Save the Gulf Coast, one outdoor activity at a time

With so much attention on the Gulf Coast cleanup, we (meaning me) sometimes forget that the Gulf Coast of Florida is also a beautiful place to visit, with loads of activities and attractions to keep you busy. As we go into the fall season, here are some upcoming activities and events of interest in Santa Rosa County, Florida:

Coldwater Creek and Blackwater River State Forest, with canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, canopy zip line tours. Fun for the whole family!

World class golf course – The Club at Hidden Creek offers a special of $ 35 + tax anytime Monday – Friday and after 10 am Saturday + Sunday (price includes cart and greens fee, not combinable with other offers). Please mention promo code TDC35 when making your tee time @ 850-939-4604.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo – $ 12 adults/$ 8 children – always a family favorite and is minutes from the beach. It is new and expanded with 50 acres featuring hundreds of animals, where you can enjoy a walking path and petting zoo, enjoy a stroll on the boardwalk overlooking free roaming deer, wildebeest and ostrich, or enjoy the Safari Line Train, a 20 minute narrated ride, and watch deer, antelope and zebras roam, and get a close-up view of Gorilla Island and the Nile Hippos.

And in September, on the 25th and 26th, experience the first-ever Navarre Beach Sandsculpting Festival. This family-friendly event will feature sculptors from around the globe as well as an amateur competition open to all ages and families. Cash and prizes will be awarded in the amateur and masters competition.

For more information about all these activities and events, please visit Adventures Unlimited, Santa Rosa County, and The Club at Hidden Creek. And enter to win a 4-night stay in a 2-bedroom, gulf-front condominium at Navarre Beach!

Now, who just planned your entire fall vacation?

Attractions

Exploring Philadelphia’s Public Art

Philadelphia has a pretty fantastic art museum. But if it is a beautiful day outside, you don’t have to spend it inside a museum to see some pretty amazing art. That’s because Philadelphia is overflowing with public art scattered throughout its parks, plazas and neighborhoods. Free to experience and always on the way to something else, you can spend a day just walking the streets of the city taking in a variety of artistic expressions.

Cinematic son Rocky Balboa’s statue resides near the bottom of the Art Museum’s front steps – the training ground for the blue-collar boxer. After running up the steps yourself you are rewarded with sweeping views of the city below.

The top of the Art Museum is something to behold in and of itself. Griffins, ornaments and pediments tell stories all their own.

Behind the Art Museum is the William M. Reilly Memorial, a green walkway lined with sculptures of Revolutionary War figures connecting the museum to the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park. I particularly like General Nathanael Greene’s tenacity.

The John F. Kennedy Plaza is located in the heart of downtown and features the iconic LOVE statue, using the beautiful fountain and Benjamin Franklin Parkway as a backdrop.

For fans of board games, the Municipal Services Building Plaza has the Your Move installation of game pieces scattered everywhere – from Monopoly to Dominoes, Chess to Bingo and of course, Sorry. For more whimsical art, there is a giant clothespin nearby.

The Lincoln Legacy Project displays the largest glass tile mosaic in the city speaking of the battle for and freedom from slavery. Using tile from France and Italy and a creative collaboration with public schools, artists and inmates this mammoth display on Chestnut Street is a highlight of Center City’s Mural Mile.

Between Ben Franklin’s gravesite and Betsy Ross’ house in Old City sits the sculptured bust of Ben himself entitled Keys to the Community, featuring his lifelike head in bronze and casts of old fashioned keys collected by local schoolchildren.

Located in Old City by the entrance to Penn’s Landing, the Irish Famine Memorial is a massive sculpture that is lifelike and stirring, honoring those who perished in Ireland and the journey that millions made to our shores as a result.

The Mapping Courage mural on bustling South Street tells the story of Philly’s 7th Ward and the local Engine 11 fire station – both important chapters in local African American history.

It isn’t just the mass of public art available. It is the way the works all meld together – amusing, educational and serious memorials intertwine and offer something for everyone’s interest. So when you tire of lines of tourists at Independence Hall – pick your head up and look around. You never know what kind of public art the city is featuring for your pleasure.

