Animal Lesson #3: 7 Places with Parrots

Parrots, their feathers are more vibrant and colorful than any fabric we can make. Isn't it funny how we try to mimic nature?

Yet nature still prevails as the most interesting, the most vibrant.  Kids love the bright colors too.  Parrots tend to entertain everyone because of their ability to mimic human voices and laughter.  Teach your kids the term "zygodactyl".  It's a term that means 4 toes on each foot with 2 toes that point forward and 2 toes that point backwards.  It's also one of the features needed for a bird to be classified as a parrot.  The bird must also have a curved beak to classify as a parrot.

 

I had a parrot on my shoulder at Gumbalimba Park in Roatan, Honduras.  While wild parrots tend to live in the warm areas of the Southern Hemisphere, you don't need to travel to a foreign country to see a parrot.

Here's 7 places to spot a parrot in the United States:
1. Jungle Island, formerly called Parrot Jungle Island, Miami, Florida; $35 adult, $27 child http://www.jungleisland.com/public/explore/admission/index.cfm

2.  Animal Gardens featuring Echo the talking and singing parrot as seen on America's Got Talent, Delavan, Wisconsin; $10 adult or child, additional for Dancing Horses Show http://www.animalgardens.com/tix.htm

3. Sea World in Orlando, Florida; $71 kids, $79 adults; http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-orlando

4.  Rolling Ridge Ranch offers wagon tours in Millersburg, Ohio; $11 kids; $16 adults; http://www.visitrollingridge.com/animal-park-african-grey-parrot.html

5.  San Diego Zoo in California (and many other zoos across the nation); $34 kids; $44 adults;
http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/

6.  Parrot Mountain and Gardens, Pigeon Forge, TN, $8 kids, $16 adults http://www.parrotmountainandgardens.com/

7.  Rainforest Adventures Discovery Zoo, Sevierville, TN; $7 kids, $12 adult, check site for coupon at http://www.rfadventures.com/

If you are looking for a way to give back to both parrots and veterans, contact Serenity Park Parrot Sanctuary located in CA outside the VA hospital http://www.parrotcare.org/Parrots.html

Any other places you recommend where kids can see parrots?

History Lesson #3: National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio and 6 Other Air Force Museums

Kids may see aircraft in history films or movies.  You can help bring it alive by taking them to a museum.  When you walk onto an aircraft, the kids begin asking questions about the stories behind the planes.  It's a great opportunity to discuss war, freedom, and appreciation for all who have served in the military. 

I've been to the Air Force Space & Missile Museum and National Museum of the United States Air Force.  These large museums have so many displays that you can make it a full day event.  Plus, military museums and bases provide me the chance to hear stories straight from veterans at the museum, including my Dad and Uncle. 

The National Museum of the United States Air Force serves as the world's largest military aviation museum.  It's right in the heartland, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, north or Dayton, Ohio.  With it's size and numerous programs, no wonder it attracts over 1 million visitors per year.  Plus, the free parking and admission makes it a deal you can't beat.  

With 19 acres of indoor exhibit space, you may not see the entire museum in one day.  I suggest timing your visit with one of their tours.  Each tour has a theme and takes approximately one hour 15 minutes.  Tours also offered at no cost!

1) Early Years, WWI and WWII

2) Korea and SE Asia Galleries

3) Space, Research, & Development, Global Reach and Presidential Galleries

4) Cold War Gallery

If you have additional time, consider visiting their theater.  They offer multiple shows and tickets cost approximately $10 per person.

Here's 6 other Air Force museums you can visit with your kids:

1.  Air Force Space & Missle Museum, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Cape Canaveral, Florida (FL), outdoor rocket garden http://afspacemuseum.org/

2.  South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Ellsworth AFB, Box Elder, South Dakota, bus tour $8 adult, $5 children http://www.sdairandspacemuseum.com/btours.htm

3.  Eighth Air Force Museum, Barksdale AFB, near Bossier City, Louisiana, free admission http://8afmuseum.com/

4.  Hill Aerospace Museum, Ogden, Utah, over 90 aircraft, http://www.hill.af.mil/library/museum/index.asp

5.  Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, decomissioned Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois, over 40 aircraft, day camp programs  http://www.aeromuseum.org/

6.  Strategic Air and Space Museum near Ashland, Nebraska, southwest of Omaha, check site for events  http://sasmuseum.com/

NPS #2: Pearl Harbor Memorial & Military History

Pearl Harbor Memorial; Photo by Krenda

A shout out to the men and women who are serving our nation and the families who support them. Here's my disclosure - I have relatives who have served or currently serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. I may be biased to think about them and other military families often.  These photos were taken in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor.  Author Patricia Schultz lists "Oahu" as a must see site in her book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and she recognizes the tie to history, "the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor reminds you of the city's place in 20th-century history."

My husband tells the story of his uncle in the Navy in Pearl Harbor during the attack and how he swam below burning water, splashing the water to find a place to come up and breath without flames, and his survival.

We took the opportunity to visit the location of the attack.  If you want to visit Pearl Harbor, go to Aloha Court on Oahu.  You can get free tickets to the Navy-operated shuttle boat ride and walk through exhibit galleries.  Also, you can visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater and learn more at the 23- minute documentary film.

May is Military Appreciation month and Ladies Home Journal has a few ideas to show you appreciate the troops:
- send an e-mail or letter of thanks at Amillionthanks.org
- ship a care package to a soldier through Uso.org/donate
- write an uplifting message at Americasupportsyou.mil
Also, my husband and I have found through our travels, that when you see someone in uniform or meet someone who tells you they are a veteran, it means a lot to stop to say "thank you".