Belize is a small country of 8,868 square miles, located on the east coast of America near the Caribbean Sea. A tropical island full of nature activities and adventures including cave tubing.

Cave-tubing is one of the most famous water sports here and often the main attraction for visitors. In Belize City, you have direct flights from the United States, but if your destination is elsewhere in Belize, shuttle service is available. You can use these buses to go everywhere in Belize. Belize City is the ideal destination to find luxury hotels, offering fine dining and a real treat for guests. Your hospitality is important to attract visitors again and again. The rich culture reflects much of the Belizean lifestyle. Being here will teach you about its history and culture while having fun at the same time.

If you are looking for a romantic destination, Palencia is one of several beaches that are an ideal place for lovers. Palencia Belize is undoubtedly the best beach destination in the country, and the beaches of Palencia are sure to be relaxing and refreshing, not only for your body but also for your mind and soul. Palencia is located on the southern Caribbean coast of Belize, about 150 miles south of Belize City. You can come by plane, bus, or rental car from Belize City, and each of these transportation options is fairly easy to arrange. It is possible to rent a car when you arrive, but the city is so small that getting around on foot is generally a much better option. Placencia is a good starting point for many natural attractions. Nearby are the Monkey River, Cockscomb Basin and Mayan ruins. You can kayak through the nearby mangroves or paddle out to one of the cays.

One of the best hotel options is the Inn at Roberts Grove. This hotel is a place of peace, it not only offers a great atmosphere, but also the service is second to none. On the list of amenities are excellent restaurants, fishing, diving, and canoeing. What could be better in the tropics than a spa? Inn has the best and best spa accommodations in the area. For adventure seekers, Inn at Robert’s Grove prides itself as a premier Belize dive center and one of the few to hold a PADI 5-star rating. The New York Times called Roberts Groves “home to the most reputable dive shop in Palencia.” Roberts Grove is ideally located for those looking for a Belize diving vacation that includes visits to several of the best diving spots in Belize. The reason is that the edge of the reef is to the south along the coast of Belize, it is separated more and more from the mainland. The result is a vast coral reef with channels that drop from 90 to 110 feet but rise steeply towards shoals and cays, offering plenty of snorkeling nearby. In the latest official census, there are at least 20 named dive sites in the southern Belizean waters near Robert Grove, teeming with fish and plenty of intact coral.

Ambergris Caye is the name of the largest island in Belize. Larger and more populated than the main island of Belize, Ambergris Caye also has an exciting history. Dating back to the Mayans, European pirates and Mexican refugees fled to Ambergris Caye during the Caste War. In fact, most of the current population on the island descends from Mexico. The island’s economy once depended on the coconut industry, followed by the fishing industry, but now depends on tourism. It has more than 400 small islands, and all these islands have the best panoramic views in the country. In Ambergris you will find luxury hotels with gourmet restaurants. If you want to enjoy fishing and diving or want to get closer to nature, there are many forests, savannahs and lagoons here, you can have fun with mother nature in the area you want. If you want to make your stay more exciting, you can rent a golf cart or bike and explore the sites yourself.

Belize isn’t the biggest tropical vacation destination, but it does offer a long list of resorts worth visiting, from budget to ultra-quirky, and the sheer size of the island puts all of this within a few miles. Catering to adventure seekers as well as those who kick back and relax, it’s definitely an experience you’ll never forget. All that is required is your favorite beach chair, beach umbrella, and sunscreen.

Standing by the window of a brand new condo unit in Brooklyn, he was entranced by the scenery. He could see all of Manhattan and the East River. It was an image to keep.

I was amazed by many of the units in the building. Split levels with raised ceiling space, these units were to be sold. There was no question about that. They told me they were getting calls all day every day from people who were ready, but the units aren’t ready yet.

My main attraction was the beautiful and wide flooring. The mahogany walls contrasted with the white walls completed the touch of class that resonates perfectly with me. Whoever was responsible for the interior design did an absolutely amazing job.

No, it wasn’t me. I wish it had been. But, I doubt I would have done anything differently. So why was he there? Well, there seemed to be a problem. In fact, you could add something that would bring a little more comfort and class to these already magnificent units.

After the most impressive tour, we paused for lunch. It was at lunch that they asked me the question. Looks like I’ve become quite an expert on chimneys. I started in construction with my father years ago and after graduating from college, I started to make my own way in interior design. And I have to say that I have fond memories of always having a fireplace in every house I’ve ever lived in. But I never imagined myself being a fireplace expert.

