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Adventure

7 Reasons to Visit Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands This Year

April 4, 2018 By Fadra Nally Leave a Comment

Visit Laurel Highlands

When you think of Pennsylvania, you probably think of a few things: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Hershey, Penn State, and the Amish to name a few things. But Pennsylvania is such a large a diverse state – not only in terms of landscape and population but also in the types of activities available.

Now consider the Laurel Highlands area of Pennsylvania. I had my first trek there last summer when I ventured on a solo camping trip with my son. We wanted a picturesque camping destination that was close to an attraction that was on our summer bucket list, Fallingwater, the epically designed house by Frank Lloyd Wright. As we wandered through the area, we were struck not only by the natural beauty but by how many activities there are in this one particular region.

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From remarkable historic sites, amazing views and unique things to do, Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands is an ideal place to get away, enjoy the great outdoors and find an adventure. Here are 7 reasons to visit the expansive region of southwestern Pennsylvania, including new places to stay, incredible attractions and unique events. If you think you’ve seen all there is to see in the region, think again!

1. The Tower of Voices at the Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight_93_visitor_center_PA2

It was in the Laurel Highlands that Flight 93 made its final descent on 9/11. And it’s here that the passengers and crew have been memorialized.

The final piece of the Flight 93 National Memorial, the Tower of Voices, will be unveiled in September 2018. At 93-feet tall, the tower will act as a living memorial, representing the eternal voices of the 40 passengers and crew members of Flight 93. The tower will be made of 40 uniquely-pitched wind chimes that will vary in sizes of 10, 8 and 6 feet. Visitors to the memorial will be able to see the Tower of Voices from Route 30 upon arrival.

2. Fourth Frank Lloyd Wright Creation Opening

Although Fallingwater is the most well known Frank Lloyd Wright building in the area, there are actually several to visit including Kentuck Knob and The Duncan House.

The Laurel Highlands is now home to yet another Frank Lloyd Wright creation, the Lindholm House. Built in Cloquet, MN, in 1952, the Lindholm House was carefully taken apart and shipped 1000 miles to Polymath Park in the Laurel Highlands, where it is currently being rebuilt. The entire house will be available for guests to reserve for overnight lodging beginning this summer.

3. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’s 50th Anniversary 

Mister_Rogers'_Neighborhood

Mister Rogers was an important part of my childhood and now I have a way to bring it to life for my son!

Children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is celebrating 50 years in 2018! Fred Rogers’ show aired on PBS for the first time in 1968 and ended in 2001 with a total of 895 episodes. Did you know that Mister Rogers’ real neighborhood is in the Laurel Highlands? Explore his hometown of Latrobe, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood at Idlewild & SoakZone and the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.

4. Great Allegheny Passage’s 40th Anniversary 

Looking for a biking adventure? Old railroad lines make excellent biking paths – wide, relatively smooth, and flat! I took my son on a similar biking trail in Maryland a few summers ago and we’re ready for our next biking adventure.

The Great Allegheny Passage is celebrating 40 years in 2018! This rail-trail winds through the Laurel Highlands and joins the C&O Canal Towpath trail to create 334 miles of nearly-level biking, connecting Washington, D.C. to downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Gear up for a long-haul adventure or pick a section and bike between train towns for shorter family-friendly trips. Don’t forget your camera, a trip on the GAP doesn’t come without a view!

5. Fort Ligonier Renovations

Just when I’m helping my son learn about the beginnings of the U.S., I’ve learned that the Laurel Highlands houses Fort Ligonier, a reconstructed and restored French and Indian War fort.

Fort Ligonier’s museum, featuring new and improved exhibits, is now open seven days a week! Fort Ligonier will also stay open on Thursday and Friday evenings until 7 p.m. during the summer months, offering guided lantern-lit sunset tours. The beautifully-renovated exhibits, which include George Washington’s saddle pistols and memoirs, start you off at present day, and with each step you will go back in time learning about major moments in U.S. military and social history before arriving at the era of Fort Ligonier (1758-1766).

6. Whitewater Rafting at Ohiopyle State Park 

Ohiopyle whitewater

My first and only whitewater rafting trip was in West Virginia. Not only did I survive but I thrived!

