This happens every summer: I get a new pair of cute sandals that fit nicely in the store, and then the first day out - bam! Sore feet and blisters. This may sound familiar to fellow fans of soft adventure travel. Non-stressful hiking, plus walking tours, pretty much make up the kind of summer vacation (non-aquatic) exercise I get. That’s why, for me, the who-knows-what-technology-based stuff that goes into Gore-Tex fabric, makes their shoes a real plus. The Gore-Tex fabric is waterproof and wicks away heat, and feels kind of squishy in the sole (but it’s not a gel-based insert, so the TSA won’t make you surrender you shoes on the airport security line). My Ecco and Clark’s shoes have the Gore-Tex insignia, and Merrell, New Balance, and Timberland brands also use the special patented fabric. The company joined with the Adventure Travel Trade Association to suggest a Top 10 list of Summer Adventure Travel Vacation Destinations.

Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations, via Gore-Tex and the Adventure Travel Trade Association

• Australia - From the walkabouts to the rain forests of Queensland to the Great Barrier Reef, there’s adventure travel of almost all sorts here. If shopping is more your summer vacation speed, spend that cash in Sydney and Melbourne.
• Brazil - The jungles here are disappearing at a rapid clip; tourist dollars may show the government a viable alternate use of this great resource. And the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana are fantastic!
• British Columbia - start at my favorite airport hotel, and have fun in Vancouver, Victoria, and Granville Island for your summer vacation. Migratory marine mammals like whales spend their summers here too; they have the right idea!
• California - Even Los Angeles, with its sad reputation as a faceless city of strip malls, has some challenging hiking trails. I’d also suggest a drive north to Santa Barbara, my favorite spot along the Central Coast. There are also Napa Valley and other less famous “wine countries.”
• France - Can’t beat Paris as a cultural, historic walking city, but you might wear out your shoes trying to see it all. Then there’s Provence, Versailles, biking in the Pyrenees (bordering Spain), and the forests of Fontainebleau. Adventure travel and luxury vacations both fit together perfectly in France!
• Madagascar - The Malagasy, native to Madagasacar, could really use some tourism dollars. The forests of this unique island are disappearing at a pretty rapid clip, and ecotourism may help stem the loss. The lemurs, chameleons, and other interesting critters are endemic to Madagascar, and need their habitat to continue starring in all those nature specials.
• Nepal - Kathmandu is the star here, of course, though getting to Nepal is an adventure in itself. Nepal would be the right fit for someone seeking a special, unique cultural trip; if that’s you, visit Boudhanath Stupa, home to Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
• New York - New York City is hot, humid, and gross in the summer - I lived through too many summers there to be in denial. But the Hudson Valley, Niagara Falls, and Adirondacks region are all lovely.
• Norway - This one was included on the Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations list, presumably because it’s too dark and cold to vacation there in the winter. The gorgeous waterfalls and fjords can be toured via walking tours, or hiked and splashed in by more intrepid vacationers.
• Switzerland - An outdoor adventure vacation would feature a hike up the Alps, and possibly hang-gliding back down. Leisure travelers can explore Basel, Geneva, and Zurich.

These disparate vacation destinations were chosen by the quality of both adventure and leisure travel options. Factors considered include uniqueness and authenticity, adventure activity resources (bicycling, hiking, etc), need for sustainable tourism, and undiscovered or little known natural and cultural assets. I think this list represents a nice blend of very popular summer travel spots, and some that are less so.

And me? Well, I have 2 weeks of vacation travel in New York planned for this summer, one of which is in the humid stickiness of NYC. In August! Wish me luck.

Oh, sure, CajunMama’s husband won’t acknowledge the term, but “mancations” are really picking up some traction in the travel industry. Now, most men that I know would rather not vacation at all, than spend their vacation days in a luxury spa, getting their nails buffed. But a lot of men are figuring out that time with their friends is time well spent, indeed. This is why mancations have become increasingly popular.

Mancations, or getaways for men only, can range from low rent (10 college buddies crammed in a Vegas hotel room) to ultra high end (father-son trip to Gleneagles Hotel Golf Resort in Scotland) - with a lot of room in between. Personally, I like the idea of mancations. Dudes hanging our together, doing their dude thing (I don’t want to know too much here), getting smelly, scratching…No women allowed? That’s okay! No, really.

