Month: May 2021

Along the natural beaches of Cedar Key, Florida, you can experience an abundance of marine animals in their natural Gulf habitats. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! I took a few hundred photos, so I broke them down into a few albums: Album One: Starfish of Cedar Key! Album Two: Shells of Cedar Key! Album Three: Sisters Walking on Cedar Key Beach! Album Four: Random Shots on Cedar Key Beach! To learn more about anything you see, just click a photo! CLICK HERE for Florida Shell Guides! To explore…

The setting sun casts its magical warmth over Cedar Key Beach as my girls and I explore all that we can find in the salty sands beneath our feet. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! Check out all our albums below to see everything we found! But, most importantly, no matter what we find along our journeys, we’ll always have each other. I took a few hundred photos, so I broke them down into a few albums: Album One: Starfish of Cedar Key! Album Two: Shells of Cedar Key!…

Cedar Key is a quaint, but spirited, old fishing village nestled in a series of islands of the northwestern Gulf Coast of Florida. In town, you will find waterfront seafood shacks, old fashioned ice cream parlors, and and unique shopping opportunities. Along the natural beaches, you can experience an abundance of marinelife in their natural Gulf habitats. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! I took a few hundred photos, so I broke them down into a few albums: Album One: Starfish of Cedar Key! Album Two: Shells of Cedar…

We spent a lovely evening exploring Cedar Key, Florida. Cedar Key is a quaint, but spirited, old fishing village nestled in a series of islands of the northwestern Gulf Coast of Florida. In town, you will find waterfront seafood shacks, old fashioned ice cream parlors, and and unique shopping opportunities. Along the natural beaches, you can experience an abundance of marinelife in their natural Gulf habitats. Sand, surf, and the everchanging tides make way for starfish, shells, crabs, jellyfish, barnacles, seaweeds, and more! Be sure to look closely at the photos below to see how the starfish move their little…

We spent the day in Ocala, Florida, visiting with Grandpa Ken, sitting on the porch, watching the brown anoles lounge in the flowers and trees, occasionally entertaining us as they sunbathe on the screens! To learn more about anoles and other Florida wildlife, click on any of the photos below! Each photo will take you to a different educational product idea! For fun things to do with the family in Ocala, Florida, CLICK HERE! Or check out our other Florida Family Guides HERE!

It’s definitely been a challenge over the course of the last year to spend time safely with family. But, the bittersweet fact remains, that life is fleeting. So, make time for family when you can, as soon as you are safely able to do so. Today, we spent an afternoon with Grandpa Ken, cooking out, and eating all the yummy foods to celebrate his 91st birthday… Fruit plates, veggie platters, stuffed mushrooms, nachos, salads, burgers on the grill, and fries… Followed with celebratory Birthday Cake, and scrumptious cheesecake. Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ken! What are your favorite foods to grill, or…

Climb aboard a behemoth open-air monster truck for a birds-eye view of orange groves, blueberry bushes, farms, fields, swamplands, and more! Take in the sights and sounds of wild animals, magnificent birds, exotic species, and domesticated farm animals. This approximately hour-long Monster Truck Super Swamp Safari is something EVERYONE in the family will love! Sure, rollercoasters are fun… But, include time in your Orlando-Area Theme Park Itinerary to travel the road less taken! In GIANT Monster Truck Style! Real Florida awaits your family at Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, Florida, just outside of Orlando! Read more about our full day…

High atop the list of our favorite things to do throughout the course of our homeschooling experience has always been agricultural experiences. Specifically, spending time on a farm, or in a field, picking fresh produce. We love going to the heart of the source of fruits, veggies, and other goodies! So, finding a U-Pick Orange Grove at Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, Florida, just outside of Orlando, was such a delight! Walking through the endless lines of orange trees, finding just the right shade of orange, and getting that satisfying pluck from the branch when you decide to make it…

Showcase of Citrus boasts a farm full of fun faces! On your way to the orange groves, or when you are done picking oranges, grab some animal feed and make some memories with your new furry and feathered friends! Emus, miniature horses, zebus, turkeys, sheep, pigs, duck, ostriches, goats, geese, donkeys, and maybe even a kangaroo! Meet all the Animals Here! Read more about our full day of adventures at Showcase of Citrus below! Be sure to browse through all our photos and albums! When in Central Florida, we all think of the theme parks. But, honestly, I HIGHLY recommend…

