Fernwood State Park in Ohio

 One of the Fall activities that we did with our children was to visit a state park in Ohio with a gun range .  Fernwood State Forest is one of the few remaining state parks with A gun range.   It’s a little bit of a drive from our location but it’s worth going there.

With the current situation of world setting, we as a parent are responsible to teach our children gun safety.   We want to teach them the proper use of guns for self protection if in case they have to defend themselves.

There are three shooting ranges in this state park, they are located southwest of the Hidden Hollow Campground. There are separate areas for pistol, rifle and trap shooting. 

   

I hope that we can go back there in the summertime next year and explore the walking trails.

When our kids were younger, my son was scared about guns but now he understands the importance of  gun for self defense.   We will continue to practice and make ourselves comfortable in handling guns for the sake of protecting ourselves when time comes .  You never know what this crazy world will bring us so it’s better to be ready at all times.

Cross-Country Routes Across The US That Will Blow Your Mind

The US is famous for road trips. You might consider it the home of such things. After all, it was this country, more than any other, that popularized the highway and built a culture around the private motor vehicle. 

For many people in the world, the concept of spending a holiday in your car, van or RV, seems a little odd. But once you’ve experienced the vastness and variety that a country like America has to offer, it’s not hard to get a grasp on why it is so popular. 

In this post, we look at some of the most iconic routes across the US that will blow your mind. All of them are perfect for a road trip, whether you’re traveling with family or friends. 

Skier’s Highway

Vermont’s Route 100 - also known as Skier’s Highway - provides access to 12 different ski resorts. Needless to say, if you love skiing, this is a road trip you’ve got to try (check out online ski shops and buy some skis before you go to save money). Even if you’re not into snow sports, Skier’s Highway is still worth driving for its incredibly scenic views of the Green Mountains. A lot of people try this route in winter, but it can look equally stunning in all seasons.

The Great River Road

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The Mississippi is America’s greatest river, literally splitting the continental landmass in two. It’s such an essential feature of the landscape that it has made its way into our daily vocabulary. People will say things like “I live in the greatest town east for the Mississippi” or “we have the largest emporium of mattresses west of the Mississippi.”

Your road trip, therefore, should attempt to discover what all the fuss is about. The Great River Road flanks the Mississippi, taking you through a variety of wildlife reserves. It starts in the north in places like Rosedale and Greenville. As you travel south, the cuisine begins to change, and you get into fried food territory. Then eventually, you wind up in Louisiana and the eclectic city of New Orleans. 

Route 66

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Route 66 is the classic America road trip. People typically start at Lake Michigan and then make their way across the great American west to Los Angeles. 

The best way to do Route 66 is in an RV. Sites like kirklandrvsales.com show you the type of equipment you’ll need. Remember, unless you drive flat out, it’ll take you a couple of weeks to traverse the entire route. So unless you carefully plan your stops along the way, you’ll need facilities for cooking, showering, and sleeping. 

Along the way, you’ll discover things like America’s oldest church, the world’s largest rocking chair and diners, motels, and places where you can watch outdoor movies. 

The Loneliest Road, US-50

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If you really want to get out in the middle of nowhere, you might want to check out the Loneliest Road, which also goes by the name of US-50. Going cross-country, you start in Ocean City, Maryland, and then follow the classic trail through the Rockies all the way to Sacramento, the oldest settlement in California. 

Along the way, you’ll experience some incredible scenery, according to gapyear.com, including the Great Basin National Park and Nevada beach. Be sure to take your camera with you. 

The High Road

The High Road might not be one of the longest road trips in America, but it is one of the most spectacular. The route has a Hispanic twist, being so far south, taking you close to historic villages like Truchas and Penasco.

Kennywood 2019

 A friend gave us 4 free tickets to Kennywood last year, thanks Linda!  It's been years since we last went to Kennywood.  Although it is an annual  fundraising thing for the school, we don't buy  anymore because the kids are not really  into going, they're probably got tired of the same place, thus lost interest.  Anyway, since it was free, we went.  It was different, the kids are no longer super excited with the rides as they used to.

