Find fresh perspective at Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Allison

Zion Ponderosa

A few weeks ago, I spotted an online ad for Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort, which borders the less-visited east side of Zion National Park in Southern Utah. We have visited Zion National Park many times, but I saw right away that our experience at the Zion Ponderosa would be different from the St. George, Cedar City and Springdale hotels we have visited previously.

My children and I arrived for a three-night stay in early May 2013. My dad, whose visits to Zion National Park number in the hundreds, joined us on the second and third nights.

I had another motive for wanting to visit the Zion Ponderosa. My husband’s family has been considering a group vacation, but has not yet found a destination that offers the right combination of comfort, entertainment, affordability, and privacy. If you’ve ever attended a family reunion, you can probably understand why that last one matters.

The Zion Ponderosa has real potential as our next family reunion destination. Here’s why.

Lodging

The Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort offers a variety of lodging options to accommodate a range of tastes and budgets. For a family reunion, every family can choose the option that suits them best and have their own space, if desired.

Families can bring their own tents or RVs to the resort and enjoy all of its free activities for as little as $9 per person, per night. For those who are willing to pay more for comfort and convenience, wagons, cowboy cabins, and cabin suites are available. The resort also rents vacation homes of various sizes.

Zion Ponderosa

A wagon for four

Our family stayed in a one-bedroom cabin suite, which included a private bathroom and kitchenette. Cabin suites also have porches, satellite TV and DVD players. For our family of four, a cabin suite goes for $177 during the summer season. Off-season discounts are available during the spring and fall. We were comfortable in our cabin suite and I do recommend it.

Tip: Spring and fall are the best times to visit Zion National Park, when the crowds are smaller and the temperatures cooler. However, Zion Ponderosa sits above the park at 6,500 feet elevation, so temperatures can be chilly during the off season. 

Zion Ponderosa

Queen-size bunk beds!

Free Activities

If you just want a place to sleep, you have many hotels near Zion National Park to choose from. It is Zion Ponderosa’s activities that set it apart from all of the other lodging in the area.

My kids were excited to spend time in the bi-level pool and hot tub, but rain and chilly temperatures kept us out of the pool during our stay. I had some concerns about the cleanliness of the pool area, and was told by the front desk manager that only the lower pool and hot tub are maintained in the off season.

Zion Ponderosa

We enjoyed the recreation barn where well-used table tennis, pool and foosball tables are set up. Outside the barn, a tennis/basketball court, sand volleyball and playground looked like they’d be fun in drier weather. During the summer, the resort offers free events every night of the week, such as western movies and hoedowns.

Gathering places like the pool and recreation barn are fun places for families to hang out and a great way to connect with other guests. The Zion Ponderosa attracts visitors from all over the world.

Zion Ponderosa

If you enjoy hiking, ask at the front desk for a map of the “back door” routes to some of the most spectacular view points in Zion National Park. From the floor of Zion Canyon, the Observation Point hike is 8 miles, round trip, and it climbs 2150 feet. From the ranch, you can shave two miles off that trek and skip the climb by hiking to Observation Point from the top.

With all the on-site activities, you could spend days at Zion Ponderosa without leaving the ranch. But, don’t forget that Zion National Park is just a few miles away and admission is only $25 per car for an entire week.

If you’re in the mood to explore, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Grand Staircase National Monument, Pipe Springs National Monument and more are all within a two-hour drive of Zion Ponderosa. We toured the nearby Best Friends Animal Society one afternoon, and then stopped for ice cream in Kanab.

Zion Ponderosa

Activity Vouchers

Zion Ponderosa sells vouchers for its zip line, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, kids’ camp, sunset jeep rides, horseback and ATV tours, and canyoneering adventures. Vouchers are sold in packs of 10 for $150, but you can pay less if you purchase them in advance. Unlimited miniature golf passes are available for $11 per person.

Zion PonderosaThe zip line, climbing wall, bungee trampoline and mini golf were my kids’ favorite part of the trip. I was pretty impressed when my 6-year-old son jumped off the zip line platform at the top of the barn with no hesitation. It was his first zip line and he loved it.

We were all impressed by the friendliness of the staff throughout the resort. When we were finished with the paid activities, two of the rec staff played foosball with my children. I was fascinated to learn that one of our young guides had grown up on the Zion Ponderosa Ranch.

Dining

The Blue Belly Grill is on-site. The small Narrows Cafe serves coffee and other beverages and a poolside grill is open during peak season.

The menu of the Blue Belly Grill is unpretentious, but well executed. For dinner, expect resort-priced entrees such as burgers, pasta, pizzas and steaks for prices ranging from $10 to $30. Breakfast and lunch are also served in the Blue Belly Grill, and box lunches are available for purchase.

The children’s menu lists the items my kids prefer, like grilled cheese sandwiches and buttered noodles. Paper table coverings and crayons are provided for entertainment.

If you prefer to cook your own food, hibachi grills and picnic tables have been placed at each camp site and cabin. These unique grills are waist-high and large enough to hold a small campfire.

Zion Ponderosa

I was excited to grill hot dogs and marshmallows during our stay, and had brought our own wood, kindling and food for that purpose. Unfortunately, after two days of rain, we had a difficult time getting a good fire going. Rain is not the norm in Southern Utah’s dry climate, so you’ll probably have better luck. If you don’t bring your own campfire supplies, you can purchase everything you need, from firewood to s’mores kits, in the lodge.

