#ft hotel carpet I was camping out on

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dvd haul today yipppeeee !!!!!!!! ^____^

[havekiddoswilltravel]

Summer Family Fun at Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Our family (6 - 2 adults and 4 kids ages 12, 10, 7 and 5) spent 5 days and 4 nights in a 3-bedroom – 2.5 bath condo in Owls 6 during the summer season and loved our time at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Jeffersonville, VT. I highly recommend the bigger and newer units in the North Hill Community. Ours was massive and easily accommodated our large family which provided a much better experience than prior cramped sleep situations in regular hotels. We could’ve easily had grandparents join us and still had extra space.

The views, sounds and smells scream “summer in Vermont!” @smugglersnotchvt #smuggslove #smugglersnotch #hosted #vt #vermont #summervibes #newengland #nature #4kidstravel #intentionaltravel #mountains #art #teachingkids #familytravel #blackmomsblog #blackfamilytravel #4kidstravel #diversifyoutdoors

A post shared by Ruth - 4kidstravel (@havekiddoswilltravel) on Jul 28, 2018 at 7:55am PDT

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Why Smuggs: Smugglers’ Notch is widely known as a family friendly ski resort, but we wanted to experience everything that Smugglers’ and the surrounding area had to offer in the summer months.

Pro tip: When traveling with young children, I highly recommend exploring a ski resort in the off season, as it provides a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the set-up, layout and kid friendly offerings during milder weather.

What we did:

Smugglers offers a 43-page Resort Information Guide which details the myriad of free and fee-based activities available for families to take part in. There’s a daily schedule, as well as camp offerings that help to keep families engaged (see more details below).

Check out the Vlog(s) at the end of this post for more pictures and videos of our time at Smuggs. 

What we loved:

-          Our condo: the kids actually argued about whether it was a condo, hotel room or a lodge. It was huge and provided a perfect base for our family to enjoy the resort and the surrounding areas.

-          Our kids loved the opportunity to try out mountain biking and I’m sure that this will become a new family favorite activity.

-          The variety of swimming options and slides with very limited lines was a huge hit with my water loving children.

-          Our youngest loved the various transportation options on the mountain. He loved taking the shuttle, the golf cart or just watching the lifts being serviced.

Variety of swimming options:

-          There are 8 heated pools and 4 water slides in addition to Bootleggers’ Basin and Rum Runners’ Hideaway - offering natural mountain reservoir swimming areas. My kids loved the fact that the pools are actually heated at a comfortable temperature allowing us to take advantage of the late pool hours at the Mountainside Water Playground and Court-side Pool & Hot Tubs.

Click here for more live trip report pictures from our trip.

Pro tip: The Court-side Pool was one of our favorite places to watch the sunset from. Don’t forget to pack beach towels for your family.  You will need them for the pools, reservoirs and for camp. You can take advantage of the washer and dryer in your unit.

Off-Road Segrides:

-          Kid 1 and my husband enjoyed a 60-minute guided Segway XT all terrain tour through the rugged woods on Smugglers’ property. Their guide, Bruce was amazing and made the experience enjoyable for our nervous  and usually overly cautious daughter. Kids must be 12 & older to participate.

French Gourmet Winery Experience: our kids took part in 2 days of camp at Smuggs and on one of these days, my husband and I drove to The Boyden Valley Winery and enjoyed a French Gourmet Experience. We took a tour of the farm, wine tasting and enjoyed a glass of wine and a cheese board while taking in the amazing views of the farm, vineyard and the Green Mountains beyond.

Village Recreation Area:

-          Our family loved the sand volleyball court, basketball court, shuffleboard, horseshoes and Gaga Pit - are located next to the main parking lot. Balls are available in the box near Teen Alley.

Mountain Biking:

Smuggs offers a variety of Mountain Bike Options at the Mountain Bike Center & Bike Shop which is open from 10:00 M – 5:00 pm.  Our family took advantage of the Mountain Bike Open Park (kids 3 and older) which provided an opportunity to try a mountain bike for the first time (20 minutes free). The kids and my husband got to try their balance and handling skills in the flatland park area and then take the wonder carpet conveyor lift to try out the downhill skills park. We highly recommend taking advantage of this free preview.

