She Scribes » Travel

Trips of a Lifetime

Kimberly — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:13:42 +0000

The state of Maine’s geography is like no other state in America. From its magnificent coastline, to the tall mountains, to the huge lakes and long rivers; Maine has it all. What could be a more perfect setting for overnight camps? One of the absolute best parts and highlights of going to sleep away camp in Maine, are the trips!

Let’s start with the mountain climbing trips… whether it’s watching the sunset from Cadillac Mountain (1, 528 ft. high) or reaching the peak of Mount Katahdin (5,268 ft. high! The highest mountain in Maine); there is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment you get when you reach the top! All the campers from youngest to oldest get to experience that magical feeling, it builds amazing self-confidence. Making a camp fire, cooking your own food and pitching tents are all skills you learn on these trips.

Now onto the lakes! Maine has 2,200 beautiful big lakes and tons of long rivers. Canoeing and kayaking trips are very popular among the campers. Some of my fondest camp memories are canoeing down the Saco River and camping alongside it. Androscoggin River and Sebago Lake are popular trips as well. The list goes on and on. As an older camper you get to go white water rafting which is a huge thrill!

Not only does Maine have gorgeous mountains and lakes, but a spectacular coastline. Many camps in Maine take trips to the beach. Ronald Hall, camp director of O-AT-KA says “the variety of outdoor activities and trips does not compare to other states. A big hit with the campers is sea kayaking on the Ocean!”

A former camper fondly recalls, “The trips that we took around Maine were amazing. The amusement/water parks, like Funtown/Splashtown and Aquaboggin, were every kid’s dream. Overnights were spent at campgrounds, such as Blue Rock and Acadia, where we went hiking on beautiful mountains and swam in clean lakes.” Most camps also have non-camping or “pleasure” trips where they go to country fairs, visit Freeport, Ogunquit beach, Camden, Boothbay Harbor and my personal favorite, Portland, where there is whale watching. Jason Silberman, camp director of Matoaka said the kids can take a photography class and then go on trips and take pictures of all the natural beauty Maine has to offer.

From quaint seaside villages, cultural experiences and experiencing the wonders of nature; Maine has it all. To learn more about overnight camps in Maine, where your children can enjoy these amazing trips and more… visit Maine Camp Experience and get all the information you need to find the perfect camp for your family.

Sponsored by the Role Mommy’s writers network. To read personal stories by real camp parents, visit http://www.mainecampexperience.com/camp-reviews/

Important Safe Driving Tips

Kimberly — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:00:27 +0000

I love to drive. I used to not think twice about hoping in my car and just driving anywhere. Once my best friend and I had a four day weekend off from our jobs. We hoped in my car and just drove. We had no destination in mind and no maps to rely on. We ended up in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. We visited the place where Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is made, saw a movie, took an old fashioned train ride, went whale watching and stayed at a bed & breakfast (which are clearly made for couples on a romantic vacation, not two best friends. Ha Ha). Another time we were going to an amusement part in NJ and ended up in Virginia Beach for a few days instead.

Years ago, before my husband and I met, I dated a guy who lived a 6 hour car ride away. I would drive to his home EVERY WEEKEND. Every Friday after work I would get in my car and drive to his house upstate. I’d stay there until late Sunday afternoon then make the 6 hour drive back home.

With all the driving I have done over the years I have learned a few tips and tricks along the way that I would like to pass along to my readers.

Be aware of who is around you - When you are out and about on your own be aware of the people around you. Is there a suspicious man hanging out near your car? Is there a group of kids that keep looking in your direction? When you are going to your car, especially alone at night, be EXTRA conscious about your surroundings. I have heard horror stories about people, especially women, getting murdered, raped or kidnapped because they were getting in their car and were not paying attention to their surroundings.

Keep your keys handy – When you are leaving your home or office to get into your car have your car keys in your hand BEFORE leaving the building. That way you don’t have to waste valuable time fumbling through your bag looking for them in the event someone is trying to attack you. Digging through your purse looking for your keys while at your car only makes you an easier target for would be attackers.

Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle – Keep safety and emergency supplies in your vehicle. Items like a first aid kit, flares, spare tire, blankets, rock salt or kitty litter (to melt ice), a change of clothes, non-perishable foods (like granola), water, flashlight and other items you might need in case of an emergency. When packing your emergency supplies think about all the different scenarios you might be faced with such as being stranded in a hot desert or a blizzard, car emergency supplies and emergency supplies for your children (change of clothes, extra diapers and wipes, toys…). You never know when you might need them. Use a box to keep your supplies neat and accessible.

