“Are we there yet?”

“How much longer?”

“I have to go to the bathroom.”

“I’m hungry.”

Ah, the sounds of summer. If you’re like most East Orlando parents, then at some point this season you’ll be packing the bags, rounding up the family and heading down the road toward another fun-filled family vacation. But, before you get there, you have to get there.

Keeping the kids highly entertained at a low price is no easy feat - but it can be done.

“We go on trips about seven times per year, half of which are car trips lasting a few days so there is a lot of driving,” says Sara Au, contributing expert for parenting Web site www.ParentsAsk.com and Waterford Lakes mother of Derek, 7, and Kacey, 6.

Au says that for her children, one of the best strategies for her children and her wallet has been to find activities that engage them rather than those they would passively participate in, such as watching a movie. “I’m against the handheld videogame trend so I’m always looking for new ways to keep the kids actively involved in an activity during the trip,” she says. “Recently I got them a deck of cards and taught them to play Go Fish and, believe it or not, they have been doing that for hours, nonstop, and they absolutely love it.”

The family-friendly game has also created an adverse, but welcome, side effect: laughter. “They are like any other brother and sister with sibling rivalries and teasing, but when they play these games they  laugh and laugh together. It’s so nice to hear them getting along and bonding over something silly like that,” says Au.

Another tip she suggests is bringing a lap desk and plenty of paper. “It allows them to color and create, it’s simple and affordable,” she says.

Lake Nona mother of twin 8-year-old girls, Mary Cachillo, says the lap desk has worked wonders for her as well. “We come up with activities while we’re driving and have the kids draw the first things that come to their mind or draw the back of the car in front of us - it sounds simple but they enjoy interacting with us in the front seats and it keeps their minds going,” she says.

“It’s amazing what a few pieces of paper and some imagination will do,” says Au.

Recently, Au has found that Mad Libs work wonders for her children. “My kids were dying with laughter on a car trip where they first got to try them out,” she says. “It was pretty hilarious for us, too.”

But, perhaps even better than that, according to Au, is that she found her 7-year-old has begun teaching her 6-year-old what nouns, verbs and adjectives are to help the game along. “It’s really a great lesson for both of them because he gets to review and teach while she gets to learn from her big brother instead of a teacher,” she says.

For the Cachillo family, they’ve taken on their own form of Mad Libs where one member of the family will choose a topic and the rest must go around in a circle and build a story, one word at a time, repeating every word from the beginning and adding a new one until they alter the sentence too much from the original.

“It’s challenging for them and for us, but it’s a ton of fun,” says Cachillo. “It helps with their imagination and their memory - ours too.”

If you’re out of active things to do and you need a rest, Au says that sometimes for her children books on tape actually work better than a new DVD at keeping their minds off the road. “It forces them to use their imagination a bit and it keeps them entertained,” she says. “They are usually around 40 minutes and they are far cheaper than buying a ton of new movies for every trip you take.”

Above all, according to Au, the thing to remember when scratching your head for new ideas is to think variety and simplicity. “The best things you can do are often the cheapest as well and they’ll bring you together as a family more than you may think,” she says.

“Get their imagination going and you’ll be surprised at the results,” says Cachillo. “It may take some work on your part, but you need to keep yourself entertained too.”

Article by Corey Gehrold

What better way to spend time with the family and save a few extra bucks than a staycation? Skip the typical tourist destinations across town and follow these four tips to ensure you stay within a budget and keep the kids entertained - you’ll even have time to relax if you play your cards right.

1.       Plan Your Staycation with Another Family

Do you know another family with children around the same age as yours? Ask parents from groups and activities your kids participate in (sports, dance, school, etc.) to see what they are doing around the same time you plan on taking your staycation. “We did this last year and the kids loved it because they got to spend time with their friends and the adults got to take turn leading activities and taking breaks,” says Sheila James, Waterford Lakes mother of 7-year-old, Christopher.

