Are rising gas prices affecting your spring and summer travel plans?  Not to sound old… okay, I know this makes me sound old, but I remember when gas was just over $1 a gallon!  And as a teenager borrowing my mom’s car, I thought that was incredibly expensive!  Now, in Minnesota, gas prices are coming closer and closer to $4 per gallon and I now know what expensive really is!

Sometimes, it’s no fun being a grownup.  When you are a kid, you look forward to spring break vacations or summer family trips because of the fun and adventure of it all.  If there was anything you were worried about, it was being stuck in a car with your annoying younger brother or moody older sister for hours on end.  Now, I have to take all kinds of things into account when planning a trip, including gas prices.

I want my kids to experience the fun of summer car trips and seeing all the sites along the way.  Especially for today’s kids, who are so plugged in, a car ride can give you a chance to slow down life a bit and get to know your family all over again, but in a new way.

So, how do you do that when gas prices are climbing?  Are you changing your plans for this spring and summer?

A recent article by USA Today suggests travelers are influenced by gas prices:  http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/story/2012-03-26/Rising-fuel-prices-will-alter-travel-plans-survey-finds/53794190/1

So how can you still plan that road trip across the U.S. when you cringe every time you see the empty light on your gas tank?

Our website, HotHotelDeals.com, offers plenty of choices for great deals on hotels that include gas cards with your hotel stay.  This is a great way to refuel (literally and figuratively!) along the way to your next destination.

Check out what we have to offer when planning your next road trip!  Stay, gas & go hotel specials can be just the ticket to keep your travel plans on track and on budget.

I never truly understood the term Cabin Fever until I was adult.  As a kid, winter weather was a new adventure that included sledding, snowmen, snow angels and eating the random snowball.  As an adult, winter weather means longer commutes, icy roads, shoveling driveways and sidewalks, hauling in groceries in below zero temps… the list goes on!  And with kids, the winter means taking more time to bundle up your kids than they actually play outside!  So what used to be winter wonder and delight has turned to winter worry and stress!

Being inside more can make winter feel like it lasts forever.  And with shorter days and less daylight, it is more important than ever to break up the monotony of winter to avoid the blues.  A Cabin Fever getaway can be the perfect cure.  If you can, a quick trip to warm weather locations can be a huge boost to your winter mood that can carry you right through to spring!  Even with more mild temperatures and less snow this year in the Midwest, we still don’t have palm trees or beaches to enjoy this time of year!  Seeing the sunshine and enjoying warmer air can be just what you need to survive winter doldrums.

For those who can’t take the time for an escape to the beach, consider a weekend getaway closer to home.  Just changing up your routine can have the desired effect.  Sometimes, it can be a nice break from your normal routine to stay in a hotel close to home and experience your city like a tourist.  And, of course, room service or a hotel’s free breakfast can be a nice luxury too!

Staying active is another cure for Cabin Fever.  Whether you travel to a warm weather destination and can do this outdoors or stay closer to home and hit the hotel fitness room and pool, exercise can also chase away the winter blues.  It also burns off energy for the kiddos, ensuring a great night’s sleep for everyone!

The main thing is to give yourself (and your family) something fun to look forward to, close to home or further away, that will break up the winter and help you to enjoy the seasons all throughout the year!

I recently had the pleasure of spending 23 hours traveling across the country by car with my children.  My kids range in age from 8 to 14 and are all boys.  This is relevant because my advice is from the perspective of a “boy mom” so may not apply to all families!

When I say that I “had the pleasure” of making this road trip, it is slightly tongue in cheek.  It actually was a pleasure to have family time to see new sites and create lasting memories together.  Together, we saw corn fields, lakes, mountains, gorgeous foliage and the highest point on I-80 (yes, ears were popping!).

The good is just that- the time to spend to get to know your kids away from the day by day “busy” that we all encounter.  We had some great conversations as the hours rolled by.  What I love most about these conversations is the questions from my boys that give me more insight into what is going on with them.  A few of my favorites, Evan- “Mom, are we ever going to have a sister?”.  Me- “No, we aren’t”.  Evan, referring to our two female dogs, “I really wish I had a human sister”.  Love it!

