Jeannine, Author at Once Upon A Postcard

Author: <span>Jeannine</span>

A Favorite (Safe) Fall Festival Near Orlando Is Here

10/13/202005/11/2023
by Jeannine

Where can you go for a safe fall festival near Orlando?

It’s on everyone’s mind these days. The kids have started school, the holidays are approaching, and the sun sets earlier. Autumn is here in all her glorious splendor. And with it, every pumpkin or pumpkin spiced treat imaginable. So, when nostalgia for times past kicks in, where can you go for a safe fall festival near Orlando these days?

Packing up the kids and heading out for those seasonal haunts looks a little different this year. But the tradition continued, without a hiccup, as we discovered a safe fall festival near Orlando revealing itself down a winding dirt road.

Scheduling our time slot online, we head out ready to leave the stale air of home for an open-air market. At our allotted time, on that sun-drenched Saturday morning, my daughter, her friends, and I found our way to Southern Hills Farm.

Getting to this safe fall festival

As we turned off US Hwy 27, the dust kicked up. Cars wove through acres of harvested land. Leading the way were wafts of apple cider and steaming barbecue luring you in. Patiently, we awaited our turn in the car, to confirm our tickets at the entrance booth. At last, the masked laden greeter waved us onward. And like a bandit in the night, a sudden feeling of escape rushed through my veins. Finally, we were outdoors and free! The anticipation of fun rose higher as a familiar country song galloped over the crowd and hordes of visitors were lured from their cars. Instinctively, people secured their masks as quickly as setting up their strollers. In the distance, the beat picked up.

A return of old traditions

Hearing the scuttle of children and laughter among friends (spaced six feet apart) the parade of participants in today’s spectacular festival of fall brought a little of the Indian-summer warmth back to my heart. All the while, security officers would weave through the field on four-wheelers, making sure this rowdy crew of tikes and toddlers stayed in line.

Fall festivals are family traditions. And they used to be a time of settling in. After the flutter of summer fun, you’d gather, preparing for the coming winter. But this? No. This feels more like the reawakening of spring. A chance to be among other people and see that they’re ok too! Friends huddled on hayrides, singles taste testing each food truck, lovers sampling spiked ciders. Conjured memories from autumns past flowed over me, and for a moment 2020 felt normal again.

What measures they use to make this a safe fall festival

But then we were stopped at the entrance for a preview of what lies ahead. With new rules in place, they reminded us of precautionary measures taken to ensure everyone’s safety. A sigh of relief came over the socially distanced onlookers. As we all took seriously, and thankfully, the extra effort this family of farmers put out to entertain our weary quarantined hearts. The impressive, length they went to make every station they had, a socially distanced attraction was ingenious. They even went the extra mile converting an old tractor and irrigation system into hand washing stations. Brilliant!

wash station at safe fall festival near orlando

What you’ll do when you’re there

After covering the important stuff, they enticed us in further with a list of the days activities. Our contagiously happy greeter ran down a litany of family friendly attractions awaiting us just beyond the haystacks. There were hayrides, sunflower picking stations, pumpkin picking, food trucks and live entertainment. Bouncie houses for the kids and a petting zoo for everyone.

Making our way first to the hayride, we took a quick spin around the meticulously harvested rows where vegetables will once again grow. Straight from there, we paraded up the sandy path towards a pegboard filled with sanitized scissors. Picking a pair, we wandered the overgrown fields of sunflowers and autumn blooms, clipping the perfect bunch to take home.

Flowers for Grandma

I was particularly touched when one of the friends said he picked them for his grandma who couldn’t be there due to the current pandemic. But the array of colors he chose was enough to fill her vases for a month. I knew once she saw them, she’d feel like she wandered the fields with him.

Fields of flowers and food

After watching my daughter and her best friend race around for the tallest blossom, the Florida sun demanded we make our way to a converted Airstream for our dose of apple cider. They chose a frozen blend and blueberry lemonade. I went for the good old-fashioned apple cider on ice. They didn’t offer it warm but hinted at the spiked apple cider for an alternative at the next booth.

While waiting in line, you couldn’t help but have all your senses draw you to the counter where warm apple cider donuts were being churned out by the dozens. Snatching our savory treats, we made our way to the top of the barn, overlooking the festivities.

After resting for a while and devouring every sticky morsel of the batch, we followed the little ones into a line, awaiting our turn to pick the perfect pumpkins. I think my favorite purchase that day, though, was a surprise. I grew up across from a farm. Being raised on bushels of corn, green beans, and jersey tomatoes was an everyday event where I came from.

Surprising finds

But hidden in an open door barn turned farmers market were special spa treats made from natural remedies. I gathered my blueberry body lotion, a corn shaped loofah, and some pumpkin & coconut salt scrub, making my way to the counter. I would have stayed hours, shopping their shelves, but I thought it only fair since 8 people at a time were allowed in the store, perhaps I should give someone else a chance.

Loading our finds in a new reusable bag, we made our way out to the parking lot. With full stomachs and satisfied hearts, our dose of fall was fulfilled. Ducking into the car just in time, we avoided the droplets from Florida’s 2 o’clock shower. As we pulled away we noticed the next set of excited home-bodies patiently waiting in line seeking their much needed dose of fall.

How To Get There

To make your appointment you have to go online to purchase tickets because space is limited in the number of visitors that can be there at one time.

Purchase your tickets at: https://southernhillfarms.com/

Click on the button that says “Event Calendar” at the bottom.

This will take you to a page where you can choose the dates you want your tickets for.

The fall festival is being held Thurs-Sun From Sept 26 through Nov 8^th, 2020.

Some days the festival runs from 9am to 4pm, other days it runs from 11am to 7pm,

Tickets range from $7.99 to $11.99 depending on the day you choose.

