Attractions Blog

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

Late in the summer, I took my children on an outing to a town we usually bypass on the highway, and it was a delight.  Excelsior, Minnesota, several miles west of Minneapolis, sits on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, and a walk down its streets is like stepping back in time.

Our first stop was the Excelsior Streetcar.  Part of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, which also runs the Como-Harriet Streetcar in Minneapolis, the short streetcar line is all that’s left of the route that went from Minneapolis and St. Paul all the way out to Excelsior once upon a time.

Excelsior Streetcar in Excelsior, MN

Along the route, passengers can get off at the streetcar garage to see the oldest working streetcar in the U.S., as well as peek in on a streetcar restoration that’s currently taking place.

Streetcar in Excelsior, MN

The streetcar ride isn’t long, but it’s filled with history and interesting for children and adults alike.

After our streetcar ride, we stopped at the adjacent Excelsior Museum.  Although the museum is small, it’s filled with unique items, like boats that once sailed on Lake Minnetonka and a roller-coaster car from an amusement park of days gone by.

Roller Coaster Car at Excelsior Museum

From there we took a stroll down Excelsior’s main street, past independent shops and restaurants, to the lakefront.  We were disappointed that the afternoon cruise of the Steamboat Minnehaha was already sold out, but we watched the passengers board the boat and steam away from dock.

Steamboat Minnehaha in Excelsior, MN

In many ways, Excelsior reminded me of Mackinac Island, Michigan, or Bar Harbor, Maine, with its waterfront history and unique shops and restaurants.  It’s nice to find delights like this just by turning off a busy road and back in time.

Have you found any charming communities by venturing off the beaten path?

Photo credits:  minnemom

Top ten things I would have bought at McKinney Trade Days last month

Third Monday Trade Days - McKinney, Texas

Check out Third Monday Trade Days

McKinney, Texas

Are you a Pez collector, or have you ever met one? They are interesting folks, just like the candy containers they collect. Fortunately, the Bay Area is host to the Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia, a worthwhile stop for collectors and fans alike.

PEZ Dispensers

Our family headed up there before Christmas, trying to stave off the overwhelming holiday excitement. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the curator, Gary Doss, who also sold us admission tickets. The tickets included a personal tour of the museum, where Gary highlighted some of the treasures.

Original Pez Advertisement

Pez was originally “Das Feine Pfefferminz”, created in Austria, to help adults stop smoking. There is a gorgeous vintage poster on the wall. The oldest containers were plain, lighter-like dispensers, and the first character containers were Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Oldest PEZ Dispensers

Gary claims that he has every Pez dispenser ever created, and frankly, after peeking into the back room, I have to agree. In addition, he has collected several other classic toys, including Mr Potato Head, Colorforms, Tinkertoys and View-Masters.

Classic Toys

Entrance is $1 for children 4-12 years, and $3 for adults, which includes a personalized tour. Gary will also kindly take your picture next to the Giant Snowman Pez dispenser, at 7 feet 10 inches, the World’s Largest Dispenser of Pez, weighing in at over 85 pounds. And if you need to bring Pez dispensers back for the Pez collector in your life, the museum has a great selection of items for sale, including several rare configurations.

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

The Apache Trail in Arizona is one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the country, if not in the world. It is also one of the most intimidating, hair raising drives. The original Trail was intended as a delivery route for materials required in the construction of Roosevelt Dam, which began in 1905. Back then, the rough graded single lane road seemed to hang precariously from the sheer faces of the rocky canyons from which it was carved. Only an occasional pullout was provided for passing, and even in places where the road widened, torturous twists in the roadway made it impossible to know if oncoming traffic was around the next bend. Although the present day Apache Trail has been widened and improved, the going is still not that easy. The road twists and turns and features twenty unpaved miles between Tortilla Flat and Roosevelt Dam, including the contorted and breathtaking 900 foot descent of Fish Creek Hill. But for those with an adventurous spirit and no fear of heights, traveling the Apache Trail is a “must do.”

