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10 Reasons to Run the Indy 500 Mini Marathon

The Indianapolis 500 One America Mini Marathon, is one of those races you just have to do at least once in your life.  It is the largest 13.1 race in the United States, and is held at the beginning of May every year prior as one of the premiere events prior to the big race [...]

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The First Step

As a family we had always tried to take time to do activities together, tried to plan meals where we sat down together, but as the kids grew it became more difficult.  Our hours were filled with movement, but not a whole lot of substance.  Time began to flow by, and kids were growing.  Soon [...]

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10 Top Reasons for Families to Visit St. Louis, MO

With climbing gas prices and even tighter budgets, many money concious families are looking for fun family getaways closer to them.  With a little help from the interent, and word of mouth from family and friends you can uncover spectacular nuggets of information to get you started on your journey. [tb_google_map]Within the Midwest lies a [...]

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Boyne Mountain, Michigan

Frolic in the Snow! There’s no need to hide indoors on cold weather days. Many activities are unique to the snow and cold temperatures, so take the time to enjoy them. One of the activities synonymous with snow and winter is skiing. As a family our tendencies for vacation fun ran toward warm temperatures and [...]

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Time Out for Family

January 11th, 2011 admin

Taking Time Out for Family

You don’t have to have a lot of time to create some quality family moments, but sometimes it is difficult to come up with a plan.  Here are some tips to find the right activity for your family.

Trip Planner

Planning a family trip can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.  Take into account the following:

  • Know your limitations –even the most athletic of individuals have some type of learning curve when learning to ski or snowboard.  Make sure your body can handle it.
  • Know your budget – there is nothing worse than taking a trip you cannot afford.  You have memorable experiences with an inexpensive price tag you just have to do some legwork.

Check Around – not every place is created equal. There are drawbacks and advantages to every vacation destination, hotel and activity center.  Do your homework it will make the experience that much better.

How Far?

If time is limited, then look for something close to you.  Especially if you are new to the activity such as skiing or snowboarding, then sometimes learning in a more compact and less densely populated resort may be the way to go.  Make sure to pick a location that you can easily reach in a reasonable amount of time.  Too much driving can take the fun out of a trip, especially when family members are confined in a car for too long.

Research

Try to get to know the area you are going to visit.  Visit sites that have reviews of the area, but be sure to remember that not everyone experiences things in the same manner what may work for them may not work for your family, and understanding that might help you make a clearer decision.

Logistics

Details matter.  Knowing your family and what works for them will help ensure that you get the right accommodations, choose the right activity, and enjoy your time.  For example, if you choose a remote location with little variety in what foods are available, make sure you choose lodging that enables you to cook some of your meals for variety.  Ask yourself:

  • Do they have activities for all family members to enjoy?
  • Is there enough to do to last the duration of the trip?
  • Are things convenient, such as grocers, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.?
  • Are you allotting enough time for travel?
  • Create your itinerary. Do you know what you want to do when you get there?

Lodging

One of the biggest decisions when planning a family get away, is finding the right place to stay when you get there.  However, it can be difficult to know where to stay when you have never visited the area before.  Going to the online hotel and travel sites can be overwhelming and confusing because some peoples’ reviews are fed by their emotions at the time.  Sometimes the best recommendations are through family and friends who have visited the area.  Make sure:

  • You can see a lot of pictures of the accommodations
  • You know ahead of time if there additional resort fees
  • Find packages – it may save you time and money
  • See what is included in your stay

Consistency in hotel chains is a positive, but it can also be a negative.  If accommodations meet your needs at one of the chains hotels, then you will have a good chance that a stay in a similar hotel in the same chain will likely result in a similar experience.

Overall Experience

The one thing that can ruin a family vacation is expectation, when you place too high an expectation or you play out in your mind what should happen it could ruin your time together.  Don’t expect anything, but enjoy the moments you have together because those times are fleeting.

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Uniting Families

November 22nd, 2010 admin
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At Family Mile we are dedicated to bringing families information and activity suggestions that will help unite families and create memories.

After years of trying to find a site that provided information on travel for families and finding it difficult to maneuver through the internet looking for information, Family Mile was born.  We are dedicated to giving our users the information they are looking for in one convenient location.

Here you will find travel tips, location information, what worked, what didn’t and other information that is helpful when traveling with your family.  Family is important to us here at Family Mile and we work hard to bring honest, concise information that will give the user insight and inspire them to create more memorable family moments.

