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You are here: Home / Archives for Travel

Ready for some sand and sun! Tips for planning a family vacation #travel

April 18, 2017 by Wendy S

Life has been busy. Too busy.   We need a break!

 

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl) on Aug 31, 2016 at 7:03pm PDT

Craig and I have been talking about taking a trip and just getting away. This year will be our 15th Wedding Anniversary which is another great reason to put our feet in the sand and relax.

Picking a date

With 2 full-time jobs, a part-time job, various activities and other commitments, finding the time to go away is not easy.

We sat down with our calendars, figured out when activities would be winding down and when commitments wouldn’t be impacted and chose 2 potential times — a week in June or beginning of January.

Figuring out your budget

Yes, vacation is supposed to be fun and you don’t want to miss anything, but coming home to a mountain of debt is not the best way to end a vacation.

Craig and I have been putting some money away in a vacation fund.  Plus we have some gift certificates to Flight Centre that we’re going to take advantage of.

 

A post shared by bigdaddykreativ (@bigdaddykreativ) on Jan 19, 2017 at 5:31am PST

We did a few searches on the internet to get a ballpark idea of what our options might be. Then we headed to Flight Centre, sat with an awesome travel advisor and, asked a ton of questions. Knowing the amenities at the different resorts, what the beaches are like, and activities for the girls is just as important as the cost. During the conversation, we decided to focus on the June dates as the prices for January were just too high (almost double?!?).

After the conversation, we walked away with 4 different resorts in 2 different places that were all within our budget.

Do your research

With the 4 locations in hand, our next step was to read reviews and talk to friends.

TripAdvisor.ca is one of our “go-to” sites for travel information.  There are a lot of reviews on all 4 of the places we were looking at. It’s good to read the good and bad reviews to get a broad sense of people’s experiences.

 

A post shared by bigdaddykreativ (@bigdaddykreativ) on Apr 19, 2014 at 12:01pm PDT

Craig and I started a spreadsheet to keep track of the pros and cons of each place we were considering. We noted things like the cost, the number of stars, the number of pools, activities for the girls, types of restaurants and links to the resort’s website and Trip Advisor. Seeing all of the details in one place makes comparing so much easier!

With the magic of social media, we got lots of opinions from friends when Craig asked on Facebook. A few people had been to one of the resorts that we were looking at and we actually had one friend who had been to both! She gave us some great information as she was able to do a great comparison.

Making the final decision

With all of the options laid out in our spreadsheet, we started making the decision of exactly what we wanted.  One resort has a waterslide. Another has more restaurants. And on it goes.

The girls were very excited about the idea of a kids club and teen activities. The waterslide is a must. And, of course, they liked the idea of free wifi.

The girls were all for free wifi, but truly that is not a deciding factor for us. Most resorts have free wifi in the lobby, some have wifi available for purchase in the rooms and a small number have free wifi everywhere.  Craig and I have Roam Like Home with Rogers which is available in both countries that we are interested in which means that if we need to get in touch with family, we will be able to. Plus being able to share our memories with friends and family right away on social media is really nice too! They can see all the fun we are having. I like to back up my photos to Google Photos so having access to data is important to me.

So what will it be?

 

Filed Under: Ambassador, Life, Roam Like Home, Rogers, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: ad, Roam Like Home, Rogers, sponsored, travel, vacation

Rogers Roam Like Home keeps us all connected! #RoamOn #SilvaBulletRV

July 28, 2016 by Wendy S

The #SIlvaBulletRV @ mapsgirl.caSince the end of June, Craig and the girls have been away camping.  I should probably say RVing since my friends like to remind me that camping is supposed to be in a tent.  Either way, I only see them on the weekends.

We have a membership to a campground just across the US border between Lewiston, NY and Lockport, NY. So not only are they away, but they are in another country.

When we first got the membership a few years ago, we would keep in touch with our loved ones using the camp wifi. The campground does their best, but on a busy weekend, getting on the wifi is hard.

Last summer was the first summer that Craig and the girls were away all summer-long. They were gone for 68 days.  Craig can work as long as he has an internet connection and can work from camp.  I only get so many vacation days so I join them on the weekends. 

Sim cards @ mapsgirl.caJuggling SIM cards while going back and forth across the border and trying to get on the camp wifi gets really frustrating.  Before I left I would need to log into the company’s website and add a plan to my account and set it up to start at a certain time. I would get to the Duty Free on the Canadian side, text Craig to let him know where I was, change the SIM card and head across the border.  When I got across and the US signal was picked up, I would then stop and text Craig to let him know where I was.  

This year traveling back and forth across the border is easy!

This year we have Rogers Roam Like Home.  One SIM card, one account and no hassles. 

