Street of Pompeii
photo by Paul Vlaar CC BY-SA 3.0

Seldom have ancient ruins stirred one as do those of Pompeii. The catastrophic eruption that buried this seaside resort town in AD 79 preserved it with remarkable detail. So much so in fact, that it is this town which has provided much evidence of life in ancient Rome for historians to study.

The region of Campania by the Bay of Naples in Italy was no stranger to seismic activity. There was much evidence found during excavations that attested to this fact by repairs done on Pompeii’s temples, water systems, houses and public buildings. Only sixteen years before the deadly eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a massive earthquake caused much damage to the town. But people were quick to forgive nature’s fury and overlook its volatile temper, opting to remain in the thriving resort town that drew many wealthy Romans, merchants and service classes to its lush and fertile grounds.

Mount Vesuvius rising behind the ruins of Pompeii
photo by Kim Traynor CC BY-SA 3.0

Walking through the excavated ruins of Pompeii is like stepping back in time almost two millennia ago. Pompeii is the quintessential Roman town complete with a forum, temples, civic buildings, amphitheater, theater, ordered neighborhood blocks comprising of tenements and upper class villas, shops, workshops, taverns, public bath houses, a city wall, and well-kept roads connecting everything inside the luxury city.

Remains of House of the Faun
photo by Porsche997SBS CC BY-SA 3.0

Visitors can walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans as they made their way on the streets to buy or sell things from the marketplace. Or as they flocked to the great arena for the games displayed in bloody glory including gladiatorial combats. Or as they went about their daily work and pleasure in the seaside town that was drenched in golden sunlight and endless possibilities. Life was good. Especially for the upper classes.

But on that fateful day in late August of AD 79, all that changed. People stared at the sky when a strange mushroom cloud was spewed from the crater of Mount Vesuvius. They were mesmerized by its colossal size and ominous appearance. Many abandoned the town after the initial earthquakes leading up to the eruption, but others stayed, whether by choice or by obligation.

Garden of the Fugitives
photo by Lancevortex CC BY-SA 3.0

It was the fallout that buried the town and preserved it with such detail. Freshly baked bread was found to remain in situ in a clay oven. Exquisite frescos and mosaics were uncovered in stunning colors and patterns. Jewelry, homes, and artifacts galore—including armor and weapons from gladiators—have been found buried there. But what is perhaps most touching are the human plaster casts of the people who died there. No matter what artifacts and architecture have been preserved, it is its people that are the most poignant and precious discovery of all. Perhaps because it is a reminder of our own mortality, and of the fleeting nature of this life. It is also a reminder that amid the ruins and ashes of this life, our dreams and desires transcend the boundaries of the moment, linking us with our ancestors across the great sea of time.

Visualize yourself standing in the center of urban Los Angeles, surrounded by high-rise buildings, broad paved streets, cars, buses and trucks, and people hurrying along their busy ways. Now pause for a moment to see life as you know it, come to a screeching halt. You glance about you, and to your astonishment, everything slowly vanishes: the buildings, the roads, the sidewalks, the cars, and every single person passing along the way: all GONE.

In its stead is scrubby land and wildlife as far as the eye can see. Close by is what appears to be a watering hole or small lake with natural asphalt bubbling up from the ground. Part of it is covered with dust, leaves and water.

The cries of an American mastodon get your attention. It is a young male stuck in the lake’s tar. He became trapped when he went for a drink of water and ventured a little too deep.

But yours isn’t all the attention he’s garnered. A saber-toothed cat has also heard his cries and now pounces upon the hapless giant.

Startled, you want to run, but step into a patch of sticky tar. Luckily you are able to withdraw your foot and move away. But something else catches your eye: the carcass of a dire wolf.

Then you notice the other animals, all of which were somehow lured to the mysterious lake and died, trapped by the sticky tar.

Is this real? Can such a freakish phenomenon exist in the middle of Los Angeles?

Yes. And it still exists today, though it is no longer the death trap it once was.

Welcome to the La Brea Tar Pits.

Proceed, not with caution, but with an open mind, a fertile imagination, and a sense of great adventure.

The La Brea Tar Pits is a treasure trove of prehistoric relics dating back to the Pleistocene epoch 11,000 to 40,000 years ago. From fascinating creatures like the American Mastodon which are distant relatives of the ancestors of elephants, to powerful saber-toothed cats, ground sloths, dire wolves, ancient bison, and so much more, this is a place to get a glimpse of Los Angeles and the wildlife which roamed it a very long time ago.

The wonderful thing about this museum is that it is small enough to easily navigate, yet varied enough to keep young and old alike riveted. I have visited here countless times over the years, and it never fails to enthrall me. Every couple years or so, I need a fresh “fix.” Museums in general enchant me, and this one is especially captivating because of its natural history.

