Guide To Traveling With An Autistic Child

BY  Sibashree Oct 28, 2024

The Shenandoah National Park has many wonders that you just cannot miss. So, you can witness the beauty of Bearfence Mountain and its waterfalls and explore its endless hiking trails.   As a rich wildlife hub, it is also home to white-tailed deer, black bears, red-tailed hawks, Carolina chickadees, and many more.   So, to cut a long story short, the Shenandoah National Park has everything for everyone. Moreover, it does not matter whether you are a birder or an avid trekker.   However, one thing is certain: you can only enjoy the park to the fullest if you are camping here or at least spending nights at the local lodges. Therefore, I am sharing a brief guide about the campsites and other accommodation options in the park.   Shenandoah National Park Camping   https://www.instagram.com/p/CvPj7WmAt6a/ Shenandoah National Park offers you the best chance to sleep under the stars with its five functional campgrounds.   Further, these campgrounds are open from early spring to late fall. Also, you can know about their availability with a simplified alert system.   So, do you want to plan your next camping expedition at Shenandoah National Park?  Loft Mountain Campground  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bykz80iADRN/ In the southern part of the Shenandoah National Park lies the Loft Mountain. Further, it is at the top of the  Big Flat Mountain. Also, it is a large camping zone with a total of 207 sites.   Further, you will get a beautiful view of the eastern and western sides from the Loft Mountain Campground. In addition, the waterfalls and the trails to the Big Run Wilderness allow you to explore the park fully. Moreover, the table below shows the amenities available (not available) at Loft Mountain Campground.  Amenities Available  Cell Phone Network No Internet Connectivity No Recycling/Trash Collection Yes, on a seasonal basis Camp Store Seasonal availability  Food Storage Lockers  Yes Ice for Sale Yes Staff on Site Available Seasonally  Amphitheater Available Seasonally  Firewood for Sale Firewood is available. However, you must strictly adhere to the park's fire and stove policy. * Laundry Available Seasonally  Dump Station Available Seasonally  Potable Water Seasonal Availability  Shower Type Seasonal Availability (coin-operated)  *You can only use USDA-certified firewood in the park, and this is a measure to stop the unnecessary spread of emerald ash borer. However, you can also use deadwood or brunches in the park to ignite fire in the fire grates provided by the park.   Further, you must fully extinguish the fire before leaving the spot, and you cannot use charcoal.   Fees And Reservation At Loft Mountain Campground  Loft Mountain Campground has non-electric sites for tents and RVs. Further, only six people can stay at a time at a standard campsite. Moreover, a camping site can accommodate one RV at a time.   In addition, the fee for each campsite is $30.   Further, the campsites of Loft Mountain Campground come on a combination basis. Nevertheless, the best method is to reserve a site.   However, campsites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.   Lewis Mountain Campground  Lewis Mountain Campground is the smallest in the park, with a stretch of only 57.5 miles. Also, just 7 miles away from the Big Meadows, this campground offers a quiet and more private experience.   The sites are available on self-registrations. Further, you can get a site on a first-come and first-served basis.   Amenities Available  Cell Phone Network No Internet Connectivity No Recycling/Trash Collection Yes, on a seasonal basis Camp Store Yes, on a seasonal basis Food Storage Lockers  Seasonal Availability Ice for Sale Yes, Available Seasonally Staff on Site Seasonal  Amphitheater No Firewood for Sale Available Seasonally** Laundry Available Seasonally  Dump Station No Potable Water Seasonal Availability  Shower Type Seasonal Availability (coin-operated)  **You must abide by the fire safety regulations to stop the spread of the emerald ash borer. Further, remember the following points to avoid fire-related mishaps.   You can use deadwood or dried branches to light a fire in the fire grates.  Further, make sure that you extinguish the fire properly after use.  Also, you can carry camping and backpacking stoves.  However, you cannot use charcoal grills inside the park.   Reservation And Fees At Lewis Mountain Campground  A standard, non-electric campsite at Lewis Mountain Campground will cost you $30. Further, you don’t need to reserve your campsite in advance as all sites are available on a first-come and first-served basis.   