Rogers @ mapsgirl.caRoam Like HomeTM now includes over 100 destinations around the world, so if you’re on a Share EverythingTM plan like Craig and I are, you can use your phone just like you do at home. If you’re not on a Share Everything plan, check out our Travel Packs, which cover you in over 230 destinations!
Rogers Roam Like Home US @ mapsgirl.ca

It uses the same calling minutes and data plan that we already have with our Share Everything plan, just no scary roaming charges that show up on your next bill.  For $5 per day to a maximum of 10 days per bill, we get to use our phones in the US.   It’s that easy.

Over 100 Destinations!

Rogers Roam Like Home is available in so many places! 

Roam Like Home map @ mapsgirl.ca

Comfort in contact

It truly is comforting knowing that I can keep in contact with Craig and the girls while they are away.  Craig and the girls will share photos on Instagram or Craig will comment on Facebook. The girls and I can text back and forth.  I can’t be there during the week so this helps me make it until the weekends!  

And over the next few weeks, we’ll be able to keep in contact with our families at home when we go on a big road trip!  We’ll be using our Roam Like Home to the fullest extent!

Follow #SilvaBulletRV to see all of our fun adventures!  

We’ll be sharing a lot of great photos of our journey and lots of info about Rogers Roam Like Home.

Follow these hashtags:

#RoamON
#100Days100Destinations
#SilvaBulletRV
#SilvaRoadTrip16

Follow us on all social networks:

@mapsgirl
@bigdaddykreativ

 

#SIlvaBulletRV @ mapsgirl.ca

Filed Under: Ambassador, Camping, Life, Products & Reviews, Roam Like Home, Rogers, Travel Tagged With: #SilvaBulletRV, camping, Roam Like Home, Rogers, RVing, travel

RVing 101: Packing List #RVing101 #RVing #SilvaBulletRV

June 22, 2015 by Wendy S

In just 4 days, we will be heading out on our first weekend away this season in the RV!

Free Downloadable RV Packing List

Because we are packing for the four of us, having a packing list makes things much easier to remember everything!

RV Packing List @ mapsgirl.ca #Rving

Click image above to download our RV Packing List

Am I missing something?

Do you have items you think should be on the list?

Let me know what are you “must haves” when you’re packing to go RVing!

Filed Under: Camping, Life, RVing, Travel Tagged With: camping, RV, RVing, travel

Unplug and get away with Carefree RV!! #yourcarefreesummer #livincarefree #becarefree

May 8, 2015 by Wendy S

With the warmer weather finally here, I know a lot of families are looking forward to the summer, like we are!!  

We’re a camping family and get out in our RV as much as we can each summer!  Camping is such a great way to disconnect from regular life (and devices) and reconnect with your family!

If you’re looking for some ideas, Carefree RV resorts are an affordable way of taking a vacation to an ideal location!!  There are 15 parks in Ontario scattered around from Muskoka, Prince Edward Island, Windsor, and the Greater Toronto area.  Each park has a wide variety of activities!   

Don’t worry if you don’t have an RV, there are rental options available.

Let me tell you a bit about 2 of the parks to give you an idea of what Carefree RV offers…

Sherkston Shores

Sherkston ShoresOn the beautiful sandy shores of Lake Erie, Sherkston Shores resort offers 560 acres of beautiful landscape, topped off with two and a half miles of sandy beachfront. Keep yourself busy with pools, waterslides, splash pad and a quarry stocked with fish. Just 90 minutes away from the Greater Toronto Area and mere minutes away from the US border, Sherkston Shores is a fabulous vacation alternative that offers so much more. RV sites, rustic cabins and a range of vacation cottages are available for rent.

Willowwood

WillowwoodLocated just 20 miles of both Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan — Willowood is a top destination for both U.S. and Canadian families. We have 329 RV sites with fire rings as well as cabin and park model rentals available.

Willowood family-friendly grounds feature a playground, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts, an outdoor movie theater and miniature golf course. Our guests keep cool relaxing and swimming in our large pool, our kiddie pool and our splash pad area. There’s even an arcade room to entertain the kids on rainy days. We also pride ourselves on providing a whirlwind social calendar that includes story time, chocolate bar bingo, crafts, potlucks, dances and movies. And don’t forget to take a hay ride with our Carefree characters – Benny Beaver and Suzie Squirrel

Special Offer just for my readers!

Carefree is offering a special offer exclusive to you!

20% off daily rates on RV sites, cabins and vacation cottage rentals at 14 of the Ontario RV Parks. This promotion is valid from May 1- June 31

Use promo code Blog20 for tent and RV Sites
Use promo code BlogRT for cabin and cottage rentals

Head over to Carefree RV’s site to use the promo codes.

Carefree RV

See all 15 locations and book now!

Get your summer started now!  Head over to Carfree RV’s site to see all of the locations available and what they have to offer!  Camping with your family is such an amazing experience!  Whether in a tent, RV or cabin…it is so great to get away and connect with nature and reconnect with your family!

