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Finding South Dakota

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As I mentioned in the last post,  Christian Living in the Mature Years Magazine,  the inspiration for this blog, will no longer be published.  Today you can read the Winter 2021 travel story, which features a road trip through South Dakota. I hope you enjoy it. We entered South Dakota in a cloud. We drove across the plains where snow blanketed the fields. The sky was bright white, and a curtain of fog hung around us. It was the perfect introduction to the winter wonderland vacation we had planned.   Falling for Sioux Falls As the fog cleared at dusk, we began our adventure in Sioux Falls, the largest city in South Dakota. We arrived just after the holidays, and the city was still festooned with brilliant light displays. We drove through downtown, near Washington Pavilion where skaters glided across a seasonal ice rink and the giant Christmas tree held court over the square. Then we drove to Falls Park (home of city’s namesake waterfalls). The entire park was lit up with twinkling
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What's Blooming in Virginia's Blue Ridge?

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If you've been reading the blog for a bit, you know that I was the travel writer for Christian Living in the Mature Years Magazine,  which was actually the inspiration for this blog. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, the Summer 2021 issue will be the final printed issue of the magazine. You can pick up your final copy here . Since stories are written a year out from publication, the articles in the Fall 2021 and Winter 2021-22 issues were already created. Most of the stories can be found for free in upcoming blog posts at www.adultbiblestudies.com . The travel articles, however, didn't quite fit the format of that blog, so they will be featured here! Today you can read the Fall 2021 travel story, which features a road trip through Virginia's Blue Ridge region. I hope you enjoy it. Thousands of yellow-faced sunflowers danced as the breeze blew through their ranks. I squished through the muddy field, broad smile on my face, and posed for the perfect selfie. I had come to the
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Making the Most of a Short SF Visit

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This past weekend, the little and I traveled to my favorite city in the world: San Francisco. I'm a little biased because I used to live there, but the city is an amazing place to be with kids. Still wary of Covid since the little can't be vaccinated, we spent most of our time outdoors. We wandered Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf, which were far less crowded than I've ever seen them. We found playgrounds tucked in quiet neighborhoods and had picnics with some of San Francisco's amazing food. We spent a lot of time in Golden Gate Park since the weather was so cooperative. In order to maximize our time, I purchased us both CityPASSes . The passes included entrance into the California Academy of Sciences (my favorite place in the park), a Blue and Gold Fleet bay cruise, and entrance into one other attraction from a list. We chose to visit the San Francisco Zoo, but I know the little would have loved any of the other options: Aquarium of the Bay, the Walt Disney Family
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LegoLand Florida

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This past weekend we took the little on a long-awaited trip to Florida. Because of pandemic restrictions at Disney, we decided to forego Orlando altogether and head south to Winter Haven. I didn't think the little could handle not meeting the Disney princesses, so best to avoid the situation until things are right side up again. We were so glad with our decision. We spent the weekend at LegoLand ! On Saturday, when we knew crowds would be bigger, we visited the waterpark. Crowds are restricted currently, but we had no trouble getting in and finding spaces to play and rest. One note, though, if you go before restrictions end, bring food. Or eat before you come. Lines for food are bananas. We came after lunch, but I spoke to one person who waited for more than an hour for her burger. The waterpark was small, but the little had no trouble using every second of our time there. She slid and swam and splashed in the sun. I sat comfortably in the shade watching her.  On Sunday we returned
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Wet and Wild in Winter

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 As usual, I'm working on an article for Christian Living Magazine for next winter. The story will feature South Dakota destinations that can be enjoyed in the winter months. We based ourselves in Rapid City for most of our trip due to its proximity to the big monuments (Rushmore and Crazy Horse). The little, as usual, tagged along. She was not impressed with standing in the cold staring at people's faces on the sides of mountains. So, we promised her that if she was very good, we'd spend the last day of the trip doing things she wanted to do.  She was very good. So, the last day of the trip was spent eating mac 'n' cheese and visiting the Watiki Indoor Waterpark Resort . I am not usually one for waterparks, but even I'll admit that relaxing in a hot tub in a balmy 85 degrees was a pretty good way to spend a day, especially because it was well below freezing outside.  We opted for the VIP package so we could have reserved seating and towels. The package even cam
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Laura Plantation

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We were ready to get out and about again with the little. While New Orleans seemed a bit too crowded for us still, we enjoyed a lovely day trip to Louisiana’s Plantation Alley, a stretch between Baton Rouge and New Orleans where many historic restored plantations are open for tours. We chose to visit Laura Plantation, one of the largest sugarcane plantations in its day, which pays homage to its creole heritage. The tour itself was interesting enough for the little to pay attention (quite a feat, in my opinion), and it encompassed the colorful main house, the gardens, and slave quarters. We were impressed with the safety measures in place, and our tour group was small, giving the little more room to wiggle. When you visit, be sure to pick up a copy of  Memories of the Old Plantation Home  written by the plantation’s namesake, Laura Locoul Gore. Learn more about the plantation here:  https://www.lauraplantation.com/
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Helsinki with the Little

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I’m working on a story on visiting Finnish Lapland for  Christian Living in the Mature Years Magazine . Before heading to the great white north, we spent a few days acclimating in Helsinki. Our restless Little was with us, and we had no trouble keeping her entertained. Helsinki (and the whole of Finland, really) is a fantastic place for children. Playgrounds are everywhere, it’s clean, it’s walkable. We were there for two days and one night before hopping an overnight train north. Here’s what we did. In the Sky After arriving in the morning on the first day, we were tired and jet lagged. We decided to take it easy and not book any tours. After freshening up at the hotel, we walked around Esplanade Park to get our bearings. We walked along the waterfront, marveling at the architecture. From the dock, we bought tickets for the  Helsinki Skywheel , a large Ferris wheel with enclosed cars. The Little loved it! We took in views of the city and its stunning architecture as the sun sunk lower
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