The museum consists of a fossil lab, 3D theater, atrium, and wonderful exhibits with countless fossils including saber-toothed cats, ground sloths, the Columbian mammoth, horses, dire wolves, condors and so much more.  There are several excavation sites, or pits, where many ancient mammoths, camels, bison, horses and other animal fossils were discovered. This museum boasts the world’s richest collection of Ice Age land animals. But the lake pit by its entrance is perhaps one of the most fascinating attractions. It still bubbles with seeping asphalt as it did a long time ago. And while the life-size statues of American mastodon stuck inside the lake are made of fiberglass, you can almost imagine them being real: trapped in a deathbed of sticky tar, their desperate cries drawing predators from afar, life fading fast with the morning star…

Yes, it certainly can be imagined, especially knowing that such things really did happen here, right in the middle of prehistoric Los Angeles.

Indeed… Life really is stranger than fiction…

Sarmizegetusa was the capital of Dacia (present-day Romania) before its conquest by the Roman Empire in the early second century AD.  Built right into the mountains of the Carpathians, the main fortress was the citadel of King Decebalus of Dacia, and the site where the final siege took place before the Romans captured the city and turned Dacia into a Roman province.

Ruins of the Dacian temples in the Sacred Zone in Sarmizegetusa.
photo by Cosmin Stefanescu CC By-SA 3.0

Sarmizegetusa was chosen to be the Dacian capital for its proximity to the holy mountain of Kogaionon and the cave of the god Zamolxis whom they worshipped. The region was rich in silver and gold mines, and provided much wealth to the ancient Dacians.

Today there is little left of ancient Sarmizegetusa. The temple ruins are all that remain. But hiking through the dappled light of the towering trees, one can imagine what it must have been like to arrive at the citadel’s imposing stone towers and massive double-layered andesite and limestone block wall protecting the city from trespassers. Remnants of the wall and sacred road beckon visitors to explore this hidden site.

Walking by the remains of the ancient fortress walls of Sarmizegetusa is utterly bewitching.

The stones are pitted and overgrown with moss and weeds, but one cannot help being drawn to them. Touching their rough surfaces is like reaching across the veil of Time and being immersed into the past. How many people have walked on this same road, or followed ox-drawn carts through the massive gates that once guarded the citadel’s entrance? Or arrived on horseback, ducking where the branches hung low as the sounds of hoofs clicked on the paved road, or stepped softly along the packed earth?

A section of the Sacred Road of Sarmizegetusa. King Decebalus of Dacia must have traversed this path many times.

Sarmizegetusa was built on several hillside terraces carved out of the mountain, below which the ancient River Sargetia wound on one side, and deep valleys flanked the other sides. The city was divided into a tree-lined sacred zone, from which rose several round temples with rings of soaring stone columns, and two sprawling residential districts with wooden homes, workshops, and a marketplace full of shops. There was a sewer system, running water, and streets paved in broad flagstone. But its main, heavily fortified gate was accessible by a narrow slope cutting through tall fir and oak trees which stood like watchmen guarding the paved sacred road leading to the city.

The foundations of the temples are all that remain now. But the ruins are enough to set the imagination soaring.

Getting to Sarmizegetusa is no small feat. But this is precisely what makes it so remote and enticing. The ruins wait in a glade hidden by trees high in the mountain. They are shrouded in mystery and nature’s glorious splendor. A sense of reverence fills onlookers as they summon images of Dacia’s mighty past. But as thoughts turn to the final siege, one can almost imagine the cries and panic of the people as they fought the Romans who were attacking the walls which no longer provided security.

Portrait of King Decebalus as he might have appeared.

The sound of scraping on a stone brings to mind the Roman army circling impatiently by the outskirts of the now-broken wall. If I close my eyes I can imagine the horses of the Roman cavalry stomping and snorting in eagerness and expectation. The screeching of a bird is reminiscent of the wailing of the ancient inhabitants of the doomed city. The breeze is thick with the scent of balsam and cedar, but one can also imagine it carrying the scent of the fires from the Roman encampment below. The ancient ghosts seem to beckon visitors, sending shivers of anticipation along the nape.

The atmosphere is charged with something almost supernatural. It is at once reverential and exhilarating as only the sublime combination of nature and ancient ruins can evoke. With every step I am drawn deeper into the mystique of this beautiful and haunting site.

Visiting a place like this makes one think of the key players in its past. I would have liked to meet Decebalus.  He was a fascinating man. A natural born leader, intelligent, confident, noble, ambitious, fiercely independent and proud. A man among men. But in Emperor Trajan he met his match. And as the old adage says, “pride goeth before a fall,” because it was Decebalus’s pride that led to his demise and the vanquishing of his mighty kingdom.

