Attractions

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

I topped the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern California and caught my first glimpse of Mono Lake. From afar it looked like just another body of water, but up close it took on an otherworldly appearance. All along the shore and from its placid lake waters, immense pinnacles jutted skyward. These eerie spires, known as tufa formations, seemed fragile, as if a mere touch would cause them to disintegrate and crumble to dust in the surrounding moonscape.

Tufa formations along the shore at sunrise. Photo courtesy of John Mueller @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmueller/1107029516/

Mono Lake, which is fed only by mountain runoff, has no outlet other than evaporation. During periods of high evaporation, dissolved salts in the water raise the lake’s pH level and salt concentration, making it 80 times more alkaline and 2 1/2 times more salty than the ocean. As the salt load becomes too heavy, it accretes out of the water, forming calcium carbonate deposits that over time have built up into the spires and pinnacles that today surround the lake and soar from its depths.

Tufa formations in the center of the lake. Photo courtesy of Miss Bliss @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bliss1955/2303878325/

The tufa building process accelerated when the State of California began diverting water from the Mono Lake in 1941 to serve the growing population of Los Angeles. By 1982 it was reduced to 37,688 acres, having lost 31 percent of its 1941 surface area. Fortunately, by the mid-1970’s Mono Lake was identified as an important stopping point on the migratory bird route and various conservation groups – including the Audubon Society – mounted a successful effort to save it. Since 1994, Mono Lake has been protected and the amount of water that the State can divert strictly controlled. As a result its level has risen, although the current surface is still below historic levels.

During summer months trained naturalist conduct free, one-hour walking tours of the world-famous South Tufa grove, during which they explain how the million-year old ecosystem developed. Canoe, kayak, and motor boat tours are also available during the summer months. For those desiring in-depth knowledge of the lake, weekend classes on birding, wildflowers, photography, and hydrology are conducted by expert instructors.

Mono Lake is located 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, just off US 395 between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. The US Forest Service manages the site, and a $2 fee is charged to visit the South Tufa site.

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

Kingda Ka. Photo by Dusso Janladde.

Faster than a car. Longer than a mile. Higher than the Statue of Liberty.  Check out these extreme roller coasters from the United States that make a trip to the amusement park exciting!

Top Steel Roller Coasters

Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson Township, New Jersey

Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, NJ. Photo by nthdesign.

With a height of 456 feet, a drop of 418 feet, and a speed of 128 mph, this mighty beast is the tallest and fastest in the United States.

Top Thrill Dragster
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH. Photo by adpowers.

Just behind Kingda Ka is this thrill ride, which boasts a height of 420 feet, drop of 400 feet, and amazing 120 mph speed.

Millennium Force
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH. Photo by soundfromwayout.

Also at Cedar Point, Millennium Force ranks on the list for longest as well as fastest, tallest, and tallest drop.  It has stats of 310 feet in height, a 300-foot drop, is 6595 feet long, and runs at 93 miles per hour.  It’s a force to be reckoned with.

Goliath
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, California

Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA. Photo by respres.

With a speed of 85 miles per hour, height of 235 feet, and spot on the record list for vertical drop as well, Goliath lives up to its name.

Superman: The Escape
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, California

Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA. Photo by Mike Kazarnowicz.

Goliath’s neighbor at Six Flags Magic Mountain may not hold as many records, but with a drop of 328 feet and speed of 100 mph, it’s a superhero in the world of roller coasters.

Top Wooden Roller Coasters

Son of Beast
Kings Island
Mason, Ohio

Son of Beast, Kings Island, Mason, Ohio. Photo by Brandon Cirillo.

With a height of 218 feet, drop of 214 feet, and speed of 78.4 mph, Son of the Beast is the current world-record holder for height, drop, and speed.

El Toro
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson Township, New Jersey

El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, NJ. Photo by tenioman.

Six Flags Great Adventure isn’t just great for a steel-coaster ride.  The wooden El Toro ranks on the tallest, fastest, and biggest drops lists with a height of 181 feet, drop of 176 feet, and speed of 70 mph.

