Climb Across America

If your little ones are anything like mine, they love dinosaurs.  Not like normal love, we’re talking complete obsession, total devotion, and unfailing dedication.  This love means we must visit every single dinosaur attraction that comes within 500 miles of our home.  Of course, we had to visit Jurassic Quest, and I am so glad we did.  It was toddler heaven and the stuff dreams are made of.

Thank you, Jurassic Quest for hosting our family.  We had such a wonderful family day out with the dinosaurs.

Here are the top 8 things to know about taking your toddler to Jurassic Quest.

1. It is awesome – I’ve never seen a dinosaur exhibit like this one. There are over 80 true-to-life size dinosaurs.  You can ride on a huge T-rex, pet a baby Brachiosaurus, or marvel and a roaring Velociraptor.  Obviously, my kids went completely nuts.  But the adults were in awe too.  It is epic
   
2. Dinosaur rides for all – I love that Jurassic Quest is for all ages. There are big dinosaur rides for kids over 3 feet tall and little dinosaur rides for tiny dinosaur lovers.  My oldest loved the T-Rex ride, and my youngest got to ride on a Lambeosaurus.  My oldest daughter wasn’t interested in waiting, so she decided to dig for fossils instead.
   
3. Don’t forget to bring snacks and drinks – The exhibit graciously allows outside food, and we would have had “hangry” fits without it. They have onsite food options, but I was happy we had our own water bottles, pouches, and finger foods.  Goldfish Crackers were an excellent distraction while we waited in line.
   
4. Pack the stroller – all of the Jurassic Quest venues are handicap and stroller accessible. We took our Zoe Triple Stroller, and we didn’t have any issues navigating the exhibit.  My Littlest is almost two, and she preferred the stroller over walking since it was pretty crowded.  It also helped me keep track of everyone.
   
5. Bring socks – there are lots of bounce houses on the other side of the main dinosaur hall, and you will need socks for your little ones to hop in.
   
6. Yes, there’s a gift shop – each Jurassic Quest event is at a different venue so they may not be exactly the same. In Chantilly, Virginia, there was a decent sized toy shop with tons of dinosaur toys to take home.  My kids loved the “pet” dinosaur ($15).  It is a balloon that hovers just above the ground and has a leash for your child to pull.  It is really cool.
   
7. Lots of crowds and lines – Jurassic Quest is an extremely popular exhibit, and it often sells out. Just another example of how amazing it is.  With that comes a ton of people, lines and crazy excited little ones desperate to ride a dinosaur.  We arrived about 15 minutes before it opened and there was already a line to get in.  However, we didn’t wait more than 5 minutes to get in the exhibit, no more than 10 minutes for a dinosaur ride, and we walked right up to most of the little kid fun.  Jurassic Quest recommends arriving after 4 PM to miss some of the crowds.  Side note: I highly recommend heading over to the shows very early.  They were lined up 10 people deep, and it is difficult to see if you aren’t near the front.
   
8. You can see it all before naptime – We arrived just before 9 AM, and we were all sitting at lunch by noon. I have no doubt you could spend a lot more time there, but we always try to sneak in a nap if we can.  My kids actually spent the most time digging for fossils (basically a huge sandbox).
   

I highly recommend checking out Jurassic Quest with your family.  Be sure to buy tickets in advance, and stop at all of the amazing photo ops throughout the exhibit.  You’ll have some pretty awesome memories!

Thank you, Deana Moreno Photography for these amazing family memories.  We’ll cherish them always.

Thank you, Jurassic Quest for hosting our family.  We had a great day!

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A post shared by Angelica Kajiwara | Family Travel & Adventure (@climbacrossamerica)

Are you thinking about taking a trip? Are you spending time on the road? Whether you are taking a road trip or are flying across the world, there will be birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays if you’re gone for a significant amount of time. Your birthday could come up. A friend or family member might have a birthday, a wedding, or an anniversary of something. There might be important holidays. When you’re on the road, significant events and dates will arise. Below are some ways to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries while you are on the road.

Plan Ahead of Time

Of course, one of the most effective ways to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries when you’re away is to plan ahead of time. What is the occasion? What do you need to do for it? Should you buy a gift? Send a card? Make a phone call? Whatever is appropriate for the date can be determined before you leave. This requires you to look at the calendar before you leave, but you will be doing that anyways right? Planning of time goes hand in hand with traveling. Simply add these to-dos to your list of things to get done before you leave.

