Hayesville, NC- A Quiet Mountain Getaway

After our stop in Charleston SC, we finally made it Hayesville for our annual friend-cation. With a population of about 1.1K, Hayesvilla is a quiet town with sprawling farmlands and rolling hills that makes for a picturesque getaway that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a central location to explore waterfalls and local treasures.

Family Time

It has becoming a tradition for me and my childhood friend to stay in a cabin in the mountains with our kids for a week of relaxation and fun. Staying with family and friends has the perks of saving on your cabin and having the support for cooking family meals as well as taking turns watching the kids if you need some quiet time- a rare commodity as a parent. We spent out days exploring the local trails and building forts in the woods and our evenings sipping wine, making s’mores and telling spooky stories by the fire.

Waterfalls and Mining

There are rivers and waterfalls all over this area. You will find locations pop up along your drive as you explore but here are some of our favorites we visited over the past 2 years.

Dry Falls

One of my favorite falls, and one we stumbled upon and decided to explore, is Dry Falls. This 75-foot waterfall in located in Nantahala National Forest and allows you to walk behind the falls to stay dry- thus the name, Dry Falls. The path is well paved and gives gorgeous views from all sides of the falls. It was especially exciting for the kids to run under the falls and explore the open rock areas. I definitely felt this was a fun and short walk to keep kids entertained.

Anna Ruby Falls
We took a short drive to Anna Ruby Falls, a rare double waterfall in the heart of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. This is a 0.8 mile walk round trip which was reasonable for our 3 kids ages 5-10 years. They also have a visiting center with bathrooms, gift shop, and picnic areas to address all emergencies from potty breaks to snacks breaks. This walk was a bit steep and it was worth bringing my walking stick. We saw some wild life including a black snack and an American giant millipede despite keeping on a well-kept path. This spot was definitely more populate than the other falls we visited.

Tallulah Falls
On our drive home, we visited Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls which features a 1000 foot chasm with five picturesque waterfalls including L’Eau d’Or, Tempesta, Hurricane, Oceana, and the well-known Bridal Veil pouring into the Tallulah River. Now this walk down is no joke. It’s a steady and steep decline on a staircase that we were able to tackle with a 10 year old but anyone younger would have probably turned into a piggy ride for the trek back up. There is a suspension bridge midway down about 80 feet over the gorge floor that gives some breathtaking views of the falls and cliffs. The base of the falls gets you close up to the glory of the falls and if you really want to explore the gorge floor, get to the park early to snag one of their 100 guest day passes to climb bounders and wade through the waters of the falls.

Mining

Mining is a big attraction in the mountains and you can find them along the winding roads in between towns and on your drive to visit local water falls. We randomly pulled over on our way to Anee Ruby Falls and found a mining business that was shaded making it great for children and parents alike. We purchased a large mining bag while my friend purchased 1 for her two younger children to share. We learned it really is a gamble about what you get. My daughter may have gotten lucky because her bag held more treasures than the 2 bags my friend inevitably bought to make her kids feel happy and balanced with the number of rocks they found. Regardless, it was understandable because the owners explained how they pull dirt from a family owned mountain so they can’t guarantee the quantity of minerals found.

2025 has been an especially crazy year so having this getaway was a much-needed escape away from the noise of life and let us get back to nature. I would highly recommend gathering your family or friend groups together for some personal time bonding in a small town that gives back to some of these charming communities and allows you to visit the public spaces that need our help to stay save and preserved for generations to come. Follow along with more tips and ideas of places you can visit that don’t break the bank and create opportunities to teach your young ones along the way.

Jacksonville, FL to Charleston,SC Day Trip

SPRING BREAK- JACKSONVILLE to CHARLESTON

For our Spring vacation, I felt I had to experience some place new which led us to the Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina for our next pitstop to explore.

CHARLESTON SIGHTS AND HISTORY- RAINBOW ROW

We were not in Charleston for long but me and my mini were determined to get some steps in to experience as much of the city as we could for the evening.