The Voyage
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Santa Claus, IN

The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN. Photo by Neuski.

This voyage is one of the longest in the world on a wooden roller coaster at 6442 feet.  It also ranks on the lists for tallest (173 feet), tallest drop (154 feet), and fastest (67.4 mph).

Mean Streak
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio

Mean Streak at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio. Photo by nealpatrick61.

This is one mean wooden coaster, with a length of 5427 feet, a height of 161 feet, and a drop of 155 feet.

The Boss
Six Flags St. Louis
Eureka, Missouri

The Boss at Six Flags Over St. Louis, Eureka, MO. Photo by HAM guy.

The Boss is no slouch, with a speed of 66.3 miles per hour, a length of 5051 feet, and a drop of 150 feet.

Do you have a favorite roller coaster or amuseument park?

Information credit:  Wikipedia

Avery Island in the Iberia Parish of Louisiana is famous for something that is sold in every grocery store in this country.

Can you guess?

Do you know what I’m talking about?

Avery Island is the home of Tabasco hot sauce.

Tabasco Sauce

The island is not really an island.  I mean, it’s actually a salt dome surrounded by bayous on all sides. You can get to the island via a $1 toll road now.

American Indians discovered this and boiled the Island’s spring water to extract the salt, which they in turn to other tribes as far away as Texas, Arkansas and Ohio.

In the 1830’s, the Avery family settled there where they operated a sugar plantation and salt mines. This spot is one of the largest salt mines in the world today.

Avery Island Salt Mine Sign

Edmund McIlhenny married into the Avery family and founded The McIlhenny Company in 1868, received a patent on his special formula and began producing the famous Tabasco Sauce. His signature is on every product even to this day.

Edmund McIlhenny

Tabasco Sauce is still manufactured on Avery Island today.

Tabasco on Avery Island

The Avery-McIlhenny family has gone a long way to preserve the natural beauty of the island and native  birds, forming Jungle Gardens and Bird City, where egrets migrate and rare plants thrive.

Bird City on Avery Island

I don’t know about you, but next time I’m in Louisiana, I plan to visit the Tabasco Factory, pepper fields and see this unique part of Louisana’s history.

Photos curtesy of Mboxman

Junior Museum and Zoo

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

A recent visit to this Palo Alto landmark reminded me again what a great attraction this is for families with young children.

When my kids were toddlers and still in playgroups, our friends used to meet there often, especially in the winter, when the weather was unpredictable. Inside the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo we would find activities to keep our kids entertained for hours.

As I rediscovered recently, the Jr. Museum offers hands-on science exhibits in a contained space that offers several vantage points. You can park yourself in the middle of the room and watch as your kids explore, or get in there with them and experience the exhibits yourself.

Science exhibit

Outside the museum, in the back of the facility, is the zoo part of the Palo Alto Jr. Museum and Zoo. The best part of the zoo is the smell from the Bobcat habitat. I know that sounds strange, but I remember that smell from when I was a kid!

Resting raccoon

Gander at the goose

The Jr. Museum also offers special programs throughout the year, including Dads & Donuts and Moms & Muffins.

Plan Your Visit:

Hours:

Monday: closed
Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Please call the City of Palo Alto (650) 329-2111 for current hours and holiday schedules.

Admission is FREE, although a small donation is requested.

Address

Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
1451 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301 Tel: (650) 329-2111

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine contains more than 120 miles of hiking trails that range from very easy to strenuous workouts. Most average about one mile in length, however many intersect and forming a complex network, so it is possible to combine multiple trails to cover large areas of the park.

View of "The Bubbles," as seen from the trailhead

At 3.3 miles in length, Jordan Pond Shore Trail is one of the longer (and more popular), as it offers the best views of “The Bubbles” a pair of glacially sculpted mounds located directly across the pond from the trailhead. This trail has a little bit of everything; portions run along a well graded, level path, while other portions require scrambling over granite boulders or walking along a sometimes wobbly elevated rough plank boardwalk.