Top Recommended Mancation Vacation Travel Gifts, for Father’s Day and Beyond

There are some great mancation gift ideas out there. If you want to treat the guy in your life with a mancation travel gift, it helps if you can arrange time off work for his closest friends as well. Cabo San Lucas has some fishing vacation packages, and the Waterfall Resort in Ketchican, Alaska provides everything guys need for an authentic Alaska fishing vacation. From what I’ve heard, these mancations sound like really fun outdoorsman trips.

Another special gift that a lot of men would really appreciate is a real NASCAR Richard Petty riding experience. NASCAR fans can travel to one of 25 major American cities including, of course, Daytona. There, guys on mancations can opt to ride shotgun in a stock car - or even drive the NASCAR top series top car themselves! Imagine that: Up to 140 miles per hour, no cops ticketing the dude, and a memory to last a lifetime.

For golfers, mancation-type travel packages abound. One top new contender I like is offered by the Half Moon Resort in Jamaica. Just in time for Father’s Day (but good through the rest of the year), the Guys on the Green golf vacation package is a seriously luxurious mancation, for a seriously lucky guy. The travel package includes 5-star dining, drinks, two rounds of golf at Half Moon’s award winning golf course, and an “Up to Par” massage. Oh, and guests are greeted with an ice-cold beer upon arrival. Golf, manly massage, beer…Talk about a mancation.

These are the Traveling Mamas’ current top recommended mancations for Father’s Day (or any time). But lists are meant to be expanded: Any other favorites out there?

For those of us who are addicted to coffee and its many variations, finding a decent cup of java while on the road can present a challenge. I’m a big Starbucks fan, but I occasionally frequent independent coffee shops, just for a little variety.

Yesterday, I thought I would try McDonald’s new iced coffee drink that is being advertised. I’ve tried Burger King’s iced mocha in the past, and it would do in a pinch. I’ve also sampled Sonic’s frozen coffee blend, which while the taste was decent, I could feel the fat contained in this concoction sliding down my throat and straight to my behind. Well, all I can say about McDonald’s new iced coffee is, “Run away!”

McDonald’s iced coffee was the most disgusting thing that has ever passed through my lips.

I usually try to find something redeemable to say in my experiences and to make my opinion a bit more palatable, but there is no other way to word this opinion.

So, how do you find good coffee while on the road?

Text: Send a text message to Google (466453) with the subject coffee

Web browser: Find the nearest Starbucks at mobile.starbucks.com

Phone: If all else fails, call 800-235-2883 and the Starbucks operator will assist you in locating the nearest Starbucks.

NativeEnergy helps travelers purchase legitimate carbon offsets, to make vacations more carbon neutral. Community based, Native American, farmer-owned renewable energy projects are supported through NativeEnergy. The benefits are not just environmental, but economic and social as well. With sponsors like Ben & Jerry’s, Aveda and Clif Bars, Native Energy works to both end global warming and build positive businesses for family farmers and Native Americans.

The Untied Nations World Tourism Organization reports that the travel industry alone produces 5% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Megan Epler Wood, a partner at NativeEnergy, says that travel-related carbon dioxide emissions will grow by 75% in the next decade unless people do something about it. And really, with the ice caps melting, droughts, and new record high temperatures every summer, how much more global warming can we responsibly allow to happen? On the other hand, vacations and travel are one of life’s joys.

NativeEnergy’s “10 Reasons to Go Green” for the travel industry are interesting. Not every reason is feasible. I agree with the philosophy behind this list, at least!

1. Green companies save money by reducing their energy outputs.
2. Global warming is threatening travel destinations all over the world.
3. Over 50% of potential customers are more likely to choose travel packages that show a commitment to environmental responsibility.
4. Preparing reports that include carbon footprints (and reductions thereof) and click-through carbon offset purchase options online can position travel companies as being innovative leaders.
5. Green designs are cost efficient and will attract more environmentally aware customers.
6. Providing more responsible transportation options will also attract travelers who are concerned about the carbon impact of their vacations.
7. Plans for more environmentally responsible transportation and lodging are in the works, and will become essential in the future for green travel.
8. The travel industry must prepare to report on industry-wide green policies and how it’s responding to environmental issues as legislative efforts become more common.
9. Finding strategic environmental partners will help the travel industry respond to global warming.
10. An environmentally responsible travel policy for the industry shows concern for the world as a whole, and the people most affected by the climate crisis.