Apache Lake, as viewed from the Apache Trail.

To get to the Trail, take U.S. 60 east out of Phoenix. At the town of Apache Junction, take cutoff for AZ88/Idaho Road. A short way down this winding, paved portion of the road is the ghost town of Goldfield, which sprang into existence in 1982 when high grade gold ore was discovered in the area. Just five years later the vein began to play out and miners abandoned the town. Goldfield stood empty and decaying until 1984, when Robert F. “Bob” Schoose, a long time ghost town, mining, and treasure-hunting enthusiast, purchased the site of the original mill and began restoring the town. Once again thriving, Goldfield has a brothel, bakery, leather works, jail, and a livery. Visitors can take an underground mine tour, ride the only operating narrow gauge railroad in Arizona, and enjoy the authentic looking street filled with people in period costume, horses and wagons, and sometimes authentic gunfighter presentations.

A few miles further is Canyon Lake, one of three man-made reservoir lakes that were formed by the construction of the dam. Canyon, Apache, and Roosevelt Lakes provide some of the most outstanding water recreation in Arizona, so some day trippers may want to stop for a refreshing swim, cast a fish line, or hop aboard the Dolly Steamboat for a 90-minute narrated boat trip. From Canyon Lake, it’s only a few more miles to Tortilla Flat, a real town with six inhabitants. Like the Trail itself, the town of Tortilla Flat owes its existence to the construction of the dam; it served as a stagecoach stop for freight haulers on their way to the construction site. Today this classic western town is a great place to shop for souvenirs or stop for lunch. Since this town has its own post office and voting district, visitors can honestly claim they have been to the smallest town in Arizona.

The original masonry Roosevelt Dam, as it looked until it underwent modifications in 1989.

The faint of heart may wish to turn back at this point because the pavement ends at Tortilla Flat, but daredevils who continue will be rewarded with vistas of sheer canyons, shimmering blue lakes, and stately saguaro cactus. At the end of the road is the most spectacular sight of all - Roosevelt Dam itself.

Aerial view of the reconstructed Roosevelt Dam with Roosevelt Lake Bridge in the background. Bureau of Reclamation photo, by J. Madrigal, Jr., 1996.

Originally, Roosevelt was the world’s largest masonry dam, built with stone blocks to a height of 280 feet and measuring 723 feet long at the crest. In the mid-80’s engineers determined that the dam could not safely release water during a maximum flood event and would be unstable in a strong earthquake, thus the original dam was encased in a new concrete block structure that now stands 357 feet high and is 1,210 feet long.

Although the look of the dam was significantly altered by the modifications, it is still an astonishing piece of engineering. Just before reaching Roosevelt Dam, the pavement resumes and a fine rest area with clean facilities, a picnic table, and an overlook with an excellent view of the dam is provided. Once at the dam, visitors have the choice to go back the way they came or continue in a circle route that leads back to Apache Junction via modern, paved roads.

Photos not otherwise attributed are by Barbara Weibel

Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing, MN

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

Greyhound Bus in Hibbing, MN

Did you know that the bus industry in the United States had humble beginnings in little Hibbing, MN?  Two men started with a car and charged for a ride from tiny Alice to nearby Hibbing.  Their business took off, and they created the first bus by elongating a car.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Their buses branched out across the Iron Range, then the rest of Minnesota, and eventually around the U.S.  Along they way, they adopted the Greyhound name.

All this history is showcased at the Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing, Minnesota.  (Hibbing itself has an interesting history, the entire town having been moved as an iron mine grew larger and larger.)

Greyhound Bus Museum

A film in a theater made of bus seats tells the history of the company, and displays about its beginnings are highlighed in the gallery area.  Once you’ve learned about the various buses that have been used through the decade, you can head to the garage and experience them yourself.  Actual buses from many eras are available for display in the indoor area, and more are outside.