For condo units, traditional fireplaces just don’t work. The smoke itself makes for a big turn off, but there are other safety issues involved. Therefore, we were able to simply skip any considerations to install any traditional wood burning fireplace.

I quickly objected to the installation of electric fireplaces as well. I just don’t think they are fancy at all. My normal quibbles are about power outages, which won’t be a problem for a condo unit. But, I absolutely don’t like them. So, we fast forward.

Obviously, that led to a long conversation about gas fireplaces. I agreed that they would be a nice addition to the units and my friends at Ventless Gel Fireplace would be a little cross with me. But I didn’t mention ventless gel chimneys at all.

Then the deep pocket leading the conversation asked me about an article I had written over a year ago. An article that had been syndicated in about a dozen different magazines nationwide, The future of fireplaces: comparison of available fireplaces He was cited. “There is something in a tube that blows gas into a burning flame that sends signals to me,” were the words he had written. But, that was not the biggest concern.

“Is it true that,” looking down to read my exact words, “…the byproduct of a gas fireplace is carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that spreads throughout your home?”

I was quick to defend the words the experts are saying to the tune that gas fireplaces don’t emit enough deadly gas to cause harm. Then I added, “But, it’s something to think about.”

“That’s what you say in the article,” he continued. We paused for a moment in the conversation and then he broke the ice: “Funny you didn’t mention anything about the ventless gel fireplace. That’s admirable.”

To be totally honest, I was volunteering my time. But, I had planned to mention Ventless Gel Fireplaces. It turned out that he brought it up without prompting from me and was giving me credit for it, which I was willing to accept.

For some time, we sat down and talked about the different designs available and the fuel used to keep them going. We finished our meals and shook hands cordially as we parted. They were coming back to talk more and my business was done for the day.

So, I’m not sure where that conversation went as far as accommodating residents with fireplaces. But I’d be willing to say this is a safe and convenient trend for condominiums, as well as businesses, restaurants, and modern homes in communities facing strict fireplace legislation. Without worries! Just keep your eyes open for it.

Summer is a short but glorious season, often spent with family and friends enjoying the endless variety of festivals, foods, and holidays. The summer season is also a perfect time for a romantic walk on the beach at sunset during a hot summer vacation night. Take advantage of those long summer days by exploring our list of beautiful beaches and vacation spots located across the United States. This summer, find your special beach destination, sunbathe and play on the pristine sandy beaches while making summer memories to last a lifetime.

Maine is one of the most popular romantic destinations for vacationers for a variety of reasons. The beautiful temperate climate and rocky shorelines with high granite cliffs have provided summer travelers with unforgettable views for over a hundred years. A popular Maine summer destination is Bar Harbor, located in the Acadia National Park area, which offers beautiful white sand beaches and refreshing waters to enjoy and help you relax. Also located within this summer vacation area along Route 1A in Maine’s southern coast region are the quaint seaside towns of Portland and Ogunquit. Both offer smaller beaches, but are known for their quiet, romantic coastlines. Tired of the beach? How about a trip to Maine’s central coast to Southwest Harbor, where vacationers will find wonderful boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts like never before? And of course, no Maine summer vacation would be complete without trying something from the local fair, including freshly caught lobster, hot dogs, fiddlehead fries, and my personal favorite, New England clam chowder.

Another hot spot for summer vacations is the South Shore of New Jersey, with more than 140 miles of pristine beaches, renowned restaurants, and celebrated summer festivals and events. This region contains 7 of the top 10 beaches in New Jersey, including the #1 beach, located in Ocean City. Known as America’s Largest Family Resort, it’s a fantastic location for family reunions, group retreats, and of course, beach weddings. The 2.5-mile-long boardwalk is complete with great restaurants and a downtown shopping area for adults, and two amusement parks, go-kart rentals, and a water park for the kids. Don’t forget the many mini golf courses, fun for the whole family! There really is entertainment for all ages in Ocean City, NJ. And no trip to the South Shore of New Jersey would be complete without visiting the historic Victorian city of Cape May. Cape May offers a wide variety of summer activities including listening to the waves lap the shoreline, the thrill and excitement of walking the boardwalk, climbing to the top of one of Cape May’s many famous lighthouses, and taking in the towering views and finally staying in a romantic Victorian bed and breakfast on the coast. The South Shore of New Jersey offers a wide variety of activities to ensure your summer vacation is a memorable one.

