NPS #7: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore & 2 Other Dunes

A new environment can make getting outside and exploring fun.  Dunes are a geological wonder enabled by wind.  Diverse in size, the hills and ridges add to the visual wonder.  Did you know Michigan is home to the largest dune system in the world?

 

Let's start with the dunes operated and protected  by the National Park Service (NPS).  The federal government created the national lakeshore in 1970.

Trip One:  At 450 feet above Lake Michigan, our kids enjoyed the challenge of climbing dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan. The book Amazing Places to Take Your Kids puts the size in perspective, "The dunes are among the largest in the world, matched only by those in Colorado, the Sahara, and Saudi Arabia." As a toddler, my daughter didn't go far.  Her bigger brother gleefully ran higher up a dune than her.  She still had fun in the giant sandbox.  We returned with the kids as teenagers and we all enjoyed hiking to breathtaking views.  At the top, we stood in awe with other tourists and the Park Ranger providing stories.  The blue water, the light sand, and surrounding greenery make it a picture perfect spot.

 
Trip Two:  On a later vacation, we visited sand dunes protected by the state park system.  Jockey's Ridge State Park has the tallest sand dunes on the Atlantic Coast.  While located on the Outer Banks, Nags Head, North Carolina, the dunes are not located on the coastline beaches.  Geologists believe hurricanes blew sand inland.  At a height of 80 to 100 feet, my kids, niece, and nephew enjoyed doing cartwheels on the sand.  We enjoyed the beauty of the sunset over the water.

Trip Three:  On our most recent vacation, we sought out another state park with a sand dune.  Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah has fabulous salmon pink sand created by iron oxide and minerals.  It comes from Navajo sandstone from the geologic period called Middle Jurassic.  Although the dunes have an estimated age of 10,000 to 15,000 years old, the landscape quickly changes.  The hills can move as much as 50 feet in just one year.  This time my kids, niece, and nephew ran up and down the hills.  Those moving at a slower pace found the rare Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle, only found within the 500 acres of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.  Conservationist worry about their extinction.  A 370-acre conservation area was established in which off-roach vehicle use is prohibited.  ATV trails are just beyond the park and you can schedule a guided four-seater tour or be the ATV drive with Coral Pink ATV Tours.

Here's 7 other sand dunes in the United States for your kids to explore:
1.  Juniper Dunes, Washington (WA) for hiking, wire keeps out the off road vehicles (ORV) and motorcycles http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/juniper-dunes-wilderness

2.  Syracuse Sand Dunes, Kansas for the family into adventure and able to use ORVs http://www.syracusesanddunes.com/

3.  Killpecker, WY, another play zone for ORVs http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Rock_Springs/rec/dunes.html

4.  Christmas Valley Sand Dunes, Utah (UT), the largest inland shifting system in the Pacific Northwest http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/site_info.php?siteid=85

5.  Oregon Dunes, Oregon, if your kids are old enough, the family can go horseback riding on the dunes  http://oregondunes.org/horse-riding.html

6.  Great Sand Dunes National Park, 35 miles north of Alamosa, Colorado (CO), kids can even sled on the dunes  http://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/directions.htm

7.  Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana (IN)  http://www.nps.gov/indu/forkids/index.htm

We've also been to the Indiana Dunes.  It's also fun for kids, but don't expect perfect scenery...a few smokestakes could be in your horizon.

NPS #4: Grand Canyon National Park Mule Rides or 4 Mule Days

Mules at Grand Canyon National Park  Photo by Krenda Frushour

Mules have played a part in American history through agriculture, war, pulling canal boats along the Erie Canal, and hauling goods along the trail rides west.  Famous leaders appreciated mules from George Washington the mule breeder to President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir riding mules in now Yosemite National Park.  If you have older kids age seven or above, your kids can ride mules in national parks.

Mules have characteristics that make them right for the job of carrying people near a canyon rim.  As an offspring of a donkey and horse, many consider mules as hardy and long-lived, less likely to spook, slower, more patient, and having higher endurance than horses.    