Okay, now for the bad.  For me, the bad is the packing of clothes, the packing of the car, the unpacking of the car, the rooting through suitcases, the repacking of suitcases, and the repacking of the car.  Are you sensing a theme here?

And the ugly- by far, it is a close race between the fighting in the car and the unbelievable laundry pile upon return home.  One of my favorite quotes after the fourteenth time of telling everyone to keep their hands to themselves and being told they were just having fun, Me- “I don’t want you to have fun… I want you to behave!”.  Yes, even I realize how crazy that sounds.

So, in an effort to entertain you and educate you, here are some tips for surviving and thriving during a family road trip.

(in no particular order)

1. Some people advise to save new toys, movies or games for the road trip.  This is a horrible idea.  The novelty only works if your kids actually love the toys, movies and games.  Don’t chance it.  Test it out before you leave so you really know what will entertain for hours when you need it most.

2. Pack a “hotel bag”.  If you are like me and have a bigger family, it is tempting to pack a few suitcases by clothing type.  For instance, one bag full of jeans for the family, etc.  Instead, I recommend packing one overnight bag that has everything you need for that overnight hotel stay in route.  When you get to the stopover point, you can grab one bag and go.

3.  Redbox.  Oh, Redbox, I love you so!  Redbox allows you to rent movies for a cheap price and return them to any Redbox, anywhere.  McDonald’s, Walgreens and Walmart are likely locations for Redbox in unfamiliar territory.  We rented two movies at a time and swapped them out, watching six movies total in our cross country trek (well, the kids watched and I listened) and paid less than $10 to do so.  Fantastic!

4. Laundry.  I have heard people say to take disposible clothing and leave it behind in the hotel’s garbage so you don’t have to deal with laundry at home.  This may work for some people who have old ratty clothes they are looking to discard.  I personally don’t like to take old ratty clothes on a trip!  Instead, I plan to stay at least one night of our trip at a hotel with onsite laundry and do a few quick loads.  It allows you to take less clothing along and lessens the burden upon your return.  Some hotels even have free laundry machines, like Staybridge Suites, which is even better.

5. Snacks.  I have discovered that my children can eat a week’s worth of snacks in one day if I allow them anywhere near the backseats.  Instead, I have started packing snack bags by kid, by day.  This may seem a bit over the top, but if you have kids who eat too much and get car sick, you will quickly realize the value in this strategy.  Very quickly.  And speaking of that, keep plastic grocery bags tucked under the driver’s seat.  It is the fastest, easiest and safest place to reach for them.

6.  Seating arrangements are essential to a peaceful trip.  Know the right combinations of your children and who needs space from each other in order to survive.  Don’t be afraid to switch things around during stops to find the optimal combinations.

7.  If you buy a “treat” at a gas station early in the trip, expect to be hassled to do it at every stop.  This applies to husbands as well.  Train your family early on that you will not spend extra money at each stop.

8.  Bathroom breaks.  Everyone goes, every time.  I tell them if they don’t have to go, they at least have to go wash their hands.  It gets everyone out of the car to stretch and prevents the need to stop so often.

9. Blankets.  Blankets can help block sun, even out the temperature requirements of your kids, work as a pillow or even provide a bit of separation between kids in a pinch.  I highly recommend bringing along one blanket per kid!

10.  Enjoy yourself along the way.  It’s easy to forget that trips can be fun.  Don’t let all this time go by without enjoying the beauty of our great country and your lovely family in the process.  You have a lot of time to think in a long car ride; use some of it to count your blessings!

Safe travels!

