Tag Archives: adventure

Do You Need Inspiration for a Family History Adventure?

If you are looking for a fun genealogy read online, check out the Ancestry.com blog. Mixed in amongst their other blog posts (which are also good), there are posts from a family of seven who are traveling the United States in search of family history information. The Great, Great, Great Grand Adventure began back in July, when the Brown family decided that they would spend some time together as a family, traveling the United States and learning about their family history. At the time that the monumental decision to make the trip was made, the Browns did not know that … Continue reading →

Courage Mountain (1990)

I love the book “Heidi.” I’ve probably read it eight times and would read it again right now, if I was sure where my copy was. When I saw the movie “Courage Mountain” at the video rental store, I was curious, but also apprehensive. As a “Heidi” fan, I wondered – would this movie, based on a sequel that doesn’t exist, do justice to the original, or would I be disappointed? Juliette Caton stars as Heidi, now fifteen. Clara’s grandmother passed away and left Heidi some money. Grandfather thinks Heidi should use the money to pay for her education, but … Continue reading →

The Water Horse (2007)

A legend has been had in Scotland about a mythical creature known as a water horse. While two tourists are traveling through the area of Loch Ness and stop in at a pub, coming come across a picture of a creature rising from the water, they’re willing to dismiss it as a fake until a man sitting in the corner motions them over to tell them the story behind the picture. During World War II, a young boy named Angus MacMorrow was clambering around the stones on the edge of the loch when he discovered a strange rock. He took … Continue reading →

Alice in Wonderland (1999)

This version of the Lewis Carroll children’s classic was filmed for television and includes the characters found in both “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass,” the sequel. As a Carroll fan (I’ve even read “The Hunting of the Snark”) I was curiouser and curiouser to watch this film, but I’m sorry to say, I was disappointed. It all began with Tina Majorino, the young lady chosen to play Alice. While I generally consider her to be a great actress, I didn’t feel that she gave us the performance we needed. She was fourteen when she made this film … Continue reading →

Showdown (1973)

“Showdown” is a movie I watched in my attempt to expand my repertoire. It’s a western-gunslinger-love triangle, and I enjoyed it despite the fact I didn’t think I would. Rock Hudson is Chuck Jarvis, the sheriff in town. His best friend is Billy Massey (Dean Martin) and they’ve known each other just about their entire lives. They both fell in love with the same girl, Kate (Susan Clark) and they went into partnership on a ranch. When Kate chose Chuck, it was hard on Billy and he decided to sell Chuck his share of the ranch. Billy rode off for … Continue reading →

Ladyhawke (1985)

Even though this movie is over twenty years old, I count “Ladyhawke” as one of the best films I’ve ever seen. It truly is incredible. Matthew Broderick stars as Philippe Gaston, a young man who has been imprisoned in the dungeons of Aquila for theft. He manages to squeeze his way out through the sewage system and escape, but he is nearly recaptured. He meets up with Navarre, the former captain of the guard (Rutger Hauer) and begins to follow him, intrigued by the man himself but also by the beautiful hawk he has with him. Navarre agrees to let … Continue reading →

The Mysterious Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stewart

Reynie Muldoon is an orphan, but he doesn’t feel particularly bad about it because he’s never known anything different. He lives in a large orphanage filled with children who ignore him, and his only friend is his tutor. She’s a kindly older woman who has taken Reynie into her heart, and it’s a good thing, too, otherwise no one would love him at all. One morning while reading the paper, they spy an ad for children of unusual abilities. Just what these abilities are supposed to be, the ad doesn’t say, but Reynie is curious. He decides to go in … Continue reading →

Adventures By Disney: Peru

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You’ll arrive at the Lima International Airport late on day one. Once you exit customs, you’ll be met by an Adventures by Disney representative who will escort you to your vehicle. The driver will assist with your luggage and then take you to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel in Lima. There your Adventure Guides will check you in to your room. On day two, you’ll take a one-hour flight to Cusco to begin your journey to the Sacred Valley. After the short flight, a motor coach will take you to the Center for Traditional Textiles for a lunch of … Continue reading →

The Flight of the Phoenix (1965)

I watched “The Flight of the Phoenix” on the recommendation of a friend, and I have to say, I found it fascinating. I also have to say, this is one that you’ll want to watch after the younger children are in bed – you can enjoy it with your teenagers, but the themes are a bit too intense for children under the age of twelve. Jimmy Stewart stars as Frank Towns, a pilot with a second-rate airline. He’s flown with better outfits in the past, but his talent hasn’t diminished, just his job status. With him is Lew Moran, his … Continue reading →

Fairest – Gail Carson Levine

From the author of “Ella Enchanted” comes “Fairest,” the story of a girl who was left at an inn as a small baby. The innkeepers took her in and loved her, despite the fact that as she grew, she was considered ugly by all those around her. In her kingdom, beauty was considered the most important quality, followed closely by the ability to sing. In fact, in their culture, much of their conversation was sung, rather than spoken, and if you could not sing well, you were an outcast, socially. Aza, our heroine, could sing beautifully, which more than made … Continue reading →