OffbeatTravel.com recently released its list of the top five “underknown” places to visit in 2008. I was pleased to see I’ve been to four of the five “most interesting and quirky towns in the country.” Here they are in alphabetical order:

Dahlonega, Georgia: I traveled to Dahlonega (that’s “Duh-LAWN-eh-gah,” not “DA-low-NAY-gah”), an hour’s north of Atlanta, last spring on a research trip. What a darling town! It was where America’s gold rush began and has a great museum dedicated to that period in time (1828). The historic square has some nice little boutiques, art galleries and restaurants (I really enjoyed the Crimson Moon Cafe). Kids like gold panning and the Kangaroo Conservation Center just outside of town. I was partial to the excellent wineries and the number of hiking trails in the area.

Fort Collins, Colorado: In 2007, Money magazine named this town north of Denver the “Best Place to Live” in America, so I’m not sure how little known it is. I will give Fort Collins props for its five local breweries, pretty Old Town and access to a crazy amount of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and kayaking.

Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii: I disagree this little “hippie town” on the North Shore of Kauai is off the beaten path. I think it’s heavily trafficked by tourists to the Emerald Isle — you need to be patient to allow cars to cross the one-lane bridges that lead in and out of town. That said, it is a beautiful part of the island, with scenic Hanalei Bay, many art galleries and the ubiquitous shave ice stands.

Moline, Illinois: This is one part of the country I’ve never traveled to, but according to the OffbeatTravel.com folks, it’s “John Deere Central,” with opportunities for kids of all ages to climb up humongous pieces of farm equipment around town.

Taos, New Mexico: I was last in Taos about 12 years ago. Browsing the galleries, admiring the scenery, visiting the ancient Taos Pueblo and eating lots of yummy Southwestern food are all great memories of my visit to this high-altitude town. I hope to go back sometime soon!

The Specialty Travel Agents Association (STAA) has its 2008 Best Destinations travel trend destinations selections up. This “Top 10″ type list obviously has to leave out a lot of great vacation spots, and includes none in the United States’ Lower 48. However, there is much to commend about this list of interesting international destinations. Take a look: I’ll give my opinion on the travel spots, and you tell me what you think, too.

In no particular order, the STAA Best Destinations for Travel in 2008:

Quebec City, in Canada: July 3rd marks Quebec City’s 400th anniversary, and the celebration will not only be festive, but also will recognize all the outdoor activities, festivals, culture and history that makes Quebec City a top vacation destination. This will be an eight month long celebration (you read that right - what a party!) with genuine French Canadian flavor.
Australia: Europeans are increasingly taking their holidays in Australia (the favorable exchange rate may have something to do with this), and resort hotels are correspondingly becoming more luxurious. But it’s not all luxury travel of course - there’s plenty of budget lodgings and eco travel opportunities in the Land Down Under. It ranks as one of my top places I’d like to see, as well.
Hawaii: Hawaii, and Maui in particular, is consistently voted the most popular tropical vacation island by those in the know (Conde Naste, Travel & Leisure, etc). It’s also the top honeymoon vacation state in the U.S., with each island offering its own unique take on what it means to be in Hawaii. Another plus: I’ve never had bad weather for more than an hour or two there. The weather is perfect.
China: The Specialty Travel Agents Association has chosen China as a best destination largely because of the upcoming Beijing Sumer Olympics games. However, more recently there have been some seriously disturbing issues - those that even make the news - regarding exactly how China is preparing for the games (prettifying a large, polluted urban area seems to mean dislocating a lot of long-time residents), and the country’s sanctioning of murdering monks in Tibet has led at least one country (France) to consider boycotting the Olympics. No country’s politics are perfect, of course, but with all the other great places to visit in the world, I know I have no travel plans for China in the immediate future.
The US Virgin Islands: Okay, I’m biased - my honeymoon was in St John, and in as such it remains one of my most favorite tropical vacation isles. St. John is 2/3 National Park land, and is the least developed of the three US Virgin Islands. St. Thomas has the most hotels and resorts, as well as the best shopping, whereas St Croix has tourism opportunities and what is considered the Easternmost part of the United States. The local saying goes, “Vacation on St. John, Shop on St. Thomas, and Live on St. Croix,” and that pretty much holds true.
India: It’s a large, geographically diverse country, so it would probably take more than one trip to truly get to know India. STAA recommends India for ecotravel - Bengal tigers are an endangered species, and there’s not much time left to see them in their natural state. And the Taj Mahal, needless to say, is also a huge draw.
Argentina: STAA recommends Argentina for those of us travel lovers who have been struggling with the dropping value of the American dollar. Rather than not travel at all, its suggested that Argentina’s bang for the buck combines well with many tourist friendly activities, top-notch restaurants, and boutique hotels.
Vietnam: STAA suggests that Vietnam is the Next Best Thing in terms of luxury golf vacations, calling it the “next premier golf destination.” Really? Well, I’m not sure that golf travel packages in Vietnam will ever be on the same level as Scotland or Hawaii, but it has many other tourist friendly attractions. It’s a very affordable country to visit, for one, and two, the Vietnamese people are among the world’s nicest, most optimistic - Buddhism teaches kindness and forgiveness, and most people in Vietnam are Buddhist.
France: Ah, France! A Top 10 Travel list just wouldn’t seem legit without La Belle France. It’s the most popular country in the world for travel, and has everything any vacation lover could want. Luxury travel is practically defined by the French Riviera, and those of us who appreciate the fine arts go gaga over the Louvre and Orsay in Paris. 2008 is the 150th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to a French peasant girl in Lourdes, and seeing that six million people make a religious pilgrimage there already, Lourdes is sure to be a top travel destination this year.
Alaska: Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations (with a pit stop in Vancouver, BC). Just as India’s Bengal tiger population is shrinking, so are those glaciers. Environmentally aware tourists are wanting to see the melting ice before it’s too late. The cruise ship vacations to Alaska are, of course, most popular in the spring and summer; it’s too cold for most travelers to come out of their cabins in the winter! The gorgeous scenery, combined with the summer home of many migratory species, makes cruising here an enormous draw.