Vacation homes have full kitchens and our cabin suite had a mini-fridge and microwave.

TIP: There are no markets or other restaurants within at least 10 miles of Zion Ponderosa. Be sure to stock up on supplies before you arrive. If this is not practical, Zion Ponderosa sells a variety of snacks and supplies in the lodge and offers a grocery order service for guests renting vacation homes.

Zion Ponderosa

Good to Know

Where: Just off of North Fork Road, about 15 miles from Mt. Carmel Junction and 6 miles from the east entrance of Zion National Park.

When: Open year-round. Enjoy smaller crowds and lower prices in the spring and fall. The resort often fills to capacity during peak season, but more activities are offered during that time.

How Much: From $9 per person in a tent space to $1000+ per night for a vacation home that accommodates 35 people. Additional charges for some activities and dining.

How Long: At least 2-3 nights. Zion Ponderosa is far enough off the beaten path and offers so many activities that it doesn’t make much sense to stay here for just one night.

Amenities: In addition to those already listed, Zion Ponderosa has cellular service for some carriers and free Wi-Fi. My phone is on the Sprint network and I had no service during our stay. AT&T and Verizon customers should have better luck.

I had little trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi, but when you leave the ranch, expect cellular and wireless internet service to be spotty or non-existent.

But hey, you’re on vacation. Take advantage of this opportunity to disconnect and experience something real at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort.

Disclosure: Zion Ponderosa Ranch and Resort provided our family with complimentary lodging, activities and dining for the purposes of this review. However, the opinions expressed here are my own.

Categories: National Parks, Utah | Tags: , , | 5 Comments

Go wild at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Allison

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world and has long been a draw for visitors from around the world. What everyone may not know is that its sister park, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is nearby.

Is San Diego Zoo Safari Park worth a visit? Here’s what you need to know.

1. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is located in Escondido, California.

Unlike the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is not actually located in San Diego. The Safari Park can be found about 30 miles to the northeast, just outside Escondido. Our family visited the Safari Park as part of a Carlsbad-based vacation, which also included LEGOLAND California Resort.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

2. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is not an ordinary zoo.

The San Diego Zoo website calls the Safari Park and “expansive wildlife sanctuary.” Half the park’s 1,800 acres has been set aside as a protected habitat for native species of plants and animals.

What does that mean to you? While the Safari Park has fewer animals than the San Diego Zoo (2,600 vs. 3,700), they have a lot more space to roam as they would in the wild.

You’ll still have the opportunity to walk around and experience the Safari Park in much the same way you would a regular zoo, but the park’s size enables it to offer experiences that can’t be found at a regular zoo.

3. What you get for the basic entrance fee:

The cost of an adult ticket is $44.00 and the cost of a child’s ticket is $34.00. For that, you can enjoy all of the animal exhibits, shows and play areas. Your ticket also includes a ride on the open-air tram through the African field exhibit. This is the ticket we bought and it easily filled our entire day at the Safari Park.

The tram tour is 20-30 minutes long and is appropriate for all ages. You’ll see African animals, including cheetahs, giraffes, rhinoceros, lions, zebras, cape buffalo, gazelle, various birds, and more.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The wide open spaces have been made to resemble the African savanna, but don’t expect to see lions mingling with antelope. It’s not that kind of tour, folks. The lions and cheetahs have separate habitats, which can also be reached by foot if you want to see more of them after the tour.

TIP: After you arrive, walk directly to the back of the park and ride the African Tram early to avoid long lines during peak season.

4. Shows

The best show at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is Shiley’s Cheetah Run in the late afternoon. My son loves cheetahs, so this was one of our top priorities of the day. This is your chance to see a cheetah run at top speed. If the day is not too warm and the cheetah is feeling good, he may run twice.

Unless you purchase the Cheetah Safari, plan to stand for the entire show, which only lasts 15-20 minutes. During peak season, arrive 45-60 minutes early to get the best views.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Safari Park also has a bird show, which is similar to bird shows we have seen at other zoos. We found it educational and entertaining, and the amphitheater is large enough that we had no trouble getting good seats just a few minutes before the show.

Our children also enjoyed feeding the lorikeets inside their habitat. It costs nothing to go inside, but if you want nectar to feed them, it is $3.00 per cup. We visited this area in the afternoon and were warned that the lorikeets had already been well fed. We bought nectar cups for each of our children anyway. They successfully attracted lorikeets, but there were quite a few visitors competing for those same hungry lorikeets, so the experience was not ideal.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

5. Play areas

Our children (ages 6 and 8) enjoyed brushing goats at the petting zoo and learning about the activities of African villagers in the Village Playground nearby. Here, my children carried pots on their heads, “built” a hut and beat on drums.

The Safari Park has two splash pads, but it was not warm enough to enjoy those on the day we visited. It also has a jungle gym sponsored by Fisher-Price.

6. If you’re willing to pay more…

The thing that sets the San Diego Zoo Safari Park apart from other zoos are its safari programs. For an additional charge, you can get a longer, more intimate tour and feed giraffes, get reserved seating for the Cheetah Run with a cheetah meet and greet, or try a ropes course or zip line over the zoo.