Another view of the ruins surrounded by trees.

Location

Sarmizegetusa Regia is a must-see for lovers of history and nature. It is located in Transylvania, in central Romania, 15 miles northeast of the town Hunedoara. This archeological site is a real treasure. The road leading up the mountain is long and off the beaten path. But once there, the hike through the woods is well worth the effort. It is a pristine place, tranquil and cloaked in ancient allure. There is something almost magical about the landscape. It has the romance of seclusion, something which I love.

Certainly, large cities with their people, monuments and history have their appeal, but places like Sarmizegetusa have the ability to captivate one’s imagination through the unrivaled allure of nature, the mystique of ruins, and a sense of seclusion, all of which will set any romantic’s soul on fire. Mine certainly is. Ah, mighty Decebalus. What has become of thee?

Big Bend National Park

We stayed at The Gage Hotel in little Marathon, Texas, in many ways more of a ghost town than a big town, with a population of 430, a bar, a grocery, and a pizza shop. But this hotel offers a “big” range of comfort for its guests. It’s got a rustic feeling from brick patios to adobe walls, but it’s also elegant, with a pretty and heated pool, and rooms furnished with authentic Western style. It has an interesting history, too. It was originally built back in 1927 as a spot for owner Alfred S. Gage, to stay while he oversaw the cattle on his ranches. It was designed in Mission style by well-regarded architecht Henry Charles Trost, fell into disrepair, and beginning in the 1970s, was artfully restored by J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan. The current property is made up of the original, fifteen-room hotel, twenty adobe brick rooms slung low across the adjoining courtyard, and the newest section of the property, three large casitas and the five seven bedroom Captain Shepard House property.

The Gage Hotel

While dining is in the “fine” category at the hotel’s 12 Gage Restaurant, that doesn’t mean you have to head on down the street to the local pizzeria. The chef is very accommodating, and will offer smaller, plainer portions of inventive food items. Dining can be inside or on the patio, where with twinkling white lights overhead, the atmosphere is relaxed. Dinner over, it’s time to walk to the edge of the property, away from the lights, and gaze up. The spread of stars here is amazing; crisp dry air makes the starsgazing especially bright.

Rooms at The Gage

The Gage makes a perfect place to recharge after a day in Big Bend. Just driving the main roads into and out of the park provide plenty of picture-worthy stopping points, and there are over a hundred miles of paved roads that lead past spectacular rock monuments and offer glimpses of flora and fauna. But to really explore the region, it’s best to hike or walk. At 0.3 miles, the paved Window View Trail is by far the easiest, circling a hill and offering great views of the craggy peaks that ring the Chisos Basin. Another short and easy trail is the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail at 0.5 miles. This is a flat desert-climate trail that’s shaded by cottonwood trees in part. The remains of a Native American settlement are visible from it. Chisos Basin Loop Trail is 1.8 miles and unpaved, but it’s shaded and climbs slowly through pine and juniper. A great trail for bird watchers, we saw blue jays and orioles. In spring, agave plants along the trail burst into colorful bloom.

Roads lead to great views in Big Bend National Park

Adults and older kids will enjoy Chimneys Trail, a 4.8 mile trail studded with red rock shaped like chimneys. Some pinnacles have Native American petroglyphs carved on them.

Outside the park, there’s plenty more to see as well. Forty-five down the highway from the Gage in Marathon is the town of Marfa, home to sculptor Donald Judd’s Chinati Foundation, a former military fort converted into galleries. Full and half day tours are offered, and even older kids may get restive at the full day version. The half day will do it, leading visitors through many a light-filled space filled with sculpted shapes, neon streaks, and other minimalist artworks, most of them Judd’s. Even without a tour, you can enjoy grabbing a bite to eat at the Foodshark gourmet food truck in town, and taking your artful taco with you to marvel at Prada Mafa, a mock up of a boutique that would be right at home in Beverly Hills, but which enjoys a surreal spot on a dusty stretch of highway U.S. 90.

Heading west toward Marathon again, you’ll come to the viewing platform for another big attraction in West Texas, the Marfa lights: glowing white orbs often visible across the shimmering desert floor, particularly just about sunset. Communication from aliens or distant headlights reflecting off a mountain pass? You be the judge, along with a cheerful crowd of locals and tourists. Often a local musician will strum, sometimes locals sell food and drink.

Over-all, from landscapes to art, we found that the very biggest thing about Big Bend country was simple: big fun.