 I am glad we were able to go though, with this pandemic erupting this year, we chose to stay home and do home improvement projects rather than going on places.

 The thing I don't like amusement park is the long queue. You're basically  wasting time falling in line just to get to a ride that doesn't even last long.

 Our son is not really crazy with rides, he prefers to hang out with me and wait for my husband and daughter while they finish with the rides they go into.

 It's funny because now that they are in a good height where they go on a lot of rides, they are no longer interested.  They used to be disappointed when they don't meet the  required height for the ride.

 My daughter is the adrenaline junkie so she went on few rides before we went home. 

Hot weather can really suck out  the energy out of you so we didn't stay  very long.  It was good enough to enjoy a few rides and get out of the house for few hours.  

Looking at these pictures, our children have grown so much in a year.  They are now taller than me and  almost at my husband's height.  Our son became a teen in January and our daughter will turn fifteen in 5 days. Oh how time flies, her freshman year went by so fast.  This will be the last year for our son at St. Joseph, son he will join his sister at Madonna High School.

Iwo Jima Memorial #DCtrip2019 #WashingtonDC

After our rainy visit to the Arlington national cemetery, we dropped by at the  U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial  or more commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.  Seeing how the soldier guards just keep on marching irregardless of the rain at the Tomb of the Unknown, I had so much emotion after that and this monument or statue intensified it.  This to me, right here, is  perhaps one of the most moving memorials in the DC region.  I wasn't born in the US but the country where I came from was part of the US war history so I came to appreciate all of their sacrifices.

This world famous statue is based on the iconic photograph taken by an AP (Associated Press) photographer Joe Rosenthal.  It  depicts the six Marines who raised of the second American flag at Iwo Jima in the Japanese Volcano Islands on February 23, 1945. This memorial is dedicated to all the fallen Marines and their comrades  from other services of all wars   who fell fighting beside them.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower spearheaded  the dedication of this memorial on November 10, 1954.

This memorial is located outside of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Ridge Park in Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.   It said that during  summer time on Tuesday evenings, the U.S. Marine Corps band performs free hour-long drum and bugle concerts called Sunset Parades. I wish we would have seen it but not lucky enough since it wasn't included in our tour.  

I wonder what these kids are thinking seeing this piece of historic monument?

Philippines was mentioned there too.

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Despite the rain, we still got to see our other destinations. It was disappointing that we miss the laying of the wreath for the girls but nothing we can do. The delay in our arrival due to the car accident ahead of us and the pouring rain caused us to miss a couple of events. #WashingtonDC #IwojimaMonument

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Awesome Guide on Regaining Your Fitness to be More Active with the Kids

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“It takes focus and intensity to be the best version of yourself.” - Jennifer Widerstrom #exercise #fitnessjourney #stayingactive #healthiswealth🌳💰💯

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It's not uncommon to become a little unfit as we get older. Aside from the natural declines linked to aging, other commitments like our careers can get in the way. As a parent, though, it's important to rediscover some fitness. While you might not want to run a marathon, you do want the opportunity to do more things with the kids. Besides, good fitness levels will improve your overall health for a longer and happier future.

I am a firm believer that most parents abandon their goals because they fail to plan ahead. So, here are my simple tips to keep you on the right track.

Lifestyle Changes

Before digging out your old running sneakers, your first job is to regain control of the simple daily tasks that set a platform for success. While there's no need to avoid all tasty treats, adopting a better relationship with food is essential. Staying hydrated throughout the day is the easiest and most effective change that you can implement. So, make this your priority.

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Arm #wrestling, one their favorite #FatherAndSonBonding

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I cannot emphasize the importance of a good night's sleep enough. It impacts everything from physical health to energy levels and your mood. Whether you need to invest in a new mattress or change your evening routines, improved sleep patterns are a priority. When the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle are in place, the journey to a fitter future will be far smoother.

