NPS #8: Adams National Historical Park

Where can you teach your children about two Presidents at the same time?  Take your kids to the Adams National Historical Park in Massachusetts.  Part of the National Park Service, this historical site is located 10 miles south of Boston in Quincy, MA.  You can enter the buildings only through a guided tour, so go to the Visitor Center (1250 Hancock Street) early.  Tours are based upon on a first come, first serve basis between May 18 and Nov. 10th.  First tour begins 9:15AM and last tour leaves at 3:15PM.  No big bags or backpacks allowed.  The visitor center also provides an approximately 30 min. orientation film Enduring Legacy:  Four Generations of the Adams Family.  Allow up to three hours for the tour.

 The first tour stop takes you to two homes declared a National Historic Landmark: 1) John Adams Birthplace, and 2) John Quincy Adams Birthplace.  You will learn the history of our 2nd U.S. President and 6th U.S. President.  The stories are full of love and patriotism.  After marrying Abigail Smith, John Adams settled the family in a house less than 75 yards away from his birthplace.  You'll see where Abigail wrote John letters and the fireplace where her son John Quincy helped make musket balls for the war.  You can imagine Abigail and her son watching the battle on Breeds Hill from another nearby hill.  John Adams served as a leader in the American Revolution, assisted in the Declaration of Independence, served two terms and Vice President, and elected President.  His son John Quincy joined John Adams in Europe and John Quincy learned seven languages.  Both John and his son began practicing law and served as U.S. Presidents.

Stone Library   Photo by Krenda Frushour

   You'll board the trolley again to transport to the next Adams family home.  The Old House or Peacefield has a Georgian-style estate.  The Adams family made numerous additions over the 140 years.  My favorite were the English-style garden and the Stone Library.  John Adams constructed the garden and pond.  The grounds still hold a yellowood and black walnut that John Adams planted.  John Quincy Adam's son Charles Francis Adams, an ambassador to the Great Britain during the Civil War, added the library, greenhouse, and carriage house.  The library is stunning and holds 14,000 historic volumes and believed to be the first presidential library. It also served as the location for Charle's sons Henry and Brook Adams to serve as historians and write.  We visited on a beautiful day in which bright flowers bloomed, the sun shined, and we ended the tour on the vine covered porch.

Peacefield or Old House

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#

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

Lighthouse Lesson #2: Bodie Island Lighthouse

Bodie Island Light Station stands proud at 170 feet tall and noticeable with it's black and white stripes. It's iconic look likely helped it make the Frommers travel guide article list "7 All-American Lighthouses".

Did you know it's not the first Bodie Island lighthouse?  Marine safety is worth the continued effort for a structure to watch over the "Graveyard of the Atlantic."  A poor foundation caused the first Bodie Island lighthouse to be abandoned.  Confederate troops who feared the lighthouse would be used as a Union observation post during the Civil War destroyed the second lighthouse.  The third lighthouse was built in 1872 and became part of the National Park Service in 1937.  The third time's the charm!

1937 was also the creation of the first national seashore.  Bodie Island Light Station is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the first national seashore.  If you visit, consider timing your visit between the third Friday in April to Columbus Day in October.  That's when the park service allows visitors to climb the 214 steps to the top 70-foot structure.

Today the Keepers Quarters brick house also serve as one of the three Cape Hatteras visitor centers.  You can expect a small exhibit area and a bookstore.

Bodie remains as one of only a dozen remaining tall brick tower lighthouses in the United States.  It's also special because it still has it's original Fresnel lens.

Stay on the trails as signs warn of snakes.  Take the boardwalk leading from the lighthouse to an observation platform near marshes for another view.

If you love the National Park Service like me, take your kids to the other National Seashores too.  Not only will you learn about history, but also shoreline conservation.  Here's the other nine national seashores:
1) Assateague Island National Seashore (MD)
2) Canaveral (FL)
3) Cape Cod  (MA)
4) Cape Lookout (NC)
5) Cumberland Island (GA)
6) Fire Island (NY)
7) Gulf Islands (MS)
8) Padre Island (TX)
9) Point Reyes (CA)

NPS #3: Elk & Bison at Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park Entrance, Photo by Krenda

The year after visiting Yellowstone & Grand Teton, I asked my son where he'd like to visit on vacation.   He exclaimed "where there's bison!".  You can show your kids bison and elk at both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.  The Jackson elk herd takes claim as the largest herd in North America.  The park objective given states having a herd of approximately 11,000 elk migrating between Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.  In Yellowstone, we found the most elk in the Mammoth area (North Side) where they wandered among the campground lawns.  In the Grand Teton National Park, we saw them grazing in the fields.

