Transportation Lesson #1: 8 Steamboat Rides Ranked by Ticket Price

Photo by Krenda

One of the ways Cincinnati inspired me is its history, especially on the waterfront I feel connected to bustling years of commerce and drama.
 
Cincinnati celebrated the steamboating era with a festival named “Tall Stacks Festival”. Over half a million people visited and more than a dozen steamboats visit the Cincinnati port.

The Magnolia Belle, The Natchez, The Mississippi Queen, The PA Denny, Delta Queen, General Jackson, Majestic, Spirit of Peoria, and more have all docked upon the Cincinnati shore.  The Tall Stacks Festival had so many steamboats and ride options, making it difficult to choose.  We enjoyed cruise both during the day and at night.

You don't need to wait for a festival.  If you want to treat your family to a steamboat ride, here's a few options in descending cost order:

1.  The African Queen (Marina del Mar, Florida) - family four approx. $200
Famous because it starred alongside Humphrey Bogart and Katherin Hepburn in The African Queen movie.  The $49 cruise takes you down the Port Largo Canals to Atlantic Ocean.  The two hour dinner cruise cost $89.  If you time it right, you may also attend the Humphrey Bogart Film Festival in May.

2.  General Jackson (Nashville, TN, Opryland) - family of four approx. $150
The largest inland shipbuilder in the US (Jeffboat in Indiana) built one of the largest showboats in the world.  Multiple shows available.  Taste of TN showband or Sunday in the South show $45 cruise and balcony seat, $30 child.  Nashville Nights show $60 adult, $45 child.  Pay more for better seats and/or meal.

3.  Katahdin, Maine (Moosehead Lake, Maine) - family four approx. $140
Leisure boat turned to log hauling vehicle and back to leisure boat docked at the Moosehead Marine Museum.  Katahdin operates June to Columbus Day with multiple cruise options:  Sugar Island cruise 3 Hours $35 each, Mt. Kineo cruise 5 Hours to see cliff side of Kineo Mountain $40 each, Head of the Lake Cruise 8 Hours $75 to Seboomook and includes dinner

4.  Steamboat Natchez (New Orleans, LA) - family four approx. $128
Cruise on New Orlean's only steamboat while enjoying the music.  Jazz cruise $48 adult and $21 children.  Jazz pianist or jazz trio plays.

5.  Sabino Conneticut (Mystic, Conneticut) - family four approx. $76
Sabino is believed to be the oldest wooden coal-fired steamboat still operating in the United States.  The 90 minute downriver cruise costs $18 per person, but does not require museum admission.  Sabino offers shorter, cheaper ride.  The half hour cruise costs only $8, but that offer requires Mystic Seaport Museum admission ($29 adult, $19 child age 4-14).  Although I did not cruise the Sabino, I admired it in the sunset.
 
6.  Belle of Louisville (Louisville, KY, Ohio River) - family of four approx. $66
Take a sightseeing cruise on one of the oldest operating steamboats in the world (built in 1914).  The Belle operates April to October with a capacity of 1914.   

7.  Minne-Ha-Ha (Lake George, NY) - family of four approx. $47
Minne-Ha-Ha was built in Lake George in 1969, not Minnehaha Minnesota.  Lake George Steamboat Company offers rides spring, summer, and fall including a summer pirate cruise giving kids treasure bags.  The one hour cruise costs $16 for adults and $7.50 for kids.  When you disembark, enjoy the sounds of a steam calliope on dock.

8.  Minnehaha, Minnesota (Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota) - deal during special events $20 for four total!
It once ferried residents and then sank in 1926 and raised in 1980.  It has a 90 person max. capacity.  Standard cruise $15 adult and $5 children or 2 hour Grand Minnetonka Voyage $25, but check out specific dates for special events with $5 special pricing:  Excelsior Art on the Lake (June), Wayzata JJ Hill Days (Sept.), and Excelsior Apple Day (Sept.)

State Park #4: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale - kayak & water sports

One of my favorite classes in high school was water sports.  It's difficult to decide which offered more fun - scuba diving in the deep end of our high school pool or learning the eskimo roll and doing it over and over in my kayak.

