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Take The Train to the Canyon and Save

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:02:58 -0700

Looking for late-breaking family travel ideas?

Check out these deals for a great escape to see the Grand Canyon in a way you might not have imagined. And the timing is right because the Centennial celebration for one of the world’s most famous natural wonders is underway.

The deal is simple: save 30% off round-trip train fare in conjunction with a one- or two-night package.*

The offer is valid for the rest of 2019, and includes hotel stay, breakfast and dinners, round-trip transportation on the train and entertainment. The savings increase with upgrades in class of train service.

Take note, on the first Saturday of each month through October, the train is pulled by a real steam engine so consider that unique option when planning.

For more information and reservations: www.thetrain.com/offers/centennial-getaway-package or call 1-800-834-8724.

*Centennial Getaway offer valid for 30% off the train portion only of this package when traveling between 2/7/19 – 12/31/19. National park entry fee is not discountable. Package rates are subject to change. This offer cannot be combined with other discounts/promotional offers and other restrictions, including blackout dates, may apply.

More details:

1-night Itinerary Package

Day One

Arrive at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams, AZ
Dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant
Stay overnight at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Day Two

Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant
Wild West Show before the train departs at the Williams Depot
Train travel from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon with entertainment from strolling musicians & personalized service and insider knowledge from your Passenger Service Attendant
Free time at the canyon to explore
Train travel from the Grand Canyon to Williams, AZ with entertainment from strolling musicians & personalized service and insider knowledge from your Passenger Service Attendant

2-night Itinerary Package

Day One

Arrive at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel in Williams, AZ
Dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant
Stay overnight at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Day Two

Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant
Wild West Show before the train departs at the Williams Depot
Train travel from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon with entertainment from strolling musicians & personalized service and insider knowledge from your Passenger Service Attendant
Free time at the canyon to explore
Train travel from the Grand Canyon to Williams, AZ with entertainment from strolling musicians & personalized service and insider knowledge from your Passenger Service Attendant
Dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant
Stay overnight at the Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel

Day Three

Breakfast at the Fred Harvey Restaurant

Five Great Family Vacation Destinations

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 15:05:38 -0700

Make family travel memories in the year ahead.

Here are five great family vacation destinations to consider:

Northern Arizona.

The Grand Canyon National Park is celebrating a big birthday in 2019. So why not join the in the centennial celebration? Millions visit this wonder of the world each year to marvel at the mile-deep gorge, exploring by foot, on a mule, or capturing the vast beauty with a camera or the mind’s eye. Stay on the South Rim where year round access is possible and you’ll have access to ranger programs, dining options and stunning views. Explore other regions in northern Arizona for hiking, biking and a history lesson along Route 66. Take in the stunning beauty of Monument Valley, the Petrified National Forest and the picturesque red rocks of Sedona. Pose for a photo while standing on a corner in Winslow, ride horseback at a guest ranch or rent a houseboat on Lake Powell.

Contact: www.VisitArizona.com; www.NPS.gov/GCNP ; www.GrandCanyonLodges.com.

Niagara Falls, NY.

Hear it roar. And feel the mist. But, don’t worry. Ponchos are provided when you board the iconic tour boat, the Maid of the Mist, to feel the power of the historic falls. Formed some 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls, straddling the US border with Canada, has long been a magnet for explorers and adventurers, as well as honeymooners travelers. By day, explore the area from multiple angles, via lush nature trails, a water-skimming jet boat or high-flying helicopter.

Inside the Niagara Falls State Park, visit the Observation Tower for a panoramic view of the three main falls - American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls. Each night, the park offers an illumination of the Falls, along with seasonal fireworks.

Contact: www.NiagaraFallsUSA.com.

The Bahamas.

You’ll find lavish resorts in a bustling enclave or quiet getaways on tiny spits of sand, all just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. Choose your preferred sun-drenched environment from among 700 islands, embraced by crystal clear water and the world’s third largest barrier reef. Visions of snorkeling, diving, salt water fly fishing, ecotours, horseback riding, kayaking or just relaxing on soft sandy beaches will provide plenty to compel your family to plan a visit to this breathtaking archipelago. Contact: www.Bahamas.com.

