Eileen Ogintz's new series of guides for Taking the Kids throughout the Western United States are now available for the NOOK and Kindle. Your kids will love the fun facts, games and puzzles!


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Travel Diary

At the 9/11 Memorial on a cold, snowy morning


ABC Westport boys at the National 911 Memorial in New York
Every one of our boys parents are immigrants—from Africa, Mexico, Jamaica and Trinidad, from other places. They learned that had they been immigrants in the 1870s living here, they would have worked 10 hours a day rather than go to school... more →
Backyard Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Travel Diary, Travel Topics, Volunteer & Service | comments


Seven teen-aged boys at a Penthouse in NYC for a weekend


ABC Westport boys sizing up the Penthouse at the New York Hilton Hotel
Some of my friends thought I was nuts. When I won a weekend stay at the Hilton New York’s five-bedroom penthouse, I invited along seven teenagers to share the fun at New York’s largest hotel. more →
Backyard Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Travel Diary, Volunteer & Service | comments


Last day in the BVI – to the new resort on Scrub Island


Pool view at Scrub Island Resort
“This is a place for adventures,” says General Manager Martin Smith, who says the key is organizing your stay—with the resort staff help. more →
Beach Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Lodging, Outdoor Adventures, Travel Diary, Travel Topics | comments


A day of water sports (or not) at the Bitter End Yacht Club


Dan tries wind surfing at Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda
Snorkel, sail, windsurf or kayak? We’re at the Bitter End Yacht Club on the island of Virgin Gorda which has been a haven for sailors and yachters for years. more →
Beach Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Lodging, Outdoor Adventures, Travel Diary, Travel Topics | comments


To Anegada: spectacular sailing and a famous spot for lobsters


Carribean lobster caught by free diver off Anegada BVI
This island—just 3 miles wide at its widest point—is famous for its lobsters that many fisherman here catch by free diving as deep as 60 feet. Sailors like us (we’ve been sailing around the BVI on a Moorings charter Catamaran) make the trip here for the lobsters as well as the spectacular wind-swept beaches. more →
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Into the lap of luxury at Villa Aquamare on Virgin Gorda


Beach view from our villa at Aquamare on Virgin Gorda
The advantage here—besides the privacy and the chance to putter in the kitchen yourself—is that you aren’t paying $5 each time a child wants a virgin colada or $15 for the real thing. more →
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Diving and learning fascinating history in the British Virgin Islands


Diving on wreck of RMS Rhone in BVI (Sail Carribbean Divers photo)
Today we are all diving as a family. The Wreck of the Rhone is just off Salt Island in two big pieces 60 to 80 feet down, but there are many smaller pieces. more →
Beach Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Outdoor Adventures, Travel Diary | comments


“We’re all grownups now mom! Don’t sweat the small stuff”


Our entire crew on the Moorings cataraman Mary Morgan III
“That’s part of the adventure,” says my 25 year old daughter Reggie. “It’s not like we’re at a fancy resort where everything is being done for us.” more →
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Back to the BVI and a week of sailing on a Moorings catamaran


Rainbow over Tortola on our first morning in the BVI
When it came time to decide on a family trip for my far flung gang—the first time we’d all be together in more than a year—sailing, with some diving included, was everyone’s top pick. more →
Beach Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Outdoor Adventures, Travel Diary, Travel Topics | 2 Comments


SCUBA Diving for the First Time in the British Virgin Islands


Dan and Reg getting ready to dive off Norman Island in the BVI
Reggie and I are already imagining our next dive back home in the much colder, kelp-forested waters of Monterey, California -- just a couple hours away from our domicile in San Francisco. more →
Beach Vacations, Destinations, Families & Groups, Outdoor Adventures, Travel Diary | 2 Comments





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