Family Travel Experts

Destinations Northwest

Dell Rapids, South Dakota: A Great Plains Step Back in Time

Details: Published on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 00:00; Written by Pets and Service Dog Travelingmom

Dell Rapids is a beautiful and quaint piece of Americana history with its Pink Rose Quartz buildings from the local quarry. Along the banks of the picturesque Big Sioux River since 1871, this small community of 3,650 is located approximately 15 minutes north of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This little haven is known as The Little City with the Big Attractions.

One spectacular attraction, The Grand Opera House was built in 1888 after a fire destroyed the south side of street. The lovely couple who now own this historic treasure, have lovingly restored and renovated it for four years.

South Dakota: Where Imagination Guides a Family Vacation

Details: Published on Sunday, May 19, 2013 01:59; Written by World TravelingMom

Great summer vacations start with planning. Where are we going to go? Where are we going to stay? For my kids one of their all time favorite trips was a road trip through South Dakota.

Our first trip to South Dakota was going to be a quick drive through on our way to somewhere else. Fortunately, we had built in enough leeway to spend a little extra time along the way if we found something fun. We had no idea that we would use that time in South Dakota. We drove into Rapid City around noon and checked into a motel that had a pool. Our plan was to go see the “Face Place” as my mom always called it and then come back to the pool, splash around a little and leave out early the next morning.

Alaska and the NW Passage: Armchair or on-the-Water Journeys

Details: Published on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 00:00; Written by BlendedFamily TravelingMom

Family travel when it might mean the demise of all is no figure of speech for two brothers and a sister who maneuvered their 57-foot boat through the Northwest Passage with their dad, Sprague Theobald. www.SpragueTheobald.com

Others died trying that route. 4,500 miles in five months. And this family never before lived together, at least not all of them at the same time.

Perhaps blended families who don't bog down in "step" titles for relationships have something special going on.

As a mother and grandmother of many -- who birthed only two – I'm impressed with the relationships of this sailing family, the documentary they produced and their book, "The Other Side of the Ice."

Sun Peaks Resort – Family-Friendly Ski Vacations in British Columbia

Details: Published on Friday, March 01, 2013 15:54; Written by SpecialNeeds TravelingMom

sun peaks resort family ski vacation A snow-loving Seattle native, I’ve been skiing and snowboarding all over the west, but have never skied in nearby British Columbia. After a recent ski vacation to Sun Peaks Resort BC, I realized how much I had been missing. From incredible skiing to a European style ski in ski out village, and a variety of family-friendly and special needs-accessible activities, it’s easy to see why the second largest ski resort in BC attracts families from all over the region - including Seattle.

Central Oregon Coast Weekend | Coos Bay

Details: Published on Monday, February 25, 2013 00:00; Written by GoodnCrazy TravelingMom

CoosBayBeach The Oregon Coast isn’t known for warm waters or beach reclining activities. In fact you’ll need a windbreaker or light jacket even in the warmest months!

But you honestly can’t beat the jagged beaches of the Central Oregon Coastline for photographic wonder and family fun!

We recently traveled to the Central Oregon Coast when our daughter was in a District Swim Meet there. Heck yes! We happily tagged along for the weekend. The adjoining towns of Coos Bay and North Bend sit on the northern peninsula of the Coos River (where the river makes a bend.. hence the name – North Bend ).