Natural Bridge Caverns Review (US Family Guide)

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by US Family Guide Bloggers Program. I received 4 tickets to go to the caverns. My mother also bought 4 extra tickets to cover the other relatives.



My mother wanted to plan a family trip this year. Last year, we took a cruise to the Bahamas via Carnival. This year, she wanted to go to San Antonio, Texas. I asked if she was going to SA, then I want to go to take my kids to Morgan's Wonderland, a special needs park. Last time the kids and I went (2012), Kalen was not walking yet and didn't do anything.

My mother started researching places, she wanted to go, but realized she got in over her head. She wanted to go to the petting zoo, Ripley's, the safari (across from Natural Bridge Caverns) and a few other places, including the Caverns.  She didn't realize how much it will cost for at least 5 ppl to visit these places. She asked for my  help with discounts. I just happen to see the Natural Bridge Caverns on US Family Guide and requested tickets.

I wasn't sure how my kids would react in the caverns. I have been to the Tennessee Caverns before, but that was with my ex husband only. They did good for the most part. Some tips for the caverns include: bring water, prepare to sweat, and take your time walking. The caverns can get hot at times. Some of the pathways are also slippery. Make sure to bring some good walking shoes. Also, make sure your camera or camcorders is charged. I was glad I bought a power bank because my phone went dead in the caverns and I forgot my camcorder charger at home. You will experience a guided tour, but still take your time and walk at your own pace. The caverns does have some steep up and down ramps. I got a good workout, especially with Kalen in a carrier, mostly sleep. Brad also did a good job in the caverns.

The Natural Bridge Caverns has a lot of activities for families to do. From the caverns, a food court, and a ziplining course. The caverns  have different tours available such as the lantern tour, where you travel the caves with a lantern light. Maybe you want to pan for fossils and gems or go spelunking.

Atlantic Luggage Giveaway to NYC or San Diego (Sponsored Post Izea)

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. I am being compensated for this post.





I love to travel, even though I don't travel much. In August, I went to the Bahamas for 3 days. The last vacation was Morgan's Wonderland for a day in 2011. I love visiting new places.

For the Morgan's trip, it was a day trip, but I still had to pack extra clothes for both boys; diapers, wipes; laptop; phone; movies for the bus trip; snacks; and my purse.



For Bahamas, I had to pack my clothes; shoes; diapers; wipes; toiletries; kid's bags; purse; laptop case; and kindle case. It was hard moving five bags around by myself. For the next trip, I want to try those vacuum space bags to make more room. The shoes fit at the bottom of the bag, but still took up valuable space. Glad, I only packed 2 pair: 1 tennis and 1 dress shoe.

Morgan's Wonderland December 2011

The Islands of Bahamas, Nassau, August 22, 2014

Nassau Bahamas August 22, 2014

Atlantic Luggage is giving away a family trip for four to New York or San Diego, California. The prize pack includes:

• Round trip airfare, courtesy of Delta Vacations
• Choice of Delta Vacations Hotel Accommodations
• Choice of one Delta Vacations activity or a tour for four
• Four Atlantic carry on size suitcases. 

About Atlantic Luggage

Atlantic Luggage was started in 1919 to make traveling with your family easier. The company created affordable, lightweight luggage, in many colors, styles, and features. Some features include:

• The Link2Go System, which connects multiple pieces of luggage
• 360 degree 4 wheel spinners for guidance and steering
• Retractable handles
• Built in wet pockets
• Shoe pockets (which I needed for my Bahamas Trip)
• Expansion capabilities (which I needed for my Bahamas trip :-))

Enter GiveawayEnter to win a family trip. Giveaway ends November 15th 2014. Winner will be chosen 7 to 10 days from the end of the contest. Grand prize trip must be booked by September 30, 2015 and completed by October 31, 2015.

Grand prize package trip certificate is valid for:

• Round -trip economy air transportation, valued at up to $450 per ticket for the Grand prize winner and 3 guests from a major US airport serviced by Delta airlines near to the Grand Prize winner's home to a major US airport serviced by Delta Airlines near New York City or San Diego 
• Hotel accommodations at a participating Delta Vacations hotel in NYC or San Diego
• Four Atlantic Carry-On Size suitcases
• $300 allowance to spend on their choice of Delta Vacations Tour or Activity packages. 
• Trip is to last 3 days and 2 nights
• Total prize value: $3700

Back to the Bahamas Part 1

Back to the Bahamas Part 1: Carnival Ecstasy August 22^nd to 25^th

Port: Miami, Florida to Nassau Bahamas and Paradise Island (boat trip)

In August, I went back to the Bahamas with my mother again. We also brought along a bunch of first timers: my kids, annoying sisters, nieces, nephew, and great-niece. 9 people total and I will never do this again.

(Note: I was working on the multimedia portion of my thesis, while in the car, and finished up as soon as I got on the boat. $25 dollars of cruise credit to get my project turned in on time. I had limited internet from Louisiana to Florida. I was revising text and creating audio transcripts of the videos, on top of dealing with annoying relatives.)

My plan was to go on a 4-day trip to Mexico, Honduras, and Belize from Galveston. Get a past guest discount for my mother and myself, plus a Texas resident discount. The trip was reasonably priced-4 islands, 4 days.

