Category: RVing with Grand Kids
Exploration 101 at the Boston Museum of Science
March 20, 2012 by Canadianladybug · 1 Comment
A couple of years ago, we were once again in the area of Boston and wanted to explore the museums out there. The first one we went to visit was the Boston Museum of Science which we were able to access for almost free because of our membership at our local Science museum. I say almost free because this particular museum charged us a child entrance ticket for our family. I am not complaining because if we would have had to pay for everyone it would have cost us a fortune. Our experience there was fabulous. There are many levels to explore and discover with the kids. We even took a picture with a Naboo Starfighter from Star Wars while there! Two particular things were our highlights while visiting the museum of science in Boston. The first one is the human body section where we stumbled (literally) on a live experiment to explain how our heart works with the heart of a lamb. Apparently, both hearts works the same way so it was very instructive. My oldest... [Read more...]
Discover San Antonio’s Mission Trail
March 18, 2012 by Rex Vogel · 1 Comment
The chain of five missions that were established along the San Antonio River during the 18th century stands as a reminder of Spain’s most successful attempt to extend its New World influence and control. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved Representing both church and state, these missions were charged with converting the local Native Americans, collectively called Coahuiltecans, into devout Catholics and productive members of Spanish society. More than just churches on the Spanish Colonial frontier, the missions also served as vocational and educational centers, economic enterprises involved in agricultural and ranching endeavors and regional trade. Missionaries taught the Coahuiltecans farming skills and gave them religious instruction. Before the Spanish came, there were no horses in Texas and no gunfire, except for the raiding Apache. A vast frontier had never been touched by a wheel or felt the blade of an iron ax. Among... [Read more...]
SAS Shoe Factory tour, San Antonio, TX…
March 12, 2012 by Dana Ticknor · 2 Comments
One source of fun (and educational!) opportunities that is often overlooked when traveling, is that of factory tours! We have done several tours this winter while visiting the sunny south; the latest was a visit to the SAS shoe factory in San Antonio, TX. SAS stands for San Antonio Shoemakers, and their quality products have been 100% American made since it’s beginning in 1976. Planning our visit, we weren’t really sure what to expect – the website made a stop look like it would be fun – but you know how websites can be – they can make a destination look like an interesting place to visit only to arrive and find that the attraction is a dud. Not so with SAS! We found it to be much more interesting than we had hoped! Pulling into the parking lot we found the grounds to be spacious, with adequate room for RV and bus parking. The parking lot was neat and clean, and full of interesting displays of classic cars and machinery. The buildings are designed to look... [Read more...]
Day trip around Cape Cod Bay
March 5, 2012 by Canadianladybug · Leave a Comment
Back in 2008, we made a long trip from Ottawa, ON to PA, MA, ME, NB and PEI before going back home. It was our first trip with the RV and we still remember the highlights of that trip. A few weeks ago I presented a tour that we did while in Pennsylvania. Today, let me present you to the coast of Massachusetts – more specifically Cape Cod Bay. While we were in the Boston area, I wanted to go visit the Cape Cod Potato Chip Company that let you see how they make potato chips. The manufacture is located on 100 Breed’s Hill Road in Hyannis, Massachusetts . We were not allowed to take picture inside the facility and to be honest this is a self-guided tour where you look through windows while you watch them work and make potato chips. The tour wasn’t long and can be done in about 10-15 minutes. But the kids enjoyed seeing the process of making potato chips. Self-guided tours are the next best thing to real tours when you take the time to read and explain... [Read more...]
OUR DIAMOND MINING EXPERIENCE – Crater of Diamonds, Arkansas
March 1, 2012 by Professor95 · 3 Comments
You have probably read or heard about the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Stories abound about great diamond finds. These stories have a tendency to make one think that there is a volcanic crater filled with shiny bean size diamonds just waiting for visitors to pick them up and keep with little or no effort. The truth is diamond searching is a difficult and dirty adventure. The odds of finding a significant diamond are perhaps about as good as hitting the Million Dollar Jackpot on a Las Vegas casino slot machine. Still, some visitors do make significant gem finds. But – despite all of the above, it is fun. We met some great people while digging in the mud. Folks from all over the country were out exploring our true national treasures of openness and freedom. Many families with children were present as well as their pets. Oscar went with us but soon became tired climbing the furrows and wanted to be carried. Plowed trenches in the search field Nancy... [Read more...]
WE FOUND A PHOTO OF PRESIDENT CLINTON NUDE!