The farm is located at: 16651 Schofield Rd., Clermont, 34714

For more information you can reach them at: 407-986-5806

And if by chance you can’t make it to the festival, their wares are sold online for pick-up on Wednesdays.

Find Discounts On Fall Getaways By Clicking Here

COVID-19 Travel

The Future Of Airlines: Reimagining How To Get Flights…

05/06/202009/29/2020
by Jeannine

Are you crazy? Have you bumped your head and lost your mind? I can hear people screaming now. But, wait! As a travel writer who looks forward to exploring new places…well, of course, I’ve been thinking about how to fix this problem. The travel and tourism industry was responsible for a little over 10% of the world’s GDP last year. In the U.S. alone it accounts for nearly a third of the United States‘ service exports. So, yes! This is a conversation we need to have and think about in detail to help people get back to work. I’m told I’ve always been a glass-half-full kinda gal. So maybe my reimagining this can lay the groundwork to get more flights started again (fingers crossed, we can hope).

Additional Safety For Getting Flights Started

I’m taking the time to amend this post on 9/29/20. My original post was released on 5/6/20 at the beginning of the discussions about the worldwide pandemic known as Covid-19. I’m adding to this article because almost 5 months later the airline industry is looking to furlough 50,000 employees. In the wake of the CARES payroll protection program expiring, the industry that delivered our first responders to the hotspots, undoubtedly saving lives while risking their own, is again in jeopardy. Flights started, however, we are far from back on track.

The original idea in this article remains the same for getting flights started in a safer manner, in addition to this, though, we’ve added even more ways to protect yourself in travel. At the end of this article, I’ve provided a link to an article by consumersadvocate.org. A much-needed addition to traveling safely is what the landscape looks like for insuring your travels. Consumersadvocate.org has completed extensive research to break down for you (in layman’s terms) what IS and ISN’T covered in the various travel insurance plans.

When making educated plans in the coming holiday season for safer travel, there are obvious concerns. How do you protect yourself & your loved ones? There could be travel plans delayed, canceled or God forbid interrupted by illness. The information research by the team at Consumersadvocate.org breaks it all down for you. I felt this is information everyone can benefit from. See their informative link at the end of this article.

Where Do We Start?

So where do we start? Well, let’s start with the prior business model. I’m a consumer. And, I want to travel. So I pull up my favorite booking site & enter my dates of travel. A funny airplane swirls in a circle on my screen as I patiently await the results. Then suddenly, the screen lights up with every time and airline available, on those dates to take me to my destination. I choose (from the list it gives me) the time and price I’m comfortable with. STOP. Back up one step, to before you hit submit & here is where the business model changes.

Remember what you forgot. As an Airline, this is your business. You tell us when & where you’ll fly. So you can change the parameters here. And, believe it or not, it’s a simple (with your technically savvy IT team) three-part change that helps the entire tourism industry.

Part 1 Of How To Get Flights Started

Add these three simple questions to the search:

Are you flying for business?
Are you traveling with a passenger who has special needs who is not 60 years of age or older?
What is the date of birth of each person you are flying with?

Now when the customer hits submit, it will give back only the dates and times available for the group they are in. This, in turn, removes anyone from their flight options that do not fit that group.

Elderly (60 & over let’s say)
Elderly With 1 Caretaker (Elderly 60 & over)
Families With Children ages 1-18
Parents traveling with Infants
Young Adults (Say 19-29)
Adults (30-59)
Families With Special Needs
Business (If it’s a business flight you are booking it has to be a solo booking)

Part 2 Of How To Get Flights Started

In the above scenario, you created a cattle shoot effect putting all elderly on one flight for their safety, etc. Now the real work begins. The airlines can decide as a whole if they are going to allot certain planes in their fleet for the individual categories or if different carriers will cater to different groups. You have planes allotted for cargo, why not planes allotted for human categories?

There are 7 days in a week. Each category gets a full 24 hour period per week to work with. That allows everyone in a group to travel in different time zones. This also allows the rest of the tourism industry to prepare for the arrival of different groups! The only category that would overlap the first 7 categories would be Business. So, they can be easily placed on separate planes and dropped off at a separate terminal from whatever the group of the day is. You can even separate the security screening sections.

This also allows for transportation sources and accommodations to have time to prep for the same, preparing for the next onslaught of travelers. Across the board, it helps the entire industry. Now hotels can check in their arrivals on a day set just for them, ensuring their safety. Maybe they can even start reimagining their hotels & resorts to allot certain buildings for the different groups on their property. Obviously this works at a larger resort and not individual hotels. But it’s a start.

Part 3 Of How To Get Flights Started

What About The Baggage?

NO MORE checking luggage. Allow for two carry-ons & a personal item. Keeping some seats open between passengers will allot for the extra overhead space. And yes, you can charge for the second carry on, I’m sure people will enjoy the convenience. If people have things they can’t fit in an overhead, they’ll just have to mail the item in advance of their trip.

So, what happens to the baggage handlers? They can still load the pets staying below or they can help sanitize the airport between flight categories. Is that ideal for them? Will they still get tips? No. But they will still have a job, just a job reimagined.

What About The Kiosks & Stores In The Airport?

And what about the businesses throughout the airport that sustain airports & help to keep the airline’s costs lower? Restaurants can take orders and their servers can deliver to the terminals. Kiosks can either convert to machines that dispense the items or they can take their chances….but only by wearing a mask and gloves. Store spaces can be reimagined where people come to an enclosed counter & tell the cashier what they would like. Can you browse & handle everything in the store…No! But if you want a safer environment…well, welcome to the new normal.