As a Jacksonville native, I grew up in a city that is so spread out with no functional form of public transportation, I very much appreciate a walkable and safe city and Charleston was just that. We observed beautiful coastal boardwalks and clean streets filled with beautiful architecture dating back from colonial to early 19th century styles. A prime example of this is Rainbow Row which is a series of 13 pastel-colored historic homes located on East Bay Street, just along the Battery. These houses built in 1740 are a great example of Charleston single houses which were inspired by English townhouses to utilize space . These townhouses often had a business on the bottom floor with living space above their shop. Rainbow Row now draws tourists from around the world and you will often spot brides and tourists having photoshoots for their pastel backdrop. It’s not quite known why these homes were painted pastel but some theories include: the bright colors helped guide drunken sailors back home, the light colors helped reduce heat absorption during the summer, or each color may have indicated what type of store was based in each building. Regardless, Rainbow Row is a beautiful example of Charleston history.

After visiting Rainbow Row, take a stroll to the Public Peer and admire the coastal views and marsh along Concord Street which will lead you to another fun photo spot, the Pineapple Fountain. This fountain also welcomes visitors to dip their toes in the water so be ready to take some fun pictures!

THE HOLY CITY- HISTORY AND HAUNTS

What has become somewhat of a tradition when visiting a new city, we like to take part in the local ghost tours as a fun way to learn the history and lore of the area.

Skeletons decorating the outside of a hotel and restaurant in Charleston.

We signed up for the a walking, nighttime ghost tour which started out in the courtyard of the Washington Square at 8PM. With little light and no one in sight, it set the mood for a spooky evening but I’d have to say I felt quite safe. We actually had several dressed officials walk through while we waited to meet our tour guide who approached us to welcome us to the city and ask how our visit was. They definitely exemplified Southern charm! Once our tour guide arrived, we learned he is a 16th generation Charlestonian and he provided us with a variety of stories both spooky and historical.

When going on a ghost tour, they tend to take you to specific locations to share the haunting claims and backstories as well as some historical info about death during past time periods.

HAUNTING LOCATIONS

For haunting locations, we visited the Mills House hotel and learned about an affluent doctor of the area known for helping the poor and investing in the community but also had a penchant for investing in the time of other women besides his wife. One day, his late night doctor visits were investigated by his wife which lead her to this hotel and resulted in her getting her revenge on her husband and his lover. Unfortunately, she followed him to the hotel but not to the correct room leading to the end of an innocent couple- or so the story goes.

HAUNTING HISTORY

As for some haunting history, I have learned that making sure someone was truly dead was both a real fear and concern for families and their loved ones. Many illnesses that haunted the past led individuals to appear dead only for their family to discover they were alive during burial or even sadly, after it was too late. This led to some interesting safety practices such as setting up a cord from coffin to the surface attached to a bell. This acted as a way for those buried as a result of coma, paralysis, or severe sickness who were still kicking after burial to be able to reach out to those on top-side and let them know there was a mistake. It’s a popular rumor during ghost tours that this is where the saying “Saved by the bell” originated.

GULLAH AND THE BOO HAG

My favorite part of the tour was learning about the lore and culture of the Gullah people who were descendants of enslaved Africans who keep their distinctive traditions alive in their language, food, and stories. Probably the most famous cryptic of South Carolina originated from the Gullah culture who believed in the Boo Hag who was like an energy vampire who haunted you once you made eye contact and drained you of energy as you slept. She’s known for being a skinless creature who leaves you feeling exhausted every morning until you can’t go on any more and she would wear your skin during the day if you put up a fight. There are beliefs that you can get the Boo Hag away from you by distracting her with things to count like grains of rice (OCD much?) or the bristles of a broom. It is my opinion that the Boo Hag may have been the inspiration for the creature from the psychological thriller, Smile (2022).

Boo Hag can be kept away with Haint Blue paint inspired by the difficulty of farming indigo for making dye.

Along with the tour, we learned some local gossip and modern advancements like their solar paneled trash cans that help keep the city clean and turn up profits which actually help reduce local property taxes. I can’t encourage ghost tours more. They are the most fun ways to learn about history and support local.

If you’ve been on a ghost tour, how was your experience?