Go to a public location if you are being followed – If you suspect you are being followed immediately drive to a public location where there are a lot of people. If possible find a Police station, State Trooper barracks or Fire Department to pull your car into. A would be attacker will be discouraged if you are in a public location where people can see what is going on and can easily identify him/her. I had to do that once when I was coming home from upstate. I was being followed. I drove my car to a coffee shop that I found off the first exit on the highway. I waited there for a while until the car went away. I was really scared.

Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and easily accessible – If you have a cell phone make sure it’s always fully charged and you know where it is at all times. If possible buy a charger that will allow you to charge your cell from your car. This will help you should you feel like you are being followed (call 911!) or if your car is stuck or disabled and you need assistance. Make sure you are off the road before calling. In many states it is illegal to use the cell phone when driving. It’s also a good idea to keep important numbers in your phone’s address book, or keep a small address book in your car’s glove compartment. Just numbers, not addresses. You wouldn’t want someone to have that information should your car get stolen or broken into.

If you are feeling tired or not feeling well get off the road! – I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people tell me about how tired they were when they were driving. That is VERY dangerous! Not only for you but also for the other people on the road. I used to be guilty of driving while tired. I used to work two part time jobs, attend college full time and did volunteer work, all while trying to maintain a relationship and a social life. If I had 3 or 4 hours of sleep in total per day it was a lot. Many times I was driving while I was very tired. I can tell you from experience things like rolling down the windows, blasting the AC or blasting music and singing at the top of your lungs DO NOT WORK! Nor does several cups of coffee. If you are tired DON’T DRIVE! Pull over in a safe public place, like a mall or grocery store parking lot, and take a cat nap until you feel refreshed and about to drive with a clear mind. If you are feeling sick you should also pull over until you feel better.

Don’t get distracted! – I’m a mom. I know what it’s like to have kids fighting in the backseat, music blasting, babies crying, things being spilled or dropped. It’s a part of life. But keep in mind you are responsible for the vehicle you are driving. In a spit second you can end your life or the lives of others. I know most people think they can easily and safely drink coffee while driving, eat while driving and things like that but you’ll be surprised at home quickly a car or child can appear in front of you and being distracted by the delicious food or thirst quenching beverage. Years ago I heard of a police officer who had an accident on the parkway because she was speeding and eating FRIED CHICKEN! Oh my goodness! How insane! And she was an officer. While I’m out and about I have seen people texting, reading maps, applying make-up, turning around to look in the backseat, bending down to pick something up and a variety of situations that make my heart stop! Once when my family was coming home from NYC there was a man drumming on his steering wheel with REAL drum sticks WHILE driving! He also had music blasting and he was dancing around. He was totally distracted!

Make sure you have an emergency road service- Before you hit the road it’s a good idea to have an emergency road service available to you whenever you might need them. I learned that lesson the hard way. Even if you rarely have a need for it is a good idea to have something just in case you get a flat tire, run out of gas or your transmission decides it wants to die on you. If affording an emergency service is an issue, or you feel like you don’t want to be committed to something long term, you should look into a service like the one Allstate offers. It’s called the Good Hands Roadside Assistance program. The great thing about the program is that you don’t need to have Allstate insurance to use this service. There are also no monthly fees. You only pay when you use the service. You can call at any time and use this service when needed by calling 1-800-ALLSTATE and asking for roadside assistance.

If you pre-register for the Good Hands Roadside Assistance it will provide faster service when you need it. People who pre-register receive a welcome kit in the mail containing a window cling, wallet card, key fob and a number to call for roadside help.

If you have multiple drivers in your family (spounse, teen…) you can also register for up to 5 users on your account.

Don’t speed! – You may THINK you are shaving off a lot of time when you are going 10-20-30+ miles over the speed limit. You are not! At best you save a couple of minutes. Trust me, I know. I used to have a “lead foot” (that is what my mom called it). I had so many speeding tickets that I was in jeopardy of getting my license taken away. Now, as a wife and a mother I drive the speed limit or under the speed limit because I want to make sure I am always here for my family. FYI… crying does not get you out of a speeding ticket, nor does telling an officer you have to go to the bathroom. I tried to talk myself out of many tickets. I even tried to fight a few of them in court. It rarely works. It took me a few years to realizing that SPEEDING KILLS! Whether it’s yourself or someone else. Getting some place a few minutes earlier is NOT worth risking your life, or the lives of others. If you have a habit of running late set the clocks in your home 10-15 minutes early so that you trick your mind into making you leave for work (or where ever) earlier so that you are not running late and tempted to speed.

