Horseshoe Crabs on the Beach in Wildwood New Jersey

Our travel "Photo of the Week" this week features a photo I took back on September 11th, 2012 of a horseshoe crab on the beach in North Wildwood, New Jersey. Normally when we walk the beach, we will see one or two horseshoe crabs up on the beach (dead or alive) but during this particular week, we saw over a hundred of them!

I don't know why so many horseshoe crabs were washing up onto the beach that week but it was really strange! We go down to our condo a few times every year to enjoy the Jersey Shore and the beach, and I don't ever recall seeing so many horseshoe crabs on the beach like we did in early September.

The previous year we saw a LOT of Jellyfish on the beach, but not a lot of horseshoe crabs. I am not sure why we saw so many, but they were pretty to look at (the "alive" ones) but the dead ones...well, the seagulls were having a field day and dinner with those!

When you see a horseshoe crab stuck on the beach, check to see if it's still alive. If so, turn it upright and carry it down into the water and set it free. Sometimes they get stuck on the sand during rough surf or during breeding time when they get tired. If they're still alive, please stop and help to set them free! They're an important part of the coastal eco-system.

BEAR CREEK To Host Second Fall Festival in October

The 2012 Bear Creek Fall Festival is planned for Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. The event will be held outdoors in the base area and is a shine only event. Most event festivities will kick-off around noon.

This family fun event will include: pumpkin chucking, nature discussions and storytelling, 5k and 10k trail run, tethered hot air balloon rides, rock wall climbing, used ski equipment sale, chair lift rides, petting zoo, crafts and more.

Tickets will be available at guest services beginning at 9am on October 7. Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for children and ages 5 and under are free, admission fee includes most activities.

The Hotel at Bear Creek is offering a Fall Festival vacation package starting at just $114 per person. This package is based on double occupancy and includes an overnight stay at The Hotel at Bear Creek, two tickets to the Fall Festival, a $50 dining card and breakfast for two at the Trail’s End Café. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort at 1-866-754-2822.

About Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center

Bear Creek Mountain Resort is nestled on over 330 acres in Macungie, Pennsylvania. The resort offers skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing winter activities and hiking, biking, boating, tennis, disc golf and nearby golf during the spring through fall months. Guests can plan an event in the spacious banquet and meeting facilities, dine at The Grille at Bear Creek or the Trail’s End Cafe, relax at The Spa at Bear Creek or vacation at the hotel, The Hotel at Bear Creek, with indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs.

Morey's Fears - Terror on the Boardwalk in Wildwood New Jersey

Last year we had the great pleasure of attending Morey's Fears on the Pier in Wildwood, New Jersey. We visited during the middle of October over a weekend and had a great time! I do want to state, this is not an activity or event for little kids, but for older ones and for adults. 

This year Morey's Fears Terror on the Boardwalk has added a new attraction to their line-up called "Terror Trench" and you can find out more about that directly on their web site.

Morey's Fears - Terror on the Boardwalk takes place this year on the weekends of:

October 5th through 7th
October 12th through 13th
October 19th through 20th
October 26th through 27th

Last year it was really fun & pretty scary (in a good way!) and we had a great time! You won't find many boardwalk stores open during the evening but there are a few (mostly food joints), but then again, you are not there to shop! 

They decorate the pier in spooky Halloween decorations and you can ride several of their rides which is pretty scary at night...but fun! Last year they had a few folks dressed up in Halloween costumes which really was fun to see.

If you are heading to Stone Harbor, Wildwood, Diamond Beach or Cape May in October, make sure you save one weekend evening to go on over to see Morey's Fears! 

Fall is in the air in Pennsylvania

The first day of Fall for 2012 is on September 22nd and after having a hot and steamy summer here in Pennsylvania, I was looking forward to the cooler temperatures that Fall brings. 

A few days ago I went out for a walk through our neighborhood with my mommy walking group and all of us were chatting about the leaves turning colors "early" this year and they have been hitting the ground for the past 2 weeks or so. We usually see this in late September, not the middle of September, so that is why we all have been noticing it.

I love Fall and all of the cooler weather activities that go with it. Over the next few weeks, hubby and I will be taking a few drives up into the Pennsylvania mountains so that we can check out all of the Fall foliage. Pennsylvania is a really gorgeous state during the Fall season and for all of you who love checking out the Fall foliage on the east coast, make sure you drive through Pennsylvania!

One of the areas we like to visit in the Fall is Lancaster County because you can drive through miles upon miles of Amish farmlands and countryside, and really see the beautiful Fall foliage and you can catch a few glimpses of the Amish preparing their farms for winter. If you are really lucky, you might see an Amish Horse & Buggy too!

I will be posting some Fall Festivities and Activities going on here in Pennsylvania over the next 2 to 3 weeks, so keep looking for those posts. You can also find some activities and things to see & do here in Pennsylvania by checking out my Pennsylvania category here on my blog. Enjoy Fall!

Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina

Kiawah Island Golf Resort Announces Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages for late-fall & winter.

KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – Kiawah Island Golf Resort today announced special fall and winter “stay-and-play” or “stay-and-dine” packages. Kiawah’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages” provides great deals for staying at the resort and either playing golf or dining in its award-winning restaurants.

“Whether your passion is for a day on the links or an evening of fine dining, this fall and winter the resort offers a choice – a chance to take on the course that Rory conquered at the 2012 PGA Championship (or one of the resort’s other championship courses) or, if you’re more of a ‘foodie,’ dine at one of the region’s best restaurants while staying at one of America’s premier resorts,” said Tom Bewley, the resort’s Sales and Marketing Director. “When compared to our peak season rates, the Golf or Gourmet Escape Package equals a 60% savings. It’s an extraordinary deal at one of the nation’s top resorts.”

From November 5, 2012 to February 28, 2013, guests on the resort’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Package” can choose accommodations (Sanctuary Hotel or luxury villa) and two rounds of golf or accommodations (Sanctuary Hotel or luxury villa) and two dinners. Guests have the option of the “Champions Choice” or “Players Choice” packages depending on their taste in restaurants or courses.
The Champions Choice package includes:

Two rounds of golf per room per night on ANY course (including The Ocean Course)
-OR-

Dinner for two at ANY restaurant (including The Ocean Room and The Atlantic Room)
•Sanctuary - $400 per night
•Villa - $300 per night

The Players Choice package includes:

Two rounds of golf per room per night on Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point

-OR-

Dinner for two at Jasmine Porch, Tomasso or Cherrywood BBQ

•Sanctuary - $300 per night
•Villa - $200 per night

Packages are subject to availability. Tax and villa resort fee additional. Accommodation options are a Garden View room at The Sanctuary or a one bedroom Scenic View Villa. Blackout dates include (but are not limited to) November 9-10, 16-17 and December 31. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Not valid for groups. Minimum length of stay may apply.
For more information on Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages,” go to www.KiawahGolforGourmet.com or call 800-654-2924.

Located along 10 miles of pristine beach just south of Charleston, South Carolina, Kiawah Island Golf Resort was recently named the No. 1 golf resort on the U.S. Mainland by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The publication also named Kiawah as the No. 3 overall resort on the U.S. Mainland. TennisResortsOnline named it the No. 1 tennis resort in the world for six of the last seven years. Kiawah Island is also known as one of the top eco-friendly resorts in the U.S., and its beach was named one of the 10 best beaches in America by famed “beachologist,” Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach. In addition to Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s 255-room oceanfront hotel and spa, the resort manages 509 private villas and luxury homes, nine restaurants, two tennis centers, a renowned recreation and nature program and has five championship golf courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 1991 Ryder Cup and the2012 PGA Championship.

Where to Look for Affordable Hotels in Las Vegas

So you want to take a gamble in sin city do you? Well if you want to spend all your money on the blackjack table or in the slot machines then you need to be pinching your pennies on everything else if you are hoping to make it big in Las Vegas. The first thing you need to do is to find cheap hotels in Las Vegas. To do this you’ll need to know where to look for affordable hotels so you can maximize your spending money in the casinos, but just make sure you take in a show or two as they are mesmerizing to watch.

Look For Hotels Online

The first place you should look when searching for an affordable hotel is to search for Las Vegas hotels on a search engine website. This allows you to search for multiple hotels in the area at one time so you can find the most affordable price for your budget and taste. Do you want to stay in the thick of it in a casino or would you prefer to stay in a hotel just off the beaten path? Whichever you choose, just make sure you find one that is clean, comfortable and affordable for your budget.

Search in the Yellow Pages

Another way to find affordable hotels is in the good old phone book. If you want to buy a plane ticket without reserving a room beforehand, you can do so but you better find the first Las Vegas phone book and turn to the yellow pages so you can find good hotels at decent prices. There are still promotions happening if you look for hotel rooms in the yellow pages. Even if you booked your hotel room before you left your city, pick up a Las Vegas phone book to see if the hotel you are staying at offers any coupons or discounts.

Read Forums

Usually used as a last resort to figure out where to stay in Las Vegas is to read online forums. These forums are often biased especially if a hotel is rated highly. When you read these forums you need to keep in mind that not everyone can be satisfied and there could be a few complaints scattered throughout the positive reviews. Everyone has different tastes, styles and budgets so you should take these opinions with a grain of salt.

Social Media

Go online and ask your friends and family on your social media accounts. A lot of people hangout on social media these days and will offer up their opinions and advice. In other words, go log into Facebook and Twitter and ask your followers for their lodging advice.

Bear Creek To Host Oktoberfest in September

The 2012 Bear Creek Oktoberfest will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center. This free, rain or shine, festival will take place from noon-5pm and will be held outdoors in the base area and indoors in our lodge.