People may feel inconvenienced, but it will work at keeping people safer. Supermarkets open earlier for the elderly, why wouldn’t airlines allot certain flights for them? I’m sure you’ll be asked what happens when a husband wants to treat his 29-year-old wife to a romantic getaway & he’s 30? The answer is simple…’ Sorry, you have to book separately.’ Welcome to the new normal! Either fly on separate flights & meet there or wait until she turns 30. A grandparent might be upset they can’t fly with their grandchildren. Well, they get there a day ahead of them & they get there safe. Again...Welcome to the new normal. A parent may be upset they have an infant and a three-year-old and they can’t travel together. Ok…either have one parent fly on the appropriate date with one child & the other flys the other day or wait until the infant is 1. It’s for everyone’s protection.

So that’s the plan! I know it’s a little rough, but we can leave the rest of the details to the big brains in the board room.I’m just spit-balling here…I think it can work!

What Issues Would This Cause?

And, what other problems does this cause? Well, you can not take quick getaways. Because you’d have to travel on those specific days 1 week apart. Could you jump on a flight in an emergency? No. Not unless that’s a day you were allowed to travel. You ask, what happens if a flight is canceled due to weather conditions …. the same thing that happens now, if there are seats on another plane available, you can purchase one…if not then you have to wait until the next available flight on a day you are allowed to travel. If that doesn’t work, you can rent a car or if you’re so lucky, take a private jet. The point is, it gets the industry moving in a safer way. Is it sustainable? People resist change, but if this is the only option, we adjust.

An Even Better Solution

Better yet, maybe the answer isn’t changing every flight. Maybe this opens a new allotment of flights for every airline. Call them “Safe Flights”. Dedicate terminals and specific flights for people in the high-risk group. They can be shuttled on and off certain flights and terminals that are untouched by other travelers. Or, perhaps, don’t allow their flights to walk through terminals, they can board and debark on the tarmac. The final point is, there are ways we can deliver people safely to their destination and get flights started.

Have I forgotten the elephant in the room…Covid-19?…No! This isn’t a cure for the disease, just a way to travel safer by putting up parameters everyone can work with. It’s a place to start on the drawing board, it doesn’t cover everything, but maybe it’s a jumping-off point to start the conversation.

As promised above, I am including a link here to the Consumersadvocate.org article titled “Best Travel Insurance: Based On In-Depth Reviews”. Take advantage of the educated answers they give for traveling safely with insurance.

If you have anything you’d like to add or any additional ideas, please fill in the comment box below. And however the travel industry moves forward, my main wish for us all is Godspeed to our health & safety.

When It’s Safe To Travel Again Click Here For The Best Deals

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3

COVID-19 Travel

The Bar’s Open! And Drinks Are On The House!

04/19/202005/07/2020
by Jeannine

Remember, you heard it here first! That’s right, the bar’s open and drinks are flowing freely. Well, not the physical bars, but the virtual bars are open. From the looks of it, we hope they’re here to stay. And yes, you saw that right…drinks are on the house! Your house, that is. Leave it to a group of innovative bartenders to do what they do best and serve up an escape for the evening. However, this group took it a step further, adding live entertainment to the mix. For those of you who didn’t subscribe to the social media bandwagon in the past, you might want to get on board now. The desire to connect is just part of the human spirit. Fun seekers are now navigating their way back into socializing through venues like Facebook® Groups, while safely staying quarantined at home.

My favorite virtual watering hole is a Facebook® Group called the “Coronavirus Quarantine Virtual Bar”. This is possibly the most successful bar I’ve ever seen. Rivaling in member numbers, some of the most exclusive private clubs most of us will never enter. It has over 30k members and growing. On any given Sunday afternoon in April, you’d normally find the locals cheering on their favorite basketball, baseball and hockey games at the corner pub. But today, each member bellies up to the bar sitting in the comfort of their home. With no sports in sight, they’ve adjusted to a new kind of get-together. Enjoying an evening of barroom banter from the best seat in the house! All the while listening to free entertainment. This entertainment comes piped in, live, from the entertainer’s home as well.

The possibilities and benefits are endless with this new way of socializing. Think of how much money the bar saves on not having to pay for the taxi’s home when we down one-too-many shots (yes I too have had those embarrassing nights).

What’s In Store When The Bar’s Open?

So what’s in store for you at this evening out (in) environment? Well, after you run a brush through that quarantine hair, slap on some make-up and find your clubwear (or not…yoga pants are ok too), pour yourself a glass of your favorite spirit and settle in for a relaxing night among friends. See photos of other members at the bar. Join in on discussions. Add a video showing your view from the bar. Look for fun banter, meme games, and live music. Pretty much everything you would look for in your favorite saloon, without loud noise, waiting for drinks & DUI’s awaiting your drive home.

Who’s Serving?

The best part is, along with pacifying that need for human contact we all crave, you can help your new friends with tips. They are welcome and sent to the bartenders for setting up your entertainment. Instructions on how to send tips are right on the page (download the Venmo app before you enter the bar). Some entertainers can be tipped directly. All other tips go to the unemployed bartenders who started this awesome haven.

What Are The Rules While The Bar’s Open?

Keep in mind, as with any successful establishment, there are rules that must be followed. Not following their 6 simple rules will have the “bouncer” booting you out of the group for good. I’ve listed them briefly here so you’re prepared for what to expect (the full explanation of each rule is also listed on the page):

No political or religious posts are allowed in the bar
No selling or promoting any goods or services there either
Keep it peaceful. Debates happen but kindness is required
KEEP IT CLEAN! No nudity posts and no racial posts
No Rapid-Fire-Sh@t-Posting…meaning you can post MEMES that are fun and funny, but posting a bunch at once gets you muted. Keep it up and the bouncers boot you! and for their final rule…
Men should never rollerblade without hockey stick…(well, that just goes without saying in my book!)

How Do You Get There?