Greyhound Bus Museum

Bus service in the United States has an interesting begininning, and you can learn about it at the Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing, Minnesota.

Do you have a favorite Greyhound memory?

Photo credits:  minnemom

UT Tower - Austin, Texas

Completed in 1937, the 307-foot tall tower on the University of Texas campus is one of the most distinguishing landmarks in Texas.

The observation deck on top offers amazing views of Austin and the university.  Tours are available only through the Texas Union Information Center which can be found online here or be reached by phone at (512) 475-6633, or toll free at 1-877-475-6633 for calls from outside the Austin area.

When the famous UT Longhorns win sports games, the tower is orange!

Orange UT Tower

Tickets only cost $5 and last around an hour.  But photos and memories of it will last a lifetime!

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

While the majority of the country is hunkering down in freezing temperatures and snowstorms, Florida’s abundant sunshine and warm temperatures signal the start of Fair season.

The RC-48 Coaster is 160' long, 65' deep and stands approximately 53' high, with exciting bank turns. Photo courtesy of South Florida Fair.

Florida’s County fairs focus on the agriculture, trade, entertainment, and heritage of Florida. Annually there are more than 50 fairs and livestock shows in Florida that showcase the past, present and future of Florida agriculture. County Fairs pair carnivals with traditional livestock competitions and displays such as the life-size “Milkable Cow” model that travels in her own exhibit trailer and “There’s A Cow In My Truck!,” an exhibit that portrays the parts of a truck that come from by-products of cattle.

The partial list below provides links to County Fairs that have individual web sites. For a complete listing of fairs around the State, visit Florida-Agriculture.com.

• DeSoto County Fair, January 15-25, Arcadia
• Manatee County Fair, January 15-25, Palmetto
• South Florida Fair, January 16 - February 1, West Palm Beach
• Highlands County Fair, January 23-31, Sebring
• Collier County Fair, February 5-15, Naples
• Martin County Fair, February 13-21, Stuart
• Osceola County Fair & Livestock Show, February 13-22, Kissimmee
• Pasco County Fair, February 16-22, Dade City
• Southeastern Youth Fair (Marin County), February 20 - March 1, Ocala
• Sumter County Fair, February 27 - March 7, Bushnell
• Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair, February 27 - March 8, Fort Myers
• Saint Lucie County Fair, February 27 - March 8, Fort Pierce
• Okeechobee County Fair, March 13-22, Okeechobee
• Indian River County Fire Fighters Fair, March 13-22, Vero Beach
• Sarasota County Fair, March 13-22, Sarasota
• Citrus County Fair, March 16-21, Inverness
• Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, March 26 - April 12, Miami
• Suwannee County Fair and Livestock Show, March 26 - April 4, Live Oak
• Brevard County Fair, March 27 - April 5, Melbourne
• Santa Rosa County Fair, March 31 - April 5, Milton
• Clay County Agricultural Fair, April 2-11, Green Cove Springs
• Lake County Fair, April 2-11, Eustis
• Hernando County Fair, April 6-11, Brooksville
• Central Florida Fair, April 16-26, Orlando

Carley Moss, winner of 2008 Miss Martin County Fair Pageant. Photo courtesy of Martin County Fair.

Rosaire's Racing Pigs, photo courtesy of the South Florida Fair

Additionally, the Florida State Fair is scheduled for February 5-16 in Tampa. Except for a couple of years during World War II, this granddaddy of all fairs has been held every year since its inception in 1904. Horse shows, 4-H dog training classes, gun shows and sales, model train shows, concerts, tea times, and history tours join with the traditional carnival and livestock shows to provide 12 days of fun and excitement. If you plan to attend one of Florida’s many fun fairs, be sure to book accommodations well ahead of time, as hotels and motels fill up during these popular events. To find accommodations around the state, visit the UpTake.com Florida hotels page.