Big Meadows Campground  https://www.instagram.com/p/B4a4lAAFP52/ The 51.2-mile Big Meadows Campground is the busiest camping zone in the park, with 221 camping sites. Further, with sites available on a reservation basis, this campground offers access to the following park areas.  Big Meadows  Byrd Visitor Center, and  Dark Hollow Falls  Moreover, every campsite for a tent or RV here comes with a picnic table and fire ring.   Amenities Available  Cell Phone Network No Internet Connectivity No Recycling/Trash Collection Yes, on a seasonal basis Camp Store Seasonal availability  Food Storage Lockers  Yes Ice for Sale Yes Staff on Site Available Seasonally  Amphitheater Available Seasonally  Firewood for Sale Firewood is available. However, you must strictly adhere to the park's fire and stove policy. *** Laundry Available Seasonally  Dump Station Available Seasonally  Potable Water Seasonal Availability  Shower Type Seasonal Availability (coin-operated)  *** The fire safety policies at Big Meadows Campground include using USDA-certified firewood. Further, you can use deadwood and branches in the fire grates.   However, even if you can carry backpacking and camping stoves, using charcoal grills is prohibited.   Further, the Big Meadows Campground has standard and group camping sites. Moreover, the group camping site will cost you $75, and the fee for the standard site is $30.   Mathews Arm Campground  If you enter the Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal, you will first encounter the Mathews Arm Campground. Further, this 22.1 campground is home to 165 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, tents, and RVs.   However, this camping site has no camp store or shower facility. It also does not offer wood and ice for sale. So, you will have to walk for 2 miles to Elkwallow Wayside to collect the essentials.   Amenities Available  Cell Phone Network No Internet Connectivity No Recycling/Trash Collection Yes, on a seasonal basis Camp Store No Food Storage Lockers  Yes Ice for Sale No Staff on Site Available Seasonally  Amphitheater Available Seasonally  Firewood for Sale No Laundry No Dump Station Available Seasonally  Potable Water Seasonal Availability  Shower Type No  Reservation And Fees At Mathews Arm Campground   The Mathews Arm Campground  combines reserved and first-come, first-served based sites. Further, it has standard and group campsites.   Moreover,  standard and group campsite fees are $30 and $75, respectively.   Explore More Lodging Options At Shenandoah National Park  If you don’t want to compromise on comfort, you can explore the three Shenandoah National Park lodging options for an overnight stay.   Further, these lodges are located in the prime locations of the park, and offer the best view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Moreover, they have pet-friendly accommodation. So, if you are traveling with your canine or feline friends, you can enjoy stress-free time.   Skyland Resort  https://www.instagram.com/p/CdqQODytuCm/?img_index=1 Along the Skyline Drive, the Skyland Resort offers the most comfortable accommodation options at Skyland Resort.   Further, you can enjoy the most beautiful view of the park from the Skyland Resort. Also, this resort gives you easy access to many popular hiking trails in the park.   Lewis Mountain Cabins  Are you in for some rugged experience at Shenandoah National Park with the comfort factor intact? So, why don’t you get a place at Lewis Mountain Cabins?  Big Meadows Lodge  https://www.instagram.com/p/C-DcPBOADEx/ Built with stones from the Massanutten Mountains, the Big Meadows Lodge has a natural charm and warmth. Further, residents love spending evenings here watching the sunrise and sharing their park experience.  Exploring The Unique Geology Of Shenandoah National Park     https://www.instagram.com/p/CSwssncAg6D/ The geology of Shenandoah National Park tells ancient stories that are constantly evolving. Further, you will find many types of rocks that have formed the  park’s unique geology. So, let’s have a brief understanding of these rocks.   Basement Rocks  The basement rocks of Shenandoah National Park are older than Appalachians. Further, these rocks are the foundations of the Shenandoah Blue Ridge Mountains. These rocks are also responsible for the dramatic topography of Hogback Mountain, Old Rag Mountain, and Marys Rock.   Moreover, these rocks take you back billions of years.   Greenstone Lava Flows   Have you seen the  Hawksbill and Stony Man cliffs in Shenandoah National Park? These all are formed of greenstone lava flows at least 570 million years old.   Further, these lava flows form a staircase-like topography, and you will also find flat benches here and there. Moreover, the major waterfalls in the park cut through the greenstone lava flows and plunge into canyons.   