One Moms World Mom Blog - Jen Houck

family travel nc

A Staycation to Celebrate Hubby’s Great News!

We received fantastic news at Scott’s 6-week surgery follow-up appointment. He was able to wean off two of his heart medications and given a prescription to go enjoy life. He will return in 9 months. God is so good! The cardiologist told us Scott’s heart stopped for a considerable amount of time and a machine had to pace his heart. The doctor believes that Scott will live a great life without any further complications. He can’t guarantee that Scott will not have any other heart issues, but he feels really good about the outcome. We are all so happy and give God the glory! Obviously, we are very grateful for modern medicine and a trustworthy doctor.

To celebrate the news, we decided to enjoy a little staycation. The first day was driving south of Asheville, NC to Transylvania County. Family friends recommended the falls at Dupont Forest State Park. These are easy hikes for families to view the falls. We were able to view the High Falls and Triple Falls. There is a picnic shelter beside High Falls that families can enjoy a picnic. Once I saw Scott look at the falls, I got tears in my eyes. My husband is healthy again to be able to enjoy the great outdoors and family time.

He did not get out of breath and thoroughly enjoyed the day. The temperature outside was close to 80, but there is a lot of shade on the trails. I still recommend taking water bottles for the family.

This was a big outdoor adventure for L as well. The summer months are her best months with her EoE. The pollen has gone away and she can finally get outdoors. My heart is full of happiness.

We recommend this day to for the entire family. Soak in the sounds of the rushing waterfall and enjoy the quality family time. We hope to go back in the fall to see the all leaves turning.

Carowinds Expands Waterpark to Largest in the Carolinas

Construction is underway at Carowinds to expand the existing waterpark. Yes, it will be completed in time for the 2016 season. The Carolina Harbor Waterpark will be included with park admission and will offer guests relaxing moments of tranquility and refreshing thrills by the “shores”, plus delivers a best day ever guest experience. Your children will be pleading with you to go back time after time after they experience their first day.

Carolina Harbor Birdseye View

The transformation is part of the park’s commitment to celebrate Carowinds’ heritage as the place where the Carolinas come together, creating an “aquatic playground” with thrilling new attractions, new amenities and a new coastal name – Carolina Harbor.  The addition is the latest phase in a $50 million plus multi-year expansion at Carowinds, an effort kicked off by building the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, Fury 325, as well as new park food offerings which are regionally relevant. “

We listened to our guests and have made a promise to bring them more family-friendly attractions,” said Mike Fehnel, Carowinds vice president and general manager. “And we’re happy to be delivering on our promise with the addition of Carolina Harbor – a guaranteed ultimate waterpark experience. Carowinds is growing by leaps and bounds and continues to put the park on the map as the premier entertainment destination of the Carolinas.”

Carolina Harbor will feature a combination of thrills, relaxation and family fun, including twice the number of water slides than the current Boomerang Bay.

Carolina Harbor will feature many of the park’s current popular waterpark attractions, while introducing a variety of new ones:

  • Blackbeard’s Revenge is a thrilling new six story tall water slide complex that features three exhilarating attractions and a total of six thrilling slides:
  • Pirate’s Plank will send guests plummeting down a nearly vertical free fall where the floor drops out from underneath.
  • Cannonball Drop will twist and turn riders through an enclosed chute with four intense 360- degree turns.
  • Captain’s Curse shoots guests down a series of intense drops and turns. A new two-acre family area will include many new activities to enjoy together:
  • Seaside Splashworks, a multi-level children’s water spray ground, will feature over 80 countless play elements including a giant 423-gallon tipping bucket.
  • Kiddy Hawk Cove and Myrtle Turtle Beach are two areas specifically geared with the little squirts in mind. These toddler areas will include jets of water spraying up from the ground surrounded by a charming garden atmosphere.
  • Surf Club Harbor will be our newest wave pool, creating up to six foot waves in 12 different wave patterns, mimicking the high surf of the Atlantic Ocean.