Family-Friendly Exercise

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We miss going to #church on Sundays. We’re continuously #praying that this #pandemic will soon be over. #ncov2019 #CoVidEffect #SurvivingCoronaVirus #Faith #CatholicFaith #KeepingTheFaithGoing #FamilyWalks #iPhonePhotos

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Your main incentive for getting fit is to spend more time with the family. So, why not take up a sporting hobby that you can enjoy together? Plenty of team sports can be enjoyed as a family with casual games and routines in the backyard. Meanwhile, skating is a fantastic family activity. Roller Skate Dad can provide valuable insight into equipment and finding adventures. Embrace it.

The true beauty of family-friendly exercise is that it's not only for your benefit. Stopping children from becoming totally addicted to tech is a major challenge for modern parents, while obesity is a pandemic. The group activities help you overcome this problem. Many of the hobbies can be coupled with days out and exploring new places, especially if you look at ideas like cycling.

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Set Challenges

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In February 26th 1990, my #husband enlisted in the Military where he served 20 years in the Navy. It’s been 10 years since he retired from the service and now doing a civilian job. #Veteran #SailorVet #MilitaryVeteran #USN

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There's no time limit on when you need to get fit. Likewise, becoming fitter doesn't necessarily mean that you need to get a six-pack or drop a shirt size. Nonetheless, without a source of motivation, it's very hard to stay on track. I've been there, and I'm certain you have too. Without wanting to run a marathon, you may find that signing up for a local 10km run is just the ticket.

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After playing #badminton, we went to St. Joe’s and help with the rummage sale. We will go back again tomorrow. We’re making summer break worthwhile. If you guys wants to find neat stuff, come at St. Joe’s gymnasium in June 14, 15, 16. They have so many things from furniture to collectible stuff, you name it. #charity #rummageSale #donation

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I find that when my friends join fitness events, the ones that raise money for charity perform better. It is also a good way to encourage kids to get involved. They can design the running jersey, create signs, and do other creative things to support their parent on the big day. When you have a responsibility to make your children proud, it'll spur you on throughout the training process too.

Make Fitness Convenient

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It’s a bit gloomy outside so we workout at our home gym. Please don’t mind what I’m wearing. Changing into a workout clothing is not necessary. Walked 4.1 miles on a treadmill, good enough to break the sweat out. #FitnessAtHome💪 #StayingActive #Surviving2020 #nCovEffect #SweatingItOut #plank

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One of the many reasons I love family exercise is that it's convenient in relation to time management. This is an objective that should extend to your personal fitness journey too. If the nearest gym is five miles away, the commute can consume valuable time. When it starts to cause negative impacts in your daily life, you will eventually fall back into your old ways.

The best way to overcome this is to invest in some home gym equipment. U-Powex resistance bands are a great option if you're hoping to become more flexible and supple. While weight training and regular cardio are important too, you must not lose sight of your goal. If the main function of getting fit is to be active with the kids, avoiding aches and pains is crucial.

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Enjoy Your Rewards

Finally, if you do find a path to success, it's vital that you allow yourself to enjoy it. To take control of your health and fitness when you have other life commitments to juggle is a huge success. When you look and feel the best that you have for several years, vacations and new clothes are fully deserved. Besides, it teaches kids about the value of hard work.

A fitter you is a happier you, and a happier you is a better parent. You already have the motivation and the tools to regain control of your fitness. Now that you also have a winning plan of action in place, there's nothing to stop you achieving those goals. I totally believe in you; you've got this!

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Our first white water rafting was a blast. My husband’s first experience was in #Australia and he said it was a lot of fun so he wanted us to experience it. We did it in #Tennessee, the kids said they would do it again. We’ll probably do it here in #WestVirginia ‘s #NewRiverGorge. Our guide, Bill, was really nice, he really made our experience a lot of fun. He even brought bubbles for the kids. We shared the fun with two guys from #Norway , it was nice rafting with you guys, John and Yen. #WhiteWaterRafting #RaftingInTheSmokies #NatureAdventure #SummerFun #FamilyVacation #travels #AdventureSeeker #TravelJunkies

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