Known for its abundant year-round sunshine and crystal blue skies, the Florida Keys region, including the neighboring barrier islands, has long been a favorite destination for vacationers. Key West offers soft white sand beaches that surround its scenic perimeter, and is renowned for its outdoor activities that include world-class fishing, scuba diving, water sports, and golf. After watching a Key West sunset like no other, enjoy the many nightlife activities, including live entertainment from the city’s many musicians and street performers. Treat your palate to an island specialty and dine at a local outdoor cafe or gourmet restaurant, and enjoy a drink at one of the island’s many legendary pubs and outdoor bars. Lodging in Key West is as diverse as the island itself, from world-class resorts to traditional shell houses and comfortable bed-and-breakfast inns. In a city of fascinating contrasts and inspiring diversity, it’s easy to imagine setting aside your continental worries and spending your summer vacation in beautiful Key West, Florida. I have personally visited Key West several times, soaking in the memorable sites during the 4 hour drive from Key Largo to Key West, and would highly recommend the drive along scenic US 1 to any vacationer looking for an unforgettable beach getaway this summer.

Home to some of the best beaches in the United States, the South Texas Gulf Coast region attracts millions of visitors each year, especially during the summer vacation season. With more than 350 miles of coastline stretching in a gentle arc from north of South Padre Island to the Louisiana border, this Texas game park is renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Native ridge grasses and wetlands provide the ideal ecosystem to support rich marine life and winter nesting grounds for migratory birds. In the North Gulf Coast area, you can explore the historic seaside communities of Galveston and Crystal Beach. Galveston offers 32 miles of magnificent soft-sand beaches, world-class dining and live entertainment, and one of the largest and best-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country. Another popular summer destination in the Texas Gulf Coast area is Corpus Christi, which offers vacationers a rich mix of culture in the relaxed atmosphere of a historic seaside port. When traveling to Corpus Christi, one can expect to find soothing sea breezes, endless blue skies, and beautiful turquoise waters. Visit the Bayfront Boardwalk, Museum and Arts District, waterfront restaurants, and exciting nightlife during your Corpus Christi vacation. South Padre Island is located in the tropical tip of Texas, on the border with Mexico. It is known as one of the best vacation destinations in the country that offers beautiful beaches, high sand dunes, and warm Gulf waters. Contrary to popular belief, South Padre Island is one of the warmest places in Texas during the summer season, with sea breezes from the Gulf keeping temperatures moderate in the 80s and 90s. Some activities to explore while vacationing in this top-rated Texas beach destination include saltwater fishing, eating fresh seafood served at local island restaurants, and staying at a historic bed & breakfast or hotel. There is certainly something for every travel enthusiast when visiting the Texas Gulf Coast this summer.

Located along the Pacific Ocean halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, California’s central coast stretches for thousands of miles from Santa Barbara to Monterey. The region is widely known for its romantic white-sand beaches and rock-fringed coastal vistas, exquisite wine country tours, and artisan villages. Vacationers can choose from quaint, historic bed-and-breakfast inns to quaint seaside cottages. During beautiful sun-filled days, discover surfing, water skiing, golfing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, farmers markets, and film festivals. If you’re looking for beautiful blue skies, shopping, dining, endless activities, unforgettable experiences, and a marina complemented by a gorgeous beach, visit Santa Barbara, located on the southern tip of California’s central coast. Located near the northern end of Monterey Bay, 74 miles south of San Francisco, is the quintessential seaside town of Santa Cruz. A wide range of attractions awaits you, from the award-winning Santa Cruz Boardwalk and majestic redwood groves, to arts and cultural events and award-winning restaurants. An enchanting combination of history and natural beauty awaits, ensuring that your summer vacation on California’s Central Coast is memorable and enjoyable.

The Bed and Breakfast Directory.com suggests summer beach vacation destinations based on personal experiences and other valuable input from travelers. Locations were selected based on overall entertainment options, beach quality and popularity, number of sunny days, soft sand, water temperature, and dining and shopping options.