These safaris may fill up, so consider making reservations in advance. Most have minimum age limits. We would have purchased the Cheetah Safari, but our cheetah lover was too young. I asked about the age limit and was told that they didn’t want the cheetah to mistake a small child for a meal. I couldn’t argue with that rationale.

Like many zoos, the Safari Park has a carousel, which you can ride for $3 per person or $6 for an all-day wristband. The carousel is similar to the carousel at our local zoo and we skipped it this time.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

7. Dining and Shopping

We purchased box lunches and kids’ meals from Okavango Outpost. The kids’ meals included hot dogs with chips, raisins, animal crackers and a drink in a reusable cup. They also included a reusable bag.

Hot and cold sandwiches were also available and I was glad to find a wrap filled with grilled chicken and vegetables. The meals were resort-priced at about $9 each for an adult meal. We could have brought in our own picnic for a lot less.

I generally try to avoid gift shops at places like this, but the Safari Park does have several colorful and inviting shops where you can purchase souvenirs, t-shirts, hats and so forth.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Bottom Line

Our children are animal lovers and my 6-year-old son has a passion for African animals. As parents, we appreciate educational outings like this, so the San Diego Zoo Safari Park was perfect for our family.

If your vacation is based in San Diego and you have to choose between the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park, I would choose the zoo. The entrance fee is the same. You’ll have a chance to see more animals, including lovable endangered species like pandas and koalas. It is also more conveniently located.

However, if you have already visited the San Diego Zoo and you’re looking for a different kind of zoo experience, then the San Diego Zoo Safari Park might be just what you’re looking for.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Good to Know

Where: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California.

When: Open every day, including holidays. Open every day at 9:00 a.m. Closing time ranges from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., depending on season.

How Much: Tickets start at $44 for adults (ages 12+), and $34 for children (3-11). Parking is $10 per vehicle.

How Long: one full day

Amenities: Stroller-friendly. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the usual bathrooms, drinking fountains, dining options and shopping.

Categories: California | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

10 Tips for Visiting LEGOLAND California Resort

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Allison

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, CaliforniaOur family has had a few opportunities to visit LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad, California over the past few years, but we always put it off in favor of other theme parks in the area. This past Spring Break, we finally had a LEGO lover in the family and it seemed like the perfect time to bump LEGOLAND to the top of the list.

Are you wondering what to expect from a visit to LEGOLAND California Resort?

Here are our Top 10 LEGOLAND tips:

1. You don’t have to be a LEGO fanatic to enjoy LEGOLAND California Resort.

I have a 6-year-old son who is passionate about LEGOS and an 8-year-old daughter who isn’t. Both children had a great day at LEGOLAND. The rides are perfect for their ages, and even visitors with a casual interest in the iconic bricks will be delighted and fascinated by LEGO sculptures throughout the park.

2. LEGOLAND’s target audience is 5-12 years old.

Teens and adults will find no serious thrill rides at LEGOLAND. Most of the rides are built for guests of all ages, and some require adults to ride with children under specified heights. Some rides have minimum height requirements of  34-42 inches. However, even the roller coasters are tame by most theme park standards. My kids loved them.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

3. Don’t pay full price.

LEGOLAND California Resort coupons are not difficult to come by if you’re looking for them. We used two “buy one adult pass, get a free child’s pass” coupons from two recent LEGO club magazines we obtained from friends. You can join the LEGO club yourself for no charge here. Subscribe well before your trip because it may take weeks for your first magazine to arrive.

Buying online from LEGOLAND in advance will yield more bang for your buck than buying at the ticket window. I found several other coupons for LEGOLAND California Resort through www.mousesavers.com. If you are staying at a hotel near LEGOLAND, discount tickets will probably be sold at the front desk.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

4. LEGOLAND California Resort also has a water park and aquarium.

Despite Spring Break crowds, one day was enough to get our fill of LEGOLAND, but we didn’t have time to ride every ride or set foot inside either LEGOLAND Water Park or SEA LIFE Aquarium. The 1-Day pass we purchased included a visit to the aquarium, and allowed us to come back to only the aquarium the next day.

5. Arrive early.

On busy days and weekends, the park officially opens at 10:00 a.m., but the turnstiles open at 9:00 a.m. and some of the rides open at 9:30 a.m. We arrived at the ticket window before 9:00, bought our tickets and walked into the park without waiting in line. Guests who arrived a couple of hours later were not so lucky.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

Why we arrive early – no lines!

We had 30 minutes to browse the gift shop, which is the biggest and best in the park (see Tip #6), and then rode the Coastersaurus and Safari Trek while wait times were relatively low.

If you are not near the front of a line at 9:55 a.m., walk directly to the back of the park and hit the headliners in Pirate Shores, where several water rides are located, or Castle Hill, or scurry to another of your top priority rides. You will not see shorter lines for the rest of the day.

6. Use the Package Pick-up service for souvenirs

Who wants to carry a bag full of souvenirs around the park all day? Nobody, that’s who. Use LEGOLAND’s Package Pick-up service. The souvenirs you buy early in the day will be transported to the park exit for you to pick up before you leave.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

7. Don’t focus on the headline rides.

After the first hour, the long waits for major attractions were the only thing about LEGOLAND California Resort that disappointed me. The lines didn’t look so long, but they moved surprisingly slowly. I think that Disneyland could have moved twice as many people through the lines in the same amount of time.

