66 L ADI ES HOME J OURNAL | MAY 201 3

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Elizabeth Halvorsen and her family
went into the wild during a one-of-a-
kind vacation to the Galpagos Islands.

Both of our daughters, Isabel, 9, and

Alex, 6, love animals. So my husband,
J. P., and I thought the Galpagos,
the chain of volcanic islands west of
Ecuador, would be a perfect place for a
family vacation. Where else would we
see sea lions, marine iguanas and blue-
footed boobies (for the uninitiated,
thats a tropical seabird with feet of
the brightest blue youve ever seen
in nature)? We went with a Lindblad
Expeditions cruise because in addition
to its National Geographic partnership
(experts are onboard), Lindblad oers
plenty of family-friendly activities. We
knew the girls would like the junior
naturalist program, which includes
scavenger hunts and snorkeling and
swimming lessons.
PLAY The ship stops at six islands
throughout the eight-day trip. We
were free to hike, go kayaking or even
try deep-water snorkeling at each
stop. (The sta provides wetsuits and
snorkeling equipment.) Every day after
lunch the girls raced to the afternoon
science experiments led by naturalists.
They even trained kids to drive those
inatable boats called Zodiacs and
they explored a cove near the ship.
EAT The food onboard is super-fresh
and fantastic. Its mostly international,
but with an Ecuadorian airthink
ceviche made with shrimp and
tomatoes, plantains, fruits like papaya
Your New Favorite
Family Vacation
Yeah, you could go to the beach or go to Disneyagain. Or you
can get inspired by three families who planned unforgeable
o-the-grid getaways.
ns toto to kntnnvn osnen-evnns
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Photoshop? No
waythis family
got up close and
personal with a
giant tortoise on
their exotic trip.
L ADI ES HOME J OURNAL | MAY 201 3 69
Ive never had the same
meal twice (the fruit
smoothies at breakfast
are the best). We like to
sit in the back room and
watch the horses run by.
STAY We love the fact
that every guest room
on the ranch is dierent.
When the girls were
younger we stayed in the
Red River room (it has a
bed shaped like a covered
wagon and is closest
to the pool). In winter
we ask for the Cattle
Baron or the Charleston
because each has a
replace. And when
we go in the spring
we book the Savannah
room because its
porch oers the best
view of the sunset.
THE TAKEAWAY Sometimes the rush
of everyday life gets in the way of
family time, so taking our annual
vacation is like hitting the reset
button. We bond by helping one another
get our horses ready every morning
and then hitting the trails together.
NEED TO KNOW The ranch is just
outside the pretty town of Madison,
Georgia. There are great antiques
stores and more than 100 big plantation
homes nearby (some of which are open
to the public).
For more information: Southern
Cross Guest Ranch, 1670 Bethany
Church Rd., Madison, GA 30650;
706-342-8027; southcross.com.
and mango, black bean soup and local
sh. The seafood was the highlight for
me, but the girls went crazy for the ice-
cream sundae buet (of course!).
STAY The cabins on the National
Geographic Endeavour are small but
cozy and all have windows or port-
holes. We didnt spend a whole lot of
time in our room, though; we lounged
by the small swimming pool or on the
sundecks after an exciting day.
THE TAKEAWAY The birdsespecially
the penguinsand sea lions we saw are
completely unafraid of humans, so you
can walk right up to them. Ill never
forget visting Santa Cruz Island, where
giant tortoises roam: It was like a cage-
free zoo. Those are the kinds of lasting
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Ready to (horseback) ride? Atlanta-
based mom Stacey Hasler tells you
why a ranch in Madison, Georgia, has
been her familys go-to vacation spot
for eight years.
Ill admit it: Our familys horse-crazy!
My husband, Jim, and I think theres
nothing like being out in the country on
your horse. So when we were planning
our rst big family vacation eight years
ago, we wanted a place where you can
really ride, not just follow the leader.
We chose Southern Cross Guest Ranch
because, in addition to its beautiful
facilities and gentle horses, it truly is
a family destination. Now we spend a
week there at least once a year.
PLAY Guests typically ride for two
two-hour sessions each day. The
equestrians at the ranch make
horseback riding a cinch, even for
rookies. If youve never ridden before,
theyll teach you how to do everything
(including gallop) and when youre not
riding you can mountain bike, swim
or play games. Its denitely a ranch
for horse lovers though. When our
daughters Sydney, 16, and Jessica, 15,
arent riding, they like to hang out with
the young foals.
EAT The kitchen is run by a fantastic
cook known as Miss Ingeher food
rivals any fancy restaurant Ive ever
tried. The sta serves three meals a
day buet style in a homey dining hall.
memories I wanted to create with my
family. And we absolutely did.
NEED TO KNOW Be sure everyone takes
a camerabeing able to get so close to
wildlife is a huge privilege.
For more information: Lindblad
Expeditions, 800-397-3348;
expeditions.com.
The Hasler family
hits the trails.
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L ADI ES HOME J OURNAL | MAY 201 3 71
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When she took her husband and
kids to a family camp in Washington,
Maine, reader Theresa Nelsen
discovered that the great outdoors
has a way of bringing people together.

We like getting outside and being

active, so when I heard about
Medomak Family Camp I was
intrigued. My husband, David,
our son Cole, 14, and our daughter
Kathryn, 9, love camping with the
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, butcall
me crazyI need the luxury of indoor
plumbing within stumbling distance
of a real bed. Medomak is the perfect
compromise. It has every traditional
camp experience you could want,
plus private bathrooms and hot water.
Weve been twice already and wed
love to go back next summer.
PLAY We do old-school activities like
arts and crafts, canoeing and hiking.
Our favorite days consist of kayaking
or paddleboarding while observing
bald eagles and ducks during the day
and singing songs around a campre
(smores included) at night.
EAT The food is delicious, thanks to
Medomaks on-site organic garden.
Almost everything, from the yogurt
to the baked goods, is made in-house.
If you like seafood, the weekly local
lobster and mussel feast will blow
you away. My kids go to the so-called
Vegetable Shop after lunch. Its
actually a front for a candy store!
STAY The camp is on an inlet of
Washington Pond. You get your own
rustic cabin-with-bath (bedding and
towels, too). It feels like youre really
campingminus the sleeping bags!
THE TAKEAWAY Theres something
special about spending a week without
electronics. My kids love TV but I
never once heard them say, Oh man,
Id really like to watch TV right now.
NEED TO KNOW Treat yourself to
a massage with Kim, the on-site
masseuse. One hour is just $60.
For more information: Medomak
Family Camp, 178 Liberty Rd.,
Washington, ME 04574; 866-633-
6625; medomakcamp.com.
Nelsen and her
kids at one of their
favorite spots.