While I don’t agree with all the destinations on this list being the top 10, shortlists are hard. Winnowing down all the terrific places to see in the world to 10 is never going to please everyone, after all! I give STAA credit for their obviously well thought-out list, but I’d switch out China for a less controversial country, and perhaps replace Argentina with Belize, Costa Rica, or another Latin American country with a stronger emphasis on eco travel and environmentally responsible tourism. But that’s just me - what’s on your Top 10 travel destinations list? I’d really like to know; there’s a comments section below.

On my first trip to Moab way back in 1997, I figured I was relatively prepared to tackle the world-famous 10-mile Slickrock Trail, perched on a sandstone plateau. Exercising caution, my then-boyfriend and I decided to lap the 1.7-mile practice loop first. Ha! I could barely make it a few hundred feet before I had to hop off my bike to negotiate a steep incline. I continued that way—pedal some, jump off and walk, pedal some, jump off and walk—around the loop, until, humbled, I decided there was no way I could maneuver the longer trail.

My boyfriend, who managed to bike the practice trail successfully (albeit not so gracefully), agreed. So we hightailed it to the visitor’s center in downtown Moab, where we sought suggestions for gentler mountain-biking trails. The helpful and knowledgeable staffers there directed us to the Gemini Bridges Trail, which was decidedly more mellow, although I still found it technically challenging at times. After our multi-hour, out-and-back trek to the neat twin bridges, we rewarded ourselves with some handcrafted ale at the Moab Brewery. Trust me, I enjoyed every sip of my pint of Dead Horse Amber Ale.

On our successive trips to Moab, my now-husband (yes, same guy) and I typically don’t even load our bikes in the car. (A sacrilege!) Instead, we get some exercise and take in the incredible landscapes of sandstone buttes, arches and cliffs by foot. I prefer the well-traveled hiking trails with specific directions to nearby trailheads. My husband likes the off-the-beaten-path paths, where we may not see other tourists for hours.

For example, on our most recent getaway to Moab (where we indulged with a stay at the luxurious Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa, about 18 miles from downtown Moab), we spent one morning in Negro Bill’s Canyon—along with dozens of other hiking enthusiasts. After about an hour of moderate hiking along a somewhat-crowded trail (2 miles in) we were rewarded when we reached country’s sixth-largest natural stone arch, spanning more than 200 feet. Munching on trail mix in the nearby shade, we marveled at how the elements—wind and water, sun and rain—carved this massive arch and the other impressive rock formations throughout the area.

