, the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens were originally designed by the celebrated 19th century landscape designer William Sangster.

Including many rare trees, the gardens are a popular tourist attraction. They are seen as an important part of Victoria’s collection of 19th century regional Botanic Gardens and are therefore included on the state’s Heritage Register. You’ll also find picnic areas, amenities, a café and great views can be had from Pioneer Tower.

I visit at least once per month, to see the very diverse and rare collection of mature trees, there are even some on the National Register. I especially love stopping by in winter when Wombat Hill is often covered in mist, creating a very romantic feeling.

Fraser Street, Daylesford. Open 24 hours.

Inside Cliffy’s Emporium. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Paul enjoys their egg breakfast every Saturday! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

The cosy café, local produce and wine store is situated on Daylesford’s main street. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Paul loves the totally original and unpretentious atmosphere. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

cafe • Cliffy’s Emporium

Cliffy’s is a cosy cafe/restaurant, local produce and wine store situated on Daylesford’s main street.

I come by every Saturday morning for breakfast. Their eggs are sourced locally and served with seasonal local produce – my favourite is served with tomato salad!

The space is totally original and unpretentious and that is why we love country life!

30 Raglan Street, Daylesford.

‘There is so much to do and see in the Daylesford area; it’s worth staying and giving yourself more time to explore,’ advises Paul. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Lake House Restaurant is one of Australia’s top establishments. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Situated on six acres of country gardens, Lake House borders the waters of Lake Daylesford, and also the Wombat State Forest. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Lake House boasts 33 rooms and suites in waterfront and garden lodge settings. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Paul stops by a couple of times per year for a special and highly refined dining experience. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

‘If someone wants to be spoilt rotten then the Lake House is the place to stay, its view of the lake and the food make it a very unique experience,’ tells Paul. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Stay and Dine • Lake House

There is so much to do and see in the Daylesford area; it’s worth staying and giving yourself more time to explore, as well as enjoying some of the best food in Australia!

If someone wants to be spoilt rotten then the Lake House is the place to stay; its view and the food make it a very unique experience! Situated on six acres of country gardens, it borders the waters of Lake Daylesford, as well as the Wombat State Forest. There are 33 rooms and suites in waterfront and garden lodge settings, as well as the Salus Spa, the tennis courts and pavilion, the Argyle Library Bar, and also a lovely kitchen garden.

Then there’s the Lake House Restaurant. Lead by co-owner, culinary director and our friend Alla Wolf-Tasker, it’s celebrated as one of Australia’s top establishments. Head chef David Green’s ever-changing menu focuses on modern Australian cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal and regional ingredients such as: spring lamb with asparagus and morels; duck with orange braised witlof; golden roasted free-range chicken with corn and yabbies.

Most of our local eateries are simple and very country but the Lake House is a fine dining experience, which you crave maybe once or twice a year! If we want a very special and highly refined dining experience here’s where we find it!

4 King Street, Daylesford.

Daylesford is just under a two-hour drive from Melbourne. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Owner and chef Annie Smithers of Du Fermier. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

The Trentham restaurant offers classic French farmhouse cooking. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

‘We’ve also become great and look forward to our interaction with Annie every week; there’s always much local gossip and discussion about what we are about to eat!’ tells Paul. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

The intimate establishment is extremely popular, so be sure to book well in advance of your trip! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Eatery • Du Fermier

Located in the heart of Trentham is restaurant Du Fermier. We have a regular Saturday lunch booking, which we rarely miss. Each time, owner and chef Annie Smithers and her small team prepare a new seasonal menu of garden-to-table meals.

This set menu means no choice is offered and we love that no decisions have to be made, we trust Annie and always love the surprises that we discover! Her food is honest and based on French Farmhouse cooking – what’s not to love about that!

We’ve also become great friends and look forward to our interaction with Annie every week; there’s always much local gossip and discussion about what we are about to eat!

The rustic, relaxed establishment is incredibly popular, so you’ll need to book ahead. It’s also worth noting that Annie will be taking an extended trip to France throughout September, so Castlemaine-based Italian restaurant Origini will be hosting pop-up, ‘la tavolata’ at Du Fermier during that time.

