Vacations Blog

Digging in the dirt at the Fossil Fair

October 31st might signal Halloween treats to you, but for South Carolina science fans it’s also a day of archeological fun at the South Carolina Fossil Fair hosted at the Ocean Lakes Family Campground’s Recreation Building in Myrtle Beach.  The day-long event features a mock dig site, PCS Phosphate Mine, a fossil hunt and lots of bones.  Experts from the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History will dust off your discoveries and identify the fossils.

Start at the mock dig site where a museum specialist will illustrate how to create a plaster cast to move a specimen from the dig site to a museum.  You can observe how the fossil is removed from the plaster and prepared for display. The fun part is that you get to help clean the specimen. Read More »

This is a destination you probably have not thought of – yet. Well its time to change that.

If you are visiting Europe, or live there, it is a short flight to this island in the Mediterranean. Kayt Sukel, based in Germany, explains that the island has a remarkable history. Its temples pre-date the Egyptian pyramids. The island has great hotel options – but you could consider B&Bs or even renting a villa. The food is rich in choices – after all, the island has a great location in terms of regional influences. Getting around is easy by bus and there are great beaches and diving. Take a look at the island’s tourism information here.

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The Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY, features “five museums under one roof”.

The Whitney Gallery of Western Art is a large gallery featuring paintings and artwork of historic and modern western scenes, landscapes, and wildlife. It’s currently featuring Thomas Moran’s massive “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” (8 feet high and 14 feet long), on loan from the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum.

The Cody Firearms Museum houses “the most comprehensive assemblage of American firearms in the world”. It is a vast collection of firearms ranging from the onset of ancient weaponry through to modern times. There are currently more than six thousand weapons on display, and another five thousand items related to weaponry.

The Plains Indian Museum is resplendent with displays, artifacts, and demonstrations related to the history and culture of the Plains Indians. The majority of the collection features items from 1880-1930, and tells a vivid tale of the transition from plains to reservation life.

The Draper Museum of Natural History describes the natural history of Yellowstone County and surrounding areas. It features local wildlife displays, biological and geological studies of Yellowstone National Park, and combines exhibits and educational programming to enrich the experience for visiting youngsters.

Finally, the Buffalo Bill Museum offers a fascinating look into the life and times of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. This legendary fixture in American history and Wild West culture comes to life in a vast collection of photos, maps, personal items, clothing, and recreated scenes. Visitors gain an invaluable insight into what it was like to live in the Western US in the 1800’s, when settlers arrived in droves to discover the west and participate in the gold rush.

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is located at 720 Sheridan Avenue in Cody, Wyoming. Entrance fees are $15 for adults (bring your AAA card and save!), $13 for students (aged 13-17, or 18+ with college ID), $10 for youths, children under five are free, and a Family Rate (1 or 2 adults w/children 17 & under living in the same household) is $45. The single entrance fee gives you access into all five museums. Refreshments are available at the on-site Mustang Grill and Pony Express-o. Hours vary by season, so be sure to check the schedule.

Photo Credits (all): Laura Charon.

And you may ask yourself
Where does that highway go?

With all apologies to the Talking Heads we know where said highway goes – wherever we want.  Eat that train tracks!

I put out a call to our Vacations staff for photos of summer and all that it entails.  The following are their contributions.

Don’t worry, if your favorite writer didn’t submit a photo as they’ve probably got their own story brewing, or they’re just lazy, but probably the story thing.

Ed:

Hatteras, NC

What I did on my summer vacation (in 53 words or less). Read More »

More boats at children's museum

There’s one more Monday in August for adults to get in for the kids’ admission price to Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT. So in this case, a family of two adults and two children get in for $30.

Our children are still very young, so the attractions for them were: big boats, hands-on fun in the Children’s Museum, the free water taxi ride from one end of the Seaport to the other, and whining. Lots and lots of whining. But still! Family fun!

We started our visit by taking part in an audience-participation re-enactment (in the very loosest sense) of a whaling journey, performed by some very enthusiastic young actors.  They did a great job of getting the kids involved and interested, and we referred back to the story they told when we looked at some of the historical items on display. Read More »

Spokane's Big Red Wagon

Seriously, who’s going to plan a family vacation to Spokane, Washington?

I was asking myself this very question today while watching news coverage of Spokane’s Hoopfest, the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world.  The tourney is celebrating its 20th year.

There are 400 courts spread out over 40 downtown city blocks, with 6,400 teams participating this year, and over 200,000 players and fans wandering around town.

But that’s not a family vacation.