Leave the bad mood at home! – If you are having a really bad day and you are ticked off at the world that LAST thing you want to do is get behind the wheel of a car. Road Rage KILLS! If possible have someone else drive you, reschedule your appointment or don’t leave until you are feeling more calm and relaxed. Driving while you are in a bad mood is not healthy. The first time a driver cuts you off or you get stuck in traffic you are going to explode. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble that way, not to mention stress like that is not good for your overall health either.

Make sure you have money/change – It’s a good idea to keep a few dollars and some quarters (change) on your person when you are driving (never leave money in a car!). That way you have money to buy something to eat or drink should you get stuck some where. Having change will also help in case you need to make a phone call. Believe it or not there are still some pay phones available. Back in January I had to use one from the airport when my cell phone died and I needed to reach the car service. Thank goodness I had some change left. Not much but enough to call my husband so he could call the car service for me.

These are just a few of my personal safe driving tips. If you have any tips to keep you safe when you are on the road I would love to hear about them. Please feel free to comment with your safety tips.

Kimberly

*This is a compensated post. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us – August 6 and 7, 2011

Kimberly — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:05:55 +0000

If you are a Bank of America card holder I have some exciting news for you about a cultural event, great for all families to enjoy, that is happening this coming weekend and throughout the rest of the year nationwide.

On August 6 and 7, 2011 through Museums on Us, Bank of America is helping its customers beat the heat and cool down at a local museum. Bank cardholders receive free admission to more than 150 cultural institutions in 87 cities across the country. Participating institutions include museums, historical sites, botanical gardens, science centers and zoos.

As part of Museums on Us, more than 150 leading U.S. cultural institutions in 87 cities across the country open their doors to bank cardholders on the first full weekend of each month, including September 3-4, 2011 and October 1-2, 2011. Participating institutions include museums, historical sites, botanical gardens, science centers and zoos.

Now halfway through it’s 14th season, Museums on Us, a national program, includes some of the countries premiere cultural institutions like the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California, New York Aquarium in NYC, The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The offer is valid the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month. Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented. One free general admission limited to cardholder at participating institution, excluding fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows. Not to be combined with other offers.

I live just outside New York City. I was amazed at all the outstanding places that are participating in this program. WOW! I’m super jealous of cardholders. Maybe it’s time to reconsider banks? Ha Ha.

Here is the list of places just in the NYC area alone.

- Bronx Zoo

- El Museo del Barrio

- International Center of Photography

- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

- The Metropolitan Museum of Art

- New York Aquarium

- New York Hall of Science

And more!

My family wants to go to the Intrepid, Bronx Zoo and NY Aquarium too! That would have saved us A LOT of money if we were able to take advantage of this program.

To learn more about Museum on Us and to find a participating institution near you visit http://Museums.BankofAmerica.com.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this information for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. Photos in this post I took at the American Museum of Natural History which is not a participating museum.

Up Up and Away… My AMAZING Day with Hershey’s!

Kimberly — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:35:52 +0000

Photo Credit: Insider Images

Do you have a “Bucket List”? A Bucket List is a list of things you want to do before you pass away. I know that sounds pretty morbid but in a way its a great list to have so that you can honestly say that you lived your life to it’s fullest and accomplished things that you really wanted to do or experience.

I have a long Bucket List. Sadly about 90% of the things on my list I know in my heart I will never get to do. Things like laying my hands on the Great Pyramids in Egypt, going on an African safari and seeing the wildlife in it’s natural habitat, taking a boat ride up the Amazon and go into space. I need to focus on the more “do-able” things. Two of those more do-able things on my list were to ride in a helicopter and fly in a hot air balloon. My ideal helicopter ride would be over NYC, Alaska or the Grand Canyon. As for the hot air balloon just to fly anywhere would be great.

Yesterday, thanks to Hershey’s, two of my Bucket List items were knocked off the list. I was able to take a helicopter ride and see NYC and I rode in a hot air balloon.

I honestly thought riding in the helicopter would be scary. After all it’s much smaller then an airplane. I was afraid I would feel like I was going to fall out, or the ride was going to be very bumpy. WOW! I was so wrong! The ride was so smooth. Even taking off and landing was effortless. I’m not exaggerating when I say that you felt like you were driving in a car, not a helicopter. The ride was THAT smooth.

** You can click on any photo in this post for a much larger view **

Myself and three other bloggers hopped into the helicopter for a ride over to an airfield in New Jersey where we were going to take a ride on Hershey’s Air Delight hot air balloon.