The bar’s open to the public and there’s no cover charge (as of yet). Just open your Facebook® account, search for ‘Coronavirus Quarantine Virtual Bar’ in the search bar. Then click on the ‘Join Group’ button. Next, you just have to wait for them to approve you. I got approved fairly quickly (no that has nothing to do with me being a blonde and them letting the cute ones in first) so you can probably just jump right in.

When Is It Open?(and other questions)

I did have some questions for the admins, however, they are understandably busy welcoming the newcomers and organizing the entertainment line-up for the days ahead. Some answers I found in the group, but if anyone knows differently please let me know by leaving a comment below. Here are some common questions you may have too:

Q-What time is the bar open?
A- The best part of this bar is it’s open for 24 hours of fun 7 days a week. So grab a seat whenever the mood hits.
Q-Are there craft cocktails featured?
A-Not really sure, but that would be kind of fun. Our bartenders can get their newest drink right in our hands!
Q-For the full bar experience, is there an adjoining chat room where people can go off and get to know one another?
A-I guess your Facebook® Messanger works here.
Q-When is “last-call”?
A-Probably when the quarantine’s over, I’d think. Although, the bonds are getting stronger here so people may just keep this going (I hope!..A girl can dream).
Q-Can you get bottle service at this bar?
A- No! But you can order a subscription box to have your favorites delivered (see my ideas for this at the end of the article).
Q-Do you have Happy Hour.
A-Apparently so! From what I’ve noticed, it’s usually when the performers are on. So the performance must be the “Happy Hour Special”. The great news is these “Happy Hours” can be at any given hour!
Q-Is there a favorite drink?
A-Yes! Whatever you’re serving (I prefer Margaritas)
Q-Who’s in the line-up for entertainment?
A-Click on ‘Events’ on the page for upcoming performances
Q-Can anyone perform?
A-Scheduling is recommended with the CQVB staff for maximum exposure so contact the admins on the page through messenger
Q-Have any “bar-fights” broken out?
A- I haven’t personally seen any, but the bouncers are pretty tough here so I wouldn’t chance starting one…they will throw you out!

If The Bar’s Open, Where Do I Get A Drink?

So, we have a meeting place, your friends have arrived. (logged on)…where are the drinks? To spice up the atmosphere and get the party going, sign up for alcohol subscription boxes. From the craft-beer lover to the most astute wine connoisseur, there’s a box for every palate. With so many to choose from, here are just a few I could think of that seem to be popular:

FLAVIAR

Whether you spell it Whisky or Whiskey (and they will explain the difference), this is part subscription box, part club. Expand your horizons here acquiring hard to find bottles and uncommon labels.

CRAFT BEER CLUB

Have some favorites on the U.S. Independant Brewers list? Get those coveted bottles here with their subscription box each month!

SALOONBOX

More of a cocktail type? Get craft cocktail recipes with all the ingredients delivered right to your door. Impress your friends and show them what a true mixologist looks like!

Mash&Grape

Have a healthy group with a variety of tastes? This subscription box is a dream come true. Choose from one of 6 spirits-themed boxes each month: Bourbon, Whiskey, Scotch, Gin, Tequila & Rum. Each box is curated from big names and independent distilleries sure to impress.

TASTER’S CLUB

For the wine or spirit enthusiast in your group, this is the perfect club. Pick your poison and they curate your selection from Bourbon’s To Bordeaux. This is truly the taster’s choice club!

Whatever the choice is, stay home, stay safe & be healthy! Since I’m trying to be responsible & stay inside, I won’t be on the road anytime soon (Thank God… that last Margarita I made was strong!), hopefully, I’ll see you at the bar!

Photo Credits: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

Disclaimer: The company Facebook® and its subsidiaries in no way endorsed this article. They are also not in partnership with OnceUponAPostcard.com. Any mention of their company or products is only noted to highlight this author’s opinion of the company or the service.

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COVID-19 Travel

5 Ways To Escape During #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine

03/26/202005/05/2020
by Jeannine

I was a lucky kid! When I was younger I didn’t always think so, though. I remember feeling bored & having to rack my brain for new ways to have fun. Every morning after breakfast, my mother or grandmother would shoo us outside. Streetlights or a call for the day’s meals were the only things that interrupted our play. For me, the theme was always, Adventure! Sometimes, the way you were raised (learning how to entertain yourself creatively) & things you learned to appreciate, are the only tools you’ll need in times like this. With the #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine from Covid-19 underway, it’s a scary time for everyone. But I think I’ve remembered what I’ve forgotten about how to ease the anxiety. And it comes from my child-like spirit of finding adventure in the little things (Mommy & Nanny really knew what they were doing). We didn’t have video games, we had trees to climb. Streaming shows didn’t exist, but tire swings to push each other on did. We picked peaches from the orchard and caught lightning bugs in jars. There weren’t hoards of people around us entertaining our every whim. We had Mother Nature and her timeless beauty. I was a lucky kid!

Oh, the things we long for at the beginning (adventure & fun). They seem to be the same things we cherish in times like this and as we get older. I invite you to take a page from my book and join me in our escape to the havens we call home. In the quietness of this sanctuary, I promise you’ll reawaken your inner child and find that adventure. I’ll show you, here, how to take the classical elements of earth, water, air & fire to use nature in your healing. At the very least, you’ll get the peace & rest you need as we wait out this storm together.

# 1 Adventure For The #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine

Create A Home Spa – The Element of Air

Why You Need This

If you’ve ever been hospitalized for a lung infection (like pneumonia…which I have been hospitalized for), you’ll know, the doctors and nurses want you to practice deep breathing exercises to strengthen your lungs (and also so they can check your lungs functioning). They’ll give you a device known as the Handheld Incentive Spirometer to breathe in and out. By doing this exercise it helps your lungs get rid of fluid & germs that can lead to infections and produce more oxygen for your body. Lacking a Spirometer & lucky for us, I’ve realized there is a way for us to do this at home. I practice in my yoga studio.