• http://muralarts.org/tour – Print maps and download podcasts for free self-guided tours or purchase tickets for intimate guided tours of popular city murals
• http://www.philamuseum.org/visit/20-565-454.html – Guided and ticketed Schuylkill Stroll tours of sculpture along Boathouse Row in Fairmount Park
• http://www.philamuseum.org/podcast/ – Download free podcast of Sculpture Garden tour outside the Art Museum at Fairmount Park
• http://www.fpaa.org/fpaa_map.html – Interactive map and listing of photos and facts about public art throughout the city

Post by and all photos credited to Molly G. @The Bumbles Blog

Attractions

North West Company Fur Post in Pine City, MN

In the northern part of the United States, and into Canada, the fur trade was an important part of history and culture.  Today the voyageurs are gone, but their part in history lives on at the North West Company Fur Post in Pine City, Minnesota.  This site, operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, describes the life of the trader, the voyageur, and the Ojibwe who brought the furs for trade.

Inside the modern visitor center, a museum gives the background of the fur trade, with hands-on exhibits and displays.  It is there that the guided tour begins, which leads down the trail to an Ojibwe home, and then to the fur post itself. 

Built like a fort, the trading post has living quarters for the people involved in the fur trade, as well as the store where business was done.  Costumed interpreters explain the life of the parties involved in the fur trade.

After the tour, a walk along the trails at the site can provide additional insight or wildlife sightings.

The upcoming Fall Gathering on September 18 and 19 will feature special programs, games, and activities at the fur post.

Other places in the upper Midwest to learn about the fur trade include Fort Union Trading Post near Williston, North Dakota; Sibley House Historic Site in Mendota, Minnesota; and Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The North West Company Fur Post is located at 12551 Voyageur Lane in Pine City, Minnesota.

• Phone: 320-629-6356
• $ 8 adults, $ 6 seniors and college students, $ 5 ages 6-17; free age 5 and under and MHS members.
• Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: Monday and Thursday-Saturday, 10-5; Sunday 12-5; additional hours for special events.

Photo credit: minnemom on flickr

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children. 
Both the adults and the children in her family enjoyed their visit to the North West Company Fur Post.

Attractions

Taste of Toronto at the St. Lawrence Market

In this day and age where we are encouraged to buy local for the freshest foods and to support our community’s businesses there is no better way to get a taste of the places you visit in your travels than by going to their markets. The St. Lawrence Market in Old Town Toronto is the centerpiece of this thriving historic neighborhood and invites you to savor its current offerings too.

I was told by those in the know to visit the St. Lawrence Market in order to sample a peameal bacon sandwich – cured back bacon fried in cornmeal on a bun. Never one to turn down bacon, I pulled out my map and found my way to this delightful spot in the city, away from the Entertainment District which I was happily sampling as well. The main building is referred to as the South Market and houses two levels of vendors on a daily year-round basis selling all kinds of food for whatever your purposes. You can shop for ingredients, have a meal prepared for you or learn how to prepare it yourself. It is a popular lunch spot and you would be hard pressed to become bored with the variety.

The upstairs of the South Market building houses the Market Gallery which is a museum open Tuesdays through Fridays free of charge exhibiting cultural exhibits from throughout Toronto’s history. The North Market in the building next door is home to the weekend markets – a traditional Farmers Market on Saturdays and an Antique Market on Sundays.

I found it interesting, the parallel of the past and the present on display in the markets just as you find in this section of town – historical and modern attractions to be discovered. But what I enjoyed most was my peameal bacon sandwich. I was so excited to eat it that I forgot to take a lovely photo before diving in. Don’t mind the bite marks – it was delicious.

Visit http://stlawrencemarket.com/ for current events, cooking classes, vendor listings, directions and hours.

Post by and all photos credited to Molly G. @The Bumbles Blog

Attractions

“Explore The Roar” On Niagara Falls’ Maid Of The Mist

Summer at Niagara Falls is steamy hot. And very crowded with tourists. But just being near the falls is like walking through a big water mister – very refreshing. For the ultimate cool down though, you need to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist.