Be sure to spend some time checking out the wares in the Showcase of Citrus Old Country Store! They offer an extensive collection of Local Honey, Toys, Gifts, Soaps, Drinks, All Things Citrus, and so much MORE! You can even shop online! Read more about our full day of adventures at Showcase of Citrus below! Be sure to browse through all our photos and albums! When in Central Florida, we all think of the theme parks. But, honestly, I HIGHLY recommend getting off the beaten path for a day to experience something a little more, well, Florida! And The Showcase…

It may be hot in Florida, but Showcase of Citrus will keep you oh-so-deliciously cool! Two Rounds of World Famous Orange Creamsicles, a Frozen Lemonade, and Orange Cold Brew Coffee on Tap! Read more about our full day of adventures at Showcase of Citrus below! Be sure to browse through all our photos and albums! When in Central Florida, we all think of the theme parks. But, honestly, I HIGHLY recommend getting off the beaten path for a day to experience something a little more, well, Florida! And The Showcase of Citrus, Florida’s Fresh Air Attraction® offers just that. And…

When in Central Florida, we all think of the theme parks. But, honestly, I HIGHLY recommend getting off the beaten path for a day to experience something a little more, well, Florida! And The Showcase of Citrus, Florida’s Fresh Air Attraction® offers just that. And a WHOLE lot more! Start off with a property full of fun things to see and do, such as gem mining and watching the gators swim around the beautiful waterfront. Lots of photo opportunities abound with old tractors, a replica of the Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West, and even a giant shark. Inside the…

Sometimes you can find educational things in the most unlikely of places! Make a pit stop to use the facilities at the Interstate 75 Welcome Center, and you can learn about the tracks made by animals that live in Florida! What will you see on YOUR trip? Click on any photo to learn more about wildlife! CLICK HERE to find FUN Things to Do With Your Family in Florida!

If you’re traveling along I-75 in Southern Georgia, headed to, or coming from Florida, Magnolia Plantation in Tifton makes a great pit stop! Take Exit 55 to stretch your legs, fill your tank (or empty it), and do a little Southern-Style souvenir shopping while you’re at it! As a convenience store, they offer affordable prices on fuel, clean bathrooms, and a wide array of snacks and drinks for the road. But, you’ll also find massive quantities of jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, sauces, candies, and nuts that make great gifts for the take-home! Peach preserves, peach flavored barbecue sauces, peanuts…

Heading out of Columbus, Georgia, towards Interstate 75, in the tiny town of Weston, Georgia, you’ll find ALL the big Southern Flavor at Merritt Pecan Co & General Store! Covered in nostalgic tin soda signs on the outside, and loaded with fun products on the inside, Merritt Pecan Co & General Store makes for a great Stop & Shop along your route! We explored the vintage signs, and then ventured in to grab some snacks and drinks for the road; as well as some souvenirs; and a handful of Mother’s Day gifts for Gramma. Check out some of the goodies…

This is one of those moments that makes our learning style loads of fun. We just left Columbus, Georgia, the City of Soda, serving as the birthplace for Coca-Cola, RC Cola, and Nehi Fruit Sodas. And now, we roll in to Merritt Pecan Co. & General Store, which to some may just be a random Georgia Country Farm Store. But to us, we are instantly amazed by the very impressive display of old tin signs. And, of course, we recognize all the brands we just learned about! So, for us, it’s about building connections. We explore, and we learn as…

Oh, wow! Every bit as incredible in the mouth as it looks in the photo! Toasted marshmallow cream, atop a chocolate brownie cake, nestled in a crunchy graham cracker crust! On earlier trips to Columbus, we’ve enjoyed lattes from the Uptown Broadway location of Fountain City Coffee Co. And this time we decided to grab dessert from The Bakeshop by Fountain City Coffee Co, located inside Banks Food Hall, just steps away from the Chattahoochee Riverwalk! The Bakeshop also offers vegan dessert options, and, whoa, check out those latte flavors! Beejou Craft Kombucha, also made in Columbus, Georgia, is available…

Fish, Shrimp, and Steak, Tacos from El Primo Taqueria at Banks Food Hall in Columbus, Georgia! We decided to give El Primo Taqueria a try after seeing their Cinco de Mayo specials. And we are glad we did! Read more about all the options offered at Banks Food Hall! They really do have a little something for everyone! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE! Columbus is a FABULOUS destination, and we love it! If you’d like to watch a movie to learn more about the real events of “Cinco de…

