Travel.Food.Wine.Family.Life
A short .4 mile hike from the parking lot, we took the bus from Mammoth Mountain to check out this unique basalt formation, the Geology major in my husband could not pass it up. To find out more about the Devil’s Postpile National Monument, visit http://www.nps.gov/depo/index.htm.
The force is strong at Disney’s Club Penguin! The most epic and anticipated in-world party ever, the Star Wars Takeover event, is coming to Club Penguin Island on July 25th. Check out the trailer of the upcoming epic event:
With school out, summer is filled with fun activities and new freedoms for teens, such as getting their driver’s permit, license, and driving. However, keeping teen drivers safe from harm can be a big concern for parents, especially with summer being the deadliest time of year for teenage motor fatalities. Next year my oldest daughter will get her driver’s license. Up until then she may be starting to drive around with teen friends and that that makes me a bit anxious! That’s why I wanted to let you know about steps you can take today to help your teen become a safer driver year round.
The tips and resources below may not only keep your teen and others free from harm, but also could save you money on insurance.
· Tip 1: Help your teen become a safer driver by talking openly about your expectations and rules for when they’re behind the wheel, such as never texting or using their cell phones while driving.
– Consider negotiating a Teen Driving Contract that requires your teen to avoid driving dangers, such as texting, driving under the influence and not wearing a seat belt. The NAIC even has a customizable Teen Driving Contract to get you started!
· Tip 2: No matter how safe or prepared you or your teen may be, accidents happen. In the event you or your teen driver is involved in an auto accident, make sure everyone knows what steps to take to stay safe and protect their identities when exchanging information for a claim.
– The NAIC’s free WreckCheck app walks you through what to do — and not do — after an accident. The app helps users collect necessary information on the spot, then immediately emails a report to your home and your insurance agent. The app can be found online at iTunes® and Google Play® or by searching “NAIC” at the iTunes store or Android market.
· Tip 3: Adding a teen driver to your auto insurance policy can be costly. Make sure both you and your teen driver understand all the insurance implications of how even minor fender-benders can add up.
– Insureuonline.org is an unbiased resource to help you and your teen driver get educated about the risks and insurance implications of unsafe driving.
7 Eye-Opening Facts
Click on the graphic to enlarge.
Similar prizing was sent to facilitate this post.
A few years ago I’d never consider myself an “adventurer.” Ever since I became a mom I took on a fear that is hard to explain other than I don’t want to do anything that increases my chance of getting hurt. I believe this a natural instinct some moms get because your kids need you healthy and capable. But, since I’ve had my blog, opportunities have arisen to explore and take risks that end up being such amazing experiences I have begun to crave adventure. Considering the day before our Jungle Valley Zipline Adventure I was surfing in Hanalei Bay, it just seemed right that the next day I would be ziplining, kayaking, and hiking in the lush rainforest valley of Princeville Ranch with my 7 year old!
When we decided on the fun things we’d do on our Kauai press trip, I really encouraged my daughter to try out this excursion with Princeville Ranch Adventures. Having ziplined twice before, I relayed my excitement a tried to convey how thrilling it would be to fly through the air like a bird. I did double check with our host about the difficulty level for my daughter and they insisted it was a family friendly activity and there were young girls on the trip my daughter’s age, and one just a few years younger!
After a safety briefing, we packed our backpacks (they provide one if you don’t have one) with water, snacks, and I enclosed my camera and phone in plastic bags to keep them dry. We hopped aboard a jeep and headed to the ranch, parked and began our hike. 
The terrain was gentle with both uphill and downhill paths that balanced themselves out. Our two tour guides were helpful, informative, and funny and kept us all in check at every point in the day. There was no rush on the hike, we learned about the flora as we went along and had time to snap photographs as we liked. Our group of 10 consisted of us, father/daughter, another mother/daughter and a family of four all of generally of beginner status and our guides respected our pace and answered all our questions. Our hike lasted about 35 minutes as we approached our kayak launching spot.