Skate Park: 

My husband and oldest son took advantage of the some 1 on 1 time and practiced their tricks at the Smuggs Skate Park which is located just down the hill from the Mountain Bike Center. The skate park is designed with both the experienced and beginner skater in mind. There’s a quarter pipe, ramps and rails. We brought our own skate boards, helmet and pads, but you can also rent at the 3 mountain Equipment Center.

Fun Zone 2.0:  Is a 26,000 square ft indoor playground perfect for rainy days or taking a break from the sun. We took advantage of mainly the 2nd floor activities located in The Ozone (included in our Smuggs Pass). My husband and oldest son did the warrior course once located in The Go Zone (1st floor) which cost $5 per person. Also located in the Fun Zone 2.0 area: Laser Tag, Arcade, Refuel Café and miniature golf.

Smuggs Pass:

Fee based activities and facilities such as massage, disc golf course, canoe trips and specialty camps are additional and not covered by the Smuggs Pass.

Kids Club: A separate blog post will be published soon dedicated to our kids’ experiences at the Smugglers’ kids club.

Where we ate:

-          We cooked most of our meals in our fully stocked condo kitchen, but did venture out a few times and to the following local restaurants:

-          Brewster River Pub and Brewery – Jeffersonville - We had dinner here almost every night. Try the Ode to Pittsburgh.

-          Ben & Jerry’s – Smugglers’ Village

-          Piecasso Pizzeria and Lodge - Stowe

-          The Von Trapp Lodge – Stowe

-          Cliff House – Gondola ride from Stowe Lodge

Things we did near Smugglers’ Notch:

-          Climbed boulders and explored Smugglers’ Notch State Park

-          Watched rock climbers practicing their skills at Smugglers’ Notch State Park

-          Explored the various covered bridges located near Jeffersonville

-          Took a drive to The Von Trapp Lodge and enjoyed the views

-          Took a Gondola ride to the top of Mount Mansfield – The Gondola from the parking lot to Stow Lodge is also fun and it’s free

-          Enjoyed the playgrounds at Stowe Lodge

Pro tips for first time visitors:

-          Pack beach towels

-          Our unit in Owls did not have an elevator. Keep that in mind and request a low unit if traveling with anyone with mobility concerns.

-          Bring bikes, skateboards or scooters (helmets and pads)

-          Bring non-perishable food from home and stop by Shaws when you first get off of I-89 and buy perishables

-          Park less clothing and use the washer and dryer

-          Pack layers: sweater and rain jackets

-          Pack insect repellent and sunblock

-          Pack sneakers, hiking shoes and water shoes

-          Bring a small back pack and water bottle for each child for camp

-          Pack a hat for each family member

-          Spend some time reviewing the activities calendar online prior to your trip

-          Check out is early (10 AM), so plan accordingly the night before checking out.

-          Take advantage of the kids’ camp for at least one day of your trip. Our kids loved it and it allowed us adults to enjoy some of the adult activities in the area.

Getting there:

-          Smugglers’ Notch Resort is located in Jeffersonville, VT at the base of Madonna Mountain and 4 hours and 15 minutes from our home in Central Connecticut.

Note: The historic Smugglers' Notch Pass, on Route 108 between Stowe and Jeffersonville, is closed in the Winter and closed year around to motor coaches, motorhomes and commercial vehicles.

Location:

-          Smugglers' Notch, a year round mountain vacation resort on 3,000 acres, is located 30 miles east of the Burlington International Airport and five miles south of Jeffersonville on Route 108. The Resort is easily reached from Boston (225 miles), New York City (342 miles), and Montreal (91 miles).

When we visited:

-          Summer programs available from mid-June through early September

Where we stayed: Owls 6 in the North Hill Community

-          The North Hill Community features the most spectacular, southerly, mountain views at Smugglers' including those of Madonna Mountain, Sterling Mountain and historic Smugglers' Notch Pass.

-          Owls 6: Master Suite with private deck, two-person whirlpool bath and two-person shower. The dining room features a wet bar and the four-season Vermont furnished sunroom boasts spectacular views of the mountains and valley. The Owls neighborhood at North Hill has two natural ponds for recreation and relaxation. Plus, exclusive use of the Owls Parliament Lodge with an outdoor heated pool, sauna, weight room and recreational game room. These homes are available for rental year-round.

In Fall, the North Hill Community offers spectacular views. The hills are ablaze with brilliant autumn colors. The community offers a children's playground, nearby tennis courts, views of Smugglers' Notch Pass, plus you are just a short walk to disc golf, hiking trails and more!