What You Want To Do

One of the first practices in Yoga is learning to breathe to bring more oxygen to every part of your body. One form practiced is called Ujjayi breathing, also known as “the ocean breath”. Which is taught to tone the lungs, bringing oxygen to all parts of the lungs. It’s also believed to build energy while clearing toxins from the body.

Where You’ll Set Up Your Yoga Spa

It’s time to roll out the yoga mat & create a zen-like corner in your home or on a balcony. I put plants and small fountains throughout my yoga studio to center myself in a peaceful natural space. Once you’ve claimed your private sanctuary, the fun begins.

Sit with your back straight and shoulders down. Keep your head up to keep your spine aligned straight. This posture assures the best breathing flow through your body. Sit crossed leg style on the mat or if that doesn’t work for you, sit with your back straight and legs outstretched (if you’re more comfortable on a chair sit straight with your feet flat on the floor). Place your hands on your knees, palms to the sky. Pull up YouTube’s Yoga music. Then, with soft music drifting through the air, close your eyes. Now breathe.

Breathe in through your nose & feel your diaphragm expand. There is no amount of time you have to hold this breath. When your diaphragm expands completely, then release. Feel your diaphragm release the air from your lower belly, up through the rib cage into your chest and your throat, then out. Breathing out through your nose as well. The rushing sound of the air entering and leaving your body is reminiscent of the sounds of the ocean (which is an equally relaxing bonus). And, repeat. Keep doing this for a while.

Resources To Use & How To Use Them

Now, you don’t have to do this part, since it’s really just a breathing exercise right now. But, if you’ve never practiced yoga, you can try some beginner stretches and poses now (there are tons of apps and websites or Pins for basic yoga). I personally use the app ASANA REBEL so I can take it with me wherever I am (this app has great exercises, meditations and music to help you both in relaxing and sleep). Introducing yoga breathing and stretches is known to reduce anxiety and for an added bonus your body will feel like you’ve had a full body massage.

BONUS: For inspirational poses that help the lungs and more information about the benefits of breathing techniques I provided links to other great articles at the end of this article.

# 2 Adventure For The #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine

Soak Up The Bubbles – The Element Of Water

No… I didn’t mean the bubbly. But, OK…if you were thinking of tossing back a couple of glasses of Champagne, have at it. That wasn’t what I meant, although the two absolutely complement one another. What I was referring to is filling up that soaking lounge you rarely allow yourself to indulge in. Pour in your favorite cocktail of bubbles and fizzies . Then soak. Soak for an hour if you want. Let every muscle in your body relax. This is your time. Enjoy it.

# 3 Adventure For The #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine

Catch Up On Your Favorite Reads – The Element of Earth

I love to travel. When I can’t, though, I love to read about other’s travels. The stories give me ideas for my own bucket list. It opens a window to a part of the world I’ve yet to explore. Reading, in itself, though, has always been a way to relax for me. It’s been an escape to another world, another time, another life. I read anything I can get my hands on, as often as I can. Don’t let those precious pages made from the trees collect dust on your shelf, grab your favorites. Then find yourself wandering a world from another’s imagination or experiences. Enjoy the escape for a couple of hours.

# 4 Adventure For The #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine

Write Your Story – The Element of Earth

Everyone has a story and they’re all interesting. Traveling around the world, the best part of any trip is meeting locals, hearing their stories and learning new cultures. So grab that journal you’ve been meaning to get to. Dust it off & open to that crisp blank page. Then tell the world yours. Write about family traditions & memories you cherish. This keepsake can reduce anxiety helping you think of happy memories. Reminisce about your own adventures. Who knows, it may be the next New York Times Best Seller when you’re done!

# 5 Adventure For The #StayAtHomeSavesLives Quarantine

Have A Bake-Off & Put The Puzzle Pieces Back Together – The Element of Fire

After the bubbles and the deep breathing exercises. After the reading and the writing, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. Rollout the family recipes and start a bake-off. Make your favorite treats. Then grab your significant other. Pull out the old school board games like Risk & Monopoly (oh, God, is that really now considered “old-school”?!). Find that puzzle in the closet & spend some time laughing & reconnecting while you symbolically and literally put the puzzle pieces back together.

Above all else, stay home, stay safe & God speed to your family’s health. We’ll see each other soon in our travels.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I am not a certified Yoga instructor. I am not a Medical Doctor or Practitioner. I am also not a Nutritionist or Dietician. Every person should consult their physician before trying ANY exercise program or changing your diet. During any exercise, if you experience any dizziness, chest pain or shortness of breath stop any exercise immediately and contact your physician.

FDA DISCLAIMER: The programs present on the website, as well as the associated information, have not been assessed by the FDA. Therefore, these are not meant to serve diagnostic purposes, nor as a treatment or prevention solution for diverse medical conditions. Before starting any lifestyle change, relating to your health and wellness, it is best to consult your physician. Getting medical advice is especially important if you are a minor, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, if you have allergies, are diabetic or have additional medical conditions.

Resources

In the United States, for any COVID-19 information please click the link to the Center For Disease Control here.

Click on the highlighted words below for some other great articles to read that explain or offer:

Yoga Poses For The Lungs

Health Benefits of Practicing Breathing Through Your Nose & Not Your Mouth

Beginners Guide To Yoga Breathing Exercises

Breathing Exercises To Increase Lung Capacity

What Is An Incentive Spirometer & Its Benefits

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Unplugged Travel

Unplugged In St. Augustine: A Weekend Getaway Glamping In…

03/13/202003/13/2020
by Jeannine

If you’re looking to recapture a sense of what serenity feels like again, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more relaxing escape, about an hour and a half drive from Orlando. In search of that peace and sanity, one of my favorite journeys was unplugging from society, for a quick weekend getaway with my family, glamping in St. Augustine. Although most visitors wander the streets of the second oldest city in America, in search of its timeless architecture and quaint shops, a discerning few know of a special place just south of town. On the Northeast, Florida Coast is a hidden treasure any nature enthusiast would dream of, Anastasia State Park. St. Augustine was founded in 1513 by Juan Ponce de Leon, I wondered, was this the place he was searching for?

