On The Trail Of Adventure: Biltmore Estate Opens Up To Sports Events
Originally published by SportsEvents magazine
Biltmore, set amid the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, is a dream location for outdoor sporting events. The estate encompasses 8,000 acres. It’s only in recent years that the Vanderbilt family has allowed sports events to take place on the Estate. Now, the number of events is growing, as the family welcomes more sports events.
For example, the Asheville Marathon has been run on the property for the past few years, providing incredible scenery for both runners and spectators. In 2016, a cyclo-cross race is scheduled to enjoy a course that’s 100% on the estate.
While Biltmore Estate might only be suitable for a limited number of events, the area around Asheville has hosted many other types of sports competitions. According to Ben VanCamp, executive director of the Asheville Sports Commission (www.AshevilleSports.org), one reason for successful sports events is that Asheville is a premier destination in the Southeast. Since participants can have a well-rounded experience, in addition to their sports event, that increases attendance. There’s food, music, crafts, and breweries. Ben says, “A lot of attendees come a day early or stay a day later. By holding the event here, it gives people …
The Lure of the Locks
Originally published in Today’s Family Everyday
In the 1970’s, my grandmother worked at the McAlpine Locks and Dam. Specifically, she handled purchasing for the Corps of Engineers. That was quite an unusual job for a woman in those days. But, as a young child, I was only interested in the cool aspects of her job. For example, when a barge carrying hazardous chemicals got stuck for weeks near the locks, Grandma had to carry a gas mask to work. The best part? I got to try it on!
Every time we’d drive along I-64, my mom would point to the drawbridge that connected Louisville to the end of Shippingport Island where the offices were and say, “That’s where Grandma works.” You can’t see much from the expressway. So, the locks were always a mystery to me.
When I found out that the Spirit of Jefferson offered a cruise through the locks … I jumped aboard the chance to see the elusive locks up close. It was a beautiful afternoon, and my whole family went.
My children weren’t sure what to expect. My daughter, Autumn (age 11), was surprised she could walk around on the boat. I think she was expecting …
Mythic Creatures at Frazier History Museum
Did you know that the Cyclops was really an elephant, or that mermaids were possibly manatees? These and other enlightening theories are part of the temporary Mythic Creatures Exhibit at the Frazier History Museum.
When ancient folks on the island of Sicily found the skulls of elephants, there was a large hole in the middle of the skull – where the trunk would have been attached. However, never having seen an elephant before, the inhabitants assumed the single hole must have been an eye socket.
When I saw the skull on display…
…this explanation made sense to me. Sure enough, there was a big hole right in the center. It was easy to see how the people could’ve leapt to imagining a gigantic one-eyed creature.
By the way, does that mean Homer’s Odysseus really outsmarted an elephant, instead of a Cyclops? I hope not. Elephants have long memories.
Now, mermaid sightings are harder to explain. They were possibly fish or seaweed, or maybe even manatees. At the exhibit, there was an activity that allowed us to peer through a scope at a manatee that was suspended from the ceiling. As we looked through the scope, it overlaid images to show …
Wisconsin Dells – Part Two: Winding Down
When we visited Wisconsin Dells, it was time for me to relax and wind down. Hoping to be a “mother of the year” nominee (smile!), I also managed to provide my children with the action-packed trip they desired. (See previous post: Winding Up in Wisconsin Dells)
The Spa Kalahari (http://www.kalahariresorts.com/wi/amenities/spa/) was happy to oblige my need to relax. I signed up for the Signature Massage. It’s 80 minutes of sheer bliss, accentuated with soothing music, a few hot stones, and a lot of tension relief. Although I’m a long-time devotee of massage, I’d never tried the hot stones before. They were great. As someone who’s always cold (my toes start freezing in November and don’t thaw until April), it was nice to feel something warm against my skin.
There is a reason the word “spa” rhymes with “ahhh.” During a trip to Boston, I also discovered that the word “spa” rhymes with “car.” In the Midwest, we pronounce the “r” in car. But, those folks in Boston say it differently. Anyway, I was at the spa in Wisconsin Dells, so I focused on the “ahhh.”
After the massage, I managed to maneuver my noodle legs and limp doll body down …
Winding Up & Winding Down in Wisconsin Dells Part One: Winding Up
I wanted to relax and wind down. My children wanted to wind up with an activity-filled trip. So, like Super Moms everywhere, I accomplished the impossible and made everyone happy … with a little help from Wisconsin Dells. I’ve divided my column into two articles: “Winding Up” and “Winding Down” in Wisconsin Dells.
The Dells is like one big amusement park. My kids (Ethan – 13 and Autumn – 10) were determined to see and do as much as possible. We visited Ripley’s Believe It or Not®, where Autumn pushed on a chandelier – making it swing to scare the people below us. Ethan, being a 13-year old boy, loved every eerie, weird, and gross thing in the museum. I was most awed by the car parked on the side of the building about 20 feet in the air. I was especially impressed because it was a Corvette.