This area of ​​the Gulf Coast is known for its clear green waters and beautiful white sand beaches. It’s a great place for many different water activities, from sailing and swimming to surfing and jet skiing. You can take a tour in a glass bottom boat, take a dolphin cruise, or check out the parasailing opportunities. Want to get away from the developed shoreline of Panama City Beach? Consider the St. Andrews Recreation Area, a nearby state park made for hiking and camping, as well as many other outdoor activities. You might see some interesting wildlife.

If you feel like doing something inland, there are plenty of golf courses and opportunities to play golf on some of the best courses in the country, great shopping and dining, go-karts, and even live alligator shows. Check out Pier Park, the area’s growing shopping and entertainment area, including a great movie theater. This area used to be a sleepy seaside town, but now there is so much more available to vacationers. It’s a great escape from the everyday.

Most of the activities take place along a stretch of road called Front Beach Drive. Kids will love Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Gulf World Marine Park, complete with sea lions and exotic bird aviaries. They even have African black-footed penguins! The exhibits are highly interactive, making them great fun for everyone. Local seafood restaurants are a must try, and many are also kid-friendly. The area is a popular spring break spot, something worth checking out for students and adults alike.

If you’re a college student looking for a fun place to visit for spring break, you’ll want to make sure you make reservations early to avoid the crowds and see all the great opportunities for fun. There are nightly beach parties, live music, social gatherings, great bars and restaurants and much more. Special events may occur on the beautiful white sand during this period. These are true beaches for beach lovers. Families, couples, and individuals who want to avoid the crowded areas and noise of spring break will want to time their trips accordingly.

The official season can run from the beginning of February to the end of April, with the first three weeks of March being the peak. For peace and quiet, book your Panama City Beach vacation for the quieter periods outside of these hours. Then enjoy the museums, beach sports, water activities and more that you will find in this great vacation city. If you’ve never been to Panama City Beach, you haven’t really been on vacation!

Nowadays, diet is one of the most essential factors to keep the body fit and healthy. Many people today believe that it is better to take precautions than to take medication. It just means that they believe that food is the only way to prevent disease and take medicine. Being healthy nowadays doesn’t have to be expensive. All you need to do is eat healthy food like Indian cuisine. Indian foods are considered as one of the healthiest cuisines all over the world.

If you want to stay fit and healthy, there are Indian restaurants that you can find anywhere in the world. People are beginning to realize the true value of eating healthy foods to prevent disease. Doctors recommended people eat high doses of vegetables and fruits to stay healthy. Many dreaded diseases today are caused by unhealthy eating habits. Restaurant and fast food delivery services make it easy for people to access unhealthy food.

If you are in the eastern suburbs, you can be sure that you can easily access Indian cuisines. It is very easy to be healthy if you love to eat Indian food. People located in areas like Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Clovelly and Tamarama, which are popular beaches in suburban areas, are full of Indian restaurants. The main reason why Indian cuisine is one of the healthiest foods is that it is vegetable compost. These foods are recommended to people of all ages, whether young or old. By taking at least five servings of vegetables a day, it will surely make you healthy.

It would be helpful if your vegetable menu consists of different colors of vegetables. Indian food vegetables are rich in micronutrients that the body needs to ensure optimal health. Vegetables are an important part of Indian curry and you can always have your favorite Indian curry whenever you want, especially if you find yourself in Charing Cross, Bondi Junction and Rose Bay. You can eat Indian food at the beginning and at the end of the day. In addition to vegetables, you can also take nutrients from vegetables. Vegetables are an essential part of every Indian menu. As everyone knows, vegetables are a good source of important macronutrients like protein.

Another important micronutrient that you can find in Indian cooking is coarse grains. This is essential for you to get the right amount of fiber that can help with proper digestion. Indian foods are cooked correctly, which means that the food is cooked with the correct amount of heat to prevent loss of nutrients. Bondi is a place where you can find many Indian restaurants. Actually, you don’t need to leave your house, because you can go for takeout. All you need to do is search the internet for their online menus. You can also call their number and place your order. Indian foods are rich in spices that are healthy for the body because they come from all natural ingredients. You don’t have to live in India to stay healthy and fit, because you can enjoy Indian food, especially if you are in areas like Randwick, Queens Park, Waverley, Kingsford, Woollahra and Paddington.

Tarps are one of the most versatile items to have in your home or garage. The wide variety of sizes and materials make them useful in many applications, from protecting your car or boat from the elements to using them to transport leaves and debris around your yard.

