But in the Cobb Hill Estate, which we did end up finding through VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner), we had accommodations that were pretty close to ideal for our group. We were coming from as far away as Washington state to gather for a long weekend and simply “hang out.” We didn’t need a lot of bells and whistles or a ton of entertainment for the kids — who ranged in age from 2 months to 9 years.  Our reunion was about being together in a comfortable spot, laughing over silly college memories (we all went to Dartmouth together) and making new ones.

With Cobb Hill’s four bedrooms, one bonus room, a pull-out couch in the TV room and a nifty freestanding, un-insulated guest cabin with sleeping loft (at right) there was a ton of room for us all to spread out. The estate sits on 750 acres, so if any of us wanted to escape, it was easy to do just that! The house came with a GPS unit, with some pre-set locations (caves, the treehouse) to find on a hike on the property — unfortunately all the setpoints were about 100 feet off, so that didn’t work out so well (we did alert the owners to the faulty GPS; hopefully it’s fixed).

The kitchen was small and dated, but fully stocked with cooking utensils and service ware (except for a teapot for our tea drinkers). We cooked every single meal over the course of our three-night stay, having assigned a meal or two to each family. That worked out incredibly well; could you imagine taking 10 children out to a restaurant for every meal, had we stayed in a hotel? Instead, we sat the kids around a large dining room table or out on the big deck.

Speaking of, the deck was a great place for us to hang out in the evening until the mosquitoes descended as the sun set (the renters information booklet says mosquitoes aren’t a problem, but we beg to differ). A lower deck is outfitted with this totally high-tech, invisible, bug-repelling barrier — but we hated turning it on because it made such an awful buzzing sound.

We also hung out in the big living room, and made a fire in the wood-burning fireplace each night. The ping-pong table in the sunroom provided hours of entertainment for kids and adults alike. The children only watched one DVD in the cozy living room all weekend long, which we thought was pretty impressive, given there was a library of about 100 DVDs for guests to use! A large grassy area outside was the site of a whiffle ball game, and the little ones also played on a small swing set. The preschoolers rode trikes in the driveway.

In all, Cobb Hill Estate is an idyllic setting — as described, we had panoramic mountain views as the house is perched on the edge of the woods facing south. We were totally away from it all, given the winding dirt road we had to take to get to the estate, but we were able to get down to “town” within 10 minutes. Our drive to Keene and a local mini-golf and ice cream stand was less than a half hour.

I suppose our only gripes were the Internet connection going out a couple times (one of my buddies had work to do), and we felt bad asking the nearby caretaker to keep coming by to reset the modem. It’s behind locked doors, so we couldn’t do it ourselves. And we appreciated having staples in the kitchen cabinets, such as spices and sugar and cooking oil; but someone has to go through the pantry and throw out expired food. We found peanut butter from 2005.

Our summer stay at Cobb Hill Estate was really great; we’d rent the property again (I think the owner liked us; we got our $500 security deposit back, no problem). It rents all year round, and this fall, my guess is the views of the surrounding mountains will be utterly gorgeous with the changing leaves. I’d, frankly, be nervous about renting the estate in the winter; I would not want to make the uphill, dirt-road climb in snow.

But for folks who want to get away from it all, and who don’t mind dated furniture, non-fluffy guest towels and the occasional dated box of crackers, I’d recommend Cobb Hill vacation rental, which goes for $500 a night (three night minimum). After all, for communing in New Hampshire nature, it can’t be beat. And the sunsets are divine.

My family and I spent one night at The Broadmoor (courtesy of the resort) before we hopped on a plane at the Colorado Springs airport this summer. One night is by no means enough time to truly enjoy all of its amenities, but we packed in as much as we could into, oh, 18 hours there. Here are just a few of the highlights we enjoyed:

The Ambiance: I  felt as though I was dropped right into a scene from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The manicured grounds, rolling green golf courses and historic decor in the public spaces, to me, exude glamour. We pulled up to the property’s security gate, gave our name, and then continued on to the porte-cochere, where valets greeted us – by name – which gave us a clue to the incredible service we’d receive all weekend. Lots of “How is your stay Mrs. Williams?” and “Whatever we can do to help, Mrs. Williams.” I loved the intricately tiled mosaic floor in the entryway to the lobby, as well as the historic photos, marble staircase, ornate chandelier and brass escalators.

The Tavern: The steaks were excellent at this landmark restaurant at The Broadmoor, dating back to 1938. We ate in its enclosed “Garden Room,” filled with lush vegetation and twinkling lights overhead. No fusion foods or unusual entrees here; just favorite hand-cut prime steaks, chops, seafood, prime rib, plus shellfish appetizers, soups and salads. One must-see: Bottle Alley, where all the liquor and wine bottles that were consumed during Prohibition are displayed; check it out just not far from the entrance to The Tavern (also near the main lobby).