In Winter, the North Hill Community takes on its character through its location adjacent to 34 km of cross-country ski trails and 24 km of snowshoe trails, which are also great for hiking and walking during the Summer and Fall seasons. In the Winter, your family is just a 3-minute walk from SmuggsCentral and a short, on-demand, in-Resort shuttle ride to The Village Center. For alpine skiing, hop on the on-demand, Resort shuttle (the fastest way to get to the upper mountains from anywhere in the Resort!) and within a few short minutes it will whisk you directly to the upper mountains for some of the best skiing and riding you'll ever experience. In Summer, the North Hill Community offers two tennis courts and a huge, children's outdoor playground with adjacent sand volleyball court, or you are just a 3-minute walk to the Tennis Center where there are 10 additional courts, Disc Golf Course, and Courtside Pool with Flume Waterslide. If you prefer, you can use the on-demand shuttle to reach any location within the Resort.

Families visiting Smugglers' find fun activities to enjoy together from 10:00 am to about 7:00 pm daily. Many of these activities are package inclusions, like an agility dog demo, sock puppet making, family nature walks, creature feature with a naturalist, giant lawn games, sing-alongs, and arts and crafts. Other activities supported by guides and equipment availability, like family mountain biking and paddleboarding clinics, are fee-based. 

Check out my YouTube Channel for Vlogs of our adventures at Smugglers’ Notch. This includes many more pictures and videos that will inspire you. 

Additional things to do at Smuggs:

-          The Mountain Massage Center

-          Disc Golf

-          Flyboard lessons

-          Zip Line Canopy Tour

-          Treetop Obstacle Course & ArborTrek Junior

-          Climbing Adventure

-          Fitness Gym located at the Cambridge Community Center – a daily of weekly pass to the gym can be purchased. $10 for a day pass or $20 for a week pass.

-          Fly Fishing Stream Tour

-          Tennis and Family Fun Center

-          Canoe, Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals

-          Morse Mining Company

-          Segway Rental

-          Teen Alley Teen Center

-          Self-guided walking and nature trails

-          Farmers Market in the Courtyard on Monday morning

-          Family Foosball Game

-          Family Pictionary

-          Hungry, Hungry Humans

-          Pool parties and family dance parties

-          Family Karaoke

-          Kids’ night out (advanced reservations required)

-          Smuggs family portraits

Additional things to do nearby:

-          Horseback riding at nearby Lajoie Stables

-          Stowe Country Club for golf

-          Cold Hollow Cider Mill

-          Go on a farm tour at nearby Quarry Hill Farm in Jeffersonville or Shelburne Farms in Shelburne

-          Go on a hike near water: Brewster River Gorge, Jeff Falls, Bingham Falls or Moss Glen Falls.

-          Tour nearby Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream Factory

-          Take a glider ride of the Green Mountains at Stowe Soaring

-          Go for a walk or hike on the nearby trails (located in Jeffersonville and Stowe)

Disclosure: Our family was hosted by Smugglers’ Notch during our visit. Our lodging and some of our activities were included.

Read more about our family travel here.

[personasfincas-blog]

Day 1, in a new pair of God's Hands

We arrived into Alajuela at the international airport tired and aching and hoping that we didn’t need the pair of socks and underwear stowed in our carry-on. A red eye from Minneapolis at 12:55am on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 brought us here the same day, in the same time zone. Only that we had to have a tired four hours in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida first. The only thing I liked about that was the carpets and floors of that hub, sparkling and zebra printed like a sophisticated middle school pattern palette. We considered going to “Grandpa’s Bakery & Diner” not far from the airport just to get out for a minute and get a preview of the kind of warmth and humidity we feel so guilty for plunging ourselves into, but we had no real energy to figure that out AND put ourselves back through the human scanning system at airport security. Ben got a super duper thorough pat-down/groin grazing because of the amazing hardware on his new explorer pants in MPLS. Instead we slept, awkward as bent bean poles, over armrests and on the floor for a couple outta hours. It’s amazing how intensely you can sleep through anything when you’re that tired. I lost my sleeping mask in that first trip in the gauzey scramble through space.

