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.

World of Difference #2: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Years working in the pet industry made me especially enthusiastic about helping pet adoption.  I looked forward to our volunteer day every year.  The entire office team worked together to upgrade an adoption facility.  Lots of heavy lifting, planting, and painting and everyone left on the bus with a smile.

The National Geographic book 100 Best Affordable Vacations lists volunteer work as a vacation idea.  In the section "nurture the big cats", the author highlights Best Friends animal sanctuary, "The country's biggest no-kill sanctuary, Best Friends of Kanab, Utah, welcomed volunteers to work with it's dogs, cats, horses, waterfowl, pigs, parrots, and rabbits to name its most common residents.  On an average day, the shelter is home to 2,000 animals, rescued all across the country."  The sanctuary rents cabins at reasonable rates.  We chose to rent a log home offsite and make the sanctuary part of our vacation.  

Due to the popularity, I recommend you plan ahead and understand whether you can schedule volunteer spots ahead.  We lucked out with an extra special tour guide.  As the grandson of the original land owner, he had historical stories to share while driving the mini-van around the site.  He stopped and showed us the key buildings, taking time to introduce us to the animals.  We hit the timing in which well known, televised pitbulls were being rescued.  We cuddled with the cats.  We heard about the onsite cafeteria and so glad we hit lunch timing.  We ate our salad buffet lunch outside on the patio with an amazing view.  Meanwhile, my dad and stepmom ate indoors with a bigger surprise - the founder joined their lunch table!

We had such a great experience, we rearranged our vacation schedule to fit in another afternoon at the sanctuary.  This time we watched the horse demonstration and learned about their training techniques.  By donating financially, we became part of their magazine mailing and every month, we are reminded by the amazing work at the Best Friends animal sanctuary.

Animal Lesson #10: 7 Places to Show Kids Bison

Bison at Yellowstone National Park

Loved how the bison "owned" the Yellowstone National Park, roaming freely where they wanted. If they felt like crossing the road, believe me, you waited. Their size and power and prehistoric look makes you sit back, wait, and enjoy watching.

The kids enjoyed seeing the bison so much, we sought out a closer location with bison.  USA Today listed The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area as one of the "51 Greatest Places to See Wildlife" describing the area, "Located in the national recreation area known as Land Between the Lakes (between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake), Kentucky's only drive-through elk and bison prairie gives visitors up-close views of these majestic animals."  

The Elk & Bison Prairie National Recreation Area (Golden Pond, KY) in Land Between the Lakes offers family an economical deal - only $5 per car.  http://www.lbl.org/EBPrairieGate.html. Only enclosed vehicles allowed.  The loop only covers 3.5 miles, but leave plenty of time to allow bison to cross the road in front of you.

In the past, 40 to 60 million bison roamed across North America (NA).  According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, there are now only 500,000 in NA and most live on ranches.  Conservation herds total an estimated 20,000.  If you'd like to help, check out The American Bison Society http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/hoofed-mammals/bison/the-american-bison-society.aspx


As the kids continued to age, I'd find more places to sight bison.  Look up bison farms where residents raise bison and offer products for sale.  I found one in Wisconsin - Lester's Bison Farm (31807 60th St, Salem, WI).  No entrance fee to pay.

We did purchase meat after learning more about the farm business from the owner himself.  If you do not feel motivated to travel for bison meat, go to meet Lester.  His patriotism shines at the driveway entrance with a row of American flags.  Retired from the United States Marine Corp, he has a lot of stories to tell.
  