42 High Street, Trentham. Open for lunch, from Friday to Monday.

‘I crave the mild and cool climate as it’s better for gardens, and there’s also nothing better than an open fire and a bottle of good red wine!’ says Paul. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Frogmore Gardens Plant Nursery is Paul go-to for interesting perennials. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

The nursery is located en route from Daylesford to Melbourne (via Trentham). Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Shop: Frogmore Gardens Plant Nursery

This plant nursery is located en route from Daylesford to Melbourne (via Trentham). It specialises in rare and interesting perennials, so I love stopping by to discover new planting ideas for my own garden.

Last time I purchased some ornamental grasses for my pool flower borders.

The owner Jack is very informed and has a huge knowledge of perennial plants.

1560 Greendale Trentham Forest Road, Newbury. Open everyday, except Monday.

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miamibeerscene · 8 years ago

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Boise Beer Travel: The Quiet Ascent of a Rich Beer Culture

Husband-wife team of James Long and BreAnne Hovley founded Boise’s Barbarian Brewing in 2015. (Credit: Dan Rabin)

May 11, 2017

It’s been said that if Portland, Oregon, and Bend, Oregon, had a baby, it would be Boise, Idaho. There’s merit to this claim. Boise residents are an outdoor-loving lot. The area’s warm, dry climate is conducive to exploring nearly 200 miles of hiking and biking trails minutes from downtown. The Bogus Basin ski area is a short drive from the city. Trout fishing is as close as the Boise River, which runs through downtown. A 25-mile multi-use path meanders along the river’s edge.

Boise is on a roll. Big hotels are sprouting up in the downtown district. Crime and unemployment are low. Real estate is relatively affordable. The city of 200K has many of the cultural amenities of larger metropolises, just in lower concentrations. Boise’s compact downtown district is easily navigable on foot or by bicycle. The sidewalks are spotless and car horns are seldom heard.

(MORE: Maui Brewing Owners Named 2017 National Small Business Persons of the Year)

Boise residents are enamored of all things local, especially beer. If the Boise beer scene has little visibility outside of Idaho, this is due more to the city’s geographic isolation than a lack of options. In recent years, the city has quietly amassed an impressive collection of breweries and brewpubs. New brewing businesses are in the works, and recent expansions are evidence of a thriving beer culture.

Boise Beer Travel: Exploring Downtown

Boise Brewing opened in 2014. (Credit: Dan Rabin)

A great way to begin exploring “The City of Trees” is with a stroll through Freak Alley. The back walls of a series of buildings along intersecting alleyways sport a sizable collection of murals in an attention-grabbing diversity of styles. In the heart of the downtown district, Boise Brewing opened in 2014 following a successful Kickstarter campaign in which investors received stock in the brewery. Dividends are paid in beer. The interior of the blue and mustard-colored concrete block structure is dominated by the open brewhouse. Tall, stainless steel vessels loom over the bar and tables. The brewery’s rich and roasty Black Cliff’s American Stout has won back-to-back GABF gold medals. If you love talking beer, you’re in the right place. The four female beer servers are all homebrewers.

It’s a short walk to the Bittercreek Alehouse, Boise’s premier gastropub. The food is well-prepared and the 44 draught beers have a largely local focus. In fact, the beer menu lists the distance to each brewery from the restaurant. Also nearby is a great breakfast spot named BACON. The name says it all.

On the fringes of downtown, Payette Brewing resides in a handsome new facility along the Boise River Greenbelt. Since beginning operations in 2010, Payette has grown into one of Idaho’s largest and most respected brewing businesses. It’s hard to miss the expansive modern industrial building with a huge mountain mural painted on an exterior wall. The 60-barrel production brewhouse is visible through a glass wall at the far end of the airy tasting room. Nineteen house beers include three full-time IPAs, reflecting local beer enthusiasts’ obsession with hoppy ales.

Payette Brewing sits along the Boise River Greenbelt. (Credit: Dan Rabin)

North of downtown, Boise’s historic North End is considered “Old Boise.” As you travel between the neighborhood’s two breweries, take some time to explore the leafy side streets lined with lovingly restored century-old homes. Tucked in the corner of a large shopping complex called the “Marketplace,” Cloud 9 Brewery offers a comfy retreat. A pleasant outdoor patio is warmed by space heaters for cool weather imbibing. The back half of the modestly-sized interior consists of the glassed-in four-barrel brewhouse. There’s an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients for both the made-from-scratch kitchen creations and the half-dozen rotating specialty beers that supplement six full-time offerings.

