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OHIO STATE PARK RESORTS TO PROVIDE “FAMILY TREE” TO BE PLANTED IN PARKS BY FAMILIES GATHERING FOR REUNIONS
Families gathering for reunions in some Ohio State Park Resorts can start a memorable new family tradition and help the environment at the same time by planting a “Family Tree” in one of seven parks.
Xanterra, the park’s operator, will donate a tree to be planted by family reunion groups who occupy a minimum of 15 rooms for two nights. Xanterra will also take a digital picture of the family and send the photo along with the tree’s GPS coordinates by e-mail to all of the participants. The photos will be archived at the properties. Read More!
ISLANDS, DUNES, ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS:
KAYAKING MICHIGAN’S GRAND TRAVERSE BAY REGION
Michael Gray and Eric Cloneman spend the winter months kayaking in Central America, guiding clients through the Bay Islands of Honduras. But every spring they return to the place where they prefer to do their paddling: the northwest coast of Michigan.
Gray and Cloneman are guides and instructors with Uncommon Adventures, a tour company that specializes in kayak trips, corporate retreats and backcountry flyfishing expeditions to such destinations as Alaska, Iceland, Montana and the Caribbean. But their home base is in the small village of Beulah, about 15 miles south of Traverse City. Read more!
Quack Away!
Amphibious Sightseeing Tours
Ride The Ducks, the largest amphibious sightseeing tour company in America, is quacking through America with sightseeing adventures that combine education with fun, music and humor. From driving through historic streets offering fascinating facts about the region to splashing down into a nearby river, lake or harbor for a “duck’s” point of view, this is a fun-filled experience that delights guests of all ages.
The amphibious ducks are based on the classic WWII DUKW amphibious design and have been transformed into sightseeing Ride The Ducks vessels. The use of military DUKW vehicles began during the 1950’s, when an American entrepreneur recognized their commercial value and began off-road land and water tours. Today, the company builds its vehicles from the ground up using the latest in marine design and safety. The vehicles are United States Coast Guard certified.
For additional information on Ride The Ducks, visit www.ridetheducks.com.
KANSAS FOR KIDS!
By Derek MacKenzie-Hook
Formerly it was through Kansas that families on the Oregon and Santa Fe trails drove their wagons westwards in search of new homesteads, nowadays families visit the Sunflower State in search of excitement and interesting things to see and do. The state of Kansas is a great place for families because it has such a diverse range of attractions and things to do that will please all age groups. This is the place to find dinosaur bones, moon rocks, award winning elderberry wine, great works of art, and the perfect fishing hole. Families can share a real farm and ranch experience and see bison grazing on open prairies that still bear the deeply cut grooves of pioneer wagon wheels. They can even follow the Yellow Brick Road to Wamego and the new Oz Museum to visit Dorothy, Toto and all the characters and wonders of the world-wide phenomenon that is Oz. Read more!
One Lake, Many Faces
 Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks
With more than 1,150 miles of scenic shoreline, more than the entire Pacific coast of California, the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri offers visitors gallons (about 617 billion) of fun and adventure.
Nestled amid rolling hills, the Lake of the Ozarks has long been known as the premier vacation, golf and meeting destination in America’s Heartland. Because of its size and expanse, the Lake literally offers something for everyone. Whether visitors are looking for fast-paced action or a peaceful escape from the rigors of life, the area encompassing this 54,000-acre lake is a perfect spot for a family vacation, romantic getaway or gathering with a group of friends or business associates. Read more!
Indianapolis has long enjoyed fame among racing fans, who flock to this capital city every May for the Indianapolis 500. Thanks to a recent large development effort, Indianapolis now boasts several new attractions aimed at families. The city's unhurried pace and spacious layout encourages visitors to relax and enjoy the sites.
Only in the eyes of New Yorkers is Chicago this country's Second City. For in the Windy City, visitors will find culture and chaos, sports and skyscrapers, dramatic architecture and a diverse population.