Leaving The World Behind

Looking forward to leaving the world behind, we head out on the open road to explore it all. The entrance to the park is almost hidden, on a road that weaves away from town. After a brief stop at the rangers’ station, (where they give you directions, a map and the rules of the park) the sandy gravel road leaves way to the natural habitat of the region. Mixtures of coastal mangroves and woodsy charm extend before you. Almost as soon as you arrive, you finally begin to exhale, ready to explore the creature comforts of your campsite.

Home For The Weekend

Campsites are located in the maritime hammock. You can choose from an RV location or a more secluded tent site from one of the 139 campsites throughout the hammock. Looking for a richer experience (and because we lacked an RV) we chose the latter. Each campsite is easily found by markers along the winding road. When you find your marker, alas, it’s a cleared area with a mixture of beach framed by forest. Conveniently equipped with a picnic table, bonfire pit/grilling area, electrical outlet, and running water. Alive with the vibrant greens of the oak and long-leaf pines, you’ll hear squeaks of miniature woodland creatures in the not-so-far-off distance.

Glamping It Up

Corral the children and begin to capture the spirit of your weekend haven, setting up your camp. Each tent site is spacious enough to occupy an eight-person tent, a two-person tent, a hammock, and several chairs for evenings around the fire. In true “Glamping” style, finish off with air mattresses, soft sheets, cozy blankets, pillows, a throw rug for outside your tent and assorted lanterns.

Gathering Supplies

To illuminate the site at night (and deter your furry neighbors), a string or two of white Christmas lights chase away the ghostly shadows and adds a welcoming glow. When gathering timber for the fire, you can purchase logs on the property or do as we did and wander the brush around your site in search of useable twigs, already fallen from the trees. Choosing to explore that option takes you over hidden paths, looping through the other campsites. It’s not uncommon to dead-end at a stream or marshy waterway.

Getting Lost In Nature

For fun, lists of enviable kid-friendly activities will surely bring you to your spiritual center, in the shared experience of it all. They have everything from location-based activities like Waymarking, Orienteering, Letterboxing & Geocaching to watersports by the marsh. You can fat bike the 4 miles of beach on sand-friendly wheels (rent them from the beach-front concession stand), surf fish on the pristine powdery sands or inland at the salt marsh. Hike the 1600 acres of rich ecosystems teeming with wildlife. Swim, birdwatch or wile away the hours drifting in your hammock, reading your favorite book, allowing the silence of your surroundings to wash over you.

Playing With The Wildlife

We chose kayaking, fishing, hiking, and beachcombing for our excursions. On the first morning when we rented our kayaks (from Anastasia Watersports on the property), my daughter’s boyfriend paddled to the edge of the mangrove fishing from his in the lagoon. The rest of us raced our way to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum on the inlet to the Intracoastal. My son’s girlfriend danced playfully on the tip of her kayak, while in wonder, we watched what appeared to be a rock-like formation rising to the surface. Revealing itself, finally, as a playful manatee, he quickly swam away. Ever so often, coastal birds soared above, dipping into the waters around us.

A Fisherman’s Heaven

For the fishing enthusiast, there’s a large diversity of recreational species lurking in the area’s numerous impressive waterways. Heightening the experience, we waited until just after nightfall to go surf-fishing. With campfire chairs and cozy throws in hand, we traveled the boardwalk that weaves through the protected dunes dressed in seagrass, delivering us to the beach. The ocean at night is breathtaking. The moonlight, its reflection captured in the waters, shines a mosaic path of deep blues and greys, across the crashing waves to guide your line.

That night, all we caught were sea-spray and a couple of crabs burrowing themselves in the sand. But, if I close my eyes, I can still hear the roar of the waves and feel the salt air in my lungs from that all too brief moment in time. As dawn breaks over the horizon, beachcombing, particularly shelling, is a favorite pastime here. Waiting until low tide reveals the largest collection of rarities in unspoiled shells. Then, leisurely strolling the coast in search of your treasures, with no regard for the time that’s past, you’ll witness the Laughing Gulls dance away from crashing surf and the Brown Pelicans dip into the ocean, collecting their morning meal. The coastal birds are not the only ones you’ll share this sanctuary with. For birdwatchers, it’s known to have over 150 species either living or migrating here every year.

An Evening Under The Stars

As night closes in you’ll gather around the campfire for the evening’s feast. This becomes more of an experience than a meal. Then, drifting in the sway of your hammock, eating smores, trading stories and watching the crackling fire carry burning embers into the night sky, are just a few ways to wind down your day. When bedtime approached, with no chance of rain, we unzipped the peephole at the top of our tent. Through the canopy of the forest, the stars twinkled as the shifting and shapeless clouds danced across the moon. All the while, the coastal breeze gently rustling the leaves, lulled us to sleep.

Ponce de Leon’s Answer

As you come to the end of your journey, you pack the last of your campsite in the car, restoring the site to its pre-weekend peacefulness. Never feeling more relaxed, a thought occurred to me. Juan Ponce de Leon, truly found what he was in search of. The Fountain of Youth was not a potion, nor a spring. It was the peaceful sounds of nature, the chattering of the wildlife, the critters that scurried the paths before you. The Fountain of Youth was a moonlit walk on the beach, with the salty sea air and Mother Nature’s waves crashing at your feet, leaving the world he knew behind, to join the serenity of this passage in time.

