Ocean City, NJ

I know, I know... NJ beaches am I really going all Jersey Shore? and the answer is NO. First off Ocean City is a dry town so you don't get a lot of those drunken teenagers running around and messing up a perfectly good vacation with their idiocy (as you can probably tell I am not a fan of the reputation that Jersey Shore gives to New Jersey's more permanent residents). Its a really big family vacation spot and I personally love going there. In a matter of fact my family will be spending the fourth of July there as my husband and I both have off work! (can you tell it is one of my favorite places?). They have an awesome boardwalk (yeah, I said awesome...)with plenty to do for all ages from a small amusement park with rides to a movie theater and my family's favorite pizza shop (Three brothers from Italy Pizza) which is a very small pizza place but well worth it since the slices are HUGE as well as delicious and they have an ongoing pie eating contest and post the winners pics on the walls; my daughter loves to look at all of the pictures while we eat. They also have numerous mini golf places, a mini mall, an arcade, and one of our favorite bookstores (Atlantic Books) which I know, books are so outdated but in my family a kindle can't replace the feel of turning the pages on a really good book. They have tons of events for everyone. I have been to their parades, car shows, and on the fourth they will be having a kite flying contest that I would love to see and maybe enter with my daughter as well as fireworks. Yes, I know you need beach tags to get on this beach but I feel like it is actually worth it because of how well kept this beach is. It isn't that expensive and you don't have to deal with the drunken idiots that you see on many of the other beaches and the beach is kept very clean. It truly is a family spot that I remember going to as I grew up and would love my kids to remember it the same way. Though it may be crowded some days, I find it to be worth it because it is always a great experience going there- showing my children how they make fudge while you watch in one shop and watching my daughter beg my husband for the millionth time for a hermit crab just because she loves the shell colors and watching my children make a total mess with all of the ice cream, but I love seeing the enormous smiles they have by the end of the day. I know this place may not have all the appeal for those who don't have a family or who are more interested in the "night life" at other locations, but for me this place is one that will forever hold a spot in my heart as I grew up going there most summers with my Dad and then with my friends and now with my children. It is worth checking out if you are looking for a family getaway.

Say Goodbye to Your Bad Mood

Say Goodbye To Your Bad Mood
Guest Post by Melanie

Keeping a journal or diary is not necessarily a requirement for writing. Those that want to keep a journal but don’t like to write or don’t feel comfortable expressing their feelings and emotions with words can keep a journal that they use to draw or doodle in. This is no different than expressing feelings and emotions with words; the pictures people draw in their journals show what they are feeling in just as creative and artist a manner as writing in their journals. Additionally, keeping a journal, whether it is one for writing or one for drawing is an excellent method of personal therapy for those that are suffering from any type of cancer, including rare forms of cancer such as mesothelioma.

Making Lists and Checking them Twice

Santa isn’t the only person around that makes list. Plenty of people make lists that detail their deepest desires and their goals; big or small. Research has found that those who keep a journal, whether one with words or pictures, are much more likely to have a better quality of life, which is a great way to improve their prognosis. Additionally, making their journal a place to catalog their dreams and goals is a way to create a tangible reminder for them that they have things to do and that they need to focus on those things rather than on their negative emotions and feelings. People that journal and make lists and goals are far more likely to live happier lives that those that don’t; and there is a great reason for this.

Purging Oneself

The reason that keeping a journal is a great way to live a happier life is because people can express their feelings without censoring them. When a person is feeling an emotion in a very strong manner, writing about it helps them to deal with it on the spot, rather than allowing that feeling to overcome them and stay with them for an extended period of time. This is a great way for people to get rid of their negative feelings and their bad moods, making them feel much better in a much faster manner. There is no bad way of expression ones feelings on paper, whether through words or through drawings.

Keeping a journal is a great place for people to conduct their own therapy, whether they were recently diagnosed with cancer, living with cancer and undergoing treatments or living in remission. There is life outside of cancer, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. It is perfectly okay for cancer patients to have a bad day, to feel down and to worry. But they don’t have to; they can journal and help get through it.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil Border

