Browsing Category: Family Travel United States

There is so much to do and see that it would take a lifetime to do it all. However, Adventures of Abby Girl is all about family travel in the United States.

In this category, learn about awesome family travel ideas such as all-inclusive resorts such as Pine Ridge Dude Ranch in the heart of the Catskill.

Find awesome beaches and climb mountains in Connecticut or learn about family-friendly attractions such as SeaQuest or Museum Village.

Go to Pennsylvania and learn all about places such as Cabella’s or head to Lake George in New York.

You can skip the border into Vermont and learn about some pretty awesome off the beaten path small American towns.

Be aware that we tell it like it is with the good, the bad and the downright hilarious. We always keep it real. No sugar coating. We even might talk about taking the long route and all the things that happen along that route.

So go through these posts in this category and maybe you will be inspired to take your family on some of the adventures Abby girl and her family have been on. Perhaps we will even see you there!

seaquest-trumbull-ct-birthday-parties

We have gone to Seaquest Trumbull CT as just a family day trip. However, for Abby girl’s sixth birthday, she got to have a birthday party there! Everyone had a wonderful time! This is a sponsored post.

What is Seaquest?

Many People comment and complain that these types of places are simply mall aquariums with some animals on attraction. That the space isn’t adequate or animals are not cared for properly and this is far from the truth. Seaquest is involved in humanitarian efforts and the whole time we were there, we saw passionate caretakers who really cared for all the animals and took a strong passionate interest in all the species on display.  So, if it wasn’t for a place such as SeaQuest, many animals would not survive. See the full article in Part 1 of the SeaQuest adventure.

Furthermore, it’s a wonderful place to have a birthday party whether you are a little or a big kid and since it’s indoors, you don’t have to worry about inclement weather either to have an animal-themed party.

Seaquest adventure

SeaQuest Party Package includes:

  • Admission to SeaQuest for child & parent(s), plus 10 guests. (Additional guests can be included in your party at an extra charge of $14.95 per guest)
  • Access to SeaQuest party room (1 hr & 30 min)
  • A special encounter with an animal of the birthday child’s choice.
  • Feeding tokens for the birthday group. (We will provide 4 feeding tokens for a group of 10, 10 tokens for a group of 20, 5 tokens for each additional 10 after that. Additional SeaQuest tokens can be purchased in-store or on our website here.)
  • A VIP gift for the birthday child.
  • Goodie bags for every attendee (includes a BOGO certificate for next visit)
Seaquest

The Party Room

We had around 25 people at Abby’s birthday and there was still plenty of space in the party room. However, we would recommend purchasing a longer slot for the party room. It felt as if it went by really fast. It’s definitely doable because we did food and cake in the first hour. Then they brought the animal. Afterward, the birthday girl opened presents and then time was up. But, you are free to stay and enjoy the animals for as long as you want. You just have to be completely out of the party room.

Keep in mind that it’s a shared party room where two parties up to 22 people each might share the room or you can rent the whole room. We preferred just having the whole room to ourselves.

SeaQuest Trumbull CT

The Animal Encounter at Seaquest Trumbull CT:

They gave Abby a choice of about five animals to pick from for her birthday. She picked the parrot. His name is Ramsey and loved hamming it up for his adoring crowd. Each child, if they wanted, could pose with the parrot on them.

*you can purchase additional animal encounters too for $15 per animal.


Food/Beverage/Decorations

Outside food is allowed. We had a custom cake made from a local bakery. The pizza was really tasty and on time which is important in a fixed time slot. So, we highly recommend Trumbull Pizza Company. For 25 guests, we ordered 5 pizza pies. Two we requested the slices be cut in 1/16th for the smaller children.


Alcohol is not permitted on site. 
Balloons, pinatas, open flames (i.e. candles, hot serving dishes) can be used. We didn’t even use decorations. There are two big viewing windows where you can see the fish in the party room and plenty of spots for photo opportunities. The children loved taking photos with the surfboard. What they provided was enough for us and less to clean up.