Spokane is one of those average cities, like Des Moines or Sacramento, that doesn’t have much of a reputation as a vacation destination.  You hear Washington, and you think Seattle.  Or Olympic National Park and the Pacific Coast beaches.  Or Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier.  Or the Cascade Range.

Even though Spokane is the second largest city in the state, and the fifth biggest in the Pacific Northwest, nobody’s buzzing about it as a family vacation destination.

I figure people end up here for other reasons, such as a weekend of basketball at Hoopfest, and then at some point it dawns on them that there might be come cool things to see and do in the area.

So, what exactly is there for a family with kids to enjoy? Read More »

When I moved to Arizona in the fall of 1993, the weather was a balmy 80 degrees. I thought to myself, “After a lifetime of grueling winters in Maine, this place is going to be like paradise!” Then, fall gave way to winter, and winter abruptly turned into 100+ degree searing heat. In MAY. I panicked. I was completely ill-equipped to deal with the furnace-like conditions. I contemplated packing up and moving the 3000 miles back home. I may have cried.

Yeah, that first summer was rough. But I learned some very valuable lessons, tips, and tricks, on how to get through three to four months of triple-digit temperatures. I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to!

1. Go North!

The higher elevations of Arizona enjoy four full seasons (unlike the desert, which only boasts two – Hot, and Not Hot), with summer temperatures ranging in the high 70’s to low 80’s. Flagstaff is a popular destination for hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, and just plain ol’ getting out of the heat. Only a two-hour drive from the Phoenix metropolitan area, this college town is also popular for its shopping, fine and casual dining, and historic Route 66. It is a natural stopping-off place on the way to the Grand Canyon. It’s a great destination for a day-trip, or an extended stay.

If you and your family enjoy camping – tent or RV – the White Mountains recommend themselves as a beautiful, scenic, and COOL location. Show Low, Pinetop/Lakeside, and the surrounding areas offer countless improved campgrounds, and many areas where unimproved (non-hosted) camping is permitted. Big Lake, near Springerville, is a lovely remote area which hosts both tent and RV camping, and even boasts a handful of cabins for rent. There are public showers, boat rentals, and a general store – which is very handy, considering the hour-long drive back out to civilization if you’ve forgotten something vital.

2. Play Indoors!

Phoenix and the surrounding areas offer a wide variety of entertainment in cool, air-conditioned comfort. The Phoenix Art Museum is a world-class facility featuring permanent collections spanning cultures and genres, and a varied schedule of exhibitions and events. The museum is free to all on Tuesdays from 3:00-9:00 p.m., and the first Friday evening of each month from 6:00-10:00 p.m. At all other times, admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children.

Another popular destination, especially for families with young children, is the Arizona Science Center. There are many hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium. You’ll definitely want to schedule a full day to take advantage of everything the Science Center has to offer. General admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children. Special exhibits, the IMAX theater, and the planetarium are an additional cost.

Throughout the summer months, Chase Field is occupied by the Arizona Diamondbacks and visiting teams, as well as various scheduled sporting and non-sporting events. The stadium may have a vast retractable roof, but it stays closed during the summer months and is cooled to a comfortable 78 degrees, on average.

3. Resort Life!

Top resorts in Arizona are fully aware that it’s hard to entice customers to come play in 100+ degree temperatures. Many of them, such as the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, and The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa, offer significantly discounted rates and packages to appeal to “stay-cationers” and visitors alike.

Look for a resort with a large swimming pool or complex of water features. A swim-up bar isn’t a bad idea, either. Many resorts offer full and mini-spa treatments for men and women alike, as well as fitness classes, golf lessons, and entertainment for the children. Hundreds of locations offer a multitude of options, so go here to find the best place for you. The best rates are typically offered in the months of July and August.

4. Don’t Forget!

No matter what activities you indulge in while in Arizona, it is vitally important to remember these things:

• Water – First, foremost, and of the UTMOST importance, is water. Carry it with you everywhere and at all times. Keep a couple of gallon jugs of water in your trunk in case you break down. Freeze a few 16-oz water bottles, and when you’re ready to go out for the day, take them with you. They’ll melt (quicker than you’d think!) and keep your water cool for hours. It is vitally important to stay hydrated. Arizona is primarily a desert state and you can become dehydrated before you know it.
• Sunblock – Even if you plan on being indoors all day. Even if your exposure to the sunlight is limited. Please remember that it takes only TWO MINUTES of direct exposure to sunlight to get a burn during peak months. Sunblock your face (including the part in your hair and the tips of your ears!), neck, arms, and any other parts of you exposed to the sun. Don’t forget the tops of your feet if you’re wearing sandals!
• Hat – In tandem with the sunblock, a hat can go a long way toward keeping you cool, keeping the sun off of your head and face, and preventing dehydration.
• Sunglasses – Arizona is one BRIGHT state. Limit your eyes’ exposure to harmful UV rays by choosing lenses that block such light. Wearing sunglasses while driving also cuts down on the glare from the pavement and other vehicles. Plus, it’ll reduce the chance of crow’s feet!