Poke Bowls can often be a great option for a vegan meal, by adding tofu and/or edamame as your proteins, loading up on grains and veggies, and watching which sauces you add. Poke Sun hit the spot for a quick and easy, refreshing vegan meal for Trillian. Anything with quinoa, spinach, tofu, and edamame is a huge WIN for me… Yummmmm! Alysia enjoyed the Crab Poke Bowl. Which was also delicious after a morning exploring the incredible history of Columbus, Georgia! Read more about all the options offered at Banks Food Hall! They really do have a little something for…

Today, for our lunch, we decided to check out the food vendors at Banks Food Hall, just steps away from the Chattahoochee Riverwalk in Columbus, Georgia. As of right now, the dining options include Poke Sun, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, El Primo Taqueria, The Bakeshop by Fountain City Coffee Co, and The Original Hot Dog Factory. We decided to take advantage of the Cinco de Mayo Taco Special at El Primo Taqueria. CLICK HERE to see what we got from El Primo Taqueria! And we also got some Poke Bowls from Poke Sun. CLICK HERE to see our Poke Sun order!…

For everything we’ve experienced in Columbus, Georgia, be sure to CLICK HERE! These are just some random shots that don’t fit into the other albums. From Broadway, over to Front Avenue, in the vicinity of the 14th Street Historic Bridge, down the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, and back up Front Avenue and Broadway, Columbus is a very walkable city! Gorgeous history, intertwined with modern amenities, fun restaurants, and lots of family friendly shopping opportunities! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE Columbus is a FABULOUS destination, and we love it! If you…

All along Broadway in Uptown Columbus, Georgia, you will find loads of fun family dining and shopping options, as well as tons of art! And I mean TONS! Everywhere you turn, there is something for your eyes to enjoy! Murals, street art, sculptures, statues, art installations, painted electrical boxes, banners, and more! They even have some Kelsey Montague pieces, which we LOVE finding on our travels. She has some full size What Lifts You wings, which I still need to add here. But, the mini-wings are great for kids and pets! Check out KelseyMontagueArt.com to see some of her incredible…

Prior to the Civil War, the Eagle Mill was the second largest textile mill in the state of Georgia. At the end of the war, even after the Peace Treaty was signed, continuing skirmishes in the Columbus, Georgia area resulted in the mill buildings being destroyed. Rebuilt in the late 1860’s, with other buildings following in the 1870’s and 1880’s, the Eagle & Phenix Mills eventually became THE largest mill complex in the state of Georgia. The Phenix name was added in 1869, as a reference to the company rising from the ashes. Today, the Eagle & Phenix Mills are…

One prominent feature of the Columbus, Georgia skyline is the Eagle & Phenix Mills Water Tower. It can be seen from countless vantage points throughout the city, and lends well to the historic, industrial vibe of the entire downtown area of Columbus. And it makes for some great photo fun! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE Columbus is a FABULOUS destination, and we love it! If you are interested in reading up on the history of Columbus, Georgia, Click on any photo below!

Farther up the Chattahoochee River, in Helen, Georgia, Love Locks have become a pretty big deal! (Click here for some fun photos!) Down here, on this end of the Chattahoochee, they are also starting to become a thing. Couples, parents, grandparents, friends… Who is your forever love?! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE Columbus is a FABULOUS destination, and we love it! If you’d like to learn more about the cultural lore of the Chattahoochee River, Click on any photo below! If you’re looking to express your love with a…

If kayaking or river rafting is your thing, check out the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park in Columbus, Georgia! You can walk out to Wavershaper Island to catch a glimpse of paddlers hitting the Chattahoochee River rapids! Or, if you’re brave enough, get out there yourself! Be sure to keep an eye open for Great Blue Herons! These majestic birds can easily be found sunning themselves on the giant rocks throughout the river! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE Columbus is a FABULOUS destination, and we love it! If you’d like…

Historic mills, industrial ruins, repurposed apartments, nature, and art all intertwine to deliver an incredible taste of historic-meets-modern living along the Chattahoochee Riverwalk! This 15 mile long river front park winds along the scenic Columbus, Georgia waterfront. And if these walls could talk, the stories they would tell! In addition to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, be sure to take a stroll across the 14th Street Historic Bridge into Phenix City, Alabama. Make the kids walk all the way from Georgia to Alabama! If you’d like to see a list of all the Family Friendly Things to Do in Columbus, Georgia, CLICK HERE Columbus is a FABULOUS destination,…

