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Top Four Things to Do When Traveling in Virginia in an RV

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If you’re looking for a unique twist to your next vacation, try staying in an RV.

Don’t own one? It’s easier than it has ever been before to rent one with Outdoorsy!

By staying in an RV, you have complete control over your vacation. You aren’t dependent on available hotel rooms and you don’t have to worry about unpacking and repacking every time you want to visit a new spot.

With that kind of freedom, the entire state of Virginia is at your fingertips. Here are four things you just have to do when visiting this great state in an RV.

Stay at Virginia Beach KOA

If you’ve never stayed in an RV before, checking out an RV resort is a must. Instead of roughing it by parking out in the woods with barely a place to shower, a resort provides you with the same level of amenities, and more, as a hotel.

One of the best is Virginia Beach KOA. RVers return to this location again and again because it:

  • Has two swimming pools and a giant inflatable water slide
  • Offers bike rentals and electric bikes
  • Hosts events like outdoor movies and ice cream socials
  • Has basketball, volleyball, horseshoe pits, and more
  • Offers trolley rides to the ocean
  • And more

Visit Shenandoah Caverns

Located in Quicksburg, the Shenandoah Caverns are a must-see. This cave system features over a mile of underground tunnels that connect to over a dozen chambers. Each one features a different formation with a special name, like the Diamond Cascade and the Grotto of the Gods.

Take the hour-long tour to learn how the caves formed and how they were discovered.

Walk Through Colonial Williamsburg

There are a lot of historical things to do in Virginia. It’s well worth your time to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, but make sure you take time to visit Colonial Williamsburg.

There’s so much to explore on the 301-acre property that recreates Britain’s 18th century capital in the new world. Explore restored and reconstructed buildings, inspect recreated products from the day, and learn more about this historic area from costumed interpreters.

Camp at Great Falls Park

Just 15 miles from Washington, D.C. is Great Falls Park. If you’re looking for a rustic, natural RV experience, this is it.

This park houses the nation’s first canals as well as hiking trails that take you along dramatic clifftops. You can take a tour and learn more about the area from a park ranger, ride the trails on horseback, or do some rock climbing. Just make sure you check out the Great Falls of the Potomac River where water splashes dramatically down steps of jagged rocks.

The best part about an RV is the fact that you aren’t confined to a single location! Spend a day or two at one of these locations and then move onto the next so you can see everything this great state has to offer.

Spring Break 2018 for Mom and Dad – Why You Should Visit the Caribbean

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It is becoming increasingly common for college kids to stay at home with mom and dad simply because of the skyrocketing cost of going to university. In fact, without scholarships or other types of financial aid, some students take their first two years at a community college which is always the cheapest option. But when it comes to spring break, that’s an expense which kids don’t mind working for! This year, when they go to South Beach or Fort Lauderdale, why don’t mom and dad take that Caribbean vacation they’ve been dreaming of for years? Who says mom and dad can’t go on spring break as well!

Family Flight Arrangements Could Save Money

Sometimes you can find travel packages that save you money if more than one person goes in a group. Since the kids will be flying to Miami-Dade International Airport or into Fort Lauderdale, why not see if you can get in on a group package deal? Getting together with a group of your kids’ friends could offer just enough savings to have a little left over for that fun in the sun you’ve been dreaming of all winter long. Fly into Miami, take a cruise over to the islands, and then mom and dad, your time is your own (maybe for the first time ever)!

Where to Stay in the Caribbean

When it comes to looking for someplace to stay where you won’t be surrounded with partying college students, you might want to browse through Caribbean travel websites. After all, you are going for a respite from boisterous young people and want some quality alone time with your spouse of many years. How long has it been, anyway, since you’ve had a vacation alone together?

Some of the beaches don’t cater to the younger set, and that’s exactly what you are looking for. You want sunny beaches, ice cold tropical drinks, perhaps a bit of moonlight music on the boardwalks, but you definitely don’t want to be surrounded with throngs of college students. Call ahead to ensure you are booking the right hotel with all the amenities you are looking for and none of the noise.

Why Travel at This Time?

You may be wondering why you just don’t stay at home to enjoy the peace and quiet while the kids are away. You can always travel at some other time, right? Wrong! That would mean you would be leaving the kids at home while you’re away and that is not a good idea at all! Yes, they are old enough to take care of themselves, but can you really trust them not to bring in kegs and have a wild time while you are on vacation? Remember the old adage, “While the cat’s away the mice will play.” And, there’s nothing like being home alone to bring the mice out of the woodwork, is there?

So then, this year, why can’t mom and dad go on spring break as well? Book a travel flight package deal, part ways in Miami, meet up again for the flight home, and everyone’s happy. You deserve a break too, so enjoy while you can. Spring break only lasts so long and it’s back at it again for another fun few months until semester finals. At least you have this week together, so enjoy while you can.

3 Reasons to Take a Family Vacation in Florida

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When it’s time to start thinking of where you’ll go for a family vacation, there really is no place on earth better than Florida if you have kids who want to get some activity in. From camping to staying in 5-star hotels, you’ll want to find somewhere where mom and dad can get a little R&R in while the kids will have enough to do to keep them busy while you get in that much-needed break from your busy lives. Looking for a state that has all that and more? Why not check out these three reasons to take a family vacation in Florida.