Tennessee.

The Volunteer state is within a day's drive of 65 percent of our nation's population. There, in Tennessee, you’ll find natural beauty, great music and vibrant communities ladled with a dose of Southern hospitality. Enjoy the 800-square mile wonderland that is the Great Smokey Mountain National Park for hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. Add a musical note to your trip with a stop by Graceland to see how the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley lived and worked.

Spend time in Music City USA, otherwise known as Nashville, to discover the rich origins of country music. Visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to learn how folk, gospel music and front-porch jamming evolved into the sounds we know today.

Nature-loving families may want to consider a hike on the John Muir Trail in the Cherokee National Forest. It’s a relatively crowd-free portion of the state that's said to look much the same as it did in Muir's day.

Contact: www.TNVacation.com.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

A four-season playground for nature lovers, Michigan’s UP nudges up against three Great Lakes - Superior, Huron and Michigan. That said, water and beach activities are plentiful with kayaking, sailing and fishing as warm weather staples. Inland, visitors venture along rivers that feed the Great Lakes, explore old-growth forests and fly fish small streams.

From the Porcupine Mountains, just a few miles from the shores of Lake Superior and considered one of Michigan’s most wild landscapes, adventurers can hike from a summit to the shore in one day. During the winter months, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are popular pursuits. Contact: www.Michigan.org

Grand Canyon With Kids

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0700

A larger-than-life experience, Grand Canyon draws tens of thousands of families each year who unplug their smartphones, tune out television, and create lasting memories together.

Bruce Brossman, marketing director for the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges and Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, shares 10 ways the park helps kids replace virtual reality with a real-life experience that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Guaranteed.

1. Take Part in a Junior Ranger Program

With its historic sights, walking trails, museums, exhibits, and the canyon itself, Grand Canyon National Park may be America’s largest classroom. For kids, one of the most popular activities is participating in a Junior Ranger program.

“Lessons are related to nature, history, the environment, and geology and every program is free,” Brossman explains. “Kids can pick up a Junior Ranger book, complete the activities inside, and then bring it to a ranger at the Visitor Center. After they review the answers, they administer the Junior Ranger pledge and then present them with their Junior Ranger badge. They can even take their new badge to one of the park’s bookstores for a custom sew-on patch related to their award.”

2. Learn Geological History

Understanding the immense span of time it took to create Grand Canyon can be daunting, but the 2.8-mile Trail of Time on the South Rim is a perfect visual aid to help kids understand how it was formed. They can even earn a Junior Ranger badge here.

“Follow this interpretive timeline east from the Village and show your kids how the canyon’s rock layers reveal its geological story,” Brossman explains. “Brass markers every few feet represent one million years and the farther you walk, the farther back in time you travel until you reach the ‘bottom’ of the canyon where the oldest layer of rock is nearly two billion years old.”

On the trail, ask your kids to imagine each million years as just one day. The top layer was formed 270 million years old, so that is just ‘nine months’ old. The bottom would be nearly 2,000 days old — more than five years at that rate. If you need a little assistance in explaining it to your children, look for interpretive materials that will help you understand the geological process, or ask a ranger for a quick overview of how the canyon was formed.

3. Take an Ice Cream Break

After walking the Trail of Time, cool off at the Bright Angel Lodge Fountain.

“They serve hand-scooped ice cream cones and shakes and floats,” Brossman says. “You can tell by the long lines in the summertime that ice cream is perfect for kids of all ages.”

4. Study Ancient Human History

Drive east along the South Rim to the Tusayan Ruins and you can teach your kids about the human story connected with the canyon. An excavated village includes the remnants of shelters and meeting houses Ancestral Puebloans used for religious rituals and political meetings.

“These tribes had established dozens of communities in the area, one of which was here,” says Brossman. “You can connect your kids to history by asking them to imagine how those people lived — where did they get their water? How did they dress? What did children their age do for entertainment?

“For the answers, visit the small museum here where the answers are found in exhibits that showcase tools, jewelry, art, and artifacts unearthed at this spot.”