How To Book This Weekend Getaway

For More Information Reserve Your RV or Tent Site with the links below:

Anastasia State Park

300 Anastasia Park Road

St. Augustine, Fl 32080

Phone: 904-461-2033

Website: www.floridastateparks.org

For Reservations: 1-800-326-3521

www.ReserveAmerica.com

Open Year-Round

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Book Your Escape Today

Travel To Film Locations

How To Throw Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations

01/31/202001/23/2022
by Jeannine

There’s something about the big screen and the lure of the red carpets that captivate us. Our heroes and villains parading by decked out in fashions finest. We cheer them onward, to awards we know they deserve. Maybe, in my home, it’s because movie night has been our go-to family get together. Whether we’re cuddled on the sofa catching up on a feature we missed in theaters, or out for an evening watching our thrillers on the big screen, films mark precious moments in our life. And, what a wonderful way to escape for a few hours. With epic stories brought to life. One of the best parties I’ve ever thrown was an Oscar’s ® Party with my kids. So, in honor of the film industry’s most anticipated evening, I found a way for you to throw your own Oscar® Parties in epic locations.

How I Chose The Nominees

With all the nominations and categories, I limited my list to the 9 “Best Picture” locales. At these locations, you can experience where our favorites filmed. So, go ahead and make a weekend of it. While you’re there, visit the actual locations they shot the film. Then wrap it up with your soiree even the stars will envy.

Where The Oscar’s® Take Place In 2020

Of course, if you want to be close to the excitement of the evening, be sure to plan your trip to Hollywood around the night of the event. This year the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony will be held on February 9, 2020, at 5 pm PST at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Some of the great contenders for Best Picture were also filmed here.

How To Get The Party Started

Whether you’re traveling with a group for that weekend getaway or you’re going solo, we have accommodations and transportation for every budget. Snatch up a weekend at a home-stay for the group or choose a swanky boutique hotel. If those don’t entice you, try an elegant resort with spa accommodations, whatever your budget dictates, we have available. Book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#1

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where Ford V Ferrari Was Filmed

If this adrenaline rush of a film is your pick for the gold, make sure you work into your weekend an hour and a half ride outside of LA. Adding to your list the Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, CA places you in the seat of the action where part of this thriller was filmed. Book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#2

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where The Irishman Was Filmed

Though the story was set to take place in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio & Florida, it was actually filmed in and around New York. With 117 different locations in the area for the 309 scenes shot, it may take more than a weekend to visit them before your celebration. However, we have a way, while you’re staying in New York for the weekend, to visit some of the film locations grouped in specific areas. My favorite site to find out where films were shot is ATLASofWONDERS.com. They have the inside scoop on tons of films and the locations filming took place. Put your list together by clicking here for this films locations to visit. Once you have that list together, book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#3

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where JoJo Rabbit Was Filmed

The locations where this priceless tale was shot look like something out of a child’s storybook. Welcome to the Czech Republics’ enchanting towns. Prague is already a bucket-list favorite. Find all the hidden spots where this feature was shot & make your list by clicking here. Then, book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#4

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where Joker Was Filmed

I’m sorry, I have to say this movie scarred me. I know it was a depiction of the comic version. However, if I had to visit the staircase he travels in the movie, I think I’d cry. This was one of the most powerful movies I’ve ever seen depicting mental illness & the isolation someone feels. It gripped me from the moment it started. Todd Phillips & Scott Silver created a masterpiece & Joaquin Phoenix brought him to life! Together, they satisfied the appetite for the comic fans and surpassed everyone else’s wildest imaginations. This is a must-see, must win and hopefully, I’ll have the courage to visit that staircase someday. But don’t let my dramatic empathy stop you from celebrating this classic tale. Make your list to travel in the footsteps of the Joker by clicking here. Then, book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#5

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where Little Women Was Filmed

Louisa May Alcott’s epic tale comes to life in the place she wrote it. This film was filmed throughout Massachusetts. You can even visit her home which is currently a museum. Find different locations from the movie everywhere from Harvard, to Boston, Concord & Canton by visiting AtlasofWonders.com. Their article on this films locations even contains a link to the Massachusetts Film Office where you can print out a Little Women scavenger hunt for your weekend getaway.

To really step this experience up a notch go ahead and jump over to my Hotels page under Resources, Accommodations. I just looked up the Oscar’s® weekend availability at Fairmont Copley Plaza. Click on my link to Hotels.com on this page & as of writing this article they still have some rooms. The New Year’s Eve Ball in Paris, from the movie, was shot in the Grand Ballroom here!

#6

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where Marriage Story Was Filmed

With this age-old West Coast- East Coast divide, you can celebrate in one or both locations. If you’re in New York, take a stroll on Broadway. Maybe even take in a play. Feel the warmth of Charlie’s life in the Big Apple. If you choose the West Coast, take a stroll down Hollywood Blvd. to walk among the dreams Nicole heads back to recapture. This film was shot in both cities. Once you pick your location, then, book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#7

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where 1917 Was Filmed

Glasgow, UK — Glasgow, Scotland & Throughout The UK

If Stonehenge is a stop waiting to be checked off your bucket list, this may be where you want to celebrate with your Oscar’s® Party. Scenes from the trench shots were shot along Salisbury Rd in the old Avon Camp military base. This is located just a few miles from Stonehenge. That’s just one of the many locations throughout the UK you can put on your list. Check here for your itinerary then book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#8

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Was Filmed

Oh if only… if only! Quentin Tarantino out-did himself again in yet another masterpiece. I wonder if he has a direct line to a parallel universe we all wish existed. Personally, I’m the Mom cheering movies like Secretariat & Dreamer. Who knew I’d be jumping up and down, cheering on the blood-bath in his latest thriller? Truth be told, it wouldn’t be the first time this happened while I watched his movies (i.e. his 2012 Django Unchained & 2009’s Inglorious Basterds). To set up your weekend perfectly & visit the locations he shot this film at, click here. Then, book your last minute flights and accommodations at top discounts here.