Spy x Family CODE: White

I grew up in the 90’s when parents had no idea what anime was. I would walk down the Blockbuster aisle admiring the colorful video cases of shows like Akira, Princess Mononoke, Sailor Moon, and Project A-Ko. Because they were so unknown back then, most videos were Unrated meaning parents had no idea the video with the cartoon cover had some adult themes with fan service tropes common in most shows.

That being said, now that I’m a parent, I’m making sure to be careful with whatever my daughter watches. Anime is so much more popular and available now than when I was a kid, and while I’m still cautious, it’s also been fun to bond with my daughter over it. Her favorite anime so far has been Spy x Family, so as soon as my daughter heard the new Spy x Family CODE: White was coming to theaters, she had to go. These are my thoughts, starting with the series itself.

Spy x Family follows an international super spy, Lloyd Forger, who is trying to go under cover to reach a powerful diplomat and prevent war between the East and West, but to do so he needs to infiltrate his inner circle of a prestigious school. This would require having a family which results in him taking on Yor as his fake wife. It may sound harsh but Yor has a secret as well. She’s actually a skilled assassin and “marrying” LLoyd helps her stay under the radar to complete her goals. Finally, the young and adorable Anya comes into the picture to complete the family, and of course, she has her own secret as well. She’s a telepath which helps her along the way to complete her goal- to have a real family- with often hilarious results.

That being said, the overall message of the show is about family unity with heart warming moments that over shadow the occasional fight scenes. It plays the part of both a wholesome family anime and intense spy show with the occasional curse worse, fighting scenes, and blood stain on the wall (usually caused by Yor). As for the movie, I will say, the very first scene of the movie had me a little nervous because it contained a flirtatious opening scene that literally showed a bit of ankle but thankfully changed directions fast.

I’ll admit, most anime movies have their glaring flares with plot and I think we overlook them because we just love them for what they are, but I felt CODE: White was able to incorporate a lot of subplots well to make the story exciting, hilarious, and still keep everyone’s secret in tact to continue the series without a hitch. My daughter could not stop laughing out loud at Anya’s antics and you could tell the animators had fun exaggerating her childish imagination during her “crappy” situation.

Also, there is something nostalgic about playing claw machines at movie theaters. Just something magical about seeing a movie with a parents followed by a new stuffed toy.

Lookout Mountain

Our winter road trip started with a trip to Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This mountain is home to three amazing attractions; Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway. Be ready with some comfy walking shoes because you will be climbing to the peak for epic views of Tennessee valley, delve deep underground into the mountain to witness hidden, natural wonders, and go for a ride through history up the side of Lookout Mountain.

Rock City

There is just something magical about Rock City. It is a nature trail that is 1700 feet above sea level with a 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail with twisting walkways through beautiful rock formations, woods, and gardens. While there you can also view the 100-foot waterfall known as Lover’s Leap, cross the 200-foot Swing-A-Long Bridge, and explore the Fairytale Caverns created by founder, Frieda Utermoehlen Carter who was influenced by her love for European folklore. At the very top, you can also enjoy the Flag Court and See Seven States while enjoying a beverage or snack from their café. This location is so whimsical and I kept getting Tolkien vibes on the trails.

Tickets were $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for children.

See Rock City Website

Ruby Falls

I’m going to start off by saying that I am fascinated by caves so the thought of descending 260 feet underground to walk nearly 3 miles to see the tallest and deepened underground waterfall in the United States did not faze me…so long as I didn’t think too hard about it. Our tour guide was funny, friendly, and informative. They have you watch a very motivational movie right before your tour begins which is about Leo Lambert who accidentally discovered the falls in 1928 and named it after his wife, Ruby. Watch it! It was actually well done and helped you envision what it must have been like to crawl into a mountain only to find a waterfall. Along the way, you will see some fascinating cave formations, and finally, the falls themselves deep within the mountain.