This place is one of great natural beauty and I have been told that it is a place that you would not want to miss seeing before you die which is why I have added it to my bucket list along with liking the lore behind it. The story goes that a god wanted to marry a beautiful woman named Naipí, but Naipí was in love with a mortal man named Tarobá. In order to escape from the scorned god the couple planned to run away together and took a canoe down the river. When the god realized what they had done he cut the river in half and condemned the couple to eternally falling down the waterfalls he had created. It is rare to see a place of lure anymore and I feel myself drawn to places such as these because the stories are so interesting and usually tragic that to just be there would be amazing. From the pictures I have seen it is really a beautiful place to visit.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Often referred to as the Lost City Of The Incas, Machu Picchu is a piece of history that is also a very beautiful location in Peru. Building of the location began somewhere around 1400 AD which makes it RIDICULOUSLY old although it was believed to have been abandoned a century later during the Spanish Conquest. A lot of the buildings have been reconstructed to give tourists a general notion of the original structure of the buildings. The important thing about this site is that it was untouched by the Spanish conquest so the original designs were kept in tact and also it is one of the 'new' 7 wonders of the world. I would suggest visiting this location sometime between May and September as that is considered the 'Dry' season although I would still pack some rain boots and an umbrella as it can rain at any time. This location is threatened mainly by tourists and commercialism though the Government fights it at every turn from helicopter landing pads to hotels. Keeping this location the way it was before touched by modern civilization is part of its beauty and charm in my opinion. I would rather have to travel a few hours by car or bus to reach this location than to have the location ruined by a hotel put near it.

Unity, Maine

As my anniversary comes up in a few months I keep finding myself thinking about the place that my husband and I got married(the first picture is the view from the cabin on the lake in Unity where my husband and I spent our honeymoon). It is truly a place to get away from it all. The closest Walmart (or any modern restaurant chain) is over 30 minutes away, but if you are looking for somewhere to relax and take it easy this summer, this is the place for you. My husband's aunt owns a home there that she rents rooms out during the summer and everyone there knows everyone's name and everyone says hello to one another. It is one of those small towns that is great for rest and relaxation. The greatest part (for me) is that there is BARELY any phone signal out there so there will be no persistent work calls to interrupt the beauty of the area. I would suggest waiting to go there until after June because what they call the mud season causes a lot of bugs in that area until the end of June. But during the summer, fall, and winter that area is like something out a picture or a travel magazine without all of the tourists and crowding. It is a true hidden treasure and I would love to go back again and again!

Santorini (Thira) Island, Greece

So seeing as today is my birthday I have picked a place that is supposed to be very romantic and magical. One of the legends says that this island was created by God when he was the happiest and that is why it is so beautiful. The island itself is a center for tourism and a spot of great beauty but it is also what remains of a volcanic caldera and one of the few volcanoes still considered active (though mostly underwater from my understanding). The best part about this island is supposed to be the view at sunset. I would love to go here just to experience the beauty of this place before it gets ruined by the careless tourists intent only on getting where they need to go and doing what they want rather than not ruining a piece of natural beauty for those that will visit later.

The Great Wall Of China

This is a famous tourist attraction but what most people don't realize is that it is actually a series of walls built from the 5th century BC to the 16th century. Currently there are large sections that have fallen into great disrepair and although large sections of the wall have been repaired it has been said that within the next 20 years the majority of the wall will be gone. It is a historical monument as well as a beautiful sight. The idea that one of the only man made items that can be seen from space will be gone soon is saddening and makes me want to get the opportunity to witness what so many people gave up their time and/or lives to complete this project. I would love for my kids to see something that will be gone by the time they reach my age and be able to tell others that they got to see a piece of history before it disappears.

The "Black" Mailbox - Route 375 (between markers 29 & 30), Nevada

Now for those of you that don't know what the black mailbox is I will explain. It is a mailbox (used to be black, now white) that many alien hunters used to believe belonged to area 51 and was either used for government mail regarding aliens or as a way for the aliens themselves to communicate with our government. Now that being said it is supposedly also a really amazing spot to go camping and star gaze which is where my interest lies. I do believe in aliens although I do not think that there are creatures close to or surpassing our intellect or even close to our evolutionary stage but I think it would be great to go camping at this spot and maybe see the famous mailbox that so many people go to see down the Extraterrestrial Highway.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, Ohio

Come on now, who wouldn't want to visit this place? This is probably the coolest looking museum ever...with exhibits like "One hit wonders and the songs that shaped rock and roll" and "the roots of rock and roll" you can follow the history of rock and roll from when it first started to what is predicted to come in the future. Now I know this place may not be for everyone, but you have to appreciate how original this idea is and even though rock and roll may not be my favorite genre of music I can appreciate the music and the exhibits there. And besides the museum I'm sure there are plenty of cool things to do in Cleveland.

