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5 Fun Family Road Trips for Fall Foliage

Lolli — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 18:55:48 +0000

Fall is the perfect time to take a family road trip and enjoy some quality time together on the road. The weather is cool, the crowds may be thinned out, and if you go during the right time, the trees will be full of vibrant leaves waiting to be kissed by the sun.

Exploring the country in the fall means you’ll get to do some sight-seeing at gorgeous locations that are decked out in autumn splendor. America is full of many scenic locations that make for perfect road trips, so why not plan a trip to one of the five below?

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 500 miles and is a great route to take for a road trip because you get to enjoy a variety of farmland and forests. The drive takes you near some popular cities such as Asheville, North Carolina and smaller mountain towns like Blowing Rock and Galax, which is a popular destination for bluegrass fans because of the Blue Ridge Music Center.

Another popular road trip destination in Virginia is the Shenandoah National Park. You could plan two separate trips and enjoy the sights that both routes have to offer. The Shenandoah National Park is home to Skyline Drive, which is a 105-mile road that goes through the park and has abundant views.

No matter which route you decide to take, be sure to check the foliage update on the state’s website to go during peak viewing season. You might want to plan ahead and book a hotel in advance during the peak season because rooms go quickly in the area.

Vermont’s Green Mountain and Mad River Byways

Vermont is a very popular destination for travelers who love seeing the fall foliage. You can drive leisurely on one-lane highways that take you through mountains and valleys that are full of color. To get the best views, start where the Mad River flows in Waitsfield, travel through Waterbury, and go on to Stowe. Stowe is home to the highest colorful peak in Vermont. The entire route is a short 23.9 miles.

While you’re there, you can enjoy a cider tasting at Cold Hollow Cider Mill or go shopping at the Cabot Annex, which happens to include the famous Cabot Cheese and Lake Champlain Chocolates. These little attractions are a perfect follow-up after a beautiful drive such as the one in Vermont. Since it’s a short route, you will still have some time and energy to explore the area.

The Coast of Michigan

Michigan’s coast offers plenty of opportunities to view breathtaking fall foliage. The route starts in Traverse City and runs 100 miles through Northeast Michigan. You will see fishing towns to explore and sweet coves from Lake Michigan’s shores as well as beautiful, fiery-red oak and maple leaves contrasting against the green fir, pine and spruce trees of Grand Traverse Bay.

You can stop and enjoy the views from Inspiration Point, walk through the idyllic villages of Omena and Peshwabestown that are located by the lake or visit an attraction from the 19^th Century, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. There is something for the whole family to enjoy in Michigan.

Lake Moosehead, Maine

Lake Moosehead is Maine’s largest lake and is lined with vibrant trees full of fall foliage for you to enjoy. To see the best views, start at Maine’s white-water-rafting location, The Forks, and travel to Jackman and into the North Woods. Be sure to stop at the Attean Overlook to see its famous views that extend all the way to the Canadian border.

Then go on over to Rockwood towards Lake Moosehead’s shores and stay a while in Greenville before driving under the trees as you take unpaved logging roads that boast beautiful sights. The entire route spans 75.2 miles.

If you and your family are feeling up for a challenge – why not hop on the 3,271 mile path of The Oregon Trail? It begins in Maine and takes you on the path the American settlers took across the nation to Oregon and you’ll see miles of beautiful country along the way.

Before you plan your trip, check the state’s website for the best times to see the leaves at their peak.

New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

This 84-mile route is home to some of the best views in the southwest. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway runs from Taos to Eagle Nest, through Angel Fire, and then back to Taos again. There are many things to see along the route.

Eagle Nest is home to Wheeler Peak, a 13,161-foot peak. Along the route, you will see aspens in shades of orange, cinquefoil in purple and cottonwoods in red and yellow. You might spot some of the wildlife as well, such as black bear, eagles and elk.

In this area you can visit Elizabethtown, which is an old gold-mining town, or stop by the Taos Fall Arts Festival if you’re in the area when it’s open.

So the next time you get the itch to enjoy a long drive on some open road with beautiful scenery, consider one of these destinations during the fall. Grab a map and plan your trip so you won’t miss out anything. All that’s left to do is pack your suitcases and load up the family for your next adventure.

About the Author

Jennifer Landis is a foodie, mama, and healthy living blogger. She loves yoga, tea, and running really far (but not really fast). Follow her on Twitter @JenniferELandis and check out her blog, Mindfulness Mama.

Road Trip Packing Tips

Lolli — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:35:56 +0000

I am excited to work with Kelley Blue Book to bring you these great packing tips. Kelley Blue Book is sponsoring the giveaway kit as a part of the promotion, and I also received a kit as part of the promotion.

We are a road tripping family. You kind of have to be good at road trips when you’ve got 5 kids. Vacation time means road trips and we LOVE it.

Packing for a family of seven (or a family of six now, since my oldest daughter is married and living all the way across the country) is a game of Tetris. We travel with a lot of stuff. Granted, now that the kids are older, we don’t have to travel with the pack ‘n play or the stroller, but packing with and for teens presents other challenges.

