• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

One Moms World Mom Blog - Jen Houck

  • Home
  • About Jen
  • Family Travel
  • Mom Reviews
  • Food Allergies
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit

family travel

Creative Ways to Show Off Travel Photos

For individuals and families that travel a lot, you’ve likely accumulated a lot of travel photos over the years. Yet how often do you actually look at them? Traveling can be some of the most exciting times of your life. Those memories shouldn’t be hidden away in a box. Instead, you should display them or showcase them in some of these creative and fun ways.

1. Turn Them Into A Book

With the ability of smartphones to take photos and place them on places like Facebook and Instagram, you might miss having an actual physical photo in your hands. You can change that by turning those photos into an actual book. There are a few different sites that will sift through your Instagram or Facebook photos and compile a book out of them. You simply have it printed, and then you can easily flip through the book whenever you want. This is a book that can be handed down through the generations as well. Those memories will be forever treasured.

2. Print Them

Another cool thing that you can do with your travel photos is actually print them. There are a few different printers for your phone that you can buy. All it takes is a simple plug-in into the phone, and you can start printing your favorite ones. With actual physical copies of your photos, you can start to have a lot of fun with them. Perhaps you might dig-up the old scrapbooking hobby to showcase your printed photos.

3. Showcase Them On a Map

One extremely cool idea for your travel photos is to display them on a map. The map can be made of paper or some other material, but the best kind of material is cork. This allows you to actually pin the photos in the places where they were taken. For example, if you have a map of the world, you can start pinning photos in the countries that you visited. If you happen to visit more country numerous times, but in different places, then you can get a map of that specific country and start pinning photos of the places you’ve been in that country.

4. Turn Them Into Puzzles

Puzzles are a necessary method for passing the time when traveling. Whether you’re traveling by road or rail, you’re going to be sitting down a lot with little to do. Puzzles can be a great way to break up the boredom. Why not make that puzzle one of your travel photos? You can have a certain photo broken up into puzzle actual pieces. You and your family can have a great time putting all of the pieces together while reliving beloved memories.

5. Photo Calendar

Calendars are extremely helpful in keeping all of those appointments and dates memorized. While you can easily purchase a calendar that doesn’t mean much to you emotionally, you could actually be missing out on a great way to use your travel photos. Did you know it is incredibly easy to make your own calendar? Your calendar can feature your travel photos. Every month, you could have a few photos or a collection of photos showcased. Every time you turn to a new month, you’re jolted back to the memories that the photos invoke within you. Considering how many photos you have, you could have calendars made for the next several years.

6. Postcards

One traveling tradition that many people love to do is to send postcards to friends and family from places they’ve been visiting. No doubt most people have seen images of the Eiffel Tower. However, they haven’t seen your family standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. Your travel photos could make great postcards. You can send these while you’re traveling after you have returned home.

7. Electronics Cases

Do you have an iPad, laptop, or even a smartphone? Then you could use a case for those electronics. That case could be made up of your travel photos. You can easily customize cases for your electronics by adding in photos from your travels. Not only will those electronics be kept safe, but you’ll also be able to reflect on those photos every time you use one of your electronics.

8. Turn Them Into Sweets

Perhaps you’ve heard of face cakes. Whether it’s for a birthday or wedding, certain images can be printed on cakes and other yummy foods. The same can be done for your travel photos. As a fun way to celebrate returning home after traveling, you can have your images printed out on cookies, cakes, or even cupcakes. Together with your family, you can eat those images and relish the great times that you had there. It is a whole new way to reminisce about the past.

Book Your Family Vacation to Jekyll Island {Travel Review}


Disclosure: We partnered with Holiday Inn Resort on this sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are of my own. 

Let me introduce you to a beautiful family friendly vacation spot. You will want to book your travel to the Holiday Inn Resort on Jekyll Island ASAP!

We wanted to take a road trip for Thanksgiving last year since Thanksgiving is primarily about food. Ever since L was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, I try hard to make alternate plans around the holidays that are revolved around food. According to L, I picked a perfect destination for a road trip. She is wanting to go back this year, and let’s just say that we all share in her sentiment.

The Holiday Inn Resort is a 157-room beachfront hotel and includes 21 suites, which are perfect for families. The Kid’s Suite, a guest favorite, includes bunk beds for the little ones and a separate bedroom for parents, as well as a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave and cooktop. We enjoyed this suite so much as it gave us plenty of space and not feel like we were in each other’s personal space 24/7. Check out our video to get a full glimpse into our suite.