Helicopters are very small inside. Probably no bigger then sitting a car. And wow, is it ever LOUD! No wonder many pilots where those big headphones.

Check out the control panel. There is not much there compared to an airplane like an 747 or something large like that.

Within a minute we were up in the air. It was effortless! I hardly felt a thing. If it wasn’t for watching the ground get further and further away I would never have thought I was up in the air over the Hudson River.

Once we were up in the air I kept having a line from the Robin William’s movie, The World According to Garp (great movie!) going through my head… “I’m flying”, as his character Garp smiles and looks out the window (just before he dies in the novel too – ugh!).

I wish the skies were sunny and blue. Sadly it was a dark and gloomy day. Even so the weather was NOT going to dampen my day. Not by a long shot!

As you can imagine seeing New York City from a bird’s eye view was spectacular and breathtaking. I ♥ NYC and now I had the incredibly amazing opportunity to see my beloved city from a whole new perspective, one that I will never forget. We even got to see the Statue of Liberty from above.

Within minutes we were over New Jersey. I must say there are A LOT of mansions in New Jersey. WOW! I took many photos of them from above. I actually took 217 photos on my camera, a half dozen photos that I uploaded from my phone on Facebook (personal Facebook page) and about a half dozen videos too (also uploaded to my personal Facebook page). I have to try and figure out how to upload the videos on my phone to my blog.

The flight to the airfield was relaxing (seriously, the ride was so smooth!). As I was taking pictures I noticed that the door that was holding me in was very thin. I was also only strapped in by a lap belt. Even though that might sound scary I was truly at peace with the whole ride. It was incredible. I cannot describe it in words.

New Jersey is equally as beautiful from above.

It took roughly 15 minutes of flight time to make it to the air field where the Hershey’s Air Delight was waiting for us. If you look in this photo (below) you should be able to make out the Hershey’s Air Delight hot air balloon (it’s a bit to the right of the middle of the photo).

Landing on the air field was a piece of cake. We were way out in the middle of a field too. We had to hop a ride on a golf cart (something I have never ridden on before) to be taken over to where the balloon was waiting for us. Of course we had to wave good by to our helicopter and pilot. He had to head back to NYC to pick up more bloggers to take them over to where the hot air balloon was.

I have never seen a hot air balloon up close before. I have only seen them on TV or in books and magazines. I was amazed at how BIG they really are. Wow!

The Hershey’s Air Delight hot air balloon will be at this air field all weekend long for 29th Annual Quick Check New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. The event runs from Friday, July 29, 2011 – Sunday, July 31, 2011. Hershey’s will be giving people at the festival rides in their balloon (tethered to the ground, only going 50′ – 100′ in the air). Once up in the air balloon riders will be treated to a sampling of Hershey’s newest chocolate creation, Air Delights. For more information about the festival visit www.BalloonFestival.com. It is held at the Solberg Airport in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. It’s located 42 miles from New York City but by helicopter it took about 15 minutes. Wow!

Getting into a hot air balloon is easier said then done. You have to put your foot in a hole on the side of the basket, step up, grab a bar above your head and swing your legs into the basket. That is not so easy, especially if you are out of shape or “plus size”. Thankfully I was able to do it (yeah me!). Look in the photo below. You can see the hole that you need to step in to get into the basket.

We were tethered to the ground so the balloon didn’t fly away. There were other bloggers/people coming to experience Hershey’s Air Delight chocolates so there wasn’t time for us to take a ride across the field and beyond. That is OK. It was still a lot of fun.

By the way the basket was REALLY small. There were four of us in the balloon (me, another blogger, the balloon “captain” and a representative from Hershey’s).

Once we were up in the air we were giving some samples of Hershey’s Air Delight chocolate. Have you tried this chocolate yet? I know a few people have but I have yet to see it sold locally. If you have tried it before I would love to hear your thoughts about it.

Hershey’s Air Delight was designed to give chocolate lovers a way to savor and enjoy chocolate. It has a light and airy texture that helps the chocolate melt with ease making it the ultimate chocolate experience. The chocolate is actually aerated, the first of it’s kind for Hershey’s. You can actually see the air bubbles inside the chocolate. Check it out in the picture below.

For the record those are people on the ground in the background.

So what is my impression of the Hershey’s Air Delight chocolate? DELICIOUS! It’s definitely Hershey’s chocolate (you can easily tell Hershey’s from other chocolates). It’s very rich and creamy and does melt easily in your mouth. I LOVE chocolate and I do get some serious chocolate cravings from time to time. I must say that one chunk from the Air Delights chocolate bar would be more then enough to kill your chocolate urges. It’s THAT rich and creamy. Even one or two of the Air Delight Kisses would be more then enough to satisfy even the biggest chocolate lover.