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10 Reasons to Run the Indy 500 Mini Marathon

June 6th, 2011 admin
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The Indianapolis 500 One America Mini Marathon, is one of those races you just have to do at least once in your life.  It is the largest 13.1 race in the United States, and is held at the beginning of May every year prior as one of the premiere events prior to the big race itself.  Traditionally entrants are limited to the first 35,000 people to sign up for the race.

It is the race that propelled our family bonding.  We train together, race together (not all at the same pace), and we celebrate our finish together.  There are bands that play along the course route, and many line the sidelines to cheer the runners on.  It is an interesting time that many can enjoy, even as a family.

There is so much to the Indy 500 One American Mini Marathon:

  1. Great Deals – The expo held during packet pick up is a great place to find bargains on running shoes and running equipment.  Lots of vendors and brands are represented at this race offering pricing deals hard to find in the regular retail store.  We even found deals that beat online pricing plus we saved on shipping.
  2. Entertainment – Bands are stationed along the way, so there is no real need for you to run with an ipod.  The entertainment helps pass the miles.
  3. Anyone can run.  Participants ranged from all ages to all types of body sizes, from elite runners to the novice beginners.  The best thing is that the crowds cheer you on whether you are the first to complete the race or the last to cross the line.
  4. Positive Energy – Spectators as well as fellow participants bring such a lively vibe to the race prior, during and after that is hard not to get caught up in the fun.
  5. Historic Track – So much history is behind one of the greatest spectacles on earth and you can see some of that during your run into the track at the Indianpolis Motor Speedway.  There is nothing like crossing the same yard of bricks that legends such as Davey Allison, Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Tony Stewart, Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon and many others have crossed and it is a memory that you can carry with you and share with family and friends.
  6. Efforts Rewarded – Young or old, fast or slow, everyone get a medal at the finish of the race.  It is a great keepsake for finishing a physically taxing and emotionally draining race.
  7. Great Atmosphere – After the race participants, their friends and family gather in the park and take in all the excitement of the day.  There is food, fun, and festivities for all ages. Our oldest finished the race well ahead of us and waited in the park for the rest of us to finish.  She appeared cold and someone with a new shirt gave it to her so she wasn’t cold anymore.  The energy of the people and the place is infectious, soon you find yourself signing up to do it all again.
  8. Support - Many of the local running clubs and running stores offer training runs free of charge to help you get ready for the race.  It is a good place to take advantage of learning tips and tricks to help get you through the race.
  9. Gear Check - It may start off cool at the beginning of the day, but you may not want or have the capacity to bring everything with you on the run.  There are gear lockers for all participants to utilize.
  10. Great Family Experience - The atmosphere is down to earth and people are very friendly providing a great activity for families to do together.
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The First Step

June 6th, 2011 admin
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As a family we had always tried to take time to do activities together, tried to plan meals where we sat down together, but as the kids grew it became more difficult.  Our hours were filled with movement, but not a whole lot of substance.  Time began to flow by, and kids were growing.  Soon they would be out of the house and the opportunity to spend time together would become more limited.

It was then we decided that we needed to find an acitivity we could all do and enjoy together.  Yes we went to soccer games together, but we didn’t all participate in it together.  We went on vacations together, but it was more like we went, we endured, we made saw, we conquered, but there was still something missing.  I wanted more for my family because the reality was, time was slipping by quickly.

You have to understand…I HATE to run! But in the spring of 2010 our oldest daughter decided to run track.  It was not something she really wanted to do, but she wanted to experience all that she could in her high school years.  She wasn’t the fatest, but she began to really enjoy it.  During the summer she joined Cross-Country.  The athletes that participate in this sport are a different breed.  There is competition, but mostly the run to beat their own best time.  They encourage each other,  work together, and are genuinely looking out for each other.  Soon all my older children were running along with my husband, but I just could not get motivated to run.

After a routine visit to the doctor, I was reminded I had promised to give him just 30 minutes a day to get to a healthier lifestyle.  I watched my younger daughter, who has the same motivation as me when it comes to exercising, begin running because she wanted to run with her sisters and dad in the upcoming Mini Marathon, and the joy she found in accomplishing something.  The energy and the comraderie drew me in.  That fall I began to run, but I did not commit to the race although part of me really wanted to do it.  After a small 5K run I felt a bit more confident in my efforts, mainly because I didn’t finish dead last, and I committed to run the Mini with them.  Now I was in it for the long haul and this marked the beginning of the journey in our Family Mile.

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10 Top Reasons for Families to Visit St. Louis, MO

April 26th, 2011 admin
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With climbing gas prices and even tighter budgets, many money concious families are looking for fun family getaways closer to them.  With a little help from the interent, and word of mouth from family and friends you can uncover spectacular nuggets of information to get you started on your journey.