The great news is that most rooms have ocean views and all the suites include private balconies with views of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort also has a select number of pet-friendly accommodations available for furry, four-legged family members. With L being a huge animal lover, a smile was planted on her face because we were always being greeted by an adorable dog.

The daily sunrise and sunset took our breath away. We truly needed to pinch ourselves to ensure that this was a real moment. Hubby and I took many walks together on the beach to enjoy this beautiful and priceless scene. We also enjoyed our morning coffee on the balcony while watching the sunrise. Can we go back now?

Bicycling was one of our faves on this trip. The video shows us in action, but I have to tell you about the peaceful feeling we all experienced riding along the shore and sharing laughs. I did not want this trip to end.

Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island offers family-friendly activities throughout the day and the evening. In addition to many activities planned on-site, there is golf,  putt-putt, museums, and trolley tours available on the island.

If you do not want to cook on your trip, there are three onsite restaurants: Beach House, Northshore and The Anchor. The Beach House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with menu selections including Artisan pizza and flatbread, sandwiches and locally-sourced seafood. Please note that kids 12 and under who are hotel guests eat free at Beach House for each meal.

Go ahead and book your spring break family vacation. You will not be disappointed and I have a great package deal. The sea turtle package includes overnight accommodations; resort charges; two tickets to the newly renovated Georgia Sea Turtle Center; two tickets for bike rentals; daily breakfast; and a “turtle-safe” flashlight for guests to take on nighttime turtle walks. Rates for the package start at $179 per night. For more information or reservations, call the hotel at (912) 635-2211 or visit holidayinnresortjekyll.com.

 

Family Fun at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Annual Speedway Christmas!


We were honored to be invited to opening night of Speedway Christmas in Concord, NC at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This is a must-do event with the family during the holiday season.

Enjoy the festivities from our video we have put together that will for sure get you in the holiday spirit.

Here are this year’s facts, by the numbers, for what has become a can’t-miss tradition for families gearing up for the Christmas season:

3.5 MILLION – Adding to an already spectacular showcase of sparkle, the speedway has added nearly a half million lights this year, bringing the grand total to a mind-boggling 3.5 million. The theme of this year’s display – Storybook in Lights – will see popular fairytale characters like Rapunzel, The Three Little Pigs and Mother Goose, come to life in illuminated fashion.

3.75 – Strung throughout the infield, along portions of the iconic speedway and innovative ROVAL™, in the grandstands and under the concourse, Speedway Christmas guests wind through 3.75 miles of lights as they take in hundreds of creative displays and lights synchronized to Christmas-themed music.

4,300 – A light show of this magnitude takes a sizable effort to construct. Crews have been hard at work since mid-October stringing lights, running power and testing the lights. In total, crews have racked up more than 4,300 man hours getting ready for opening night.

33,000 – In 2017, more than 33,000 cars visited Speedway Christmas during its six-week run. While most ticket sales are done on-site, visitors from 41 states and three foreign countries purchased tickets in advance, making Speedway Christmas a global attraction.

50 – Fans who think they’ve seen it all at Speedway Christmas before are in for a treat this year as the speedway has added a 50-foot-tall Ferris Wheel to its new attractions for 2018. Located in the infield near the Christmas Village, fans can take in the views of Speedway Christmas from above every night the village is open.

14 – In addition to the Ferris Wheel, fans can enjoy 14 nights of live entertainment from the Christmas Village outdoor stage, with local bands and organizations adding to the festive atmosphere with music, carols and more. Among those scheduled to perform, the speedway will welcome musicians Cameron Ripley and Thor Mauldin, the Olympic High School Chorus, South Iredell High School Chorus and Cuthbertson High School Chorus.

76,000 – With all the fun that is to be had walking through the Christmas Village – which also includes photos with Santa, a living nativity and a variety of craft vendors – fans are sure to work up an appetite. A Speedway Christmas staple, Lil’ Donut Express, will return, serving sweet treats throughout the show. In all, Lil’ Donuts expects to sell 76,000 mini munchies, which, if laid side-by-side, would stretch nearly three miles.

16,000 – Back by popular demand, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 16,000-square-foot HDTV will transform into a drive-in movie screen throughout the light show, playing popular holiday movies like “Home Alone,” “The Santa Clause” and “Polar Express” every Thursday through Sunday night as part of FOX46 movie nights at Speedway Christmas.

1 – With millions of lights, a sprawling Christmas Village, new additions including a 50-foot Ferris Wheel and live entertainment, and a slew of popular Christmas movies playing on the speedway’s 16,000-square-foot HDTV, there’s only one place families need to be this year to get into the holiday spirit – Speedway Christmas.

