My Road Less Traveled By

Bill and I are trying to decide where to take the kids this summer for vacation. With money being tight due to our basement remodeling project, it is really hard to decide where to go. We also have the other disadvantage that Will is only going to be one. There is not a lot of things that are going to hold both Madison (who is 4 years old) and his attention. He hates to be in the stroller too. One of the places that we were thinking about taking the kids is Wisconsin Dells. I know, its a tad pricey there. However, I think both kids would enjoy the water parks. Instead of going to all the travel sites like Orbitz or Expedia, I have been using Hotels Combined. They have the largest database available. Nothing is more annoying than having to look at 10 different travel sites just to find the best deal. As a mom with little ones, I don’t have time for that.

There are a couple of different things I am looking for in a hotel room. Now, if it is only Bill and myself, I don’t normally care. However, when the kids are with us, we need a lot more room. They need room to play and walk around. I also really like having wifi. I also do not like having to pay extra for it. I also like not having to look at the fine print of the hotels to make sure they have wifi. I like a site that allows me to search according to my parameters not theirs.

Now, I am checking out hotels that Hotels Combined gave me, and there is a ton of information to comb though. One of the hotels I was actually able to check out and get a way better price is the Great Wolf Lodge. This is one of the hotels we are seriously looking at. I was happily surprised to find out that the prices offered here are way less than go through their site. They list all the different prices that all the travel sites are offering, so you can pick which one you want to use. One you pick which place you want to go through, Hotels Combined directs you to their site so you can book. They definitely make it much easier and less time consuming to book your trip.

Bill and I are trying to decide where to take the kids this summer for vacation. With money being tight due to our basement remodeling project, it is really hard to decide where to go. We also have the other disadvantage that Will is only going to be one. There is not a lot of things that are going to hold both Madison (who is 4 years old) and his attention. He hates to be in the stroller too. One of the places that we were thinking about taking the kids is Wisconsin Dells. I know, its a tad pricey there. However, I think both kids would enjoy the water parks. Instead of going to all the travel sites like Orbitz or Expedia, I have been using Hotels Combined. They have the largest database available. Nothing is more annoying than having to look at 10 different travel sites just to find the best deal. As a mom with little ones, I don’t have time for that.

There are a couple of different things I am looking for in a hotel room. Now, if it is only Bill and myself, I don’t normally care. However, when the kids are with us, we need a lot more room. They need room to play and walk around. I also really like having wifi. I also do not like having to pay extra for it. I also like not having to look at the fine print of the hotels to make sure they have wifi. I like a site that allows me to search according to my parameters not theirs.

Now, I am checking out hotels that Hotels Combined gave me, and there is a ton of information to comb though. One of the hotels I was actually able to check out and get a way better price is the Great Wolf Lodge. This is one of the hotels we are seriously looking at. I was happily surprised to find out that the prices offered here are way less than go through their site. They list all the different prices that all the travel sites are offering, so you can pick which one you want to use. One you pick which place you want to go through, Hotels Combined directs you to their site so you can book. They definitely make it much easier and less time consuming to book your trip.

This is a must do activity while you are in Sedona. The tickets were $75 a piece for the Broken Arrow Tour, and it was worth every penny. The Broken Arrow Trail is only used by the Pink Jeep Tour company (they have other tours you can do for other prices — some more expensive, some less expensive). There is only permit given out for this trail a year, and they have it. You will not see these views anywhere else! However, if you are pregnant or if you have back problems, this tour is not for you. It is a tad rough (and that is an understatement!). They are open year round - 7 days a week in all weather. They go out in pretty much any kind of weather too. Where else could you get pictures like these?

Here a few more of the picture we took while on the tour (click here to enlarge):

This is a must do activity while you are in Sedona. The tickets were $75 a piece for the Broken Arrow Tour, and it was worth every penny. The Broken Arrow Trail is only used by the Pink Jeep Tour company (they have other tours you can do for other prices — some more expensive, some less expensive). There is only permit given out for this trail a year, and they have it. You will not see these views anywhere else! However, if you are pregnant or if you have back problems, this tour is not for you. It is a tad rough (and that is an understatement!). They are open year round - 7 days a week in all weather. They go out in pretty much any kind of weather too. Where else could you get pictures like these?

