If you find yourself dreaming about snow and waiting for opening day at the mountain, then here’s a great place to check out.  Sunriver, Oregon is at the heart of Central Oregon’s resort community and nature’s playground can be yours.

Playing in the snow makes me happy, and if you like it just a little bit, then this may be the ideal place for your next winter vacation.  Yes, some people really do plan vacations to be where there is snow and sun at the same time.  Not only is Oregon beautiful country, but there you’ll find snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding including cross country trials and all the shopping, restaurants and activities to fill the time in between.

Just so happens that just a short drive from Sunriver is one of North America’s largest ski resorts.  Mt. Bachelor Resort is home to some 3700 acres of boarding and skiing fun.  For a reasonable value snow nuts will enjoy some varied terrain that is sure to please all levels of competence.  There are 71 groomed trails and 13 lift facilities with current plans to expand both lift operations and trails in the near future.  Fifteen percent of the terrain is graded as Novice, 25% Intermediate and the other 60% is Advanced or Expert terrain.  What a great place to bring the whole family for sun and ski!  And did I happen to mention that on average the snow base is some 150-200 inches and that there’s 3,365 feet of vertical drop?

Feel like a totally new experience?  How about a dog sled ride?  Just imagine, riding in an Iditarod Dog Sled taking in the breathtaking views of the local mountain scenery. You could even plan for an overnight expedition.  Sledding and snowtubing sound like fun too?  Take some slides down the 800 foot ride in the Snowblast Tubing Park on the Mountain.

After all the fun, there are plenty of options for shopping or just hanging out.  But dining in the area leaves nothing to be desired.  There are many restaurants to choose from and something to satisfy the most discerning of palates.  Or if you want to stay in the privacy of your vacation rental in Sunriver Oregon, you can find groceries and goodies in town.

Not only is the area good for winter fun, sounds like it may be just as amazing in the summer.  Everything from biking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, golfing and so much more in the high desert of Oregon.   Sounds like a great place for the next family vacation whether it’s summer or winter.

Welcome back!

Whenever I book a trip, I always opt for the travel insurance. I can never predict what may happen and, without adequate protection, all of the money I have paid for airline tickets, rentals, excursions, lodging and the like can just be washed down the drain and there’s nothing I can do about it.

For a long vacation or a trip overseas, this can amount to a significant amount of money that you cannot afford to lose. Perhaps you’ve been saving for a year or more to pay for the trip. Even worse is when you put it on credit cards and have to pay it off (plus interest) anyway, without ever enjoying it.

Depending on the policy you choose, trip insurance generally runs about 5-10% of the trip cost. All kinds of policies are available that will cover you in all types of situations. Be certain to read and understand what you are being insured against and weigh whether that is appropriate in your circumstances. For example, if you are going to France, you may not need hurricane coverage, but it you are going to the Caribbean in September, that option is definitely worth paying.

In addition, you want to make certain you are insured against accidents and illnesses you may experience while abroad. Your regular medical insurance may not cover you, especially if you’re active and participate in sports where injuries are not uncommon.

I like to think about travel insurance as the way of insuring my vacation. If I get sick, if the mountain passes close due to snow and I can’t get to the airport, if there’s a family emergency I can’t ignore, or if any one of dozens of other unexpected things happens, I’m covered. I don’t lose the money I have invested and can take my trip at a later time. This gives me great piece of mind and makes the cost of the insurance very worthwhile.

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Maine Vacation Resource

The Maine Department of Transportation has a killer website about what to see and do in this diverse coastal state. It’s called Explore Maine and you’ll find this online resource helpful whether you plan to travel by air, car, bike, ferry, public transit or a combination of methods.

So I’ve never been to Florida but I think the ONE thing I want to see when I go is a Manatee. It just amazes me how huge and graceful they are. The video below is taken by one of the keepers at the Parker Manatee Aquarium in Bradenton, FL. Bradenton is located just across the bay from Anna Maria Island which I’ve heard offers great beaches and a nice retreat when compared to the more lively large cities of Bradenton and Sarasota.

This video is from a loggerhead turtle hatch that was on the gulf coast of florida somewhere. Anna Maria Island is home to the Anna Maria Turtle Watch. Every spring and summer volunteers walk the beaches at sunrise to report nesting and hatching activity. Imagine seeing these little babies crawling to the sea every morning!

Ideas for your trip to Anna Maria Island:
Lodging:

• Harrington House – a Holmes Beach Bed and Breakfast
• Island Real Estate offers a wide variety of Anna Maria Island Vacation Rentals

Dining:

• Beach Bistro – billed as the “best little restuarant in Florida”
• Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub looks like it’s more my speed!