polka dot suitcase » Adventure
Camping and crabbing at Carolina Beach
Back from another camping expedition! Real quickie, though. We were down in Carolina Beach where the kids had a crabbing class — wading knee-deep into a salt marh, tossing bait fish out, and luring blue crabs back through the shallow waters (released them all, naturally, along with the shrimp, minnows, and snails who were also captured after fierce battles). There were 15 absolutely fantastic boys in all, most of whom followed up the crab adventure … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adventure
Colonial Williamsburg
You know what would be really cool? If I’d just gotten back from Colonial Williamsburg and had lots of photos and activities and stuff to share with you. As it turns out… I haven’t gone to Colonial Williamsburg yet this year. It’s been on my to do list, though, does that count? However, you may be more fortunate than I and are planning to head to Virginia to experience living history. And if you are, have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activities, Adventure, Books
Camping rocks!
So you know we’re big into camping here at Chez Polka Dot. We were blessed to adopt a camper, but tent camping works for us, too. (Much as I would like to say there’s no difference between the two, there kinda is: Air conditioning/heat, a fridge instead of a cooler, beds off the ground…) The great thing about camping, no matter your abode, is that kids can always find a way to entertain themselves in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activities, Adventure
Pre-vacation dinner
No, we’re not going on vacation any time soon. (Boo!) But over on a travel board I sporadically read, the buzz is about pre-vacation dinners for the family. You know, like the kids aren’t excited enough to be going to the Grand Canyon, Atlantis, or Disney World so you pump ‘em up just that extra bit by having a “themed” dinner? I actually think it’s a really fun idea, and worth considering, especially if you’ve got … Read entire article »
Filed under: Activities, Adventure, Food
Outer Banks, North Carolina
We recently took a little trip over to the Outer Banks (OBX) for a couple days. I’d planned on making another music video about this trip, like our Charleston vid, and we even finally settled on a song and captured lots of pix and vid…but my free trial version of the cool movie making software expired and until I scrounge up some dough to make the purchase…well, you’re going to have to settle for the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adventure
Family Travel: 4 Ways to Stray From the Beaten Path
So, I was talking with my sister the other day — emailing actually, because we’re so 21st century and talking is très Old School — and I asked if she’d seen our Charleston vid. She said it looked fun, then added (paraphrasing), “But really, aren’t all trips fun? Or else, what’s the point?” All trips should be fun, sure. Not all of them do go that way. Just ask my friend down in Texas. Her family … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adventure
Food in Charleston: Shrimp and Grits
Look at a map of the United States. See North Carolina? We’re on the coast, right? You’d think that meant I’d be able to find decent seafood. Sadly, no. I can’t find a decent seafood meal to save my life. Granted, Chez Polka Dot is smack-dab in the middle of the state, so maybe the seafood can’t travel that far inland on their little legs and fins. So I was excited to think I’d get … Read entire article »
Volunteering with kids in Charleston: Oysters away!
It’s nine in the morning in February, and it’s freezing in Charleston, South Carolina. My kids are shivering, and my 10-year old is giving me the evil eye that says, “Why did you sign us up for this?” We’re standing with a clump of other families, all of us waiting to find out what we really did sign up for, six weeks ago, sitting in front of our computers, sipping coffee in our jammies. And … Read entire article »
Filed under: Adventure
Charleston, South Carolina
It was supposed to be a late-winter getaway to cure our itchy travel bug. Who knew it was going to be so crammed with fun and activity? Turns out, Charleston isn’t just a destination for romantics and adults sans kids. We only had three days and we were going non-stop — could have easily filled another three. TIDBIT TO LOOK SMART IN FRONT OF YOUR KIDS: The beautiful Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston isn’t a suspension bridge … Read entire article »