Send Something from Where You Are

Another great option for celebrating something while you are gone is to send an item from the place where you are traveling to the person you want to acknowledge. You could buy them something they like or an object that is completely exotic to them. Receiving a package from far away for your birthday, anniversary, or another event can be quite enjoyable. Simply find something on your travels and send it out. Shipping may be expensive, but it will be worth it to make a splash on the person’s special day. You could also bring it back and tell the person that you have something for them.

Ecards

A great way to show that you remembered and that you care is to send an electronic card. There are Ecards for just about any occasion. You can send JibJab birthday Ecards, Ecards for anniversaries, and Ecards for other holidays. Wherever you are in the world, buying an Ecard is a great way to show that you are thinking about someone and a specific event that has occurred. Holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays can all be acknowledged with an Ecard. Simply look at your options to find the right one. You will be happy that you did.

Travel for the Occasion

When you are planning a trip and realize that there is an occasion during the time you will be gone, what about making the vacation about the date or event? You can bring the right group, plan the perfect trip, and celebrate the event properly while you are gone. There are plenty of options for celebrations on a trip. You can go do a person’s favorite thing. You can plan something that represents the date. Planning a multigenerational trip provides an opportunity for the older to relate to the younger and perhaps describe the celebration to them in a meaningful way. When you have a significant date coming up, celebrate it with a trip somewhere.

Lean Into the Way Locals Celebrate

Finally, it’s always a good idea to do what the locals do. Whatever the occasion, you should lean into the way that locals celebrate a holiday or birthday. If you are abroad during Christmas, the traditions vary quite a bit from place to place. You should do your best to adapt to the place’s customs. Their traditions and outlook on specific holidays could change the way that you think about holidays in general. You could end up being a lot happier when they arrive.

Birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries are complicated. Everyone feels differently about them. Whether these events are important to you or not, celebrating while you are traveling can be a great way to change up the monotony. You can also find some great gifts because they will typically be foreign objects. Wherever you’re at in life, don’t let holidays get in the way of your travel. Plan ahead and you will likely end up with the best version of the event.

When you are thinking about living in your RV, there are plenty of things to consider. You should try to make it as enjoyable as possible while keeping it in your budget. There are so many upgrades you can make to your RV and investing in your life on the road can make all the difference. Whether you are interested in being entertained or want to create opportunities for spending more time outside comfortably, investing in your RV can be a great idea if you are living in it.

Canopy

One of the best things to invest in is a canopy. Shop on websites like instent.com for a tent that covers the side of your RV, providing the opportunity to hang out in the shade. You can use a canopy to cook and get out of the sun. Sit in a chair and enjoy the breeze. Wherever you are going, there is probably going to be some sun for you to avoid. When you are spending life on the road, it’s important to protect yourself but avoid spending too much time inside the RV.

Entertainment System

Another thing that will come in handy when you are living in your RV is an entertainment system. At night, after you have eaten, it’s dark out, and you’re finished stargazing, you might want to watch a movie. If you invest in an entertainment system, you can relax and enjoy yourself. You might think that you won’t use an entertainment system because you are living on the road and want to take in all the sights and sounds of your surroundings, but there will also be moments when you want to watch something and drift off into sleep. Whether you are in the middle of nowhere or are camping in Yellowstone, you will inevitably want to watch a movie.

New Tires

A great investment for any RV is a new set of tires. New tires will improve your gas mileage and provide better traction. Your RV will maneuver more accurately, and you will be able to cut down on how much gas you are putting in the RV. Not only will new tires save you some money, but you will also be a lot safer. When you are traveling around the country with your family, you want to ensure that everyone will be safe. You might be especially worried about your children. Tires are important, especially if you are driving around the country.  

Outdoor Platform

An outdoor platform is another investment that you can put onto your RV. With one of these outdoor attachments, you can cook outside, prep your ingredients, drink beers outside, and enjoy each other’s company. It is a great addition to any RV because it provides a place where you can hang out. You can pull up a chair and visit, whether you are working on something or not. You want to be able to enjoy your friends and family no matter where you are. Don’t stay cooped up in the RV, spread out and enjoy the landscape instead.