After the Party Room

Everyone went and spent time exploring all the awesome attractions around SeaQuest. It was nice having unlimited time to explore. What’s really awesome is you will see staff members walking around with animals from time to time too. They are very eager to show you the animal and tell you all about them. They have many types of encounters from land to sea and everything in between. Some cost additional tokens and many others are included with admission. There are some non-animal experiences too such as the simulated hurricane. Then of course, before we left, we visited the gift shop.

SeaQuest Trumbull CT

Additional Add-ons

Marina, the Mermaid can be included in your party at an extra charge of $45 per hour. This is the one thing, I wish I would have booked and didn’t. My daughter loves mermaids.

What are the birthday hours?

SeaQuest birthdays can be reserved any day of the week. The time slots will be dependent on the current reservations but happen on the even hours (10 AM, 12 PM, etc.) We suggest booking as soon as you know the date/time of your event so that your spot is reserved. 

SeaQuest Trumbull CT

Final Thoughts on Seaquest Trumbull CT

For a unique birthday that is great for all, consider SeaQuest. We visited the one in Trumbull CT. However, they have locations throughout the United States. Just remember that each SeaQuest will differ. But, the fact still remains, that this will be a birthday for the books because everyone will have a fintastic time!

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family-adventures-at-seaquest-trumbull-ct

Seaquest is an awesome place to adventure with your family. In fact, it is a place families will want to return to over and over again. Every time you go, there is a new experience or encounter. Since a lot of the animals are rescues/surrenders, new animal arrivals are common! We got to meet a few of these new arrivals on our trip to Seaquest in Trumbull CT and had several brand new experiences. This is a sponsored post.

What is Seaquest?

Many People comment and complain that these types of places are simply mall aquariums with some animals on attraction. That the space isn’t adequate or animals are not cared for properly and this is far from the truth. Seaquest is involved in humanitarian efforts and the whole time we were there, we saw passionate caretakers who really cared for all the animals and took a strong passionate interest in all the species on display. If it wasn’t for a place such as SeaQuest, many animals would not survive.

rescue
a rescued bird they are rehabbing

Our VIP Experience-

Last year at SeaQuest we celebrated 1,213 live births from eight species, giving us the ability to help with conservation of endangered, vulnerable & threatened animals.

1Two-toed Sloth
*Threatened Species*

400Axolotls
*Critically Endangered

*4Asian Small-clawed Otters
*Vulnerable Species*

https://trumbull.visitseaquest.com/new-about-us/https://trumbull.visitseaquest.com/new-about-us/

They also are actively involved in community organizations and non-profits supporting the education of children as well as other causes.

The VIP Experience usually allows for up to three VIP encounters and does not include admission price (unless you are a member). However, so we can share all we learned, we opted to do all five!

Snorkel with Stingrays-

Snorkeling with stingrays is a lot of fun. They provide wet suits and snorkels. Don’t forget to bring towels and something dry for afterward. Trust me. I forgot to pack my husband’s spare underwear. Don’t be like me.

You then are allowed to snorkel around this huge tank and look at all the different species swimming around you. Even children can go in and explore. Abby loves it and is only 5. I opted to be the photo taker on this trip.

Hang with a Sloth-

The sloth is so cool. You go and feed him. While the sloth is occupied with food, you can pet its head and belly. Also, be aware, he really likes cameras.

Fishy Kiss Experience-

This is a foot spa where little tiny fish nibble at your toes. Abby is very hyper and didn’t last the whole time. She said it tickled a lot. I found it relaxing despite the fact that they only seemed to like my one foot. In particular, my heel. My husband didn’t try it as he really doesn’t like feet. But, he was a trooper and got plenty of footage of the experience instead.