Carowinds Surf Club Harbor

Carolina Harbor will also feature many new amenities:

  • New Entrance – A separately gated entrance convenient for guests who wish to enter the waterpark only.
  • New Restaurants – Harbor House a new restaurant featuring two 2,400-square foot outdoor seating patios. The restaurant will serve various Carolina favorites including BBQ and seafood. Schooners will be a full-service bar.
  • Sand Volleyball Courts – New professional style sand volleyball courts will allow both casual and competitive play.
  • Additional Plush Cabanas and Seating – Over 40 new cabanas will be added at both wave pools and the new family area. An additional 1,100 lounging chairs will also be available for guests to enjoy some fun in the sun.
  • Upgraded Facilities – Current family changing areas will be upgraded. New restroom facilities and a bath house will be built.
  • Starbucks!

Carowinds Starbucks

Carowinds has recently been named one of the nation’s top amusement parks by the Travel Channel and Fodor’s Travel, and TripAdvisor’s family travel site has named it one of the country’s 10 Best Amusement Parks for Families.

Stay tuned to OneMomsWorld.com to see updates and pictures. To see Carolina Harbor illustrations, construction photos and more, visit http://www.carowinds.com/carolinaharbo.

 

Hiking at Linville Falls with the Family #Travel

Our family loves the outdoors and we live in a great place to enjoy may different outdoor activities. The weekends are spent with as much family time as possible so at the last minute, I thought let’s go hike up to Linville Falls. The last time we did this hike was when M was 10 months old. It was past time to go enjoy this beautiful scenic hike.

DSC_0109

There are different trails you can choose to take depending on how much time you would like to spend. Also, there are picnic tables so it is always nice to take a family picnic and enjoy the mountain air.

The view and water falls awaiting for your arrival at the end of the trail is mesmerizing. So much beauty to take in as a family. Stand and enjoy.

DSC_0122

As a family, it was just nice to disconnect from technology and enjoy God’s beauty. Families are able to view the upper and lower falls.

DSC_0114

Linville Falls

Linville Falls NC

Hiking at Linville Falls

You can visit the National Forest website for details on the different trails and directions. It is beautiful. The family will not be disappointed.

Once you leave, you can travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Linville Viaduct.

The Linn Cove Viaduct was only the second bridge in history to be built from the end of a span, called a cantilever, which is anchored only at one end. In this case, the cantilever was the road itself. To protect the fragile terrain, all construction was done from the top down and no machinery was allowed more than 50 feet from the base of the piers.

DSC_0128

Linville Viaduct

Great adventure, family fun and beautiful scenery… what more could you ask for?

NC SEA LIFE Aquarium Begins Construction in Concord

We are steps closer to the opening of the NC SEA LIFE Aquarium!

This is beyond exciting news. I have been invited to be part of their parent advisory council, so I will be able to pass onto you insider information. The groundbreaking ceremony was last week.

Concord Mayor J. Scott Padgett was joined by Donna Carpenter, President/CEO of Cabarrus County CVB, and other dignitaries to commemorate the construction of SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord.

sea aquarium groundbreaking

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord will open early Spring 2014 with 5,000 marine creatures on view. This is going to be a fun attraction for kids of all ages. Yes, I am talking about the parents too!

One of the awesome things about this new aquarium is it will help books the local economy by creating over 50 new jobs.

SEA LIFE is the world’s biggest aquarium brand with more than 15 million visitors a year and 50 superb attractions in Europe, USA and Asia Pacific. This will be Merlin’s sixth SEA LIFE Center attraction to open in the USA, and SEA LIFE at Concord Mills will highlight all of the qualities which have gained the brand the support and endorsement of marine experts worldwide. Initial plans call for more than 30 spectacular displays of diverse marine life for visitors to enjoy – everything from shrimp and starfish to seahorses, sharks and rays. In keeping with other SEA LIFE attractions, there will also be a unique element reflecting the Carolinas’ location based around the marine creatures most associated with the region.

Finally, the stunning centerpiece will be a huge tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel. We are so excited about this tunnel. Keep an eye on the blog for more aquarium updates soon!

Related Posts with Thumbnails