The Maid of the Mist is a ferry boat ride up to the edge of the base of the horseshoe falls on the Canadian side – though the boat tours operate from both the American and Canadian banks of the river. The lines are generally quite long but they move quickly enough. Make sure to bring a few snacks for any little ones in tow while they wait – an hour isn’t out of the question. The corral for the lines on the Canadian side doesn’t offer much of a view while you wait, though it is fun to see how ridiculous everyone looks putting on their blue ponchos as you get near your turn on the boat. Helpful hint – don’t put them on until right as you get onto the boat because on a hot summer day, those ponchos are sweltering.

When you get on the boat it is preferable to get a spot along the rail so that you have a view during the ride. But of course there isn’t room for everyone along the rails. So if you are like me and are one of the last in the group to board, you begrudgingly take a spot close enough. Not to worry though – eventually those rail hogs will be begging you to switch spots.

The boat cruises out past the American side of the falls and you can see everyone in their yellow slickers climbing around the decking at the Cave of the Winds. As you get out to the middle of the river the speed seems to slow down in anticipation of the big reveal. The wind starts kicking up – blowing those skimpy blue ponchos all over the place. Then it starts getting loud. You hear the roar of the falls. And you begin to think it might have suddenly started to rain. If you have a small child with you they will probably prefer to stay near the middle of the boat where it is drier and less chaotic. And unless you are using an underwater camera, it will be virtually impossible to capture any clear image of the falls. They don’t call it Maid of the Mist for nothing.

The boat takes you right up as close as safety allows to the base of mother nature’s greatest generator. It is a massive wall of raging water roaring all around and you get absolutely drenched – poncho or no poncho. Time stands still and the boat does too. You can’t see the top, you can’t see the bottom, you can’t see anything but white rushing water. And it makes you feel really small.

Before you know it, the boat is turning back. The noise level dissipates and you can hear your fellow tourists laughing in awe that they just came face to face with one of the world’s wonders and didn’t have to take a barrel ride to do so. The sun reappears and the rainbows are everywhere. The mist tapers off and you come back to your senses, remembering to take out that camera from your pocket and snap a few photos before you have to leave.

Is it worth the price, the wait and the fuss for a short ride into the biggest shower on the planet?

Yes.

Especially on a hot and steamy day.

QUICK HITS:

• COST = Adults = $ 13.50, Youth (A6-12)= $ 7.85, Free under Age 6
• DURATION = 30 minute boat ride
• HOURS = April – October Daily, 10AM – 8PM, leaving every 15 minutes
• ENVIRONMENT = Handicap accessible on both sides. Extremely wet and pretty crowded. Safe for young children who will have a blast unless they are afraid of water.
• ACCESSIBILITY = By foot. At the entrance to the Observation Tower on the American side. At the bottom of Clifton Hill at the Maid of the Mist Marketplace on the Canadian side. Parking lots right downtown on the American side were up to a max of $ 8 for the day. On the Canadian side the main parking area is Rapidsview Parking outside of town charging $ 9.75 per car for the entire day and has shuttles every 20 minutes to the falls up until 11PM. However, on Stanley Ave. where the hotels are, the Universal Inn was only charging $ 5 and was a short walk down to the falls. Alternatively, you can always park on the American side and walk over the border at the Rainbow Bridge – bring your passport.
• WEBSITE = http://www.maidofthemist.com
• FUN FACTS = The idea to use ferries as tour boats came about in 1848 when the construction of a suspension bridge across the river sharply reduced the ferries’ shuttle business.

Post by and all photos credited to Molly G. @The Bumbles Blog

Attractions

Enjoy Life under the Big Top at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI

Have you ever wanted to be part of the circus, or bask in the nostalgia of circus items from days gone by?  At Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, you can spend the day at the circus and learn about its history as well.