Asian Otter Interaction-

In this exhibit, people slide raw fish down a tube for the two Asian Otters to enjoy. In the end, people can feed each a mussel in the shell (it’s something new Seaquest is implementing). It’s fun to watch them try to crack them open. The final part is picking out a sparkling rock to put in the tube. They love playing with these and hiding them!

seaquest

Kinkajou Experience-

We went into the party room and they brought in the baby kinkajou. The most adorable part of our visit! People can feed it honey and fruits and vegetables. Be aware that these are very curious creatures. It crawled onto my backpack and tried to crawl in.

Why Seaquest is so awesome for homeschoolers!

Homeschooling is on the rise. Many families who never thought they would homeschool are put in a brand new position. I am one of those parents. I am also one of those parents that believes hands-on experiences are far more valuable than sitting in a classroom with a textbook learning about the same things.

At Seaquest, the people who work there really took the time. They were very knowledgeable about every animal we encountered. The number of facts we learned or they gave us was mindblowing. They give you fun facts too. Not just dry boring ones. That really kept our interest.

Here are a few we learned from Seaquest Staff-

The two-toed sloth goes to the bathroom once every five days on the ground.

The sloth has two toes and you tell by the front claws, not the back. The back claws are all three.

A Guitar Fish is extremely curious and would not leave my husband’s toes alone as he went on his snorkeling expedition with Abby Girl. Remember how much he loves feet (sarcasm)

The nine-month-old kinkajou is on a flipped sleep schedule and loves their sloth stuffed animal in the pouch they are carried around in (yes workers take turns carrying the baby around and it’s beyond adorable!)

Asian-small clawed otters are escape artists. In fact, some escaped from a zoo in England and formed a colony in the wild. I actually researched it when I got home and the fact-checked out!

Britain has a new species of carnivore, living and breeding in the wild. But farmers and country folk can take comfort: this is no sheep-eating Beast of Bodmin. The Asian short-clawed otter, found from India eastwards to Borneo and Java, has established itself on rivers and canals near Oxford after escaping from captivity. Sightings over 10 years have satisfied naturalists that a small population has managed to breed successfully.

https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/asian-small-clawed-otters-wild-in-the-uk.462366/
  • seaquest
  • seaquest

Watch our video here!

Beyond the VIP-

There is a whole bunch of other stuff to see too and interact with too. We shared some of our random highlights in the slide show above. We love that you can purchase tokens and feed a lot of the animals. There is also a great gift shop. Having a birthday here or a special event would be really awesome.

Final Thoughts About Seaquest-

If you are looking for a family adventure that will make memories that last a lifetime, go visit Seaquest in Trumbull. Not from the area? There are Seaquests in other parts of the United States too. In fact, there is one about an hour further from us in the Hudson Valley than the Trumbull location in Woodbridge, NJ. Tag us on social media if you go! We will share your photo in our stories! You can follow Seaquest on social media too. Adventure on!


Need to book a place to stay overnight? Read our first-time experience at an Airbnb!

Wondering how you become a Christian adventurer like us … Read this nifty how-to article!

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vlei-marsh-preserve-a-special-place-to-visit

Vlei Marsh Preserve just opened in the month of June after months of planning and creating by the Winnakee Land Trust. It is truly a special place.

What is Vlei Marsh Preserve?

According to the website, Vlei Marsh Preserve is…

The second-largest wetland area in Rhinebeck, Vlei Marsh consists of 165 acres, 90 acres of which are DEC designated wetlands, including 1,300 feet of headwaters of the Fallsburg Creek. The property is designated by the DEC as a Core Forest in a Forest Linkage Zone. It is also designated as a DEC Significant Biodiversity Area in the Hudson Valley and is home to a rich diversity of bird and amphibian life and beavers. Its trails consist of 1.5 miles of two, looped trails, Offering visitors picturesque views along the wetland and through forested areas. There is also a partial connection to the Landsman Kill Equestrian Trails. This property is owned and managed by the Winnakee Land Trust since 2020.

https://www.winnakee.org/vleimarsh/
vlei marsh preserve

But Beyond That …

It is a truly special place. We went while the natural art exhibit is still dotting the landscape (shoutout to the artist, Richard Prouse). There are creatures from sticks and sculptures like something out of fairytales. In fact, as my child ran through the woods during the late afternoon, a light rain was falling and it just was indescribable. Picturesque.