Parts of the trail are nicely improved while other parts require scrambling over giant granite boulders

The pond water is so clean that submerged granite boulders near the shore are clearly visible. Because the 150-foot deep reservoir is a source of drinking water for nearby Bar Harbor, swimming is prohibited, Kayaking and canoeing, however, are allowed, and Jordan Pond is one of the more beautiful places in Acadia National Park to paddle.

Swampy or fragile areas are traversed by a wooden boardwalk

Perhaps the best part of hiking at this particular location is the opportunity to dine at Jordan Pond House, where you can enjoy afternoon tea & popovers (a light, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth puff-pastry), a tradition since the 1800’s. Though the only accommodations available inside Acadia National Park are campgrounds, it is located just outside of the town of Bar Harbor, Maine, where a wide variety of lodging is available.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

It’s springtime in California, and for fourth graders that mean only one thing: missions. It is a California educational tradition that fourth grade students learn about these 21 historical churches. So, on Saturday we packed up the entire family and set off for the San Juan Capistrano Mission, the seventh oldest of the 21.

San Juan Capistrano itself has a quaint little historic downtown–a traffic nightmare on a Saturday, as the narrow roads were not meant for Orange County crowds and the clusters of million dollar homes that surround it.  But you don’t have to get too far off the 5 Freeway before pulling over to park (it’s free!) and walk into the mission. We could hear the bells tolling 12:00 as we dug out our camera and video camera.

There is a small fee to enter the mission–it isn’t cheap to keep these old buildings and grounds looking tip top, you know, but once inside, you know immediately that it’s worth it.

A View of the Original Walls

We made our way through each of the wings, winding in and out of the gardens and koi ponds and various rooms that are set up for viewing, until we got to the beautiful chapel, with its golden front wall (the roof had to be raised to accommodate it) where mass is still held.

Inside Chapel Serra at San Juan Capistrano

St. Peregrine

Off to the right, so discrete you might miss it, is a small prayer room named for St. Peregrine, known as the patron saint of cancer. A thick, heavy binder filled with page after page of prayers sits at the front of the room. As a cancer survivor myself, I took a moment to look at the book and to write a message.

Finally we wound back around to the front, saving the most memorable impression for last. We walked inside the original stone walls of the first mission, which still stand–just barely. Once considered the grandest of California’s 21 missions, the towering walls of the original chapel crumbled during an 1812 earthquake, killing 40 parishoners inside.

The Ruins and Beauty of the Mission

Still the best part of the mission’s story was told in a tiny viewing room halfway through the tour. After the destruction of the earthquake, the plundering from evil pirates, and a shady sale that took advantage of the church, two ranchers bought the land at auction for $710–a paltry sum, even then.

The mission’s story could have been over, but in one of his last great acts, just three weeks before he was killed, President Abraham Lincoln stepped in and returned ownership of the beautiful piece of land and the glorious ruins back to the Catholic church.

In the end it was a great reminder that these missions of California aren’t just about the controversy of the Spanish missionaries and the Native Americans they came to convert. They aren’t even just about the history of California. They are part of the story of the United States, and if you haven’t seen one yet, come to California and get it over with already–we’ve got 21, you know.

As for my fourth grader, I believe he was much more impressed with the lizard he tried to catch about ten minutes into our tour.

Photos by Tamara Rice; inside chapel by Flannery626 and St. Peregrine by clairegren of Flickr

You’ve heard of William Faulkner, right?

Rowan Oak is a 1840’s Greek Revival mansion in Oxford, Mississippi that was the home of the famous southern writer, William Faulkner.

Rowan Oak

Rowan Oak is a mythical tree.  Why Faulkner named his home after a mythical tree, I’m not sure, but I kind of like the idea.

Rowan Oak Sign

I mean, he was a writer…and writers do weird things.  They also love to name things.

In 1972, Faulkner’s daughter sold the home to the University of Mississippi, and now the University maintains Rowan Oak in homage to the literary significance of Faulkner’s work. Tours are available and lots of famous authors have visited.