#9

Have Your Oscar® Parties In Epic Locations Where Parasite Was Filmed

While visiting the areas, in South Korea, this dark comedy thriller was filmed, make sure to go to the locations throughout Jeonju. South Korea’s 16th largest city is a tourist mecca and also where many of the scenes were filmed. The word Jeonju even means “perfect region”. Savor authentic Korean dishes & peruse the historic buildings in the area. You can get to Jeonju from Seoul by car on a two-hour road trip. However, it’s probably easier (cheaper) and more relaxing to take the train. Book your transportation between locations by clicking here and scrolling down to “Asia” then click on “Klook”. They have private cars, buses, trains, etc. When you’re done planning the weekend’s activities, grab your last-minute airfare & accommodations here.

How To Plan The Perfect Soiree

Now that you have your location booked, here are the rest of the details. This list will help you pull off that perfect Oscar® Party your A-Listers will talk about for years!

What To Buy

If you don’t have a red carpet or the classic ropes, grab a runner in brilliant red for your walkway into the party. You’ll want the carpet or runner in a place you can take pictures of your attendees for your own personal paparazzi-style photo-op. If you chose a hotel for accommodations, roll that red carpet out from your doorway into your suite. Or, for those Instagram worthy shots, place it on the balcony with your location in the background! This is an important step. You’ll want those shots to look back on the A-Listers that attended your evening!

What To Wear

Get Dressed! You’re on vacation & it’s a party! Require attendees to dress up too. Pack a classy little number, cocktail attire. Make an appointment with the hotel’s salon to fit you in for that red-carpet-ready polished look. Or, if you really want to go all out, require formal attire…it is after all a black-tie event.

What To Serve

popcorn and movie candy — Champagne,Popcorn & Movie Candy

Moet is the preferred Champagne, but any bubbly you like will work. Serve hors d’oeuvre like shrimp cocktails, sushi & caviar. You can even put a little dish together with bow-tie pasta. For snacks, make sure there are lots of movie candy and popcorn stationed throughout the suite.

What To Play

The most popular games to play during the Oscars®are Oscar®Bingo which you can find on the internet or here & StudioDIY puts out an Oscars®ballot each year that’s free to print out. You can get yours here.

What You’ll Win

For prizes, it’s fun to keep it in the spirit of the night. I get several movie theater gift cards. When someone wins, they get the gift cards.

Click Here To Get Your Escape

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Attribution: The word Oscar® or Oscar’s ® are trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also known as the “Academy”.

Cruise Travel

Top 3 Romantic Cruises For Under $300

02/10/202001/23/2022
by Jeannine

A balmy breeze flows over the deck, as the moonlight, mirrored in the ocean, mesmerizes you. Days are spent leisurely wandering new destinations on special excursions, with your sweetheart in tow. Then, opting for lazy afternoons, you sip umbrella laden craft cocktails by the pool. Here, tapping your feet to relaxing beats of island music is a must. In the midst of all that chaos, the only other worry you have is anticipating your evening plans of mouthwatering entrees served up by seasoned chefs. Taking in a deep breath, the salty mist envelopes you. Finally, you relax, on one of the most romantic cruises… that didn’t break the bank.

Roses and cupcakes are…how do they say that? Oh, yes…’ so last year!’ We all know this is how you create romance. With that in mind and just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’ve located 3 romantic cruises for under $300 you can book today! And the best part is, with Flexible Payment Plans, you only pay a deposit when you book these cruises in advance!

#1

On The Romantic Cruises List For 2020

Mexico

From $179

Itinerary

(Los Angeles) Long Beach, Ca
Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, Ca
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
At Sea
(Los Angeles) Long Beach, Ca

About Your Ship

Depending on your dates of travel you’ll be on the Carnival Inspiration or Carnival Imagination. Those names are perfect for these majesties of the sea. Starting with your warm welcome in the ever impressive Grand Atrium.

A Sneek Peek At Onboard Amenities

On this getaway every luxury of a laidback vacation was perfectly planned for you. Explore the possibilities. Stop in the library for that novel you wanted to catch up on. Then find your way to the adult only Serenity retreat for a sway in your hammock. Entertain yourself with Comedy Clubs, Casino’s & A whirl down the massive waterslide. Plan a round of miniature golf together, or wake at sunrise to jog the running track. Take in a show. Peruse the Art Gallery….as you can see, the possibilities are endless!And these are just a few of the many things you can wile away the hours with.

Epic Excursions On These Romantic Cruises

After a relaxing evening exploring your ship and enjoying epic entertainment, your first full day kicks off exploring breathtaking views on Catalina Island. Travel the island by bike or golf cart in a race to beat your boat-buddies in the island scavenger hunt tour. Then finish the evening onboard, dancing under the stars.

For your second day surprise your prince or princess when your itinerary finds you spending a day in La Cenicienta del Pacifico (The Cinderella of the Pacific). This romantic coastal city, Ensenada, Mexico annies up with excursions your sweetheart could only dream of. Choose to paddle your kayak, race your ATV or leisurely gallop the beach, together on horseback to the famous La Bufadora.

La Bufadora is the largest natural blowhole in the world. Watch in amazement as this ocean geiser sprays water up to 100 feet high. Then kick back with an afternoon wine tasting in the oldest wine region of the America’s. If that’s not your speed, the Baja Craft Beer & Tequila tour may be the perfect end to that perfect day.

On your final day, relax at sea with all the amenities your ship offers. Make it a spa day! The spots are filling up fast so grab yours now by clicking on the link below.

4 Night Mexico Cruises from $179! 50% Reduced Deposits on Carnival only at Cruisedirect.com. Plus, Free Upgrades!