Baraboo was the winter home of the Ringling Bros. Circus for many years, and today the historic buildings from the early 1900’s are the home to Circus World Museum, a Wisconsin State Historic Site.  This well-organized museum includes a display area, auditorium, and gift shop in the modern visitor center, but the real fun is outside on the grounds.

See the large collection of historic circus wagons, or memorabilia from circus days gone by.  See one of the themed presentations (a tiger and his handler when we were there).  And finish your day with a one-ring circus.

The shows are presented on a schedule and designed so that when one is done, you have just enough time to get to the next.  Most are repeated twice during the day.  Kids can have their faces painted by a real clown.  Concessions are available, and there’s a playground for those who need to run and play.

If, like me, you have a child with a peanut allergy, the one-ring circus at Circus World may be the only one you feel comfortable taking your child to, as no peanuts are sold at Circus World.  Popcorn and cotton candy (at reasonable prices) are sold at the door for your snacking enjoyment.

Circus World is fun for all ages.  My parents visited last summer and enjoyed it, and when our family with young children went there a few months later, we stayed all day.

Baraboo is just ten miles from Wisconsin Dells, so if you’re in the area in the summer, consider taking a break from the amusement and water parks, duck tours and mini golf,  and head to Circus World for some old-fashioned fun.  Circus World is registered as a National Historic Landmark.  Has history ever been so much fun?

Circus World Museum

550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI
608-356-8341

Admission: $ 14.95 adults; $ 12.95 children; $ 7.95 ages 5-11. 
Keep your eyes open for coupons in Wisconsin Dells literature.

Open daily from 9-6 from late May-end of August, and 10-4 in September.

Photo credit: minnemom on flickr

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children.

Attractions

What You’re Missing if You Haven’t Visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’m letting the landscape of Theodore Roosevelt National Park speak for itself today.

To see other photos that tell their own stories, visit Wordless Wednesday.

Other things to do near Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Medora Musical, Chateau de Mores Historic Site.

Photo credits: minnemom on flickr.

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children.

Attractions

Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds, WI

On steamy summer days, it’s a delight to step underground where the temperature is a constant 50 degrees.  Cave of the Mounds, near Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, is one of those spots where you can see the underground beauty and stay cool in the heat of the summer.

Cave of the Mounds was discovered by accident in 1939, and since 1940, visitors have come to see the formations of this cave.  It is a National Natural Landmark and is known widely as one of the most beautiful caves in the Midwest.  Stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and other cave formations are some of the most popular features of the cave tour, and being in absolute darkness is a difficult feeling to describe.

Tours of Cave of the Mounds are offered year-round; tour times vary by season and day and are outlined on the cave’s website.  Adults are charged $ 15.00 admission and children ages 4-12 are $ 7.50.  Children 3 and under are free with an adult.

Above-ground activities include a picnic area, concessions, hiking trails and a gift shop, as well as an opportunity to pan for jewels at an additional charge.

Cave of the Mounds is located at 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.  Contact by phone at 608-437-3038, or visit the Cave of the Mounds website for more information.

Photo credit: minnemom on flickr

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children. 
Her family also enjoyed the Land of Evermor while in Wisconsin.

Nearby attractions you may enjoy:

The House on the Rock, Spring Green, WI
Circus World Museum, Baraboo, WI

Attractions

The Fairest Food at the Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair has been heralded for being America’s “classic state fair” featuring traditional fair activities including one of the world’s largest livestock shows (and auctions), competitions for best crops, large displays of powerful tractors and more companies hawking more products than should be allowed to gather on one location.  Even non-Iowan’s agree that it’s a great state fair (see comments).

But ask anyone what they look forward to the most at the fair and the answer is almost always the food!  The state fair is a once-a-year opportunity when calories don’t count, fried food is usually on a stick and gnawing on a bone in public doesn’t mean you’re a barbarian.

Join me on a photo tour of some of the most loved Iowa State Fair food- just don’t read this when hungry!

On a Stick

Fair food is often served on-a-stick, mainly for the ease of eating and walking.  In fact, 50 foods are served on-a-stick at the Iowa State Fair.