When new, these covers can protect just about anything, but they do wear out eventually. Like most things, they can be reused and reused when they have outgrown their original function. Instead of throwing them away, here are some creative uses for an old tarp.

Reusing your tarps

What you reuse a tarp for depends on the type of material it is made of. Polyester materials are excellent for waterproofing applications, while canvas is better suited for protecting items that need breathability. With some good scissors and a little creativity there is no limit to what you can do with an old tarp!

Protect smaller items from the elements

Just because a tarp is damaged in one area doesn’t mean everything is wrong. With a little creativity, you can reshape the old stuff for use in the same application. For example, the deck of a ship can crack and weaken over time at the top, which is where it receives direct sunlight, rain, wind, and snow most directly. But the sides could still be in mint condition. If so, you can easily cut the damaged parts out of the canvas and cut the good parts to fit other applications. A boat cover can be cut to make an engine, seat or battery cover, used to wrap fishing tackle or protect your trailer’s spare tire. Use bungee cords to keep them in place.

Probably one of the most common uses for tarps, old and new, is to cover your backyard woodpile to keep your firewood dry. You can go a step further by covering your backyard fire pit if you know you’ll be using it soon but rain is forecast. When a tarp wears out, check for sections that are still in good shape, then cut them down to a manageable size and use them to create a handy log carrier.

Protect delicate areas

The canvas offers protection against moisture but allows air to circulate. In their prime, canvas drop cloths are often used by painters as drop cloths and to protect outdoor items from rust. Once worn, rips, tears, and holes make it difficult for these tarps to remain waterproof, but they still have many functions. They can be used to protect plants, flower beds and garden crops from early or late frost, or as trunk or truck liners if you are hauling muddy or dirty materials or want to protect the interior surface of your vehicle.

fun for kids

You can use your old tarps in just about any situation where you need to protect or cover something, but they can also be used for some old-fashioned fun. Put the tarp on a rope that hangs between two trees and make a tent for your children. Use it to cover a sandbox or kiddie pool or create an awning to provide a shaded area to play. Place it on the floor and let them sit on it during messy activities like play dough or finger painting. Cleanup will be a breeze!

The next time you’re faced with a worn-out tarp, take a minute to think of other ways you could use it or parts of it. You’ll be amazed at the number of ways an old tarp can be reused. In the process, you’ll save money by not having to purchase new products for these uses, and you’ll also extend the life of your tarp.

If you want to know how to copy your favorite Macaroni Grill recipes, keep reading!

We all know that things are not going so well on the economic front. As a result, we are all looking for ways to cut back. But we are human, and I know for myself that there are very few things that I am willing to do without. However, I’m not that stubborn in knowing that I can have the same things, just in a more profitable way. I admit that one of my weaknesses is going out to eat. There’s something about the Seafood Alfredo at one of the restaurants down the street that makes me crave it at the strangest of times. If I could do it at home, I wouldn’t be stopped by cost, time, or even having to leave the house.

Something like Seafood Alfredo is pretty common, and you can find recipes online pretty quickly. But it’s not the same as the restaurant’s Alfredo. Alfredo sauce is more or less Alfredo sauce, but the little extra spices and the combination of seafood they use is what makes it special. Check the internet to see if someone has posted your favorite restaurant’s recipe. Sometimes all it takes is one disgruntled employee to reveal secrets.

Failing that, treat yourself to dining out. But don’t just order, eat and leave. You are on a mission. Mention to your server that the Alfredo sauce tastes a little different than the Alfredo sauce he makes and would love to know what they use for that extra flavor. The server might know and be able to tell you. If you ask nicely, they might even try to find out from the cooks. You can even ask to see the chef. If you’re going to use this tactic, make sure you don’t go during peak hours. Go when there is a lull in customers and you have a better chance of getting one on one.

You can discover many of the ingredients simply by dissecting your food. If you know they use shrimp, scallops, mussels, lobster, and crab, you can take that information and make a reasonable facsimile of dinner at home. Try to find out how the seafood was cooked. Did they grill the scallops? Are the mussels drenched in a garlic wine sauce? Don’t be afraid to take notes. People won’t even notice what you’re doing.

Once you have that information, you can start doing it at home. It may take a few tries to get it perfect, but eventually you’ll be able to make your favorite dish at home.