Tickets for the Cave Walk to Falls Tour were $24.95 for adults and $13.95 for children (3-12)

Ruby Falls Website

Incline Railway

The last stop was the Incline Railway which takes you in a railway car to the top of Lookout Mountain on what is one of the steepest inclines (72.7% grade) in the world. Known as “America’s Most Amazing Mile”, the Incline has carried millions of riders from around the world in complete safety since 1895. A ride on the incline is about 15 minutes in each direction and you will learn the history of the area as you take in beautiful views. There is a gift shop at the top but we explored the neighborhood surrounding the top of the mountain which led us to Point Park, a National Park and battlefield during the Civil War. We enjoyed the ride, the views, and learning about the technical endeavors of history.

Tickets are $15.00 roundtrip for adults, $7.00 for children (ages 3-12). There is metered parking at both the bottom and top.

Ride The Incline Website

Travel Tips for Lookout Mountain

I have visited Rocky City and Ruby Falls twice now. First when my daughter was 4 and again when she was 7 and we loved it both times. I also took her by myself during the first trip and felt very safe doing it. This is what I would recommend to anyone planning to explore Lookout Mountain.

Be prepared for lots of walking and wear comfortable shoes and socks.
I would not recommend bringing a stroller to Rock City or Ruby Falls due to some very tight spots and lots of stairs.
For Rock City, I would go as early as possible (opens at 8:30AM) to take my time and enjoy the beauty and magical vibes of the trails in peace.
Plan a nap in the middle of the day to keep little ones’ energy up if you plan to do multiple attractions on the same day.
I always bring a small backpack with me for snacks, drinks, band-aids, a place for discarded clothing, and a small toy for bored or fussing emergencies.
Some locations still require you buy tickets before showing up so make sure to check the website before your trip.

Hoggetown Medieval Faire 2022

It’s that time of the year again! The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire has returned to Gainesville, FL! We loaded up the caravan and hit the road for a day at the faire. Due to the pandemic, we haven’t attended the faire since 2019 and my first time attending was in 2009, so I was dying to return and keep the tradition alive. Read on to learn what I love about Hoggetowne and what’s new this year since they moved to their new location.

The faire takes place every year on the last two weekends of January and the first weekend in February. Tickets can be bought the day of but I prefer buying them online. Parking isn’t bad but you may need to be prepared for some walking or you can wait to jump on a small shuttle to the entrance. Adult ticket prices are $20 for a full day of shows, access to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, and just the chance to dress up with other people who love fantasy just as much as you do. It’s well worth the money.

Check out their website for details on time, date, and ticket prices

The new location seems to provide more room for the vendors compared to previous years and I felt the walk from parking to the actual faire was shorter. The website does encourage masks but they are not required. Because it’s outdoors, and there is a lot of room for social distancing, I felt very safe attending the faire. Plus, if you enjoy dressing up like I do, it’s easy to make a mask fit in with a costume for those moments you may get too close to someone.

Another new change to the faire was a scavenger hunt for attendees. We enjoyed finding clues as a family and at the end of the day, my daughter turned in her scorecard for a piece of treasure.

The vendors are full of amazing artists and artisans of some of the most fun medieval-inspired items you can imagine. Expects lots of leather clothing, “magical” trinkets, elf ears, and talismans to choose from. My husband and I agree to buy one pricey item every year for the home or to build up our cosplay game. This year, my husband treated himself to a beautifully made, green vest with gold buttons.

Included in your ticket is the option to watch a wide variety of shows. We hit up the jousting tournament, Da Vinci Brothers comedy show, and the amazing Barely Balanced acrobats! These performers are dedicated to their craft and have been present since I first came years ago. I love it when I get a chance to talk to them and learn about their experiences because their lives are fascinating.

The Winning Knight of the Jousting Competition

We played some carnival-like games with a medieval flare to them and tried our hands at archery. After some activities, we filled our stomachs with some yummy food, and thankfully they had a vegetarian burrito option. I have to admit, we also love going for the beer! They have two beer tents run by a local brewery, and they really get into the spirit making the tent feel more like a tavern. You can meet some interesting characters there! Ask them for a “bee sting” which is a little shot of mead they’ll add to your beer for a fun twist. Oh and don’t forget to tip! “Huzzah to the tipper!!”

New Year, Who Dis? A Vegetarian?

It’s not uncommon to set healthy resolutions for the new year and my husband and I are no different. Over the years, we’ve developed more of a tradition to start the year with the same resolution- let’s go vegetarian for as long as we can.

