We have been on the go – not that we have ever not been on the go. We are down to one family car in a car of four drivers and that requires a LOT of going. For years, I would sit down on Saturday or Sunday and map out the menu for the upcoming week. There were times when I would get very optimistic and plan out a whole month. The month menus hit snags when I forgot to
Backyard Field Trips – Steele Orchard
Every week my sons and I took a field trip. Keith worked a traditional job on only had the opportunity to attend on a few occasions. Some of the trips were just to local playgrounds while others were too amazing “backyard” locations – like Moundville, Alabama. I scheduled a few trips when son #3 came along, but the logistics soon became a nightmare. The older boys were NOT interested in trips that would entertain the youngest and I would have
Review of the Gulf State Park Primitive Camping
The Gulf State Park offered fun and adventure for the family. It also had some potential for hidden surprises that did not seem so appealing to me. Anyone that has met me has probably heard at least one story that proves I have few fears of things in this world. I have been known to get up close and personal with snakes to determine their identity. Spiders and I have no issues. My concerns are more of the exotic type
Travel Fun to Make the Going Easier
Make travel fun for everyone with a little planning before you go. Too much of anything can be bad thing – even what should be a good thing. My son, the youngest at the time, crawled up in my lap and sighed. “Can we go home now? I’m tired of opening presents.” It should have been a magical time for him. My mom had loaded him down with so many presents that it lost its fun. That moment locked in
The Things We Do for Doughnuts
Q: “What is a pirate’s favorite letter?” A: “RRRRRR” Q: “Where does a pirate go when he gets injured?” A: “The E.RRRRRRRRRR.” These were just a couple of the delightful jokes I encountered leading up – and on through – National Talk like a Pirate Day. It does not even begin to shed light on the constant pirate conversations that overwhelmed our home (or the fact that I secretly considered abandoning ship). You have to understand that “normal” has never
Letterboxing in the Gulf State Park
The Gulf Coast holds many secrets that a family ready for adventure can discover. We set out on a mission to uncover one such secret. The thrill of breaking down clues and finding treasure never gets old for The TraveLangs. We were first introduced to letter boxing almost a decade back, although our interest has peaked and faded over the years. My newest middle school book, Mystery Rock, ignited our interests once again (partly because we get to plant our
Flexibility in Camp Cooking
Developing flexibility in camp cooking can be a necessity when you take off for the wild unknown. Equipment had been known to malfunction. Campsite design may not meet your specific needs. Items can be left behind when pack up occurred. Flexibility in cooking – under any circumstances – can be a valuable tool for survival (or just to stop the growling of the hungry menfolk). A few simple changes can help you adjust to any of the circumstances that might