A Great Responsible Travel Advisor!

Love to travel but don’t have the time or patience to sift through thousands of travel websites? My friend, Robert, is a travel consultant, writer and traveler and would love to help plan your next vacation. I used his services last year when planning a trip to Puerto Rico. He was really helpful in getting us to our destination as eco-friendly as possible and for the best value for our money. Visit his website, theTRAVELER, for details and client testimonials as well as destination information and travel tips.

Thank you Gluten-Free Goddess!!!!!

I was just browsing around for new gluten free recipes and came across this amazing blog!! The blog is Gluten-Free Goddess and as you may have guessed, its all about living a gluten free life!  Karina Allrich is the wonderful woman behind this site.  Check it out if you are GF too, I promise you will love her recipes! :)

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Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there!

For my son and I, Happy Father's Day to the best husband and father in the world!!!! Cliff is our hero and an exceptional man.

For Father's Day this year we decided to go to Lake Champlain and spend the day there!


















We had such a great time!

Cliff, thank you so much for this wonderful life you have given our son and I, we love you so much!!!

-Tiff

Arizona and USGBC!

Arizona is a unique land of adventure.  Filled with history from the Wild West, native American culture, Indian ruins, state parks and a variety of other things to do.  Arizona is a place you can spend a short vacation or a long vacation both as a couple or a family!  These tips will allow you to get the most out of your travel time through this great state.

•           The Grand Canyon – Be sure to visit the Grand Canyon early in the morning for the sunrise or in the evening when the sun is beginning to set.  Absolutely breathtaking!!  The shadows dancing across the canyon and the changing colors are an unforgettable experience.

•           Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon – Once you leave the Flagstaff area, drive south on 89A down through Oak Creek Canyon.  The canyon drive beside the meandering Oak Creek is an experience in nature.  At the bottom of the canyon, the road opens up into the red rock mountains of the tourist town of Sedona.  Jeep rides, horseback rides, swimming, hiking and exploring the canyons, visiting the many art galleries, shopping for Indian jewelry, fishing, camping and picnicking are just a few of the activities that are available in Sedona.  

•           In southern Arizona, Tucson is another place you won’t want to miss.  Museums, canyons to explore, the zoo, horseback riding, an early Catholic mission and theatrical works are just a sample of things you can see and do.  Tons of culture can be found here for everyone!  Also, You won’t want to miss the Old Tucson Studios!  You’ll find the Studios about 25 minutes west of downtown Tucson.  Many of the old western movies were filmed here, and visitors can experience what the Old West was really like.  Step back in time, and experience life in a town on the western frontier.  Steven (our son) loves all the Cops/Robbers, Cowboys/Indians style movies, so he had a blast walking around here!!  He reminded me of a young Duke. ;)

Regardless of your interests, Arizona has things the your entire family will enjoy.  It’s a place where history comes alive, where one can experience the different ecosystems and where cuisine from the various cultures can be tried.  Travel to Arizona is something you will never

forget.

***I would also like to make a special note of something that I came across on our travels.  As you know by now I am big on traveling responsibly, green initiatives, and being eco-friendly.  As we were walking about Tucson, I grabbed a local newspaper just to leaf through and see if there were any local music venues or special attractions while we were in town.  This is when I came across an article about the U.S. Green Building Council working on an LEED projects locally in Arizona.  This was something I had never heard of before but I think this is absolutely incredible organization!  If you have some time to look into their website I encourage you to do so.  The organization is all about working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.  Here is just one local project of many they are working on. 

Be Friendly....Eco-Friendly!

-Cliff and Tiff

Our Home State!

This month we decided to stay here and enjoy everything that our home state has to offer.  Then we decided that we would share it with you all in case you were thinking about planning a trip this way!!

Vermont is beautiful any time of year, but fall is an especially magical time because that’s when you can witness the most stunning foliage.  With vivid colors of bright reds, luxurious oranges and dazzling yellows among them, you won’t be disappointed we promise!  

Leaf peepers (not a term I have ever used before, but I figured I would try it out on this post) from all over the country will have the same idea you do, so book early to make sure you don’t have to settle for a less-than-desirable lodging location.   You don’t want to risk having a long trek to the best foliage-viewing spots.  Plus, the longer you wait, the higher the prices will rise.  

