How to Get the Most Out of Domestic Travel

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When most people say they want to travel, they imagine traversing the globe for vastly different cultures and scenery of foreign countries. However, many travelers simply don’t realize the wealth of amazing travel opportunities available right here in the United States.

A vast and diverse landscape, America offers as many new experiences as international travel — at less than half the price. For outstanding and unforgettable travel, you don’t need a passport or a massive savings account. Here’s how you can get the most out of your U.S.-based travels.

Find Uncommon Destinations

Some people are turned off by the idea of domestic travel simply because they don’t anticipate a trip to Boise, Idaho or Des Moines, Iowa to be especially thrilling. Yet, a vacation is only as exciting as you make it; if you select a dull destination and maintain a sour attitude, you probably will have an unhappy vacation. The United States is hiding thousands of exciting places to visit, so as long as you do some research and chart a course for some fascinating spots, you undoubtedly will have an excellent time. To get you started, here are some suggestions for domestic destinations you likely never considered:

  • Antelope Canyon, Arizona. A slot canyon made of vibrant red sandstone carved into surreal shapes.
  • Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming. The largest hot spring in North America, surrounded by a rainbow of colors from bright reds and yellows to crystalline blue.
  • Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario. The largest waterfall in the world, and a natural destination for couples in love.
  • Whitaker Point, Arkansas. A single stone crag jutting out over 100 feet of empty space, offering unprecedented views of the stunning Buffalo River country.
  • Hamilton Pool, Texas. A giant natural pool surrounded on all sides by steep grotto walls, formed when the hollow dome of an underground river collapsed.

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StreetPass Mii Plaza Nintendo 3DS

20150425_111058Many own the new Nintendo 3DS, but few really know the consoles in and outs.  Today we will be looking at the StreetPass Mii Plaza area.  This area is for use by your friend’s Mii’s.  As you walk around with your 3DS in your pocket, pouch, or case with StreetPass on, you get to meet other people who also have StreetPass on with their 3DS.  As you meet these people, they give you the opportunity to progress in mini games and puzzles for prizes like accessories for your Mii.  An example would be a hat that looks like Metroid on your head.  There are a total of 8 mini games available to play with other’s Mii’s.  The first two are free Find Mii, which is a light hearted RPG with some tough villains, and Puzzle Swap where each player shares their puzzle pieces to awesome moving 3D  puzzles containing characters from various Nintendo games and videos like Pikmin, Link from Zelda, and Mario Brothers.
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Marvel’s ANT-MAN – New Trailer

The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man.” Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
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Dove New Advanced Care Deodorant #LoveAtFirstSwipe #IC

Disclosure- I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Dove. I received a product sample and promotional item to thank me for my participation.

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I personally am an avid antiperspirant user, and as such, I admire others who are as well.  To them I say, take a bow, you slayers of the funk.  Please continue cool breezing and masking your odors away.  To those who don’t use it….please stay away. Far, far away. Especially in the summer.

While most of us tend to be somewhat brand loyal to our deodorant, sometimes it’s worth trying something new.  Many people buy the same brand they used as teenagers.  When I was in the 4th grade, we were given kits with certain items in them.  You know- for our “growing and maturing bodies”? Can I tell you, I used those brands for most of my adult life as well, until I realized that was stupid, and coupons are amazing?  It’s funny- you start using one thing, and that’s sort of that.

I liked the new commercials for Dove- mostly because they involve real women, not just models over and over again.  And all sorts of women. I have tried a few Dove products and liked them so far.  Dove’s new Advanced Care was the most recent try.  I was most interested in its ability to go beyond odor and wetness protection to offer softer, smoother underarms.  While often neglected, underarms don’t need to be ugly.  The promise of improving them is welcome.  With Dove’s new Advanced Care Deodorant, Dove goes beyond odor and wetness protection to offer softer, smoother underarms with NutriumMoisture, which comprised of ingredients known to moisturize the skin.
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VTech Kidizoom Action Camera

Disclosure- I have received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.
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Action cameras are a hot trend right now in outdoor accessories.  These cameras can not only catch the action of your sport of choice, but also give you a further way to improve your own performance as well.  There is just so much fun being able to record and remember your actions.  My most extreme adventure was cliff diving in Mexico, and I am sure that would have been a great video to see from my point of view.  But what about out free spirited children?  What happens when they want to capture their outdoor achievements?  VTech have come to fill in this niche with their new Kidizoom Action Cam.  The camera is meant for all the action your little ones can get into.  The Kidizoom is built to be durable enough for kids, and can take a tumble.  Not only does this camera include 2 mounts for on the spot action capturing, but also a waterproof case, making this the perfect all around kids camera.  If they want to record their first rafting trip or hiking through the woods, the Kidizoom is great fun for little guys and gals.
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Visit the Bronx Zoo this Spring

Do you and your little ones love birds? The Bronx Zoo is excited to celebrate the Second Annual Birdathon and Bird Migration Month kicking off on Saturday, May 9 and everyone is welcomed to join in on the fun.

May is Birdathon and Bird Migration Month at the Bronx Zoo

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher

There’s so much for kids of all ages to experience and learn as they join professional birders on nature walks to identify Neotropical migrants in the sky and discover how zookeepers work to protect birds worldwide. They’ll even be a chance to interact with the birds from the zoo’s exhibits. As you explore, try and identify as many birds as you can for the opportunity to win special binoculars and other prizes.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher

What: Bronx Zoo Birdathon

When: Saturday, May 9, starts at 7:00AM and goes all day

Where: Bronx River gate at Bronx Zoo

Buy tickets: http://bronxzoo.com/events/8

In addition to the special Birdathon event, Bronx Zoo is celebrating Bird Migration Month on weekends from May 9th – May 24th. Red-shouldered hawks, rose-breasted cockatoos, Amazon parrots, and more soar will overhead on the historic Astor Court during the Birds in Flight show. After the show, there will be a chance to meet the fearless flyers face-to-face and learn more about their training, habits, and personalities. Take some time to chat with Zookeepers at the World of Birds exhibit then head over to the Dancing Crane Plaza to make a birdfeeder to help keep track of wildlife from your own backyard.
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TOMORROWLAND – “Vision of Tomorrow” Featurette

From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
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Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark

Summer is getting closer, and you might be thinking “waterparks”.  In Tannersville, PA, there is a new location that sports both an indoor and an outdoor water park- well, at two separate prices (but I’m guessing they will offer a discount come the summer-season).

This past weekend, Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark opened up at Camelback Lodge in Pennsylvania. I should say, parts of Aquatopia opened up.  The hotel rooms are not yet ready for occupation, and only some of the water slides and park areas are (at this time) ready for use.  Much of the exterior is also still under construction, but the official opening was on Thursday, when it was able to be used for the first time.

indoor water park

My son very much enjoyed the larger slide area, complete with giant bucket of water that dumps down on the pool every few minutes.  There will be 13 water slides when construction is completed, including Venus SlydeTrap, a very innovative and unique slide (the only one like it in the world).  The Venus SlydeTrap allows three to six riders at a time on a “family rafting tube”. It mates together three  waterslide experiences into one 600 foot long, fully enclosed slide. I know we can’t wait to try that one out when it’s ready.

waterslides

The indoor water park is always a pleasant eighty four degrees Fahrenheit, with plenty of seating, table and chair sets, and lounge areas as well as private cabanas for rent.   There are areas for big kids, little kids, and the in-between, as well as a wave pool and Flow Rider surfing area. There is a lazy river as well that we are looking forward to trying out- while it had been opened to start with, they ended up closing it a bit early.
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