Here’s your chance to find the adventure you have been looking for and go whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park! Get your adrenaline rushing with a trip on the Youghiogheny River’s mild to wild rapids that will thrill adventurers of all ages. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, seasoned guides and equipment rentals will make sure you have an adventure you will never forget.

7. Glamping at Campbell Farm

I like camping but I love glamping. In fact, I’ve stayed at fancy glamping resorts in California and modest glamping on the coast of New Jersey.

If you want to go camping, but still want to feel the comforts of home, you must try glamping! Glamping, aka glamorous camping, at Campbell Farm is an amazing escape for a romantic retreat in the great outdoors. Guests rave about the equipped kitchen, outdoor claw foot tub, running water and Wi-Fi.

About Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands

A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located an hour east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation, historic sites and attractions, family activities and world-class resorts. Notable destinations within the region include three architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater®, Kentuck Knob and Duncan House – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park and more.

Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington D.C., the Laurel Highlands can be easily accessed from exits 67, 75, 91 and 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Fadra Nally

Fadra Nally is a lifestyle blogger at All Things Fadra who is always going, seeing, and doing – all with a sense of humor. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and watch her on YouTube.

Filed Under: Adventure, Family, Press release Tagged With: pennsylvania, visit pennsylvania

Why Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend Is the Ultimate Girls Trip

January 19, 2018 By Tania Lamb 1 Comment

I first attended Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend in 2013 as motivation to get in shape. I ran it with my husband and had a wonderful time. Every year since then, I have been back with my girlfriends and found that I liked it better that way (no offense, husband!). Are you considering running a runDisney race? Here’s why Disney’s Princess Half Marathon is the ultimate girls trip.

Running through Magic Kingdom is a bonus for Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Princess Half Marathon Weekend Theme

Princess Half Marathon weekend is usually at the end of February and a good time to get away from the cold where I’m from. Plus the theme is princesses! I get that not every woman is into princesses and ball gowns; I love my superheroes, too. However, if someone wants to pamper me, call me princess all day, talk about tiaras, and give me a sparkly medal, then who am I to say no?

Just take a look at the 2018 Princess Half Marathon medals. This is bling worth running for.

Fancy medals are a good reason why Princess Half Marathon is a great girls weekend!

Photo Credit: runDisney

Traveling With a Purpose

Every year I ask my friends, please can we just go on a cruise or something? Why are we getting up early and running? Well, maybe my friends know more than me. Even after my alarm clock goes off at 2:30 a.m., completing a 5K, 10K, and/or half marathon makes me feel really good. My body may ache afterwards, but I’ll be darned if I don’t feel a sense of pride. It helps me set goals and crush them or learn from them. Either way, I win.

Also, a lot of my friends run for charity. They raise money to help others, and as a collective whole, we feel closer to each other. And yes, castles, characters, and good food are also extra bonuses. It also makes it easier to tell my family, “Yes, mama is going to Disney to run a race.” Important work, people. When they ask me if I won, I’ll show them my medal. What?

If you’re extra smart, you’ll combine Princess Half Marathon Weekend afterwards with a Disney Cruise!

Running with friends is so much better. Make Princess Half Marathon Weekend your next girls trip!

There’s Something for Everyone

I know sometimes people side-eye me for choosing Walt Disney World as a vacation destination for a girls weekend. But there really is something for everyone. We don’t have to stay all together every second. If some people want to shop at Disney Springs, great! If others want more park time, have at it! Some prefer pool time. It’s easy to split up and meet back up for meals or at the hotel, because transportation on Disney property is free. You’re a bus, boat, or monorail ride away from your next adventure.

If running’s not your thing, no worries, cheering for runDisney races is a blast, too! Those who aren’t running support the others who are. We make signs, hand out snacks, and support all the runners giving it their all. Frankly, it’s inspirational.

If running's not your thing, then cheer on the runners at Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend!

Tips for Princess Half Marathon Weekend

If you decide to make Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend your ultimate girls weekend, you’ll have a blast. If you’re first timers, check out these Princess Half Marathon Etiquette tips. Also plan early. Race registration sells out quickly, so make a plan ahead of time.