I don’t know how it really started but a few years ago my husband decided to start the year off with something more restrictive than say- limiting desserts or eating out less. No, he’s an all-or-nothing kind of guy and finds portion control very difficult. So instead of deciding to eat a little less, he decided to cut out what is probably his favorite foods- meat. He’s a BBQ ribs, smothered chicken, let’s Southern fry this, type of guy so when meat is in front of him, it’s really going down. Maybe that’s why he decided he needs to take the option of meat out entirely in order for him to work on increasing fruit and veggies in his daily life. So here we are again. Vegetarian together and its become a fun challenge to beat the previous years record.

For anyone considering vegetarian life-style, I encourage you to find your main go-to protein sources first and everything else tends to fall into place. Adding fruits, vegetables, and our favorite grains is the easy part so here are a few tips for figuring out the protein.

Vegetarian Protein Sources

Eggs

Top of the list has got to go to eggs. We love them and my parents raise chickens so we get farm-fresh on demand. We scramble them, put them in burritos, boil them, make quiche with veggies, and make devilled eggs for snacks. If you are worried about cholesterol, you can always get egg-beaters but since we are cutting out all other animal meat (high in cholesterol and saturated fat), we have reduced cholesterol intake significantly already so we don’t sweat it.

Egg bake with veggies is so easy and can be turned into breakfast sandwiches

Soy Crumbles

We love soy crumbles which we use just like we would ground beef, and an added bonus is it’s faster to cook. We use this in sauce for pasta, stir-fry, zucchini boats (baked zucchini shells filled with soy crumbles and cheese), and even for Shepherd’s pie! It’s fun to experiment with and find new ways to use it in commonly used recipes.

Beans

Whenever we go vegetarian, it’s like we remember beans! I can go months without eating them but I find myself running to them once the meat is gone. We can be satisfied with a simple dinner of beans and rice with okra and tomatoes or a great big pot of bean soup which really hits the spot with the cold weather.

Whey Protein

I feel like most people just use whey protein powder in smoothies which is a great idea and we utilize this for breakfast or a quick meal when we don’t feel like cooking, but it can be used in many other ways! We love adding it to pancake mix or oatmeal as a way to pack protein in a meal that otherwise provides mostly carbohydrates.

Fish

This is just for me because my husband is adamant about being a strict vegetarian who is okay with dairy and eggs but no meat or fish when he starts his resolution. I on the other hand, have no problem with including fish. Out of respect to him, when I’m not around him, I do tend to include fish or shrimp as my protein options. I think it’s important people know that they can be vegetarian and choose fish, eggs, and dairy products! This specific pattern is called a “pescatarian” and it’s a great lifestyle.

Bean Soup, Protein Bar, Cheese Stick, and Fruit Make a Great Lunch

There are many other things to include but these are our go-to choices for meals. We are going strong now but tend to struggle when faced with parties with limited options or checking out an amazing restaurant with tempting non-vegetarian options. We aren’t sweating it though. It’s fun and we are in it together. Besides, my personal resolution is less stress so here’s to peace and health!

The Lost World of Dragons

I have no idea where August went but I had to make a post about The Lost World of Dragons before it’s gone as well! You still have one more weekend to check out the imaginative exhibit at Museum of Science and History (MOSH) in Jacksonville, FL!! Fantastical yet historical, the exhibit has interactive sections that teach about dragon lore from around the world. As someone who grew up with a fascination for mythology, my inner-child was hyped and taking my own little girl just made it that much more special.

Candy Keane and I had the opportunity to set up shop for the opening night and had a blast. We shared our book, I’m Going to My First Comic Convention!, as well as some art and crafts. It was so fun being back in the convention scene again this year even though it is still a much smaller scale. We did get a bit in costume too with some medieval inspired looks and still rocked our masks.

The exhibit itself is full of interactive activites that pull you into the fantasy world with lifesize dragons that tower over you and come to life. Mythology, quizzes, and photo ops make for a fun day at the museum for all ages. Check out MOSH’s website for more details and explore this magical world this weekend while you still can!