This is but a very small selection of all of the available choices to escape the raging Arizona heat. I’ve indulged in them all – some more than a few times – and they’re some of the things that make it bearable to live in this state summer after summer (after summer).

Stay cool out there!

Museum of Flight in Seattle

If you are vacationing in the Seattle area and are looking for a cool daytrip for the whole family, consider a trip to The Museum of Flight. Located at the south end of Seattle’s Boeing Airport, The Museum of Flight is home to more than 150 historically significant air and spacecraft as well as several permanent exhibits which are sure to pique the interest of all in attendance. (Admission: Adults $14.00, Kids 5-17 $7.50)

I took my family on a recent outing with friends and we all had a terrific time. My 20-month-old is currently enamored with aircraft and the museum held his interest like few things do at that age. With several historic military, commercial, and experimental aircraft in the Main showroom (many hanging from the ceiling as if in mid flight), plus plenty of hands-on exhibits to see, this ended up being the perfect place to take a toddler on a rainy Seattle afternoon. There are numerous reasons to love visiting the Museum of Flight, but here are my top 10.

Top 10 Reason to love the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington

'Flying' Aircraft Adorn the Museum

2. International Space Station – There is a whole exhibit dedicated to the exploration of space. Included is my 20-Month-old’s personal favorite, a full sized replica of the International Space Stations Destiny Research Laboratory. This replica had stairs on both ends and gave visitors the ability to walk through the capsule, which featured a ‘window’ on the passing earth below. This had my little one coming back over and over again.

3. Views of Runway – As I mentioned earlier, the museum is actually on the south end of Boeing Field in Seattle. The design of the museum uses this to its advantage as there are several banks of window throughout giving patrons a unobstructed view of take-offs and landings of a variety of private and commercial aircraft. My son let out several shrieks of delight while watching.

4. Cockpits and Flight Simulators – These features offer hands on experience of what it is like to sit in a real cockpit and “experience flight without leaving the ground”. The flight simulator has several options which include being in a WWII dogfight. You can also sit in the cockpit of a real SR-71A Blackbird. I have to say this was an impressive experience.

Future 'Maverick' still needs his 'Goose'

5. The Kid’s Play Area – There was a dedicated toddler play area for the little ones. It was full of interesting flight related climbing toys, gears, and plenty of buttons, lights, and switches to keep the little ones occupied and happy while you gaze out at the impressive hanging aircraft collection.

6. William M. Allen Theater – A great place to go to kick back in a comfortable seat and let the history and education of flight come to you. Check with museum for shows and times.

7. Carl Sagan’s Sweater – Yes, Carl Sagan’s actual blue sweater was on display in the Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit. It is only one of numerous fascinating items relating to space exploration or the study of it, on display in this exhibit. You can simulate bringing the Space Shuttle in for a safe landing at the Kennedy Space Center or land the lunar module on the Moon and join Apollo astronauts in an exploration of the Moon’s surface.

Carl Sagan's Sweater

8. The Red Barn – The Red Barn, which was built in 1909, is the Boeing Company’s original manufacturing plant. It was transported to its current site in 1983 and houses two floors of rare artifacts and a re-created factory workshop. We personally enjoyed this exhibit because of its wide open spaces where our son could get down and wander without fear of breaking anything.

9. Museum Gift Shop – As far as museum gift shops go, this one easily ranks at the top of all those that I have ever visited. It is chock full of memorabilia related to flight. Toy planes, books, posters, clothing, patches, you name it. If it is aviation related, you are likely to find it at this great gift shop. There was even freeze dried ice cream, like the astronauts eat in space.

10. Control Tower – Being situated just off on an actual airport runway lends itself nicely to The Tower at Boeing Field exhibit. Everything you wanted to know about the complex system of communications between pilots and air traffic controllers can be learned in this interesting exhibit.

If you thinking of visiting the museum and are looking for Lodging options in the Seattle area, try starting here. Have fun visiting the Museum of Flight!

If you’re planning a trip, check out Seattle flights.