[tb_google_map]Within the Midwest lies a wonderful family destination, snuggly located between the border of Illinois and Missouri, along the great Missouri River.  The St. Louis area and the mighty river has been the epicenter for many adventures from Lewis and Clark, the adventerous Mark Twain’s beloved characters, to becoming the locale for some classic movies and musicals.  Besides being a place that is rich in history and culture, it is also a great family destination that includes many inexpensive activities the whole family can enjoy.  Listed are the top 10 places and attractions the whole family can enjoy when visiting:

  1. The City Museum - 701 North 15th Street Saint Louis, MO 63103 (314) 231-2489Located in downtown St. Louis, MO this family friendly attraction boasts historic architectural pieces, play areas for all ages and exhibits to energize, excite and invoke thought.  This local attraction invites the young and old to climb through tunnels, enjoy amazing artwork, interact with wildlife, and showcase a unique spellbinding place to escape.  Make sure you allocate plenty of time to this activity to ensure you don’t miss anything.  There are so many nooks and crannies within the building and outside of the building, that you may miss something if you are in a hurry.  The attraction is one of the few in the area which requires admission to get in, but it is worth every penny.
  2. St. Louis Zoo – One Government Drive St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 781-0900The grounds of the zoo is reminiscent of the grounds of an old family estate back when carriage rides and slow walks were one of the daily activities to pass the time.  This local attraction is free to the public.  There are exhibits that require a charge for admittance, but so much of the zoos exhibits are free to the public that you can see quite a lot more than some of the zoos in other states where you have to pay to get in to see their animals.  The zoo is located within the grounds of Forrest Park.  The best times to see the animals at their most active would be in the morning or during feeding times, but they are still present throughout the day.  Be sure to see the penguin exhibit.  It is a careful display that allows many guests to get a more up close and personal view of these colorful and playful animals.
  3. St. Louis Museum of Art – One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1380 ( 314) 721-0072One of the cultural attractions located in the heart of Forrest Park, this museum displays some of the creative art from across the world.  This attraction rich in culture is not reserved for the lover of art, but it gives visitors insight into the life during the times the painter was capturing in his work.  There is no admission required to view the main galleries.  Although there are exhibits that require an admittance charge to view, on Fridays these exhibits are free to view for the public.
  4. St. Louis Science Center – 5050 Oakland Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 289-4400This interactive museum is centrally located near Forrest Park.  Admission is free, although the IMAX and other special exhibits require admission.  The center piece of the Science Center is a giant maze.  Visitors are mesmerized as colorful spherical balls wind their way through twists and turns.  Interactive features allows both young and old to tyr out their abilities and learn new things in the field of science.  You can also watch as larger than life spools of film feed into the IMAX theater.  Innovative exhibits enthrall participants, and the walkway over the interstate give children and adults a different perspective of the roadway.  You can even see the speed of traffic as they drive along the interstate.
  5. Forrest Park – 5595 Grand Dr. St. Louis, Mo. 63112 (314) 367-7275This park located in near the heart of St. Louis is made up of 1,293 beautifully landscaped acres, and was originally opened to the public in 1876.  It is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and 500 acres bigger than Central Park in New York City.  The grounds were the sight of the World Fair in 1904.  It attracts more than 12 million visitors a year, and gives the city a cultural soul unique to this midwest city.  The park also gives its residents and visitors a place to enjoy the outdoors with trails for running or biking, golf course, boating, and fishing opportunities.  Also within the ground you will find the Zoo, History Museum, Art Museum, The Muny Opera House, and other attractions that will invite you in to take part in this truly unique St Louis adventure.  Since its inception on June 24, 1876 the park has been a central location to enjoy what this spectacular city and midwest charm has to offer.
  6. St. Charles, Missouri – 230 South Main Street St. Charles, MO 63301St. Charles is the oldest city on the Missouri River established in 1769.  It was an important trading center for countless pioneers, and has become well known as the location where Lewis & Clark began their expedition of the west.  Today this quaint town holds on to much of its rich historic heritage, and welcomes all visitors to see what makes this quaint community the epicenter of the westward movement.
  7. The Loop – Delmar (314) 727-8000This area located near Washington University owes its nickname to a streetcar turnaround. Nearby neighborhoods boasts tree-lined streets showcasing stately homes the bring visitors back to a time when life seemed more Norman Rockwell. But the eclectic feel for local shops and restaurants bring in a more cultured vibe to the neighborhood.
  8. Missouri History Museum -  5700 Lindell, St. Louis MO, 63112 (314) 746-4599Admission to the museum is free, special exhibits require admission. Learn about the Spirit of St. Louis. Discover the 1904 World’s Fair, and delve into the travels of Lewis and Clark. Learn about what made St. Louis special.
  9. Gateway Arch – 100 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63102 (877) 982-1410
    The Gateway Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States and a popular tourist attraction of the Midwest. Approximately 1 million visitors come to take in the breathtaking views of the arch. It is an historical structure that is a must see on your next visit to Missouri.
  10. St. Louis Cardinals – 700 Clark Street Saint Louis, MO 63102-1727 (314) 345-9000
    In 2006 the St. Louis Cardinals opened their state-of-the-art 46,000 seat stadium. Although it boasts the latest in spectator technology, the design itself was meant to bring back the nostalgia of a downtown ballpark. Catching a game is a great experience for the entire family. The club does have days in which admission prices are discounted. Look for these specials online.
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Boyne Mountain, Michigan