The Arizona Inn

ARIZONA INN

We stayed at the beautiful Arizona Inn, a history-packed classic with pink walls and red-tiled roofs. It’s truly an elegant place, with a beautiful fountain, carefully tended flowers, and rooms and suites that are large, comfortable, and filled with amenities from free Wi-Fi to private porches and original art work that depicts the region. Created in 1930 by Isabella Greenway, the Inn is still family owned, the staff is friendly and accommodating.

The pool at the Arizona Inn

ON-SITE FUN

What families may love best however is not the high-thread-count linens or polished service. It’s the pool. A beautiful rectangular oasis, there are free water toys and floats for the kids, meal and bar service at tables directly adjoining the pool, and from 5 to 7 every night in the summer months, there’s a free ice cream sundae bar. And it’s nothing casual: laid out in an adjoining lounge area are more toppings that you’ll see at your local Coldstone’s, plus choices of chocolate or vanilla ice cream, or raspberry sorbet. Oh my. Kids of all ages, and maybe even the adults, will be back for seconds in no time flat.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Other family friendly activities abound: crouquet and horsehoes, table tennis, tennis courts, and an exercise room. After a full day by the pool, free DVD rentals are provided – of all classic films. Kids have never seen Casablanca? Well, now’s the time.

DINING

Dining can be in the formal dining room with cathedral ceilings or al fresco at the Audobon bar where small birds peck for fallen crumbs and a canopy keeps things cool. Breakfast favorites like blue corn pancakes are gourmet enough for adults looking for flavor and totally fun for the little ones.

A fountain at the Arizona Inn

Talking to some of the other guests, it’s clear that many families – including Tucson area residents – make it a tradition to spend some of their summer at The Arizona Inn. With great rates, luxury,  and kid-friendly activities, what’s not to like?

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

If you can tear yourself away from the pool, the Saguaro National Park is less than twenty minutes away. Divided into two halves by the city of Tucson itself, there are several loop roads in both halves of the park that bring you up close and personal with the Saguaro cactuses without even exiting your air-conditioned car. In the Rincon Mountain District to the east, you can take a scenic drive on Cactus Forest Loop Drive and get stunning views of the Rincon Mountains. In the Tucson Mountain District, to the west, a loop drive that departs from the visitor’s center offer great looks at stands of Saguaro, the nation’s largest cactus. It’s here that you can easily access the Signal Hill Picnic Area, where a short hike of less than half a mile leads you to a close-up view of dozens of Hohokam petroglyphs. With a walk that takes ten minutes maximum each way, you can do this easy hike up a short set of stone steps any time of day. Even shorter is the hundred yard cactus garden trail in front of the Red Hills Visitors Center.

At twilight, you’ll want to watch the sunset, which is a cause for celebration and observation in Tucson. Gates Pass inside Tucson Mountain Park is a great spot to see the sun sink into the horizon with all the cactus creating iconic silhouettes. You won’t be alone: when we were there local families brought picnics and fast food to tailgate.

A Tucson Sunset

TUCSON ACTIVITIES

Tucson has a number of air-conditioned-cool indoor activities that will charm all year long, too.
The Tucson Museum of Miniatures offers a unique collection of miniatures; The Center for Creative Photography, located on the University of Arizona campus, shows world-class touring collections. Also on campus is a gem and mineral museum. In the heart of downtown Tucson is the Tucson Museum of Art, with a superb collection of contemporary art as well as Latin American and American Western art collections. On the way to or from the Tucson Mountain area of Saguaro National Park, you’ll find the International Wildlife Museum. Located in a building that resembles a castle, with a gigantic bronze lion in front, this museum contains 400 species of insects, birds, and mammals from collections donated and housed in natural-setting dioramas. Movies about animals and interactive video displays present information on habitats and conservation.

Fun and funky, a good dinner bet is Mariscos Chihuahua, with incredibly fresh seafood rumored to be driven up from the Mexican Gulf daily, inexpensive prices, bright murals, and a pretty patio. Off the beaten track and more locals than tourist oriented, fish tacos should appeal to even the pickiest small diner, friendly service and tasty Margaritas will make mom and dad smile.

So forget about the heat, and check out Tucson in the summer – from a great swim plus sundaes at the Arizona Inn to sunset views that appear to be projected in Technicolor, Tucson’s the place.

Showing your children the night sky is something of a miracle. There’s the wonder of the sky itself, the vastness of the universe that you yourself may sometimes take for granted. There’s the eye-opening, round-mouthed joy of children taking it all in. There’s the pleasure of being family together there in the darkness. Unless your children have been raised in a rural environment, the lights of suburbs or city may well have dimmed the full glory of the night sky. It’s almost a parental right of passage to show your offspring what stars really look like for the first time.