The Swimming Pools: We arrived on an unusually chilly and rainy day in July, so we took the kids to The Broadmoor’s indoor heated pool (near the spa, which I wish I had time to experience), with outdoor hot tub and heated lap pool. This is a huge boon for parents who like to be able to keep a close watch on their kids, as the indoor pool is not huge and there are plenty of lounge chairs if you don’t feel like going in yourself! The next day, just hours before we had to get on a plane, we hit the big, outdoor swimming pool, where we were greeted by one of about a dozen staff members whose sole job is to outfit you with fluffy beach towels and lead you to lounge chairs. The outdoor infinity pool is next to Cheyenne Lake, so matter where you are in the pool — or adjacent hot tub — you’ve got great views of the grounds. Two water slides entertained the kids — that is, until my son got sick (yes, puked) in the pool, and closed it down. While that’s an entire blog post in itself, let’s just say that a) it was hugely embarrassing and b) The Broadmoor staff responded quickly and with grace (not making us feel badly at all). And yes, we did make it to our flight and he traveled the rest of the day without incident.

The Cottages: We stayed in one of the brand-new (as of May 2009) two-bedroom, one-story cottages just off the 18th fairway of the east golf course. At the same time charming and elegant, these accommodations feature high ceilings, window doors that open to an expansive veranda, heated bathroom floors, and hand-crafted area rugs. We all appreciated the luxurious bedding and the mini fridge to store our drinks and snacks.

Of course all of this luxury does not come cheap. I found standard rooms starting at $270 a night this fall, and the rack rate for the smallest one-bedroom cottage is $1,400 a night. Do ask about summer specials that run through September 30, 2009, and otherwise check out the Specials & Packages page.

Top photo: Courtesy the Broadmoor; others by me!

1. Mt. Lemmon. The stunning backdrop of Tucson is more than just scenery. On the east side of Tucson you can drive up Catalina Highway to Mt. Lemmon for  a day or weekend of seasonal activities: hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, sledding and even an upcoming Oktoberfest.

2. Delicious Eats. I dread leaving the marvelous Southwest cuisine. Mexican restaurants are found on every corner, many family owned. Some of my favorites are up near where I live on the northwest side of town: La Parilla Suiza, El Charro Cafe (did someone say margaritas?) and then there are the non-Mexican inspired choices like Zinburger (wine and burgers do pair well) and Harvest (talk about fresh ingredients – and right across from my neighborhood in Oro Valley).

3. The Wild West. Southern Arizona relishes its Wild West history, and there are plenty of places to get your fill. Old Tucson Studios, Tombstone and Trail Dust Town are all fun places to take the family to relive the Old West.

4. Saguaros. When I first moved to the desert I was completely enthralled by the miles of Saguaros – and the novelty never seemed to wear off.  These regal succulents help give Tucson its special ambiance.

5. Finally, what I will miss the most: The People. We’re leaving my stepsons here to continue their high school studies, of course they still have their mom, sister,  family and gazillion friends in Tucson – so they won’t be lonely – but we will miss them. And we can’t wait to welcome them to the Twin Cities and show them our new home.

I’ve made some wonderful friends over the years, from the Tucson Moms playgroup I joined as a new mom to the wonderful teachers and parents at St. Andrews Preschool and Manzanita Elementary to my supportive Toastmasters group and, finally, my wonderful writers group. I will miss them all dearly.

Speaking of Tucson writers… it seems appropirate to introduce you to some of them and their blogs – as they all have something special to share. If you’re looking to see Tucson on a budget, visit Kate Reynolds’ blog Tucson on the Cheap (she is always digging up free and cheap stuff to do). If you’re a pet lover, Edie Jarolim (also a travel writer) has a new book coming out: Am I Boring My Dog? Donna L. Hull writes travel for baby boomers at My Itchy Travel Feet and Vera Marie Badertscher is behind A Traveler’s Library (Love books? Love travel? This site is for you).

I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my favorite Tucson attractions and the people I adore, there are plenty more I was unable to list.

While it’s difficult to say good-bye to a city I have grown to love, it’s also an exciting time. I’m always up for an adventure and there is certainly one on the horizon: new friends to make, restaurants to check out, attractions to discover and experiences to be had. I guess this also means I will no longer be DesertMama…

Good-bye, Tucson!

Family Approaching Astor's Beechwood Mansion

Ocean View from Astor's Mansion in Newport RI

Astor's Mansion, Newport Rhode Island

I have many more photographs from the Astor’s Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. They’re on my digital camera, though, and I forgot to pack the USB port that lets me upload photos (these ones were taken with my Blackberry). A more detailed post about the actors that made an educational tour fun for kids will have to wait for my eventual return home. In the meantime, enjoy the glimpse of life at the upper-crust of a more sophisticated era!