One of the famous spots on site is the study, where Faulkner penciled, on the walls, the outline to his Pulitzer Prize winning novel A Fable.   He also kept a bed in his office.

Over the course of his career he won two Pulitzer Prizes and the Nobel Prize for Literature.

He had a serious alcohol problem, but he did not drink while writing.  Drinking didn’t help his writing or the creative process.

Have you read any of Faulkner’s work?  What’s your favorite?

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

I’ll admit it.  My kids are well-acquainted with Schell’s Brewery.  It’s not that they’re beer experts or anything, but the brewery is one of our family’s favorite stops.  Why?  Because there’s more to Schell’s than beer.

Schell's Brewery, New Ulm, MN

Yes, the brewery tour is interesting, and the tasting of various beers for the adults and 1919 rootbeer, perhaps the best you’ll ever have, for the kids, is a draw for many to Schell’s, as is the museum the records the family-owned brewery’s history.  The gift shop is filled with unique gifts in addition to Schell’s-branded items.  But really, that’s not why we usually go to Schell’s.

Schell Gardens

We like Schell’s Brewery because of the gardens.  We pass Applebees and Target and leave the city behind as we wind our way up the hill to the brewery area.  At the top, just past the brewery and gift shop, are the Schell’s Gardens.  These gardens are in bloom from spring to fall, with a series of paths meandering through the various plants.  In the spring, it’s fragrant with lilies of the valley, and from there the blooms continue throughout the growing season.  If we’re lucky, we’ll spot one of the peacocks, including an albino, that wander the grounds, or find a deer in the adjacent deer park.

Schell's Brewery. Can you spot the peacock on the roof?

Best of all, the Schell’s Gardens are free.  We’ve been known to drive up there on a Sunday afternoon, just to take some time to relax and enjoy the quiet.

Schell Gardens

Oh, and if we happen to end up touring and tasting while we’re there, that’s just extra enjoyment.

Photo credits:  minnemom

When my boys were younger, they liked to try and draw on the walls in our home.

It’s just not acceptable to do that sort of thing…in private or public.

In fact, in public, it’s called graffiti.

Well, there’s some graffiti that’s famous…and worthy of a tourist attraction.

It’s really old grafiti in Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso, Texas.

Pictolyphs at Hueco Tanks

For thousands of years, Native Americans have left figures and designs painted on the rocks in this area.

The area gets its name from the large natural rock basins (called huecos) that trapped rain water which supplied water to people who lived or traveled through the region.

Northern Mountain at Hueco Tanks by Trina Ortega

These “tanks” were blank canvases for thousands of years worth of artists.

Starry Eyed Mask - Hueco Tanks pictograph

Nowadays you can pay a fee to enter the Hueco Tanks State Park and go on a free tour of the pictographs.

Rock climbing is supposed to be pretty awesome there also.

I’m so tempted to go find a cave, paint some wild stuff, then leave it to my children…so they can leave it to their children…who will leave it to their children…and so on. So that one day, my descendents can “discover” the cave art…and make a fortune.

I think it’s a great idea.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

When I went to check out Sutro Baths last week, I finally found Land’s End, and it is way more interesting than I ever expected!

Entering the Coastal Trail from the Point Lobos parking area, Land’s End is along the trail on the western side of San Francisco. The first thing I noticed is how accessible the trail is. In addition to being stroller friendly, the path also looks smooth enough for wheelchairs and walkers.

Land's End Trailhead

Volunteers have been working on trail reconstruction, and it really shows. Native plants are being restored and labeled, trails are delineated, and the whole place is being spruced up. Signs are easy to read and paths easy to follow.

Native California Poppy

I walked up the path until I reached the first curve, where to my surprise, the Golden Gate Bridge stretched out in front of me. Not quite as close as visiting from Strauss Point or Fort Point, but on a clear day, the view is beautiful.

Coast of California

If you are feeling ambitious, the trail connects the Cliff House to Eagle Point, around by China Beach.  With some shade, it is a beautiful walk in the spring, and remains so through the warmer summer months.