The Chattahoochee Riverwalk is a 15 mile long river front park that traverses the scenic and historic Columbus, Georgia waterfront. On the Alabama side of the river, you will find the Phenix City Riverwalk, which offers an equally scenic 1.2 mile trail hugging the western shore of the Chattahoochee. Connecting the two, is a recently restored section of the Historic 14th Street Bridge. Originally designed and constructed in the early 1830’s by Horace King, a well-known American architect and former slave, the bridge was destroyed by floods in the late 1830’s. It was rebuilt by King, and then destroyed again…

Not too far from Kadie the Cow, in Columbus, Georgia, we stopped to smell the flowers! Giant magnolia trees can be found all over the South. If you get a chance, stop and smell them yourself! Their fragrance is magnificent! When we see a fun plant or flower, we always try to capture as many shots as we can of seeds, buds, blooms, petals, pistils, stamens, and all of the flower parts. We also try to capture each of those parts in varying stages of their development. For hands-on learning about plants, it’s fascinating to see all of the parts…

In the late 1960’s Kinnett Dairy of Columbus, Georgia, constructed Kadie the Cow as their behemothly bovine mascot! She has stood proudly overlooking the land below for over 50 years! The Dairy is gone, as is the Best Buy who more recently occupied the space behind Kadie. But, fortunately for everyone else passing through Columbus, Kadie maintains a Historical Landmark status and has been granted permanent residency where she stands! If you’d like to visit Kadie the Cow, CLICK HERE for a map! We love Kadie! Be sure to say hello if you are visiting Columbus, Georgia with your family!…

One of our “new” favorite things to do is check out Historic Hotels. For my birthday, we spent an evening in the River Street Inn in Savannah, Georgia, and ever since then, I’ve been hooked! The Columbus Marriott in Columbus, Georgia is also a gorgeous old-mill-turned-modern-hotel. A stunning lobby with epic fixtures gives way to a brick-laden hallway, leading you to well-appointed comfortable rooms. Historic details surround you, from door handles, to hardware, to old signs, windows, and more! If you’d like to check out the Columbus Marriott, CLICK HERE! If you’d like to see a list of all the…

You’ve certainly heard that everything is “bigger in Texas.” So, you’d better believe this Busy Little Beaver hails from the Lone Star State. Working quietly behind the scenes in the midst of our nationwide lockdown, you WILL be seeing more and more of these “little” gas stations popping up throughout the Southeast! This particular Buc-ee’s station, recently opened in Fort Valley, Georgia, boasts enough gas pumps to fuel an armada; and enough barbecue and candied nuts to feed everyone for miles around! And, well, enough snacks, drinks, and Buc-ees merch to keep EVERYONE happy for the whole darned trip! So,…

There are SO many outside exhibits at the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins Air Force Base, but we ran out of time to see them all! Here are a few fun shots of the aircraft in front of the museum! Make sure you allow enough time to check out everything in the back of the building, though! It’s a stunning collection of military planes and jets. If you find yourself in the Macon / Warner Robins area of South Central Georgia, the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia is FREE, and open to…

This beautiful exhibit showcases the collection of Military Medals that have been awarded to Members of the Air Force throughout the course of American History. Among the medals featured are the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal. To view all of our albums from the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia albums, CLICK HERE! If you find yourself…

In the final room to the left, you can learn a little about The Luftwaffe, or the German Nazi Air Force of World War II. There are also more planes, military vehicles, and transport equipment located in these exhibits! To view all of our albums from the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia albums, CLICK HERE! If you find yourself in the Macon / Warner Robins area of South Central Georgia, the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia is FREE, and open to to the public. Two levels…

This album highlights the first room of exhibits, focusing on the China / Burma / India Theater of War during World War II, as well as Combat Logistics in action while “Flying the Hump.” There is a section on Brigadier General Robert Lee Scott Jr., as well as his aircraft, the Curtiss P-40N Warhawk. And you will also find some information on the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force. To view all of our albums from the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia albums, CLICK HERE! If you find yourself in the Macon…

If you find yourself in the Macon / Warner Robins area of South Central Georgia, the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia is FREE, and open to to the public. Two levels of indoor exhibits highlight several historical segments of World War II, the Korean War, The Gulf War, and the establishment of Robins Air Force Base itself. And the entire property is full of aircraft of all sorts! From airplanes and jeeps, to patches, medals, chits, bomber jackets, and other preserved items, each exhibit is loaded with informative bits and first-hand accounts of…