For a second year, Bear Creek will host the only Oktoberfest Volksmarch in the Valley. Our Volksmarch is a three or six mile family friendly, fall foliage hike. Hikers will visit two festival tents along their travels. One tent will be housed atop the mountain serving beverages and the lower tent will feature German fare, beer and live entertainment. Guests of all ages will have access to food, beverages and music both indoors and outdoors.

In addition, guests will enjoy traditional German music and folk dancing and German themed games. You won’t want to miss discounted beverages with the purchase of a commemorative mug or photo opportunities with the Bavarian Chix, our hostesses for the day.

The Hotel at Bear Creek is offering an Oktoberfest vacation package starting at just $101 per person. This package is based on double occupancy and includes an overnight stay at The Hotel at Bear Creek, two Bear Creek Oktoberfest beer mugs and breakfast for two at the Trail’s End Café. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort at 1-866-754-2822. For additional event information, please visit our website.

About Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center

Bear Creek Mountain Resort is nestled on over 330 acres in Macungie, Pennsylvania. The resort offers skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing winter activities and hiking, biking, boating, tennis, disc golf and nearby golf during the spring through fall months. Guests can plan an event in the spacious banquet and meeting facilities, dine at The Grille at Bear Creek or the Trail’s End Cafe, relax at The Spa at Bear Creek or vacation at the hotel, The Hotel at Bear Creek, with indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs.

September and October Activities in Wildwood New Jersey

I love visiting the southern Jersey Shore area and one of my favorite times of the year to visit the Wildwood and Cape May area is during the fall, particularly during the months of September and October.

This year there are a lot of great activities going on for Fall 2012 and today, I thought I would share some of those fun activities with all of my travel blog readers.

During the Month of September 2012

Sept. 14-15 – New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention
Sept. 20-22 – Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Auction
Sept. 20-23 – Irish Fall Festival
Sept. 22 – Sunset Lake Seafarers Celebration
Sept. 28–30 – Beach Monster Mash Truck Races
Sept. 28-29 – An Olde Time Italian Festival
Sept. 28-29 – Wild Thang Chrysler Car Show

During the Month of October 2012

Oct. 5-7 – Morey’s Fears Terror on the Boardwalk
Oct. 6-7 – Wildwoods NJ Governor’s Cup Hydrofest on Sunset Lake
Oct. 6 – Seafood and Music Festival
Oct. 6-7 – George Pratt Memorial Soccer Tournament
Oct. 12-13 – Morey’s Fears Terror on the Boardwalk
Oct. 12-13 – Fabulous ‘50s Celebration
Oct. 19-20 - Morey's Fears Terror on the Boardwalk
Oct. 26-27 - Morey's Fears Terror on the Boardwalk

If you know of a fun event going on during the month of September or October down in Wildwood, New Jersey...email me and I can add it to the list! Enjoy!

Myrtle Beach Vacations All Inclusive in South Carolina

An all inclusive Myrtle Beach vacation is one of the most overlooked vacation options in the US. When people think beach vacations in the states, they always start looking for options in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas. However, South Carolina should definitely be on anyone short list.

Beaches

You can write an article on all inclusive Myrtle Beach resorts without first giving an overview of the beaches! Here is a quick rundown of my two favorites:

Hunting Island Beach

This beach sits on a four mile long island and is the most visited beach in all of South Carolina. There are many attractions on the island and it is a nice place for families and young people as well. The Hunting Island Lighthouse is a must see. This lighthouse was destroyed during the Civil War and was rebuilt in the late 1800's. The other must see attraction is only during early summer. The beach is one of the largest turtle nesting grounds on the entire east coast. If you happen to be vacationing around this time, it is well worth the effort to have a look at this phenomenon.

Folly Beach

This is my other favorite beach, due to the barrier reef. If you ever been here, you surely know what I'm talking about. This is a snorkeling and scuba divers dream. Even if you don't enjoy the watersports, you can still enjoy the beach. It is quite a bit calmer than Hunting Beach, but in my opinion equally as nice.

Nightlife

There are many nightclubs on or near the beach that offer a wide variety of options. Of course, there are many beach themed clubs that are great placed to sit around in the evening and listen to the waves. Many of these clubs are located in or near all of the Myrtle Beach all inclusive resorts. Last time I was in town, I was able to walk down the beach and go to three different "island" themed bars.

Watersports

Myrtle Beach has it all. From deep sea fishing to water slide parks, you will definitely find what you're looking for in Myrtle Beach. Be sure to check with your all inclusive resort if any of these activities are included or if the hotel offers discounts to their guests. The resort I stayed at offered a pass that allowed you to go to several area attractions and only pay for the pass once. I did not go for the deal, although it did seem to make sense if you're into the water sports.

Once again, an all inclusive Myrtle Beach vacation should be at the top of anyone's shortlist. I'm confident you will have a good time, at a reasonable cost, and come back year after year.

There are many all inclusive resorts to choose from in the US, including some great deals on all inclusive vacations in Florida.