Here a few more of the picture we took while on the tour (click here to enlarge):

One of the stops we made was at the Chapel of The Holy Cross. This church is literally built into the rock. It is an awesome sight to see. This is the church from road below:

This is heading into the church. Once you get inside the church, it is tad cosy. However, I would have loved to attend mass there. It is just such a pretty church. Below the church, there is a gift shop. The views from outside the church were also breathtaking. This is a must stop if you are in Sedona, Arizona. This church shows you the amazing things you can do when you put your mind to it.

One of the stops we made was at the Chapel of The Holy Cross. This church is literally built into the rock. It is an awesome sight to see. This is the church from road below:

This is heading into the church. Once you get inside the church, it is tad cosy. However, I would have loved to attend mass there. It is just such a pretty church. Below the church, there is a gift shop. The views from outside the church were also breathtaking. This is a must stop if you are in Sedona, Arizona. This church shows you the amazing things you can do when you put your mind to it.

One of the first things we did in Arizona was take Great Venture Tours - Sedona. I highly recommend this tour. Since we did this on our first full day there, we were able to see what we wanted to go back to. We also got a great feeling for where everything was. This tour is 3 hours long (actually, ours lasted a tad longer, but it was well worth it). We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We learned why there are no street lights in Sedona (its so it doesn’t cover the night sky so everybody can see the stars) and why all the buildings looked so uniform (building codes). We were able to drive through Oak Creek Canyon, Uptown Sedona, Tlaquepaque and the Gallery District, Chapel of the Holy Cross. We even went up to the Airport Mesa and were able to see the aerial view of Sedona (plus it is a vortex site I think).

I would highly recommend that you take this tour! Here are a couple of pictures that we took:

One of the first things we did in Arizona was take Great Venture Tours - Sedona. I highly recommend this tour. Since we did this on our first full day there, we were able to see what we wanted to go back to. We also got a great feeling for where everything was. This tour is 3 hours long (actually, ours lasted a tad longer, but it was well worth it). We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We learned why there are no street lights in Sedona (its so it doesn’t cover the night sky so everybody can see the stars) and why all the buildings looked so uniform (building codes). We were able to drive through Oak Creek Canyon, Uptown Sedona, Tlaquepaque and the Gallery District, Chapel of the Holy Cross. We even went up to the Airport Mesa and were able to see the aerial view of Sedona (plus it is a vortex site I think).

I would highly recommend that you take this tour! Here are a couple of pictures that we took:

This is a tad bit early in the year to be showing you this, but come fall, you will thank me. If you live in the Chicagoland area, this is a must go place. We have gone to Bengston’s every year since we moved to Oak Lawn. My only complaint about them is that it is tad pricy to go. However, the kids have a blast, and we get our pumpkins from them every year.

There are definitely a ton of places all around the farm for photos.

They have pony rides and a petting zoo:

After you walk out from the petting zoo (which you can buy carrots and feed the animals), they actually have hand washing stations. They also have rides for the kids if they are a certain height. Madison was tall enough to go this year. However, she was not brave enough. They also have a Haunted House, a corn maze, and a wagon ride. You can buy food there and enjoy the pig races. There is enough things to do there that you can spend the whole day!

If you are looking for a pumpkin patch to bring your family to this fall, Bengston’s is your place.

This is a tad bit early in the year to be showing you this, but come fall, you will thank me. If you live in the Chicagoland area, this is a must go place. We have gone to Bengston’s every year since we moved to Oak Lawn. My only complaint about them is that it is tad pricy to go. However, the kids have a blast, and we get our pumpkins from them every year.

There are definitely a ton of places all around the farm for photos.

They have pony rides and a petting zoo:

After you walk out from the petting zoo (which you can buy carrots and feed the animals), they actually have hand washing stations. They also have rides for the kids if they are a certain height. Madison was tall enough to go this year. However, she was not brave enough. They also have a Haunted House, a corn maze, and a wagon ride. You can buy food there and enjoy the pig races. There is enough things to do there that you can spend the whole day!

If you are looking for a pumpkin patch to bring your family to this fall, Bengston’s is your place.

This is another stop you have to go see while in New York. I was actually amazed by it. You see it on TV all the time. Yet, you have no idea how big and how bright it is!

It is tad overwhelming. However, you have to check it. They have every kind of store and restaurant you would ever want to try along here. I have only been there at night. I have a feeling it is just as cool during the day (just not as flashy!)

This is another stop you have to go see while in New York. I was actually amazed by it. You see it on TV all the time. Yet, you have no idea how big and how bright it is!

It is tad overwhelming. However, you have to check it. They have every kind of store and restaurant you would ever want to try along here. I have only been there at night. I have a feeling it is just as cool during the day (just not as flashy!)