The top “must eat” on-a-stick food in Iowa comes from the Iowa Pork Producers- and it isn’t actually on a stick, but on a bone.  Lines snake around their booths as people wait for the juicy pork chops fresh off the grill.

Another top contender for favorite food on-a-stick is also, technically, on a bone.  The gigantic turkey legs from the Iowa Turkey Federation are smoked to perfection; the meat almost slips from the bone.

One of the funniest on-a-stick foods that draws the crowds is free- and in the Agriculture Building.  At the center of the main floor are booths with a line of people shuffling around for dairy samples.  The most popular treat: hard boiled egg on-a-stick.

No visit to the state fair is complete (for me, anyway) without a corndog.

New on-a-stick items we’re looking forward to this year:

The Octodog, a specially cooked hotdog that splits apart and looks like an octopus speared on an oversized drinking straw.

Twinkie Logs, frozen Twinkies dipped in white chocolate and rolled in cashews.

Where’s the Beef?

A stop at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is a must for prime rib, a juicy burger or, our favorite, the Hot Beef Sundae. Mashed potatoes, tender roast beef, gravy and shredded cheese with a cherry (tomato) on top.

Iowa- the Land of Corn

Of course you can’t wander through the fair without trying one of the many fresh roasted ears of corn, dripping melted butter and seasoned to your liking.

Sweet Treats

Funnel cakes may be the ultimate fair food, quickly fried while you wait and served with a powdery coating of sugar.

Chocolate Chip Cookies are served by the cup or by the bucket.  They are always served warm and gooey and are best washed down with an ice cold glass of milk (see below).

Of course you can never go wrong with mini donuts.  Deep fried and hot, served with a coating of cinnamon and sugar.

Wash It All Down

While you’ll find endless options including all varieties of soda and alcoholic beverages there are two items you must drink.

First, get a very large glass of milk (or two) to go with the cookies listed above.  Luckily the booths are very close together!

And don’t miss the lemonade shake-up from Brafford’s Lemonade.  Real lemons, oranges and sugar.  It’s the best at the fair.

Food- But Not Edible

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Iowa State Fair’s most talked about attraction: the Butter Cow.  It’s so popular it has its own Facebook page!  A new cow is created every year.

Of course there are healthy foods, too.  You can find a full list of Iowa State Fair foods on the website.

The Iowa State Fair runs for 10 days every August and is located on Des Moines‘ east side.

Photos by Jody Halsted unless otherwise acknowledged.

Jody Halsted shares her family’s travel

destinations and tips at Family Rambling.

She is an Iowan- and loves to share the

hidden wonders of her home state.

Attractions

Replicas of Columbus’ Nina and Pinta Sailing the Mighty Mississippi

It may not be the ocean blue, but the Mississippi River and other United States inland waterways are playing host to replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships The Nina and The Pinta this year.

Having now left the docks in Hudson, Wisconsin, the ships will head back downriver and then wind their way to Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama before the year ends.  At each stop, the ships dock for several days so that the public can come aboard to explore these sailing museums.  Volunteer crew members are aboard to answer questions as you examine the ships, which the builders attempted to construct as true replicas.

Our family visited the ships in Hudson, and our biggest surprise was how small the ships are.  To imagine setting off for lands unknown across mighty oceans in vessels of this size is nearly impossible for me.  While we didn’t spend a lot of time aboard the ships, we did get to see their construction and layout, and to appreciate the danger that sailors undertook on the high seas.

The Nina and The Pinta will be docked at their next port of Davenport, Iowa, from August 20-29.  Other stops are outlined on the ships’ schedule.  While the ships can be viewed from land or docks in many locations at no charge, the cost to climb aboard these boats is $ 8 for adults and $ 5 for ages 5-12.  Please note that only cash is accepted.

Photo credit:  minnemom on flickr

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel at Travels with Children. 
Her family has also learned of sea voyages at the Heritage Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Related Posts:

Wisconsin’s Copper Falls State Park

Circus World Museum, Baraboo, WI

Attractions

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