Happy New Years !

Vacationing In RV or Travel Trailer

Do  you vacation with your grand kids in an RV or camper.  I do not but if I did, I would take some of the ideas from the site called 44 Cheap And Easy Ways To Organize Your RV or Camper.

I have always enjoyed the challenge of utilizing small spaces to the max.  Especially when traveling in a car or van, with the kids.  I also enjoy doing what I call the MacGyver moves.  That is where you find a way to fix or 'make something work', utilizing items you have available.   And you know that the term comes from that great show from the 80's called, appropriately, MacGyver. 

Back to the site -

There are indeed, 44 ideas to utilize a small space.  Most of them are pretty clever.  But there are a few that have me wondering if the author has ever watch the items that are hung from a ceiling swing while driving down the road.  Or - as in number 12, when they suggest using glass jars that maybe a plastic version would be safer.  Especially if you have kids or other persons who may bump a head or other body part against these jars, which could lead to certain disaster. 

But, just so you know for sure that I really did enjoy this site, I must mention a couple that I especially like. 

We are beach goers.  I love the mountains also, but that just isn't what I do with the kids.  One of the worse things about coming in off the beach is the sand that you bring along.  Granted, lots of that sand seems to find its way into the lining of our swim suits. (yeah - you can squirm with the thoughts of how uncomfortable that is about now) But lots is just stuck on the flip flops.  This idea of sticking them in a net bag on the door is great for two reasons.  One, it keeps the sand close to the outside and will be easier to sweep out.  Second, we won't  loose them in the middle of towels, under seats, etc.  I really like this idea.

 

This takes no explanation as to why I like it.  Especially if you have teens who always have multiple pairs of sunglasses to match outfits.  This will keep them safe from being stepped or sat on.  

Who of you, who are also enjoyers of the beach, or any other location that is outside you own back yard, has not suffered with sand or dirt getting into the paper plates?  I had never seen one of these until I read this site.  So - not only can you get the paper plate dispenser, by clicking here,  but you can also buy the same type of dispenser for your disposable bowls, by clicking here.   I love these. Bet this will be the generic gift for my family members who do own RVs and campers.  

 

I really don't like to sound like a broken record here but I keep going back to the sand issues.  Weather we are in a hotel room, the car or if we were to decide to go the RV route, as some of my kids do, towels that are wet and sandy are always an issue.  I could see mounting these hooks on the exterior of the camper for a convenient place to dry and keep the sand out.  Also, by having hand towels up off the sink in the bathroom, there is a better chance that you could actually dry off your face on a towel that had not been walked all over.  Pretty neat. 

Last but not least, if you have little kids, this is amazing.  What child does not like to make a bit of personal art, on the table top?  This idea and a box of crayons will keep them busy for hours.  Maybe.   But, lets expand here.  I would take projects for my kids to do that would help break up the boring times.  One of the favorites was making decorated graham crackers.  All that takes is graham crackers, frosting (I sometimes get the container and the squirt cans) and some sprinkles.  It is fun for them and they can eat their creations.  Another, and simpler one, is to use Reitz crackers and canned cheese.  You may be surprised how many different faces can be made one that little cracker.  Again, edible. 

One more idea that could be fun, would be to unroll the paper a bit, write messages or draw decoration for a special occasion, roll it back under the table until you are ready to show it off.  What a fun surprise this could be.  And I am not just talking about the kids now.  

Check out the site and let you imagination go wild with some of your own.  

Most importantly - 

enjoy time with those grand kids!

Happy Holidays From the Roaming Granny

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and can get those kids out for an adventure while they get that much needed break from school.

 

I'll be around in the Arizona desert and high country during this holiday season.  Here's a few things that I am considering for the grand kid entertainment.  

Check them out and let me know what you would do, if you were me.  

So - I have a few little family members in Southern Arizona.  Seems like a big attraction around there is Winterhaven Festival of Lights.  It's been around for longer than I have.  I actually remember being driven  through that neighborhood when I was a child.  It was required by the home owners association to have your house decorated if you wanted to live there.  For a child, it was amazing to see all the custom made yard decorations.  Today, thanks to energy conscious people, not all homes are decorated, but the ones that are can put a smile on anyone's face.   There are few nights that you can drive the route but you can walk it or do the hay ride thing. 

I've never been but I am sure the kids might like the Old Tucson holiday decorations.  I really don't have any info but the site gives the pricing.  This is a big maybe but I bet that the kids who live in the desert and see cowboys on a regular basis will not find this really entertaining.  

 

A little drive North of Phoenix, there's the little town of Prescott, better known as Christmas Town USA during the month of December.  The court house area is amazing and so are the streets of this old town.   How simple is it going to be to take an hour drive for a little dinner and then hot chocolate and lights. 

Prescott Valley is the town you drive through as you enter Prescott.  Don't forget to jump off the main road to catch this little drive thru exhibit known as Valley of Lights.  It is amazing.  And again, it's all free.  

Zoo trips your thing?  If you are from cold country, you will love the warmer winter nights at a brightly lite zoo.  The Phoenix Zoo has lights, hot chocolate and tram rides.  

- - - - and in Tucson, the Reid Park Zoo has lights are just as exciting in a much smaller venue. 

Both zoos admit children 2 years old and under at no charge.  

This is my all time favorite.  I am still attempting to get those 'after Christmas' tickets for a few of us, to hop on the train and head to the North Pole, along with Santa, on the Polar Express.  This is a short trip on a real train that is staffed with elves, Santa's helpers, Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Who better to serve up the cookies and hot chocolate?  For sure this is an event to remember.   

