Jun 10, 2013 |

TheRealMojo68
So. Y’all know I’m a Trekaroo Superoo, right? I get to write reviews for family-friendly based activities, restaurants, and destinations. I’m loving it. I haven’t received a sponsored assignment yet, but I’m so okay with that. Because I love writing reviews. Even if they’re based out of my own little town.
Another reason I love Trekaroo is the giveaways they offer every week with their Monday Madness. This week is no different. But it is. This week is a doozy. A week-long stay at a west coast timeshare through ResorTime.com.
Now, I’m not affiliated with this giveaway. Which is good. ‘Cuz I’m trying to win. Which would be good. ‘Cuz then I could review the experience. It’s a win-win-win. But that’s just me being selfish. I’d love for you to win instead, if you want to give it a try.
Can you find your way to Hawaii? Las Vegas? Sedona or Scottsdale or Carlsbad? Do you need a week away from it all with the ones you love the most?Sometimes you just need a break. Can you see yourself sitting poolside while the kids play, or sitting with the family all around the picnic table enjoying your own BBQ?
Then y’all need to check this out. Click on my Superoo badge above or below this post and you can read Katie Dillon’s Trekaroo Contest post. Full of information about the timeshares and plennnnty of chances to enter for your own vacation. [Disclaimer: by entering through my link, I get a bonus entry. So thank you. But truly, good luck! If I don’t win, I hope you do!]
Don’t forget to share your own link so you can earn bonus entries, too!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

TheRealMojo68
You can read all my Trekaroo reviews here: RealMojo68
You may also enjoy reading:
Do You Trekaroo?
I’m a Trekaroo Superoo!
Five Things Friday: TRAVEL
Following Fabian
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Destination: Mission Inn [“Tell ‘Em Tony Sent Ya”]
When I Get To New York
May 17, 2013 |

Five Things Friday at Frankly, My Dear…
Two weeks ago I posted the first of what I hope to be a long running series, The Friday Five. Once or twice a month you can share Five Things about yourself.
With Memorial Day just around the corner bringing with it the start of summer, this week’s theme is about Travel. Have some amazing travel memories or a trip on your bucket list? Share them here. Be sure to check back often and encourage your friends to add their own Friday Five!
And now, the Mojo Friday Five Things: My Travel.
1. I love all things Italy. Even when I don’t know they’re Italian. I’m fundamentally drawn to Italian architecture, gardening, designs, flavors, color palettes and personalities. I talk a lot with my hands. I drink strong coffee. I’m loud and boisterous at times. The Godfather Trilogy will always be my favorite movie series. My ethnic heritage is a hodge-podge of all things Europe. I am perhaps, at best, 5% Italian, but that is the part I cling to. I’ve never been to Italy, but it is most definitely on my Bucket List.

My Favorite Coffee Mugs
2. I’m a little afraid of driving. Especially at night in unfamiliar places. [Case in point: Following Fabian.] I never used to be, but the older I get the harder it is for me to drive into unknown territory. I also have mini panic attacks when I’m away from Bedford Manor for more than two nights. I miss my cats too much. I worry about leaving the house empty. The only places I can go without worrying about my home is Disneyland and The Mission Inn. Okay, that’s not true. I can also drive to Las Vegas and sometimes the beach or mountains. I just need to drive more often. Like I used to. Because the world is just waiting for me to discover it!

Mob Moll.
3. I would love to live in New York for a year. I would love to stroll through Central Park in autumn, and see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live from the street. There’s a certain kind of cement magic when I’m surrounded by buildings towering over sidewalks. The sights, sounds, and smells of a big city are something I must experience.
4. I love watching travel shows. Aerial America and Skyview are just two of my favorites. I also love historical stories about travel: the Oregon Trail, how the Wright Brothers were the first to fly. These are all imagination takers that inspire and enthrall me.
5. I like to dress the part. When I’m at Disneyland, I wear capris and a fun Mickey sweatshirt. If I’m heading to the Mission Inn, I’m never without heels and perhaps my brown hat. Vegas calls for a bit more rugged look of jeans and my leather jacket.

Who I Am
Thanks for taking this journey with me. Here’s your extra bag of nuts: My dream is to be a writer/traveler like many of the great stories I read and movies I watch.
Be sure to catch all my travel reviews at Trekaroo!

TheRealMojo68
And now it’s your turn: What are your favorite travel stories? If you’ve written a Blog post about them, link it up below. If not, just list them in the comments.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
When I Get To New York
I Like Driving at Twilight
Destination: Mission Inn [“Tell ‘Em Tony Sent Ya”]
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Do You trekaroo?
I Want a Mr. Potato Head
She Wore a White Dress. And She Wore a Hat.