LEGOLAND California Resort does provide play areas full of LEGOS near the lines of their most popular rides so children can play while parents wait in line. Thank you, LEGOLAND.

By lunchtime, I was frustrated and tired of waiting in line. That was when I decided that I didn’t care how many rides we rode and I started enjoying the things that make LEGOLAND different from other theme parks.

8. Consider these attractions instead:

An area of the park we particularly enjoyed was Fun Town. There are no major rides in Fun Town, so it was less crowded, but completely charming.

At the Fun Town Police and Fire Academy, families can compete against each other by moving their hand-powered fire trucks down a lane, shooting a target with water guns and powering back to the finish line. This was perhaps my favorite “ride” in the park.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

Inside the Adventurers’ Club

The LEGO Factory Tour and the Adventurer’s Club in Fun Town were interesting and creative walkthrough experiences. At the nearby LEGO Club, LEGO lovers can build with LEGOs and purchase bricks by the pound.

My children also enjoyed the XBOX Family Game Space. My son loves playing LEGO video games at home, and in the Game Space he was able to try out games that we don’t own. We didn’t spend much time here, but it was a fun diversion while my husband held our place in the Chima 4D Movie X-Perience line next door.

The new Chima 4D Movie X-Perience was my son’s favorite part of LEGOLAND California Resort. If you’ve seen 4D movies at other parks, this one is not groundbreaking, and let’s be honest, it’s an ad for the new Chima LEGO kits that are sold in the gift shop. However, it was the only high-priority attraction on my son’s list and he was not disappointed.

There are also several playgrounds in the park where children can run and play freely. I wish we’d taken more time to enjoy these.

One of the nicest parts of my day was relaxing at a patio table at the Garden Restaurant. I ate a delicious $9 sandwich (it really was delicious), and gazed over Miniland with my family.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

Speaking of which…

9. Don’t miss Miniland.

When we finally walked into Miniland in the mid-afternoon, my LEGOLAND experience changed from “It’s okay” to “Wow, this is cool!”

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

Imagine the landmarks of Washington D.C., New York City, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New Orleans made of LEGOS. Nearby, you’ll find LEGO busts of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Queen Elizabeth II, William Shakespeare and other famous faces. Around the corner, every major planet from the Star Wars movies is depicted in LEGOS.

As parents, we had to divide and conquer in Miniland. My son would not be torn away from examining the Star Wars worlds he knows well, while my daughter was fascinated by the cities.

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, California

10. Try the Apple Fries.

These are a LEGOLAND speciality. Apple fries are french-fry sliced apples, deep fried and tossed in cinnamon sugar. Vanilla whipped cream is provided for dipping. Find this sweet treat at Granny’s Apple Fries in Castle Hill. One order was not enough for our family of four, but two was plenty.

Note to parents: Granny’s Apple Fries is located next to a castle-themed playground. This is your chance to take a snack break and let the kids play!

LEGOLAND tips, Carlsbad, CaliforniaAt most theme parks, riding as many rides as possible is usually my top priority. That’s what we paid for, right? The rides at LEGOLAND are fun, but I enjoyed our day a lot more when I allowed myself to experience the whole park, instead of just one aspect of it.

We had hoped that this visit to LEGOLAND would be timed perfectly for the ages of our children, and it was. We had a fun day, and hope that these LEGOLAND tips will help you make the most of your visit to LEGOLAND!

Categories: California | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

Celebrating National Park Week 2013

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Allison
National Park Week

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Link to a National Park Week Giveaway at the end of this post!

I love the U.S. National Parks. When I was young, my dad would load all of us, plus several cousins into our old van and drive to nearby Zion National Park where we would spend hours splashing in the stream beneath Weeping Rock.

When I was newly married, my husband and I visited Canyonlands National Park a few weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Gazing across vast and endless canyons from its Island in the Sky provided peace and perspective during a difficult time.

Now that I have children, we plan the national parks into many of our vacation itineraries. My children love the Junior Ranger programs, and have collected a dozen gold badges from parks across the Western United States.

If you have not had a special experience of your own in one of the national parks, your time has come. In honor of National Park Week, the National Park Service is offering all visitors FREE ADMISSION from April 22-26, 2013.

National Park Week

Arches National Park

The National Park Foundation is also sponsoring a National Park Week Getaway Giveaway! This is your chance to win an 11-day guided tour of national parks, historic sites and museums from Denver to Salt Lake City.

Enter at http://www.nationalparks.org/sweepstakes.

National Park Week

Mesa Verde National Park

What are your favorite national parks?

 

This link appeared on Travel Tip Tuesday on April 23, 2013.

Categories: National Parks | Tags: , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy 1st Birthday, Tips for Family Trips!

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Allison

Tips for Family Trips is one year old today! To celebrate, we are enjoying a family outing.

I have learned a lot in the past twelve months. I have experienced more than a few firsts. I have met many people that I now count among my friends.

We also coped with the unimaginable when my 5-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer in November 2012. My experience with Tips for Family Trips was helpful when I started another blog, Living With Burkitt’s, to keep family and friends updated on his progress.