Have fun and don’t sweat the small stuff. Sometime things don’t go as planned, but roll with it. Do stay on top of race information, so you know to go to the expo and when you’re supposed to be in the corrals. If you don’t know, ask someone.

Dress in costume! Obviously, this is not a requirement, but it makes for some awesome pictures. I’ve dressed up for every single race I’ve run and have never regretted it.

Dressing in costume makes the race twice as fun for runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

So out there and make memories, Princesses! Run through castles and have the time of your lives. Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is waiting for you.

Here's why runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend makes for the best girls trip. Run through castles, take pictures with characters, eat at delicious Disney restaurants, and more!

 

Filed Under: Adventure Tagged With: Princess Half Marathon Weekend, runDisney

14 Photos to Inspire You to Travel to Maine

July 19, 2017 By Fadra Nally 3 Comments

14 photos to inspire your trip to Maine

About six weeks ago, my husband and I decided that if we were going to plan a summer vacation, we needed to get serious. We had ideas of visiting a national park as my son had earned his “Every Kid in a Park” pass for the summer.

As it turns out, last minute summer travel can be expensive if you’re traveling anywhere by air so we decided to stay a little closer to home and book a trip to Maine, with the focus being Acadia National Park, situated close to the town of Bar Harbor, Maine.

To make our lives easier, we flew to Boston and drove for the rest of the trip. And what a way to go! It was worth having a car that let us easily explore many of the corners of Maine. Here are a few corners that will inspire you to travel to Maine. Whether you’re into food, nature, wildlife, history, or simply beautiful scenery, there’s something for everyone!

Downeast Maine

Dice Head Lighthouse

Lighthouse in Castine, Maine
You might have heard that Maine has a few lighthouses (63, to be exact) but our first glimpse came when we spent the day in the small coastal town of Castine, Maine.

The Other Fort Knox

Fort Knox - Maine

While this Fort Knox doesn’t house any gold, it’s a commanding site made entirely of granite. While you’re there, check out the view from nearby Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory.

 

Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain

View from Cadillac Mountain

Don’t think you can climb a mountain? Don’t worry. You can drive to it! And it’s well worth the view from the top of Cadillac Mountain.

Thunder Hole

Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park

Rumored to make a sounds like thunder as high tide approaches, this popular attraction inside Acadia is beautiful even if all you hear are the crashing waves.

Tidal Pools

Tidal Pool in Acadia National Park

Visiting Acadia during high tide and low tide can create two totally different experiences. During low tide, you can find small tidal pool teeming with life – we spotted crabs, snails, mussels, and barnacles (yes, they’re alive!).

Rocky Beaches

Rocky beach in Acadia National Park

Even if you’re not a geology buff, you can’t help but stand in awe of the pieces of earth that literally look ripped apart. This area is well-known for its granite.

Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park

Situated right in the middle of Acadia, a short two-hour hike leads you around this pond surrounded by rocks and small mountains.

Blueberries!

Blueberry picking in Maine

Whether it’s beside Jordan Pond or hiking on one of the trails, if you time your visit just right, you’ll be greeted by naturally growing blueberry bushes just begging you to grab a snack along your travels.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Harbor Coastline

Bar Harbor, Maine

Late one evening, we saw crowds rushing to one end of Bar Harbor. We followed them to discover a breathtaking scene watching the clouds roll in over the outlying rocky islands.

Sunset on the Docks

Sunset in Bar Harbor

But the real crowd-gatherer is the sunset witnessed from the docks of Bar Harbor. And this is a regular occurrence!

 

Eastport, Maine

Grey and Harbor Seals

Seals in Bay of Fundy

A trip to the Maine-Canada border gave us a glimpse into another reason people visit Maine – the wildlife. This little island appeared as the tide went out and lifted all of the grey and harbor seals lounging nearby.

Bald Eagles

Bald eagle in Bay of Fundy

If you think spotting wildlife is an anomaly, this is just one of four bald eagles we spotted in the wild on this trip.

Finback Whales

Finback whale in Bay of Fundy

It’s also a gamble when you go whale watching in Maine but Mother Nature didn’t disappoint. A pair of finback whales appeared, almost on cue, while we were exploring the Bay of Fundy.