5. Learn About America’s First Restaurant Chain

Long before fast food joints, there was a company that served food fast. In the Historic Village, stop in at the Fred Harvey History Room.

“Not many people today know this,” Brossman begins, “but back in the 1870s the Fred Harvey Company became America’s first restaurant chain. Passengers were heading west aboard trains and Fred Harvey revolutionized food service and hospitality throughout the region by creating a chain of restaurants. This is another place where you can share a lesson just by contrasting the past with the present. Ask your kids to imagine what it was like ordering food in 1878 and what it’s like ordering food in 2018.”

6. Eat Kid-Friendly Meals

After showing your kids how people ate in the 1870s, take them to the restaurants of the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges and let them order some of their old favorites on the kids’ menu.

7. Ride a Mule

Riders will have to be at least 4 feet 9 inches to participate in one of the most popular activities for kids (and adults): the Canyon Vista Mule Ride.

“Tell your kids you’re going to take them for a ride on a ‘long-eared taxi’,” Brossman suggests. “They’ll fall in love with our gentle mules, and it gives them a perfect opportunity to see Grand Canyon from a new perspective. Along the way, they’ll learn a little about geology, nature, the outdoors, and how to behave around large animals. This is a signature Grand Canyon experience.”

8. Shop for Memorable Collectibles

On vacation, every kid loves to look for unique souvenirs to bring home for themselves, friends, and family. For this, take them to the Hopi House.

“Young girls especially love to learn this was designed by a woman,” says Brossman. “More than a century ago, Mary Colter became known as ‘The Architect of the Southwest’ for the Hopi House, the Watch Tower, and other structures she designed at Grand Canyon and elsewhere in the region. She was truly an independent and talented woman.”

Located next to the El Tovar Hotel, the Hopi House lets kids find affordable souvenirs and collectibles like Native American dream catchers, jewelry, and other works of art.

9. Hike into the Canyon

Kids can chalk up an unforgettable experience by hiking into the canyon — with an adult, of course.

“I’ve seen kids who are revved and ready to go the whole distance to the bottom of the canyon, but start with a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail at the west end of the Village,” suggests Brossman. “Start with a short 30-minute family hike through the first tunnel and then point out something few other visitors notice. Look up to the left and you’ll see an ancient Native American pictograph that’s about 800 years old.”

If the family can do the round trip without much effort, consider a longer hike. On the Bright Angel Trail there are water and restroom stops at 1.5 and three miles — and the views change every few feet.

10. Get Wowed by the Sunrise

Even if it’s not a school day, your kids will want to get up early to witness one of the most beautiful sights in America. “Sunrise at Grand Canyon is a wonderful experience for families to share,” Brossman notes. “It’s worth it to get up before daybreak to see the canyon change colors with the changing light. It is something you and your family will remember forever.”

Cozy Winter Lodges

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0700

This winter, get cozy with the kids in a great American lodge. Sit by the fire, share stories and enjoy a winter family vacation. Here are five to consider:

Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Tabernash, CO.

Stay in a cabin or the lodge and get cozy near one of 45 flickering fireplaces. Enjoy local specialties in the lodge dining room where a three-story, three-hearth fireplace, comprised of hand-stacked stones, warms winter visitors. Grab the binoculars to catch a glimpse of wildlife roaming on this 6,000 acre expanse of Colorado beauty or set out on the Nordic trails for an up-close view of winter scenes. From now through May, stay two nights and get the third night free. Pet friendly.

Contact: 970-726-5632; www.devilsthumbranch.com.

Skytop Lodge. Skytop, PA.

For junior boarders and skiers, this lodge in the Poconos offers crowd-free, gentle slopes on which to learn. Kids as young as three can enroll in ski school. Dog mushing, tobogganing, sledding, ice-skating and cross-country skiing add to the active pursuits available on this sprawling 5,000-acre estate. Later, stretch out in the indoor pool or bubbling hot tub and get ready for game night.

Contact: 800 -345 -7759; www.Skytop.com.

Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood, OR.