People began using kayaks, otherwise known as "man's boat" or "hunter's boat", approximately 4,000 years ago.  If you want to tie in a geography/history lesson combination, look for the locations of the people who first developed and used the kayaks:  Inuit (Greenland, Canada, Alaska) and Aluet (Russia, Alaska).

While most people today don't use a kayak to hunt seals and whales, kayaking provides great exercise, especially building arm muscle.  Plus, kayaking on lakes, rivers, and along ocean shores provides an opportunity to experience nature from a different viewpoint.

How might you inspire a paddling interest?  Perhaps watching a film or paddling festival.

Film festivals:  1) Reel Paddling Film Festival (Portland, ME, Hadley, MA, Alexandria, VA, Lake Placid, NY and more cities)
2) National Paddling Film Festival (Frankfort, KY) $25 ticket and silent auction

I've enjoyed watching the paddling competition at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado.  Here's 3 other festivals:
1.  Gauley Fest (Summersville, WV), proceeds support American Whitewater's river conservation
music acts, first come first serve camping; 3rd Sat. in Sept., $20-40 tickets
2.  Reno River Festival (Reno, NV, Wingfield Park Whitewater Park), 35,000 visitors; USA freestyle National Championship, kayak and fishing clinics, yoga, bike ride and costume contest, music; May
3.  Upper Klamath Festival (Klamath, OR) $30 participant fee includes shuttle, free camping; 2nd weekend in April

Renting a kayak at a state park gives you an opportunity to try the adventure.  My husband took these photos at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  By kayaking, my son and I entered shallow areas that big boats couldn't access and we got close to birds.

National forests provide wonderful waterways for kayaking and canoeing.  Check out nationalforest.org for a full list including these 3 forests with varied views:
1.  Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest, MN) 1,200 miles of routes
2.  Indian River Canoe Trail (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) canyon like banks
3.  Clearwater Canoe Trail (Lolo National Forest, Montana), mountain views

If you get more serious and want to learn whitewater kayaking, Nantahala Outdoor Center paddling school has classes ($130-$150/day; Bryson City, NC).  It's less than 2 hours from the popular Smoky Mountain vacation rentals, including our luxury cabin rentals Lightning Bug Lodge (Sevierville, TN) www.lightningbuglodge.blogspot.com and Indigo Moon Lodge (Pigeon Forge, TN) www.indigomoonlodge.blogspot.com.

Kite Science and 8 Festivals in the US

In attempt to find a new theme for each birthday, we held a birthday party at a kite festival (West Chester, OH Voice of America park).  The party included a kite shaped cake and a kite for each kid to fly.  On this day, we felt grateful for wind.  There's a science lesson in kite flying, the need for wind pressure or force to keep the kit in the air.  It's called lift and it counteracts the force of gravity.  Kids understand gravity or the force that pulls things towards the earth well.  Have them jump up and down.  Kites garner more physics terms:  thrust, drag, angle of attack, and tension.

You may also tie history into a kite flying demonstration.  Kites have served as so much more than just toys.  During the Han Dynasty, a Chinese general flew a kite above a town to calculate the distance his army would have to tunnel to reach under the city walls.  Scientists and inventors experimented with kites.  Benjamin Franklin experimented with kites and electrical energy.  Alexander Wilson compared air temperature.  The Wright Brothers flew kites to test their wing-warping control system.

Kites play a key role in certain sports; power kites pull fliers on surf and land boards.

If you have small children, check out a book about kites such as Curious George Flies a Kite, Let's Fly a Kite, Kite Day A Bear and Mole Story, and Kite Flying.



Kite creation can bring out the artist in your child.  Years later we attended a kite making class at a naval base and the kids had just as much fun creating as flying.