If you'd like to show your kids the bison, here's 7 other locations with bison;
1.  Sandsage Bison Range, Garden City, KS, http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Region-3/Sandsage-Bison-Range
2.  Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne, MN, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/blue_mounds/index.html
3.  Antelope Island State Park, Layton, Utah (UT), near Salt Lake City, $9 per car http://www.utah.com/stateparks/antelope_island.htm
4.  Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford, Nebraska http://www.stateparks.com/fort_robinson.html
5.  Maxwell State Bison Refuge, Canton, KS http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/KDWPT-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Region-4/Maxwell
6.  House Rock Wildlife Area near Jacob Lake, Arizona, http://www.wildlifeviewingareas.com/wv-app/parkdetail.aspx?parkid=57
7.  Witchita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, OK, bison and elk reintroduced  http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains/wildlife_and_habitat/index.html#

Gym Class #9: Horses, Cowboys, & 7 Rodeos

 

Photo by Krenda

Rodeo, a challenging sport, grew from the cattle industry and had influence from the Spanish ranchers.  Some claim Spanish rode focuses on style while American rodeo values speed.  Bull wrestling had conducted in Europe including Spain many years before America.  However, Bill Pickett of the United States has fame as the inventor of bulldogging.  William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) created the first major rodeo and the first Wild West show.  

 

Today the PRCA states that a sanctioned rodeo must include five events:  

1) calf roping:  top professional calf ropers with rope and tie a calf in seven seconds.  Time stops when the cowboy throws up his or her hand.  After putting slack in his rope, the timer waits for six seconds during which the calf must stay tied prior to recording.

2) barrelback riding:  cowboys hold on with only hand and judged upon control during the eight second ride

3) saddle bronc riding:  judging considers how hard the horse bucks, cowboys disqualify if either foot slips out of a stirrup

4) bull riding:  cowboys must remain seated, cowboys disqualify for touching the animal, himself, or his equipment with his free hand

5) steer wrestling:  steer wrestler on horseback starts behind a barrier and if he leaves too soon i.e. "breaking the barrier", the judges give a ten second penalty 

At a rodeo, you may also see team roping (two cowboys work together to rope back feet and if rope only one herd foot then judges give five second penalty) and barrel racing (cowboys ride a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels and incur a five second penalty for each barrel overturned).  

At junior events, you may see mutton busting in which young children attempt to ride sheep for six seconds.

We attended the Jacob Hamblin Days festival in Kanab Utah, a celebration of pioneer and western heritage, which included a rodeo.  I really enjoyed watching the rodeo outdoors, surrounded by beautiful scenery and watching the sunset.  During junior events, the fathers did a lot of helping.  The encouragement was visible.  The announcer would get excited and the whole crowd would cheer whether or not the child held onto the sheep for six seconds.

Attending the National Finals Rodeo by PRCA ProRodeo in Las Vegas, NV may give you a challenge considering tickets have sold out for past 26 years.  You can get on a waitlist for a balcony seat.  Here's x rodeo event with available tickets:

1) Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne, WY, July):  began in 1897 and now attracts nearly 200,000 fans, besides rodeo events, it includes the USAF Thunderbirds air show, chuckwagon cookoff, and serving of nearly 100,000 free pancakes; concerts such as Toby Keith ($47-71), rodeo ($7-30 each), championship bullriding ($31-41), carnival armband ($30); consider the Frontier four pack ($99) which includes rodeo tickets for four and hot dog dinner.

2) Pendleton Round Up (Pendleton, OR):  began in 1910 and now one of the top ten largest rodeos in the world with crowd of approximately 50,000, visit the tipi village, Happy Canyon pageant, Indian Pow-Wow, dress-up parade, wild cow milking, and relay racing, rodeo ($20-30 each)

3) The Reno Rodeo (Reno, NV, June);  nearly 100 years old and claims 140K fans over 10 days, giving over $2million in prize money, the slogan is "wildest, richest rodeo in the west", steer decorating, cattle drive, cowboy church, X-treme bull ($19-26), rodeo ($21-23)

3) Ellensburg Rodeo (Ellensburg, WA, Labor Day weekend):  Over 600 contestants and four nights of rodeo ($17-37 each), Xtreme Bulls ($15-43), pancake breakfast ($6), Hall of Fame banquet (limited $40 tickets), dance in dirt, and cowboy church