Mountains, boats, and lake at Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park offers more than viewing animals in nature.  The park offers educational talks, mountain scenery perfect for photography, plenty of hiking trails, and even a boat ride on the lake.

Author Patricia Schultz lists Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming as a must see site in her book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.  While she notes the overall photographic beauty, she points out a particular place, "At the foot of the range, glacial advance gouged a string of deep, cold, sapphire-blue lakes, of which Jenny Lake is one of the most beautiful and therefore most popular and visited."  For a reasonable rate, you can rent a kayak or take a ferry.  

If you want to show your kids elk, you can also find them in the eastern part of the United States. Consider a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Bison at Teton National Park; Photo by Krenda

1.  Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park:  Park released elk in 2001 and now nearly 140 elk live in the area.  Besides elk, visit the 9 historic buildings.  If you need to rent 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 wer 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.

Exhausted kids after hiking and searching for animals.

Science Lesson #2: Geology and Two Caves in KY

Photo by Krenda

I find when I combine reading a book or watching a movie and then visiting the site, I learn even more.  You can set up trips to make this experience happen for your kids. 

This article covers two caves in Kentucky and their connection to literature.

1.  Mammoth Cave National Park
The National Seleogoical Society lists cave books, including one focused on Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park by Ruth Radlauer.  They also list Amazing Bats by Frank Greenaway and Cave Life (Look Closer) by Christiane Gunzi. 

Mammoth Cave fits it's name; it's mammoth with over 365 miles mapped. Took the tour as a child and as an adult and enjoyed it.
Tips
There's multiple tour options.  Read online to select the right one for you and book early.  Tours fill up!

2.  Cave Springs Cavern
If you want to combine nature and literature with your kids, consider staying 6 miles away at Oak Hill Farm and Cabins in Smith Grove, KY.  While the Mammoth Cave is impressive, I found the Cave Springs Cavern on Oak Hills Farm to be even more interesting and mysterious.  Formerly used as a rare Native American ceremonial site, "the family" radio carbon dated 30 BC.  The owner and protector, Bill J Marohonic, gave us a personal tour included in our stay.

If you plan ahead, have your children read one of his books:  Dream Catcher How We Saved A Kentucky Time Capsule or My Conversion from a Humanist to a Believer.  You can also look up the PBS 9 minute video - that's how I learned about the unique site.

Bill will also tell you about his love for nature and animals.  He rescues horses and you can visit them.  His 17 acre estate includes a nature preserve.  At night, stay up to watch the bats circle under the moon light.

Tips
Book the bed & breakfast stay, tour no charge. If you have children and have a choice, choose the older log cabin, nicer than the new cabin.  Bill also rents out rooms in his 1857 antebellum home.

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 #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.

NPS #1 & Science: Niagara Falls National Park

Niagara Falls  Photo by Krenda

Rainbow intersects Niagara Falls

Driving through Canada to Niagara Falls with our two month baby made our son an early international traveler and national park visitor.  

Niagara Falls is listed as one of the 501 Must-Visit Natural Wonders because it's the best known falls.  The book comments on the sound too, "The local tribespeople call the falls 'onguiaahra', a 'thundering noise', which may seem like an understatement when you are faced with the sheer noise of almost 185,000 cubic m (6,600,000 cubic ft) of water roaring into the gorge every minute.  
     Glaciers melted and formed the Niagara Falls, a combination of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and American Falls) located in two countries.  Whether you visit in Canada or the United States, take the opportunity to get closer to the rushing water.  

My Youngest Tourist

According to 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Niagara Falls is a must see site and should be seen by boat too, "The classic way to view them, and also the best, is from aboard the Maid of the Mist, a sturdy 600-passenger boat that's the tenth in a same-name line of crafts, taking passengers right into the spray at the base of Horseshoe Falls since 1846."  We took the Maid of the Mist tour (adult $19.25, child age 6-12 years old $11.20, age 5 and under free) and experienced the sights and sounds of rushing water and appreciated the tour giving us raincoats.

Niagara Falls at Night

You may only spend a day around Niagara Falls.  I'd suggest visiting both day and night, so you can see the colored lights light up the falls at night too.  This is also recommended by Amazing Places to Take Your Kids, "Don't miss seeing Niagara Falls after dark, when powerful spotlights bathe the water in ever-changing colors."  On the US side, the falls are located within a national park, but the commercial surrounding area is very close and the competing bright lights and trinket stores could drive you to find less crowded natural sites.  

Not far away, you will find Whirlpool State Park.  Read my post "Science:  Niagara Falls Whirlpool and 9 Other Whirlpools" for more information.