2.       Let the Kids Figure Out the Budget

Sounds a little dangerous, no? “That’s what I thought at first,” says James. “But then I tried it and, boy, did it make a difference.” Instead of arguing over why you can’t go to mini-golfing, bowling and to a movie in one day, tell your kids exactly how much money is set aside for activities throughout the staycation. This way, they get to choose what activates are on the itinerary and learn about a budget as well.

3.       Take Turns Relaxing

Avoid the headaches that kids on vacation may present by taking turns relaxing with your significant other. Send one of you with the kids to a movie while the other heads for a massage. One parent hits the paintball field while another relaxes poolside. When you both want to go out, hire a babysitter while you enjoy a day together.

By taking turns, you’ll stay stress-free, and you’ll enjoy the time with just the two of you that much more. Remember: when you’re on your own without the kids, don’t use that time to check your e-mail or do chores - this is supposed to be a staycation for you, too.

4.       Document Your Memories

Just because you’re staying close to home, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be recording your memories. Take plenty of photos and video to laugh about in a few weeks or scrapbook. “My son loves looking at the pictures we took,” says James. “To him, fun is fun whether it’s on an island in the Bahamas or just down the road.”

There you have it, four tips to a fun-filled staycation with the family in East Orlando. Planning is part of the fun, so get your staycation started off right with a strong itinerary.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Article by Corey Gehrold

Looking for something new to do this summer?  Why not float in a warm, crystal-clear river in the heart of natural Florida?

It’s a little known fact that Central Florida was a popular vacation destination before the famous “House of Mouse” was built. But in the early 1920’s, Central Florida was a popular vacation spot for the roadside attractions surrounding the natural warm-water springs.

Today, there are five major state parks featuring springs within just an hour drive of where you’re reading this right now. Two of the most distinct parks are De Leon Springs and Blue Spring State Parks, each offering a pleasant, 73 degree year-round natural pool and much more.  In fact, these lands are filled with history dating as far back as when Florida’s only residents were Native Americans.

De Leon Springs was originally named after the famous explorer, Ponce De Leon.  Originally, the spring was marketed as the fountain of youth.

“The spring was promoted to cure. Back in the 1800’s, all of the spring resorts would say that the water would cure anything, from dandruff to cancer,” says Brian Polk, park manager, De Leon Springs.  “They said it would make people completely healthy.”

Today, the roadside attraction owes its fame to the hotel and casino that was built around the spring that operated until the mid 1960’s.  It wasn’t until 1982 that the state purchased the land and it became a state recreational park.

De Leon Springs is home to a variety of wildlife including alligators, deer, turkeys, manatees, bald eagles, osprey and black bears.  Wildlife boat tours are narrated by the one and only Captain Frank who takes guests on a journey down Spring Garden Run.

Perhaps the most popular attraction in De Leon Springs is the historic Old Sugar Mill Restaurant.  Owned and operated by the same family since the 1960’s, the restaurant was built in the building that held the first water-powered mill in Florida.  Though it was operated by settlers in the 1800’s, the original chimney and brickwork used for the kettles still remains.

“It’s a great atmosphere the old rustic building overlooking the spring.  It’s a wonderful combination that attracts people by the bus load,” says Polk. “What sets this restaurant apart are the built-in table griddles on which guests can make their own pancakes.”

Less than 25 minutes down the road from De Leon, another park offers a different kind of experience.

Best known for its manatees, Blue Spring State Park attracts visitors from all over the world who have come to experience Central Florida.  Throughout the manatee season of Mid-November through early March, visitors can walk along the botanical boardwalk overlooking Spring Run and learn about the manatees in their natural habitat.  Blue Spring even hosts their annual manatee festival in January to celebrate the large population of manatees in the spring run.

“We had almost 300 spend the entire winter season with us this past year,” says Lynn Flannery, park services specialist at Blue Springs.

In the summertime, the spring is open for swimming with over 40 different species of fish occupying the long-flowing spring run.  Other wildlife that frequents the area includes a variety of shore birds as well as turtles and gopher tortoises.  Visitors may encounter these as they tour the beautiful and historic St. John’s River on a two-hour narrated ecological cruise.