We came up to a lean-to in the forest. It had all kinds of woodland decorations on it and inside, a bunch of fairy houses. My child let out a shriek of joy as she sat down quietly amongst them. This is a child who never sits still. She quietly whispered to me that the fairies made all this. Abby Girl begged me to find out if she could come back at night to see the fairies awake. I told her that the trails close at night. But, we could come another day to Vlei Marsh and as many times after that.

fairy house

Even after this art installation closes (June 19th), Vlei Marsh will still be a magical place. There is something about it there that draws you in and the swamp is amazing. According to the website, after July 15, people can also paddle the swamp. I would love to try that too! But, for now, we will just stay on the trails.

We also love the mix of scenery between the woodlands and swamp area. The rocks we had to skip over and birds we heard greeting us. As mentioned before, this is a very special place. We would even recommend this as a place to come and sit. Just be in the moment and perhaps meditate and pray. Bring your sketch pad or notebook and be inspired.

Getting to Vlei Swamp Preserve-

I used my GPS and passed it the first time. It looks like a driveway with a gate. Just park along the shoulder. Go around the gate and start walking.

Final Thoughts-

We love adventuring to new trails! Vlei Swamp Preserve did not disappoint. It’s fairly easy walking. We encountered rolling hills. However, that was it. So family approved. Let us know what you think when you go to Vlei Swamp Preserve in Rhinebeck NY.

Want another awesome place to visit? Try Locust Grove Estates in Poughkeepsie NY!

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inspired-at-locust-grove-estate

Locust Grove Estate is a great place for the whole family including the chubby dog to visit. They have art, history and lovely trails. A great combo for a day of adventuring at a Hudson Valley Location. 

Getting to Locust Grove Estate-

Locust Grove is conveniently located on rt 9 in Poughkeepsie NY. There is plenty of parking and handicapped accessible. Enter through the gift shop. This is always dangerous for us. Abby got a stuffed animal Eagle that makes the sounds because we saw one on the side of the road on 343 eating with vultures the day before. But, anyways, super easy to find and get into. Say hello to the lovely person or people behind the desk and head through the doors to the grounds. If you need a restroom, it is to the left and down the hall where you first entered before heading into the gift shop.

The estate grounds-

Without even going on the trails, the grounds are lovely to either sit and look at the view behind the house or wander through the gardens. There are also two old cemeteries on the grounds with one for pets and one for people. We love the old horse carriage and big bellowing trees that dot the property. Currently, Locust Grove is having a fairy house scavenger hunt for a ten-dollar suggested donation. We saw one on our way to the trails. But, if you pay the ten dollars suggested donation, they give you a map to find the houses. It will be on weekends through June. 

Fun Fact: According to the Locust Grove Estate Website, the grounds and gardens have been restored to what they were pre-WWII. That’s pretty nifty.

Locust Grove Estates

The Trails-

Follow the path down past the two cemeteries and picnic area all on your right and you will see a big fence/gate. Just go through there to access several trails. There is a trail down a bit to the right. It’s a really easy trail that just brings you back around to the main grounds,

trail

However, on our last trip, we went straight down the hill past the old barn that looks like a beautiful New England painting and followed signs for the Hudson River. You can loop around for a several-mile hike. We decided to just follow a dead-end trail down and then out and back our trip. On our way back from the dead-end trail, we saw a huge black snake on the side of the trail. Not even telling a fishtail, it was seriously huge. You know the arms you make when you say it was “this big,” it was that big, and then some. 