Chilhowee Metasedimentary Rocks  These rocks come from the shores of an ocean older than the Atlantic. Further, these rocks form the park’s steep slopes and rugged terrain. Moreover, you will find these rocks in the Southern District of the park.   Further, they have transformed under pressure and have formed cliffs like the Calvary Rocks, Rocky Mountain, and Blackrock South. In addition, these rocks have formed many boulder fields.   Shenandoah National Park At A Glance  Location: Virginia, United States  Area: Around 198,000 Acres  Highest Point: Hawksbill Mountain (1,234 Meters)  Visitor Centers: Dickey Ridge Visitor Center, Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center, and Mobile Visitor Center  Hiking Trails: 500 Miles  Moreover, Shenandoah National Park is home to more than 50 mammal and 190 bird species with amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. Further, this park has more than 12 waterfalls.   So, camping in the park will be a truly amazing experience. However, plan a trip to the park in the spring or fall to have the best experience of the wildlife flora and fauna.  However, the park has multiple entrance gates, and the route directions could be clearer. So, get a detailed idea from the park authority about the entrance gate and route based on your location.    Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 6, 2023

Ferries are a unique kind of boat used to traverse water. On every continent, several ferry links occasionally travel great or short distances. Travelers like Thailand, Spain, and Greece frequently use ferries to reach locations close to the sea. Ferries that travel long distances between major destinations are usually treated like frequent local buses, with tickets purchased on board or just before boarding. Further, when you travel a country by ferry, you can easily avoid the traffic even during the peak holiday seasons.  This article gives you an even deeper insight into why traveling to a country by ferry is beneficial.  This Is Why Should Travel A Country By Ferry Given below are some of the most important reasons why you should consider taking the ferry to travel around the world and across countries and create memories— 1. These Trips Can Be More Relaxing Than The Roads When you travel a country by ferry, you get amenities and activities, making the trip itself an enjoyable part of the vacation. Ships offer a unique experience of traveling on water, allowing you to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Plus, ships often come with even more amenities and activities, making the trip itself an enjoyable part of the vacation. Travelers can do some planning and paperwork at a time because they can take their time to their next destination. Additionally, a boat ride provides a unique perspective of the coastal landscape and the opportunity to observe marine life. This is your chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and truly enjoy the beauty of the sea. 2. It Is A Good Option When Traveling With Kids Ferries offer a variety of activities and entertainment for children, including kids' clubs, water parks, and age-appropriate games. Parents can relax and enjoy their vacation with all-inclusive meals and onboard babysitting services. Teens can also look forward to a wide range of entertainment, from water parks and miniature golf courses to climbing walls and zip lines. 3. You Can Carry Your Pets Along When You Travel A Country By Ferry Pets are often allowed on ferries. However, it is important to check with the ferry company in advance that all required pet documentation and vaccinations are up to date. Some ferries also have designated pet areas where owners can stroll and stretch their paws with their furry friends during the trip. Bringing some of your dog's favorite toys and blankets is also a good idea to make them more comfortable during the trip. In addition, some ferry companies may restrict the size and breed of dogs allowed on board. Therefore, it is important to double-check these guidelines. We recommend booking your pet's trip in advance to ensure availability and avoid last-minute troubles. 4. They Offer To Carry Your Vehicles Ferries allow you to bring your company car or your private vehicle to avoid the cost of renting a vehicle upon arrival. This can save you a lot of money, especially if you travel for long periods of time. In addition, having your own car gives you a sense of familiarity and comfort in unfamiliar places. You can find variable luggage restrictions depending on the ferry company and itinerary. Therefore, if you plan to carry heavier items like vehicles, you can inform the ferry company and note the rules and restrictions. You can also carry tools and extra luggage inside your vehicle. This will help you avoid carrying everything at once and dragging heavy items at every destination. With your ferry journey, you can plan and sort the items you will keep in the car and the ones you’ll carry handy. 