We enjoyed a little family competition on the Go-Kart track before stopping in at the Dells 4D Theater for some experiential movie watching. We were misted, poked, and shook. Ethan said the most fun was hearing the startled cries and comments from people who entered the theater after us. I agreed.
My …
Family Adventures at Kentucky Science Center
I need to make a confession. I went somewhere I wasn’t supposed to go. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And, given the chance, I’d go again.
Technically, it was okay for me to be in the…
…“Science in Play” exhibit at the Kentucky Science Center. But, it was designed for someone else. Someone much younger – ages 3 to 7. Everything in the room was meant to be played with. It was also intended to help children build, test, and explore science using their senses and imagination.
I wasn’t the only guilty one. When my husband, Ross, and my children (Ethan, age 13, and Autumn, age 10) entered the Exhibit, they headed straight for one of the building areas. Scattered on the floor were various sections of ramps and supporting blocks. We worked together to collect blocks and elevate the ramps. We good-naturedly argued about how many loops and curves to put in. Then, we seriously argued about whose turn it was to let loose of the ball at the top of the ramp to see how far it would go along our loopdy-loop, curvy course.
Eventually, we migrated to the back section of the room, where an entire wall (floor …
Little Moments Add Up to Big Fun in Florida
When you live in this region of the country, chances are good you’ve vacationed in Florida. After awhile, you begin to take it for granted. To keep that from happening during my family’s last trip, I decided to focus on the little moments of the trip, not just the big ones (such as visiting the house of that famous mouse).
I started by reminding myself that the journey could be as much fun as the destination. To put that sentiment in perspective: I drove alone with my children, Ethan (11) and Autumn (8), all the way to Bradenton Beach, Florida. That’s about 14 hours drive time, excluding stops. Now, before you become too impressed, we did stop in Atlanta and spend the night with some friends.
When you’re driving, there are so many interesting sights, but you won’t see them if you aren’t looking. So, we looked. As we pulled off on an exit ramp for our 243rd restroom stop, there was an SUV in front of us. On the bumper was a banana peel. I laughed, thinking of all the things I’d set on my bumper through the years. The kids had fun speculating how long the peel had …
Mother & Daughter Share “Diana: A Celebration”
I was a (young!) teenager when Lady Diana married Prince Charles. I sat glued to the TV, watching the ceremony, the pageantry, and … the dress.
When I heard that “Diana: A Celebration” was coming to the Frazier History Museum, I had to go and take my daughter, Autumn (age 10). To watch Diana’s dress on TV was great. To see the real thing, to walk 25 feet along the train, to see all the tiny pearls that were hand stitched, to see the tiara that topped her head – now that was magnificent.
And, to share that with Autumn was just icing on the dress … oh, I mean cake.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Diana Exhibit. All my expectations were blown away upon seeing the first item on display. A diamond-filled tiara was mounted simply and elegantly upon a red velvet pillow in a small display case. The case was right in front of me.
Then there were her family jewels – from the Spencer family. Autumn and I counted the diamonds that formed a chain in one of the necklaces. There were about 42. And, let me tell you, those weren’t diamond chips. They …
Spending the Day with my Daughter . . . and Her Doll in Chicago
Who knew that spending a day with a doll could bring so much happiness to a grownup’s heart? I had promised my daughter, Autumn (age 7), a special trip to visit the American Girl Place (www.AmericanGirl.com) in Chicago. She began feeling special the moment she arrived at the Sheraton Hotel & Tower (www.SheratonChicago.com). The hotel gave her an American Girl bed just for her doll.
That night, I looked at Autumn sleeping in the hotel room. There was my precious little girl smiling in her sleep. And, sitting next to her was the doll bed, with her doll tucked under its own blanket. It was one of those moments that tugs at a mommy’s heart.
The first impression of the American Girl Place was a bit overwhelming – two floors of doll stuff. Our personal shopper, Cheryl, was a great help. Yes, the store had shoppers for the dolls! They’re available by appointment.
This day was all for Autumn, and she was allowed to make all the choices. By the end of the day, we were joking that she was tired of deciding!
We began our adventure by taking “Little Autumn” (my daughter’s “Just Like Me” doll) to the Hair …
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Day 15 – Still Wandering Nevada (and the Pioneer Center)
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Day 14 – Wandering Nevada (Virginia City mining)
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Day 13 – Yosemite (More Hiking)
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Day 12 – Yosemite (Unscheduled River Escapade)
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Day 11 – Yosemite (Phenomenal Views; Stupid Tourists)
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Day 10 – No RVs Allowed
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Day 9 – On the Road Again toward Sequoia
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Day 8 – Viva Las Vegas in an RV
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Day 7 – On the 7th Day, We Rested
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Day 6 – Zion Park & Tunnels with Windows