To get you started, here’s a recipe for doubling up on Macaroni Grill’s Shrimp Portofino:

2 teaspoons finely minced garlic

1/2 cup melted butter

16 large shrimp, clean and deveined

16 medium mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3 fresh garlic cloves, crushed, peeled and minced

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (fresh is best for flavor)

1 jar of marinated artichoke hearts (drain before using)

4 lemon slices

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (do not use dried parsley)

Sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter until almost tender. Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp are cooked (not translucent, but don’t overcook), about 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except lemon and fresh parsley) and heat through.

Serve over the pasta of your choice. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

You’ve planned your perfect family vacation. You have packed everything you need. You are ready to enjoy two weeks of family fun. So you all gather in the driveway.

“I have the window!” your son complains

“You got it last time,” your daughter replies.

“Why do mom and dad always sit in the front seat? It’s not fair!” all your children cry at the same time.

How do you solve this dilemma without ruining your vacation?

You could just assign seats and be on your way, but what’s the fun in that? The keys to blurring the fight are to plan ahead and turn even this situation into a game.

Here are seven things to try:

Rock Paper Scissors

This is an old standby to use when resolving all disputes between siblings.

To play, start with the two oldest children. Have each of them hold out their left hand flat, palm up, and their right hand in a loose fist over their right hand.

On the count of three, each child, at the same time, punches his fist into the palm of his hand twice and, on the third, comes down with a “stone” (a clenched fist), a “paper” (a flat hand ), or “scissors” (index finger and middle finger extended outward).

To rate the game:

• rock beats scissors
• paper beats rock
• Scissors beat paper

If both children put down the same “object”, then they play again until someone wins.

The winner of that round faces the next older child, and so on until each child has had a chance to play.

The Grand Prize Winner may assign the seats, at least until the next time it stops.

The eldest can choose or . . .

This can be an easy way to make the decision of who sits where.

For the first leg of the trip, let your older child choose who sits where. For the next leg of the trip, choose the next largest and so on until you get home.

As a bonus, let the kids choose where mommy or daddy will sit, too. Kids think it’s a lot of fun to have an adult in the back seat. (Of course, if your children are not old enough to sit in the front seat for safety reasons, don’t let them sit there.)

System of points

Before you go on a trip, take a few minutes to make a list of the type of behavior you want to see from your children in the car, ie sharing a toy, speaking kindly, not whining, etc.

Assign a point value to each behavior. One point each keeps things simple.

As you travel, be sure to notice good deeds and attitudes in your children and allocate a point(s) for each occurrence.

The child with the most points at the next stop gets to make the seat assignments.

As an incentive to keep the kids from nagging you about points, you could make a rule that anyone who points out that they just did something nice loses one point.

But you might want to help build team spirit by also making a rule that if your child points out something nice that his brother or sister just did, you both get a point.

And the winner is. . .

This one is good for when you are in a hurry.

Write each child’s name on a piece of paper, fold the papers in half, then put them in a hat or some other container and draw one. The person whose name is drawn first has the first choice of where to locate, the second person has the second choice, etc.

choose a number

Have all of your children choose a number between 1 and 20 and the one who guesses closest gets to choose the seating arrangement.

Treasure hunt

Before leaving for your trip, organize a treasure hunt. You can leave “prizes” where your kids are sure to find them as they pack for their trip; the “prizes” will be coupons for various activities that you will need to take care of on your trip.

Or you can set up a series of clues for each child to follow to find their prizes. This is also a fun way to distribute fun games, spending money, and various other special gifts you have especially for the trip.

• A valid voucher to assign the seating arrangement from the time we left home to our first stop
• A voucher valid for a window seat during our second leg of the trip
• A valid coupon to choose where to sit on the third leg of the trip. etc.
  

This idea can also cover other areas of your trip where there may be disputes:

• A coupon to choose where we ate dinner the first night.
• A coupon to choose which bed to sleep in at the motel
• A coupon for first privileges in the shower.
• Or any number of other things.

This activity has the added benefit of keeping the kids busy while you make last-minute preparations. It also reduces the question: “Is it time to go yet?”

If you are . . .

Before you go on a trip, write several addresses on slips of paper. He folds the strips of paper in half and then takes one at a time out of a hat or other container.