The drive to Galveston is not that far either, but that was not good enough for some of my heathen family. Some of my relatives don’t like Hispanics, especially Mexicans. They refused to spend 24 hours in Mexico, so after some cussing and discussion, we decided to go to Miami to the Bahamas.

I already knew this trip would not be fun. At first, I had 3 people in my room and my mother had five. My other sister was supposed to go to Africa this summer. Then, she decided to bring my nephew. My mother removed my nephew from the cruise.

Now we have my kids and myself in my room and the rest in the other room. 3 doors down from each other.

Fast forward, sister and nephew decide not to go to Africa and want to be added back. My mother still has a five person room-so nephew went to her room. My room already paid for and I had to relocate my room wayyyyy down the hallway for a 4 person, 4 bed room, when all I need is 2 beds. One for me and Kalen and one for Brad.

I also had to chip in monies for my sister’s fare because my mother did not have enough. She also got part of my cruise credits, I been earning. Whoopee. Over 100 dollars and I have to share when my room was fully paid for months in advance.

Sister planned on crashing in one of the beds in my mother room. 5 beds. Niece and Great niece in same bed; nephew; other annoying sister; and mother, in other 4 beds.

I kept bumping my head into that darn upper bed. I kept the big bed for myself and let Brad climb up. I wanted a no pee zone.

By the first day, the sisters had a fight and the younger sister got a new room, which is what she should have done in the first place with her son. She wanted her cruise credit transferred to her new room. Problem was she only earned $10 dollars after she was added to my room and she was upset. Love Carnival. Leave my credits alone.

The rest of the trip on the boat, was special needs hell.

I couldn't get my kids to stay in Camp Carnival. I ended up with 2 hours free without my kids over 3 days. When they did go, all they did was sleep Went to Super Star Karaoke and Karaoke. Didn’t attempt to sing because I kept staring at the Camp’s phone.


Brad peed in the bed. Instead of just changing the sheets or the mattresses, the steward cleaned the carpet (which needed cleaning due to Brownies and Cake), and put a carpet smeller puller outer in the room. I went back to my room later and saw that noisy device, when my kids needed to sleep. Turned it off. Then I got a knock on the door from the assistant housekeeping woman saying if my kids make a mess in the bed, take them to medical. Told her, I have two SPED kids, who wet the bed, and accidents do happen. She didn’t not understand at all and I didn’t care. One kid was sleepy and needed his medication.

Brad had a major meltdown after Kalen went to Camp Carnival for the first time. Took over an hour to calm him down. It was time to give him his meds anyway plus Mr.. Melatonin. We was heading to formal dinner and by the time, I got him calm and went back to Windsong, the line was longer. We got a pager saying it will be a 30 minute wait, but as soon as we walked away, the pager went off. By the time, the food arrived, the pager went off and I had to go get Kalen. Youngest sister sat with Brad, while I ran to the Verandah deck (11 from deck 8).

Kalen refused to walk in the Bahamas. His feet broke out a few weeks ago. I forgot to bring socks. After going to multiple stores, looking for socks, I learned most of them don’t accept credit cards. I finally had to go to an ATM (Thank you Blogher for the payment a few days before) to get some Bahamian money to buy the boy some socks, and he still did not want to walk.

We took a water ferry to Paradise Island to see Atlantis. Took some convincing to get Brad on the boat. The tour guide let Brad sit up front with the captain.

While we was in Louisiana, we stopped at a gas station/McDonalds station to eat and go potty. I took Brad to change his diaper and pants. On the way out, we passed through the gas station part because I didn't have McDonalds money. He wanted some M &Ms. He took some M& Ms and walked out the door. The cashier stopped him and I gave them back. He got angry and pushed the main door so hard, it fell off the hinges.

I had a major panic attack on the last day of the cruise. I packed up all the non-essentials and set it outside the room. I packed the kids bags with their diapers, wipes, and extra clothes; cleaned out my purse for extra room, if I needed it; and re-organized the bag of chargers. I had 5 bags: my purse, Kalen bag, Brad bag, the laptop, and bag of chargers for the devices.

Simple enough. I carry three bags. Brad carries his bag and Kalen carries his bag. EXCEPT Kalen did not want to walk and moved extra slow. I had to carry his bag so he would move faster and he did not.

We walked one way to head to the Sapphire Lounge for Faster to the Fun people, but it was blocked off. Walked another way and the police was having a situation with a woman. I couldn’t move anymore. My cycle on. I got 4 bags in one arm. I am sweating, hurting, and struggling with Kalen. I sat there until the police moved.

Finally got to Sapphire, sat down, and it was time to move again. Can’t find my phone. Went back in. Kids acting up again. I broke down crying. Couldn’t take it anymore.

Asked for help multiple times since I have SPED kids. Finally someone told me I can get a wheelchair and I could carry Kalen in my lap. I was eventually wheeled down to customs, while Brad walked and someone held Kalen’s hand. I just wanted off the boat and in my bed at home. I wanted to be left alone. Of course that was not the case..

To be continued..............

(Working on Karaoke video; Life on the ship video; and boat trip video)