The last two summers have consisted of road trips of epic proportion. Two years ago, we loaded up our minivan with all of the things our oldest daughter needed for school and drove her across the country to move in to her first college dorm. Oh, and did I mention that we ALSO had to pack along camping equipment and clothes for the other 6 of us? Sometimes I felt like our van was a clown car, fitting way more inside than humanly possible.

Last year, we repeated the road trip, minus the college supplies, and I realized one thing: we are good at packing a car for long road trips.

We used to call my oldest daughter the Tetris queen. She has a way with arranging things and finding the best way to fit as much stuff in a small space as possible. She used to do that with the fridge. I’d come home with a full van-load of groceries and have to fit everything in our already-stuffed-full refrigerator. She’d work her magic and we’d be able to fit everything in and more.

My husband is the King of car Tetris, though. We’ve had others in the family try, but he’s the one that can take on the challenge every time. We’ve got our routine…everyone packs their stuff for the trip, takes them outside and sets them next to the car, and he arranges and rearranges until everything fits.

Kelley Blue Book challenged us to take on the great task of getting our car ready for a summer road trip, and though our oldest could have given Dad a run for his money on this game of road trip Tetris, the rest of us are doomed to be at his mercy.

Kelley Blue Book knows the struggle families like mine go through when packing up a car for a road trip, and actually vets hundreds of vehicles to create its official “Best Family Cars for 2016” list. They include everything from testing child safety seats to checking the availability of Apple CarPlay and even conducting a real-world test with real-world families.

Road Trip Car-Packing Tips

Here are 3 car-packing tips from the experts at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com

Safety First

Put heavier items on the bottom of the cargo area and toward the front, and avoid loading SUVs beyond the height of the rear seat backs. Keeping heavier items up closer to the center of the vehicle can help preserve handling integrity in emergency avoidance situations, while imposing a height limit on your stack of stuff will help maintain rearward vision and prevent objects from becoming projectiles in a collision. If you wouldn’t want somebody throwing it at your head, don’t keep it unsecured and at head level in your car.

Bag It

Consider large trash bags for smaller loose items and soft items like blankets and pillows. It’ll be easier to transport these items to and from the car, and their flexibility makes them more space efficient than a large box, for instance.

Think Short-Term

There’s often plenty of action in the time between packing the car and fully unpacking it at your destination, and planning ahead can save plenty of headache. Obviously you’ll want to keep plenty of food and drink within reach, along with napkins, a trash bag and medicine, perhaps. And any modern family road trip is sure to benefit from a full complement of electronics and related accessories, like power cords and headphones. But if your journey will include a side trip that will take you away from the car, remember to pack any valuables within easy reach so that you can take them with you on your detour. Alternately, pack those valuables deep within your stack. If you plan to arrive at noon and check-in isn’t until 4pm, keep the swimsuits and sunscreen easily accessible so you don’t have to unpack and re-pack the whole car in the middle of the hotel parking lot.

Here are a few tips we would add…(thanks to my husband’s brilliance at getting the car ready for a road trip)

In-Car “Survival” Pack

Long hours in the car can be tough when kids (and parents) get bored. We each – even mom and dad – pack an in-car entertainment and snack bag (usually a small backpack) with books, paper and pencil, favorite snacks, and a blanket and pillow.

Pack Bags Ahead of Time

We find it very helpful to pack suitcases and duffel bags and other supplies the day before so that we can pack the car well ahead of time. I love starting our trip with an already-packed car.

Keep the Seating Area as Clear as Possible

I would rather have a packed-to-the-brim cargo area and leave the space around our feet clear. It makes the car atmosphere much more relaxed for us. Each person has their in-car bag and a pillow and/or blanket. Kids seem to be much more patient and willing to endure the long car ride when they have a little space to move their elbows and their feet.

Keep Bags Small

Small duffel bags and backpacks are much easier to fit in the car versus large suitcases. It’s a whole lot easier to play car Tetris with small, soft bags instead of big, stiff bags. It’s also easier for us to let each family member pack his or her own bag instead of packing large bags for the whole family together.

Connect with Kelley Blue Book:

Twitter @KelleyBlueBook
Facebook – KBB
YouTube – KBB
Google Plus – KBB

Enter to Win a Kelley Blue Book Giveaway Prize ($120 Value)

One winner will win the following prize pack, worth $120!

1. One Carry-On Luggage Set
2. Kelley Blue Book Swag (sticky note book, tumbler and Bluetooth speaker)
3. $25 Visa Gift Card

This giveaway will end on August 31 at 11:59 pm ET and a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Please note that a new winner will need to be chosen should the first winner not respond after 48 hours.

Good luck!

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The Beach Days of Summer #PSF

Lolli — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:20:24 +0000

There’s something relaxing and rejuvenating about spending a couple of days at the beach…even if the visit is short.

Since our stop in Florida this week was a quick one as we start off our summer of travel, we tried to fit as much in as possible during our stay.

I had to laugh as we visited the beach a few times….and then came right home to my in law’s house to watch shark week on TV. The fact that the kids kept wanting to go back to swim in the ocean after watching shark week? Kind of incredible.

What have you been up to this week? Link up your posts below.

See you next week!