Right off the bat, I could tell the rainforest valley we were to kayak in was narrow, it looked easy enough. My daughter had high hopes of paddling her own kayak, but maybe if she were a bit older and taller, instead she rode with me. Life-jackets fitted, we learned the right way to get in without tipping and we were launched into area while we waited for our group to get in the water. On our way there were more narrow spots and some wider. Overall the water level was shallow and enough to stand in if at any point you were to tip and fall in. If you felt you were steering into a bank, it was easy enough to push off with the paddle. Only a few times did I steer us in a circle then parallel into a bank, but because the ride was slow-paced and we all had enough room ahead and behind us, it wasn’t a problem. The ride was peaceful and cool. Because I was paddling, I didn’t get any pictures and my daughter was uneasy about getting the cameras wet to try. Next time I know I’ll purchase either a waterproof phone case or a disposable waterproof camera.
Once off the kayaks, we were back hiking again. This time the terrain was through some creeks and rocks, and was a bit more wet than before. Again, a little up and a little down hills it all evened out. 
We approached the spectacular Uluhe Fern Ridge that was a green color I’ve never seen in nature. For as far as the eye could see you see Kauai’s gorgeous landscape that is so fresh and alive. Here were were going to harness up and zipline! 
Once over and once back, 400ft each way, below us we saw crystal clear, pristine waterfalls and the swimming hole we’d later get to enjoy. I sensed my daughter’s slight hesitation, but when she saw the other young girls with their helmets on, she was ready. Such a trooper! Our guides walked us through all the safety procedures of what to hold on to and what NOT to touch, how to relax and sit back in the harness, and how to land on your feet. That smile my daughter had from getting off the plane on the island was there and she was ready.
Taking that leap of faith to start the zip is the hardest, but then you are flying through the air and it’s exhilarating. Enjoy the views and before you know it, you’re unclipped and walking over the foot bridge for the return trip. After my joyous ride, I met up with my daughter who was on a high, “my heart is beating fast,” she says but she’s ready to zip right back. 
Look down if you can and see the waterfalls and the swimming hole, you zip back for a bit going backwards but you turn around as you go, that can be a little unnerving for some. At any point someone in your party is anxious, the start and end spot is in the same spot, so someone can sit and wait and not miss a beat if you can’t make it.
Hiking below the zipline you approach the picnic spot, watering hole and waterfall. Inner tubes are available to float around in, and there’s a cliff where you can jump into the waters below. 
The water was colder than I had expected, but my daughter and the young kids all got in, many of them jumping in from the cliff. Here we enjoyed our build-you-own sandwich, chips, and cookie lunch that really hit the spot. Our midway point, the return trip minus the zip was the same as we came over, hike, kayak, hike.
This forty-year old mom and 7-year old girl really rocked this excursion, it was perfect as far as skill needed and the amount of time spent doing each activity was just enough. We arrived back refreshed not exhausted and my little one never complained once so that’s ideal for families to know! Princeville Ranch Adventures has many more excursions, another with a more zipline, hiking and waterfall tours that are geared for more serene vs. adventure, and even horse-back riding. On your visit to Kauai, you are bound to find an excursion to fit your needs!
Our adventure was hosted as part of our press tour, all opinions and experience my own. Thanks to Mark Downey Lucid Images for snapping a few photos for me.
It was a whirlwind weekend. I was headed to LA to the press junket for Indigogo film The Bounce Back and to meet actor and producer Shemar Moore when a plane crash at SFO delayed many flights and caused panic over the city. Counting my blessings, I arrived about 3 hours late, but only missed part of the party, the best part was yet to come.
One of our group members, Jamie taped this fabulous interview with Shemar about the film…
Before everyone went their separate ways, we grabbed a group photo.
Plus a one on one shot that I immediately sent out to my social media channels.
Just in those few minutes I found Shemar to be charming, fun-loving, and genuinely happy to be with us, a media group like no other!
As the interviews concluded, a few of us headed to the war room in the Hyatt, Century City awaiting Shemar and slowly his crew began showing up. Anticipation for the Twitter party was rampant online as fans were eager to “see” actor Shemar Moore make his appearance via the live interaction.
Shemar arrived and we began our venture into a live Tweet chat with a celebrity of his caliber. In no time the #ShemarMoore hashtag was trending worldwide and his fans were throwing out questions left and right and Shemar did his best to keep up with all the excitement. 
