Our recent Explore Indiana day trip included both waterfalls and windmills! If exploring waterfalls is something your family loves, this short Indiana waterfalls road trip to Warren County in Northwestern Indiana should be added to your summer fun! Add a short stop in Benton County to check out the windmill farms and you’ve got a full day of adventure and education. Williamsport, Indiana (a little less than a two-hour drive from Indianapolis). is home to not one, but two gorgeous waterfalls to explore. Although very different experiences, both are entertaining ways to get wet and enjoy the beauty of the state. Waterfalls at a Nature Preserve We started our trip at Fall Creek Gorge Nature Preserve. This lovely preserve is truly one of the most beautiful areas of Indiana I’ve discovered. Don’t worry when the GPS takes you a mile and a half down a gravel road – the hidden gem you’ll discover at the end is well worth the drive. Insider tip: there aren’t any picnic grounds and the parking area is quite small, so plan accordingly – either enjoy lunch elsewhere or plan on eating in your car. Once you arrive, follow a short trail down to the water. This first section contains a fairly large water area along with a series of small waterfalls. After a bit of splashing around, head up the stairs and hike a bit further upstream. The trail is narrow and high, so be careful. We exited the second section and decided to walk the stream back to the entrance. There are several deep sections, and numerous potholes, so watch where you...
It may not be a typical Fourth of July, but that is no reason you can’t enjoy it to the fullest! Here are four fun things to do for the 4th of July that are perfect for 2020 (even with COVID concerns) as well as any other year! Enjoy a Backyard Bash This might not be the year you have a huge backyard party, but a great 4th of July idea for adults or the kids is to throw yourself a backyard bash. Invite a few friends, or just enjoy the day with your immediate family. Create some yummy snacks and a delicious dinner on the grill (be sure to add this tasty Mexican Street Corn to the menu). Play fun yard games such as cornhole, life-sized Jenga, or even just throwing a frisbee around. If you have a fire pit, roast marshmallows for s’mores. End the evening with some of your own fireworks. Kids of all ages love to set off fireworks and there are so many great ones available these days. Insider tip: Be careful when setting off fireworks, they can be dangerous. We also always keep a bucket of water handy and once the firework has cooled off, we throw it in the water – that way we’ve cleaned up our mess and don’t have to worry about something catching on fire later. Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt or Themed Trivia Game Make a 4th of July themed scavenger hunt a fun family event by dividing your group into two teams and seeing who can check off the items on the list first. Looking for a...
Exploring while social distancing? Yes, it’s possible. Last week we enjoyed a unique day trip on the Garfield Trail in Grant County, Indiana searching for 14 Garfield statues as well as enjoying the charm of several small towns. What is the Garfield Trail? Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis’s hometown is Fairmont, Indiana, so the county Fairmount is in, Grant, created a Garfield Trail. There are 14 Garfield statues all over Grant county, in towns such as Marion, Gas City, and of course, Fairmount. The weather was lovely, so we had a fun time hopping in the car and seeing how many we could find. Do you want to save money on your trips? So you have more to spend on your vacation? Get your FREE copy of 5 Tips to Save On Your Next Vacation! To participate, download the map from the visitor’s site. In addition to a map of the locations of all the statues, the addresses and a short description are mentioned – it made it very easy to find each Garfield. Each sign also has a handy phone number to call to learn a little more about the statue as well as the location. Pretty cool! Insider Tip: Be sure to call or text the number listed on the map ahead of time so you can learn which statues are currently out for renovation – you don’t want to drive all the way to a location and find out the statue isn’t there. Talk about frustrating! Garfield Statues in Marion, Indiana We started our day in Marion as it was the furthest city North of Indy and...
Who doesn’t want to Have a Magical Day? I know I do, so I was very excited to be a part of the blog tour for Wendell Miracle’s new book Have a Magical Day: 7 Keys to Living Happy Every Day. “Living your best life isn’t about the absence of problems, it’s about the presence of God’s power in the midst of those problems,” says happiness coach and best-selling author, Wendell Miracle. “It’s about how we respond to those issues that determine how long we have to endure them. You can control the condition of your heart and mind during turbulent periods. By looking for the good in every situation, the situation must change in your favor.” In Have a Magical Day: 7 Keys to Living Happy Every Day (February 20, 2020), Miracle reminds us that problems are temporary, brighter days are ahead, and that it’s possible to find the light in even the darkest of days. This short read is filled with inspiration and tips that can be easily integrated into your daily life and immediately improve your journey.Have a Magical Day guides you on:• Manifesting your desires• Finding happiness in your daily routine• Letting go of the past• Loving yourself With all the uncertainty in our lives right now, I believe it’s the perfect time to focus on the positive and work towards living happy every day. The 7 keys that Wendell outlines are doable and make sense. I know I plan on seeing how working towards them will change my life, and if you decide to get a copy of the book, I’d love to hear...
Are you looking for Midwest weekend getaway ideas? Have you found yourself asking “Where should I go for a weekend getaway?” If you live near Indianapolis (or anywhere in the Midwest), then I’ve got 5 unique, fun, and cheap weekend getaway ideas perfect for families or couples. Ready for the fun? Fun in Franklin, IN Franklin, Indiana is a short drive from Indianapolis, so it’s the perfect weekend getaway if you hate to drive! Franklin has delicious local restaurants (love Richard’s Brick Oven), lots of fun family activities, and an adorable downtown. Make sure to arrive on a night that the Artcraft is showing a movie – you don’t want to miss this local treasure. If you have kids who love to swim, the Franklin Family Aquatic Center has plenty to keep them entertained. On your way out of town, take the time to stop at the Hoosier Cupboard Candy store for homemade ice cream and treats for the short drive home. For more details on all the great things to do in Franklin, check out this series of blog posts: Friday Night Fun in Franklin, Farm Animal Yoga and Downtown Dining and Exploring and Enjoying Franklin, IN Bumming around Batesville, IN There is so much to do in Batesville, IN that a weekend may not be enough time to do it all! You’ll want to start your weekend getaway by checking into The Sherman – I don’t think you’ll find a hotel quite like it anywhere else in Indiana. In addition to the hotel, you’ll want to find time to visit the Biergarten as well as enjoying at...
Hi! I’m Pam. I’m a busy mom of two teens who loves to travel and enjoy each and every day. My hope is to inspire other busy moms to create family memories and discover everyday adventures wherever they are! Check out my About Pam page for more details.