These 3- or 6-night trips are all-inclusive vacations that introduce families to all of the incredible outdoor activities and the amazing mountain scenery that are associated with some of my state’s best resort areas. Because all of your meals, accommodations, activities and transportation are included, you know the price of your family vacation up front. The value is incredible — if you arranged all of the logistics yourself you’d pay about twice as much as the packaged Epic Summer trips.

And that’s the other great benefit: the daily itinerary is all planned for you! No arguing about who wants to do what that day, no fighting over which restaurant to eat at. Plus, you don’t have to negotiate unfamiliar roads and high mountain passes in a rental car; Epic Summer guests travel between resorts and activities in a comfortable 10-passenger van. Your driver also serves as your tour guide, and the Epic Summer guides are fantastic. These are outdoor enthusiasts who live, work and play in the mountains, and they’re so eager to share their slice of paradise with visitors. They are ultra-friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating folks.

My family participated in the 3-night Epic Summer trip, as I had an assignment to cover the vacation for Vail Resorts’ PEAKS magazine. Our home base was at the Keystone Lodge & Spa, in a comfortable and spacious 2-bedroom condominium. This is where we rested our weary heads each night and enjoyed breakfast (a generous buffet spread) each morning.

Highlights of the 4-day itinerary were driving up to the Continental Divide (Loveland Pass) for some photo ops and a short high-alpine stroll; riding the gondola up to the top of Keystone Mountain for a hike and picnic; touring the Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge; whitewater rafting on the Upper Colorado River; and horseback riding in the aspen groves around Keystone Stables. My 7- and 9-year-olds were the perfect ages to enjoy these active adventures (minimum age for kids is 6); my young son is still raving about how much fun he had engaging other rafts in a water fight on the river.

We had some free time to browse the shops (or grab a beer) in the mountain towns of Breckenridge and Vail, and two of our evening meals were at local town restaurants — again, all of our food was included in the package price.

Truly, our family had a ball on this activity-centric trip. We’re a family who like to explore the outdoors and try new things and do stuff, as opposed to simply visit museums, tour attractions or shop. It was fun for us to get to know other ski resorts in the summertime, and the other participants on our trip (from Texas and New Jersey) were blown away by Colorado’s beauty, climate and opportunities for outdoor fun in the summertime.

This was the first season for Epic Summer, and like any new product, it will likely be tweaked a bit before the adventures are rolled out in 2010. In my post-trip feedback, I recommended that planners alter the itinerary a bit to include more time, if possible, at the Keystone Lodge. This is a fabulous hotel for families in the summertime, with its two pools, its location on a lake with paddleboats and canoe rentals, as well as a paved bike path that weaves past the resort. We actually arranged for a late check-out just so we could enjoy some of the resort’s amenities before we had to pack up and head home. The days were fairlyregimented, and if families could enjoy some “down time” just to chill out at the hotel, I think everyone would feel more refreshed. (Free time chilling out in the middle of Vail Village is not the same as lying down for a quick cat nap on your hotel bed.)

That said, I’d highly recommend Epic Summer for any out-of-state visitors who are interested in getting to know some of Colorado’s top mountain resort areas — and have a lot of fun and adventures along the way.

Los Angeles is a very popular vacation town year-round, but in summer it especially seems to be crawling with tourists from all over the world.

If you’re in Los Angeles now, and thinking about going, Broadway LA is offering $20 savings on selected seats until August 22. Are you here? Enjoy the rest of your Southern California summer vacation!

This Royal Caribbean West Coast cruise set sail from Los Angeles, going to the Mexican Riviera with ports of call in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. In between, as you can guess, there is non-stop Nickelodeon fun and activities for the kids. Since this was my first real cruise (we were also on a two-day “mini-cruise” in February), I can say that this was the Best Cruise Ever! (Yes, having no point of comparison makes this a rather flimsy claim, but all the children I spoke to on the cruise were having the time of their lives.) One of the biggest highlight of the Nick Cruise was the up-close interaction with several young actors on Nick television shows.

Jennette McCurdy on Nick Cruise

Children younger than mine were delighted to see Dora, Diego, and the Penguins (from Madagascar) walking around, and my kids loved getting to meet real-life actors from iCarly and True Jackson, VP. On the 2-day cruise my younger daughter got to “interview’ iCarly actor Nathan Kress, and she was delighted when he recognized her and sat next to her for a few minutes. He’s a great guy.

Keke Palmer with Fans on Nick Cruise

My older daughter got to interview his costar Jennette McCurdy on this cruise, and later, when Jennette remembered her name and spoke to her briefly, my daughter was (for once) rendered nearly speechless. And Keke Palmer, star of True Jackson, VP, was so friendly and delightful that even the shyest kids accepted her hugs with glee.