To remember Tips for Family Trips’ first year, here is a list of my most popular posts from the past twelve months:

Groupon travel deals

#1 5 Tips for getting the most from Groupon Getaways

It wasn’t even close. These Groupon Getaways tips have been the top post on Tips for Family Trips since it was published in June 2012.

 

#2 Can you swim in the Great Salt Lake?

Another travel blogger asked me this question, and inspired me to give it a try for the first time in years. It turns out that lots of other people wonder the same thing.

 

#3 Everyone should see Mount Rushmore

Everyone has seen pictures of this iconic monument, but nothing compares to the feeling of seeing it in person.

 

Milky Way © by rxb

#4 Five great places to go stargazing in Utah

This post was inspired by a short piece in the National Geographic Traveler magazine. Rural Utah’s dark skies and elevation make it a great destination for stargazing.

 

Dinosaur Museums in Utah

 #5 The Ogden Dinosaur Park is a dinosaur lover’s dream

This is one of our favorite local attractions. What makes it unique is the collection of life-like dinosaur sculptures outside of the museum.

 

credit Paul Lowry

#6 My Favorite Things: the Vacation Packing List

This list keeps me from forgetting important items every time we go on a big trip. I included PDF and edit-ready Word versions of my list.

 

#7 Hoover Dam: Let the dam jokes begin

We visited Hoover Dam during our Spring Break vacation in 2012. It was extra-crowded that day, but still worth the stop.

 

#8 10 Tips for Trampoline Parks

Trampoline Parks seem to be everywhere now. Our family had a lot of fun at our local park, and learned a few things that will make our trip even better next time.

 

#9 What I wish I had known before my first cruise

Cruises are a great way to travel, but preparing for a cruise can be intimidating for a first-timer. These are my tips for first-time cruisers.

 

#10 My Favorite Things: Water Bottle Carriers

This post includes a link to an easy DIY water bottle carrier pattern for kids. I love these carriers on our visits to national parks, theme parks and other attractions.

It has been a great year! Big plans are in store for Year 2, so come back soon for more Tips for Family Trips.

photo by:
Categories: Cruises, National Parks, Nevada, Salt Lake City, South Dakota, Travel Tips, Utah | Tags: | 3 Comments

700 Years Tour at Mesa Verde National Park

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Allison

On our visit to Mesa Verde National Park, our family had the opportunity to take the 700 Years Tour. It is a four-hour guided bus tour of the fantastic Ancestral Puebloan ruins found throughout this unique national park.

Our tour began bright and early at the Far View Lodge inside the park. This tour is especially convenient for guests of the lodge, which is located at least 30 minutes’ drive from any other hotel in the area.

The weather was chilly on that fall morning. Plan to wear a jacket, or even a coat, if taking this tour in the spring or fall. My husband is usually warm when I am cold, and he was sorry he had forgotten his sweatshirt until the morning chill wore off. Some guests on that mid-October day wore coats, gloves and hats for the first half of the tour.

700 Years Tour

Our tour included stops and short walks to views of several cliff dwellings and mesa top ruins. Our tour guide gave in-depth explanations of each site, both on and off the bus. We pulled off several times to view distant cliff dwellings through the windows of the bus.

One of the highlights of the tour was our stop at Cliff Palace. At this point, we joined the ranger-led tour. Our tour guide and driver stayed with the guests who chose not to tackle the stairs and ladders required for this part of the 700 Years Tour.

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park

What we liked

For travelers who love history, and would like to know more than is presented on signs and markers placed at sites throughout the park, this tour is an excellent option. The tour guide was an expert on the park and its ancient people. She gave in-depth talks at each stop and was able to answer questions.

This tour is also an opportunity to associate with like-minded travelers. Several in our group had visited other ruins in the region and were already able to intelligently discuss this history of the area.

Another advantage to seeing Mesa Verde National Park on the 700 Years Tour is that it is an efficient way to see the park. I was impressed by what we were able to see in four hours without ever having to troll for a parking place or recover from a wrong turn. With a professional driver at the helm, everyone in our family was able to direct full attention to the roadside ruins and scenic views.

We took this tour on our first morning in Mesa Verde National Park and once completed, we felt that we knew our way around and had a clear picture of what we wanted to do to round out our visit.

700 Years Tour

This tour might not be right for you if…

Families on a tight budget may balk at the the price of the 700 Years Tour. At $48 per adult and $37 per child (ages 5-11), it is not the cheapest way to see the ruins of Mesa Verde. One of the highlights of this tour is the ranger-led Cliff Palace Tour, which costs $3 per person when you schedule it on your own at the Visitor Center.

This tour is not well suited for young children. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, but her presentation was intended for an adult audience. There were only a handful of minors on the bus on the morning of our tour, and ours (ages 8 and 5) were the youngest.

That said, there is plenty of space to wander, so if part of your party wants to listen to the tour guide while a responsible member of your group explores with the children, that will not be a problem.

Mesa Verde National park

Tips for Families

Sit on the right-hand side of the bus – Most of the best views are on this side.

Keep your eyes open for wildlife – In the early morning, we saw numerous deer and other wildlife from the bus. These were the best wildlife sightings of our trip.