Fans can purchase tickets online at www.CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com or on-site. Tickets start at just $20 per car on Monday through Wednesday nights, $25 per car on Thursday and Sunday nights and $30 per car on Friday and Saturday nights.

Take a Fall Road Trip Through Western North Carolina


My favorite time of the year is just around the corner. The leaves are starting to turn in Western North Carolina. The fall foliage is a beautiful scene and one that I do not want to miss each year. Pack a picnic and take a road trip to Jackson County in North Carolina to experience all the fall beauty. We have the perfect trip itinerary for you!

Bear Shadow

Jackson County is the only place in the country to see the fall phenomena known as the “Shadow of the Bear.” From mid-October to mid-November, when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain, its shadow casts the perfect image of a black bear over the mountain’s colorful landscape. Visitors can enjoy the shadow from a premium viewing spot at Rhodes Big View Overlook off Highway 64 between 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Panthertown Valley

Known as the “Yosemite of the East,” Panthertown Valley is a hiker’s paradise with more than 30 miles of backcountry trails and 12 waterfalls to discover along the way. The hiking trails offer rewarding views of the fall colors with stops overlooking valleys and 360-degree views of the stunning landscape coated in red, orange and yellow. Mountain bikers can also navigate the designated trails throughout Panthertown.

Whiteside Mountain

Whiteside Mountain is said to be one of the oldest mountains in the world, between 390 to 460-million-years-old, and is one of Jackson County’s most recognizable peaks, with its sheer, vertical cliffs that tower above the valley below. Scope out the fall foliage from a two-mile trail that crosses the Eastern Continental Divide, providing incredible views of the Appalachian Mountains with vibrant autumn shades. Hikers have a choice of reaching the summit via the gentler former roadway or using the more scenic, but steeper, trail, which includes lots of Forest Service-constructed stairways.

Blue Ridge Parkway – Waterrock Knob

Bordering 45 miles of Jackson County, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the must-see scenic drive in the fall with an explosion of color as far as the eye can see. The Waterrock Knob Overlook at mile 451.2 provides another spectacular view, offering a four-state panorama of the Great Smoky Mountains painted in fall colors. Leaf-seekers can also take the 1.2-mile hiking trail to the top of the knob, gaining 412 feet in elevation, to find even more breathtaking views.

Lake Glenville

One of the highest-elevation lakes east of the Rocky Mountains at 3,500 feet above sea level, Lake Glenville is also one of the largest lakes in the county. With an expansive 26 miles of shoreline, seven islands and three gorgeous waterfalls, the lake is a great stop along a fall road trip to see the colorful leaves’ reflection over the water while fishing or boating.

Family Fun at Xtreme Park Adventures (Durham, NC)


What do you do when a doctor appointment is extremely stressful? You toss the worries out the window for a little bit and drive to the Xtreme Park Adventures in Durham, NC! We enjoy experiencing family fun adventures, so we were happy to accept the invitation from the host at Xtreme Park Adventures. It was the best medicine for us that afternoon.

There are many activities to experience from gem mining to the escape room. Our family experienced three of the activities at the park.

Gem mining was first on our “bucket” list. Each family member received their own pail filled with dirt and sparkling gems. You will be surprised at all the precious gems and you may even walk away with your birthstone. I know I did!

Hubby and M are two very analytical people that love to analyze every situation. This was the perfect pair to experience the escape room. Let me just say, this was their first time in an escape room and now they are eager to try the bigger one at the park. The word on the street is that only four people have successfully escaped the bigger room. Hubby and M say challenge accepted!

Our last adventure of the day was tackling the challenging rope course. Our family of four was all “we got this” until our eight feet stepped onto the first deck. I stood there in awe, Hubby said, what the heck, I’m going, M started tackling one course and then said nope, changing courses, and L said I will just stay right here with my feet firmly planted. You will have to watch the below video to check out Hubby owning the course.

Pack the family up for a morning or afternoon and explore the park. Just a warning as there will be many laughs, smiles, and family bonding!

There is so much more to experience at this park nestled off the main road. You will forget you are near a big city! Schedule your family for a great adventure soon at the Xtreme Park Adventures!



Related Posts with Thumbnails

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Hello! I'm Jen and my family is my world. My hope is One Moms World will give you ideas for family travel and/or give you great consumer product suggestions that will be useful for your family. Remember to spread joy today!

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on YouTube

Search

Receive our updates in your inbox!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Footer