January 31, 2011
Mini-golf has been a nearly ubiquitous part of American vacations since the 1920s. The game was invented in Scotland in 1867 to provide an alternative for women, as social customs prevented them from playing traditional golf. While early mini-golf courses were simply miniature putting greens, by the 1930s obstacles were all the rage. Today mini-golf ...
January 31, 2011
Since the early days of road trips, kids have asked the same question. “Are we there yet?” Although road trips can be a lot of fun, being stuck in the seat of a car for hours on end can be boring and frustrating for adults and kids alike. Thankfully there are more options today than ...
January 19, 2011
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus has a long and illustrious history. It actually began as three circuses: “P.T. Barnum’s Great Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Hippodrome,” the Cooper and Bailey Circus, and the Ringling Brothers Circus. Barnum and Bailey merged their shows in 1881. Following Barnum’s death in 1891, Bailey purchased the ...
January 19, 2011
Although we generally think of 1776 as the year of American Independence, the Revolutionary War actually raged for another five years. In spring 1781, British forces under Lord Cornwallis took up a defensive and well-fortified position in Yorktown. That fall, under cover of darkness, an alliance of French and American troops was able to overwhelm ...
January 18, 2011
Just minutes from crowded downtown Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park is a world away. The park won numerous awards in 2010 from ReserveAmerica, the national online campground reservation system. Hillsborough River was ranked #30 of the Top 50 Scenic Views, #15 of the Top 100 Family Campgrounds, #5 in the Top 25 Tours and Events, ...
January 17, 2011
Anyone who is an adult today can remember when staying connected during a trip meant an occasional phone call to the office and postcards to friends and relatives. Today, however, we live in an always-on internet world. Disconnecting for a week or more can be impractical or simply impossible. While there is no magical solution ...
January 17, 2011
The Florida RV SuperShow is held each January at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Sponsored by the Florida RV Trade Association, the show is the largest anywhere in the United States. This year was the 25th anniversary of the show, and the dates were January 12 through January 16. This was our second year ...
January 13, 2011
In Introduction to Membership Camping, I reviewed some pros and cons to joining a membership campground system. If you have decided that this option is right for you, the next step is deciding which system is your best choice. Plan to take some time with this process, as the list of alternatives is mind boggling. ...
January 13, 2011
With nine locations in the United States and Canada, Medieval Times is a chain of dinner theaters specializing in the Middle Ages. The theaters are styled as 11th century castles, complete with drawbridge and moat. We recently visited the castle in Orlando, FL, which is currently the only location to also house a replica Medieval ...
January 11, 2011
Everyone knows the story of the Pilgrims arriving at Plymouth Rock. What is not as well known, however, is the story of Jamestowne (as it was spelled in the 1600s). A group of 104 travelers from England, financed by the Virginia Company of London, landed on the Virginia shore in 1607. The settlement managed to ...