Maine Memories

Memories in Maine

The goal of this family trip was to step away from the fabricated theme park vacations we know and love so much. It was a chance to become inspired by our own exploration. Hearing my son beg to go back to the rocks again was enough to validate our choice of vacation destinations this year and helps shape more trips we plan to take.

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Have you been to Maine? Where have you explored? We’d love to hear your favorite destinations!

Fadra Nally

Fadra Nally is a lifestyle blogger at All Things Fadra who is always going, seeing, and doing – all with a sense of humor. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and watch her on YouTube.

Filed Under: Adventure, Family Tagged With: family vacation, Maine, National Park

Where to Camp in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Gettysburg KOA

April 20, 2017 By Ashley Forster Leave a Comment

Camping at the Gettysburg KOA
There are plenty of accommodation choices in the Gettysburg, Pennslyvania area: bed and breakfasts, inns, hotels, motels, and campgrounds.

Of course, the only place our family wanted to stay was at a campground. And why not? There’s nothing better than sitting around a campfire at night, going over all of the fun things we did during the day. We can also bring our four-legged family members when we camp. Not to mention, camping saves us a lot of money compared to staying at a hotel.

And s’mores. There are s’mores.

Why Gettysburg Battlefield KOA Campground?

There is no shortage of campgrounds to choose from in the Gettysburg area. We chose the Gettysburg Battlefield KOA for a few reasons. We’re big fans of the KOA chain of campgrounds. We know we’ll find clean, well-managed campgrounds with plenty of amenities.
Gettysburg KOA Store
Most KOA locations also offer a military discount of 10-20% off your stay. That’s a huge savings! This campground was also out the outside of the tourist area, so we really felt like we were away from the hustle and bustle, even during Bike Week.

KOA Camping Cabin

KOA’s offer several different types of cabins: from simple 1-room camping cabins to deluxe cabins with all of the bells and whistles. We decided to get as close to tent camping as possible without having to actually use our tent. We love tent camping, but easier was better during our move and a cabin was definitely easier. The basic 1-room Camping Cabins are a great compromise for those looking for something a little more than a tent, but without all of the comforts of home (ie: no bathrooms.)
Gettysburg KOA Kabin
Each 1-room cabin comes with a double bed and two single bunk beds. The cabins have a small mini fridge, air conditioning (blessed), a ceiling fan, small desk area, and a television (we banned any use of the tv while camping…because camping!)

One-Room-Cabin-Gettysburg-KOA
Linens are not provided. We brought along our sleeping bags and pillows and that’s all we needed. (Who wants to try and fold fitted sheets for packing? Not this girl.)Bunkbeds-Gettysburg-KOA
Gettysburg-KOA-Cabin-Photos

Outside, you’ll find an adorable little porch, complete with a porch swing. Our site also had a picnic table and campfire ring.

Gettysburg KOA Kabins
There was plenty of room for the kids to play on the porch or run around the site a little. So much better than trying to keep them calm, quiet, and entertained in a hotel room.

Comfort stations with showers, toilets, and a kitchen were just a short walk away from our cabin. The restrooms were always clean and we never found ourselves waiting for an open room.

Campground Amenities

The Gettysburg Battlefield KOA has a playground, pool, inflatable jump pad, dog park, a well-stocked camp store, mini golf, gem mining, and more.
Gettysburg KOA Pool
There are planned group activities (some for an additional fee) for kids of all ages. On select evenings, you can even hear Civil War ghost stories by the campfire.

Gettysburg KOA Playground

Overall impressions

We all gave this campground two thumbs up. The only issue you may run into is parking. It’s not a large campground and overflow parking is located along the street near the entrance. We were lucky we were able to squeeze both of our cars into the parking area at our site. The staff was super helpful and made sure the campground was clean and quiet hours were observed. I was a bit nervous about noise with it being Bike Week, but we never once had an issue with other campers or even noise from motorcycles at night. We can’t wait to return to the Gettysburg Battlefield KOA again this summer.