Attachment Stove

Finally, an accessory in your RV that will never get old is an outdoor attachment stove. Sure, you probably have a stove inside the RV, but cooking outdoors is much more enjoyable. Whether you are spending months in the RV or are only taking it for a week-long vacation, an attachment stove will make all the difference. You will enjoy cooking and eating together much more than if you are cramped into the RV. An attachment stove will change your view of eating on the road. You will be able to make better meals.

Traveling in an RV can be both amazing and claustrophobic. It can be the best thing in the world, but it can also be a situation in which the people onboard get sick of each other. It is important to make yourselves comfortable, but also provide both the mental and physical space that can be difficult to come by in this situation.

The five RV investments above are great ways to increase your enjoyment and make your experience the best it can be. Whether you are planning on living in your RV indefinitely or just for a few weeks, investing in your RV is worth it. 

Everyone has a busy morning. Getting up and going in the morning is a constant race against the clock for everyone, from parents to kids. Everyone is always trying to shave off a couple of minutes here and there throughout their morning routine to make it a little less hectic. 

While breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it can also be time-consuming. So, here are the top seven on-the-go breakfasts for the whole family to enjoy (without being late).

Apple, Peanut Butter, and Granola Sandwich

Apples are always a healthy snack, but replacing bread with apple slices and adding a little extra crunch to the inside with granola is genius. While it is best to make these healthy breakfast sandwiches in the morning, all you need to do is slice, lather, sprinkle and go!

Plus, if you get everything ready the night before, you won’t need to waste time looking for all the different ingredients.

KIND Almond Butter Protein Breakfast Bar

KIND is known for having quick and scrumptious, fiber and protein-filled energy bars any time you’re on the go. However, the KIND Almond Butter Protein Breakfast Bar is sure to kick your metabolism into high gear. So, whether you’re going fishing or hurrying to make that early morning meeting, KIND has got your breakfast needs in hand.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein that you can prepare whenever you have time for the entire week. Plus, whether you eat them as-is (just peel and go) or make them a part of a bigger breakfast, hard-boiled eggs make for a timely, filling on-the-go breakfast. 

Daiya Homestyle Breakfast Burrito

Some days, you just need a warm meal, but you still don’t have time or patience to whip up anything gourmet. That is where Daiya Homestyle Breakfast Burritos come in. They are 100% plant-based and 100% vegan. That means it is healthy, as well as quick. You just need to heat it and get on with your day.

Baked Tomato and Egg Cups

Tomatoes are great for protecting your cells from damage, and eggs are the go-to breakfast protein, whether you are on a diet or just looking for a tasty way to fill up in the morning.

Of course, this is a good option if you need to stop and charge up at one of the Tesla charging stations on your route, as this isn’t a driving-friendly meal. (Too messy!) 

However, it is delicious, easy, quick to make, and simple to transport. So, it is still a great on-the-go breakfast option for any occasion.

Yogurt and Granola

Yogurt and granola are exceptionally versatile, but it is an explosion of flavor, texture, and possibility that you can experiment with daily when put together. There are so many different flavors and types of yogurt to try, you could have a taste for every day of the week. Plus, the granola adds some much-needed fiber to your diet (and a little crunch that always compliments a good breakfast concoction.

Protein Shakes

Whether going through the motions of your busy routine or exploring a farm, you don’t want to spend too much time on breakfast. Even though you need to ensure you get your breakfast in to have energy and brain food for exploration and doing your best, you want to have a delicious but quick solution. Therefore, always make sure you have a protein shake ready when you are really in a bind. While you don’t want to make a habit of protein shakes, they are viable options for the whole family when you need to get a move-on.

Fortunately, the protein shakes available today are not the gross, lumpy, and nearly undrinkable sludge they used to be. Now, there are plenty of flavors to fit everyone’s preferences.

Ultimately, you and your family should ensure that you have breakfast every single day, despite your busy schedule. Having breakfast is linked to better performance, healthier choices during the day, better health overall, and even weight loss.

So, start your day off right! With these benefits, coupled with the top seven delicious on-the-go- breakfasts for the whole family, there is no excuse to go hungry in the morning.