That stargazing brings happiness, togetherness, and a sense of awe is undisputed; the real question is where you should go to do your stargazing. Naturally, you’ll want a dark sky, with as little light pollution as possible, but you won’t want a spot so remote you’ll have difficulty heading back to wherever you’re spending the night afterwards.

PLANETARIUMS

Before you set out on a journey to explore the real night sky, it’s a great idea to take children to a made-made variation. Planetariums are an excellent resource because they can impart, in an usually short and succinct fashion, information about what you’re going to be seeing in the sky. In Los Angeles, we have Griffith Observatory’s varied shows, supplemented by looks at the planets and space in exhibits throughout the observatory as well as by the ability to look through a large telescope at a planet or two. Even if you don’t live in a large city, many colleges, including community colleges, have astronomy programs. Small teaching planetariums are often open to the public periodically throughout the year. If you can’t visit an actual planetarium, there are star charts, star projections, and on-line star presentations that are all great for giving kids a short course – and refreshing your own knowledge – on what you’ll be seeing in the night sky.

OBSERVER’S INN

The wonderful Observer’s Inn, which I’ve mentioned in a full article on this site, is another place to teach the wonders of the night sky. Located in Julian, Calif., where the skies are themselves stellar for viewing, this bed and breakfast’s private observatory conducts “star tours” four nights a week. Owners Mike and Caroline Leigh include non-guests in these tours, which last a bit over an hour and include the ability to look through four research-grade telescopes.

LOWELL OBSERVATORY

The area around Flagstaff – where Lowell Observatory, one of the oldest in the nation, is based, offers great star gazing once you get away from town. Drive west on U.S. 40 and pull off at any farm road exit, douse the headlights, and get out of the car. There’s the Milky Way.

DEATH VALLEY

Death Valley also offers excellent star gazing. The parking lot at the sand dunes area near Stovepipe Wells is a comfortable spot to look up and take everything in. If you’re staying at Stovepipe you’ll be less than fifteen minutes from your motel; stay at Furnace Creek and its twenty-five. Closer to Furnace Creek but not so close that the ranch and motel lights obscure your view, the parking lot at Zabriskie Point is also a good spot.

RED ROCK CANYON

Los Angeles residents will often drive to Red Rock Canyon just past Lancaster on Highway 14 to star gaze; if the weather is clear – no beach fog – fairly dark family campgrounds like those at San Diego county’s San Onofre State Beach offer excellent sky viewing.

MOAB’S ARCHES NATIONAL PARK & SAND DUNE ARCH

In Utah, Moab’s Arches National Park is open twenty-four hours, and Sand Dune Arch is less than 0.3 miles from the parking lot. Yes, star gaze from the lot if you’d like, or at the lot near the Park Avenue rock formations. But for more intimate, stunning gazing with soft sand under foot, bring a flashlight and take the short flat trail to the arch.

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Big Bend National Park in Texas is also big on stargazing. With over a hundred miles of open, paved road, there doesn’t need to be a particular spot to pull over and gaze up, but the Chisos Basin area is very accessible and has paved parking lots.

EAST COAST STARGAZING SPOTS

Heading east, upstate New York’s Lake George area often boasts clear skies and sharp stars. In Maine, The Penobscot Narrows Bridge offers vast views of the region, and when the weather is dry, equally grand views of the night sky. To the south, Kiawah Island, South Carolina has warm, dark beaches and relatively zero light pollution.

K’AU DISTRICT – HAWAII

Perhaps our family favorite night sky viewing took place on Hawaii’s Big Island in the K’au district at the tip of the island. Staying at one of our favorite bed and breakfast’s there, Kalaekilohana, we simply opened the french doors to our room, stood out on the balcony, and watched the sky unfold a few feet from our beds.

Wherever you go to look up into millions of light years, millions of stars – savor the view.

Highlands House Villa Roccosa – Photo from Highlands Houses

If you’ve ever read your child a fairy tale…

And your child loved the story…

Then a stay in one of the Highlands Houses rental properties just outside of Joshua Tree National Park is in order.

THE PARK

The park itself, of course, is like something from a fairy tale. It has wonderfully strange rock boulders that look like something the giant from Jack in the Beanstalk tossed into the desert. Then there are the trees themselves, with their branches lifted as if they were frozen angels, the strange fuzzy tops of cholla, and the red blossoms of ocotillo. With short nature trails abounding, including the delightful stroll through the Cholla Cactus Garden at the southern end of the park, and the loop trail near the visitor’s center at the 29 Palms entrance to the park, there are plenty of ways for you and even the youngest traveler to enjoy the park. My children have loved it for years, including special side trips to tour a near by orchid farm (yes, orchids in the desert!) and the outdoor found art exhibits of Noah Purifoy. Barker Dam is another child-friendly stop in the park, with a ranger led tour taking groups through a recreated ranch property, and a pleasant trail around the dam itself.