5. Enjoy Easy Booking And Great Services With Efficient Private Companies Private ferry companies offer a variety of ticket options, including one-way and round trips. Many ferry companies offer user-friendly websites and mobile apps that make booking and managing tickets easy and convenient. Moreover, you can find platforms that help travelers to choose private ferry companies from a wide range of choices. For example, FerryGoGo, a leading online platform, provides a convenient and reliable ferry booking service with a user-friendly interface that allows travelers to search, compare easily, and book ferry tickets to various destinations. Privately-owned companies guarantee hassle-free ferry travel on various routes and timetables. The ferry company offers secure payment options and customer support to ensure a seamless booking experience. They offer competitive pricing, frequent special offers, and amenities like onboard restaurants, lounges, and entertainment. Some places offer transportation by car, so it is convenient for those who want to bring their own car or motorcycle. Travel A Country By Ferry: Exploring The USA And Its Popular Crossings When you travel a country by ferry, and that country is the United States of America, you can explore many celebrated crossings. Some most popular crossings on a ferry ride in the USA are: 1. Nantucket Traveling to Nantucket by ferry is super easy. You can take a ferry from Hyannis, New Jersey, and New York to reach Nantucket. Taking a ferry to Nantucket is the best way to enjoy the scenic views and vistas of the Cape Cod Coastline. The coastline and ocean will appear before your eyes as you sail across Nantucket Sound.  2. Block Island Taking a ferry ride from Mainland to Block Island will give you the quintessential ocean experience. The scenic view on the route is spectacular. Further, white sandy beaches lie before you as long as you can see.  Moreover, the boutique-line streets add to the charm of this beautiful island.  3. Statue Of Liberty You can reserve a round-trip ticket to the Statue of Liberty statue on Liberty Island and Ellis Island. With a reserved ticket, you will get priority reserved boarding.  Along with the Statue of Liberty, the other two points of attraction in this ferry ride are the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Statue of Liberty Museum.  4. Martha’s Vineyard A ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard can be on your wishlist while exploring the USA in any season.  This ferry ride is enjoyable, with beautiful views of many lighthouses.  You will get a whiff of history on this largest island of New England. The eastern portion of this island, or Down-Island, has more prominent historic villages like Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs.  Read Also: Best Pet Friendly Hotels Near Me In Florida City – Reviewed Top 11 Outlets In Massachusetts You Can Visit While Traveling Top 15 Restaurants In Colombia You Must Visit While Traveling

BY  Abdul Aziz May 17, 2021

Aside from the hassle of flying, jet lags, and carrying luggage around the airport and to your accommodation is a challenge– add up the worries about how you can look fashionable. When we say travel light, it does not mean you have to sacrifice your style and comfort during your trip. However, we want to encourage you to rethink and organize your luggage for traveling light. It is not impossible to travel light and maintain the fashion or style along with the essentials you want during your travel. Packing is an all-time complicated issue. But now it is becoming much more simple and easy to organize your necessary items. Whether you are looking for ways to travel with a hand-carry bag, or you simply want to cut down your budget trip, then check out these five secrets on how to travel light. 5 Secrets Tips On How to Travel Light – Travel Hacks: If you do not have the knowledge of how to pack. You have to focus on ultra-light travel trailers to travel Light. But if you have the knowledge of tricks and tips for luggage packaging, all your hard work becomes short and simple. Here are the five tips for traveling light. Secret 1: Use Smaller Luggage or a Suitcase Traveling light starts with the luggage you will bring. If you use a bigger suitcase, you have more space to fill, but there will not be enough space for unnecessary things if you choose smaller luggage. Consider lightweight suitcases for your travels. Manufacturers claim that luggage under 10 pounds is lightweight, while those around 7 pounds are claimed to be ultralight. If you choose a smaller suitcase, ensure that it has enough compartments and pockets that will help you organize your personal things. Ensure the weight of your bag before