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Top Historic Sites In Louisiana

December 31, 2019 By Debra Pearlstein Leave a Comment

Louisiana has an extremely interesting history and culture. The land was first settled by the French and parts were later occupied by the Spanish. The Americans then took over the area after Napoleon Bonaparte sold the land in the Louisiana Purchase.As a result of the territory changing hands so many times, the area has a vast array of historical sites honoring different ethnic groups and cultural heritages. Almost all of these historical sites are extremely interesting to visit and have much to offer in the form of education and entertainment. Some of these sites stand out from the rest and are true must-see destinations in Louisiana. Here are some of the top historic sites in Louisiana that history buffs absolutely have to visit.

French Quarter

The French Quarter is one of the oldest and most historic areas in the city of New Orleans. Its origination dates all the way back to 1718, as the rest of New Orleans sprung up around the district. Although it’s named the French Quarter, much of the original French influence has been slowly eroded since the Louisiana Purchase. However, there are still several areas where French culture and architecture shines through. As a result, the French Quarter in its entirety was named a historic landmark. Today the French Quarter is filled with both modern amenities like restaurants, hotels, and bars while also blending in the historical aspect. This makes the French Quarter a great place to visit for both history buffs and partygoers. If you’re looking for New Orleans houses for sale,then chances are you’re likely to be spending a lot of time in the French Quarter in the near future.

Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation is an old plantation located in the southeastern portion of Louisiana. The plantation is a reminder of America’s dark history of slavery, as the entire mansion was built from slave labor. Many slaves also worked on the plantation harvesting the sugar cane that the plantation was known for. Once slavery was declared illegal and the property was damaged from the Civil War, the original owners had to sell the property. Eventually, the property fell into the hands of a family by the name of Stewart, who then commissioned several repairs. The Stewarts used the plantation as a cattle ranch before slowly reintroducing sugar cane to the property. Finally, upon Stewart’s death, the property was given to the Oak Alley Foundation and opened to the public as a historical monument. This property is absolutely gorgeous and is the perfect property for history fans visiting Indiana.

Fort St. Jean Baptiste

This famous fort is a stunning replica of the original French fort that was constructed in the early 1700s. The fort was an important part of the town of Natchitoches, one of the first European settlements in the land that would encompass the Louisiana Purchase. The fort was used for defense and a hub for trading, allowing local settlements to prosper. After the area was transferred to Spain, the fort was abandoned and eventually lost to history. Luckily American architects recreated a replica from blueprints that were found, creating a building that resembles colonial architecture. This would be a sight to see on its own, but the fort also hosts several reenactments every year, depicting what life in colonial times was like. If you want to feel like you’re truly stepping back in time, then this would be the perfect location for you to visit.

Louis Armstrong Park

Louisiana and New Orleans have always had a strong connection with jazz music, and there are several monuments to the genre throughout the area. One of the most famous of these is Louis Armstrong Park. The park gets its name from singer Louis Armstrong,a New Orleans native and one of the most famous jazz musicians of all time. The park hosts a wide variety of musical events and performances, most of which relate to the jazz genre or African American heritage. As a result, the park is not only a very important historical site but also a very important cultural site as well.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Top Hiking Destinations in Canada

November 8, 2019 By Debra Pearlstein

Banff, Canada

No matter where you live in Canada, whether you purchased some Toronto real estate in Ontario or anywhere from Vancouver, B.C. to St. John’s, Newfoundland, odds are, you have a wealth of hiking opportunities nearby. But for those who are true enthusiasts of getting out on the trail, these are the country’s very best hiking destinations.

Banff National Park, Alberta

One of the most popular destinations for hiking in all of Canada, Banff National Park offers some 1,000 miles of trails that vary from easy to challenging, with stunning views of the dramatic Canadian Rockies, surreal gem-hued lakes, glistening glaciers and much more around practically every turn. There are dozens of options, like the short Rockpile Trail which is just under a mile roundtrip and provides a breathtaking view of aquamarine-colored Moraine Lake and Mount Temple, along with a number of hanging glaciers. The Bow Glacier Falls trail is a great day hike at 5.5-miles roundtrip. The trek hugs the shoreline of Bow Lake, one of the park’s largest lakes, leading to the falls while passing lush alpine wonderland and glaciers.

