Journey2Wonder Reviews

Exit Glacier -- Seward, Alaska

2009-06-06T21:15:00.001-07:00

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The BEST THING was getting to be so close to the glacier and getting to touch it. Part of why this was the best was you could feel how solid the glacier ice is. It's so hard that when I tried to throw a piece against a rock, it just bounced off!

At the end of the glacier there was a big area full of gravelly stuff (till) that had been left there when the glacier retreated. It had streams running through it from glacial melt. To get to the foot of the glacier, there wasn't a trail for the last quarter mile. We had to walk across the gravel and ford the streams--yes, our feet got wet!

Kenai Fjords Glacier Cruise -- Seward, Alaska

2009-06-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

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If you're ever in Seward, Alaska, you should take one of the Glacier Cruises. When you're on the boat, ride for at least a little bit of the time at the front (bow) if you are allowed. I liked riding up front because it felt like you could see around better. You could also feel that the boat was moving--you didn't have to look around to see it. Some of the negatives of being up front are that the wind blows so hard it makes your hair go crazy and that when the boat hits waves you get drenched in spray!

While we were on the boat, we got to see some whales, both orcas and a humpback whale. The humpback whale was coming up, blowing a spurt of water in the air, then taking a breath and going back down. We saw the spray and then the tail as it dove. We saw the fins on the back of the orcas, and we also got to see them jump out of the water a couple of times!

Geocaching -- near Tok, Alaska

2009-05-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

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BEST THING: Actually getting to GO Geocaching cuz we haven't gotten to do it in ages! We did two caches:

The first one was near the Four Mile Lake. We had to walk on dirt and then on "muskeg" under the trees. (It's fun to walk on muskeg but kinda hard. When you step the muskeg squishes and your foot sinks in!) I got the prize from this one--a set of fancy barrettes. We left Elmo & Cookie Monster hair scrunchies!

The second one was over a BIG hill and then past that. I didn't find it--Jakob and Dad did. Jakob got a postcard for a prize and left some fancy button decorations.

The MOST SCARY thing was they went over a hill with tons and tons of snow. I sat near a bush and waited for them. At first Mom stayed by the road cuz she didn't think she could climb the steep part. But then when I was alone, Mom called and didn't get an answer from any of us. So then she came up to find me. Then I felt better!

FAMILIES should definitely try to geocache near Tok Alaska. The first one is good for everyone, but only do the second one if you have very big kids.

S.S. Klondike -- Whitehorse, Yukon

2009-05-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

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The S.S. Klondike is a place that the entire family will have fun walking through on the tour. One of the coolest parts was being able to see the size and furniture in the rooms. The first class people slept in rooms about as big as me and Anna's!!!

On the tour you get to see the places the passengers ate, slept, and had fun.

Besides that, you can see the sort of cargo the ship would have carried, and how the ship was powered.

We had fun looking at all of these things and a few more.

Families--come here and take the tour for a fun time!

The Yukon Beringia Centre -- Whitehorse, Yukon

2009-05-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

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We went to the Yukon Beringia Centre while in Whitehorse, and I had a lot of fun. When you first go inside there is a small room with a model of a type of cat that existed during the last ice age and was believed to be a hunter. One of the things we did was we watched a 17 minute long movie about Beringia.

After the movie, one of the people who worked there gave a demonstration on the atlatl. The atlatl is a piece of wood that is designed to work almost like an extension of your arm so you can throw a longer distance and with more force. The atlatl is about the length of the user's forearm and has a small point at one end facing the other end at an angle so it can hold the spear. I learned this from the demonstration and then I got to try it three times!!

Even without that the place was a lot of fun. All families should come here at least once.

Dad tried the atlatl also. Here are some photos:

Yukon Beringia Centre -- Whitehorse, Yukon

2009-05-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

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The BEST THING was getting to see what a glacier might look like, complete with water running down. This was the best because I've always wanted to see what a glacier would look like for real.

I thought that hearing some of the stories and watching the movie were the MOST BORING things there. The reason I found this boring was because it was too complicated for me to understand very well.

I really think that FAMILIES should come here. Something that they need to do is look for the glacier wall.

Reid Cemetary & Reid Falls -- Skagway, Alaska

2009-05-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

:-( -- Cemetary

Don't bother to stop and look at the cemetary if you have kids! Cuz it's really BORING!

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Go to the waterfalls back behind the cemetary. We guess it falls about 600 feet---but not all at once. It falls from ledge to ledge to ledge all the way down.

We found a good place for a fairy house, but I didn't get to go back to it to play. We drank some of the water and took some back in our water bottles. It was GOOD!

The Northern Lights Centre -- Watson Lake, Yukon

2009-05-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

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The Northern Lights Centre offers a spectacular Northern Lights viewing for people during the summer when they can't see them for themselves because it's too bright most of the time and there is almost no night. During the show they freely offer a number of the myths and legends that relate to the Northern Lights (or the Aurora Borealis) that were introduced by Gold Rushers and Indian People alike.

They also sometimes show a short program on space.

We had a lot of fun and I think that all families should go there.

The Signpost Forest -- Watson Lake, Yukon

2009-05-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

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The sign post forest is a spot that all families should go to. Inside the info center there is a small museum about the building of the Alaska Highway and the Yukon. When we went into the museum we had a little fun looking at the things in there. These included a couple of dioramas, and a number of billboards with a bunch of information on the Yukon and the highway.

Another fun part was looking at the signs and seeing all the places people came from. We saw a lot of plates from Oregon and other spots. There were license plates, wooden boards with writing on them, and a number of city limit signs. There was a plastic bottle with a note inside, nailed to one of the signposts. There were a couple of toilet seats, two spots where we saw ONE boot (not related to each other!), a smooshed soccer ball and a couple of other weird things!

We put up our own signs for The ROCK (Middle Bass Island), a license plate from Denver, and a small thing about James. If you have a sign, you can go into the visitor's center and they will let you borrow a hammer and some nails.

Every family should come here and look at the signs!

The Signpost Forest -- Watson Lake, Yukon

2009-05-15T21:00:00.001-07:00

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Of all the things that we did there, the BEST THING of all was thinking up our own signs. What made this the best was that even though we had help, we got to choose and stick up our own things for our signs.

I found that sitting around and staying so long was probably the MOST BORING. Part of why it was so boring was because there wasn't very much to do other than walk around and look at signs and play pretend which I don't always want to do.

FAMILIES should definitely come here and you have to bring and put up your own sign. If you don't have one, you can get wood from the hardware store to make one.

Liard Hot Springs

2009-05-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

We had only one regret about stopping at these hot springs---that we didn't plan for a longer stay so we could take two or three dips instead of just one!

This place is amazing--the hot mineral water is very relaxing (similar to Glenwood Hot Springs in Colorado) BUT the pools here are mostly natural shaped. You can relax in the water, enjoying blue skies above, tall trees surrounding the pool, and mosses and ferns decorating the banks. The end closest to the hot spring also had a pretty waterfall which helped cool the water down a little bit.

Randy enjoyed challenging himself to see how close he could get to the actual hot spring itself---without boiling!! He learned from a young hotshot that as long as you keep your arms moving to sweep the hottest water away from you, it's okay. Saner me (?!) declined to try it!

There is also a cooler area at one end, past a small waterfall, which was great for Jakob and Anna. They liked that it wasn't so hot and I liked that it was shallow enough not to have to worry about them :-)

We will DEFINITELY return here again---and plan at least an overnight next time! (Thanks, Dad, for urging us to stop here!)

Liard Hot Springs

2009-05-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

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Liard Hotsprings has two different springs as part of it even though it sounds like one spring to me. The two springs are called the alpha spring and the beta spring, the first one (alpha) is cooler and has a shallow bottom to it.