January 11th, 2011 admin
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Frolic in the Snow!

There’s no need to hide indoors on cold weather days. Many activities are unique to the snow and cold temperatures, so take the time to enjoy them.

One of the activities synonymous with snow and winter is skiing. As a family our tendencies for vacation fun ran toward warm temperatures and sandy beaches, but there is something to be said about enjoying nature’s winter wonderland. With the decision to take our first trip Northward bound we did some research on places that were not too far away, but had enough activities that all age groups could enjoy them.

Talking with friends, experienced in outdoor adventures, they directed us to one of their favorite Midwest ski destinations…Boyne, Michigan. The area has two resorts that accommodate the outdoor minded Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands. With a big family logistics is a priority. We called the resort, which hosts many properties and found they were very helpful. This trip was last minute, but they found lodging for our family without having to purchase 2 hotel rooms. The area boasts cabins that are truly a home away from home. Plus each ski resort had its own Snow Sport Academy to help those that were new to the sports.

The Lodging at Boyne Mountain vs Boyne Highlands vs Bay Harbor

After doing research and checking prices, we found that finding lodging in Bay Harbor would work out for our family best. Even though there was a short drive to get to the ski resort, Bay Harbor is located in between Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands. Plus there was the added incentive of the pricing on the lodging being less expensive, and housing a family of six is not always easy when it comes to finding a room that would fit all of us. We chose Lakeside Cottages, mainly because the Cottages at Crooked Tree were booked, but our friends were staying there and we were able to see what those cottages were like. Both locations are run by the Bay Harbor Inn Resort. Features that we liked about both locations:

  • Clean Facilities
  • Spacious Floor Plan
  • TV with HDMI hook-up so that we could hook up our portable player
  • Close proximity to shops and restaurants
  • Helpful staff
  • Location in relation to the Ski Resorts
  • Nearby Town with right amount of shops and restaurants

Notable Restaurants & Shops

  • Knot Just a Bar Restaurant – a wide variety on their menu with moderate prices. They have the creamiest Seafood Chowder on their menu that really hits the spot on a cold day

Boyne Mountain

[flagallery gid=1 name="Gallery" skin=lightgrey]We chose to spend our time at Boyne Mountain since we were told that they had more greens for beginners. If you are new to skiing or snowboarding make sure you sign up for lessons, it is a MUST. We tried snowboarding our first day there. It is not a sport for everyone, and the learning curve is steep, but I heard once you learn how to snowboard it can be lots of fun. Be ready to be on your behind more than you are upright. Only one of the six liked snowboarding, and after the first day no one was too thrilled about repeating our outdoor adventure. Our sense of adventure did not keep us from returning to the resort.

The second day at the mountain we tried our hand at skiing. One of our children was still having a bit of difficulty getting used to the sport and was almost ready to give up, when her ski instructor gave her a pep talk and encouraged her to keep trying. After a break, we were back on the slopes and by the end of the day we were all skiing with less effort. They had lessons for all ages. Our six year old was promoted to a level 3 skier by the end of our trip.

Tips

  • Sign up for lessons if you are a new to snowboarding or skiing, you will know pretty quickly which one you like better
  • Give the sport a chance, once you get the hang of the sport it can be lots of fun
  • No need to buy equipment, if you take lessons then it is included for you to use the day
  • Bring warm weather gear. If you get cold you will be miserable. The must haves are:
    • Good pair of ski gloves
    • Goggles
    • Snow Pants, you will be on your rear a lot
    • Cold Weather Under Armour or something similar
    • Wool Socks, the best we have found is the Smart Wool brand
    • If you are not in to spending a whole lot of money for lunch then you can bring your own cooler, but the portions are big enough at the lodge restaurant to share with another person
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