The area now known as Des Moines began as a military post in the 1840's. Several of these posts were set up in the area to protect the rights of the Sac Indians. The garrison, named Fort Des Moines, was decommissioned just a few short years later and with it went the military. The town of Fort Des Moines emerged from the few people who remained; by the late 1850's, 'Des Moines' was officially the capital of Iowa.
Strategically located in the fertile Kansas River Valley, the capital city of Kansas was born because a young Pennsylvanian, Colonel Cyrus K. Holiday, wanted to build a railroad. The present city of Topeka, which sits on the Kansas River, was chosen as a suitable site and the town company was formed in 1854. In 1861 when Topeka was designated Kansas's state capital construction began for the state capitol. Completed nearly 40 years later, the Classical Revival state capitol includes ornate senate chambers, with bronze columns and variegated-marble accents.
Lexington, Kentucky famous for its horses, bluegrass and whisky. It was here that Bluegrass music was born. Lexington, the world capital of racehorse breeding and burley tobacco was named by patriotic hunters who camped here in 1775 shortly after hearing news of the first battle of Revolutionary War at Lexington, Massachusetts.
Come and visit the Motor City Capital of the World and the Home of Motown, all in the city of Detroit. Headquarters to one of the most famous automobile makers, General Motors, this is the place to visit for living history as the past comes alive in Detroit.
Minneapolis, along with its sister city St. Paul, makes up the largest metro area in Minnesota. But what really put the Twin Cities on the map is the Mall of America. Where else in the world are you going to find over 500 stores, an amusement park, an aquarium, a dance club and countless restaurants? If you're still up for some more shopping, check out Nicollet Mall! Four blocks of pure shopping -- what could be better than that?
Founded by the French in 1764 as a fur-trading settlement on the west bank of the Mississippi River, St. Louis was destined for immediate success. Settlers came from New Orleans, followed by French-Canadian trappers. Next were the explorers, including the Lewis and Clark expedition. Families traveling to the mysterious western regions of the country passed through, and some settled in St. Louis. Railway workers arrived in the 1850's, among them immigrants from Germany, Ireland, Italy, and other European countries. African-Americans settled there, some still slaves; others freed. Their combined skills and crafts enriched the city and helped to mold its character.
Seemingly just a sleepy Midwestern city, Lincoln is actually a bustling city with arts and culture to rival many other destinations. Lincoln is proud of its pioneer heritage, and its many museums and children's museums focus on that heritage. There is a lot to do in Lincoln, and its sleepy reputation is changing into a more accurate reputation as a beautiful and active state capital.
Located on the Ohio River, Cincinnati has been a prosperous town ever since its founding as an Indian trading post in 1788. Through the years, Cincinnati has attracted new businesses and new groups of people including a substantial number of German immigrants who have given the city a European flavor. Considering its long history of commercial success, the city has invested time and money on developing its cultural resources, a task to which it has devoted itself with special care.
When planning your next vacation, don't overlook Cleveland, Ohio. Not just one of those midwest places, Cleveland is full of fun and interesting things to do. If you don't like the cold weather, visit Cleveland between May and October. At that time of year, the temperatures range from 65 f to 45 f during the night. But don't let the weather stop you. there's plenty of "warm things" to do - enough to keep you going until the spring thaw.
Rapid City is a land of prairies, pine forests, and desolate, rocky landscapes. Founded only two years after the gold boom in the Black Hills, Rapid City is a boomtown that has truly made a name for itself. It's where visitors come to visit such places as Deadwood, a gambling excursion once known as a 19th century mining town, and Mt. Rushmore, where even after 50 years the grandeur of these carvings still captivates the eyes and hearts of all its visitors. This land was once dominated by the proud and mighty Sioux nation. Today, there are nine Native American reservations in South Dakota. The Sioux influence in Rapid City can be seen in the shops and museums that display and sell Native American Art and artifacts.
Stretched along a bluff overlooking one of Lake Michigan's most beautiful bays, Milwaukee is said to have the perfect balance of big-city attractions and small-town values. With a population of over 600,000 people, Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and the 17th largest in the nation. Yet, it is known for its safety and cleanliness.
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