The second one (beta) is farther into the woods, is hotter, and is deep enough that you cant really touch the bottom even though you wouldn't want to touch it because its slimy. [Beta pool is in the above picture]

The alpha pool is in a crescent shape that splits into two parts, one that's a little bit hotter and the other part which is cooler which where me and anna went. We found two thick short logs that were floating inn the water as well as two tree trunks that span the width that we climbed onto and slid off of for entertainment.

It's great fun that all families should go to, and bring your kids!!

Liard Hot Springs -- BC

2009-05-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

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the BEST thing: Sitting under the waterfall! The area that we swam in was fun cuz it had some logs. You can pretend that they are a boat! It was NOT a swimming pool...it was a NATURAL place.

the HARDEST thing: having to leave when we wanted to stay!!!

the WORST thing: It was a very hard time to put our feet in the water. My feet STUNG all over! It was TOO hot. We got in the big pool for a little bit, but then we went to the pool at the end, past the waterfall cuz it was much more comfy.

FAMILIES: should definitely come here. Even if you are going past here, you should stop here for a couple of hours at least---especially if you have kids! The kids area is shallow enough you don't have to know how to swim.

Muncho Lake BC

2009-05-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

Plans--written 4/25/09

This is where the Alaskan Highway crosses the Rocky Mountains. Muncho Lake is supposed to be a beautiful example of a mountain lake. We hope to stay here overnight. We have a reservation for a lakeside RV site---but as of April 30th the RV park is still covered with snow. Hopefully it thaws enough for us to stay here on May 13th!

I'm sure we will have plenty of photos of the area when we pass through...

Review:

Yes, we have ZILLIONS of photos of the mountains surrounding the lake here. We indeed had a lakeside site---although the lake was still frozen so just white instead of brilliant turquoise blue :-(

As a warning: do NOT, repeat NOT, try to stay at this lodge. The prices were atrocious, the owner had told us a number of things that were either untrue or not feasible about the campgrounds, NOTHING was free including wifi and showers(although implied that it would be), etc, etc. I beat myself up for quite awhile about my stupidity in believing what was implied and for wasting our family money. Sigh...

Anna and I spent a number of hours on my bed--reading/playing and looking out the window to see from moment to moment which mountains were visible or hidden from sight.

Here are some of my favorite photos of that view:

Heritage Museum -- Fort Nelson BC

2009-05-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

Plans (posted 4/25/09):

Randy and I have had an interest in old cars for many years. Jakob is beginning to find them interesting as well. Hopefully Anna won't get TOO bored when we drag her here!

According to reviews, the Heritage Museum has an "amazing collection of historic vehicles." It also has a trapper's cabin. (Maybe that will be of more interest to Anna?!)

We plan to visit this place on May 12th. We will let you know what we think!

For more information: http://www.fortnelsonmuseum.ca/

Review:

The inside of this museum was a jammed-packed hodge-podge of a little bit of everything old found in or donated from the Fort Nelson community. There were news clippings, photos, furniture, mounted animals, a canoe, fire equipment, boxes and tins of food and medicines, old tools (Randy said these looked just like in the old garage at his family's farm!), and more. Even Anna found interesting things in here!

I stayed inside a while longer, talking to the woman working at the desk. Randy and the kids wandered out to the shed holding all the old cars. The owner continues to collect any old vehicle he can get his hands on, then lovingly fiddles with them to eventually get most of them running again. These cars aren't JUST for show--a few of them get driven in local parades each year! (I know a few guys, including Randy's brother Rick, who would LOVE to get the chance to drive these beauties, I'm sure!)

The replica of a trader's cabin was interesting, although bigger than one would be for the usual single trader living alone. Yes, Anna liked it---but enjoyed looking for "treasures" in the main museum more than this building.

This place is DEFINITELY worth a few hours to wander through!

Fort Nelson Heritage Museum -- BC

2009-05-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

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A few days ago I got to see a 101 year old car that had driven from Ft. Nelson to Whitehorse and back, a distance of nearly 1200 miles that go through mountains along the way! I got to see this at the Heritage Museum in Ft. Nelson which has a nice little inside museum as well as a lot of old equipment and cars. With the equipment we saw some of the bulldozers that built the Alaska Highway, some old tractors of several designs, and a few cars, most of which were still mainly intact and more or less recognizable.

We saw most of those when we were walking around outside and getting slightly cold...but when we were inside a car "shed" which was more like a barn, we saw at least 15 cars from various times that were all still running.

One of the cars we saw was an old Studebaker Champion with a bullet nose like the one that gets painted lots of wild colors in The Muppet Movie. Along one wall there was a whole line of old Ford Model T's and some Model A's as well. That was also the place where I saw the 101 yr old car that was still running.

This museum is a place that definitely should be visited by every family, and you should take a walk around the place as well.

Fort Nelson Heritage Museum -- BC

2009-05-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

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The BEST thing: I liked seeing the old cars. I think the coolest one was the one that they drove all the way to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. That was also the oldest one there.

The MOST BORING: We were there SO long. My legs were hurting cuz I was bored. I liked it at the beginning when there was so much to see. But then we were looking at stuff I didn't care about.

Families: come here for a little bit of time. The animals were especially interesting!
If my Grandpa Bob had gone here I think he would have liked the old cars best.

Dawson Creek BC -- Mile ZERO of the Alaska Hwy!

2009-05-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

Plans -- written 4/25/09

We plan to spend 3 nights and 2 full days in Dawson Creek, British Columbia from Friday May 8th through Monday 5/11.

Dawson Creek is the official beginning of the trek to Alaska. It has a large milepost in the center of town---Milepost 0 of the Alaskan Highway. We will be sure to get a family photo standing next to this marker and post it here.

This will also be where we get an oil change, new air filter, and add extended towing mirrors and mud flaps to the truck. Then, Alaskan Highway here we come!

Review/Photos posted 5/11/09:

Here is a photo of our family taken by the ceremonial Mile 0 Marker by the Visitor's Centre in Dawson Creek. (We traded photographer duties with another family here at the same time as us to get one of the few FAMILY photos of us!)

This is a photo of the original Mile 0 marker one block away from the Visitor's Centre. The Highway originally went down the main street of town, now it follows the railroad tracks at the edge of town.

We indeed got the oil change and new air filter here in town. The only extended mirrors were in the next town down the highway, so we didn't pick them up til the day we left. Then Randy & Jakob didn't actually get them put on for another few days!

Dawson Creek History Museum -- British Columbia

2009-05-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

I didn't mention this place in our plans for visiting Dawon Creek...but it was worth seeing. We spent quite alot of time studying the stuffed birds, trying to figure out which ones we had already seen. Aren't these owls cool?!

Anna wanted Bitty's (her unicorn) picture taken with the wolf.

Randy and I found the early snowmobile fascinating---especially since it was built by teen boys PLUS they have been given no credit for inventing the snowmobile, even though theirs was closer to today's style than the one usually credited as being first. They added a motor and a track to their old wooden kick sled.

I liked the working model plane. It reminded me of the big yellow one my dad had when I was a kid---and of the little red line-controlled one I made and flew with my dad. I had forgotten about those happy memories!

Dawson Creek History Museum

2009-05-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

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The Dawson creek history museum is a place that is somewhat interesting to a little bit older kids because there is a room with a bunch of old things such as instruments, paintings, toys, and other household things. In the room before that, there is a lot of stuffed birds and animals (as in elk and that sort of thing, not toys). In the other end of the building there is models of the old train station and how it would have worked and the station masters house in the station.

Kids might like it but it depends on the things that the child likes, but bring them anyway.

Dawson Creek History Museum -- British Columbia

2009-05-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

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The COOLEST thing: all the animals and birds that were there. They were in scenes. There were different owls. There were different water birds. There were big mammals. The mountain goat was cool. It's like a bighorn sheep. Bitty [unicorn stuffed animal] liked looking at the WOLF. The SAD thing: that all these animals got killed and stuffed.