1. Orlando Is the Theme Park Capital of the World

Nowhere on earth are there as many theme/adventure parks as there are in Orlando, Florida. From the iconic (and first in the State) Disney World to Universal Studios and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there is something for kids of all ages, and mom and dad too! Check out what the Franke family has to say about visiting Orlando on their Holy City website. If one family’s story of travels through Orlando doesn’t inspire you to visit this amazing city of theme parks, nothing will!

2. The Greatest Number of Swimming Beaches in the Country

While the state of Alaska has a longer coastline than Florida, you can’t swim or snorkel the beaches most of the year. In fact, it is so cold on some of that shoreline that you can never really enjoy fun in the sun as there isn’t any for much of the year!

Florida has 1,350 miles of swimmable coastline, most of which can be enjoyed throughout the year, except perhaps those in North Florida, which do get cold in winter months. However, from Central Florida southward, you can go to the beach for a little fun in the sun 12 months out of the year. This, then, is the reason so many families prefer a Florida vacation, especially when coming from the interior of the country with no seaside beaches whatsoever!

3. Pleasant Weather Every Season of the Year

As mentioned, there are parts of Florida which do get cold in winter months, but those places are actually ‘warm’ in comparison to the freezing, snowy northern states. You can always tell a snowbird in Jacksonville or Pensacola in January because they will be the ones in Bermuda shorts and tank tops while the natives have overcoats and hats. If you are looking for a state that has it all from theme parks to beaches, Florida would be your best choice in winter months because there is so much to see and do, no matter what season it is!

So, there you have just three of the main reasons to take a family vacation in Florida, no matter when you can get that much-needed time away. Take the kids to Orlando to have the rollercoaster time of their lives while you relax with a Mai Tai and enjoy the warm subtropical sun. It’s a win-win family vacation you’ll always remember – at least until next year when you come back again.

Why Studying for a GIST Degree is a Great Decision

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GIST stands for Geographic, Information, Science and Technology, and it is a great choice of degree for those who are interested in any of the above subjects.  GIST graduates can go on to work for the government, in the non-profit sector, in transportation, in healthcare, and even in engineering.  There are lots of possible career paths, each offering something different.

The online GIST program can be studied for online, from a university like the University of Southern California.  Students can choose to study at times that suit them from the comfort of their own homes.  Upon graduating, students can expect to walk into a job that pays anywhere between $30,000 and $90,000 per year.

The infographic below explains more about the opportunities for GIST graduates.

GIST Career Paths Infographic

University of Southern California Geographic Information Science & Technology Graduate Programs Online

This infographic was created by the geographic information science and technology degree department at the University of Southern California.

5 Fantastic Places to Hunt in the USA

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Are you an avid hunter looking for a new and exciting place to hunt?  Maybe you are new to the sport and you are looking for the best state to take a hunting trip?  There are many areas of the country that offer ample hunting opportunities and today, we are going to learn more about them.  We will explore several different states so that you can find one that is right for you.

Georgia

Georgia is one of those states that has a wide-range of hunting opportunities.  In the southern part of the state, you will find white tail deer and wild hogs.  In the north, the deer are still plentiful, but you can also find a healthy bear population.  You will also find large plantations with thousands of acres of land that will let you hunt for a fee.  But, if you are on a budget, you will also be able to hunt many public tracts of land without spending too much.  Before you hit the trail, you should gear up by visiting websites like bestriflescopereview.com.  This will help you select the right scope for your rifle.

South Carolina

This southern state is home to some of the best hunting in the world!  Here, you will be able to hit the field and the woods in search of deer, bear, wild hogs, and many more species.  If you’re into small game hunting, you will also be glad to know that the rabbit and squirrel hunting is very popular here.  There are many places to hunt here in South Carolina and you can find both public and private hunting access.

Montana

Montana is a beautiful state that welcomes hunters with open arms.  Not only does this state have a lot of deer like most states on this list; you can also find elk and antelope.  Montana is a great state for big game hunting so if you want to bag your limit, you should visit here.  There are many record-winning kills in the state, so finding a trophy buck won’t be difficult here.

Iowa

One of the best states in the country for white tail deer hunting, Iowa has many open acres of land for you to enjoy.  This state may have a low human population, but the deer population here is rampant.  There are so many deer in Iowa that they are often a problem for farmers, as they damage and destroy crops.  Here, you will also find many different types of bird hunting, which is also a fun sport.

Florida

The final state on our list is Florida.  This beautiful area of the country is not only home to some of the world’s best beaches, but they also have some amazing hunting.  White tail deer is one of the most popular game species in the state and some of the biggest bucks can be found here as well.  Also, in Florida, you can try your hand at hog hunting and alligator hunting, which are both local favorites.

Each of these states has something different to offer, so finding one that meets your hunting needs won’t be difficult.  So, if you want to try your hand at the sport, why not head to one of these locations during hunting season?