Establish appropriate expectations – This one works both ways. Children should be held accountable for their behavior, but parents should be realistic about what appropriate behavior will look like. Expecting young children to stand still and quietly listen to every word the tour guide utters is probably unrealistic. Expecting children to stay on trails, use indoor voices on the bus and move away from the group to get the wiggles out was reasonable for our family.

Bring supplemental entertainment – My daughter didn’t listen to everything the tour guide said, but she made a movie of her tour experience on the iPad during the bus rides. Consider allowing young children to play with small toys or electronics on the bus. This will not only keep them happy, but your fellow passengers as well.

Prior planning – Tell your children what to expect from the tour before you go. Tell them about the people who left these ruins. Tell them about the unique things they will see. Tell them about the parts they will enjoy. My five-year-old son didn’t get much out of the tour, but my eight-year-old daughter occasionally surprised me with intelligent questions for the tour guide and rangers.

Bottom line, the 700 Years Tour is an excellent educational opportunity for adults, teens, and older children who have an interest in digging deep into the history of Mesa Verde National Park. Families with younger children can still enjoy the tour, but young children may not get much from it.

Dislcosure: Our family enjoyed the 700 Years Tour free of charge, courtesy of Aramark Parks, but the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Categories: Colorado, National Parks | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

Hotel Review: Far View Lodge

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Allison

Far View Lodge

The Far View Lodge was our lodging of choice when we visited Mesa Verde National Park. We do recommend this hotel to other families visiting this national park, but this lodge may not be right for all families. Read on to find out whether it is right for your Mesa Verde vacation.

What We Loved

The location of the Far View Lodge is easily its best selling point. All of the Anasazi cliff dwellings and other ruins are at least a 30-minute drive from the park entrance via a steep and winding road. The Far View Lodge is located inside the park at the end of the steep and winding part. It’s the jumping off point for the best attractions inside Mesa Verde National Park.

Far View is not just a name, it’s also a description. The Far View Lodge is set on a hill overlooking miles and miles of wilderness in four U.S. states. Every room has a balcony with seating. We loved watching for wildlife in the early morning and gazing at an extra-dark night sky from our private patio.

Far View Lodge

The views from some rooms will be partially obstructed by other rooms. If this matters to you, be sure to discuss your options with the clerk when you make your reservation.

The decor of our Kiva room was distinctive and of good quality. It was far more interesting than the bland decor of most hotel rooms. Our room also had a small refrigerator. We stocked it with breakfast and picnic supplies, which helped us save money on dining out.

Far View Lodge

The Far View Lodge has no in-room televisions. This was almost a no-go for us because one our kids’ favorite things about staying in a hotel is winding down in front of the Disney Channel at the end of the day. However, the Far View Lodge has free Wi-Fi, so even they realized that we would muddle through just fine with our laptop, Kindles and smart phones.

With no television, and the hotel’s remote location, the Far View Lodge is quiet.  Wonderfully quiet. In the morning, I was happy to watch my children watching the sun rise through our big picture window instead of a television while they ate their breakfasts.

Far View Lodge

Room for Improvement

There were a few things about the Far View Lodge that we didn’t love. Overall, they were due to the character of the hotel, not a lack of service.  The Far View Lodge will not be the best choice for every family.

First, the rooms are small – smaller than the average hotel room. Our Kiva room had two double beds because the room was too small for two queens. That’s a tight fit for a family of four. Adjoining rooms are an option, so families who have the means might want to get more than one room. Some Standard rooms are large enough for two queens.

The biggest disappointment was the thin walls. We could clearly hear entire conversations from the room next to ours. With that in mind, we felt pressure to encourage our own rambunctious children to keep the noise down.

The location of the Far View Lodge is not a great base for visiting attractions outside Mesa Verde National Park. Just as it takes 30 minutes to get to the best stuff inside the park, it will take an extra 30 minutes to get out of the park to go anywhere else.

Our Recommendation

We give the Far View Lodge a unanimous thumbs up. Its location and character are hard to beat if you are planning a visit to Mesa Verde National Park. The panoramic view and potential for wildlife spotting are outstanding. The sublime feeling of peace and quiet lingers with me. The Far View Lodge is a good option for families, but I think that a Kiva Room with a king-size bed would be an exceptional choice for a romantic getaway.

Good to Know

Where: 15 miles inside Mesa Verde National Park. The Far View Lodge is a short walk from the Far View Visitor Center.

When: The Far View Lodge is closed during winter months. The 2013 Dates of Operation are April 18 – October 19.

How Much: Depending on the date of your stay, Standard rooms can be had for less than $120 per night. A Kiva room ranges from $130-$190. Off-season and early booking deals may be available. Check the hotel’s website at visitmesaverde.com for availability.

How Long: We found that 1-2 full days was enough to see Mesa Verde National Park.

Amenities: The 5-star Metate Room restaurant is on-site. Two casual, cafeteria-style cafes are located a short drive from the Far View Lodge. Visit the hotel’s website for a full list of in-room amenities.

Disclaimer: Aramark sponsored part of our stay at the Far View Lodge, but the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Book Review: Changing Gears

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Allison

FamilyonBikes.com is sponsoring a Release Week Giveaway! Enter at the end of this post.

Nancy Sathre-Vogel and her family inspire me to think big. Here’s why.