There was also a HISTORY part of the museum. It was about people who traveled here. There was stuff like jewelry, a quilt, a OLD washing machine, other furniture, some clothes, and...a really cool model airplane. It really FLEW! Mom says that Grandpa Bob had one kinda like it and she had a little one.

Families should go here to see all the animals. The other stuff was kinda boring. Daddy liked it cuz it helped us figure out some of the animals we've seen.

Alaska Highway House -- Dawson Creek BC

2009-05-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Plans -- written 4/25/09

I'm excited to eventually visit this small museum about the construction of the Alaskan Highway. My paternal grandfather spent time in Watson Lake, Yukon Territories helping to build an airplane hangar while the road was being built. I like the idea that I have a family connection to the road we are about to follow all the way to Alaska!!

Here's a photo of part of the map of the highway from this museum, which talks about the significance of the air field in Watson Lake:

For more information: http://www.tourismdawsoncreek.com/alaska_highway_house.php

Review:

This was a small museum, but full of interesting detail. The combination of signage, quotes from journals or letters, and exhibits helped us better understand how big of an undertaking the construction of the highway really was.

It is absolutely amazing what was accomplished in just 9 months when put into the hands of the army---it would take years and years to do today, if it could even be done over the objection of environmentalists!

This photo shows a want ad put in various newspapers, looking for workers for the highway project. I'm not quite sure WHY anyone would have chosen to participate if not done involuntarily because of being in the Army!!

We also watched an hour long video here. Anna got bored, but the rest of us found it full of interesting information.

For now, this museum is donation based. I suggest a generous donation since it helps to fund future exhibits!

Alaska Highway House

2009-05-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

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The Alaska Highway House is a place that all families should go to.

Inside there is a lot to learn about the building of the highway during world war II and other things about it. The highway covered a distance of approximately 1500 miles and was built in only nine months. It was really hard work. How the highway was built is one of the things you can learn there. you can go through the posters about it or you can just watch the movie that they have in the back corner of the museum...

I personally suggest that you read the posters and then watch the movie for a little more info.

Alaska Highway House -- Dawson Creek BC

2009-05-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

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The BEST thing: the model of the Kiskitiwam wooden bridge being built. It was a really curved bridge and part of it looked like metal but it wasn’t. The next day we drove to see the actual bridge and walked on it!

The thing I wish we did NOT do: watch the movie. It was mostly people talking about the different people who were there and were building everything on the Alaska Highway.

Families should MAYBE come here…but do NOT watch the movie if you have kids!

Look at the pictures at the beginning---there is a jeep on a dirt road, an old car driving the road later, and an RV driving it like we are doing.

Banff (Canadian) National Park -- ALBERTA

2009-05-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

4-25-09 -- We plan to make a day trip to Banff and to Lake Louis on May 5th. I have been told by many people over many years that this is some of the most beautiful scenery any where in the world! We will give you our own impressions after we see it for ourselves.

Unfortunately the Icefields Parkway running between Lake Louise and Jasper still have winter driving conditions as of April 30th, with full snow cover, so we are making this just a day trip instead of driving the full length of the park.

For more information: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/index_e.asp

May 6th -- We took a day trip to visit Lake Louise and Banff in the National Park. The visitor's centre was excellent at Lake Louise---focused on the geology of the area, including a video that Jakob enjoyed. We also liked the animals posed on "cliffs" in the lobby area--including a mama bear who finally had to be killed because she kept returning to the area campgrounds, no matter how far they flew her away!

Lake Louise is indeed in a beautiful setting, a high lake surrounded by mountain peaks. Unfortunately it was still ice & snow covered so we enjoy mountains reflected in bright turquoise green water.

We oohed and aahed over the views along the drive back toward Banff. Then we walked along the falls just outside of the town of Banff. They were quite different than any other falls we have seen---with many, many narrow channels of water jumping and splashing between layers of rock. That was definitely worth taking the time to see!

I've heard from a number of friends how gorgeous this area is---and it is indeed beautiful. But...since then we have travelled to many other areas that are just as beautiful...plus have almost NO people. We enjoyed this day trip---but I suspect we would have hated it in full summer with a zillion people crowding around.

Calgary, ALBERTA

2009-05-05T23:30:00.000-07:00

4/25/09 -- We plan to spend at least part of a day in Calgary. It looks like there are a number of outstanding things to see (such as Historic Park and the Canadian Olympic Center), however the most interesting parts of these places don't open until May 16th. We will let you know if we find any "don't miss" sites in Calgary while we are there!

5/5/09 -- We visited both the Canada Olympic Centre AND Fort Calgary. Both were excellent places to visit with families.

I was surprised to find that the Olympic Centre was free to wander as you wanted. (The Museum and Hall of Fame had a fee---so we didn't bother with that part.) Because our family enjoys watching "Cool Running" about the Jamaican Bob Sled Team which competed here in 1988, we especially enjoyed getting a close up view of the bob sleigh track.

Randy and Jakob explored much of the entire length of the track. After exploring the bottom portion including the finish line area, Jakob and Anna played on a fun playground. I stayed there longer with Anna while Jakob wandered off with Dad.

Fort Calgary was one of the better history museums we have been to---excellent hands-on activities for kids. We really needed more time---so the kids could have done more playing at various points, and so that Randy and I could have looked through the "scrapbooks" filled with photos and journal quotes in the many areas of this museum.

Calgary is definitely an interesting city, although we HATE the urban sprawl, and how close all the houses are to each other. There are enough things we didn't have time for (or were here at the wrong season) that we will have to plan a longer stay some other time.

Fort Calgary (Calgary AB)

2009-05-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

Fort Calgary is an old Canadian Royal Mounted Police posting. It is a fun-for-all place with a fair amount of facts. There is a treasure hunt for kids and the treasure hunt also has some small prizes. You have to go into every area to find some of the things.

A "Must-See" for the family!

[PS--kids had BETTER behave or moms can put them in "jail"!!]

Fort Calgary (Calgary AB)

2009-05-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

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BEST thing: being able to dress up! There were different mountie uniforms. And you could "ride" in a trolley. And you could dress up in old clothes to be a driver or a fancy lady in an old car.

WORST thing: we didn't have enough time to play pool [billiards] or play with the trains or play the old games in the backyard place.

for FAMILIES: do the treasure hunt. You pick out a card or two. They you have to look for that thing somewhere. Look real carefully--some are tricky! Then tell the person at the desk where you found it. You will get a small prize!

Canada Olympic Park (Calgary AB)

2009-05-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

BEST: Seeing a real bobsled track, even though there was no-one on it.

WORST: Being there in between the seasons and not being able to do any of the activities.

Canada Olympic Park -- Calgary AB

2009-05-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

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Most INTERESTING: getting to actually SEE a bobsled track. It was cool! You could walk right up and look into it. It was bigger than I thought from TV.

SAD thing: We couldn't ski or do any of the other things cuz winter season is over and the other stuff isn't open for the summer yet.

for FAMILIES: Make SURE you wear a coat even if it's sunny. The wind in spring is COLD. Also, go to the playground in the middle of the bobsled track. It's FUN!

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument -- WY (May 2)

2009-05-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

4/25/09 --We plan to make a day trip of this location on May 2nd. This is where the infamous "Custer's Last Stand" occured. Although it is now a USA National Monument, it is on Crow Agency Indian Lands.

5/2/09 -- Because we got into our campsite so early in the afternoon and because the weather was warm and sunny, we ended up visiting this place on Friday, May 1st instead. Then we returned for just a little while on Saturday, May 2nd so the kids could show Randy the Indian Memorial, which he had missed when he made a quick stop the day before.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm

I found the scattered white stones to be very evocative. Each one is placed where a soldier was found dead. It gives some idea of the movements of the group---and gives a much clearer idea of how desperate they must have been by the end. The tombstone for the horse cemetery gave a similar feel---how hard it must have been to have killed their own horses as a last ditch effort at survival for themselves.

