Ahh to be so lucky on your next trip - Photo by emrank

But what to do when your kids are tired of videos? Yes, as shocking as this seems, it can happen.  Or worse, the DVD player suddenly quits working (try explaining beforehand that kicking the screen is not a good idea).  You need travel games – fast.  Here are some of the tried-and-true mobile options that just may make your next car ride a little less painful. And all you need is a notepad and pencil.

Tic-Tac-Toe
This one is self explanatory, but your child will probably need to be school-aged to play.  And some kids get headaches when reading or writing in the car.

Hang-Man
You kids have to be able to spell for this one.  Again, watch out for signs of motion sickness, which become more prevalent when reading or writing in the car.

License plate ABCs
Each member of the family looks at license plates for the next letter in the alphabet. This game is great for preschoolers learning their letters – and older kids who are competitive.

I Spy
There is one rule to playing this game: the item you spy really should be in the car – and visible to all occupants.  Otherwise you can pass it long before anyone can guess what it is.

Skip Counting
Even little kids can play this game.  Start counting by twos, then try fives or tens.  For older kids, ask them to do more difficult options like sevens, nines and 13s. This helped my oldest daughter learn multiplication in kindergarten.

Counting 18-wheelers
Or white cars, black trucks, whatever is of interest to your kids at any given moment.  Bonus: this game teaches sorting and counting skills in a fun way.

What’s your favorite go-to car game?  We’d love to hear from you.

By Anna Philpot

For those parents lucky enough not to know, the most common allergy culprits are cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy. Reactions can range from the relatively minor sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion to anaphylaxis (which can lead to blocked airways, cardiovascular collapse, and even death).

The bigger the restaurant chain, the more likely they’ve dealt with food allergies in the past.  Some large-scale choices include Applebee’s, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday.  Recently, Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill began offering gluten-free menus to entice this growing number of potential diners (which sits at about 2 million). But large chains aren’t the only establishments shedding ingredients to draw in new patrons: Many places offer vegetarian, gluten-free or vegan menu items. Across the nation, everything from the doughnut to pumpkin pudding is being updated and reinvented as more restaurateurs and families become allergen-savvy.

Here are some more tips to help you eat out safely:

Research options online.  Many restaurants list their menus on their web sites with
special diet dishes clearly labeled (i.e., “gluten free”)

Tell your server immediately. Part of a server’s job is to be the liaison between the diner and the kitchen.  If you’re more comfortable, get “Allernotes,” which are preprinted sticky notes that list your food allergy ($8.50 for 100).  A server can include the note on your order. Another option is a business-card-style allergy card, which are available free online.

For serious cases, tell the manager about your special needs (you may even wish to call ahead). Because your dining experience is a top priority, many managers will personally check on your order before it is brought out, which offers an extra quality-control step.

Get out there and enjoy!

By Anna Philpot

Start in Ushuaia, Argentina where the 120-passenger M/S Expedition sails to the Falkland Islands, known for its cavoriting penguins.  From there, you get to spend five days on South Georgia—home to Shackleton’s grave—before continuing on to Antarctic. Gap’s team sails its Zodiak through the frigid waters where travelers may catch glimpses of Humpback and Minke whales along with Crabeater seals and Chinstrap penguins.

And if you decide to book by October 25th (and you have this promo code: GV241), you can get rates starting at $10,394 for triple occupancy. Granted, it’s only good for the October 31st departure, but it saves about $5,138 per person. And how many times do you get to go to the Antarctic?

By Anna Philpot

Flu season is in full swing. With many families looking to travel at some point during the next three months, it’s important to consider your illness plan. Granted, this isn’t the first item most people tick off their list as they are packing for Thanksgiving at Grandma’s. But given the high likelihood of someone falling ill this year, a sick plan should be considered with care.