For our second day, my husband had researched the Internet to find the Professor Creek Trail. We couldn’t find any trailhead marking the beginning of the slot canyon, but my intrepid husband insisted we’d be able to find the way. Indeed, we essentially dropped into the riverbed and followed a creek, the route zig-zagging back and forth over the flowing water. We veered from the main creek to explore side canyons, feeling like quite the adventurers.

Thankfully, my husband has a wonderful sense of direction, not to mention a lot of common sense, so I don’t hesitate checking out these lesser-traveled routes with him. And indeed, the silence in the canyon, coupled with the unusual red-rock formations juxtaposed with the Technicolor-blue sky, made for a delightful hike.

This week I helped chaperone my daughter’s field trip to Aspen Mountain for some snowshoeing in the backcountry. It was so much fun! The weather was glorious–we had some low-hanging, wispy clouds in the morning, but the sky cleared to a beautiful robin’s-egg blue by lunchtime. It had snowed the night before, so the ground cover was all sparkly. And the kids and grownups were all happy to be playing hooky from school and work all day!

That’s not to say the kids didn’t learn. Knowledgeable staffers from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies talked to the 7- and 8-year-olds about animal tracks and their winter habitats. A representative from the mountain’s ski patrol discussed skiing and avalanche safety. We all watched as a trained rescue dog sniffed out four kids hiding in snow caves in a giant snow pile. I was impressed!

Visitors to the Aspen area can go snowshoeing on the same off-piste trails we did through ACES’ Naturalist Snowshoe Tours. Two-hour tours take place daily through April 11 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $52 for adults, $41 for youth and seniors, $31 for children ages 7 to 12. The fee includes a gondola ride to the top of the mountain, snowshoe rental, snack and warm drink, and a knowledgeable guide. Learn about wildlife in winter, tracking, mountain ecology, history of Aspen, avalanches and winter habitats on this leisurely paced excursion over gentle terrain.

On the tour, if you’re blessed with the same weather we were, you’ll enjoy pretty scenes like these:

I’m a television freak. If you add travel into the TV mix, I’m even more fanatic about it. That’s why I love Thursday night television. CBS has Survivor and ABC is airing new episodes of LOST.

A few years ago I had an assignment to visit Hawaii and a few filming sites from LOST. Here are a few of my favorites:

Ala Moana Center – Take a ride up the escalator and shop at what was the airport scene for the Oceanic ticket counter.

Waimea Valley – This site is home to the infamous waterfall where Kate and Sawyer retrieve guns in the first season. There are also trails that are oddly familiar from the first season. As of February 1, 2008, this historical site has returned to the hands of the Hawaiian people. It was recently an Audubon Center. It is unknown at this time if the waterfalls are open to the public for a dip. I do know that the falls have something special in them for the skin. My skin was softer for at least three days after my swim. This is definitely a special place that should be visited while in the islands.

Dillingham Airfield – During my visit, I snuck around back and found the storage for the fuselage. I also took a glider ride that provided a glorious view of the beaches. It is also the airfield setting for the episode “The 23rd Psalm” which gives some background about Mr. Echo.

Mokule’ia Beach (Army Beach) – This is directly across from the airfield and was the beach setting for the pilot episode.

Ka’a’wa Valley – The LOST survivors played a few rounds of golf in this area that was also a film site for Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and Pearl Harbor. Do you want to play on the course where Sayid shot the guy? Visit the 17th hold of Turtle Bay Palmer Course.

Want to see more? Check out Lost Virtual Tours for pictures and videos of even more film sites. I’m looking forward to tonight’s episode. I wonder what crazy conspiracy will be revealed.

Today marks 50 years of The Daytona 500, a glorious day for race fans. This is the Super Bowl of car racing in the US, conducted at the birthplace of NASCAR. It is a day of honor and glory for men across our nation, a time where they can sit in their recliners wearing a sleeveless t-shirt, drinking beer and eating corn chips until the checkered flag is waved. But, for some NASCAR fans, this is not enough. They must make a pilgrimage to this Sacred Site of the Hemi.

I took one such trip, trying to relive my teenage summers spent at Huntsville Speedway. I would sit in a plastic lawn chair, listening to the roar of the engines (and feeling it too) waiting until my uncle’s stock car lined the track. Heck, I even had a racing boyfriend at one time, so that I could get the full effect of the Race Car Lifestyle. It didn’t work out (alas!), but it did give me a glimpse of the people behind the races.

