Journeys and Jaunts

28/10/2024

🎃🍂 October in Salem, MA 🍂🎃

There’s no place like Salem in October! Whether you’re a fan of history, magic, or classic Halloween vibes, this town has it all. Here’s our top must-do’s for an unforgettable visit:

📸 Essex Street Characters: Snap some photos with the costumed characters strolling around Essex Street, bringing that iconic Salem energy!

🧹 Hocus Pocus Movie Sites: Relive the magic by visiting filming spots from Hocus Pocus! It’s like stepping into the movie.

🧪 Potion Making at The Good Witch of Salem: Tap into your inner witch and make potions at this magical shop—perfect for the whole family.

🎭 Cry Innocent: Step back in time with this interactive performance, where you get to be part of the Salem Witch Trials.

🛍️ Shop at Harrison’s: Pick up unique Salem souvenirs, from quirky trinkets to spooky memorabilia.

✨ Wands at Wynott’s: A must for any budding wizard! Head to Wynott’s for a handcrafted wand of your own.

🧙‍♂️ World of Wizardry Quest: Embark on a magical quest filled with puzzles and enchanting surprises. Kids (and adults) will love it!

🕊️ Salem Witch Trial Memorial: Take a moment to pay your respects and reflect on the real history that makes Salem so powerful.

Salem in October is truly a one-of-a-kind experience—every street is brimming with spirit and history. If you go, tag us so we can see all your adventures!

14/10/2024

Lizzie & Harry’s first concert! Celebrated Lizzie turning 8 with great friends and great music. G Love even FaceTimed with Harry to say hi! This weekend was one for the books!

04/09/2024

Visiting Plymouth soon? This is our pick for the best hotel in the area. The John Carver Inn & Spa has an epic pool and great location!

The John Carver Inn is the best option for families visiting Plymouth, MA. Kids will love the themed pool while parents will enjoy the convenient location.

02/07/2024

Thanks, Journeys and Jaunts(and family) for playing guest at our iconic hotel this summer. It was our pleasure to play host - we're grateful for this quintessential resort review! https://ow.ly/pT4k50StILx

30/06/2024

Cousin visits are the best visits ❤️

11/06/2024

If you are looking for the perfect Father's Day gift, check out this freestanding bike rack at StoreYourBoard.com!

The Teal Triangle Freestanding Bike Rack is a versatile and stylish solution for bicycle storage that combines practicality with aesthetic appeal.

27/05/2024

I finally brought my mother to Pickity Place and it was like stepping into a storybook. The food was almost too pretty to eat. Check out our experience here:

Pickity Place is a mecca for foodies, serving five course meals featuring fresh herbs and edible flowers harvested daily from their culinary garden.

10/05/2024

Spent the afternoon exploring books with the kids. From classics to new favorites, there’s something for everyone here. Beacon Hill Bookstore has the most magical children’s section with a child-size door, train circling overhead and cozy corners to sink into. Here’s to fostering a love for reading early on! 📖💫

10/05/2024

Spent the afternoon exploring books with the kids. From classics to new favorites, there's something for everyone here. Beacon Hill Bookstore has the most magical children's section with a child-size door, train circling overhead and cozy corners to sink into. Here's to fostering a love for reading early on! 📖💫

05/05/2024

Step into a world where imagination knows no bounds! 🎨🌟 We embarked on an unforgettable journey to the WNDR Museum in Boston, and let me tell you, it was an adventure unlike any other! 🚀💫

From interactive exhibits that spark creativity to mind-bending optical illusions that leave you in awe, every corner of the is a playground for young minds.

Watching the kids explore, experiment, and marvel at the wonders around them was a joy. It's moments like these that remind us of the magic of childhood and the power of curiosity. 🌟🔍

But it wasn't just about having fun; it was about fostering a sense of wonder and discovery. Because when we encourage our children to ask questions, to explore, and to think outside the box, we're nurturing the innovators and dreamers of tomorrow. 🌱💡

So here's to embracing the magic of curiosity, to sparking imagination, and to creating memories that will last a lifetime. Let's keep wandering, wondering, and dreaming together! 💖✨

02/05/2024

I have always been a visual learner. My mother understood that about me and drove me around the country. I was doing terrible in history, so she took me to Gettysburg. We said the pledge of allegiance at Mt Rushmore and cried at Wounded Knee. I learned more in those 6 weeks than I did in my whole high school career.