Photo by luna76

• If you are traveling a significant distance from your home, go over your insurance policy to see if a hospital or clinic nearby is “in network.” If you can’t tell from your policy – my company’s web site is not easy to navigate – then call the company’s customer service line before you depart. Make sure you write down not only the name of the clinic but also the date, time and person you spoke with (you never know if this will become necessary).
• While on the phone, find out if your policy has a 24-hour number manned by registered nurses. Write this down, too. You may need a professional to call if you’re unsure you need to visit a local doctor.
• Take your insurance card(s) and your doctor’s phone number. Some doctors offer after-hour services (for a fee) that may be worthwhile because your physician is familiar with your family. One caveat: the younger the patient, the higher the likelihood your child will need to be seen.
• If you want to be extremely organized, write down what medication each person takes on an index card. Be sure to include any vitamins and over-the-counter supplements as well.
• Take a day’s supply of essentials with you: Children’s Advil, nasal spray, cough drops….as annoying as the liquid rule is for flyers, it’s better to have some of a needed med than to try and find a pharmacy at 3 a.m. Or worse, try to find “Children’s Motrin” in a foreign language in a neighborhood you’ve only ever seen by day.

Be prepared. Illness – especially in children – can come up quickly. For most, this will end up as simply another unnecessary exercise. But for the few who do fall ill while vacationing, these simple tasks will save a lot of hassle.

Safe travels!

Got a story to share? Tell us about getting sick while out-of-town.

By Anna Philpot

Terlingua - Photo by Sean_McGee

Fort McKavett
Built in 1852 to protect the nearby settlers, this fort is now a state historic site. Originally called Camp San Saba, some of the fort’s brick buildings – which were abandoned in the 1880s – have been restored to what Gen. William T. Sherman once proclaimed “the prettiest post in Texas.”

Luckenbach
If you’re a country-and-western fan, you can probably hear Waylon Jennings crooning this town’s name.  Originally a German farming community, this hill country settlement is one of Gillespie County’s oldest. It also has a renowned dance hall for those looking for a “Texas State of Mind” and general store that has been serving customers since the town’s inception in1849.

Shafter
Only in Texas would you call a silver mining town Shafter (named after Col. William R. Shafter, who was then the commander of nearby Fort Davis).  This West Texas camp was established in the 1880s but has since been abandoned.  Movie buffs might recognize the town from early scenes from the sci-fi flick The Andromeda Strain.

Terlingua
Not far from the Big Bend National Park, this former mining town has seen a renaissance: artists’ studios and cafes line the dusty streets of this desert paradise.

By Anna Philpot

Eureka
Once the Tintic Mining District’s financial seat, this silver town boasted more than 4,000 residents at its peak.  Now it is home to less than 700.

Grafton, Utah - Photo by respres

Grafton
Established originally in 1859 as a Morman farming community, the town flooded in 1862 and a new site chosen further up the Virginia River.  Many residents moved away after a canal – which many of the citizens helped to build – diverted most of the town’s water in 1906.

Sego
Ancient petroglyphs are visible on the rocky canyon walls surrounding this old coalmining town, which struggled with its water supply from the beginning.

Silver Reef
This town – with its a mile-long Main Street – boomed until the mines flooded in the 1880s.  The original Wells Fargo bank building is now a museum.

By Anna Philpot

Bisbee, Arizona - Photo by Adam Longfellow

Bisbee
Once a copper camp queen, Bisbee’s day-to-day life was fraught with pollution, deforestation and the possibility of Indian raids.  The town has since re-invented itself as an artist’s haven.

Fairbank
It took this town a while to get a name: it wasn’t until the post office opened in 1883 that the town was dubbed Fairbank.  Silver was this location’s mainstay so when the mine quit producing in the 1890s, the town began to decline.  In 1901, a wealthy Californian purchased the town and evicted its citizenry – unless they wanted to pay him rent for their houses.  Angered, many of the townspeople torched their homes and moved elsewhere.