Race car fans are not just your stereotypical redneck. The majority of spectators are business owners, corporate types, and even lawmakers. If one were to judge by the drivers themselves, NASCAR is full of pretty smart marketing people. So, when I was invited to check out the Daytona International Speedway and all it has to offer, I jumped at the chance.

Daytona is not just a place to go to a race; there are beaches that visitors can drive on, restaurants galore, and luxury hotels. But in sticking with the theme of this post (MountainMama is going for a visit soon), I’ll educate you on things to do at Daytona International Speedway after the big race is over.

The Walk of Fame – This is a free attraction along the sidewalk of Daytona International Speedway. Visitors can find their favorite driver’s tile and place their hands in the driver’s impression.

VIP Hot Pass Tour – This includes admission into the Daytona 500 Experience (normally $24), a 2-hour personal tour of the speedway, lunch at the Budweiser Bistro, 2 Acceleration Alley vouchers, and a discount on merchandise in the gift shop.

Ride-Along – Must be at least 16 years old. A ride-along gives you the thrill of the track starting at $135 per person. This is part of the Richard Petty Driving Experience and must be booked in advanced.

The Daytona Experience – This is the grand-daddy of them all. You get to actually DRIVE a race car for 24 laps (after some training). This can run up to $2199 per person and is part of the Richard Petty Driving Experience and must be booked in advanced.

No matter if you watch the Daytona 500 from your recliner or a box seat, the Daytona 500 Experience is waiting for you all year ‘round.

CajunMama at Gatorade’s Victory Lane, Daytona International Speedway

Most of the time I think I’m a pretty adventurous traveler. But I can’t compare to my friend Lisa Raleigh, who spent nearly three weeks in 2006 volunteering in India and Nepal with the dZi Foundation, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that promotes education, health and welfare in Himalayan communities.

On her overseas trip, Lisa visited dZi Foundation projects in Nepal: Friendship House, a group home where girls receive an outstanding education, and the Nutritional Rehabilitation Home, where malnourished children are brought back to good health and mothers are educated on proper nutrition. She also worked at a dental clinic in India, teaching local children about dental hygeine.

For Lisa, the experience was life changing. She decided that she wanted to spend her professional career working in the nonprofit sector, quit her high-stress job in magazine advertising sales, and now works for the dZi Foundation as its Volunteer Manager.

In fact, Lisa is leading a dZi Foundation volunteer trip in the Leh region of India in May 2008. The trip is 19 days: 5 days for acclimitization and training, one week for Leh dental and vision clinics, and one week for trekking or visiting remote clinics.

Now this trip is not without costs to the volunteer; part of each participant’s responsibility is a financial one. Round-trip and in-country airfare, meals and lodging, travel insurance and fees will cost about $4,500.

But for folks who may be accustomed to writing checks to philanthropies and not really knowing where their money goes, a “voluntourism” vacation may be right up their alley. And, according to Lisa, just might be life changing.

Talk about a Traveling Mama Extraordinaire! In 2006 and into 2007, Nancy Sathre-Vogel, her husband John and their two then-eight-year-old sons bicycled across the country, from their home in Idaho west to Washington, south to Mazatlan, and all the way to Connecticut, over the course of 12 months and 9,300 miles. Amazing!

And the Vogel family isn’t stopping with this incredible adventure under their belts. They are up for more more! This June, they’ll depart on a cycling trip all the way from Alaska to Argentina! They plan on 30 months of travel over 20,000 miles. Twin sons Davy and Daryl will mark their 11th, 12th and 13th birthdays on the trip, and when they complete the journey, they’ll be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest people ever to cycle the Pan-American Highway.

The family plans to use two single bikes and a tandem bike, with the young boys taking turns cycling behind Dad. For their first trip, dad John and the boys were on a triple the entire way.

Mom Nancy is a special education teacher and freelance writer, dad John is also an educator, and the boys go to elementary school in Boise when they aren’t on the road (and then, they are homeschooled to keep up with their studies — what an education in geography, cultures, and, well, LIFE, they are receiving from their adventurous parents).

So curious about the Vogel family’s activities, I asked Nancy a few questions about the first cycling trip and their plans for the next one:

1. Why a cross-country bike trip? I mean, aren’t there other, less-ambitious ways you can enjoy “quality family time” together?