If you want, you could make a weekend of this and stay the night at the affiliated hotel.  Great package deals.

By now the teens are going to be really bored with special activities centered around the little ones.  What will they want to do?   I really need something neat.  This is what I want to do with them.

If I can get the teens to Tucson, the Flandrau Science Center at the University of Arizona.  I love this place.  They have shows, exhibits, viewings - all day long.  Then there are the laser light shows!  I went to these back in the 80's and loved them.  I hope these kids will get a kick out of them too.

There's a ton of activities in the Phoenix area for the teens.  Check out this list -

Fightertown Paintball Park 

 Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

 Arizona Science Center

This one has me so darn excited.  I can just see the teen boys saying "oh yeah - that's gonna be a blast", with that disappointed and unhappy look on their faces.   I bet once they get started, that will all change.   This is Airparamo.  The photos tell all. 

 

 OK - here's the last.  And I saved the best for last.  If I had a drum, and if you could hear it, I would do a drum roll right now.   

This is Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course.    And this is going to make me the best Granny ever.  

 

I'm holding my breath for good weather.  This would not be fun in the snow, bone chilling winds or even winter rain.  If the weather is mild, it's going to be a blast.

You can tell by the photo that this is climbing adventure course, high in the trees.  There are courses for beginner climbers, ages 7 to 11.  I think that is where I belong.  And then there are the courses for those who are brave.  And flexible.  And strong.  And daring.  With a number of courses to choose from, the best part is this  -  if you finish all courses, you have the opportunity to get the 'BLACK  COURSE SHIRT' that is reserved for those who succeed. 

Can you see the healthy competition of the teen boys and girls going on at this adventure?  I, for one, can not wait.  Cross you fingers for the good weather and watch the little video at the end of this post. Impressive.

Guess it is time to make the calls and reservations.  I think I'll leave the older kids hangin' with the thoughts of their vacation being filled with candy canes and sitting around the table singing Frosty the Snowman.  Surprises are always a good thing.  Right?

Happy New Years !

Merry Christmas To All

Happy Thanksgiving !

Teen Music on Long Trips

Ya just can't be in the car for hours and hours on end, with kids who are teens or near enough to being teens, without having an abundance of music playing.  I am really lucky in that I pretty much like most music and I really don't mind it being loud.  I love when the kids say "Grandma, can you please turn down the music?”  

 So, what do you listen to when you have such an assortment of ages and music desires?  Everything.  There is no 'norm' here.  We take all of us out of our comfort zone at some point.  When we depart the cd we put on this crazy mix called "Sun Splashin': 16 Hot Summer Hits".  This is a crazy mix that has

Kokomo by The Beach Boy, Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, Coconut by Harry Nilsson,  Macarena by D.S.B and a bunch more.  You can tell by this list that this is NOT the music that tween and teens listen to.  Right?  And I would venture to say nobody listens to this cd other than when on this trip.  Like I said, we take off with this cd blasting while eating the totally unhealthy batch of donuts, at just about sunrise.  We sing, and we dance in our seats, and we laugh a lot at the fact that we really do look forward to this music, each and every year.   

                         

Again, as we approach the beach and get that first smell of rotten fish, which we love at first, the music comes on and the girls dance with excitement and anticipation of hitting the water.                        

A couple of the girls were cheerleaders which included a lot of dance; one girls is also a dancer; one is an remarkable singer   - - -   The point here is that the one thing we share on our trips is our love for music.  And we don't have to travel to Branson Missouri, or Seattle Washington to catch some live sounds.  Since my granddaughters were all under 21 when we were traveling, it is important to find venues that are geared towards family, yet not BORING!  Not too difficult when in Cali. 

Best of all - many of these music venues are FREE ! 

Works great as part of Grandma's Budget Vacations

Check out what Ventura California has to offer for the summer family traveler. 

 Ventura Music Week is dedicated to highlighting Ventura’s music, artists and music industry. With so much local talent set in such a picturesque setting, Ventura is the ideal place to come sit, listen and enjoy the sounds.

Ventura Music Week starts on June 7th and continues through June 16th. This week long musical event has been designed to create "a week of discovery, connecting music fans with the musicians who continue to drive our local music forward as well as the industry that supports it.

This SITE  will give you lots of in, especially about the Music Week.

 

Rock music’s traveling summer festival comes to Ventura featuring 100’s of various sub-genres of rock bands as well as extreme sports demonstrations and pop-culture entertainment. Tickets are $35 and are available online. Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura CA 93001

Here's a SITE with more info. 

 

 Steel drums kick off the good times July 6. Enjoy while shopping, dinning or relaxing at Ventura Harbor Village. Saturdays during July and August, 1-4pm.

Summer Sunday Concert Series at Ventura Harbor Village. Soak up the sun while listening to an array of music including jazz, soul, pop, rock and reggae during the Summer Sound Concert Series on the Carousel Stage. Sundays from June 23 – September 1, 1-4pm.

Check out more info.

 Music Under the Stars - Saturdays, July 13 – September 7, 7:30-9:30pm

Dine, dance & delight to great performances at Ventura’s most historic party site, Olivas Adobe. Put on your dancing shoes and listen to top recording artists perform irresistible sets of music. Concerts sell out regularly so make reservations ahead of time. Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura CA

Want more info ?  Click HERE.

Never underestimate what your travel buddies may like.  Take them out of their elements and expose them to a great variety and they just may enjoy it.  At the very least, it will be a learning experience that will stay with them for ever.