Lisa

One of my most favorite ways to spend an afternoon is to shop! And what I love even more than shopping is finding an incredible deal. I happen to be lucky enough to work in Bloomington, MN and I have easy quick access the absolute best shopping in the Twin Cities. It would be very easy for me to go on and on about the greatness that is the Mall of America. There really are some great stores and deals there, ahem…Nordstrom Rack and Love 21…ahem. But let’s step outside of those 4 walls and the crowds of the Mall of America and I’ll share some of my favorite spots to find a bargain in my area:
 Macy’s at the Southdale Center in Edina is far and away the best Macy’s in MN. There is much better selection of higher end designers than the other Macy’s and you don’t have to deal with the parking and headaches of downtown Minneapolis. Last winter I scored one of the best deals ever, a gorgeous Tibi cocktail dress for just $15…yes you read that right, $15.

 Clothes Mentor in Edina is another great stop. It’s a consignment shop located in the Centennial Lakes Shopping Center on France Ave. You never know what you’re going to find since Edina just happens to be one the wealthiest suburbs in MN, so this means steals on high end labels are there for taking if you’re willing to hunt a bit. You really won’t believe some of the stuff people get rid of. The store is well organized, but you’re still going to have to be prepared to take your time. There is everything from high end denim like 7 for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Rock and Republic and True Religion to purses such as Coach, Kate Spade and Dooney and Bourke. You can even bring in clothes you no longer want, they’ll go through your clothes and pay you cash on the spot, no waiting for the items to sell and having to come back. One little note on that, they only take things that are in season, so no sun dresses in January.

 As long as I’m talking about resale stores, I have to mention Fashion Avenue in the shops at 50th and France in Edina. They carry labels such as Prada, Gucci and Chanel. I have to be honest, I love browsing in this store and there are some really pretty pieces that I’m sure are great deals. But I just can’t pull the trigger and spend $100 on a pair of used shoes, even if they are Prada. So I haven’t actually ever brought anything at Fashion Avenue.

 Another favorite spot of mine is TJ Maxx. I know Marshalls is also owned by the same company but I much prefer TJ Maxx for some reason. I just find in general TJ Maxx is brighter, cleaner and more organized than Marshalls. The best TJ Maxx in the area is in Knollwood Mall in St. Louis Park, hands down. I don’t know why they get the best stuff there but they do, don’t question just shop. Knollwood Mall isn’t a big destination in itself, but the TJ Maxx is worth the trip. There’s also a DSW there, so it’s not like you’d be going for one store only.

 While we’re on TJ Maxx one quick mention of Homegoods. I love Homegoods! I’ve been known to print out wedding registries from other stores and take them to Homegoods and find the exact same thing, same brand and all for a fraction of the price. Don’t tell my friends I’m not actually spending hundreds on their wedding gifts!  The very best Homegoods in the metro is in Eden Prairie. They have the best selection of mirrors, that makes me sounds a little vain but whatever, it’s true they have amazing mirrors!

 Lastly, Heartbreaker in Richfield is a must stop. They are more of a junior’s size store, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive trendy piece, this is the place. I really love the accessories and clutches at Heartbreaker too. They do have some fun shirts and dresses for a night out with your girlfriends. I used to shop at this store a lot more when I was in college. As an old lady, at 31, I’d much rather be in a hole in the wall bar where I can talk to my friends than a club waiting 30 minutes for a $12 martini where these types of clothes may be more appropriate. Ralph, the bar regular, usually gives me the side eye if I walk in dressed in a sequin tunic or thigh high stilettos (don’t worry, I give him the side eye back because although overdressed at least my clothes don’t have holes and I brushed my teeth).
There you have it; I spilled my secrets for finding the best deals in the Twin Cities! Now all you have to do is grab your girlfriends and head on over. Why don’t you make it a girl’s weekend and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn or Staybridge Suites in Bloomington, which are within 10 minutes of all of the above mentioned stores. Much to my husband’s displeasure, I could easily help you fill an entire weekend with great shopping in the area, so if you’d like even more suggestions all you have to do is ask.
***Full disclosure: I’m a sales manager at the Hilton Garden Inn and Staybridge Suites, so I just had to throw that last little bit in there. But, that doesn’t make the shopping or deals any less awesome so you should definitely stay, shop and fill your trunk with great deals!

