Tag Archives: travel with family

Happy Sixth Anniversary Looks and Leaps

by Wendy

We started the blog six Januarys ago. Posts have dwindled but I’m glad to have this record of past trips, especially during a pandemic. Some stories remind me of things I’d forgotten and bring memories into sharper focus, while others spark future travel inspiration. I look at a favorite photo of Madrid and think how fun it will be to walk into a bar where you stand shoulder to shoulder and choose tapas that are arranged on the counter and drink glasses of wine and practice Spanish with complete strangers. I read posts on London and feel optimistic knowing that sooner or later, our family trip will happen, and we’ll wander through museums and lively streets and navigate the underground and eat fish and chips in a pub. We will have beach and ski vacations and spring break and whirlwind weekends and visits with relatives and guests in our house and relaxing hotel stays and train travel. We’ll get there again.

Happy Fifth Anniversary Looks and Leaps!

by Wendy

Looks and Leaps blog launched in January 2015. In honor of the anniversary, I am sharing just a few of my favorite posts from our family over the past five years, in no particular order, covering a wide range of travel destinations and topics. This has been a fun archive to create and has hopefully provided a little inspiration or entertainment along the way. 

Thank you to all writers and all readers! Continue reading →

Starting the Summer in Savannah and Hilton Head

by Wendy

Let’s rewind to late May/early June and the first vacation of the season: the always anticipated family trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. We’ve written about this locale previously – I particularly love Dad’s post on HHI,  Jack’s wine pairing, and of course the shared recollections of a beach house getaway. I can’t top any of that, but have a few more details to cover on the topic of food (of course), as well as a stopover in Savannah, Georgia. Continue reading →

Disney Darlings

by Joe

A trip to the world of Disney, in this case Walt Disney World, brings you into a one of a kind adventure and experience like no other. There are many places where you can travel that will certainly change your daily routine and your feeling of place. The mountains can do that. The beach can do that. A cruise can do that. But nothing changes your sense of place, your daily routine grind, and your happy spot like one of the Disney Parks. I’m a grandparent who enjoys these parks a lot and I can only imagine how wonderful it must be for children of age (those old enough to recall the experience later). Continue reading →

Happy Fourth Anniversary Looks and Leaps

by Wendy

January is the anniversary of the Looks and Leaps blog project. Thanks go to family members who write and edit posts, and to readers (who are probably for the most part these same family members). Thanks to everyone who has offered a kind word of encouragement on or offline.

I read that fruit and flowers are traditional presents for the fourth anniversary, so I’ve pulled together photos on this theme from previous years of travel. Many of these were taken by family members, who I also thank for their superior photography skills. The top one depicts flowers outside a pub in London, where I wish we could gather to toast travel stories and travel with family and another year of both. Continue reading →

Meet Me in St Louis

by Wendy
One of my favorite work trips this summer was to St. Louis. Sure, the meetings I attended were interesting . . . but I was also able to meet Dad and my brother in law Jimmy for a baseball game!

Longtime Cardinals fans Dad and Jimmy arrived in St. Louis in time to catch a Tuesday evening game. After work wrapped up on Wednesday, I took a taxi to meet them downtown. Continue reading →

You Know You’re Traveling Like Us When

by Wendy
Your sisters are always up for drinks over evening card or Scrabble games
Your parents can easily out-hike you, any day of the week
Your niece and nephew think of the funniest Would You Rather questions on a car trip
There is a great variety of snacks and everyone is willing to share
There is always quality coffee around Continue reading →

Meanwhile Back At The Ranch

During our family trip out West, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort was home base. This 4,000 acre ranch next to Zion National Park is about a 90 minute drive from St. George airport and 3 hour drive from Las Vegas. So yes, it is remote, but that’s part of the beauty. We stayed in a cabin, though there are many different lodging options, including camping, glamping or even Conestoga Wagon! This is a special place. Here are some of our favorite things about the ranch. Continue reading →