Book Review: Wizard and the Lizard, The Magic of Marvelous Manners

Katie Reed is back with the next installment of her magical book series, Wizard and The Lizard. In this book, you meet two new characters, Mage and Page, and the four magical words that can change your life- “Please”, “Thank You”, “Excuse Me” and “Sorry”. The story starts off with the lovable main characters, Wizard and Buddy the lizard, then pulls the reader into a playful lesson about manners being like magic that can strengthen friendships. It’s a perfect way to introduce an important message that all young children should be aware of.

After reading the book, I wanted to have a little fun with the magic words we learned and talk about the importance of growth as a person and in relationships. So to drive the points home, my daughter and I picked out some flowers packets and planted them like the magic words to see them grow into something beautiful. We used recycled plastic items so we could reuse them as well.

As for the book itself, I just have to say the cover is gorgeous! After working alongside Candy Keane to illustrate our own children’s book for the first time, I’ve learned to appreciate a good font! As for the new magical stars of the book, Mage and Page, I love the color and designs for these fun characters! Illustrator, Jenna Wing-Hu drew them to be so charming. They are perfect to help teach etiquette is a fun way!

As a mother, I realize keeping our little monsters in line can be a hassle. I love books that open my little one’s eyes to vital lessons like how to be a kind and good person. The Magic of Marvelous Manners fits right in to our library and not only brings a smile to my little girl’s face but adds some magic words to her vocabulary.

Available at Amazon

The Year of Disney

When you grow up in Florida, going to Disney is like a rite of passage, but when do you decide the first trip? Do you take your child while they are still free (that’s before the age of 3) or do you wait until they can better remember it? Maybe 5 or 6? Well, with the unintentional help of a very good friend of mine, it was decided that Zoe’s first trip would be for her 4th birthday.

Castle

My very lovely friend Thea of Adventures with Thea (check out her blog for food and fun!), decided to celebrate her last year in her 20’s at the happiest place on earth, and we were invited. That left us in a very difficult predicament as parents. My husband and I found ourselves looking at each other with guilt and asking, “How can we go to Disney for the first time in years after becoming parents when our daughter has never been?” After much thought, we came to the conclusion- we would buy year passes and this would become ‘The Year of Disney’.

year of Disney

We decided to go all out. Zoe’s 4th year birthday celebration was in full swing and we were going to celebrate in style which would double as a long overdue family vacation. With only a month to plan in advance, a total of 4 days to dedicate to this vacation, and the decision to splurge by staying on-site at Disney- this is what I have to say about the new Disney planning experience.

Ride

Choose Your Annual Pass Plan Wisely
There are multiple annual pass options that range from After 4PM Disney Annual Passes to Disney Platinum that comes with all the bells and whistles. Of course, the higher up the list, the more you spend, you get fewer black out dates, and more access to theme and water parks. Luckily, all packages (besides the water parks) give you 20% off most select dining and merchandise.

We chose the Gold package because it was the only one that didn’t have a black out date for the days we had to go. Plus, we didn’t feel we needed Platinum which included admission for ESPN sports and the golf courses. Something we wouldn’t be using.

: Disney balloons!

: Mad Hatter’s tea cup ride!

There’s an app for that!- My Disney Experience App
With there being an app for everything these days, of course Disney would have one to make your Disney experience better! The Disney Experience App is a dream for all you type-A personalities out there. This app gives you one place to organize everything related to your vacation from hotel and meal reservations, confirmations numbers, quick access to phone numbers and addresses, and allows you to select Fast Passes! With your annual pass purchase, you even get 30 days advanced planning (60 days prior to check-in if staying on-site) to pick FastPasses (3 per person, per day).

This app also gives you a map of the park with updated ride times and access to your Photopass (more on that later)! I found the map more helpful than the paper maps since I always misplaced it but my phone was always on hand.
This app in awesome, but works best when attached with your Magic Band- Disney’s all-in-one device that connects you with all your vacation choices made with My Disney Experience.