Grand Canyon Bright Angel Lodge

Shuttle to Mule Rides

We took a mule ride along the Grand Canyon south rim.  Reserve early because the park limits the number of riders per day.  The Grand Canyon is a popular National Park.  National Geographic's book 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life lists the Grand Canyon as a must see site, "The iconic Grand Canyon experience is the overnight mule ride down to the Colorado River; riders must be at least four feet seven inches tall and weight less than 200 pounds.  The ride can be physically taxing, especially in the heat of summer."
We had my younger, shorter nephew and took a less taxing ride under two hours.  It began our adventure by checking in at the Bright Angel Lodge's transportation desk.  The employees checked whether we met the requirements (above age seven years old, below two hundred pounds).  A shuttle bus took us to the mules and wrangler.  Park employees helped visitors get into the saddle and they assured us of the positive mule traits such as sure-footed and motivated by self preservation.  Our mules took us up and down the trails, through the forest, and giving us unique views of the canyon.  I'd suggest wearing jeans, sunglasses, hats, and bandanas.  The sun shines down and the dust kicks up.    

Grand Canyon guide, photo by Krenda

National parks seem like the perfect place for a mule ride.  It combines the natural beauty of the park and guides to tell you more about the park.  The Grand Canyon offers rides at both the north and south rim.  Here's three other national parks offering mule rides:

1.  Yosemite National Park by Big Trees Stables, 2 hour horse or mule ride, views of Big Trees Lodge, the Wawona Meadow Loop, a former encampment, and Wawona Dome.  $65/rider.

2.  Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce Canyon Lodge, leaving from Sunrise Point for views of Wall of Windows, The Chessman, and Bristle Cone Pine Trees; 2 hour tour to canyon floor $65 or 3 hour Peek-A-Boo loop trail $90

3.  Zion National Park by Canyon Trail Rides - offered March to Oct., one hour trip Virgin River Ride $45/person includes view of Three Patriarchs, The Beehives, and cactus gardens or 3 hour tour along Sand Bench Trail $90 offering views of the park's southern end

 If you want to spend less than $65/person, find other ways to get your kids close to mules.  Look for a Mule Days festival.  Here's four annual Mule Day festivals:

1. Mule Days Bishop (Bishop, CA, Memorial weekend, Sat. show $15 adult and $10 child): attracts over 300,000 fans, 700 mules, and 14 shows within six days, boasts the "World's Longest Non-Motorized parade", watch hitch classes, timed cones, donkey driving timed, team roping, Sat. night dance $10, BBQ dinner $25 adult and $10 child
 

View from mule, Grand Canyon NP, photo by Krenda

2. Mule Days Columbia (Columbia, TN, April, Fri. & Sat., $10 and free for kids under 12)- celebrate the "mule capital" of the world, even began in 1840 and now over 200,000 people attend; lumberjack competitions, clogging, log pulling competition, bluegrass music, gospel singing, worship service, chili supper, dance, Mule Day Queen competition; entertainment includes a mule pull contest requiring a pair of mules to pull a sled loaded with cinder blocks ten feet

3.  Benson Mule Days (Benson, NC, Benson Singing Grove downtown, 4th Sat. of Sept.), attracts 40-50 thousand people, rodeo $15, American Legion dance $9, mule pulling contest, camping, sidewalk chalk art, bluegrass, karaoke, 
 
4.  Harrison Mule Days (Woodbine, MD, Carroll County Equestrian Center), primitive camping $20, mule jump, hay ride, baby bottle race, night coon hunt, cornhole tournament, animal dress-up competition, cowboy church, and auction

History Lesson #4: Tall Ship Windy Pirates and 6 Pirate Events

"Arrgh!"  Kids seem fascinated with pirates.  Perhaps sparked by a movie like Treasure Island, Hook, Peter Pan or Pirates of the Caribbean.  With our Hollywood costumer sister-in-law knowing Johnny Depp of Pirates of the Caribbean, there is even more intrigue.  Seems odds to talk more about people who commit crimes, but it is a part of global and American history.

Our kids learned more about pirates in a fun manner by taking the Tall Ship Windy "Skyline Sail with Tales of Real Pirates" cruise on the lake.  Tall Ship Windy conveniently docks at Navy Pier which has lots of restaurants and attractions.  You might connect pirates to ocean-lined states, but the Midwest had pirates too.  Pirate Dan Seavey used fake port lights along the lake shore so ships would crash on the rocks and he could steal their goods.  Dan Seavey was charged with piracy, crime by ship, on the Great Lakes.  River piracy concentrated along the Ohio River and Mississippi Valley.