Gross Morne National Park, Newfoundland

Canada’s easternmost national park is spread across over 62 miles and features practically an endless number of hiking options as an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. It’s also home to one of the highest densities of moose in the world, with around 7,000 inhabiting the region. One of the most popular hikes is the just over six-mile roundtrip trail to Baker’s Brook Falls. You’ll follow the path, much of which is flat boardwalk, through the forest to the magnificent series of cascades, watching for moose and other wildlife along the way.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia

This national park is home to what’s often ranked among the world’s greatest drives, the 185-mile Cabot Trail. While the scenery from behind the wheel is jaw-dropping, it’s even better when you get out on foot and explore the miles and miles of hiking trails. Middle Head Trail is just one, a former carriage road, it follows a long, narrow peninsula that separates two ocean pays, ending on the headland cliffs that overlook the Atlantic, Ingonish Island, and Cape Smokey. Hikers not only enjoy incredible sea views, but the opportunity to spot whales, seals, and bald eagles. There are countless other options from beginner to more difficult trails, with the longest at around 7.5 miles.

Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

One of Ontario’s most popular parks, Algonquin offers diverse terrain bringing a wide range of options for hikers of all experience levels. The short but sweet Beaver Pond Trail is a favorite for many. While it’s only about one-and-a-quarter miles long, it offers a good chance to spot wildlife, including beavers that are frequently spotted in the two beaver ponds the route passes.

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Lush Vancouver Island is home to what may be the “hiking holy grail,” the West Coast Trail. The bucket-list trek covers some 47 miles of remote terrain in the north part of the island, featuring rainforest, waterfalls, caves, whale watching and more.

5 Reasons Living Down South is Awesome

October 23, 2019 By Debra Pearlstein

The southeastern United States is unlike any other place on Earth. With its own distinct personality, the South is loved for its melodic drawl, mild weather, and friendly folks. If there’s a better place to live, well, Southerners just aren’t buying it. Here are a few of the best things about living in the South.

1. The Food

There is something about living in the south that makes your food taste better. They don’t call it Southern Fried Chicken for no reason. It’s because it truly is the best. Usually, a southern grandma can make it even better than that. Most people think there’s nothing more to Southern cuisine than fried chicken and barbecue. However, Lowcountry meals are so much more than that: they’re unpretentious, flavorful, and will make you feel right at home. They’re the reason Southern hospitality is a thing. Biscuits and gravy, Southern BBQ, Shrimp and grits, Mac and cheese, Fried Green Tomatoes, Collard greens, Sweet Tea – these are all must-haves when in the South.

2. The Weather

Some southern states see perfect weather. I’m talking Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter all balancing each other out, all four seasons are represented equally. Just around the time one may get tired of summer it turns into a beautiful colorful fall (which I don’t think I’d ever get sick of). Then gorgeous white snow in winters and amazing rain and flowers in spring. We have the best weather.

3. Homes

Homes for Sale in Birmingham are roughly equivalent to the national average, but housing prices will vary greatly by neighborhood. However, everyday expenses such as groceries and health care are generally lower in Birmingham than in other major metropolitan areas. Renovated houses in the most desirable downtown neighborhoods, with tree-lined streets, fetch over $200k. The new luxury condos they’re building downtown also fetch a high price.
You can still get houses for under $50k if you’re willing to do some work or live in a more modest neighborhood. There are lots of charming craftsman bungalows waiting to be restored.

4. Southern Hospitality

It really is a thing. (Almost) everyone you meet is friendly, or at least they aren’t unfriendly. Most people here will hold a door open for you or help you with something even if you don’t ask. And manners are impeccable. There are so many please’s and thank you’s and yes sir/ma’am or no sir/ma’am. You can’t go wrong with the genuinely nice people you meet in the South.