I brought home some chocolate for my family to try. I had my kids split a chocolate bar. They were not happy that I didn’t let them have a whole Air Delights chocolate bar. Even having just 1/2 of the bar both kids were happy and satisfied with what they had. I don’t think they missed the other half of the bar. The mouth watering chocolate experience they had with just 1/2 of the bar was enough for them.

My husband had three of the Air Delight Kisses and he said that it was plenty of chocolate for him too. My husband could easily finish off 1/2 a bag of regular Kisses. I guess there is something with the chocolate being aerated that makes them very rich and creamy. They also feel a bit “lighter” too.

Hershey’s Air Delight chocolate is available across the nation. Since it’s new it might not be available in all markets – yet. It’s available in 1.44 ounce single serve bars and 9.4 ounce bags of Kisses. Currently they are only available in milk chocolate. I am hopeful that one day they will offer the chocolate in dark, white and mint flavors too. YUMMY!

For the record it’s HOT in a hot air balloon. I was a bit concerned about eating chocolate with all the heat but thankfully the Hershey representatives kept everything chilled so the chocolate didn’t melt.

Check out just how much heat comes from the balloon’s “engine” (for lack of a better description). I have both an up close photo and one taking from the ground when other bloggers were heading up in the balloon. Pretty amazing huh? You wonder how the balloon doesn’t catch on fire!

I’m not one to get my picture taken. I HATE getting my picture taken. Since this was a once in a life time experience I had to get my picture taken to remember this special day. Not that I’ll ever forget today’s adventure. That is not possible! I am going to remember this day FOREVER!

The two pictures above of me in the balloon (the middle and bottom image) are credited to Insider Images. For some odd reason my blog wouldn’t let me embed that into the photo like the one at the top of this post.

Soon we had to hop back on the helicopter for our trip back to NYC. This time around we had a black helicopter.

The ride back home was equally as amazing. We even flew directly over Newark International Airport (or at least I think it was Newark). It was really cool to see the airplanes from above. Some of them were moving around the run ways getting ready to take off.

Check out this photo of both New Jersey (to the left) and New York City (to the right). The Hudson River is in the middle.

I was sad to land in New York City. I didn’t want the day to end! It was a whirwind experience. Even after I landed I still had my head in the clouds (no pun intended ).

THANK YOU HERSHEY’S! Thank you for the most amazing and memorable day, one that I will never, ever forget. And thank you for helping me to knock two things off my Bucket List.

For more information about Hershey’s and/or their new Air Delight chocolate please visit their official website, www.Hersheys.com. You can also find them on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/Hersheys and of course on Twitter, www.Twitter.com/Hersheys.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I was an invited guest of Hershey’s to experience the hot air balloon ride and to try out free samples of the Air Delight chocolates. All opinions expressed are my own.

Have you ever gone to a sleep away camp?

Kimberly — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:30:37 +0000

Have you ever gone to a sleep away camp? Growing up I thought that sleep away camps looked like a lot of fun. Movies like Meatballs and Little Foxes made sleep away camps look like the experience of a life time. Then there were movies like Friday the 13th that made me a bit fearful of having to hide from a deranged psychotic killer. Ha Ha.

I have thought about sleep away camps for my children. Not so much my son but more so my daughter. She loves to sleep over her friend’s homes. She also makes friends very easily. I think she would have a lot of fun swiming, playing sports, riding on a boat, doing crafts and other fun camp activities.

Here is an interesting article in the current issue of Project You magazine that talks about sleep away camps that you might find interesting.

Have you ever been to a sleep away camp? Has your child? What are your thoughts about them?

Kimberly

*This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy’s writers network. To read personal stories by real camp parents, visit http://www.mainecampexperience.com/camp-reviews.

Are you planning a road trip with your family?

Kimberly — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:00:23 +0000

I am very excited. My husband has off from work this coming Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (July 13 – July 15). Although we can’t to the Jersey shore (Point Pleasant) like we had wanted to, we will still be heading out on the road this week. Once our kitten is older and able to be out and about on her own then we can go out for longer periods of time (day trips).

I have already been stocking up on supplies to have handy in the care for whatever we end up doing later on this week. As a mom I learned a long time ago that there are certain “essentials” that I should always have handy when my family is going to be in the car for an hour or longer. Kids tend to get bored very quickly, especially young children.