 

Filed Under: Camping, family, Life, Products & Reviews, Travel Tagged With: camping, Carefree RV, resort

#FordNAIAS Day 3: #Mustang Redesign Process and #Flex test drive

January 28, 2014 by Wendy S

Tuesday morning was our third and final day at #FordNAIAS .  We were up early, packed and checked out of our rooms before our 9am breakfast.  We would all be heading home after our morning of activities.

We headed over to the Dearborn Inn for some “behind the scenes” sessions to learn more about Ford, their process, their technologies and their style.

First #FordNAIAS Session: “Big Data”

As a cartographer and GIS Analyst, I deal with a lot of data all day long.  Going in I was very excited to hear how Ford uses data analysis.  The session didn’t quite live up to my expectations.  I was hoping for a deep analytical conversation about databases and data collection process, but this conversation was much more high level and generalized.  

FordNAIAS Big Data FordNAIAS Big Data FordNAIAS Big Data

John Grinder – Manager, Systems Analysis
Michael Cavaretta – Technical Leaders, Data Science
John Viera – Director, Sustainability & Vehicle Environmental Matters
Sheryl Connolly – Futurist

It was nice to see Sheryl Connolly again. I first heard her speak at ShesConnected.

FordNAIAS Big Data

Second #FordNAIAS Session: The re-design of the 2015 Ford Mustang

Inside Sketches

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Sketches become digital

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Clay Models are crafted and 3D printed parts are designed

It was really hard to believe that it was all clay.

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Fabrics and interior details are chosen 

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Fabrics and details are added to the model

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

 Exterior SketchesFordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Exterior Clay Model is crafted

Watching the modeller work with this tools to define the lines and curves of the Mustang was amazing. A true artist!

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Exterior Model is built

Once the clay model is ready, 3D photographs are taken and the clay model becomes digital.  From the digital designs, the prototypes are created.

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

This one was a hollow plastic shell.

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Exterior Paints are chosen

There are 10 colours that customers can choose from for the 2015 Mustang: 

  • Race Red
  • Competition Orange
  • Triple Yellow
  • Deep Impact Blue
  • Ruby Red
  • Black
  • Magnetic
  • Guard
  • Ingot Silver
  • Oxford White

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

Prototype is built 

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

From Clay to Model to Prototype

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

FordNAIAS 2015 Mustang Redesign

It truly was an amazing experience to talk with the designers to hear about the re-design process for the 2015 Mustang.  They all had passion and excitement about their work and you just knew that they had the heritage and love for Ford in their hearts.

Read more on the FordConnect page — Inside the Ford Design Studio

Time to drive!!

We all had a chance to drive a new Ford vehicle.  On Day One they had us fill out a little questionnaire to decide which vehicle we’d be driving.  I was chosen to drive the Ford Flex.  I had driven the Flex before so I knew what to expect, but seeing different sights around Detroit was very fun!

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

This totally set the tone for my drive!

FordNAIAS Test Drive

First stop: Comerica Park — Home of the Detroit Tigers 

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

FordNAIAS Test Drive

We ran into some friends!

We drove by Ford World Headquarters

FordNAIAS Test Drive

 

Time to go home

After a great lunch at the Dearborn Inn, we headed back to the hotel to pick up our luggage. After a bit of a wait, we went to the airport to make our way back to Toronto!

 

FordNAIAS Going Home

FordNAIAS Going Home

FordNAIAS Going Home

FordNAIAS Going Home

FordNAIAS Going Home

The plane’s propeller outside my window

FordNAIAS Going Home

Can you see Ford Canada Headquarters?

FordNAIAS Going Home

Bonjour!

Thank you to everyone who made #FordNAIAS spectacular!

Thanks to my new Canadian blogging friends.  It was only a few fun-filled days together, but I feel that I’ve made friends for life!

Thanks to Ford Canada’s Social Media Team — Mike Ellis, Craig Silva and Anson Dixon.  Thanks for bringing all of these great bloggers together!

A huge thank you to Ford Canada for inviting me on this amazing trip!  

Thanks to the Ford US team for making the whole FordNAIAS experience beyond my imagination!  The things that I saw and learned will be with me forever!

 


 #FordNAIAS posts:

Before FordNAIAS

Day 1

Day 2


Disclosure: Ford Motor Company paid for my transportation, accommodations and food. I was not compensated for my time. I was not asked to write blog posts or promote the show or the experience on social media. I did this on my own. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Filed Under: auto reviews, FordNAIAS, Products & Reviews, Travel Tagged With: auto, ford, Ford Canada, Ford Motor Company

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mapsgirl@gmail.com

Why “mapsgirl” ?

Wendy is a cartographer! She draws maps!

When not mapping, Wendy is also a mom to two daughters. They are the inspiration of this blog. Passionate about child passenger safety, Wendy was a certified Car Seat Technician in Ontario, Canada from 2008 to 2020. [Read More …]

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