Trail at Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, Minnesota

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

In Pipestone, Minnesota, there’s a unique quarry of pipestone, the stone used by Native Americans to create sacred pipes.  Visiting the Pipestone National Monument allows visitors to see the natural beauty of the area, learn about tools used by the Native Americans, and enter one of the quarry areas.

Inside the National Park Service visitor center, artisans are on hand to show how the pipes are crafted.  Another display gives a close-up view of petroglyphs that have been found in the “red rock” of the area.

Outside, a circle trail meanders through the prairie, crossing a creek, passing a waterfall, and offering a climb up on the rocks for a different view.  It’s very quiet and peaceful, and although the trail is only 3/4 mile long, it shows off a variety of plants, wildlife, and terrain.

Waterfall at Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, Minnesota

Kids can participate in a junior ranger program.  Once they complete the scavenger hunt and workbook, they can turn it in for a junior ranger badge.  My children were very proud of their badges, and the interaction provided by the guidebook helped them to enjoy the site more.

Nestled in the southwestern Minnesota prairie, the Pipestone National Monument is important in teaching about Minnesota history and Native American culture.

Photo credits: minnemom

Monkey Frog - Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is a 55 acre park with over 4,500 animals.

Indian Star Tortoise - Houston Zoo

It supports species survival and conservation projects that assist in the survival of threatened wildlife and habitats.

Spectacled Bear - Houston Zoo

For the most up-to-date daily info, see the Zoo Website.

Indochinese Tiger - Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is closed on Christmas Day,

but open and FREE on MLK Day, Columbus Day, President’s Day,

the Friday after Thanksgiving & New Year’s Day.

It’s also a lot of fun.

Photos courtesy of cburnett from Wiki Commons

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

The store as it appeared around 1910. Photo courtesy of Mast General Store.

On any morning, stop into the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, grab a 5 cent cup of coffee, sidle up to the pot bellied stove, and join the locals who gather each day to argue politics and exchange news from around the valley.

Isolated high in the Appalachians, with unreliable roads even during the best weather, residents of this town have relied on general mercantile stores for their every need since pioneer days. One of these, the Mast General Store, began as the Taylor Store in 1883. By 1917 it had been purchased by the Mast family, who owned it for anther 60 years. Although today no longer owned by the Masts, the current owners continue to operate the store as a historically accurate general store.

The Mast General Store exerior. Photo courtesy of Ken Thomas, http://www.kenthomas.us

Step through the front door and you are instantly transported to a bygone era. The walls are lined with dry goods, overalls, and every imaginable hardware implement. Hand-hewn wooden display cases rest on plank floors polished smooth by generations of footsteps, offering everything from stone ground corn meal to locally canned preserves. In another room, rows of wooden barrels overflow with old-fashioned hard candy, licorice, and sugar-coated gum drops. Yet another cubbyhole features handmade local crafts. Upstairs, customers find an extensive selection of sportswear and sporting gear.

Photo courtesy of Mast General Store

Indeed, there seems to be no end to the rooms at the Mast General Store; the facility goes on and on like a giant maze. Even the Valle Crucis Post Office is still located in the corner of the original store’s front room, complete with antique boxes and a postal window. The store not only sells wares made by local artisans, it regularly sponsors demonstrations of making bread, corn husk dolls, and herbal remedies; construction of birdhouses and gout rockers; basket weaving and hand-painting of thimbles and Christmas ornaments.

Because it was considered one of the finest remaining examples of an old country general store, in 1977 the Mast General Store was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, which seems fitting, since it is located in the countryside of North Carolina’s first and only Rural Historic District. No visit to the charming hamlet of Valle Crucis is complete without a stop at the Mast General Store, where customers can buy everything from plows to cloth and cradles to caskets. The locals will gladly tell you that, “If you can’t buy it here, you don’t need it.” Just ask any of them as you warm your hands over that pot bellied stove.