We have traveled many trails over the past few years at Locust Grove and love the varying scenery and even though it can get a little crowded especially on weekends, it is still a really nice place to navigate the trails. It’s also moderately easy. Some hills and rocks. But not bad. 

Tip: Wear bug spray and stay on the trail

Locust Grove Estates
See Video of Snake Here (like/subscribe/comment too!)

Other Events at Locust Grove Estate-

Locust Grove holds other events throughout the year as well. They have artists that show throughout the year too. So there seems to always be something happening at Locust Grove for all people to enjoy

The History of Locust Grove-

Locust Grove was once home to Samuel Morse and Locust Grove now hosts permanent exhibits from his career as an artist and inventor. 

Locust Grove first belonged to the Morse family. After that, it was rented by the Young family. Eventually Annette Young would become the sole owner and her mission was to make this a historic site. This was achieved in the late 1970s. To read the full history, go here

Walking Through History

Final Thoughts About Locust Grove Estate-

Locust Grove is a great place to visit. It’s rich in history, available for events, and even hosts some cool events. They have wonderful art on display and beautiful hiking trails to explore. Bring your art canvas and some paints and become inspired like other Hudson Valley artists such as Morse from a time long ago.

Looking for more places to adventure in Hudson Valley? How about along the Hudson River? We have been to so many spots along the river, we couldn’t even list them all in this one post! Visit it here!

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facts-of-mom-life

I have learned many facts about mom life just in five short years from the adventures of mom life and had many new experiences. For mother’s day this year, I just want to share a few of the things I have learned from a Christain perspective. Besides, there can always be a part 2 next year!

Patience Lots and Lot’s of Patience-

This past year this has been clearer than ever. We couldn’t go to indoor locations. The year became the year of we. As in I thought I was going to send the darling to school and well, that didn’t happen and I am now staring at another year of homeschool. She is a child who tests boundaries and a mom’s patience at every step. We are also very similar so often it is like I am getting frustrated with a smaller version of myself. But strong-willed littles are tomorrow’s leaders, right? 

MESSY CHILD

Being a parent of a special needs child is also not easy and takes a whole other level of patience. Sometimes she cannot speak. I have to be her voice when she becomes frustrated and anxious. God never gives us more than we can handle. However, sometimes as a mom the patience just seems like a heavy load. So I have learned ways to cope. Take time for me even if it’s a ride to the store where I can be with myself and talk to God or sing insanely loud. It also takes patience with not just my child but everyone around me that thinks they know the answers. God didn’t create anyone perfect. We are lumps of clay to be molded by the potter himself. Only He truly has the answers 

Even with my own husband. I have had to learn patience with our child. Sometimes we do not see eye to eye. We were raised in totally different households and it isn’t always easy. I was raised in a theater family in Westchester. I now love hugging trees. My husband grew up on a rural farm in Dutchess County. He uses trees as firewood.   So being patient and finding common ground is something that is a work in progress between us.

Kids Can do awesome stuff Which leads to Inspiration for Mom-

My child has taught me so much. She has done more than some adults and pushed limits in crazy ways. During the pandemic we became wanderers. We walked into the woods and started wandering. She was only four when the pandemic hit. We went to remote locations. Bushwhacked. Rock scrambled and at times I wanted to give up. But, she pushed me on. We are now over 700 miles and she has done most on her own two feet over the last five years. We completed probably 200 plus since the Pandemic started in March 2020. So it taught me to not say “I can’t” but instead, I can. Our Bible verse is “I can do all things through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” Phil 4:13. My child has shown me that this is completely possible. 

mom life

Not in My Time-

I tried and tried to always do things in my way and my time. However, this isn’t even Biblically Possible. My child has really shown me that things happen in God’s Time. Not my time. I cannot have it my way.