Apr 20, 2013 |
You know those moments that you think, well, I missed that boat by a mile, and so you quit thinking about the trip? Yeah. So that happened.
Last year when I was otherwise unemployed but had a great amount of time available, I began writing short reviews for Trekaroo. You know Trekaroo. I’ve mentioned them here and there.
So after a few reviews, I received an email. Would I like to become a Superoo? A sponsored reviewer. Well, heck. I get to write. I get to travel (even locally). And they give me an outlet for my creative musings? Who wouldn’t want that. Sure, I said. I’m interested.
Good, they said. We choose our Superoos once a year. In Spring.
Darn, I said. I dislike waiting.
But wait I did. And then, my reviewing slowed. Not because I wasn’t interested. But because I had a Cookbook to produce. And I was still unemployed which meant the wallet wasn’t conducive to excursions. When I did start working, well, you know. There’s these things calls bills I needed to concentrate on.
So. I waited on Trekaroo. And they waited on me.
I was sure I’d missed my chance. That ship has sailed. That plane has flown. (Are you picking up on the travel metaphors here? It’s not intentional. But hey, whatever floats your boat…)
I haven’t written a review for months. Out here in Southern California it’s practically summer. Yup. I’m not gonna be a Superoo this year.
Darn.
Or… am I?
Enter the Email.
Congrats! Your contributions to Trekaroo have caught the eye of our Superoo Council. You have been awarded coveted Superoo status.
After pouring through thousands of Trekaroo passports, the Superoo Council was particularly impressed by your reviews and other contributions to Trekaroo over the past year. Without you, Trekaroo wouldn’t be the top resource for families who love to explore and travel. We are proud to announce you as one of our 2013 Superoos today on our blog.
How. Happy. Am. I!!!
Yes. That’s right. I’m THAT happy! It’s wonderful, as a writer, to see long term efforts pay off. It’s even more wonderful to be recognized when you thought you were buried under the mud.
Thanks for pulling me up and out, Trekaroo.
And now… TheRealMojo68 is ready to fly! Or… drive. Or… eat. Or… play. Or… oh, heck! Just send me somewhere fun!
LET’S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!!!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Check out my Trekaroo Profile and Reviews!

TheRealMojo68
You may also enjoy reading:
Do You trekaroo?
My Trekaroo Reviews
Destination: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Oct 2, 2012
Remember a few months ago I started posting reviews on Trekaroo?
You don’t?! Well, that’s okay.
Because I’m here to remind you.
Trekaroo is an online guide written by parents for parents. The perks and problems of traveling with children of all ages. They have great contests every week. [Read how I won a trip to Myrtle Beach.]
Think travel has to mean pack ’em up and head ’em out? Not true! Even if you’re just looking for a two-hour play date in the next town, you can find reviews on Trekaroo… and if you can’t, add your own!
It’s all about parents helping parents give their families a great time!
So come on over. It’s a great place to make friends!
Click here to visit my Trekaroo Page:
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Do You trekaroo?
Myrtle Beach is Calling
Jul 30, 2012 |

Blog Badge
Do you trekaroo? It’s a wonderful website designed to give parents and families honest reviews about hotels, restaurants and activities.
Are you afraid to take your young kids on vacation? Are your teens rolling their eyes at the thought of unplugging? Do you bite your nails at the thought of leaving the comfort of your own home?
You can trust trekaroo. The reviews are written by a community of parents and families. The more, the merrier! More popular attractions have many reviews; or you can be the first!
It’s so helpful to read from someone else who’s “been there, done that”. Let’s face it, Captain Hook knows how to steer a ship, but would you want him planning your tea party? Or would you take advice on how to put young children to sleep in a strange bed, from an old maid? Sure, sometimes. But on a regular basis? I’d rather make a well-informed decision.
My friend Naomi introduced me to trekaroo last fall. She won a trip to Las Vegas for her family. Las Vegas! Did you ever think of Vegas as that family-friendly? Well, people on trekaroo do! They know all the in’s and out’s for children of all ages to have fun without being exposed to the adults-only content.
Oh, yeah. And they have great giveaways, too. Like a trip to Vegas. Or bicycle-strollers. Or kids’ backyard wilderness playsets. How fun is that?
So of course I signed on to read the reviews. And last week I started to post my own. The first two were abridged from reviews here on Frankly, My Dear… but earlier today I ventured to be the first to review a local restaurant.
trekaroo has already said I have “superoo” potential. In their own words, “Trekaroo Superoos are parents with unique characteristics who are able to see the humor amidst the challenges of traveling with their offspring. In fact, they thrive best when exploring and trail blazing with their pack. They are our biggest contributors and eager to help. Superoos inspire other family travelers through the stories they tell, the tips they share, and their insightful recommendations.”
They select their Superoos once a year, usually in the spring. I’ve already got my eyes set on that emblem, and they’ve already got their eyes set on me. But even if they didn’t, I’d still want to be an active community member.
Because I obviously enjoy sharing stories. And I like the idea of families helping families have family-friendly experiences.
Do you trekaroo?

Click here to view my trekaroo passport.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!