The Indian Memorial was beautiful. The ideas behind it, spelled out in signs near the site, were really touching---looking for reconciliation, healing and peace between peoples. The memorial plus the film inside the visitors center made the valid point that the indians were fighting to protect their families, their homes, and their way of life. The 7th Cavalry were doing their jobs...but they were indeed the invaders. We had interesting family discussions about war, and fighting, and rights, and differing cultural views...

If you are in the area...DEFINITELY take time to stop here!

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

2009-05-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

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Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is a fairly interesting place to go. It was originally dedicated to Lt. Custer ( Custer's last stand), but was renamed to honor all those who died, soldiers and Indians and otherwise.

its an OK place for family's to come to, but is not necessarily a must-see for others.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

2009-05-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

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The MOST INTERESTING thing: something the ranger said--that Lt. Custer was born in OHIO!!!!!!

A SAD thing: so many people died. There was even a horse cemetary---the soldiers even killed their own horses and hid behind them to try to stay alive. But it didn't work.

for FAMILIES: You can get another Junior Ranger Badge here. Try and see if the program in the national cemetery (there is a button to push...) is working when you go.

And also, you might like to dance by the horse statues in the Native American memorial circle!

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center--Casper WY

2009-04-30T17:55:00.001-07:00

This was one of the BEST museums we have seen so far. It included in-depth looks at each of the historic trails that passed through this area: the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, and the Pony Express. It has many truly hands-on exhibits (not just computer screens to click for information).

I'm usually not very interested in the movies at parks and museums, however this one was quite good. It used voices reading journal excerpts along with narration to explain the basics of travelling west in the 1800s. A mix of video and still photos were blended and shown on 5 screens above life-size dioramas of travelers. Typical sounds which would have been heard accompany the narration in surround sound format. DON'T MISS this movie!

For more information: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/NHTIC.html

National Historic Trails Center

2009-04-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

:-)

The BEST thing: Seeing the Pony Express exhibit. There was an actual horse and they went fast, fast and they delivered mail.

Another FUN thing: playing with the pieces to have wagons cross a bridge over the Platte River. You had to get the parts all the way across with people on both sides to take care of things.

The most BORING thing: (1) staying so long. It kind of hurt my legs to stand around. (2) not being able to do a junior ranger badge. They don't have the program yet!

For FAMILIES:
(1) If you like horses, look at the pony express area. Also, try out the telegraph.

(2) Try crossing the river in the fake wagon. It's kind of bumpy but you don't really get wet! Don't be worried if you see things floating off on the river...and DON'T get up. You might tip over the wagon!

national historic trails center

2009-04-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

:-)

National historic trails is an excellent place for the whole family to go to.

There are several hands on things for kids to do. These include packing a "trunk", virtually riding a covered wagon, pulling a handcart, and lifting a 65 pound backpack. There is some informative stuff that is nice for adults and kids might like it as well....

Every family should go here at least once to try it out.

(Plans) Alaskan Pipeline

2009-04-25T20:39:00.000-07:00

Didja know my dad helped to design the oil pipeline which carries crude oil from northern alaska down to shipping in the south? So, I have two, count 'em TWO, generations of family who have involvement in Alaska!

We plan to learn more about the pipeline and take photos beside it (or under it!) There is a visitor center just outside of Fairbanks. http://fairbanks-alaska.com/trans-alaska-pipeline.htm

We can also tour Pump Station No. 9 near Delta Junction and see where the pipeline crosses the Tanana River just north of that town.

We'll let you know what we learn!

(Plans) Riverboat Discovery Cruise -- Fairbanks, AK

2009-04-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

We are making reservations to take this riverboat cruise on the Chena river in Fairbanks. It is possible we will be tired of canned, tourist tours and will cancel our reservations. If not, we will have a guided tour Chena Village, of an athabascan fish camp, and a fly-over demo by a bush pilot in a float-plane.

Let us know if YOU think we should take this trip...or should cancel our reservations!! Info: www.riverboatdiscovery.com

(Plans) Fairbanks, AK

2009-04-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

We plan to spend another full week in Fairbanks, AK (from July 5th through July 12th). While we are in the area, we plan to take some more R&R time, plus some final alaska sightseeing.

This will be our last chance for window-shopping, including at a local fur company www.alaskarawfur.com

By now we might be totally sick of museums. If not, we will probably take time for Pioneer Park. This special park has a number of small museums, plus mini-golf, and a Big Stampede Show (about the Gold Rush). This feels pretty laid-back so we might well check it out! http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark/visitor_information/visitor_information.htm

We will possibly also visit the UAF Museum of the North which has highly rated exhibits on art, culture, history and wildlife of alaska. Info: www.uaf.edu

Then again, maybe we won't do much of ANYTHING!!!

(Plans) Denali National Park, Alaska

2009-04-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

We are HOPING for a clear view of Mt. McKinley while we are in the area. (Apparently that is somewhat rare in the summer because the mountain creates its own weather and is usually shrouded with clouds...)

We plan to spend a few days (July 3rd through 5th) here in this park. I'm hesitant to schedule a long-day tour bus trip through the park. So, we will just see what we can on the free shuttle buses which travel up to 15 miles into the park. We also plan to see a Dog Sled demonstration (maybe then my family will better understand my fascination with the Iditarod race??!!) While we are here, Anna will gather one more Junior Ranger badge.

For more information about this park which holds the highest mountain in North America: http://www.nps.gov/dena/

(Plans) Hurricane Turn Train -- Talkeetna AK

2009-04-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Didja know there is still a "flag-stop train" that makes regular runs? This is the only way trappers and people living in remote cabins in central Alaska can get to their homes. They take this train out of Talkeetna. When they want to catch it for a return to "civilization," they just flag the train down with a large square of white material!!

I loved some of the rules and regulations---which included that dogs (for sleds or hunting) must be caged for the trip and stipulated that all carcasses must be already butchered and wrapped up in a proper bag!! Yep! It's another "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore" experience!

We plan to take the 5 hour roundtrip train trip on July 2nd to see more of the remote areas of Alaska. It would be fun to get off the train and flag it down to get back to the start...but I'm not sure we are THAT adventuresome!! We'll let you know!

More information: http://www.akrr.com/arrc127.html

(Plans) Anchorage Again...

2009-04-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

While Jill is attending the Idita-Summer Camp (June 21st through June 29th), Randy, Nettie, Jakob and Anna will be doing a variety of things in the Anchorage area and in the Mat-Su valley (around Palmer and Wasilla). I don't know for sure what they will do...

Here are some of the possibilities:

Alaska Native Heritage Center (includes music and dancing by native americans, plus native village sites with interpreters in an outdoor setting) www.alaskanative.net

Anchorage Museum (supposed to be the best museum choice with art, history, science and culture of Alaska) www.anchoragemuseums.org

There is a huge playground, skateboard park, and BMX track in Wasilla.

There is both a reindeer farm www.reindeerfarm.com AND a musk ox farm www.muskoxfarm.org in the Mat-Su valley.

They could go to a baseball game of the Summer Collegiate League of the Alaskan Baseball League. Apparently these are VERY competitive games---teams throughout Alaska in this summer league attract collegiate/future major league players from all over North America. For more information and commentary about this league: www.matsuminers.org and www.alaskabaseballleague.com and http://www.modernerabaseball.com/id29.html

(Plans) Idita-Summer Camp -- Wasilla AK

2009-04-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

Didja know that Jill has followed the Iditarod Sled Dog Race (held yearly in Alaska--from Anchorage to Nome) for YEARS?? Yep, ask some of my kids who were forced to learn about this race and follow it as part of home-school curriculum!