Located in Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest, this magnificent lodge was built at the height of the Great Depression by unemployed craftspeople hired by the Federal Works Progress Administration. Located 60 miles east of Portland, the well-crafted lodge has long served as the centerpiece of this mountain playground. Take a guided, moonlit snowshoe tour, experience Snowcat skiing or simply relax in the historic lodge and enjoy the extraordinary views. Ask about weekday, ski-free deals.

Contact: (800).547-1406; www.timberlinelodge.com/

El Tovar – Grand Canyon National Park, AZ.

Open since 1905 and registered as a national Historic Landmark, this charming, 78-room lodge is just steps from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Take in a nature talk, go for a mule ride or hike the famed trails that criss-cross down and through the park. Marvel at the extraordinary beauty of snow falling onto the multi-colored rock walls and into the canyon below.

Contact: 928-638-2631; www.GrandCanyonLodges.com.

The Whiteface Lodge. Lake Placid, NY.

Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, this woodland lodge is spacious, with modern amenities. At the same time, it serves up rustic, with stone chimneys, antler chandeliers and handcrafted Adirondack furnishings. Nightly family bonfires, a skating rink, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing and indoor swimming programs, provide plenty to keep an active family engaged. A complimentary kids club makes it easy for the adults to take advantage of the full service spa on site.

Contact: 800-903-4045; www.thewhitefacelodge.com

Five Peaceful Places

lohayes@gmail.com (Lynn O'Rourke Hayes) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Sometimes we must find respite from our hectic, tech-saturated lives.

Here are five places with a powerful sense of place where you and your family will also find peace:

Northern Lights. Alaska.

In the deep reaches of Alaska, somewhere above 60 degrees north latitude, you and your family will have the opportunity to see a red, green, blue and purple light display known as an aurora or the Northern Lights. The best time to catch the show is around the spring and fall equinoxes (mid-March and mid-September) The lights are most intense from December through March when the nights are darker. Consider a tour that includes a dip in a hot spring, a climb to a hilltop where viewers can marvel at the magnificent light display and a Mongolian yurt in which you can retreat to stay warm.

Contact: www.TravelAlaska.com

Float The Grand Canyon.

Whether you travel by raft or dory, for a few days or a few weeks, the majesty of the Grand Canyon may well provide a transformative experience, as it does for many visitors. This national treasure stretches 277 miles across northern Arizona, and plays host to more than five million visitors each year. From your craft on the Colorado River, geologically diverse canyon walls rise as high as 9,000 feet toward the western sky. Hike the side canyons, plow through storied rapids, relax on sandy beaches and revel in the grandeur of one of nature’s finest accomplishments.

Contact: www.oars.com/grandcanyon.

Montauk, NY.

Visit this seaside enclave on the East end of Long Island. Just 100 miles but a world away from the bustling Big Apple, you’ll find secluded beaches, whaling tales and pounding surf. Deep sea fishing, hiking, seal watching and surfing are all available in this community, first settled by Europeans in the mid-1600s. Scramble to the top of the Montauk Point Lighthouse for magnificent views of the craggy coastline.

Contact: www.OnMontauk.com; www.GurneysInn.com.

Hike the Canyons. Springdale, UT.

Find your way into the canyon country of southern Utah. From curvaceous slot canyons to table-top plateaus, this peaceful yet grand countryside offers a visual bonanza of color, shape and form. Consider the Narrows, a spectacular 16 mile corridor that requires one rigorous day for fit family members. Most recommend an overnight. Better yet, choose the Bottoms Up hike enabling hikers to see the most stunning aspects of the canyon in four to six hours. Numerous day hikes and mountain biking options abound.

Contact: www.nps.gov/zion

Boundary Waters Canoe Trips. Ely, MN.

Your family will enjoy the peace and tranquility that can be found within this pristine wilderness area. Listen to the waves lapping against the shore as you drift to sleep in one of 2,000 secluded campsites that dot the lake region. Wake to the sounds of birds chirping in the birch trees, enjoy breakfast over a campfire and then set out to explore the more than 1,500 miles of canoe routes that criss-cross the waterways.

Contact: www.boundarywatersoutfitters.com; www.ExploreMinnesota.com.