Gym Class #11: 7 Bungee Trampoline Places

Bungee Trampoline, Photo by Krenda

If your kids like trampoline parks and want to go even higher, consider a bungee trampoline.  Take jumping to a whole new level using bungee cord tethers attached to a jump harness.  Not only do you gain height, it also allows you to try flip after flip.  Do this activity at your own risk.  Operators act as safety spotters, but they will require you signing a release waiver before jumping.  We splurged for bungee trampoline ($15 per 5 minutes) at the Northstar California resort in Truckee (near Lake Tahoe).  We stayed at this beautiful resort for my friend's wedding.  While the resort is known for skiing (Outside Magazine 2014 Best Ski Mountain for Families, Travel Channel Top 5 Spots to Snowboard in the World), we visited during the summer and still found plenty of activities.  The Northstar's Kid Zone also offers spider climb, miniature golf, roller skating, and gem painting. 

Here's seven other places within the United States offering bungee trampoline experience: 

1.  Jackson Hole, WY: Cody Lake Teton Village, WY.  We stayed at a condo in Jackson Hole, but must have been so busy with national park activities that we missed the kid activity area.  1 activity ticket $14, must weigh between 40-60 lbs., fly up to 24 feet in the air.  Drop tower ($14), tramp sightseeing, and ropes course ($37).
2.  Big Sky Mountain, MT: 50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT, near Yellowstone Park, 3 minute jump for those weighing 40 lb. to 180 lb., also offers skeet shooting for adults, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing

3.  Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR: Adventure Park, 87000 US 26 Government Camp, OR.  recorded a jump of 15 feet; also offers alpine slide, batting cages, zip line, and disc golf.

4.  Beaver Creek resort Vail, Colorado:  I've also stayed at this resort, but during ski season.  The bungee jumping opens June and ends in September.  One session $14.  Adventure Center also offers gem panning, ropes course, and climbing wall.

5.  Okemo Mountain Resort, VT: 77 Okemo Ridge Rd, Ludlow, VT, single jump $10, four jumping stations, heights of 20 feet plus, also offers mountain coaster, Segway tour, AMP energy big air bag
6.  Treehouse World, PA: 1442 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA; no age min. as long as meeting min. 20 pounds, also offer archery tag, rock climbing on trees, and wooded nature trails
7.  Fun Stop Family Action Park, TN: Pigeon Forge TN, $7 ticket, also offers BOGO go kart tickets 9AM to noon and big top arcade; if you are looking for nearby lodging consider our luxury rental cabin in Pigeon Forge named Indigo Moon Lodge
www.indigomoonlodge.blogspot.com

Hotel or Cabin in the Smokies? My choice for a family event

I've been to hundreds of hotels, but when it came to planning our first trip to the Smoky Mountains, I decided to rent a cabin.  Why?  The purpose of the trip was to spend time with extended family and enjoy nature.  I imagined two scenarios.  Scenario One:  Six families relaxing in a cabin, eating together, having fun together whether hopping in the hottub or playing pool or foosball, enjoying nature together.  Scenario Two:  Six separate rooms in a hotel with each of us running from room to room in the hallways trying to find out whether each group was ready or worse, trying to all stand like sardines in one room.  And then searching for each other in the parking lot.

I'm glad I chose scenario one.  We celebrated my mother and father-in-law's 50th wedding anniversary and had great memories of the sun setting over the mountains.  Can you imagine that this photo was taken right off our deck?  What a view!  I was so inspired by the pristine scenery, I can't wait to return. 

We fell in love with the Smoky Mountains so much that the second time we visited, we bought a cabin and we rent it out so more families can create memories.  Search for Indigo Moon Lodge.

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?