HIGHLANDS HOUSES

The landscape is stunning – photo Highlands Houses

Highlands Houses are four desert vacation rentals spread out over five acres, and perfect for a family trip. The delightful indoor-outdoor configuration of the homes includes magical-feeling design elements that would entrance any child. And they’re close to the park entrance, too.

Villa Roccosa is all about the rocks. It is a large, modern cabin with a stainless steel and concrete kitchen, cozy Murphy bed in the living room, and ample futon for one or two children in a niche adjoining the dining room. The big draw here is a pile of stunning rock boulders that seem to have spilled into the living room. The windows are placed in such a way that through them, visions of rock out-croppings, Joshua Trees, and sky are visible like an ever changing picture book. Children old enough to enjoy a dip in a hot tub – with temperature settings, allowing a milder climate than hotel hot tubs would allow – will enjoy the outdoor, family sized tub here. It’s a great spot to watch the moon rise or the sunset. Star gazing is great, too. Look up from a spot on a porch or a while soaking in that hot tub, and take in the constellations. Light pollution is practically non-existent, which makes this a great place to teach the kids about the North Star, or show them the wonders of the Milky Way.

Another great spot to star gaze, possibly the best of all, is a grouping of chairs and table off the patio, facing into the desert. A perfect breakfast spot, you’ll feel as if your dining room is in the middle of the desert – because it more or less is.

The kids will also love the little touches here, a small Buddha and Ganesha statues, a rabbit statue crouched beneath a bush.

If this isn’t the home for your clan, check out the Artist Retreat, which has an adjoining art studio; the brightly painted small cabin at Luna Mesa, and the 1800-square-foot Sky House, with two bedrooms and a jacuzzi on the patio. The latter property would make a great spot for a large family reunion.

Luna Mesa – Highlands House property – photo Highlands Houses

ACTIVITIES

Owner Frederick Fulmer can set up massage, pilates, rock climbing, child care, and yoga classes in the homes. With views all around, it’s more than possible to enjoy an entire weekend just staying at the property.

You’ll find great views and plenty of privacy, as well as the ability to take short, child-friendly hikes around the desert terrain in what is essentially your own back yard. And with the park itself just a few minutes drive away, short trips into the heart of the park to explore strange formations like Skull Rock or take a stroll around blossoming ocotillo are easy to accomplish. One of the biggest luxuries and best family-friendly attribute of these properties is the ability to take limited jaunts through the park and return to a relaxing home base with plenty of space for the kids to enjoy.

FOOD

What about food? Well, stocking up to cook in one of the homes’ stylish kitchens is easy with major name groceries just a few miles away in Yucca Valley. In the town of Joshua Tree itself, try a slice of delicious pie or an eggless egg salad sandwich at Natural Sisters. This vegan and vegetarian spot has plenty of child-pleasers from the tasty veggie burger to chocolate chip cookies. If the kids want pizza, that’s available in Joshua Tree, too.

In short, with the backdrop of Highlands Houses, creating a magical desert weekend that’s easy for the entire family to enjoy is surprisingly simple, and very relaxing. From moon-rise to sun-up there’s always something to see and do – or lean back and do nothing at all.

For more information visit www.joshuatreehighlandshouses.com

Interior of Deluxe Tent – Moab Under Canvas

The solution is “glamping,” a trend in accommodations that puts you out in the heart of nature’s beauty without having to pitch that tent or light that fire yourself. Older kids, teens, and adults will enjoy the camping experience without muss or fuss. Stargaze to your heart’s content, no one has to take down or pack up the tent tomorrow. Little ones will simply accept the idea of living in a beautiful, canvas walled room in the middle of a scenic view.

MOAB UNDER CANVAS – Moab, Utah

At Moab Under Canvas just outside Moab, Utah, everyone in the family will enjoy this 40-acre property just a stone’s throw down the road from Canyonlands National Park and less than ten minutes from the better known national park attraction, Arches.

Tipis

On the site, clusters of tipis equipped with cots, plus sleeping bags, and tables form the low-cost option for a night’s stay. Guests staying here will use clean, private group restroom facilities near the tents.