For history lovers, Flannery recommends visiting the Thursby House, built in 1872 by Louis Thursby and his family, the first family to settle on the Blue Spring land.

Whatever you choose, visiting one of the state parks certainly promises an authentic and unique summertime experience.

“You can go out in the spring run and just imagine what it looked like 100 years ago.  It’s easy to imagine because there are no signs of people. You can maybe look up and see an airplane, but there are no houses, no power poles, no cell towers; so, it’s definitely like experiencing old Florida,” says Polk.  “It’s really a great place for families and for people to get out into the natural environment and enjoy themselves.”

Article by Erika Finnimore

White sandy beaches. Breathtaking oceanfront views. Live music with chef-prepared cuisine. Paradise? It just might be. And the best part is - it’s a lot closer than you think.

I recently found out that my own little slice of perfection is a mere two hour drive away, hidden - among all places - in Jupiter, FL. The quaint beach town just north of West Palm Beach is home to the cozy yet elegant Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa. It was here, on a whim, my girlfriend and I decided it was time for a little vacation to unwind and bask in the Florida sun our pale exteriors so desperately needed.

We were met with one of the rarest occasions life has to offer: when something actually lives up to the hype. It fit the bill. Exceeded our expectations. Unassuming from the exterior, the resort is magnificent from the interior, transporting you to an island hideaway the moment you walk in with its warm colors and designer mahogany furnishings.

When I go on trips, I always notice the little things first. My parking-to-walking ratio, how big the plates at the restaurant are, what the elevator smells like - call it what you want but those things make a difference to me. My girlfriend on the other hand? She immediately noticed the 7,500 square-foot, full-service spa. Mainly a hotel for destination weddings, the spa, I found out somewhat reluctantly firsthand, offers a marbled steam room, aromatherapy, Swedish massage and even stations for manicures. Never having a real spa treatment before, I don’t really have much to compare my experience to; but I can tell you that whatever they did felt right (read: sign me up again).

After a brief elevator ride to our room on the sixth floor, I opened the door to a majestic view. The curtains were open, as if to say, “Welcome Home” exposing the foamy white waves of the warm Atlantic before I even had a chance to put my bags down. Talk about your first impression.

Once we had fully explored the resort and its 10 meeting rooms, we sat down for dinner at their signature restaurant, Sinclairs Ocean Grill. Offering up dishes inspired by local ingredients and international flare, we enjoyed a wonderfully prepared, made-to-order five-course meal. Typically not big seafood eaters, I may have been converted that night. It’s hard to describe, but I’ve never eaten anything so “fresh” before - and trust me, I’ve eaten a lot of things. I’m usually the guy who orders the weird thing on the menu just to see what the fuss is about.

Our next morning began with a gentle nudge from the sun set to the soundtrack of breaking waves just outside. We decided to take in some of the sights Jupiter has to offer. Our first stop was a trip to the Jupiter Lighthouse, the oldest structure in Palm Beach County. We took a guided tour up the 105 step spiral staircase and emerged with a panoramic view of the Jupiter inlet, the mansion-studded Jupiter Island and more yachts than you could shake a stick at. At just a few dollars per person, it’s  a trip, and a view, that’s definitely worth taking.

After the near vertigo-inducing climb down, we headed off to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Attracting more than 225,000 visitors a year, this completely free to attend, interactive center tells the story of some of the area’s most famous amphibian residents. The work that this beachside facility does to educate the population and rehabilitate turtles back into the wild is nothing short of inspiring. Not to mention it’s right on the beach, which happened to be our next stop.

As our day came to close, we headed back to the resort’s secluded beach to catch the last bit of sun before we had to leave the next morning. Our surprise weekend getaway ended just as relaxing as it started - lazily swaying back and forth in a beachside hammock, surrounded by palm trees, engulfed by tranquility.