5. Y’all

Let’s just take a minute to appreciate the word “y’all”. If you grew up in the South, you use it all the time. It sounds so much nicer than “you guys” or whatever other way people would indicate a group of people. Or if it’s a large group of people, that would be “all y’all”.

Baby Travel Tips and Mommy Must Haves

January 17, 2018 By Debra Pearlstein 15 Comments

I have been compensated by JOHNSON’S® for this post; however, I am sharing my own thoughts. All opinions are my own.

Over the holidays, some of us travel to visit friends or relatives. While sometimes a short trip doesn’t take much planning, a weekend away is much different with a baby along. You’re now packing not just for yourself and your partner, but, also, for your little one.

Here are some tips to make things easier

Expect the unexpected in terms of clothing changes. Take at least two or three extra outfits for your little one. A diaper mishap is not something you want to stress about when you’re on vacation. On that note, bring extra diapers and wipes. Pack more than you would usually use. As I said, expect the unexpected. Poop happens at the very worst times. It’s Murphy’s Law.

If you’re breastfeeding, that’s taken care of (just bring your nursing pads). If you are bottle feeding, bring extra formula and extra food if your baby is on solids. Have fruits and veggies and snacks at the ready.

Crucial: Do not forget that favorite blankie, pacifier or toy! When you bring your baby’s beloved items, you bring some ‘home’ to a strange place, and, the more your child feels at home, the easier the trip.

Extra Tip: If your child has a favorite blanket, toy or lovey, consider buying an identical one so that should anything bizarre happen (and believe me, it happens!), you can replicate it without too much trouble.

Odd fact: My younger sister’s favorite self-soother when she was a baby was a piece that had ripped off of my dad’s long johns. We still kid her about that to this day.

Also, bring along your Mommy Must Haves. Mine always include Johnson & Johnson’s baby products.

We love and trust JOHNSON’S® products because of the care they put into their products and have always had a wonderful experience with them.

Another tip for you: When getting ready for your trip, or any day, for that matter – Order in. Why spend time and energy getting the kids in the car to go to the store to stock up on baby items when you can order in from the comfort of your living room in your pj’s.

I love shopping at Walmart because it’s my one-stop easy shopping haven. This week I put in an order for baby goodies and got my order in two days along with free shipping because I spent $35 or more.

With the cold weather and preparation for the holidays, it was so easy to order baby products online and they arrived in record time, delivered right to the door so I didn’t even have to brave the snows or icy temps, or defrost the car.

My Mommy Must Haves

NEW JOHNSON’S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® extra moisturizing baby wash

This wash gently cleanses and soothes sensitive baby skin without drying, is the number-one choice of hospitals and has a creamy lather that pampers and is soap-free, dye-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested. Also gentle to baby’s eyes.

JOHNSON’S^® baby shampoo

No time for tears with this clean smelling shampoo. It’s hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and gentle enough for newborns.

NEW JOHNSON’S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® baby lotion

This is my favorite baby lotion for after bath. With Vitamin E, it gently moisturizes your baby’s delicate skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Pediatrician and dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic and mild.

NEW JOHNSON’S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® baby cleansing cloths

These are perfect for a quick and gentle all-over clean between baths, hypoallergenic and ultra-mild. They’re almost 2x the size of average baby wipes with a thick soft texture, enriched with JOHNSON’S® baby lotion and pre-moistened so no water is needed.

You can also get travel sizes:

We’ve found that a good bedtime routine is an essential part of healthy baby sleep habits. A good bedtime routine alerts your child to the fact that sleep time is approaching. Sometimes trial and error is the best way to find what works for you.

Start with a warm bath and gentle shampoo with JOHNSON’S® bath products to help relax your little one. After toweling off, it’s time for a baby massage with JOHNSON’S® baby lotion so they feel secure and loved. These rituals help engage your baby’s sense of smell and touch while strengthening your bond and preparing them for a good night’s sleep.