Seeing the start of this race AND its finish 9+ days later in Nome AK is in my "book of dreams" (things I would like to do sometime in my life...) That may still be a long time before it happens, but I've found the next best thing:

I discovered this year that the Iditarod Committee holds a 9 day summer camp for educators. The purpose is to give hands-on experience and special speakers to cover many aspects of the race. We will also visit some museums in Anchorage and will write our own lesson plans to share with each other. I'm SO EXCITED!!

To see the tentative schedule of what will be covered during the camp: http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/2009/04/08/2009-summer-camp-for-teachers/

To learn more about this race: www.iditarod.com

PS: anyone who might be inclined to give me a birthday gift (May 27th) could send money to Randy toward the cost of this camp instead!! (It's not cheap...but it certainly is a dream-come-true!)

(Plans) Winner Creek Gorge -- Girdwood AK

2009-04-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

We hope to make time (June 19th) for a hike along this gorge and a trip by hand-tram across the gorge. Supposed to be beautiful---we'll let you know!

More information: http://www.akhs.atfreeweb.com/Hikes/Winner.htm

(Plans) Historic Crow Creek Gold Mine (!!!) -- Girdwood AK

2009-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Yep! On June 20th, if the weather cooperates, we plan to try our hand(s) at panning for gold! There are historic buildings gathered here. "Miners" are given equipment to use and can see what they can collect out of the creek. The website promises "lots of photographs!" which means I obviously can't skip this place, right?!

I will certainly post photos of our "miners" ... and we will let you know if we "strike it rich" !! (yeah, right...)

More information: http://www.crowcreekmine.com/index.htm/History_of_a_Gold_Mine.html

(Plans) Sterling AK (Kenai Penninsula)

2009-04-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

We plan to spend 3 nights/2 full days based here with possible area day trips (June 16th through June 19th).

We could take a trip to the town of Kenai---which offers a tour of a fish processing plan, walking tour of the old town, and hanging out at the kenai river beach to watch fishermen, possibly see beluga whales, and check out the volcanoes visible across the bay. (Will Mt. Redoubt still be spewing ash while we are in the area??!!)

We also hope to take a day trip to the K'Beq' Interpretive Center which focuses on the native american views of life, traditional plant use and storytelling. More information: http://www.kenaitze.org/KBeq/Index.html

(Plans) Homer AK

2009-04-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

We plan to be in Homer Alaska for a full week of R&R (June 9th through June 16th). There are many laid-back things to do here...and we plan to be as laid-back as possible! There is window-shopping at art galleries and boutiques along the "spit." There are fishermen to watch. There is fresh caught halibut to try...okay, maybe Randy and Nettie will try it! We can try clamming and exploring tide pools along the beach. We hope to have dinner and get to know Jill's cousin Amy better while we are here. If we get desperate for museums, there are two for us to check out:

The Pratt Museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits about life in the Homer area: www.prattmuseum.org

There is also a good place to learn more about the ocean and land environments of the area at the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center www.islandsandocean.org
They apparently have special programs for kids throughout the summer---maybe we will be organized enough to check these out as well?!

(Plans) Kenai Fjords Tours -- Seward AK

2009-04-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

All of us are excited about this tour (scheduled for May 6th). It is the "splurge" of the summer. It's not cheap...but we hope it is well worth the price! (As always, we will let you know!) We will take a 5 hour tour along Resurrection Bay---with the hopes of seeing whales and of seeing glaciers "calve" off icebergs. This tour also includes a stop on shore for a park ranger talk and for an all-u-can-eat salmon & prime rib lunch!

For more information: www.kenaifjords.com (see the description of the "Resurrection Bay Tour")

(Plans) Kenai Fjords National Park -- Seward AK

2009-04-25T19:26:00.000-07:00

Time for another National Park visit. (Probably on Friday June 5th.) Another Junior Ranger badge is calling Anna's name! While here, we will learn more about glaciers at the visitor's center. Plus, we hope to walk to Exit Glacier and see its face.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/kefj/

(Plans) Lake Hood Air Harbor -- Anchorage AK

2009-04-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

Yep! That's right! This is an air HARBOR...not an air port. This lake has the largest concentrations of float planes taking off and landing on any given summer day any where in the world (approx 800 take-offs and landings daily!!)

I am certain we will spend some time watching the planes here. Randy is also hoping to take a flight with an instructor so he can see what it's like...and maybe even practice a take off and landing or two. (If he doesn't arrange it for May 28th through June 4th, he will try this later in June when we return to the area.)

Hopefully we will have some photos for you...and maybe a little video footage as well!

(Plans) Alaskan Earthquake 1964 -- Anchorage AK

2009-04-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

The Earthquake that hit Alaska in 1964 made huge changes in the land. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America.

While we are in Anchorage May 28th through June 4th we plan to learn more about this traumatic event. We will visit Earthquake Park, which has outdoor exhibits and signs. It is also an excellent place to view the incoming bore-tide, if we time the visit correctly.

We also plan to visit the Alaska Experience Theatre which includes an 180 degree wraparound multimedia show all about Alaska plus an earthquake exhibit which includes the full sensory experience of shaking, rumbling floors and building. We will let you know if this highly advertised show is a "tourist trap" or well-worth-visiting! Info: www.alaskaexperiencetheatre.com

(Plans) Alaska Wild Berry Products -- Anchorage AK

2009-04-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hey, we CAN'T miss this place! It has a chocolate waterfall, plus free tours and tastes. For a choco-holic, the question won't be "will I buy anything?"...it will be "WHAT will I buy?" Nettie will be with us...so she will definitely be my "partner-in-crime." :-)

Here are some fun fact pages about chocolate and about this factory/store:
http://www.alaskawildberryproducts.com/education/

(Plans) Anchorage AK

2009-04-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

We plan to spend a week in Anchorage Alaska (from May 28th through June 4th)Nettie will join us here to spend a month exploring Alaska with us.(YAY! It will be good to see her!)

Since it will have been 6 months since Randy's last MRI and CT scans, we plan to arrange for more check-up/monitoring tests while we are here.

We hope to enjoy watching fishermen along the river at midnight. We plan to enjoy some window-shopping in town. We've read that we MUST taste reindeer sausage purchased from a street vendor. We also hope to visit the Vineyard Church in Anchorage while we are there.

We will try to keep you updated on what we are seeing and experiencing while we are in this city!

(Plans) Wrangell-St. Elias National Park -- AK

2009-04-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

We plan a day trip to visit this park---the largest anywhere in the USA's National Park system. We will spend time at the Visitor's Center to learn more about the mining in the area and to learn about the environment in this area of Alaska---land, climate, animals, plants, etc. We also hope to do a little hiking here---don't you think stretching our legs after thousands of miles of driving is a good idea?!! Anna will also work to get another Junior Ranger badge here.

For more information about this park: http://www.nps.gov/wrst/

(Plans) Glennallen AK

2009-04-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

We will be staying 3 nights in Glennallen Alaska. It will be high time for a rest break by now! We won't have finished the entire length of the Alaskan Highway...but we will finish the last few 10s of miles when we leave Alaska from Fairbanks headed back to the lower 48 sometime in mid-July.

We will be staying at a campground with (supposed) stream-side RV sites, plus a short walk to its very own bubbling mudpot spring. (Maybe a small substitute for Yellowstone National Park which was still snowed in when we left Wyoming on May 1st!!)

(Plans) May 24th -- In Alaska for the Summer--FINALLY!!

2009-04-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

We plan to enter Alaska sometime on May 24th to stay through much of the summer. After almost a month of travel, we will finally reach this state. (Can it REALLY be part of the USA when it is SO far separated from the rest of the states??!!