Crater Lake- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

This lake is not just a lake, it is known for its water clarity and because it fills most of a caldera. For those of you who don't know, a caldera is a depression in the ground caused by the explosion or collapse of the center of a volcano and in this case it was Mt. Mazama which collapsed over 7000 years ago. Sounds crazy, right? It is also well known for what is referred to as the Old Man of the Lake which was a tree that floated in the middle of the lake for years though now its only a stump. The amazing thing about it is that the tree floats vertically. The lake originally didn't have any fish in it but from 1888 to 1941 a variety of fish were put in the lake a number of which are now self sustaining. It is a beautiful place to visit and worth seeing even if just for a few moments.

Zern's Farmers Market- Gilbertsville, PA

I love farmers market and live within 30 minutes of at least two. You can find some of the freshest food and hidden treasures there, not to mention spending hours just wandering around and meeting new people. Zern's Farmers market is one of the largest farmers markets in the world (In the top 5 last time I checked). I am one of those people that loves to go to farmers markets and honestly the idea of one that is at least 3-4 times the size of the ones I have been to sounds amazing because I could spend all day just walking around and enjoying myself there with over 300 indoor stores and 100 outdoor stalls (come on now who wouldn't enjoy that on a nice warm spring day?)

Times Square- New York City, NY

Times square is the main hub of activity on the eastern coast and one of my favorite places, but I have never been there on New Years Eve at midnight. I have been in the city at that time and have seen from the hotel room windows blocks away all of the hype, but I would love to be in that crowd celebrating yet another year survived and being one of the thousands that come to this place to welcome in the new year with music, dancing, alcohol, and all to watch the ball drop. I have always loved the city and Times Square seems to encompass the whole feel of that city life. To be there during one of their biggest nights would be something absolutely worth seeing at least once in your life (and if you get a chance stop by Ellen's Stardust Diner at 1650 BROADWAY, CORNER OF 51ST STREET. This place has some amazing Diner food and some REALLY talented singers and is well worth the wait to get in. I have been there 4 times now and have loved the food and staff EVERY time I have gone which is rare for me.)

Freedom Trail- Boston, Massachusetts

So this one appeals to my inner history lover. It is a 2.5 mile long red brick path through Boston with stops at different notable historical locations:
Boston Common
Massachusetts State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King's Chapel
King's Chapel Burying Ground
Benjamin Franklin statue and former site of the first public school, Boston Latin School
Old Corner Bookstore
Old South Meeting House
Old State House
Site of the Boston Massacre
Faneuil Hall
Paul Revere House
Old North Church
Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Bunker Hill Monument
USS Constitution

Most of these are free, but a few require a small price or ask for a donation. I feel as though seeing these monuments to our history and how our country came to be is important and lets face it these monuments won't be around forever.

Alexandria, Indiana-The World's Biggest Ball of Paint

I know it sounds cheesy, but hear me out. Taking part in maintaining and helping a world record grow is an awesome idea to me. This roadside attraction is not just something you go and look at or take pictures of. Apparently you can paint a new layer on the ball yourself and sign a guest book memorializing your contribution to this record breaking object. Weighing at over 1,300 lbs with almost 19,000 layers the ball is something worth seeing and a little off the beaten path so you wont have to deal with crowds or people stepping into your pictures unwanted. The ball is a baseball that has been painted layer after layer over the years started by Michael Carmichael and his son. After painting the ball the Carmichaels take your picture, have you sign their ledger and you receive a certificate commemorating the event. The ball is at 10696 N. 200 W., Alexandria, IN in front of the Carmichael's house where it is displayed roadside in a shed, hanging from a wooden beam.

Centralia, Pennsylvania

For my first post I figured I would pick something close to home. Centralia, Pennsylvania is a ghost town that was abandoned by all but a select few in 1981. The town was a coal mining town for many years, but an accident caused a fire to spread to the tunnels under the town filled with coal. The town has been burning since 1962 and after many attempts to put the fire out, most of which helped the fire spread, the government finally admitted defeat and relocated the residents when a child almost fell into a deadly sinkhole caused by the fire. The town is still burning to this day and according to studies done could continue burning through the next century. In order to get to this place you would have to ignore all the Detour road signs and warnings of toxic emissions (granted I wouldn't stay here for long, but to see something like that is not an opportunity you get every day so I would suggest bringing a gas mask or at the very least something to cover your nose and mouth). From what I have heard, there are places in the town where you can see the smoke rising from the underground fires.