Cates on Vacation

  About this Trip We did this trip in October 2025. I chose October thinking it might be less crowded than Summer, Spring Break, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Dead wrong - it was INSANELY crowded due to school fall breaks and Mickey's Halloween Party. We had a really fun time anyways thanks in large part to perfect weather, and everyone being extremely patient, excited, and flexible (not always strengths for all of us). What to Do in Advance  Book your airfare.  We flew Southwest Airlines from DAL to MCO. Book your lodging.  We chose to stay at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside - the room was smallish - but fine for us. If we went back, I think I would stay off property but this was really orienting for first-timers. The buses and interpark transport is nice, but we ended up taking an uber intead several times just because it was faster.  Check Park Info Carefully and Make a Plan (Don’t Skip This!)  Planning is absolutely essential for a Disney trip—th...

Friday: Frisco to Amarillo and Dinner at The Big Texan We hit the road from Frisco, TX to Amarillo — about a 6-hour drive. Took a lunch break somewhere along the way at Brickhouse Brew in Witchita Falls. It was okay. After checking in at the Hyatt Hotel, we met up with friends for dinner at The Big Texan Steak Ranch at 8 p.m. This iconic spot is famous for its wild west vibe and the crazy 72-ounce steak challenge. No one in our group tried the challenge, but it was a fun, touristy experience the kids enjoyed too. Definitely a Texas must-see! After a big day on the road, we called it a night. Saturday: From Texas Canyons to Colorado Caves We kicked off the day with breakfast at the Hyatt in Amarillo before hitting the road for the next leg of our trip. First stop: Palo Duro Canyon Just about 30 minutes from Amarillo, we opted for a drive-through since the hiking trails were closed due to rain the day before. While we missed out on hiking, the views did not disappoint. Known as the “Gran...

 About this Trip We took this trip for Spring Break 2025—two adults and two kids, ages 9 and 13. Overall, there wasn’t a ton of advanced planning, but there are a few things you’ll want to book ahead. We reserved our flights, accommodations, and rental car, plus our fishing expedition about a month in advance. If you’re planning to visit Waiʻānapanapa State Park during your drive on the Road to Hana, I’d recommend reserving your spot at least a day or two ahead. Probably check out your luau options in advance early as well. If catching the sunrise at the summit of Haleakalā is on your list, that’s something to book well in advance—like months ahead. I’d also suggest booking a luau early since, while there are plenty of options, they fill up quickly. Everything else we did was super easy to book, often the day of or just a day or two before. (Oh, and we ended up skipping the sunrise at Haleakalā this time around. Next trip!) Stay & Flight We flew Southwest Airlines from Dall...

About this Trip Eric and I flew direct to and from Boston on American Airlines. We stayed in a really cute and convenient Airbnb in the North End. After arriving, we got reloadable Charlie Cards for the "T" to make traveling around the city easy. Back Bay streets are in alphabetical order: Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth. So are South Boston streets: A, B, C, D. Boston's top attractions are concentrated in several areas. The North End is rich in history and Italian culture, while Back Bay boasts stunning architecture and upscale shopping. Visitors can explore the natural beauty of Boston Common and the Charles River, visit prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, or enjoy entertainment at the Prudential Center, TD Garden, and Fenway Park.   Day 1 For a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, we stopped at Modern Pastry on Hanover Street for cannolis—definitely worth it. After that, we spent some time wandering through Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden, checking...