Highlands Hollow Brewhouse, the granddaddy of Boise breweries, has operated as a brewpub since 1992, but its restaurant roots date from the 1960s. Located at the base of the road to the Bogus Basin Ski Area, “The Hollow” has long been a popular refueling stop following a day of mountain recreation. The atmospheric brick and dark wood indoor space includes a circular fireplace in the middle of the dining room, a collection of vintage ski posters and a well-worn ambiance that can’t be reproduced. The house beers rotate regularly, but are largely styles of British origin.

Boise Breweries Outside the City Center

Boise’s energized beer scene has given rise to a growing number of brewing business scattered in outlying areas. Garden City, despite its bucolic moniker, is a mostly industrial enclave about five miles from downtown Boise. Cheap leases and free water have fueled the opening of a cluster of breweries in recent years. Biking the river trail to Garden City for a tasting session is a popular weekend activity.

Sockeye Brewing is about 10 miles outside of the Boise city center. (Credit: Dan Rabin)

For a small mom-and-pop operation, Barbarian Brewing gets a disproportionate amount of attention among local craft beer devotees. Boise’s most talked-about brewery opened in 2015 with a unique focus on sour and barrel-aged creations. The brewery’s two-room tasting area is a small and inviting space to sample an assortment of 15 sour and “clean” house beers. The most popular is Beta Wolf 2.0, a sour IPA brewed with mango and passionfruit. Seven rotating taps feature experimental creations such as Folkvang, a tart Berliner Weisse made with strawberries, cardamom and rosewater. Barbarian is gearing up for the opening of a downtown Boise taproom in summer, 2017.

Just a mile down the road, two-year-old Bella Brewing occupies an unpretentious concrete block structure. A few tables and a bar populate the indoor space, with brewing vessels lined up along interior walls. As is the norm in hop-intensive Boise, the IPA is the most popular of the 13 house beers which run the gamut of pale, amber, dark, tart and fruited fermentations.

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About 10 miles west of the city center, oft-decorated Sockeye Brewing has built an attractive restaurant and imposing production brewing facility. The vast mountain lodge-style dining room features log beams and columns and a spacious outdoor patio. A 15-beer draught collection includes six core beers of familiar styles augmented with seasonal, specialty, sour and barrel-aged offerings. The brewing operation, which is among the state’s largest, is housed in a separate structure behind the restaurant. Sockeye also operates a second, smaller-capacity brewpub closer to downtown.

Jerry and Susie Larson are the owners of Mad Swede Brewing in Boise. (Credit: Dan Rabin)

With a regional mall just a mile away, the dining room of Edge Brewing Company does a brisk business with shoppers and families. Surprisingly, the brewpub’s best-selling beer is the big, burly, 9% ABV Obligatory DIPA. That suits the Edge brew crew just fine. They make no apologies for their fondness for high-gravity, indulgently-hopped ales. At any given time, you’re likely to find three or four 9%-plus beers on tap. If imperial-strength ales aren’t your forte, you’ll find an assortment of more approachable offerings such as the clean and agreeable Vienna Lager.

It’s fitting to call the beers of Mad Swede Brewing Company “well-engineered.” Co-founder and brewer Jerry Larson was a long-time mechanical engineer before he and wife Susie opened what is currently Boise’s newest brewery in 2016. Larson gets the most out of his fine-tuned 15-barrel brewing system, producing bright, well-attenuated, satisfying ales. The eight house beers dispensed in the small cheery tasting room have a bias toward dark styles. As the closest brewery to the airport, Mad Swede is a great introduction to the Boise beer scene, or a final stop if you’re departing the city by plane.

Dan Rabin

Dan Rabin is an award-winning beer and travel journalist from Boulder, Colorado. He is author of the guidebook, Colorado Breweries, and has contributed to numerous beverage and travel publications during his 20-year writing career. As a longtime homebrewer, he has won dozens of awards in regional and national competitions. Read more by this author

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