Next, it’s time for a lullaby or a book, or both. This is especially comforting because your child loves your voice, has since Day One, (or even earlier)! Music is good for the soul.

Time for kisses and lights off and hopefully everyone can get some peaceful refreshing sleep.

A good night’s sleep is essential for the overall health, cognitive ability and mood of your little one –- as well as for the parents.

Sweet dreams!

Share Your Perfect Snow Day and Win – #PerfectSnowDayAdk

January 11, 2016 By Debra Pearlstein Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post with Lake Placid and Mums the Word Network. All opinions are my own.

“Mais où sont les neiges d’anten?” – François Villon

“Where are the snows of yesteryear?” –Translation by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Here in Boston, we’ve had a very mild winter with downright balmy temperatures at Christmas time. This has really made me long for the good old snow days I so fondly remember. Whether they were days off when I was young spent making snow angels and forts or more recent snow days with the entire family snuggled up around the fire.

What does your perfect snow day look like? What activities would you choose?

Lake Placid wants to know about your perfect fantasy snow day and one entrant will win theirs!

Lake Placid is a quaint alpine village in the midst of the Adirondack wilderness that offers both a contemporary full-service resort atmosphere and an outdoor recreational paradise, the best of two worlds.

For my perfect day in Lake Placid, I would wake early and head outside. The beautiful view of the snowcapped mountains and the smell of the evergreens would be a feast for the senses.

I would love to try the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute where a 30-foot-high converted ski jump trestle sends toboggans down ice covered chutes onto frozen Mirror Lake. Depending on weather conditions, toboggans can travel over 1,000 feet once they reach the frozen lake surface. This would surely be a highlight and get the heart pumping!

After this, I’d take a walk down Main Street to have lunch and visit the shops. Main Street has homemade treats from artisan chocolates to Adirondack maple syrup, gourmet olive oils and vinegars all from small mom and pop shops, perfect for gifts as well.

I would have to get a hot chocolate at Temptations, a specialty food store which has over 40 artisan and specialty cheeses, fresh baguettes and Rulf’s apple cider donuts.

You could then go Nordic skating or snowshoeing, but on this perfect day I would do some cross-country skiing along the breathtaking backcountry trails and explore!

Of course we’d have to play in the snow and have some snowball fights, then race back to our resort to warm up and get a massage at the spa. After that, it’s a night out with dinner and a local wine tasting.

Then a blissful sleep!

What does your perfect snow day look like?

Lake Placid, adirondacks usa

Here’s how to enter:

Create a video in which you describe the menu of activities that comprise the invention of your own Perfect Snow Day in Lake Placid.
Post on YouTube. Title the video: “Hey Lake Placid, here’s my Perfect Snow Day!”
Entrants should use the hashtag #PerfectSnowDayADK when sharing on social media.
Organizers will select up to the top 10 entries, and those finalists’ videos will be aggregated on the contest landing page, lakeplacid.com/come-play.
Voting will be promoted through Lake Placid’s webpages and social media channels. The finalists will be announced on Feb. 28, 2016.
The entrant with the most votes accumulated at the end of the contest will win their Perfect Snow Day in Lake Placid represented in their video, plus 2 more perfect days to invent! (Prize includes lodging for 3 nights for 4 people and activities based on the winner’s video content/menu.)

Dates: Finalists selected February 28, 2016, winner selected March 18, 2016.

So, have some fun, allow your imagination and dreams to play and describe your perfect snow day in this wintry wonderland. I wish you all the very best of luck!

Stay Connected with Lake Placid on Social Media:

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JOHNSON’S® baby shampoo

NEW JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE® baby lotion

NEW JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE® baby cleansing cloths

NEW JOHNSON’S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® extra moisturizing baby wash

JOHNSON’S^® baby shampoo

NEW JOHNSON’S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® baby lotion

NEW JOHNSON’S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® baby cleansing cloths