4) World's Oldest Rodeo Prescott (Prescott, AZ, June/July):  began in 1888 as "cowboy tournament" with cash prizes, now eight performances ($16-20), Kiwanis kiddie parade, arts & crafts show, and cowboy church

5) Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (Fort Worth, TX, Jan./Feb.);  world's original indoor rodeo, adult ($10), child age 6-16 ($5) includes livestock events and educational programs, Moo-seum experience, over 400,000 people attend

6) National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (Denver, CO, Jan.):  admission ($10-20) or family 4-pack ($89 includes hot dog dinner), Colorado vs. champions of the world rodeo, Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza includes trick roping, PBR bull riding, draft horse show and pull, petting farm, pony rides for children

7) Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo (Davie, FL):  rodeo ($22 adult, $10 child age 3-12), championship buckle presentation, pancake breakfast

All pricing subject to change.  Please visit their websites.

Agriculture Lesson #4: North Carolina Zoo Bee Exhibit & 7 National Pollinator Events

  Bees serve us in so many ways, most importantly as a pollinators of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.  The world has other pollinators, but bees perform about eighty percent of all pollination worldwide.  Bees also produce honey from the sugary secretions of the plants, aka floral nectar.

When I toured the Google headquarters and ate lunch on a picnic bench, I noticed they had their own beehives for fresh honey - impressive!  In exploring the Fairmont Edmonton, Canada patio grounds, I delighted in the inclusion of beehives.  You don't need a special invite to a corporate headquarters or luxury hotel in Canada to show your kids beehives.

The United States is a major honey producer, ranked third after China and Turkey.  If you search events, you can likely connect your child to a local beekeeper who manages hives of domesticated bees.  Also, I like to look for bee products at farmers markets such as honeycombs or flavored wax honey sticks.  The kids love to taste sweet honey.

My family took time to explore bee hives and educational materials at the North Carolina Zoo located 75 miles west of Raleigh, NC in Asheboro, North Carolina.  Entry costs approximately $15 for adults and $11 for children.  We also watched a live hive at the KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum.  Admission is a suggested $7 for adults and $4 for children.  If you can't visit an exhibit or museum, go the to the KU Natural History Museum website for a link to the live bee cam.  Kansas designated the honeybee as the official state insect.

Unfortunately pesticides, air pollution, habitat destruction, and drought contribute to bees dying.  According to Greenpeace, worldwide bee colony collapse occurs as winter losses exceed the norm - especially in the United States.  Europe has placed more restrictions on pesticides.  You and your family can celebrate and support bees by joining events during National Pollinator Week in June.  Visit the website pollinator.org for updated events.  Here's 7 examples of past events across the country:  

1.  Bees & Brew at the Botanical Conservatory; Fort Wayne, IN

Suit up for a beekeeping experience with live beehives, sample raw honey, make DIY beeswax candles at the Foellinger-Freeman Botanical Conservatory

2.  Bee Bee Q; Detroit, MI

Fundraiser with silent and live auction, live music

3.  Wild! Heritage Pollinator Party: Huntington, WV

Make your own pollinator plant pot out of recycled materials at the Heritage Farm Museum and Village, see a colony of bees

Couldn't resist the costume.  He's so sweet, he's my Honey!

4.  BeeFest; Salt Lake City, UT

Enter your kids in the kids pollinator costume contest.  Event entrance free and you can support by buying plants or honey-baked items.

5.  Meadowbrook BeeBlitz; Urbana, IL

Train on how to photograph bees and upload photos to Bee Spotter, meet at the Garden Pavilion 

6.  Bugs & Brews; Denton, NE

Take an evening walk through the prairie and enjoy refreshments and presentation by biologist working with farmers and conservation groups

7.  Meet Our Beekeper; The Episcopal Church of the Advocate; Chapel Hill, NC

Watch Piedmont Patch beekeeper demonstrate the equipment at the hive besides pond where volunteers planted over 1,000 native grasses and wildflowers

She's my Honey too!