Nancy, with her husband and twin sons, who were ten years old at the beginning of the two-year trip, bicycled from the top of Alaska to the bottom tip of Argentina. Changing Gears – A Family Odyssey to the End of the World  is the story of that journey.

In some ways, I can’t relate to the Vogel family at all. This trip was not the first time the family had lived abroad, nor was it their first extended bicycle trip with their children. I, on the other hand, have lived my entire life in the Western United States and can barely stay upright on a bicycle.

Yet from one mother to another, Nancy shares the same hopes and worries for her children that I feel for mine. She wants them to be happy. She wants them to be healthy. She wants to give them the world. She wants them to be safe. That, I get.

In Changing Gears, Nancy takes us on her family’s journey, from the first flash of inspiration to their return home to Boise, Idaho. From Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.

As a mother, I felt Nancy’s anxiety over whether or not it was wise to take her sons on a journey so long and difficult. I also admired the family’s adventurous spirit as they ultimately decided together that they could do something that had never been done. Nancy’s sons hold the world record for being the youngest people to ride the entire Pan-American Highway.

There were many difficult moments on the journey. The Vogel family nearly ran out of food in the wilds of Alaska, froze in Wyoming, endured the heat and humidity of Central America, climbed the long steep peaks of the Andes, were eaten by monster mosquitoes in Argentina, and battled wind and rain all through their journey. The family coped with illness, major mechanical failures and exhaustion throughout the trip, and particularly during the last half.

Oh, and one of the boys was pursued by a bear in Canada while Nancy chased after them both on her bicycle. The adventure of a lifetime wasn’t always fun or rewarding, and Nancy does not pretend that it was.

Fortunately for the Vogels, the triumphs outweighed the hardships on their epic ride. They experienced the scenery and culture of more than a dozen countries. They found old friends along the way and met many new ones. They were blessed by “Road Angels” throughout their journey who generously gave them food, shelter and motorized escorts through heavy urban traffic. They experienced the beauty and wonder of places like the Alaskan tundra, the Canadian Rockies, Yellowstone National Park, the rain forest, the Galapagos Islands, the towering Andes, Patagonia, and finally, the “End of the World”. Nancy and John watched their boys grow into confident and capable young men.

A journey like this one is completely crazy and oh, so cool at the same time. Nancy’s writing is honest and readable. She moves the story forward at a nice pace, describing the high points and the low and the lessons learned from both. The book is filled with photos from the journey, though it was difficult to fully appreciate them on my old Kindle.

This is the kind of story that makes me wonder, “What’s my dream and what’s keeping me from making it happen?”

Would you like to purchase a copy of Changing Gears? Get it here.

GearsButton

Release Week Celebration!

In celebration of the release of Changing Gears, Nancy, with the help of a few of her favorite sponsors, is holding a giveaway of the following prizes:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents and will end at 11:59 pm on March 27th.
Disclosure: tipsforfamilytrips.com is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. This event was organized by Victoria at Drive Me Crazy Family Adventure on behalf of the author, Nancy Vogel, Family on Bikes.

 

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Weather or not

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Allison

In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather in 24 hours.

– Mark Twain

I doubt there has ever been a traveler whose best laid plans have not been ruined by the weather at least once. Our family is not immune. Here are a few of our caught-in-the-weather stories, and what we learned from them.

Weather Stories

 

White Knuckle Ride

Every February, my husband has the opportunity to attend a professional conference in St. George, located in the southwest corner of Utah. The climate in St. George is sunny year-round, and is usually at least ten degrees (F) warmer than in Salt Lake City, which is winter-weary by that time of year. It is not just a professional opportunity, but also a chance for a romantic getaway. We don’t do that often, so we don’t pass up an opportunity lightly.

One year, a snow storm was forecast for our route. We started late because we didn’t want our daughter to miss her preschool Valentine party. By the time we dropped off our children with my in-laws, evening was falling and so was the snow.

My husband and I are Utah natives, and not easily intimidated by a snow storm. We decided to go on. An hour later, we realized this was no ordinary storm. Four hours later, we took a break at a roadside restaurant and wondered whether or not we should continue. We climbed back in the car and slowly drove into a series of rural mountain passes.

When we passed the stranded snow plow, we knew that we had made the wrong decision. But by that time, it was too late. We were in the middle of the mountains with nowhere to go but forward. Slowly, so slowly, we passed by one small town after another, thinking that we were sure to get past the storm soon. We pulled off regularly to clean the accumulated ice from our windshield wipers.

It took us eight hours to make a drive that usually takes four. We didn’t get past the storm until the elevation dropped, just 20 miles from our destination. It was late and we were physically and mentally exhausted.

The next morning dawned bright and beautiful in St. George. We had a wonderful weekend. But we have never looked back on that drive and said, “I’m so glad we kept going.” My husband and I are more cautious than ever of driving in snowy conditions. The memory of that white knuckle drive still haunts us.

Lesson Learned: The cost of a hotel, lost reservation or missed time at your destination are not worth risking your family’s safety and security. Know the weather forecast and road conditions before you go. If the going gets rough, stop for a few hours, or for the night and resume your journey when the weather improves.

Weather Stories

New England Sampler Platter

Before we had children, my husband and I took a road trip through New England. We flew from Salt Lake City to Boston, spent a few days seeing the sights of that beautiful city, and then rented a car and drove a loop through the rest of New England. Our only hotel reservations were our first nights in Boston, and the last night before we flew home.

