Fantastic Family Getaways for all Fifty States
Are you considering an All-American family vacation this year, weary of Disney, but not yet certain where you really want to go? If this sounds like you, Big John has compiled a star-spangled list of fun-filled family getaways for all fifty states. Not impressed? You should be. It can be quite difficult finding that perfect place for respite and leisure in remote places such as North Dakota.
Still, Big John’s Adventures in Travel believes some of life’s greatest adventures can be found in the most unlikely of places. So without further ado, let’s go explore these fantastic family getaways in the land of the free and the home of the brave. When we’re all through, perhaps Big John will have inspired you to plan that perfect family vacation of your own.
Alabama
The Beach Club, Gulf Shores, AL
Nothing says fun in the sun while in the Yellowhammer State like the Beach Club in Gulf Shores. Their sugar-sand beaches make this resort a true tropical paradise. The site has five outdoor pools, savory dining options, a full-service spa, and numerous other resort amenities. There’s truly something special about the Beach Club! Phone:(866)348-9112 (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, North America, Travel Tips and tagged family getaways, vacation by Big John with 7 comments.
Boxing Gloves and Kangaroo Dreams
The Aboriginals believed that if you ever dream about getting attacked by a kangaroo then your reputation is in great peril. I thought about that before deciding to tell this story; but since I lost my reputation after making out with this girl named Porkchop in the eleventh grade, I think this one can be safely told.
Origins of Kangaroo Dreams
Awhile back, Rebecca and I were feeling rather adventurous so we decided to go to Saskatoon Restaurant for some wild and exotic game. Saskatoon is an amazing culinary emprise where any manner of fowl or beast is afforded an equal opportunity to make an appearance on your dinner plate. (more…)
Posted in Great Dining, Scattered Thoughts, Tall Tales and Big Fish Stories and tagged kangaroo dreams by Big John with 9 comments.
Zipping Through the Gorge
My heart races in exhilaration. The dark forest floor lying hundreds of feet below passes beneath me in a blur. I am zipping throughThe Gorge, the fastest and highest zipline in all of North America.
For my forty-first birthday, Rebecca surprised me by taking me to the Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour in Saluda, North Carolina. For all you adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies out there, this is one place you can’t afford to miss. The zip lines are amazing, the views are spectacular, and the friendly professional staff couldn’t get any better! After completing your 3.5 hours of zipping through the breathtaking Green River Gorge, chill out on the lofty deck on the back of their barn-shaped building. While there, wind down and enjoy a cold craft beer in the open mountain air. Before leaving, stop by the Gorge’s gift shop for some really awesome gear and apparel. If you haven’t ever been ziplining, or if it’s been awhile, you might as well do it right by traveling to the Gorge in scenic Saluda, NC. This is Big John’s experience posted below.
The entire zip lining crew from left to right: Newlyweds Nathan and Brittany, Newlyweds Daria and Daniel, and the engaged Rebecca with Big John. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, North America and tagged North Carolina, Saluda, the gorge by Big John with no comments yet.
Two Tears in a Bucket List
There seems to be a lot of talk these days about bucket lists. So much in fact, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman made a movie titled just that – The Bucket List. If you haven’t seen the 2007 movie, there are a few redeeming moments. I’m just not sure there were enough memorable scenes to make two hours with your butt planted on a couch worthwhile.
Travel-related blogs almost always contain at least one article about bucket lists. It’s all the rage and if nothing else, it really got me thinking. What travel experiences or achievements do I hope to accomplish before I meet my maker? What is my bucket list?
Posted in Scattered Thoughts and tagged in a bucket list by Big John with 4 comments.
Finding Romance in Bath, England
If you’re looking for that special romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day, you could fly to Florence, Paris, or Vienna and really dazzle that someone special in your life … or you can pull out all the stops and set your sights on the Romanesque city of Bath, England. There is romance in Bath, England. There are actually so many wonderful things about Bath I really don’t know where to begin. I can start by explaining that this historic Roman spa city, located 100 miles west of London, is listed as a World Heritage Site.
Back in the glory days of the Roman Empire, sometime around 50 AD, the Romans erected temples around natural hot springs to honor their Goddess Minerva. These bath complexes, in the ancient Roman province of Brittania, were known by their inhabitants as Aquae Sulis. Today this romantic city is simply known as Bath. To really win her heart, you should start by taking her straight into the heart of this city. Take her directly to the site that really makes this city tick – the Roman Baths.
The Roman baths in Bath, England are the only mineral hot springs in the entire United Kingdom. These 2,000 year old feats of awe-inspiring archeology are superbly maintained for the modern world to see. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Europe and tagged bath england by Big John with 2 comments.