February 24, 2012 by Professor95 · Leave a Comment
Hanging out around a library wasn’t exactly one of the most exciting items on my list of things to do Monday. But, it was President’s Day and we were not that far from the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas. Besides, admission is free on President’s Day and I have never been one to pass up free admission to anything. In case you may have forgotten, Bill Clinton was our 42nd President serving two terms between 1992 and 2000. While he may be best remembered for his shenanigans with a young White House aide, it was during his presidency that we reversed a climbing federal budget deficit and created nearly twenty-three million new American jobs. No prior administration had overseen the creation of so many new jobs, or at such a rapid pace. Entrance to the Clinton Library The Clinton Presidential Library is situated in a new 30-acre city park located right on the edge of the Arkansas River in the revitalized River Market area of Little Rock. ... [Read more...]
Stuffington Bear Factory tour, right here in Phoenix!
February 17, 2012 by Dana Ticknor · Leave a Comment
Our family loves factory tours. And a FREE factory tour is even better! LOL! Last week found us at the Stuffington Bear Factory, right here in snowbird paradise, Phoenix (AZ)! I was interested in the Stuffington Bear Factory for several reasons. One is the fact that it would be a great field trip for our roadschool, another was the fact that I knew that the kids (the little girls especially) would enjoy it, and third, I simply wanted to check the factory out for myself. I had visited their website, and had noted that their products are Made in the USA, including the materials to construct the stuffed animals, and I also liked their commitment to helping out in their local communities. Our tribe showed up at the SBF last Thursday, with Vaughn’s uncle, aunt, and cousin in tow. We met in the lobby, and spent a few minutes checking out the factory store that is located in the front of the building. We found that Stuffington manufactures much more than teddy bears! ... [Read more...]
Spring is coming…
February 13, 2012 by Canadianladybug · 1 Comment
This week-end I caught my husband counting the weeks on his iPhone. I was wondering what he was doing and then I realized he was counting the number of weeks before we can go up to our RV at the campground. Total is fourteen weeks. Fourteen weeks before we can drive to our RV and open it up for the season. Let me tell you that the weeks are not passing by fast enough according to the kids. My four years old keep asking when we will go and remind us that we need to bring her pink blanket with us when we do. She recently told us that we should not forget our plastic containers with the clothes when we go. Too funny! You can sense her passion for camping and fishing as well. So slowly we are wrapping up our homeschool. The kids still have about eleven weeks to complete their mathematics. My oldest as finished his English writing curriculum. English grammar is almost completed as well. Bottom line we are doing good even though the French lessons won’t... [Read more...]
Celebrate Local With Regional Events…
February 11, 2012 by Melissa A. Trainer · Leave a Comment
Do you hunt down local food festivals and events when you are camping, RVing, and traveling? They are a great way to get a true taste of the region. Festivals are often annual events that celebrate a seasonal or local food. And, they often raise money for local causes, such as the chamber of commerce or a civic project. I have found that regional festivals and community dinners have given me some delicious fodder for writing as well as for munching! The “experts” are always around and they are often more than happy to tell me about the specialty products at hand. Over the years, we have attended the Ballard Seafood Festival and the Fishermen’s Festival here in Seattle. Obviously, both of these events feature awesome regional seafood products. If I was down on the Oregon Coast today, I would attend the 27th Annual Charleston Crab Feed held in the Old Charleston School House. Each year more than 1000 people attend and indulge in a fabulous Dungeness Crab Dinner. ... [Read more...]
GO TO A HAMFEST – A RV or Camper’s Goldmine Awaits.
February 10, 2012 by Professor95 · 8 Comments
Lot’s of campers and RV’ers, are HAMS! No, I’m not talking about the ones that like acting as if they were in a play or movie. I’m not making a derogatory reference to those that have a tendency to overeat, either. I’m talking about a different kind of HAM. This kind of HAM can actually be anyone of any size and their ages may range from middle school to the most senior of Senior Citizens. The thumbnail picture to the left is a joke to get your attention – these Hams have little to do with pigs unless it is enjoying sausage links at breakfast. The HAM I am referring to is formally known as a Licensed Amateur Radio Operator. Hams must pass a test to show their knowledge of radio communications and operating rules, and as a result have been issued a license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate radio transmitters and possibly communicate with other “Hams” all over the world. Rows of small parts boxes await buyer inspection. NO, IT IS NOT CITIZEN... [Read more...]