Ashley Forster

Ashley is a military wife and mother of two. She prefers to spend her vacations outdoors and would pick a sleeping bag over a hotel bed any day. She blogs about travel, style, and life on her site AshleyForster.com

Filed Under: Adventure, Family, General Travel Tagged With: Camping, Civil War Battlefields, Gettysburg, History Travel, KOA, Outdoors, Pennslyvania

15 Photos That Will Inspire You To Travel To Southern Iceland

February 16, 2017 By Susan Pazera 2 Comments

If I were to use one word to describe Southern Iceland it would be breathtaking. Within the first hour of my arrival I fell completely in love with this gorgeous country. Out of all of the places I have traveled to I can honestly say that Iceland is the first place that I would pick up everything and move to; it is that wonderful! There were many moments during my visit that left me completely in awe of the beauty around me. It’s hard to describe just how amazing it is so, I thought I would show you a little bit of why Iceland will forever have a piece of my heart:

Reykjavik

The colorful buildings, great restaurants, unique shops, and the grand centerpiece of this charming City, Hallgrímskirkja Church, make Reykjavik a “must see” when visiting Iceland. Put on your most comfortable walking shoes though because you’re either walking uphill or downhill; the only level streets are near the water.


Hallgrímskirkja Church


Waterfalls

Iceland has some of the most magnificent waterfalls. I highly recommend taking an organized tour in order to see them since you’ll be able to bypass some of the crowds at the entryways. Gullfoss Waterfall was my favorite. You can hear the waterfall before you even see it and can actually feel the enormous power of the waterfall as you are walking the area around it.

Gullfoss Waterfall


Skógafoss Waterfall 


Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Þingvellir National Park

Take the Viator tour HERE

Southern Iceland Countryside

Black Sand Beach
Black Sand Beach in Vik, Iceland is also a “must see” when visiting Iceland. The structures you see in the distance in the photo below are the Reynisdranger basalt sea stacks. The folk tale about them is that they’re 3 trolls that were caught by sunlight and turned to stone. And now they will forever be trolls to me.

Take The Viator tour HERE

Blue Lagoon ( Geothermal Spa)
The warm water in the Blue Lagoon is rich in minerals like sulfur and silica. Bathing in the water is said to have a healing effect on the body. I visited early in the day before it got too crowded and was able to enjoy a few hours soaking up the beautiful surroundings while relaxing in the water. It’s cold getting in and out of the Lagoon but it’s worth every freezing second!

Take the Viator tour HERE


The Northern Lights
This was the one and only good shot I was able to capture of the Northern Lights. The Lights are really unpredictable and I waited for hours with my tour group to catch a glimpse of them. You need to have patience, clear skies, and a tri-pod… and even then there are no guarantees that the Lights will give you a good show.

Take the Viator tour HERE

During my stay in Southern Iceland I booked all of my tours with Viator. The tours were reasonably priced, organized, the meeting locations were easy to get to (some even picked up right at the hotel I was staying at) and the tour guides were fantastic. (I’ve put the links to the tours I took below the photos).

I’m in the process of planning a return trip to Iceland to explore the rest of this amazing country and will be sure to share that adventure right here on She’s On The Go!

Susan Pazera

Susan is a Travel/Lifestyle Writer & Photographer. She’s Mom to four children ranging in age from 10 to 22 and is an avid solo and family traveler. She’s always on the look-out for her next adventure and loves to share each of her journeys along the way!

Filed Under: Adventure, Travel Photography Tagged With: Featured, Iceland, Northern Lights, Reykjavik, Southern Iceland, Travel, Waterfall

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Susan is a Travel/Lifestyle Writer & Photographer and also Mom to four children ranging in age from 10 to 22. She’s been traveling with her kids since they were little and has become proficient at planning trips for families with kids at any age and any stage. More about Susan...

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Fadra is a long-time blogger and even longer traveler! She loves the mountains and doesn't shy away from cold climates. She focuses her travel writing on food, family, and style. More about Fadra...

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Andrea Updyke is a lifestyle blogger with a mission to celebrate the big and the small moments of life as a working parent. Her blog, Just is a Four Letter Word is where she shares tips for family travel, work-life hacks and easy recipes. She lives with her husband and two sons in Raleigh, NC. More about Andrea...

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