Here are a few “must have” items that I always make sure to keep in my car for my kids. I usually keep everything in a tote bag so that it’s all together and not rolling around the backseat of the car.

- Snacks – Things like nuts, apples, raisins, pretzels, and other items that are not messy or perishable.

- Water- I have a small cooler that I keep ice packs in to keep water bottles cool. I don’t like sugary drinks because they only make you more thirsty.

- Paper – Can be used for a varity of things like games, notes, letters to a friend or drawing.

- Pencils, pens, markers and/or crayons – To draw, write or play games with. My kids LOVE to play Tic Tac Toe.

- Quarters and extra change just in case.

- Books and/or magazines to read – Personally I cannot read in the car but my kids can.

- Portable DVD player, a variety of DVDs and headphones for each child.

- iPods – I have a ‘tween and teen. Needless to say I rather not listen to “their music” so they can listen on their iPods.

- First Aid Kit

- Travel neck pillows and blankets – Just in case the kids get tired.

- Road Atlas – My son LOVES to check out where wer are going on the maps. Tradition maps are hard to fold but the atlas really keeps his attention.

- Travel games – We have an assortment of travel games we’ve collected over the years. Even a deck of cards can be fun for the kids.

These are the items that I made sure to take with me when my family is traveling to keep the kids amused. As a precaution it’s always great to have something to cover your car when you are traveling too. Whether you are driving to Grandma’s house an hour upstate or traveling across the country, having road side assistance is a huge “plus”. Trust me, I have had to rely on road side assistance on more then one occasion (ran out of gas, flat tires, transmission died…). You would be crazy not to have some kind of protection just in case something happens when you are driving.

Surprisingly, there are over 52 million households that pay annual fees for roadside assistance, but the average driver uses their service only once every three years. Personally I use our service a few times per year but I know other people who rarely use it at all. It would seem silly to pay a yearly fee for something you never use, but at the same time you really need to have assistance just in case something happens to your car.

Allstate is offering an alternative option through this service. It’s called Good Hands Roadside Assistance program. Here are a few key details of the program.

- You do not need to have Allstate insurance to use this service.

- You only pay when you use it, there are no monthly fees.

- Anyone can call at any time and use this service when needed by calling 1-800-ALLSTATE and asking for roadside assistance.

- Pre-registering for Good Hands Roadside Assistance provides faster service at time of need on the road. Those that pre-register will also receive a welcome kit in the mail containing a wallet card, key fob and window cling with the phone number for roadside help.

- You can register for up to 5 users on your account.

I LOVE the idea of not having a monthly or yearly fee and that you only pay when you need it. That can really save the average family a lot of money each year.

If you have ever had to have your car towed, or have a service vehicle bring you gas when you run out, you know how incredibly expensive that can be. Sadly I know that first hand since I have had that happen to me before. That is why I ended up paying a yearly fee for the service that I currenly have. We actually pay for both my car and my husband’s car but in the past 5 years my husband has never needed to use it. In the long run I think it might be a bit less expensive to switch to the Good Hands Roadside Assistance program, especially for my husband’s car.

Many years ago when I was still in my early 20′s my car broke down on the Interstate. Since I didn’t have the money for a tow truck my family had to come and get me. My brother in law had to tow my car while my uncle followed behind my car with his blinkers on for safety reasons. We made a U-turn, not realizing we couldn’t do that and when we tried to get off the next exit they wouldn’t let us through because we made that U-turn. We had to pay $$$ to make up for it for all three cars. At that point it cost us MORE then it would have cost if we just called a tow truck.

You can sign up for the program directly from the above link (widget).

Do YOU have any road trips planned for the summer? What about later on in the year? Are they long trips or short trips? I always love to hear from my readers.

Kimberly

*This is a compensated post. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Win a Luxury Maine Vacation and Save 25%!

Kimberly — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:08:34 +0000

Have you ever been to Maine? Many years ago (I’m guessing it was about 20 years ago) my best friend and I decided to go on a little adventure. With our suitcases packed we went on a road trip to “where ever”. We didn’t rely on maps or anything. We just drove. We ended up going through Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. I ♥ New England states. One day I would love to move to Maine. I thought it was a beautiful state. I love nature and Maine offers visitors breathtaking ocean views and the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen.

Check out this guest post on how you can win an amazing Maine camp experience.