The Costa Rican man I sat next to in the plan was almost not someone I could refer to as a “Tico”, the familiar name for Costa Rican born folk, because he spent most of the time talking about how Costa Rica was backwards and over-hyped after I asked him why he was journying there. He lives in Miami as an engineer for luxury apartment staircases and was visiting his mother here, and if it weren’t for her it sounds like he wouldn’t be coming back home much. Inflation of simple things like groceries and other basic costs of living are one reason, he said laregly influenced by political coprtuptuion; it’s the same story all over. Politicians and populus both demanding pensions and bonuses and salaries that the economy can’t keep up with. That, and he seemed to not like how much more things like McDonald’s is in Costa Rica, that it’s more of a symbol of prosperity to eat there than it is a value of convenience like in the good ol USA. He thinks “equal opportunity” and such outweigh the downsides of American living and politics. I decided to change the subject. He reccommeneded buying big bottles of liquor at the airport (him opting for Johnny Walker Black Label). We bought a bottle of Prosecco for our first night and the beginning of our adventure, knowing it would likely be our last lunxury of the sort for a long, long time.

Customs was breezy and it smelled like fumes inside the warm airport. I realized too late we needed an offical taxi guy to avoid the gamble of getting swindled by an unofficial curbside one. But this totally awesome and friendly looking guy with a very official orange van cab magnetized us right before we hit the swarming mob of folks trying to grab tourists and put them in their cars for “flat rates”. He was super sweet and let me try my rusty but functional Spanish on him, saying I sounded like I was from Mexico City. He gave us his card with his number and a picture of a red racecar after we told him we’d be in the country for a while, in case we had any questions. Freaking Hospitality with a capital H.

Ben and I seem to attract the sweet dad types, because the owner of Hotel Santo Tomas sat down with us to eat his breakfast at the end of the service to give us advice and talk about things like disco and what brought him to Costa Rica from Santa Barbara, California so many years ago. When asked why he moved from North Carolina to California before that he said simply, “The bong.” LOL Now, don’t be misled; this guy is a hard-working design genuis raised by racist KKK heritage in Alabama, and has evolved to being more at home in Costa Rica than he ever was tangled in those deep and unsavory roots. A lot happens to a person in forty years or so. He was a machinist, designer and builder, crafting much of this lovely hotel’s updates, including the pool with a slide that drops down from the hot tub on the hill (one of the selling points online when I sleepily booked our one “splurge” hotel room around 5am in Ft. Launderdale). He said he did it all without plans or blueprints. He gave us some sagely wisdoms like “wear sunscreen” (pointing at Ben) and to seek shade always. Hitchiking he said could be done, but make sure we don’t get bounced outta the truck if we’re in the back. The roads here can really tear things up, and he warned us also about how long bussing everywhere can take. Bueno! But in all seriousness, a sweet ankle-socked dude who was super down to help us out, even going as far to offer us a storage place for our stuff if we ever needed it. And we have a boat-load of camping gear, so who knows, we might take him up on it sometime.

David, on of the receptionists at the hotel, offered to meet up with us for drinks after his shift and was super kind and helpful to us upon arrival. He threw our bottle in the ice freezer and marked up our map with all sorts of clues. We rambled all over town that arrival evening after taking a moment to ourselves horizontally basking in a real bed. San Jose is bustling and I reckon this is the fastest people move in the country. Universities, Hospitals, parks and businesses everywhere. We found a live band blasting out amazing original cha cha and samba in the main square and watched an older couple moving their feet faster than I’ve ever seen old folks move in my life. Lush plants and huge warm weather trees looming over the parks, and streets where they’ve managed to survive the concrete and cobblestones. Throngs of birds and people flocking across streets and into trees. Fruterias hanging heavy with bananas, grapes, mangoes, starfruits, plantains, papayas, pineapples and other unimaginable mysteries in the middle of the more modern markets. We bought three starfruit and carrying them around in the little bag made me feel just a little bit like I belonged in the place.

We called both our parents when we got into the hotel room. Ben’s dad was happy to hear from us and helped him figure out some technological stuff so Ben could back up all the photos on his phone properly. When I called my mom she sounded so surpised and happy to hear from me so soon, and even though we only chatted for a few minutes her joy and compersion for our adventure and escape was so uplifting it brought me to tears after we hung up. It was her happiness for us that made it all real to me, arriving here after months of wondering and thinking and planning. I’d wanted to go for so long, for so many reasons, and the gratefulness I felt in that moment looking out our hotel window to the orange-lit clouds rolling up and around the sides of the mountains in the near distance bubbled up a spring of reality-acceptance and gleeful believing.