(Plans) Whitehorse Yukon Territories

2009-04-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

We don't know for sure how much energy we will have for sightseeing by the time we have gotten this far (historical milepost 918 on the Alaskan Highway). We know we plan some rest and relaxation time for the 4 nights and 3 full days we will be here.

Some of the sightseeing possibilities include:

Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre (about the animals and people who crossed the bering land bridge and lived in this area): www.beringia.com

SS Klondike (Canadian) National Historic Site (tour of a sternwheeler boat which helped supply the Klondike gold camps): http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/yt/ssklondike/index_e.asp

If we still have energy after the above, we may check out the Yukon Transportation Museum (cars, planes, and a whole lot more) www.yukontransportationmuseum.ca

We will let you know what we decide to do...and what we think of the places we visit!

(Plans) The Days of '98 Show -- Skagway AK

2009-04-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

We are hoping to catch this musical revue show about Soapy Smith on May 18th. We learned a little bit about this con-man from studying Colorado Mining History. Eventually, Soapy made his way up to the gold camps of Alaska.

For more information about the show: http://thedaysof98show.eskagway.com/index.htm

For more information about con-man Soapy Smith: http://www.soapysmith.net/page35.html

(Plans) Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park -- Skagway AK

2009-04-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

This will be our first stop in Alaska. Skagway doesn't actually connect directly to other parts of Alaska by any route other than by ferry, so this will be a short 3 night/2 day visit (May 17th through May 20th) back to the USA surrounded by time in Canada both before and after this.

Skagway was the entry point for the Klondike Gold Rush miners to head further north to the gold fields in search of riches. This Visitor's Center tells the story of hopes and heartbreaks for these miners. I wish we could attempt to hike at least part of the Chilkoot Trail...but we are definitely NOT prepared for that much difficulty! (Yes, we would have FAILED as Klondike Gold Rush miners!)

Anna will get another Junior Ranger badge here to add to her collection.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/klgo/index_old.htm

(Plans) Northern Lights Centre -- Watson Lake YT

2009-04-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

We will spend a day in Watson Lake, Yukon Territories, on May 15th. This center has a reportedly awesome planetarium show about the Aurora Borealis. Since we will not be in Alaska during the winter and will miss seeing the Northern Lights in person, this might just be the next best thing. We will let you know!

For more information: www.northernlightscentre.ca

Casa Grande National Monument

2009-04-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

:-)

Most INTERESTING: Being able to walk into the rooms. The houses were on the open ground, not in a canyon like at Walnut Canyon. Also, these houses were MUCH bigger. The walls were taller than me. There weren't any roofs. There was also a huge building in the middle.

Most BORING: Not being able to go into the big castle. Now there's big bars to keep people out.

For FAMILIES: This is another place to get your Junior Ranger Badge. Here is a picture of me being "sworn in" as a Junior Ranger. This was my seventh badge!

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

2009-03-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

:-)

Saguaro National Park is an interesting park.

The visitor's center has a few little facts and a couple of displays.

It also has a little walking trail for when it hasn't rained recently. The reason you can't go on it if it's rained recently is because it goes along a dry creek bed.

Saguaro National Park

2009-03-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

:-)

Most FUN: Getting another Junior Ranger badge. This time the Ranger made an announcement to the whole visitor center!

the WORST thing: having to walk around so much.

Families should go here so you can see different cacti. Drive a ways then walk on a trail up the hills. You can even wander OFF the trail, if you are careful of the pricklies. And make sure your kids do the Jr. Ranger program!

This is a picture of one of the Saguaro Cacti. (You say it Suh-Wa-Roe!!!)

Then there is a close-up of the lines of pricklies on the whole cactus.

WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL PARK

2009-03-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

:-)

Walnut Canyon is a pretty cool place because you can see the place where people used to live about 800 years ago. One of the only down sides is that you have to go down around 200 steps to get to the ruins.

But if you don't want to have the hassle of going down the steps, there is a lookout balcony so you can see the canyon and a few of the ruins in the walls.

There is also a little museum inside the visitor's center that tells a little bit about the people that lived there.

Walnut Canyon National Park

2009-03-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

:-)

BEST Thing: was getting to walk into the houses down low. You could see the soot from hundreds of years ago!

the most TIRESOME Thing: was having to walk down so many steps and so many ramps. Then we had to walk aaaallllll the way back up again. I'm getting tired just thinking about it!

Families should go here, as long as they try to get their Junior Ranger Badge. (Then the museum isn't quite so boring cuz it's a scavenger hunt!) Go see my other blog to read all about what it was like. ( http://imagineanna.blogspot.com/ )

Larry's Antique Store -- Cottonwood, AZ

2009-03-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

The most INTERESTING thing: the old washing machine you rocked with a handle. That would have been hard work! Make sure to find this machine when you are there! (unless they finally sold it!)

The WORST/most FRUSTRATING thing: we ran out of time and couldn't see everything outside.

If your family likes anything old, or if you like to see lots of junk and look for interesting things in it, you should DEFINITELY come here!

ANTIQUE STORE (Cottonwood, AZ)

2009-03-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

:-)

Larry's Antiques is an old antique store that has tons of different antiques of all the shapes, sizes, and descriptions that you can think of. It's lots of fun for everyone in the family, including kids.

JEROME, AZ

2009-03-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

:-)

:-0

Jerome, the well populated ghost town...yeah, that's exactly what I said, GHOST TOWN. Yeah right.

Well I guess it was kind of fun...I mean we got to see a fair amount of art, fancy chairs, odd paintings, a glassblowing demonstration, you get the idea.

There was even an "old" playground: it had one basic jungle gym, a swing set, and a Calvin and Hobbs slide (steep metal ladder to a straight, slippery metal slope with no flat at the end...)

Jerome

2009-03-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

:-)

Most FUN: Getting to hula hoop at a park. The playground was a flat place on the hill between two levels of buildings.

Most BORING: Reading all the signs that told about the old buildings (and lots of the buildings are fallen down.)

Families: Look for wandering chickens! We found a rooster and a hen by a building. When they got afraid of us, they ran back home which was down the steps from the road.

You also have to bring lots of coins! You can throw 'em through a fence into part of a building [as a fund-raiser for the historical society]. The funniest target was getting coins into the outhouse hole!

RIO VERDE RV PARK

2009-03-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

:-)

Rio Verde is a nice RV Park with a small stream running right near it and with a small public picnic area near the middle that is nice and shady and usually gets a comfortable breeze. There are a few antenna TV channels and a cable hookup.

FORT VERDE (AZ) STATE PARK

2009-03-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

:-)

Fort Verde is an excellent place to see and discover how a soldier's fort used to work. There are a few fixed buildings filled with re-bought antiques for you to see what the rooms might have been like when they were being used.

And there is a "visitor's center" with a small museum with some historical information.

Fort Verde State Park

2009-03-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

:-)

MOST INTERESTING: Seeing the fancy swords the soldiers only wore for parties and things. They were streaks of bright silver metal. The place they held it was al curly-cued. And one of the swords had a covering made out of FISH skin!

MOST BORING: Having to hear Dad talk about it! I mostly wanted to play around and just look at it without studying it.

FAMILIES should visit here. Make sure your kids do the Junior Ranger program. Inside the museum make sure to look for the swords! And look for the sidesaddle...you put one leg up and around the hook and one leg was down. It didn't look very comfortable!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

2009-03-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

:-)

The Grand Canyon is an amazing sight. On a clear day you can see the however many miles from one side to the other as well as the full mile to the bottom. And as dad pointed out there are a lot of canyons inside the canyon, with canyons inside them.

Although some things were more fun, such as climbing the watchtower building at the east end of the canyon. And everyone should go to a ranger talk of some sort. The one I went to was about California Condors. As a random fact,did you know that their wingspan is almost nine and a half feet long? that talk is at four o' clock in the evening every day.