April is the off-season in New England. We were there the week before the Boston Marathon, and the weather was overcast and chilly for much of our trip. However, we were undeterred as we drove through Eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

We loved the historic sites and scenery of New England. We searched for local cuisine, including Boston Cream Pie, baked beans and lobster rolls. However, some of the best things about our off-season road trip were the hotels we found.

We stayed at a charming B&B in Vermont one night, and in an oceanfront room at the Bar Harbor Inn another. We paid budget rates for both because they had rooms to fill. We stopped at a Sheraton in Lexington, Massachusetts near the end of our trip and when the price quoted was more than we wanted to pay, the desk clerk cut it by 30%. That bed was so comfortable, we slept until 10:00 the next morning.

Lesson Learned: Sometimes, off-season weather is your friend. As long as your expectations are appropriate, you can enjoy popular places without the crowds, for less money.

Weather stories

The Air Show Incident

We live near an Air Force Base, which hosts an air show every couple of years. It’s a huge event, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees. Fortunately, there is lots of parking, a shuttle system, and all the action is happening high in the air, so everybody has a good view.

Last year, we invited our families to the air show, and then at our home afterward for a cookout. Sure, the weekend was forecast to be rainy, but we aren’t afraid of a little rain. It was the end of May, so how bad could it be?

Pretty bad, it turns out. After a couple of hours touring airplanes, collecting freebies and watching the show, the wind picked up. I was glad everyone was wearing a jacket. Then the rain started. We decided we’d had our fun and headed for the exit. Not surprisingly, many other families had the same idea.

We waited in line in the frigid rain for at least 30 minutes before we were able to board a bus. The situation was near anarchy as people attempted to make their way onto the buses as quickly as possible. So much rain fell during that time that it soaked the camera hanging on my wrist and ruined the viewfinder. My seven-year-old daughter sobbed miserably, “Please don’t blog about this!”

I think she has got over that by now.

Home at last, we turned on the heater and made grilled cheese sandwiches and hot cocoa. Before long, my husband’s family, whom we had never found at the air show, arrived. We served hot food and swapped war stories. Our children played with their cousins.

The rain cleared later in the afternoon and we fired up the grill. When we heard the roar of jet engines overhead, we knew the air show was back on! Our home is so close to the base that we could almost read the writing on the bottom of the Thunderbirds’ wings as they flew in tight formation.

Being stuck in the rain was miserable, but it didn’t ruin our whole day. We did everything we wanted to do on Base, saw the Thunderbirds fly, and spent the afternoon with some of our favorite people.

Lesson Learned: Mama said there’d be days like this. When your plans don’t work out, make a new plan. You can still have a good time and make good memories, even if it wasn’t the way you expected.

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there really is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather”

– John Ruskin

 

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Hotel Review: University Guest House

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Allison

My husband and I stayed at the University Guest House for an overnight romantic getaway. We chose this hotel for its location, and I would recommend the University Guest House to couples and families as an alternative to the downtown hotels in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Hotel

The University Guest House is situated in the middle of Historic Fort Douglas on the campus of the University of Utah, but the hotel itself is new. It was completed as part of the Olympic Village for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The hotel is located in the foothills overlooking downtown Salt Lake City. Downtown attractions are just minutes away by car or by Trax, Salt Lake City’s light rail train. The nearest Trax station is across the street.

The University Guest House is well placed to visit a number of Salt Lake City’s best family attractions. The Hogle Zoo, Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Garden and This is the Place Historic Park are in the neighborhood.

For families seeking to visit some of Utah’s famous ski resorts in winter or summer, the eastern location of the University Guest House makes it a great hub for reaching Park City, Little Cottonwood Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon.

We arrived late on a cold night, but we were welcomed warmly by the clerk at the front desk. He made sure to give us a room overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. The twinkling lights of the city were so lovely against the night sky that I was sorry we could only stay for one night.

The Room

Our room was comfortable, spacious and tastefully decorated with a mix of modern furnishings and historic photographs of the University of Utah. Though it was only me and my husband this time, we could have comfortably stayed here for a few nights with our two children.

The hotel was quiet. I didn’t notice any sound from the neighboring rooms. It may have been that they were not occupied, as the University Guest House did not seem crowded on the November weekend we were there.

Breakfast

Many hotels offer complimentary breakfast these days, but I found the hot breakfast at the University Guest House to be exceptional. Hot eggs, sausage links and fruit were offered in addition to the usual bagels and pastries. I’m sure the dining area fills up for game days and graduations, but we had our choice of seating.

The University Guest House is currently ranked #1 among Salt Lake City hotels on tripadvisor.com. Now I know why.

Good to Know

Where: 110 Fort Douglas Boulevard, Salt Lake City Utah. The University Guest house is located on the campus of the University of Utah, east of downtown Salt Lake City.

Make reservations online at universityguesthouse.com or at 801-587-1000

How Much: From $99 per night for single king or double queen room. Deluxe rooms and suites are also available.

Amenities: complimentary breakfast, in-room refrigerator and microwave, in-room coffee maker, free Wi-Fi and more.

Categories: Salt Lake City, Utah | Tags: , , , | 3 Comments