The peak foliage time can be anywhere from the last few days in September to the first couple of weeks in October.  Unfortunately it’s going to be different timing ever year, so its tough to say when the best time to come and enjoy the scenery is.  I will say that if you come early to mid October, you can’t go wrong!  Plan to stay for at least one week or more (if you can of course, we love visitors to the state!) so that you can catch the most brilliant color displays.  Staying longer will make for a more enjoyable and relaxing trip, allowing you to take day trips to the best scenic areas, take tours at a leisurely pace and stop to take as many photos as you want.  If you can’t stay for a week or two, come for a long weekend!  I promise that you will love the sights!!

Killington Peak

                       

This is one of those things you simply must experience for the pure thrill of it.  The best way to see Killington Peak, the second highest summit in Vermont’s Green Mountains, is to take a sky ride called the K-1 Gondola ride.  You will glide over the most amazing landscape and take in a spectacular aerial view of the foliage.  Definitely bring your camera, and definitely bring a strap for your camera!  Its a long way down and the search and rescue mission will be challenging.  I’ve lost some sunglasses to Killington.  

Once you arrive at the Peak, you’ll be in for another treat.  There is an observation deck from which you can take in breathtaking views, made all the more so by the color-changing leaves.  After you’ve had your fill, you can relax and dine at the restaurant located right on the summit, knowing that another eye-pleasing event awaits your return trip on the K-1.

Jenne Farm

Located in the hills of Reading, Vermont, this is one of the most photographed farms in New England.  Fall is an especially popular time, as that’s when this already scenic farm becomes the site of color-changing splendor.   The farm hosts an annual Fall Photo Contest, so definitely bring your camera and take your best shot!  

Your fall excursion in Vermont is going to be a very aesthetic and memorable experience.  Remember to plan early and set aside enough time to capture the full magic of the season. In addition to long, scenic drives, a trip to Killington Peak and Jenne Farm are must-sees to complete your most colorful vacation ever!

Enjoy the visit here!!

-Cliff and Tiff

Nantucket!

End of school year trip to Nantucket with Tiff and our son!!

Mild weather, pleasant sea breezes and plenty of things to do combine to make Nantucket one of the best vacation spot on the Eastern Seaboard.  You can enjoy the rich history of New England as well as modern water sports and luxurious accommodations during a stay here.  Of course, it helps to be prepared whenever you take a trip somewhere.  Try these tips to make your Nantucket holiday an overwhelming success:

Rent a bike, walk and use public transportation.  Do not try to drive.  Nantucket will be crowded in the summer, and trying to drive through unfamiliar and crowded streets can turn your seaside dream into a nightmare.  On top of that, biking, walking, or public transportation helps you be a responsible traveler, as we have been working to do so on all of our trips!

Be prepared for any type of weather.  While you aren’t likely to experience sweltering heat, flash floods and fog are common, at least thats what the locals said!  We lucked out and had great weather!  It might help to prepare some indoor activities in case your plans for hitting the beach get rained out. Before you leave to explore the island, check the weather forecast.  Be sure to bring an umbrella and a rain jacket just in case.

Research free and low-cost activities to enjoy during your stay.  Both food and lodging will be expensive, so finding inexpensive entertainment is the best way to get the most out of your stay in Nantucket.  Some popular free attractions in Nantucket include Surfside Beach for relaxing on the sand or participating in extreme water sports; Brant Point Light, one of the nation’s oldest lighthouses; and Jetties Beach for calm water and beachside dining along the bustling boardwalk.

Nantucket is full of great museums, recreational activities, top-notch performances and fresh seafood.  You can find guided tours to enjoy or explore on your own through the quaint cobblestoned streets of the island.  We would recommend that you decide what interests you most and create an itinerary that suits you and your family or travel companions.  There’s no way to enjoy everything in a single trip, but if you prioritize, you’ll be sure to catch most of the highlights (Believe me, there are many!).  Then maybe you’ll choose to return again soon to experience more of the life and culture of this great American getaway!

Enjoy!

-Cliff and Tiffany