Deluxe Tent Cabins

While the tipis are cozy and comfortable, the true prize here are the Deluxe tent cabins. They are as spacious as a medium-sized hotel room and perched on a strong wooden floor with a porch. A number of these deluxe tents are configured even larger – as suites with sitting areas and sofa beds. For families with older children or simply large groups, tipis can be moved to adjoin the tent cabins, giving kids their own private space while mom and dad are close by. All deluxe options feature king or twin beds with plush linens. For chilly nights, there’s a wood-burning stove and the wood to stock it. In-tent bathrooms are nestled behind a canvas curtain, but are fully equipped with a flush toilet, shower, and sink. The beds are comfortable, the wooden floor smooth to bare feet, attractive Ikea-style dressers and coat racks abound. Goodbye late night treks to a chemical toilet.

Amenities

As welcoming as all the amenities are, the porch is truly the best. Whether you’re up for the sunrise or watching the Milky Way and the trajectory of the moon, the porch is the perfect place to observe. It’s also a great spot for breakfast, which can be ordered a night ahead from a local café in town and delivered to the office on site. So can lunches to go; and while we took our own tours and hikes in the national parks, Under Canvas offers guided sunset hikes and other excursions for guests.

And about that office: it’s open twenty-four hours, features charging stations for cell phones and computers as there’s no electricity in the tent cabins or tipis, and has friendly staff members who are on call all night. There’s hot tea, coffee, and cocoa available, and plenty of cold water too. Need a crib for a tot or extra blankets? Someone’s there to provide it at any hour.

Moab Under Canvas

At night, staff members set a large bonfire in a fire ring near the office, making s’mores a no-brainer. Metal roasting forks also provided. It’s a great spot to hang out and talk with other guests, too.

In short: kids who love camping will love it even more at this Utah spot with a view of red rocks and vast desert. Adults who may be waffling on the whole sleep-in-a-tent thing need waffle no more.

Family Property

We stayed at the Wyndham, which is a time share resort. Yes, they do try to entice you into listening to a presentation about the property with the promise of a gas card or American Express card and breakfast; but there’s no reason to comply, unless you want that credit card. A quiet setting with a nicely uncrowded pool that tops off at 5 feet deep, one of the best things about this property was having a full kitchen and a washer-dryer. The two-bedroom suite is big enough for any family; small balconies offer slices of the dramatic views that you’ve probably come here to enjoy. If you decide to make a meal or two, several national chain groceries – including a Whole Foods – is just down the road.

Sunset Watch

The hotel is close to one of the premiere attractions in Sedona: a spectacular sunset. At Airport Mesa just a few minutes away, there’s ample, flat viewing space to see the sun kiss and set below red rock hills – yes, there’s the color red again. One of the most popular viewing spots at twilight, there’s still plenty of room to stand and gawk; a jubilant mood and easy just-across-the road parking makes this a good family spot. If the kids are a little older, take them out to Crescent Moon Red Rock Crossing which boasts a view of the famous Cathedral Rock as red as a burning ember in the last of the sunlight.

Grand Views

During the day, Boynton Canyon offers several easy and appealing hikes, including Vista Point, where the trail meanders pleasantly along a sandy path before a bit of mild rock scrambling to get to the vista. Parents of very small children may want to carry or strap them in to carriers, but it’s doable and lovely. You get a sense of the desert vastness and a grand view of monuments and valleys. The Chapel of the Holy Cross also gives a stellar view, and this architectural wonder is nestled so firmly in the rocks that it seems to have sprung right out of them.

You can’t visit Sedona without hearing about its energy vortexes, reputed to provide health benefits and Zen moments. Two of the most famous are also a part of incredible views and great climbs:  Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. Cathedral is challenging to all but the most intrepid of climbers, not a spot for young children unless sure-footed parents don’t mind carrying them along for the ride.  Bell offers an easier trail to the top. But even from the base of these gorgeous rock formations there is plenty to see, and kids will be fascinated by finding the vortexes – a sort of cosmic energy treasure hunt – as well as being captivated by the idea that they exist. Do they? Up to you to decide, but we certainly felt more positive and relaxed after a few days exploring them.

We took a hike about a third of the way up Cathedral Rock, to the point where the trail can be challenging for kids. From this cairn-guided stopping point, we nonetheless had a sweeping view of other rock formations, all a rich red in the sunlight, so picture-perfect against blue sky you’d think you’d imagined it, except for the climb back down.

If you’re not into hikes or even strolls, a cruise along Oak Creek in the car is one option, and a pleasant way to enjoy the red rock views and tree lined canyons. Another option:  jeep tours. A variety of jeep tour options abound in Sedona, and offer a great way to bounce pleasantly along the back-country and rocky trails without hiking. If you do stay at Wyndham, and you do get the sales pitch, discounts on jeep tours are also offered, along with the credit card incentive.