Sedona

2009-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

:-)

Most INTERESTING Thing: Getting to see Elephant Rock--it was really cool! There were houses built right near the red-rock shapes. I bet they get good views! (Also, see review of Church of the Holy Cross---that was the best thing...)

Most BORING Thing: like always--having to sit in the car so long. It was worse because it was hard to find parking.

Families should go here but try to find a time with less people so you can find parking!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

2009-03-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

:-)

BEST THING: Seeing the Colorado River. We saw boats floating on it! They looked like just white dots but someone showed them to us. They were so small because they were SO far away! Someday I want to take a mule ride to get down to the bottom and see the river up close.

WORST THING: Having to go see it every day makes it get boring!!

Families should come here. Younger kids should make sure and get a Junior Ranger Badge. [Ask how at any information center.] We went to the talk about Condors and other birds and you should go to that one, too. You should either take the mule ride or at least hike down the canyon a little ways.

Newspaper Rock, Utah

2009-03-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

:-)

SOMETHING I LIKED: I liked the six-toed feet. There were lots of them on the wall. There was one seven-toed foot. And there were lots of little four-toed feet. (And there were some regular feet like ours.)

BORING: I wish we didn't stay so long. Mom and Dad stayed so that they could take lots of pictures. Jakob and I played on the rocks when we got tired of looking.

Other families should come here as long as they're higher than 14 years old!!

Newspaper Rock, Utah

2009-03-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

:-)

Newspaper rock is a rock that various Indians used over the centuries. They scratched pictures into the rock, as to their meaning we have no idea. There were several places on the rock where you could find six toed feet. As for me, I found a Seven toed foot there!

One of the only bad things is the drive to get there because its 20-30 some mile drive off the highway on a smaller road. :-(

Arches National Park

2009-03-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

:-

BEST: Seeing Balanced Rock. It was actually balanced on a tall skinny rock! It doesn't even fall but it will someday.

I also liked the windows. If you got up to the North Window you could actually be under it and you could see the whole valley from there.

WORST: Being in the car so long and walking so far. I'm all tired out!

Kids--make SURE to do the Junior Ranger. Ask for the book at the desk [in the visitor center]. You fill in four or more things and pick up trash you find. Then you get an "Arches National Park" BADGE!

Arches National Park

2009-03-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

:-)

:-)

:-)

:

Arches national park is not a must see, but I would highly recommend it. One of the thing everyone must see are the Windows. Arches national park fun is mostly in looking at all the different formations that are named and making up your own names, or in finding new formations and adding names for them.

SPANISH TRAIL RV PARK

2009-03-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

:-)

:-)

The Spanish Trail RV Park was nice. It's got free cable hookup but almost no antenna TV. One of the only "problems" we faced was that water and sewage hookups on our trailer are near the front but the sewage hookups on the ground were at the back while the water hookups were in the front.

Glenwood Hot Springs

2009-03-03T23:30:00.000-08:00

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FUN: It was hotter than other pools and it was LOTS bigger! The water had minerals in it so it tasted like salt PLUS I could float better.

WORST: It was scary except for where there were lights. The hot pool wasn't very good because it was TOO hot!

Families should go there...as long as they stay in the cooler pool!

Glenwood Hot Springs

2009-03-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

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Glenwood hot springs is a nice little town with a couple of fun attractions, even though i only got to go to one of them :-(it uses three exits off the freeway.)
the attraction that i went to was a hot spring heated pool. the regular pool was 50 meters wide and like 240 meters long and kept around 94 degrees. they also had a therapy pool that was 50 meters wide and 200 feet long or longer. the therapy pool was kept around 104 degrees. and they had to dump cold water into the pools regularly to keep them from getting too hot for safety.

Leanin' Tree Art Museum

2009-02-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Sculptures: :-) :-) :-)

Art Museum: :-(

BEST: I loved the saddle cuz you could actually climb on it! The mountain lion was cool cuz it's a cat and I love cats. I liked the white tail deer, also.

WORST: Inside the museum are a bunch of pictures. Some are boring; some are fun. They all looked about the same.

If families go there, do like we did and look for pictures by Bill Hughes. They all have special light and a lot have mountains or water. It was kind of like a scavenger hunt!

Arvada Vineyard Church, Arvada, Colorado

2009-02-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

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the Arvada Vineyard is a place that everyone should visit,

the Sunday school teachers are friendly, and so is everyone else....

the classes are fairly interactive and extremely fun.

it's located in the arvada middle school....

Arvada Vineyard Church, Arvada, Colorado

2009-02-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

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Ways this church is similar to our Vineyard in Brecksville:

There are classes for different ages.
We read stories from Bibles.
We do crafts alot of weeks.

Ways it is different:

There's too many people to know everybody.
We sing new songs I haven't heard before.
The Arvada Vineyard has a big gym to play in.
The Arvada Vineyard is at a school; the Brecksville Vineyard is at an office place.
We go have babysitting and play while the parents have class on Thursday night.

Families should come to this Vineyard--because it's fun to learn about Jesus here. The teachers like the kids and they're good at teaching.

Stagecoach Inn -- Manitou Springs, Colorado

2009-02-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

:-)

The Stagecoach Inn is a nice place. Out front there is a real stage coach that you can climb into and onto. I never realized that stage coaches were so narrow! The inn had lots of different food choices. The drink cups were HUGE, even the kid cups (which were the same size as the adult cups!)

Stagecoach Inn -- Manitou Springs, Colorado

2009-02-06T20:45:00.000-08:00

Since Daddy is out of town for a week or so, after we finished exploring Garden of the Gods (or rather, when we all got tired and decided to come back another time!), we went looking for a restaurant to get some dinner. We ended up in the town of Manitou Springs, the opposite side of the park from Colorado Springs.

It has a wonderful, historic downtown area, filled with all sorts of kitschy shops: tourist traps, music box store, glass blowing studio and store, old-tyme photographer shop, and on and on and on. I would love to go back and just wander around. It looks like it would have interesting things...and best of all, I would bet the prices are high, meaning I wouldn't actually BUY anything!

Although I think the kids would have preferred familiar fast food, I made them choose something nicer. We ended up at The Stagecoach Inn. It was an interesting log and stone building, with a real stagecoach out front.

The service was excellent. The waitress interacted well with both kids (mine) and grumpy senior citizens (at a nearby table). The menu was fun to read (with many dishes described from the perspective of stage coach passengers or the honored stage driver). The food was good, although the meat of the stuffed steak I ordered was a little tough (and, no, I didn't order it well-done like usual. I actually ordered it medium well, figuring the stuffing and the sauce would hide any pinkness!) The atmosphere was fun---over-the-top "historic" western themed.

It was fascinating to look more closely at the Stagecoach out front after we finished. It was MUCH smaller than I had imagined a stage to be. It would indeed feel quite crowded with 3 people on each facing seat, especially if any ladies with full, long skirts were aboard. It moved quite alot when Jakob and Anna climbed in---which I imagine would help cut down on the jolts of a rough road. I would guess, however, that the stage would rock quite a bit, maybe causing motion sickness for some riders.

Here's the website:
http://www.stagecoachinn.com/

Stagecoach Inn -- Manitou Springs, Colorado

2009-02-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

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I wanted to eat some place like McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King--those sort of places. But Mom said we could do that anywhere. So we drove past lots of restaurants and this was the best sounding. I liked the way it looked also. And when we were walking to it, I saw a barn chicken in a window! We even got to sit by the chickens inside, but they weren't real.

First we had dessert--a big, gooey chocolate cake with chocolate syrup all over it. (Thanks, Uncle Vaught, for teaching Mommy to get dessert first!) I liked my food. I got chicken fingers and fries.