As we are just starting to have that slight chill to the air in the Midwest, thoughts turn to all my favorite fall “loves”.  Having lived in many parts of this great nation, my heart definitely belongs to the Midwest.  In large part, this is due to the seasonal changes.  At the start of every season, I am reminded of everything I love about what is to come.

For fall, this definitely includes bonfires with the prerequisite S’mores, walks through the parks to take in the crisp air and beautiful colors of nature, visits to local apple orchards and fall festivals, and last but least, all things pumpkin (lattes, bread, muffins)!

I can’t think of much that highlights the beauty of the season than a weekend away with my husband to soak up nature’s highlights and fall foliage.  Recently, we traveled to High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid, NY.  I wish I could say that we planned this solely as some time for us, but the reality is that my husband was attending a conference there and I tagged along.  Regardless of the impetus of the trip, we both thoroughly enjoyed our trip.  It is a spectacular setting and a great place to hold a conference or retreat, but it is also just a really beautiful way to enjoy some time away.

We flew into Albany and traveled to Lake Placid by car, with a few stops along the way to enjoy the scenery of upstate New York.  The Adirondack mountains are breathtaking!  There is so much to do in and around the resort that I found plenty to keep me occupied while my husband was in his meetings.   Although we were a bit early for the full display of fall foliage, I can only imagine what it will look like in a few weeks time!

Although I am not a huge fan of outdoor recreation (for instance, I am more of a “glam-per” than a camper), this was really the perfect blend of shopping, dining and gorgeous nature, all while staying in a gorgeous resort.

So, if you are planning a weekend getaway this fall, High Peaks Resort gets high marks from me (no pun intended!).  If the Midwestern leaf scene is more your style, remember that HotHotelDeals.com features hotels through the Midwest, including Chicago, Milwaukee and all over the state of Minnesota!  I think I am going to go get a Pumpkin Latte now…

The summer road trip season is almost over, and with it the end of the words every kid utters, over and over again, and every parent dreads…
“Are we there yet?”  Heck, we did it when we were kids.  Now it’s our turn to grit
our teeth and explain, again, that we will be there when we get there!

Perhaps it is the reminder that we are becoming our parents  that is so painful.  With each phrase you find yourself saying that you swore you’d never say when you became a parent…yup, that’s what it is.  We are becoming our parents.

Now, unlike our parents, there are a number of “improvements” that can make summer road trips more fun for everyone.  We have technology that allows each member of
the road trip to personalize their media experience.   Our kids can surf the web, play video games, and watch movies all from the comfort of the back seat.  But are these really improvements, or are they exactly what we are trying to drive away from?  (Putting on my geezer hat and voice)… when I was a kid, we didn’t have these fancy electronic devices.  Heck, we didn’t even have seat belts!  (Shocking, but actually true)  When we were on a road trip we played inventive games like:

*count how many state’s license plates you can find

*I Spy (with my own eye)

*identifying objects that begin with a certain letter until  you made your way through the whole alphabet

*(and my personal favorite… a memory and alphabet game)…I’m
going on a trip and I’m going to take with me….an apple, a bugle, a carrot, a
donkey…taking turns remembering what everyone added to the list.

Wait a minute!  Those actually sound educational, now that I think about it!  What were we thinking?  We were using otherwise wasted time in the car to bond together as a family in a game that makes us think and actually use our brains!  Okay, that sounds like sarcasm even to me.  But you get my point.  Maybe some of our “improvements”
really aren’t.  Maybe they are just an extension of our crowded, busy, distracted lives that we carry on to our summer vacations with us like that extra luggage we really  don’t need. (Can you tell my ideal vacation is sunscreen, bathing suits, and flipflops?)

The next time I get in the car for an extended period of time… aka road trip… with my four boys and two dogs and my husband, maybe I will break out the I Spy game and spend some good old fashioned family time together.  Or better yet, I’ll let them
play while I catch up on Facebook and Twitter on my smart phone.  (Just kidding, really)

What was your favorite memory from a summer road trip?