Kick off your child's interest in kites by attending a kite festival.  Here's 8 other kite festivals in the US:

1.  Frank Mots International Kite Festival, Veterans Park, Milwaukee, WI, launches nearly 600 kites plus demonstrations from professionals
2.  Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (National Mall, Washington DC), visit the exhibit indoors and go outdoors to fly kites
3.  Ziller Park Kite Festival (Austin, TX), over 85 years old festival, one of the oldest in the US
4.  Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition, Wright Brothers National Museum (fitting location!) Kill Devil Hills, NC
5.  Bug Lite Kite Festival, Bug Light State Park, South Portland, Maine
6.  Soar into Spring Kite Festival, Floxglenn Park, Flagstaff, AZ
7.  Sunfest Kite Festival (Ocean City, MD) festival on the beach, location considered "The Kiteflying Capital of the World" with it's wide beach and regular winds, host site of The AKA (American fliers Association) convention
8.  Marblehead Festival of the Arts Kite Day, Deveroux Beach, Marblehead, MA

Animal Lesson #8: Camel Races and 7 Other Camel Experiences

Did you know that 94% of camels are dromedary or one-humped camels.  You'll find them in the Middle East or the Horn of Africa.  Only 6% of camels get classified as Bractrain, the two-humped camel from Central Asia.  According to the New York Times, 3,000 camels live in the United States.  Americans imported camels in 1856 for Army use.  It may seem rare to ride a camel in the United States, so I'm sharing with you camel experience opportunities from most to least expensive:

1)  Big Bend Camel Treks, camel-assisted trek to travel the same Big Bend region of West Texas that the historic US Army Camel Experiment explored in 1857 on the Beale Expedition; camp overnight $750 per person with 3 person minimum; 3 day trip $1,050

2) Camel Safari in Las Vegas, 1.5 hour trip in Nevada desert, overlook the Virgin Mountains and Virgin River, must be at least 3 years old and under 250 pounds, $150 per person

3) Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Palm Desert, CA; zoo admission $20 +$6 camel ride offered through April

4) Safari North Wildlife Park Brainerd, MN; May to Sept. and camel rides only on weekends, $15 entrance + camel ride fee

5) Camel Safari in Bellingham, WA; camel encounter includes opportunity to pet and feed camels; no rides; $25 per person

6) Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm, South Barrington, IL; feed giraffes and ride camels in October; $15 admission + $6 camel ride

7) Oasis Camel Dairy, Ramona, CA; not open daily, look for Open Farm & Show day or book for a small group (10 person min.); $10/person entrance + $10 adult ride or $5 for age 3-14 years old

We found a relatively low cost way to ride a camel.  The Travel & Adventure Show in Chicago (Rosemont Convention Center) provides a different adventure each year.  One year they offered diving in a small pool.  Another year they offered free camel rides. Admission to the show costs $15.

If you seek a much longer experience, consider a special trip to the International Camel & Ostrich Races in Virginia City.  The 57th race will happen Sept. 8-10 in 2017.  The Virginia City newspaper published a farce about racing camels in Virginia City.  When out-of-state competitors arrived, a new tradition began.

Science Lesson #4: Bird Tagging

 Imagine holding a wild bird in your hands.  You and your kids can.

Bird banding has been used to study wild birds since the late 1800s to understand migration and anatomy.

Your local park and recreation department or conservation site may allow the public to join in the efforts.

We lived near Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, located near Evansville, Indiana and owning 190 acres of virgin forest.

The naturalist put up nets and captured birds.  The kids were so excited to hold the bird in the bag.  Then the naturalist explained why they record bird species and quantities and showed how they add the tiny bird band without hurting the bird.  As an extra treat, each kid got to hold one bird and release the bird.  We saw a variety of birds in such a short time and saw them so close.  We marveled at their bright colors and beautiful feathers. The kids were delighted to touch the birds.  No binoculars needed!

Bird banding connects with migration; it's seasonal, so plan ahead.  Here's seven places you can take your child to bird banding (note some experiences may be "demos" and less "hands on").

1. Forest Preserves of Winnebago County - Durand, IL (near WI border) - June
Free event at Colored Sands Forest Observatory, one of the largest small bird banding operations in the country that is still open to the public.  Event targeted to Kingergarten to 6th grade students and includes a hike within the three hours.

2.  Three Rivers Park District - Lowry Nature Center, Victoria, MN - multiple dates
First public nature center built in the Twin Cities invites groups of 10 or more for free.  Songbirds trapped, studied, and tagged with numbered wings.

 3.  Cleveland Metro Parks - North Olmsted, OH - January
Rocky River Nature Center captures birds from the feeder and bands them.