Tom Kenny

Yes, Spongebob Squarepants is all over the Nick Cruise – and there was a great “concert” starring the voice of Spongebob, Tom Kenny. Seriously, he rocked out with a band, in a way that the children and teens really appreciated. It was the most joyous sing-along of the Spongebob Squarepants theme song you can imagine. Loud, too. On the last night of the cruise, all the stars participated in a game of “Tic Tac Nick” (I think it should have been called Nick Tac Toe, but whatever) in one of the giant theaters, The Savoy. Lucky Tom Kenny got to go twice, once as himself and once as the voice of Spongebob. This was, like every other theatrical show – including the ice show – an audience participation game.

Happy Cruising Kids

More on the cruise to come – I loved getting off the Mariner of the Seas and exploring a little of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta with my children – but believe me; those teen actors on the Nickelodeon Cruise couldn’t have been nicer to the kids on the boat, or more professional with the adults. Nickelodeon does a great job with their cadre of young actors. What a wonderful family vacation.

My kids can only handle so many hours of movies and then they’re ready to “do something” and, unfortunately, running alongside the car (or plane) isn’t an option. I’ve been looking for new travel entertainment ideas to add to our books, Etch-a-Sketch and flashcard collection (especially with our pending four-day move up north). TravelKiddy approached us recently and asked us to take a look at their offerings (kids travel entertainment) – and guess what – fun stuff!

TravelKiddy is a fun activity kit loaded with all sorts of fun surprises for the road.

There are several several models and two age groups (ages 3-6, and 6 plus). Since my little ones are in the younger group we received the age appropriate pack – and let’s just say the kids felt like it’s an extra birthday (now to make them wait for our next trip!). The first thing I noticed was the high-quality tote.  It fits under the car seat, in my Camry’s back window, on the floor, even the seat back pockets. Then, I unzipped the pack and I’m pretty sure I started dancing around the kitchen. Now I don’t have to hit the store in search of busy-activities for the next trip. Our TravelKiddy is loaded with crayons, activity, coloring and doodle books, a Magnetic Blackboard, crafts, stickers, small toys, and more. For mom, the interior zipped pocket is loaded with a pack of tissues, Sani Hands Kids wet wipes, and bandages. (Yep, it’s a road trip party in a bag!) Prices start at $9.99 (for the PocketKiddy and go up to $44.99 for the Deluxe TravelKiddy).

• Save time - No more running around town at the last minute searching for activities.
• Reduce stress - Relax and enjoy the trip because the kids are entertained and happy.
• Save money - At least 50% less than purchasing the items separately.
• Plus,  you can order refills! Don’t forget to buy one for each child.
  

And there you have it…. The convenient TravelKiddy will keep the kids occupied on your next trip for hours and the best part is this kids’ travel entertainment will arrive at your doorstep, leaving you more time to shop for that cute vacation hat.

First, thanks for the kudos, Denise. We appreciate the compliments!

I’m actually thinking about a family vacation to the Florida Keys myself, and our kids our similarly aged (mine are 7 and 9). We’re “outdoor people,” too, and we like to be active while we’re vacationing. So, I thought I’d share some site links and information I’ve uncovered in the (very short) time I’ve spent researching the destination.

If you found us via a Google search, you may have already read CajunMama’s posts “Best Family Resorts in the Florida Keys” and “Top Family Activities in the Keys.” She also wrote about Islamorada’s family-friendly Cheeca Lodge, which she gave rave reviews. This resort has actually been closed for the past seven months, since a New Year’s Eve fire; the main lodge has been totally rebuilt and the resort is set to open December 15, 2009, with new “premier oceanfront and island-view rooms.” Cheeca Lodge is definitely on my family’s short list of accommodations.

Another upscale property my friend (also a mom of two) recommended was Hawks Cay on Duck Key. She actually worked there about two decades ago, during a college internship, and has warm memories of the Florida resort. She’s considering it for her family vacation.

If we do all end up in the Keys, we’ll be in good company: The New York Times named the Florida Keys the Family Destination of the Year.

My sort-of local Sunday newspaper travel section, the Denver Post, just ran a comprehensive piece about traveling to Key West; the story by Lindsay H. Jones has some great advice.

Our friends at Away.com have created a Florida Keys Family Travel Guide, chock full of ideas. Finally, peruse all the information on the Official Tourism Council Website for the Florida Keys. Or, if you’d like some firsthand advice and help for planning your family vacation, call 800-FLA-KEYS.

We’d love to hear from locals and frequent visitors to southern Florida — anyone else have ideas for where we should stay and what we should do while we’re in the Florida Keys? Please leave any info in the comment section.

Thanks, Denise, for your question. Let us know where and when you end up visiting the Florida Keys. We hope you have a great family vacation!

Photo by Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau. Key Largo Sunset.