NPS #10: De Soto National Memorial and Florida History

History and nature come together at the Hernando De Soto National Memorial in Brandenton, FL.  Don't confuse this site with the Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida.  The National Park Service (NPS) operates this memorial.  The government authorized the memorial in 1948 to keep the story of Spanish conquistador and exploration.  

When we travel to new regions, we like to talk about the unique plants to the area.  Just getting out of the car, you will see a Gumbo Limbo tree, native to Southern Floridan and the Caribbean.  When you go into the visitors center, you can dress up in armor and watch a short film about the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto.  You'll appreciate the no cost entrance.

He began exploring at an early age of 14, taking a trip from Spain to Panama.  He served Balboa and partnered with Hernan Ponce de Leon.  De Soto traveled from Spain to Cuba to Florida with nine ships and 600 soldiers.  As one of the earliest European explorers of North America, his expedition landed on Florida's west coast in 1539.

Fortunate timing allowed us to visit Camp Uzita, the living history camp operating December to April.  Men in period costumes provided in-depth demonstrations, taking us through time while demonstrating different weapons.

After hearing the history, we took the half-mile trail on the south shore of the Manatee River.  NPS places history stories along the trail.  You might also see animals such as birds, fiddler crabs, pelicans and gulls, egrets, and herons.  Beyond the mangroves, you will see the water.  The park includes a small beach called Cove Beach.  We had good timing.  During the week, we walked along the shore as the only family exploring.  Another great time to visit is during one of their fishing clinics (age 7 and up) or a 1.5 hour ranger led kayak tour. Visit the NPS website for event information and keep exploring.

Transportation Lesson #7: 8 Ways to Ride a Stagecoach

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm: Olathe, Kansas

Transportation vehicles can take your kids mind back in time.  Imagine moving at 10 miles per hour with your ten pound or less luggage in heat, cold, dust, and bumpy roads.  Makes you appreciate your last airplane flight a bit more.  In the 19th centuries, stagecoaches acted as a main transportation mode, more rugged and stronger than carriages with thin wheels.  Slower than a horse, but taking heavier loads, stagecoaches delivered mail, freight, and passengers.  At one time, the US had over 150 stagecoach stations between Kansas and California.  The railroad competed and decreased stagecoaches.  The automobile put stagecoaches to a halt. 

We drove out west to see stagecoaches at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm in Olathe, Kansas.  The living history farm provides six rides on Saturday and one ride on Sunday ($7 adults, $5 youth entrance).  During the work week, you can get a reduced entrance fee to see the exhibits and barn, but no ride.

Here's seven other places your family can take a stagecoach ride:
1.  Yellowstone National Park; we visited the park but did not know you could take a stagecoach ride at Roosevelt area for only $15
2.  Jackson Hole, Wyoming; visiting the square, we were aware of the stagecoaches circling the square; 10 minute ride $6-10, Memorial Day to Labor Day
3.  MacDonald's Ranch, AZ; 26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ, 48 minutes $48 adult/$45 child; moonlight ride 1 hour $85, 1.5 hour $100; however fee to farm with no ride $0
4.  Tombstone, AZ; Allen St. in front of OK Corral, 20 minute narrated tour of historic town; adult $10, children $5
5.  Harris Stage Lines, CA; 5995 N River Rd, Paso Robles, CA 1.5 hour tour including stagecoach ride $50/person with $200 minimum; also offers camps and clinics
6.  Knott's Berry Farm, CA;  8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA; Butterfield Stagecoach ride is an attraction; admission $45 (online) to $75 (gate ticket)/person; other rides include Bigfoot Rapids, Calico mine ride, and Calico railroad
7.  Old Sturbridge Village, MA; 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA; May to Oct. rides in reproduction 19th century stagecoach, $3 ride