Just a quick reminder that it isn’t too late to enter the Working Mother “I love this Country” photo contest!
You can view the official rules and regs here, but basically if your picture is taken in front of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson property, you’ll be eligible to win a 2-night stay!
Wherever your travels take you, there’s a whole lot to love about this Country.
~Emily
Time is running out! Need a last minute Dad’s Day Destination? What better way to show your favorite Dad or your favorite Grad how much you love them than by sharing your love of the Country — visit http://www.countryinns.com/destinations to choose from dozens of destinations and packages to plan the perfect getaway. From golf weekends to spa and sporting trips, we’ve got everything you want to thrill your favorite guy.
I love this Country!
~Emily
Here’s what I love about technology — not only have these brave families been guided COMPLETELY be Smart Phone, GPS, and Twitter, but I’m writing this update from the PLANE, en route to go meet them at the finish. My destination remains top secret – but only for another day – and I can’t wait to give my new friends a great big hug. Although sometimes it seems that technology makes it too easy for humans to NOT interact with each other, I think the little virtual community we’ve crafted is a great example of how technology makes the world smaller, and brings us closer together in ways we otherwise wouldn’t experience.
Day 5’s adventures started by experiencing Kansas City’s beautiful fountains. Fun fact? Only ROME, ITALY has more fountains than Kansas City. Pretty cool, huh? Then they headed off to Lawrence, Kansas for a sweet treat (Unfortunately Sylas & Maddies ice cream wasn’t open early enough for two of our famlies, but at least the Williams kiddos got to enjoy a cone!). Next up? The Kansas Aviation Museum, which just looks incredibly cool… that’s where our day wrapped up, and the gang was off to rest their weary heads at the Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, OKlahoma City Airport!
Sharlene, Kara, and Ross all had great wrap-ups after yesterday’s adventures, and I cannot wait to see what today has in store for them!
It has been so amazing to watch these adventures – and to watch the families get to know each other. If there is one thing I’ve learned over my many years of blogging, it is that friendships can be strong and powerful, even if you’ve never met face to face. I know that our social media savvy participants had local visitors throughout this journey – people they’ve emailed, blogged, and tweeted with for years, who they finally got to meet face to face. Having experienced that phenomenon myself over the years, I know the emotional feeling of giving a big warm hug to somebody for the first time that you’ve KNOWN for years.
Case in point – en route to my (TOP SECRET!) destination tonight, I’ll be stopping off to have dinner with a woman I’ve been emailing with for about 5 years… who I’ve never laid eyes upon. I “know” her, her husband, her children and her stories as well as if they lived next door, but this is the first time we’ll meet face to face. I’ve had this experience several times now, and each and every time it feels as natural as spending time with old friends. I’m confident that as time rolls on, The Earnshaws family, Williams famly, and Sveback family will remain close — both to each other, and to me!
Something we strive to do at every single one of our hotels is to treat our like family – the familiarity, comfort and warmth that allows you to relax, unwind and be pampered for a while. I can’t think of any better way to exemplify the feeling of family than by hanging out with these guys all weekend. After all, there’s nothing that makes this girl happier than walking into a room filled with strangers – and leaving with 5 new best friends. I said it the other day and I’ll say it again – from all of us at Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, thank you for sharing your family with ours.
I love this Country.
~Emily
PS: Rumor has it that Sharlene’s blog posts have gotten some pickup on the USA Today’s website! How cool is THAT!?
ROAD WARRIOR, that is. Our road-trippin’ families are amazing, and I cannot believe how much ground they’ve covered since Sunday!
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri … All in THREE DAYS!
I’m impressed (they’re exhausted).
The shots below include a first Suite Stop at the famed St. Louis Arch – photo ops abound – where I’m told they were met by a camera crew from the local NBC affiliate, KSDK-TV. The crew showed up to report on the adventure and wrote this article. You can also view 1K Country KSDK Clip, showing the family enjoying the arch! After journeying up all 630 feet of the arch and snapping a few pics, the families headed back down to earth… where they got their next Suite Stop: a trip down the very first strip of Interstate highway in the US. Once the mini-roadtrip was over, they recieved something new: a Suite SIDE-TRIP, which allowed them to choose from two options: pedal, or putt. After the families enjoyed golf clubs & go-karts, they recieved their next Suite Stop, directing them to their home for the night: the Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Kansas City Village West, located near shopping malls and Speedways. But we’re not quite done yet! One last Suite Stop ORDERS that our weary travelers get a good night’s sleep (easy to do in our awesome beds!), before continuing on Day 4 of the 1K Country Adventure!
Don’t forget to check the blogs:
Kara!
Sharlene!
Ross!
Half way there, gang… can’t wait to greet you at the finish…. wherever that may be!
I love this Country.
~Emily
What’s even better than taking a family road trip? Taking a road trip with the destination: UNKNOWN.
So that is exactly what we’ve enlisted some of our favorite families to do.
The journey begins at the Mall of America on Saturday, June 5th and concludes on the 13th.
Where? Nobody knows!
(Well, WE know, but we’re not tellin’!)
You can follow along on twitter by watching the list www.twitter.com/countryinns/CIS-1k-country!
With our pals over at @_WorkingMother_, we’ll be hosting a Twitter Party tomorrow night, centered around the theme of “Family Travel: Disconnect To Reconnect.” Anybody who wants to jump into the conversation can do so using the hashtag #WMCountry, although if you are interested in being prize-eligible, you must register by emailing RSVP@WorkingMother.com by 2 PM, EST, tomorrow (Tuesday, May 25th).
The Party Starts promptly at 9 PM EST and will last one hour — expect lots of laughs, learnings, and sore fingers from typing so fast!
Hope to see you there!
~Emily
PS: Your co-hostess with the mostest has donated a 2-night stay at Country Inns & Suites By Carlson as the grand prize… so I THINK you’re gonna want to register!
Our final guest, Stefanie Fauquet of Mommy Musings, took her family to Bradenton, FL for some sun and fun in Citrus Country!
Last year, “buy 1, get 1 free” promotion was so successful that we’ve decided to offer it again! Visit our website to learn all about our fabulous spring getaway offer — and make sure to check back here often to follow some of our favorite bloggers as they share their adventures on the road… and tell us all why two nights isn’t as good as three!
Book now! We’re taking reservations right now, and valid stays must be completed by May 15!
Wheeeeeeeee!
I love this Country!
~Emily
Last month we ran some great hot weekend rates – and I’m excited to announce that we’ll be doing it again for select dates / select locations in March! Visit http://www.countryinns.com/weekendrates to book your weekend away, today!
I love this Country!
~Emily
Just a quick reminder that our rewards program, goldpointsplus, is offering a GREAT bonus now through the end of the month – Join goldpoints plus and register to earn up to 50,000 bonus Gold Points at CIS hotels through 2/28/10. Visit www.goldpointsplus.com to join!