Beyond the Rocks

Looking for something more civilized? Then take the kids to the shops and galleries of Tlaquepaque, a graceful, tree shaded Spanish colonial-style shopping plaza. There are over forty shops; galleries feature locally produced art. Also on site is the Oak Creek Brewery, offering up cold micro-brews for parents and a bright, pleasant dining room. Kids will enjoy burgers, ample cheese and fruit plates, and sweet desserts. If you’re after some kid-friendly souvenirs, check out Mother Nature’s Trading Co. with eclectic kids’ items and objects of art.

A good spot for dinner is Javalina, inexpensive and tasty Mexican food served up both on a commodious patio overlooking outdoor sculptures and indoors. See if the kids can spot the miniature javalina in the fountain off the patio; don’t miss the crispy fish tacos.

Just outside of town, Slide Rock State Park is a place not to miss in warm weather. The park’s name comes from a natural water slide created from, what else, slippery rocks in Oak Creek. A great place for water splashing fun, above it are grand and rocky views, and alongside are lovely, shady trees. The park also includes a working apple farm, which, in autumn, provides yet another type of Sedona red.

The Grand Wailea Resort has lots of pools and water slides

The most striking aspect of Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort is its pools. They call it the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, though that may be a gross understatement. The pool is actually nine pools on six tiers, all of which are interconnected by water slides and rivers including whitewater rapids, a rope swing, a sand beach, a toddler pool, six cascading waterfalls, caves and charming grottos, three Jacuzzis, a swim-up bar, the world’s first water elevator, and more. It is a veritable water park nestled among lush tropical gardens on the resort’s forty beachfront acres at Maui’s renowned Wailea Beach.

Pools with cascading waterfalls add to the charm of this amazing resort

Oh, and did I mention the Hibiscus Pool with its two Jacuzzis? This 4,850-square-foot watery haven is an adults-only (18+ years) pool. Because let’s face it: sometimes you want to take a quiet dip in a pool that is not overrun by squealing children. And what a pool. It’s gorgeous. We’re talking Mexican glass mosaic tiles that make you feel as though you’ve stepped into the private luxury villa belonging to a mogul in the tropics.

The accommodations are inviting and very comfortable

What else could anyone ask for? How about luxury accommodations with expansive views of the beach. And dining. And shops. As far as accommodations go, the beds are easily the most comfortable I’ve slept on in any resort. This is important because when you are active all day, you need a good night’s rest to recharge so you can get up and do it all over again. After all, vacations are only a few days, so you want them to be well spent, not just leave you spent.

The resort grounds are lush, fragrant and so beautiful

DINING

The resort offers multiple options so you do not even need to leave the premises. There is the Grand Dining Room with ocean views and an amazing breakfast buffet including an omelet bar, fresh fruit, cereals, waffles, freshly baked pastries, rolls, eggs, bacon, juices, coffee, tea and so much more. Guests can lunch poolside at the Volcano Bar & Grill. There is the casual Bistro Molokini for lunch and dinner, as well as the more elegant dining at Humuhumunukunukuapua (try saying that one time, let alone more than once) with fresh fish, lobster, savory meats prepared with a Polynesian flare, and locally sourced ingredients right from Hawaii.

The game room is a great place for kids to unwind after a long day in the pools

For parents with young children, kids 5 and younger dine free with a paying adult. This is only one example of the Grand Wailea’s commitment to families. It’s called the Kids Eat Free and Kids Dine All Day. The restaurants also have keiki (kids) menus which include a beverage, entrée and dessert.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

The Grand Wailea also offers daily activities for guests including arts and crafts like jewelry making, bath salts creations, custom-made pizza stations for kids, dive-in movie features, guided meditation and fitness, and much more.

Wailea Beach is gorgeous, and the water is warm

But there’s more. A spa and a fitness center make a stay here the ultimate in luxury, so there is no excuse for not staying fit in paradise. You can pamper yourself to a spa treatment if that is something which entices you. What is so lovely about the Grand Wailea is that there are a variety of options and activities to suit most tastes. Those who love partaking of activities can do everything from scuba diving to sport fishing, golf, hiking, ziplining, lu’aus, sunset cruises, helicopter tours and so much more. While those who prefer to slow down and savor the moment will find that this resort is the perfect place to lose yourself amid the sea’s spectacular vistas or a walk on the powdery golden sand.

The sun rises in tranquil splendor beyond the resort as seen from Wailea Beach

The Grand Wailea is located on Maui’s stunning Wailea beach, and is walking distance to offsite shopping and dining as well. Like its name implies, it is truly a grand resort in every way, and perfect for couples or families seeking a memorable vacation on the beautiful island of Maui. Take a little Hawaiian aloha home with you after leaving this piece of paradise.