There’s nothing like summertime in Maine! If you’ve never been to Maine, summer is a magical time to go. If you’re contemplating sending your child to overnight camp in Maine, you don’t want to miss taking part in this amazing opportunity! Migis Hotels, a collection of award-winning luxury hotels and resorts in Maine, is partnering with MaineCampExperience.comto give away two fabulous vacation packages AND offering 25% off new reservations throughout summer 2011 when touring a Maine Camp Experience member camp this summer. Migis Hotels and The Maine Camp Experience know that summers and camp belong in Maine…and they’re sure you’ll agree.

MaineCampExperience.com is a newly launched informational and resource-based website to help parents explore the culture and offerings as well as learn more about visiting overnight camps in the best state to send kids to camp. The website is represented by a community of premier American Camp Association accredited Maine camps that are dedicated to providing children with the highest quality summer camp experiences.

Migis Hotelsis a collection of luxury hotels and resorts dedicated to creating an unparalleled world of relaxation and recreation at extraordinary waterfront settings in Maine. Breathtaking views, gourmet food, and attentive, personalized service distinguish Migis Hotel Group’s portfolio. Each property – including Black Point Inn, Migis Lodge and The Inn at Ocean’s Edge – has a unique and distinctive character that conveys a strong sense of place and ensures an authentic Maine experience. As one reviewer said “It’s like summer camp for adults!”

Visit Maine Camps this Summer and Save on your Stay
The best way to explore the wonder of camps in Maine is to visit them with your kids. Plan a family tour at Maine Camp Experience member camps this summer, because families won’t want to miss out on the 25% discountMigis is offering on new reservations (subject to availability). Stay at these quintessential Maine hotels and lodges, and tour our camps, to truly understand why Summers and Camp Belong in Maine! Call any of the Migis properties and mention Maine Camp Experience to receive this special offer.

Win a Family Summer Vacation in Maine
Also at MaineCampExperience.com, families can enter to win one of two complimentary luxury summer vacations valued at up to $5,000 at any of Migis’ three award-winning properties. Vacation packages include accommodations, food, and activities for up to 4 people. Families considering a Maine Camp Experience camp for their child in 2012, can schedule a camp tour of any member camp this summer, and be eligible to win the Tour-A-Camp Vacation(drawing will be held on September 1st, 2011.) Families with a child(ren) currently enrolled as a member of a Maine Camp Experience camp are eligible to enter The Camper-Parent-Appreciation Vacation (drawing to be held July 25th, 2011.)

For more information about qualifying and entering this exclusive Migis Hotel Group discount offer and luxury vacation drawing, and to learn more about visiting and attending some of America’s premier camps in the best state to send kids to camp, families can visit www.MaineCampExperience.com/visit.

For more information on Migis Hotel’s award-winning accommodations, visit Migis Hotel Group.

Disclosure: This compensated post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network (www.rolemommy.com).

Are you traveling this summer?

Kimberly — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:00:52 +0000

If you read my blog frequently you’d know that things have been pretty stressful around here lately. I really need a vacation. Seriously… I REALLY NEED A VACATION! I wish there was a way I could just take off to some lush beach resort in Florida or some deserted tropical island some where. There are days I think that the Swiss Family Robinson had the ideal life, far removed from the stress, hustle and bustle of every day life.

To be honest with you my family and I are not proficient when it comes to traveling. The most traveling we do is day trips that don’t require luggage or reservations. When I was out in California in January I had to learn quickly how to make my way through the check points at the airport and how to pack my luggage so I could take it on the plane with me rather then have to check it in to be put in the under carriage of the plane. I never knew luggage could only be a certainly size and weight.

I’ve noticed that traveling has become high tech too. When I was younger you checked in with a person at the airport. Now a days you can check in at a machine that resembles an ATM. You can even check in online or via your smartphone. We even found out that you can track airplanes on a special website. My husband and son enjoyed watching my flight to/from California and seeing what cities and states I was flying over.

I really need to learn some more of the summer tech travel tips. I’m certain there are a lot of things I don’t know about. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were applications to help you plan for summer travel, find fun places to visit and locate great places to eat in your vacation town. I wonder if Disney has any super cool travel applications? I’ll have to Google that or look it up on the iPad.

First and foremost I think we need to learn how to budget for a vacation. That is our #1 problem – lack of $$$ for a nice vacation. Not only saving for a vacation but making sure we save up enough. The last thing we’d want is to be some place on vacation and find out we don’t have enough $$$. Since we don’t use credit cards that could be a problem.

How do YOU figure out how much you’ll need for a trip? Do you Google how much things cost or do you “guesstimate” how much you’ll need?

How do YOU find a way to save money for vacation? Do you open up a savings account specifically for vacation funds? Or do you drop all your change in a piggy bank at night?