4.  Bird Walk and Bird Banding - Southern Pines, NC - October
Weymouth Woods has a bird banding station.  Free event takes 2-3 hours and includes a 2 mile hike.  Check out www.ncparks.gov

5.  Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center - Washington DC
Free event at the National Zoo where zoo scientists conduct bird banding demonstrations.  Four hour family festival includes a book signing.

6.  Creek Band Farm Kids Bird Banding - Fremont, OH, Sandusky County Parks Districts
1.5 hour event to learn why and get close up (birds in the hand!).  Check out lovemyparks.com

7.  Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - multiple locations and dates
- Ridgeway Banding Station - Ridgeway, CO - open house in Sept.
- Ela Banding Station - Grand Junction, CO - September to mid October
- Chatfield Banding - Littleton, CO - Aug. to Oct.
- Fort Collins Banding - Fort Collins, CO - April to May
- Barr Lake Banding - Brighton, CO - Aug. to Oct.
- Chadron Station State Park - Chadron, NE - open to the public Labor Day weekend
- Wildcat Hills Banding Station- Gering, NE - schedule a program

Science Lesson #4: Geology - Where to See Liesegang Bands

     USA Today lists Illinois Garden of the Gods as the most natural wonder in the state according to it's article "The most beautiful natural wonder in every state, from Lake Tahoe to Niagara Falls."  It's taken over 320 million years to sculpt the beauty of the Garden of the Gods State Park in Hebron, IL (not to be confused with Garden of the Gods in Colorado).  Take a day to visit Shawnee National Forest.  Enjoy the panoramic views and appreciate the geology. 




     According to the University of Illinois Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability Illinois State Geological Survey, Garden of the Gods park in IL is one of the most geographically complex areas of Illinois.  Bring water and snacks for the car ride and use the restrooms ahead.  You'll only find pit toilets at the park, even in the campground.
For edutainment, hike the easy 0.25 mile Observation Trail.  When described as easy, this does not mean safe - there's no rails and rocks can be slippery.  Described as an interpretive trail, the trail includes history and geology informational signs.

The "Bizzare Bands" sign helped explain the geology:  "Bizarre Bands.  The dark, reddish-brown swirls and rings on these rocks are called liesegang bands (pronounced L EE' ZEH GANG) named after German chemist Raphael Liesegang.  Long ago when this sandstone was underground, it was saturated with groundwater mixed with iron.  Chemical changes caused the iron to solidify as rust between the rock particles.  Held together by iron, the raised dark bands have resisted weathering as compared to the softer, light-colored rock.  the pattern of bands are the result of these chemical changes.

Art Lesson #7: From UK to US, Art Light-Based Installations Bring Joy

The UK artist Bruce Munro has created many solo exhibitions in the United States.  Visit his website to see his latest exhibitions.  When interviewed, Munro discusses how life is about telling stories.  Bruce tells his stories in immersive large-scale light-based installations as a way to express ideas and feelings and communicate connection.  He wishes his art to bring a feeling of joy and measures success as making others smile.  I certainly smiled and felt joy seeing his art at the "Forest of Light" exhibition at the Atlanta Garden. 

From my parking spot, I walked through Piedmont Park and enjoyed the sights and sounds of music and laughter at the local festival.  I wanted to arrive early to the light event, seeing it both in daylight and darkness.  Considering the exhibition included six pieces, I had a lot of ground to cover. 

I was mesmerized by his piece utilizing lights in clear plastic soda bottles.  Arranged as circular towers, the light took height.  The lights would change from one primary color to another.  To add to the magic, you could see the Atlanta skyline from a distance.

The garden canopy, my favorite piece, consisted of 30,000 flower-like stems that lit up on the ground.  The light moved and made the garden feel like a fairy-tale.  The frosted glass orbs and fiber optic lights pulsated and made me want to stay in the garden.  I'd walk back and forth, across the bridges to keep myself immersed in the lighted space. 

Bruce Monro began as a painter.  He recognized painting as being about light and light as a way to discovery.  Many public gardens will bring exhibits to their grounds to display art.  I encourage you to discover these special exhibitions.  Check out your local garden events pages and immerse yourself in a joyful place.