After we were done, we got to sit in the stagecoach [sitting out front] and have pictures taken. If everybody in our family came, one would have to drive and one kid be up front. They might get cold or wet but they would have enough space. The ones inside would be warmer but squished! I'd rather take a long trip in our truck!

Garden of the Gods -- Colorado Springs, Colorado

2009-02-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

This is a favorite place of mine. I first spent time here 6 years ago when I was out here in Denver with then 15 mos old Anna. It is a little surreal to be driving through suburbs among foothills, and all of a sudden see giant red rock twisted into a variety of pillars, skinny side-by-side walls, and huge office-building-sized mounds.

I was a little disappointed this time to find that a number of areas we could freely walk on 6 years ago are now off-limits as the park attempts to revegetate the areas. This also means that it is not as easy to get close to the formations now.

However, we followed a few red sand pathways (already marked with plenty of shoe and boot treads) right up to the base of formations where registered climbers were working (having fun?!) We sat for awhile watching two fellows who were working their way to the top of one of the skinny walls. One climbed higher, hooking in rope as he went, belayed from below. Then they clipped in to safety hooks, the top fellow pulled up the extra rope and proceeded to belay the lower climber from above. I hadn't seen this type of leap-frog rope climbing before.

I'm looking forward to returning to this park before we leave the Colorado area. I want Randy to experience this place...plus it would be fascinating to see it near sunset. I'll bet the rock REALLY glows then!

A few "warnings" -- If you are a "flatlander," remember to carry plenty of water and drink, drink, drink. This park is at a higher altitude than you are used to and with the extra exertion of walking around, you need plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

If you are a photographer, this is a difficult place to visit because every few steps there is another "must take" photo opportunity! This may drive your family completely CRAZY! (Try to take at least a few with them in the picture--maybe that will help?!)

Another tip that might help---in addition to looking for the already named formations, have your kids look for other formations to name. (Kind of like looking for shapes in clouds---everyone will likely have different opinions.) Here are two we found:

This is a different view of "Kissing Camels" (one of them minus its hump) that we decided looks like a mama guinea pig nuzzling its baby. The other one we called "Grumpy Guy."

Garden of the Gods -- Colorado Springs, Colorado

2009-02-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

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No Best...sorry!

WORST: not being allowed to get close to the formations (:-(

Believe it or not, Garden of the Gods is cool but not very fun (example: like a boring fact filled museum), so don't take the drive, if avoidable.

Garden of the Gods -- Colorado Springs, Colorado

2009-02-06T20:20:00.000-08:00

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The BEST Thing: Seeing people climbing the red rocks. They were climbing big areas and skinny tall places. They were using ropes that were in hooks on the rocks. The ropes made them more sure. They also used harnesses to make them attached to the rope. They also wore helmets to keep their heads safe.

Something I Wish Was DIFFERENT: I wish I could climb on some of the rocks!

I want to go back again. I want to see "Siamese Twins." I also want to go to "Balanced Rock" so I can climb around like the other kids we saw.

Thunder Valley (Motocross Track) -- Denver Colorado

2009-02-06T20:15:00.000-08:00

We have driven past this place a million times as we travel up and down 470 along the west side of Denver. It looked intriguing with a dirt track twisting and turning up and down the side of a hill, big jumps and little jumps along the path. But it never seemed worth the time to figure out how to get to it.

Then as we were headed out to enjoy the sunshine by taking some "field trips," we noticed a number of riders on the track as we drove past. So...we got off at the next exit (Alameda) and worked our way back to the track. The gates were open, no admission was being charged, and we parked among the other pickups and SUVs. We watched guys unload their dirt bikes, get suited up, warm up/check out their bikes, and head for the track.

It was fun to watch the couple of riders already on the track, but it was even more exciting when 5-6 riders zoomed around. Often you could see one rider just landing as another took off on some of the biggest jumps!

I talked for awhile with one of the riders getting ready to go out. Apparently this is a professional track, used for a televised race one week during the summer. Other times, anyone who wants to pay $12 can use it to practice and hone their skills. Riders range from younger ones who are professional wanna-bes to local competitors to guys out riding for the fun of it.

I don't know that I would want to be here during a competition---too much money, noise, crowds, commotion---but it's a great place to have a tail-gate picnic and watch the fun for awhile on a sunny day!

Here is the website for Thunder Valley (photos, directions, race schedule and more):
http://www.mxthundervalley.com/

Thunder Valley (Motocross Track) -- Denver Colorado

2009-02-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

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BEST: Watching those amazing jumps. WAHOO!!!

WORST: When bikers leave the course :-(

Thunder Valley is fun because you see big jumps, turns, and 'speed.' When you get 5-6 bikes on the course at once, listen to the sound (obbrrrptbrrtbobbrrr for each bike) d:-)

Thunder Valley (Motocross Track) -- Denver Colorado

2009-02-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

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The BEST Thing: Seeing them jump!

The MOST BORING Thing: Just seeing them drive on flat

The WORST Thing: HEARING them! Hearing their rumbles. It hurt my ears.

We were seeing dirt bikes go, riding on a course. There were hils that you were supposed to jump. It was curves between the jumps, going up and down the hill. Somebody even went through a tunnel.

Hang Gliding, Golden Colorado

2009-02-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

:-)

We can see hang gliders from down in the RV Park or at the Community Center in Golden. But one day we drove up Mt. Zion and parked up high and climbed up a little trail to find them. I was pretty scared cause the trail was pretty steep and my feet kept wanting to slip.

Families should climb up if they can cause that's more fun. But if there are any little kids or anyone gets scared, you should just watch from down in Golden.

(For a more describing blog about Hang Gliding...and a poem I wrote!...see http://imagineanna.blogspot.com/ )

(Also, JAKOB took this photo! Isn't it cool?!)

Hang Gliding, Golden Colorado

2009-02-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

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We went up Mount Zion on our way to Buffalo Bill's Museum Gift Shop. We stopped beneath the "M" (we see it on the mountain from the campground) to look for a way up close to it. And, guess what? We found steps, and we got up the path we saw some people waiting to hang glide!

This is fun for everyone to watch...whether you watch from the RV Park or along the walking path by the Clear Creek or whether you choose to climb up to the launching ground on Mt. Zion.

(for a longer post, see my personal blog at http://jakobwonders.blogspot.com )

Places in Golden

2009-01-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

Some places you should go to in Golden are:

The WINDY SADDLE CAFE in historic downtown. Order a mocha latte, sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.

The COMMUNITY CENTER -- exercise, rock climb/boulder, swim and more. Come in, have fun!

Golden Places!

2009-01-19T19:48:00.000-08:00

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There are some things that we can do in [historic] Golden.

We can go to the LIBRARY...but it doesn't have a play area. I like the squishy chairs in the teen room. That's fun!

WINDY SADDLE CAFE We go with Mom. We can get hot chocolate. We can get chai (a type of tea). It's better than Starbucks that we used to go to. I like the fireplace and that couch is more comfy, plus we can get chocolates there, too!

ALL THE STATUES The statues are on the sidewalks and one big one is in the center of the road. That one is a cowboy with a kid on his shoulders. He's really BIGGER than normal people. There's a buffalo. There is a miner with his burrow. You should also walk on the path beside the creek. There are more statues like a bunch of fish. There's a girl reading to her child. There were deer and I like the father with his antlers. And there's a kayaker but you don't see the back--only water splashing!

Dinosaur Ridge -- Denver, Colorado

2009-01-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

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BEST: There wasn't a best or worst. It was all GREAT!!!

Dinosaur Ridge is a great family outing. You see and learn bits of new stuff, and even get to touch some things (very specific ones though...)

Dinosaur Ridge -- Denver, Colorado

2009-01-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

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Best: Touching the Fossils!!!

Most Boring Thing: Staying too long at the museum

(it was fun for a little while...)

Everyone should go to Dinosaur Ridge cuz it was FUUUUNNNN!!