I had my phone out as well as my laptop and I was tweeting and retweeting my heart out and trying to filter comments and replies from men and women all over the world who admire this fine actor and who want to support his new project!
Shemar had his manager and some other associates with him in the suite with us and they were all in awe. 
Fascinated by the fanbase but also by the whole virtual world that we as social media have brought him into, they asked us to explain this phenomenon they are so new to. This was Shemar’s first live Twitter party and the overall experience couldn’t be more thrilling for us all, not to mention hugely successful!
Following the party, Shemar filmed a quick video thanking his fans for their loyalty and support. Not to mention a couple of us bloggers got a shout out and some screen time!
You’ve read my posts about The Bounce Back movie campaign, now read another perspective on why YOU should invest your money in this film, it’s written by Erica Pena-Vest:
Disclaimer: I am only a social media volunteer for the Bounce Back film campaign and am have not been asked to write this. My opinion is entirely my own and not meant to be representative of Shemar Moore, the Bounce Back film or its affiliates.
We are reaching the home stretch of this journey and I have often, during this process, heard people ask “Why should I give money to the Bounce Back Indiegogo campaign?”. It’s a legitimate question. One I’m going to try to answer and pray that you can better understand the importance of the campaign I am working on.
Movies are made everyday. Money comes from all kinds of places. Studios, investors, companies, sponsors…there are a million ways to raise money, so why go to the fans? Shemar has answered this over and over, but somewhere in the back of our heads we’re worried he’s ‘acting’ or telling us what we want to hear. It’s ok to admit it. I thought the same thing when I first heard about this project. He’s a wealthy man, and this movie is not a charity. The movie will make money as will it’s stars, so why should we get involved? What do we get out of it?
I can’t tell you how many times, as a blogger, I have been disappointed in a movie, especially this summer. My favorite movie as a kid was the original Superman with Christoper Reeve (remember that one?). When it was remade, I hoped (secretly I prayed) that it would be everything I wanted it to be. I wanted the feel of wonder, excitement, virtue and a return to the only truly altruistic character that has ever existed on screen (other than Christ). I was badly disappointed. The Superman I remembered and loved had turned into a Hollywood production of violence, confusion, betrayal and my hero even lacked the virtuous character he was known for. What happened? Have we really become THAT audience that is cynical and no longer believes in virtue and love?
That’s where the Bounce Back came in for me. Here’s a chance to help make a movie, have a voice, be at the screening, meet the star and director, have influence on a movie that is about the most basic and human concept in existence – LOVE. If ‘they’ the producers screw this one up, well, I might not believe in movies any more.
But I’ll be real honest, I know Shemar. I’ve met him, as have some of my friends and we can tell you one thing. That man IS LOVE. Everything about him eludes love, sensuality, sexuality, and sensitivity. I’m not even saying this as a fan. I am a fan, but you only need to spend two minutes with Shemar and you no longer feel that ‘I’m-about-to-faint-because-I’m-so-excited’ kind of feeling. It’s more like you just met the cute guy at the diner or you had a date with the quarterback of the football team. He’s real. He’s approachable. He’s the dream come to life. He’s the PERFECT leading man.
That brings us to the Bounce Back. Sure they could have gone to Hollywood for the money, but by coming to us, we have a voice. We can be part of something that’s going to change the way Hollywood sees us, the consumer. Right now, we are a $9.50 movie ticket to them, but after this, we are Hollywood producers and maybe, just maybe, they will start listening to what we want we think, what we want to see, what we believe in, who we want as a lead actor…and maybe next time, they won’t mess with Superman. Maybe. But we won’t know until we try. They won’t know what we can do, until we show them.
Let’s make this love story happen for Shemar, because it’s our love story. It will always be ‘our’ love story. No one will ever be able to take that from us. This will always be the time when we showed Hollywood that if only they would come to us, listen to us instead of talk down to us, we could truly make magic.
I can’t think of a better person to make magic with and for than Shemar Moore. Who’s with me?
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-bounce-back/x/3649609?c=home
I’m going to make an investment, can you?
All opinions are my own, I was not paid for this opportunity, we did receive a goody bag with promotional items.