I do understand that a bicycle tour, for most people, seems kind of “out there,” but for us it really isn’t. John and I met on a one-year bike tour of the Indian subcontinent, and have toured in many other countries since then. Even though I hadn’t toured since before I got pregnant (John had done a couple tours in that time), the idea was there in the back of our minds. When we decided to go, there was no question that it would be on bikes.

2. A year is a looooong time to spend traveling with the whole family. Did you ever crave “alone time” just for you? Did you ever get it?

There were times when I wanted to be alone, and I was able to get that time on the bike. John, however, had a much harder time in that department – he was joined at the hip with the boys. All I had to do was drop back away from the triple and I was in my own little world. Sure, I could still see my family, but for all practical purposes I was alone.

3. How did you handle homeschooling on the road? Did you have a curriculum to follow?

One would think our years in the classroom would lead us to favor a more traditional approach, but it’s actually convinced us of the value of “unschooling.” We’ve seen, time and time again, that kids have a natural desire to make sense of their world. They want to learn, and they will learn if they are provided opportunities to do so. Our journey provided those opportunities. We took advantage of educational opportunities wherever we found them (national parks, state parks, etc.) and we made sure to read to the boys and have them write in their journals. But mostly we let Mother Nature be their teacher.

4. You updated a website with diary entries along the way. I’m assuming you brought a laptop and hit wi-fi cafes?

No. We were constantly on the prowl for internet access. We stopped at public libraries and internet cafes. We also utilized the computers at the countless number of houses we were invited into.

5. What was the most surprising thing you learned on your trip?

The idea that eight-year-old boys don’t need a bunch of toys! Before we left, we designated a small bag on the bike for each boy – that was their space and anything they took with them had to fit in that bag. At the beginning of the journey the kids dragged miniature plastic aliens out of their bag at each break. Their aliens fought battles and conquered new lands. By the next day rocks and sticks had become spaceships and distant planets which their aliens controlled. Within a few days, the aliens had been forgotten and their playthings were solely of the natural variety: rocks, sticks, leaves, and pinecones.

6. What was your favorite locale or destination?

Each part of the journey was so different and there were things we enjoyed about them all. But if I had to choose one locale, I would have to say “The West” (as opposed to the “The East”). Cycling through the deserts in the western part of the USA and Baja was wonderful in that we could camp anywhere. All four of us loved our time out in the desert beneath towering saguaro or cardon cacti.

7. What will you do differently for this next, more ambitious trip?

Not much. The major change is the basic configuration of bikes. We will travel with a tandem and two singles on our next trip. John will captain the tandem, I’ll still have my single, and the kids will switch between the stoker seat and their single. There are a number of reasons for that change – the kids will have more freedom, John won’t be quite so exhausted, and it’ll be a lot easier to get the bikes in hotel rooms.

8. What are you most looking forward to for the Alaska-Argentina adventure?

Time. Time with the kids. Time to play. Time to explore. Time to grow. Oh yeah – and the freedom of the road. I can’t wait to feel the wind blowing through my hair, my legs pumping, my heart pounding, and my lungs struggling to catch every breath they can. In short? Freedom. That’s what I crave.

Yesterday morning began with a limousine ride to the Rex Den. A den is the place where Krewes build and house their floats. The Rex Den is located in the 9th ward and many of the floats were damaged in Katrina. However, Rex would not let a hurricane bring them down, and they rebuilt their floats and have begun to use their creations for educational purposes. This year’s theme is about rivers, which each float representing a river. School children have been able to come into the den and see these representations of rivers such as the Tiber, The Nile, The Mississippi, and many others. I feel honored to have been invited in to this special place, where the waterline from the flood is still visible on the metal walls.

The Rex visit was followed by a New Orleans favorite, Galatoire’s. This restaurant does not take reservations and a dinner jacket is strongly advised. This landmark begins seating at 11:30, but this does not stop diners from lining up in advanced. Galatoire’s invented Oysters Rockefeller and Crab Sardou, leaving their own mark in culinary history.

Carnival Season in New Orleans is home to so many different Krewes and parades. I was able to catch Shangri-La after lunch, and then a few more after my dinner at Grand Isle Seafood, located on Fulton Street at Harrah’s. Pegasus was the last parade of the evening and I walked back to Harrah’s looking like Santa Claus with an enormous bag of beads thrown over my shoulder.

I was so glad to get back to my room and soak in a hot bath, to prepare myself for the next day of festivities. Thank goodness Harrah’s has a never-ending supply of scalding hot water. Oooohhh!