Magic Band 2

Magic Bands
Magic Bands are the thing of the future. Sick of distributing hotel cards to the most responsibleperson? Magic Bands got you. Don’t want to carry your credit card? Magic Bands. Your hands are full and you’re trying to maneuver a stroller and multiple people through the Disney check in gate and the last thing you want to do is pull out a card from your purse? Magic Bands ❤ These bands can contain all your information which puts everything on your wrist ready to swip at your convenience. This can be very convenient and very dangerous- specifically when your credit card it just a swipe away, but thankfully still needs a 4 digit code to use.

Want to get fancy? Personalize your Magic Band when you set up you’re My Disney Experience account! You can select a color (8 colors available) and enter a name to be printed on the inside of your band (no extra charge). If that’s not enough, Disney now sells custom bands with designs that range from classic Disney characters to Marvel Super Heroes, Star Wars characters, and more (for extra $20+).

Tinker

My Favorite Perk
It’s not something I imagined caring for, but my favorite perk of my annual pass is the Disney PhotoPass (Included with Disney Gold and Platinum Passes). For 365 days after buying your pass, you have access to all photos taken of you by professional photographers throughout all the parks. How does it work? Spot a Disney photographer, they take your pictures, scan your Magic Band, and BAM it’s sent to your Disney Experience Account where you can download them at your discretion for up to a year. As a mom, who takes pictures of EVERYONE ELSE, it’s really nice to have my picture taken with my family. Also, you don’t have to overwhelm you phone’s memory or lug around a fancy camera like a second child in a giant theme park. When visiting the princesses, it’s especially nice that you can focus on your child’s experience while the photographer snags the magical moments for you.

Some photographers also offer easy photo filter at no extra charge. As of right now, I don’t think there is a way to know what filters are available and where, but if a photographer gives you a simple instruction (“Hold out your hand!” or “Look scared!”), it’s a good bet you’re about to get a photo with a Disney star!

It’s a Jungle Out There!

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens holds a special place in my heart for the many memories my little family has made there. I could go on and on about our love for the zoo, but I’d love to share my most recent zoo adventure! I got to explore the new primate exhibit, the African Forest, as Jane alongside Tarzan! Jane
First, I have to say, the African Forest made me feel like I had an actual wildlife encounter. They have incorporated a new design that not only allows the animals more freedom to explore but also allows animals and people to safely view each other eye-to-eye like never before. No longer are the bonobos stuck on an island surrounded by a mote where visitors look down upon them from above. The primates can now walk and explore on the same level as humans while both are safely separated, and the wonderful news- both animals and humans love it! The care takers said the monkeys have been so active and happy because they can see children for the first time! Learning some behind-the-scenes information about these amazing creatures was a blast, and it made me feel just like Jane as I excitedly learned so much about them. It is a must see, wellness-inspired exhibit that you must check out! African Forest
As for my experience as Jane, it was exciting to interact with children as well!
This was my first time dressing up as a character to interact with the public. As I was getting ready, I realized my heart was racing as if I was about to step on stage or speak in public, but that all changed as we got out into the zoo among all the visitors. Next thing I knew, I was asking visitors if they had seen any gorillas in my best British accent. Tarzan and Jane.png
It was like a social experiment to see who excitedly ran up to meet, hug, and talk to us versus who shyly glanced over or didn’t dare to look at all. As for me, I surprised myself by not only kicking into character but following my motherly instincts to make some shy interactions easier. I did this by getting on to same level as some of the young ones, and I would ask fun and distracting questions like “What do you think monkeys eat?” and “Can you talk like a gorilla?? Tarzan can!”. Seeing the smiles, hearing the giggles, and even being asked for an autograph made me feel like I was giving the children an experience like a Disney theme park, and I know that’s a magical feeling.
I even recognized several visitors from “real life”, and they didn’t even recognize me! They took pictures with me! I almost felt as if I was wearing a mask, but I was wearing the character. It was odd to realize they saw Jane instead of Kat from school or the office.
It was a “wild” experience in many ways! Special thanks to the Jacksonville Zoo for offering me to be a part of the big opening and thanks to GAAM for thinking of me for the role ❤
Most of all, I have to thank my best friend Sarah who made this homemade costume possible!!
#momlife #momblog #nerdymom

That Nerdy Mom

Mom+Nerd+Artist

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