When you’re planning your vacations this year, remember that a weekend can be just what you and your family need. It’s about making memories, so do what we did and make the most of yours.

Vacation doesn’t have to mean some faraway, amenity-laden land of the lost. No, there are plenty of places to go right here to fill all of your sand-soaked dreams. After all, life’s a beach and we’re in Florida.

Ironically, I found my piece of heaven on Earth in Jupiter. Where’s yours?

Article by Corey Gehrold

It’s the time of year to TRI something new. Throughout Central Florida people just like you are training their minds and bodies to tackle one of the most grueling, and most rewarding, competitions on the planet: a triathlon. To complete a triathlon, athletes must conquer three components of the race - swimming, biking and running.

You’re not the only one thinking about training for a triathlon this year. In 2007 alone more than 280,000 individuals purchased one-day membership to compete in USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioned events, and that’s in addition to the more than 100,000 yearly members the organization supports. The average age of a triathlon athlete is 38 with just under 60 percent of competitors being male. Of all participants, roughly 63 percent are married and 49 percent report to white-collar jobs.

The stresses placed on you can be mental, financial and, obviously, physical. While training and competing in your triathlon, you will be able to overcome the mental and financial stresses placed on you. However, the physical burdens may be too much for the body to handle if you aren’t training properly.

“Proper training is one of the best tips I could give anyone to avoid injury and achieve better results at a faster pace,” says Dr. Samuel Blick, MD, of Orlando Orthopaedic Center.  Blick is board certified in sports medicine and knee replacement.  “When training, do not schedule a race that is closer than 10 weeks out so your body has time to build muscle and prepare for the various stresses you’re going to put on it during the event.”

He cautions that the proper warm up is one of the best ways, in addition to strength and conditioning training, to prepare the muscles for the activity to come, reducing the chance for injury. “The number one problem a person who trains by themselves will experience is overtraining, which in addition to being uncomfortable, can lead to harmful injuries” Blick says. The most common of which include Swimmer’s Shoulder, Achilles Tendonitis and Runner’s Knee.

Freestyle swimming causes the shoulder to undergo repetitive overhead motion which may compromise microvasculature in the rotator cuff, leading to what’s commonly referred to as Swimmer’s Shoulder. “This repeated microtrauma may lead to an inflammatory response which causes pain,” says Blick. Often a result of increased volume or intensity overload with poor technique, treatment usually includes the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy if the problem becomes severe enough. “Before you reach the point of needing therapy however we suggest RICE, or rest, ice, compression and elevation of the shoulder,” he says.

“Runner’s Knee, or chondromalacia patella, is one of the most common injuries in runners and cyclists,” says Blick. “With runner’s knee, excessive force causes cartilage to become either softer or rougher which in turn makes the patella glide uncharacteristically over the femur causing pain,” he says. Treatment involves RICE therapy and a decreased workload.

“Remember that knee pain experienced during activity is more serious than pain experienced after activity. Any sign that the knee is ‘giving out’ can be bad as well because that means one of the stabilizing components of the knee, such as a ligament, is compromised,” says Blick.

One of the most common overuse injuries resulting from an increase in training intensity is Achilles Tendonitis. “Many cases of tendonitis occur in the ankle because the muscles in the calf have tendons that cross the ankle,” says recent sprint triathlon competitor and Eastwood resident, Dr. Daniel Wiernik, DPM, Orlando Orthopaedic Center and specialist in foot and ankle surgery. “Improper shoes and increasing distance or intensity too fast are major causes,” he says. “A heel pad, ice and stretching can help, but if the problem continues or worsens you should see a specialist.”

There you have it — some of the most common injuries experienced by the inexperienced triathlon athlete while training. Remember that before beginning any training regimen, you should always consult with a qualified sports medicine doctor.

“I enjoy training and competing in triathlons because it is challenging but also a lot of fun,” says Wiernik. “The satisfaction of crossing the finish line keeps me coming back for more.”

Article by Corey Gehrold