Do people still use travel agents these days? I thought about becoming a travel agent years ago but for some reason I just gave up on the idea. It seemed like fun at the time. I guess I didn’t want to be responsible if someone had a miserable time.

Do you use places like those online hotel or flight booking services to book/plan your vacation? I have never even looked at those sites, or sites like that, before.

I am open to suggestions, advice and tips on how to plan a summer vacation. I always welcome and appreciate my readers input. Please feel free to comment on any tips or advice you might like to share.

Kimberly

If you are in New York City this summer…

Kimberly — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:23:04 +0000

… check out Broadway in Bryant Park, presented by 106.7 Lite FM. This is a fun family activity that runs from July through August. The series is a great way to experience some of Broadway’s hottest shows while soaking up the summer sun. Best of all the program is FREE!

The series features Tony nominated musicals and shows such as Stomp, Chicago, Memphis, Wicked, Rent, Sister Act, Billy Elliot and Mamma Mia!. The series begins on July 7, 2011 on the Bryant Park Stage and will continue through August 11, 2011. Each lunchtime performance will run on every Thursday from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

Here is the current schedule.

Thursday, JULY 7th (Lite fm Emcee: Victor Sosa)

- Stomp

- Baby It’s You

- Sister Act

- Zarkana

Thursday, JULY 14th (Lite fm Emcee: Delilah)

- Chicago

- Million Dollar Quartet

- Catch Me If You Can

- Newsical

Thursday, JULY 21^st (Lite fm Emcee: Helen Little)

- The Addams Family

- Billy Elliot

- Memphis

- Rock of Ages

- Voca People

Thursday, JULY 28th (Lite fm Emcee: Christine Nagy)

- Anything Goes

- The Phantom Of The Opera

- The Fantasticks

- Hair

- Traces

Thursday, AUGUST 4th (Lite fm Emcee: Bob Bronson)

- Jersey Boys

- The Lion King

- Rent

- Wicked

- Death Takes a Holiday

Thursday, AUGUST 11^th (Lite fm Emcee: Rich Kaminski)

- Mamma Mia!

- Mary Poppins

- Avenue Q

- Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

Here is some additional information to make note of.

- The schedule subject to change at discretion of 106.7 Lite fm or pending weather conditions.

- In the event of mandatory performance cancellation, all efforts will be made to re-assign previously scheduled shows into a remaining “Broadway in Bryant Park” performance date.

- Visit www.1067litefm.com or tune into 106.7 Lite fm for ‘Up-to-the-Minute’ schedule changes and or performance cancellations.

- 106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2011 is being produced by Pop2Life Creative Marketing and Promotion www.pop2life.com

Bryant Park is situated behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It is open from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM during the summer months. Bryant Park also has a film festival, activities and other fun things for individuals and families.

For more information about Bryant Park please visit www.BryantPark.org.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated in any way for this post. I posted this information for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers.

It’s not the end of the world…but…

Kimberly — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:29:47 +0000

… it sure looked a bit ominous when we came out of the mall this evening. The rapture was suppose to begin at 6:00 PM. At 5:30 we were leaving the mall and look what we saw.

Needless to say that was rather a creepy sight.

I’m glad to see that we are all still here. Not that I believed any of it to begin with. One down, one to go. Now we have to worry about December 21, 2012, the day the Mayans predicted the world would end.

Can’t anyone predict GOOD stuff for a change? Why does it always have to be hell fire and brimstone?

I hope you all spent your “final moments” on Earth (LOL) doing something fun and special. My family and I spent the day out on a pier called the Piermont Pier. It’s not really a pier, per say. It’s a long, thin, narrow piece of land that sticks out into the Hudson River. At the very end there is a small dock.

It’s very nice to walk on and it offers some beautiful views. Here are some photos from today.

One of my favorite photos is a HUGE pile of wood (much bigger then in the picture) with a flag on top. On May 29th at midnight they are going to set this on fire, creating a massive bonfire, to honor the Firemen and Policemen who lost their lives on September 11th.

I hope someone takes a picture of the bonfire. I’m sure it’s going to be HUGE!

Directly across from the bonfire is the coolest bench I have ever seen. The back of it resembles the American Flag and the sides of it have the US emblem on them.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we are heading upstate for a pre-birthday party for me and my daughter. One of the disadvantages of having a birthday late in May means that it sometimes falls on Memorial Weekend when most people have plans. We have to celebrate our birthdays with our family a few days early since everyone has plans next weekend.

This will be our first official BBQ of the season. Yummy!

I hope you are all enjoy your weekend!

Kimberly