traveling. You can purchase a travel scale for accuracy. Do not rely on the weighing scale at the airport. It will be too late if you have packed too much. Secret 2: Stick to the Packing List One of the common mistakes why travelers pack too much– especially those who are first-timers, is because they did not use a packing list. A packing list will help you pack only the necessary things for the travel. Try packing all the things you like without the guide of the packing list. When you are done, get the list and take out those unnecessary ones that are not on the list. You realized you still have a lot of space, right? That’s why only take those you need for the trip. Do not bring too many clothes that you won’t wear. Not sure which are items are essential? Check some packing lists on the web. You might find a packing list that suits your travel destination! Secret 3: Pack Lightweight Clothes Remind yourself that you are not only packing clothes for your travel. You also have to pack some toiletries, electronics, and shoes. Thus, you need to pack lightweight clothes. Choose to pack clothes that are made from lighter fabrics. Wool or heavyweight fleece jackets are bulky and heavy.  Although these garments can keep you warm, some fabrics are lightweight but can still offer warmth. When it comes to shoes, bring a comfortable pair, flexible in style and not bulky, you can also pack one pair of shoe inserts if needed. But do not bring more than two pairs of shoes, be realistic enough. Bring another pair if you have a special occasion to attend during your travel. If you have a formal event to attend during your travel, bring one classy yet flexible outfit. Flexible outfits are those you can still wear for another evening but pair with a different outfit. Do not bring a bulky dress or full suit and jacket outfit. It will take up a lot of space in your luggage. Although we mentioned toiletries, you can pack none, depending on your accommodation. If you booked a hotel, it is expected that they will offer free toiletries. However, if you book at Airbnb or other rental places, ask the host first whether they have toiletries available. If not, bring the lightest options. Secret 4: Wear the Largest Wearable Item If you plan to bring large items like shoes, hoodies, or sweatpants– wear them. Exercise clothes have become fashionable recently, and if you are going on a long-haul journey, it is best to wear these large yet comfortable items. Most large items are shoes. Minimize packing more than two pairs of shoes on any trip. Women can go with comfortable sneakers, which are comfortable to walk around, and heels or sandals for formal wears. The same with men, it is best to pack sneakers and loafers only. Secret 5: Do Not Pack a Week’s Worth. Laundry Clothes You might be traveling for a business trip, or you want to spend more than a week at your travel destination, but even so, it is not reasonable to pack more than a week’s worth. If you will, you would pay a hefty amount for additional baggage. Here are a few things to remember when packing clothes: Use a dryer sheet to keep your clothes fresh in the luggage. Pack only outfits that you can mix and match. Limit yourself to two pairs of pants and shoes. Pack clothes that will go well in multiple outfits. Pack travel-sized laundry detergents to use when doing laundry at your travel destination. Speaking of doing laundry at your travel destination, you can do it in three methods– use laundry detergent from The Laundress or somewhere similar and hand wash your laundry in your bathroom sink, make use of the hotel laundry service, or go to the nearest laundry shop. If you do not have the time to hand wash your laundry or the budget to acquire the hotel laundry service, heading out to the laundry shop is the best option. Laundry services in laundromats are affordable. You can leave your dirty laundry and go back for it after your tour. It is best to search for a reliable laundry service and dry cleaning expert around the neighborhood of your travel destination, rather than plan it on the spot. You do not want to ruin your favorite clothes during travel, right? Wrapping It Up: If you are on business, it is expected that you will bring electronics with you. Ensure that you don’t forget its chargers. You can securely place them in the small compartments of the luggage. Traveling light is easy if you follow these secret tips. You may have limited the things to bring, but you haven’t compromised the fun and fashion you need on your trip. How you are going to pack your clothes, do not forget to share your funny packing experiences with us. Read Also: The Best Tips To Travel Around The World How To Prepare Yourself For The Perfect Vacation: Top 7 Tips Top 5 Ways To Spend Your Time During A Long Flight By A Wanderlust At Heart