Photo by ArizonaGlo

Goldfield
Ride in a narrow-gauge train before panning for gold – just like the miners did back in the 1890s. In its heyday, the town had a boarding house, brewery, meat market and multiple saloons.  Then the vein faulted and the town began its slow demise.

Oatman, Arizona - Photo by Adam Longfellow

Oatman
Named after a woman who was captured and later released by Mohave Indians, Oatman has handled a sporadic population and mining income over the past century. In1913, the population was close to 10,000 thanks to a big strike, but by the early 21st century, the town had dwindled to a few hundred people.

Tombstone, Arizona - Photo by Adam Longfellow

Tombstone
You knew this one was on the list: Tombstone, made into a movie based on its violent reputation, was once home to 15,000 residents.  Yes, you can visit the OK Corral, site of Earps’s stand, as well as Silver Nugget Saloon, Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, Birdcage Theater  and the Tombstone Courthouse.

By Anna Philpot

Virginia City, Montana - Photo by zetrules

Coolidge
This place did about as well as the Presidential namesake.  Not only is the place completely abandoned, many of the buildings are collapsing, making it a perfect Halloween haunt.

Elkhorn
Another state park, Elkhorn was a silver mining town.  The cemetery is the big draw here.

Garnet
One of the best-preserved ghost towns in Montana, this place was a gold mining town. Visitors may poke through the jail, blacksmith’s and various private homes.

Virginia City
Its location near Yellowstone National Park has made Virginia City a popular tourist attraction.  The lovely Victorian buildings housed many of the gold-mining towns’ best residents.

Do you have a favorite ghost town in Montana?

By Anna Philpot

Ancho
A short drive from Carrizozo, Ancho was settled by cattle ranchers looking for a fertile grazing land.

Hagan, New Mexico - Photo by Killbox

Madrid
Drive the historic Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway to stop in this quaint town.  About 400 residents live here year-round, and the art scene is booming.

Madrid, New Mexico - Photo by jessicareeder

Dawson
Home to some of the world’s worst mining disasters, this was once a bustling metropolis of nearly 9,000.  The town, originally owned by Phelps Dodge, boasted schools, an opera and even a bowling alley.

Hagan, New Mexico - Photo by Killbox

Hagan
Coal was the moneymaker behind this Sandoval County town. Built around the turn of the century, it was deserted by the end of WWII.

Shakespeare
Located off I-10 near the Arizona border, this was once Billy the Kid’s stomping ground.  You can walk along the Butterfield Trail and see Billy’s Old West.

Photo by George Self

Steins
Within miles of the Arizona border, this privately owned ghost town offers guided tours through the ten refurbished buildings.

The best ghost town is often the one you are visiting next, what is your favorite New Mexico ghost town?

By Anna Philpot

Ashcroft
Once home to two newspapers, 20 saloons, and a school, only nine buildings still stand – and one is an outhouse.

Ashcroft, CO - Photo by rjones0856

Dearfield
In its hey-day during the early 1900s, about 700 African Americans lived there – it was the only all-black community in the state.  Now, because of the hard Dust Bowl years, all that remains is a diner, the founder’s home and a gas station.

Goldfield
Once a booming mining town of more than 3,000, the few buildings still standing can be seen from Road 81 as you drive past.

Pitkin
Founded during the 1870s, Pitkin is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Colorado. Many of the buildings are privately owned and some are summer cabins.  But feel free to snap photos of the church and store.

St. Elmo
This is what you expect when you think “ghost town.” As you walk down Main Street, peak inside some of the 24 buildings (many of which date back to 1879) like the saloon, mercantile, courthouse and some houses.

Tin Cup, CO - Photo by indigoprime

Tincup
Located near Pitkin, this town also has quite a few erect structures. Tincup was known as a hell-raising kind of place where the law wasn’t really wanted.  You’d never know that now as you stand in its ephemeral quiet.

The best ghost town is often the one you are visiting next, what is your favorite Colorado ghost town?

By Anna Philpot