The Tall Ship ride included pirate costumed employees leading a treasure hunt while the parents relaxed.  We admired the Tall Ship and enjoyed the Chicago skyline view.  The Tall Ship measures 148 feet and categorized as a traditional four-masted gaff topsail schooner.  This schooner takes claim as the first certified four-masted traditional sailing vessel built in the U.S.A. since 1921.  The book 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life lists Chicago as a must see site "With 50 acres of parks, promenades, and gardens jutting into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is always thronged with Chicagoans.  Its websites details the area's many attractions, from amusement park rides to shoreline cruises.  Kids can help raise and trim the 11 sails of the tall ship Windy, and take a turn at the ship's wheel."

The 75 minute ride costs $30 for adults and $10 for children.  Plus consider Chicago parking fees.

If you want to spark kids imagination about pirates, but not visiting Chicago, consider the following six events:

1.  Pirate Fest Las Vegas; Las Vegas, Nevada (April), Craig Ranch Park
Treasure map for kids, jugglers, musicians, and a puppet show, $15 adult, $10 children age 5 to 11 years old

2.  Central Missouri Pirate Fest; Kansas City, MO
Foam sword battles and fire dancers, $7 admission, free for children age 5 and under

3. Blackbeard Pirate Festival; Hampton, VA (June)
Arts and crafts, music, fireworks, Little Scallywags Lagoon for young children including carousel ride and digging for treasure

4.  Pirate Party on the Beach; Virginia Beach, VA (May)
Pirate re-enactors, bandana-making, face-painting, and weapons demonstrations

5.  Vero Beach Pirate Fest; Vero Beach, FL (Sept.)
living history pirate encampment, authors, historians, kid's treasure hunt, cannon demo

6.  Michigan Pirate Festival; Grand Haven, MI; Loutit District Library
bellydance class for age 4-12, storytelling, mini golf, puppet show, and costume contest

If you want to ride a schooner, but not the Tall Ship Windy, consider Tall Ship Witch.  Read about our trip on Tall Ship Red Witch within article "Sports: Yacht Competition and Six Schooner Rides".  

Animal Lesson #4: 5 Elk Viewing Spots

May you enjoy animals close up, not just on tv.  If you time your visit the right place at the right time, you can hear the elk bugle, a distinctive deep sound followed by a squeal.  I was fortunate to have a trip to Estes Park during this Sept.-Oct. season and an adventurous co-worker, so we woke up early to hear the elk in the Rocky Mountain National Park. 

I took the above photo at the Yellowstone National Park.  National Geographic's 100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life lists Yellowstone National Park as a must see site, "To maximize your child's wildlife spotting, Gafney suggest investing in some high-powered binoculars and heading to Haden Valley and Lamar Valley for a day devoted to animals."  My family found the most elk in the Mammoth area (North side) where they wandered among the campground lawns.  The kids favorite memories were the animals in the park.  Here's 5 more places you can take your kids to see elk:

1.  Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Elk were released in 2001 and now there's 140 elk in the area.  Besides elk, visit the 9 historic buildings.  If you need a nearby cabin, contact me or check out Lightning Bug Lodge or Indigo Moon Lodge.

2.  Ponca Elk Center in Ponca, AR
Drive into the Boxley Valley near the Buffalo National River, elk were re-introduced and now there's nearly 450 elk along the river.  Visit the center for education; open 5 days a week (closed Tue/Wed); free admission.

3.  Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, PA
Learn at the center which opened in 2010.  Most people drive to Winslow Hill with viewing areas and off road parking.  If you want to camp near elk, try Sinnemahoning State Park which has a small herd.

4.  National Elk Refuge, near Jackson, WY
Approx. 5,000 elk in the area.  Check for events.  Elk Fest antler auction in April.  Horse drawn rides Dec.- April for $20 in 2014.

5.  Utah - Logan Canyon, Mount Nebo, Mount Timpanogos
Population exploded and has reached 63,879 elk in the state.