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Fun, Easy Memorial Day Ideas

By Jody Halsted May 20, 2015

Jody Halsted appearing on Great Day, KCWI, Des Moines, May 2015

I had so much fun appearing on KCWI, the CW station in Des Moines, to talk about fun and easy Memorial Day ideas. I was very conscious of choosing ideas that would be easy enough to have the kids help and quick enough that you could pull them together without much trouble. For more fun, […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Clips, USA ·

Getting Off the Interstate in Clear Lake, Iowa

By Jody Halsted March 26, 2015

The Barrel Drive In, nostalgia & tasty food in Clear Lake, Iowa

If you’ve ever traveled along Interstate 35 in northern Iowa, you have definitely noticed the town of Clear Lake. The last major exit as you drive north out of Iowa, or the first major exit as you enter Iowa from Minnesota, for most travelers Clear Lake is a cluster of gas station chains and fast […]

31 Comments · Filed Under: America's Best Small Towns, Iowa, Midwest ·

Looking for Winter Fun? Take the Family to Mankato, Minnesota!

By Jody Halsted January 22, 2015

Trying to avoid the winter blahs? Attempting to not hibernate like a bear? Or maybe you just need to combat cabin fever with a quick – and fun!- family getaway? My family found plenty of winter fun in Mankato, Minnesota. We embraced the activities Mankato had to offer, and had an amazing weekend! Family Winter […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: America's Best Small Towns, Clips, Midwest, Minnesota ·

Christmas is Bigger in Texas

By Jody Halsted January 8, 2015

Merry Madagascar at the Gaylord Texan

The popular saying is that ‘everything is bigger in Texas’. While that may not be universally true, I can tell you from experience that Christmas is bigger in Texas! Celebrating Christmas in Grapevine Texas is an unforgettable way to kick off the season – or to end it before the reality of school and work […]

1 Comment · Filed Under: Clips, hotel, Resort, South, Texas, USA ·

Bird Watching in Your Backyard

By Jody Halsted January 5, 2015

holding a bird south dakota birding festival

Today, January 5, is Bird Day – which means it’s the perfect day to share an article I recently published about backyard bird watching. Filled with handy tips I learned at the South Dakota Birding Festival last spring, as well as a few easy bird feeders you can make right now with items you have […]

2 Comments · Filed Under: Clips, USA ·

6 Terrific Midwest Cities for Family Fun in the Winter

By Jody Halsted December 31, 2014

The Midwest is filled with surprises most people don’t know about. Try one of these Midwest cities for family fun during the winter months! Things to Do in the Winter with Kids in the Midwest published by Minitime In the northern part of the center of the US lies a cluster of states affectionately known, […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Clips, Iowa, Midwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, USA ·

Family Activities Light Up New Orleans at Christmas

By Jody Halsted December 29, 2014

Forget what you think you know about New Orleans! Just a block off infamous Bourbon Street, New Orleans is a wonderful, inviting, family friendly city! Things to Do for Christmas with Kids in New Orleans Published by Minitime There is no doubt that New Orleans is a city that knows how to celebrate – and […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Clips, South, USA ·

Mankato Christmas Lights: Making the Holiday Merry & Bright

By Jody Halsted December 10, 2014

Isn’t it funny how the things you tend to really enjoy you just don’t do yourself? Take Christmas light displays, for example. I will drive miles to see a beautiful display of Christmas lights. But in my own yard… well, we have a couple of lawn decorations. Sad, but true. Though we didn’t drive to […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: America's Best Small Towns, Midwest, Minnesota, USA ·

Learning About Birding at the South Dakota Birding Festival

By Jody Halsted November 11, 2014

Our many thanks to the Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association for inviting us to be part of the South Dakota Birding Festival. “Look Mom, ” my youngest says as she contently stares out our window, “it’s a red-breasted warbler.” Is it? I have no idea. But she is likely correct. Ever since our trip last […]

1 Comment · Filed Under: Midwest ·

Fall Fun in Hendricks County, Indiana

By Jody Halsted October 23, 2014

Our explorations in Hendricks County were made possible in partnership with Visit Hendricks County.  Fall weekends are perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Though it is still warm during the day, the air holds the seasonal change in its every breath, cooling the evenings to a crispness ideal for light jackets. Autumn is my favorite time of […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: America's Best Small Towns, Midwest ·

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