Children learn so much more when they can see, touch and explore. That's why I love bringing them to the each year on Patriot's Day. They have a village set up in the yard where they fire muskets and the kids churn butter and watch a woman weave lace. Inside, you can see artifacts like Louisa May Alcott's tea kettle, Henry David Thoreau's writing desk and the actual lantern that hung from the North Church in Boston alerting the locals that the British were coming.

My favorite part of the museum is the interactive map that shows the start of the Revolution from Paul Revere's ride to the "shot heard round the world" in real time.

The museum is very welcoming of children with scavenger hunts and a craft room where they made their own powder horns and lanterns.

We always end the day at the North Bridge, where the start of America began.

10/04/2024

We had such an amazing time RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain. Highly recommend!

Riverwalk resort at loon spared no expense to make their guests feel comfortable. This is the best accommodation you will find in Lincoln.

10/04/2024

Our house was just featured on Vermont Explored! Check it out-

You can't get much more Vermont than the village of Grafton VT, and the circa 1850 Ephriam Bruce House will send you back in time in the best possible way.

09/04/2024

Still on a high from our eclipse adventure. Honestly, I was having a bit of a panic attack driving up to Vermont along side of 160,000 other people. What if I was dragging my family there and it was cloudy? I mean, it was going to be at 94% totality at home, isn’t that enough? Were we doing all of this for nothing?

Here are some things I learned about going to an eclipse...

Give yourself a huge time buffer. The 3 hour drive took us almost 5 hours. Pack a cooler with food. These little towns aren’t prepared for such an influx of people.

Leave with a full tank of gas. Gas stations were running out of gas and people were getting stranded.

100% totality or bust. It was the moment that totality was reached that made it all worth it. It was such an incredible sight. I didn’t realize that the light would be almost moving like and aura around the the back of the moon. No picture or video will do it justice. Watching the complete wonder on the kid’s faces was just as amazing as witnessing it myself. As soon as there was a tiny sliver of light, the effect disappeared.

It really goes to complete darkness. The Capital building was lit up so that was the only light we had. It was almost apocalyptic and I can’t imagine what people 1,000 years ago thought was happening. It felt like the world was ending.

The whole vibe at the Capital lawn in Montpelier was an amazing vibe. There was a DJ playing celestial music and there was this great sense of comradery. All of the people cheering added to the experience.

The next eclipse won’t happen again until 2045. Hotels in Vermont 4x’ed their prices and were sold out months in advance. Plan way ahead. Arrive early and stay late. The only stress was the stop and go traffic. People get antsy and start driving like maniacs. I couldn’t believe people were flying in for the eclipse but now I totally get it. Time to start planning a trip to Montana in 21 years.

07/04/2024

American Airlines is relaxing part of its pet policy to let owners bring their companion as well as a full-size carry-on bag into the cabin. https://abcnews.visitlink.me/wJyeP1

10/01/2024

I love this list by We3Travel!

We have 18 summers with our kids at home, let's make them count with these travel ideas for the best vacations for kids in the United States.

10/01/2024

Everyone has heard of the White Cliffs of Dover, but have you heard of Beachy Head? These are the tallest salt cliffs in the world, and even more impressive than the white cliffs.

The Seven Sisters are seen in the background of the Quidditch World Cup in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the movie Atonement and Broadchurch on Netflix.

After seeing the view from sea level, we hiked up the coastal path to look off the cliffs. I was amazed to see people sitting on the edge with their legs dangling off the sides since giant chunks of the cliff fall into the sea regularly.

Sadly, this area has become famous for jumpers. So much so that there is a chaplain on duty at all times. Over 236 people have jumped here, giving this beautiful spot a dark history.

27/12/2023

Perched atop Robson Heights, Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur is a splendid Chinese temple dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. Blending traditional and modern architecture, the temple boasts intricate carvings, vibrant colors, and stunning views of the city skyline. Adorned with red lanterns and ornate details, it serves as both a spiritual sanctuary and a cultural landmark.

This was one of my favorite stops in Kuala Lumpur because I loved the blend of ancient and modern architecture. The temple is free to enter and is open until late at night. The temple is lit up at night which is also very beautiful.