Right down to my pregnancy. I was ready to go back into acting. Go on a tour. Leave my husband in the dust for a while and guess what happened? I got pregnant after years and years with my husband. My first pregnancy test wasn’t even positive. But, I did the moonwalk across the floor while singing can’t touch this. My husband said it’s up to God and ya know what? A few weeks later a loud voice woke me up at about 2 am and told me to go take another pregnancy test. I laughed and guess what? The test was very positive. I couldn’t have it my way. But ultimately my daughter’s unplanned entrance was the best miracle that ever happened to me.

Even now, I mentioned before the year of me and now it is we. I was really excited to work on my own. Set forth on my new journey while my child was at school and well, again not up to me and that was not His plan. God had other plans. Remember Proverbs 16:9?

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

And this past year during the Pandemic, I left it all up to Him and more doors have opened than they ever would if I would have had the year of me. I knocked and He answered.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” Matthew 7:7

 So my child showing me how I need to leave it up to God has actually worked really well. He has established my steps into very cool directions and I couldn’t ask for a better person to step with than my mini-me even though sometimes she can drive me a tad bonkers. We have knocked on many doors together and they have taken us on awesome adventures.

I have learned children are always watching their mom …

She wants to be just like mom. Which I think is fairly common especially in the younger years. I know as a teenager all I wanted to do was run away from my parents. But I feel like if I set a strong Christian foundation for her maybe she won’t ever want to run away from me or maybe just run away for a bit and come back. 

I love this parable in the Bible:

The Wise and Foolish Builders

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

So I try to build a strong Christian foundation for her to follow and hopefully she will be like me and follow in example in all her ways as she grows. 

start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 26:6

And because my child is watching me I have to work on weak areas in my life such as my tongue because children are like little parrots. They repeat everything. I mean everything and I have to come up with some quick answers. Have to hold that tongue. 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies Proverbs 34:13

And let me tell you, the tongue is quick and saying some wicked stuff. So instead I have had to learn to use my mouth for good. Like lifting others up and being positive. Especially now in times that can seem so dark with no end in sight.

But even things she does. Most recently the potato man she drew on the bedroom wall to keep shadows away. I just rolled with it after I calmly explained why we don’t draw on walls. Obviously, there are times when she needs to know she did wrong and there are consequences. It’s just a matter of how and what spews from the depths of my large, booming mouth. Hold that tongue. My husband likes to remind me about how loud I constantly am. I simply tell him that I’m projecting. 

Hey Wanna See a mom literally swing into mom life? Click Here!

An Unexplainable Love-

Love is Patient, Love is kind, Love is so many things, and having a child is all these things and more. My daughter and I have a saying, it’s Me and her against the world. A mother’s love is losing sleep, wiping boogery noses, being there to cheer them on and dry their tears. Last week, Abby ended up getting very ill. It took a day and a half of me being right by her side. If I moved, she would scream in fear. I got zero work done. But, my child comes first, and my love for her. 

My husband has lost a lot less sleep than I. I even co-sleep with mine right now because of situations that have come up. My husband moved into my daughter’s room for happy nights of peaceful slumber amongst the unicorns and fuzzy pink blankets. But a mother’s love. I cannot even truly fully explain it. It has pushed me and made me a better person. Even though I think I will be sleep-deprived for the foreseeable future. Besides God, I will never love anyone more than my little girl. But, it’s a different type of love. Like I said, an unexplainable love. 

mom and daughter life

Still Learning About Mom Life

I’m still learning. Remember, God knew us before we were born. He created each person unique and special in their own ways with their own talents, gifts. I’m not sure if I will have another child. It’s not up to me. But, I guarantee you that the second child would be a whole other experience. Some things might be similar. But, like I said every person is unique like the stars in the sky or the snowflakes that fall in winter’s breath. So each parenting experience is unique too. The journey I am on with my daughter will continue to teach me new things and toss me curveballs. But, ultimately with God by my side, I know I have this and He won’t steer me wrong.

Therefore, I ask every mother reading this today to look inside themselves and see what their children have taught them? When you take a minute to step back and think about it, you will be amazed by everything our children have taught us. I’m ready for the next chapter. Are you?

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