The instructions you write can say things like:

• If you were the first person ready to go this morning, you can choose your seat assignment.
• If you slept closer to the bathroom last night, you get to choose the seat assignments.
• If you sat next to mom at lunch today, you can choose the seat assignments.
• If you are the eldest child, you can choose the seat assignment.
• If you were born in [fill in the month a one of your children’s birthdays] you can choose the seat assignments.

Try to think of one direction for each leg of your journey.

With a little creativity and a little patience, you can turn what could be a tense situation into a game. And games can make the whole trip more fun.

As you enter the welcome center at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA, there is a small alcove-like space to one side that houses Keith’s incredible portrait of the California Alps. The inspiration for this portrait is not actually anywhere in Yosemite National Park, rather Keith romanticized the mountains of California in this painting. The portrait is located in an area where it catches the eye of anyone passing by.

Keith is a master at using different forms of light in his paintings and this is very evident in the light hitting the mountains. The light then fades into darker tones as it reaches the bottom of the forest, and finally reaches full brightness as it illuminates the grassy area in front of the painting. “The California Alps” also portrays Native American life as it would have been in their early years. It shows a small Indian village with teepees along a river. Keith had an eye for capturing the mountains of Yosemite National Park and in his painting “The California Alps” he brought this skill to fruition. As mentioned above, it is his use of light that draws viewers’ attention as they pass by this large painting. Somehow, Keith was able to perfectly get the right colors for the painting from him and skillfully apply them to create a remarkable work or art.

Just by looking at the masterpieces created by Keith, one can better appreciate the world around them. This is not just limited to nature, but also to the complexity of the human mind and the creative products it is capable of. Painting is a talent that not many people have, and most of those who do have the talent have never taken the time to develop it.

Horses seem to go on and accept everything we put them through, but the truth here is that the horse is greatly affected by all this change; much more than many people think. First of all, horses don’t change very easily. For them, life is based on consistency, as well as their total dependence on humans for their existence, and they don’t understand why there has to be so much change all the time. It was through observing various horses and how they reacted to all of the situations mentioned above that made me wonder if a horse could suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

What we found was pretty clear and has actually been the basis for several clinical studies on horses and their ability to suffer from PTSD. The finding is pretty clear, horses can be affected in a number of ways that classify them as PTSD cases. The main reason that emerged from these various studies is the fact that horses do not have the same level of cognitive abilities as people, and being lower in the area of ​​cognitive abilities makes it much more difficult for a horse to mentally manage in any situation where there is a much higher level of emotional decision.

Another point that makes the horse a better candidate for PTSD is that it is constantly aware of its surroundings and what is happening around it. Being able to communicate with each other comes from this natural ability of constant awareness while also keeping track of the emotions of the humans around them. Here the door opens, just as it does for the combat soldier or abused child that allows one to build on the symptoms of PTSD. It could be an action that is taken against them that they feel is not necessary or it could even be an event that they witness happen to another horse.

As we all know, horses communicate in many different ways than we do; we mainly use speech (and we expect the horse to fully understand us), the horse uses body language as its main form of communication only resorting to the use of speech when absolutely necessary. Therefore, we tend to overlook any of the PTSD symptoms that may come from the horse. So what are some of these signs? It can be very simple and subtle things, as simple as propping, locking (or freezing), swaying (aka weaving), a sudden reaction to what appears to be nothing to us, the shifting of the mouth, or even the grinding of teeth. There may also be more serious symptoms such as; parting off, bolting or even constant load. Any of these indicators can be an indication that there is a serious problem that is embedded deep within the horse.

Before I go any further, let me say that not all horses that do many of the things listed above are horses that suffer from PTSD; and yes, all horses can be difficult from time to time and even overreact in certain situations. What makes a horse a candidate for PTSD is the one horse that starts doing things that are out of the ordinary for him and continues to do them on a regular basis.

Whenever PTSD is discussed, whether human or equine, one must remember that it all comes from the mind; it can be a memory, a sound, something they smell or even something they have seen. All of these are known as “triggers” and may be all that is needed to activate the PTSD problem, there is never any link to a logical response once the process gets underway.

Horses suffering from PTSD can be helped, as the human clinical research program is showing; in fact, the US military is conducting a massive research program on the east coast with returning warriors that concerns the use of “low level light therapy” and is showing extremely positive results. This same non-invasive technology is already being applied to horses with similar and minor problems. The results of “low level light therapy” within the field of equine care have progressed at a very rapid rate and are being used with additional energy modalities to help horses with all levels of ailments.