Minnesota Air National Guard Museum. Photo by minnemom on flickr.

Have you ever sat in the pilot’s seat of a military helicopter? Or seen an F-16 up close?  If these experiences appeal to you, you’ll want to find your way to St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum.

The Minnesota Air National Guard Museum is located on the Air National Guard base, and the museum is only open to the public on certain weekends, which are listed on the museum’s website.  Many of these are “open cockpit” days, when volunteers are on hand to answer questions about the various aircraft and visitors are allowed to sit in the planes.

Admission to the Air National Guard Museum is free, although donations are accepted.  To get to the museum, you and your vehicle must undergo base security.  Directions to the museum are clearly listed on its website.

Kids are welcome at the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum, and the volunteers are friendly in explaining the aircraft to them. It was a toss-up as to whether my husband or my children enjoyed the museum more.

The museum is separated into an indoor hangar area, which includes a helicopter, ejection seat, aircraft engines, and flight simulators, and an outdoor air park of twenty aircraft.  A small museum store offers souvenirs and supports the museum’s collection.

For people interested in the military or aircraft in general, the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum is an excellent stop in St. Paul.

• Minnesota Air National Guard Museum

• ANG Base - Mpls-St. Paul International Airport
  670 General Miller Drive
  Saint Paul, MN 55111-4114

• Schedule listed on museum website
• Free; donations accepted

If vintage aircraft appeal to you, check out Are You a Snoopy or a Red Baron: Vintage Airplane Rides in Northern California.

Linda, aka “minnemom,” writes about family travel in Minnesota and beyond at Travels with Children.

Every other year, the non-profit Sarasota Season of Sculpture organizes an International Invitational Exhibition of large-scale outdoor sculptures along the beautiful Bayfront promenade. During off-years, in order to keep the effort in forefront of the arts community, the group mounts “Interlude” exhibits like the one currently on display in downtown Sarasota.

"Last Call" photo courtesy of artist Jack Dowd

This year’s Interlude exhibit, Last Call, is described as a “cultural tribute to the vibrancy and social vitality of metropolitan American nightlife.” It depicts a traditional New York bar scene with thirteen customers posed around a 22-foot mahogany bar. Artist Jack Dowd crafted the life-sized figures from resin and painted them in full color in astonishing detail. The panorama portrays characters from a cross-section of society and incorporates music, bar sounds, video games, peanut shells, and sawdust into the exhibit, making it seem as if you’ve stepped into a bar at closing time!

"Southern Exposure" photo courtesy of Jack Dowd

"Fountain Of Youth" photo courtesy of artist Jack Dowd

Several additional sculptures by Dowd take an irreverent (if fairly accurate) poke at stereotypical Florida residents: the Florida cracker in front of his beater pickup, a retired couple in front of their pull-behind trailer, and a trio of “on the move” senior citizens (in a wheelchair, behind a walker, and in a lawn chair). And in a nod to the bizarre, Dowd has included a collection of multi-color life-size sculptures of the great American pop artist Andy Warhol, which look upon visitors with arms folded and eerie inscrutable expressions.

Army of life-size Andy Warhols. Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/crobj.

Interlude will be on display at 20 N. Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota, Florida through September 30, 2009. 20 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, Florida Hours are Thursday and Friday from 7-10 p.m., Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 7-10 p.m., and Sunday from 2-5:30 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for children under 12.

Astoria is considered to have one of the largest Greek populations in all of the NYC boroughs and outside of Greece.  A strong symbol of this can be felt just by visiting Athens Square Park. Bronze statues of great Greek philosophers are displayed throughout, including Piaeus Athenas (c.350 BC), which was presented to New York City by Demetris Avramopoulos, Mayor of Athens on behalf of the people of Greece.

Sculpture of Piraeus Athena

Socrates Sculpture

Walk down Ditmars and 30th Avenues and you will be surrounded by the vibrancy of the Cypriot and Greek culture and sounds, and enticed by the smells of the many Greek eateries in the area. For seafood, my favorite has always been Taverna Kyclades, where your choice of fish is deliciously, yet simply flavored in the very Greek fashion of oregano, olive oil, and a hint of lemon. But if you are more in the mood of some delicious (and inexpensive) gyros, try Gyro Uno, which is a neighborhood favorite and won’t break the bank. If shopping is your focus, a stroll down Steinway St. will offer plenty of options. One non-Greek place, but also a favorite eatery when in Astoria, and a must if burger and fries are your thing, is a stop at Petey’s Burger. Pay the extra dollar or two and order the milk shake.  You won’t regret it.

In taking a tour down 30th Avenue you will see many businesses that established the community of Astoria, such as Astoria Music, one of the first and oldest businesses in the neighborhood.  Another fun touring experience in Astoria is that of the Steinway & Sons factory, the makers of the world famous Steinway pianos.  Tours are generally held either Monday or Tuesday at 9:00am and last between 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours. There are also no afternoon or weekend tours. Tours are not available year round. Reservations must be made in advance, walk-ins not accepted.

Other fun activities in Astoria, especially for the kids, can be found at Astoria Park. The park, located alongside the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, is a beautiful place to spend sunny days and hot summer afternoons. The pool, closed until late June, offers free swimming lessons like many of the public city pools do, and charges a small yearly membership fee, with children under 18 entering at no cost. It has a wonderful picnic area, and so many other facilities that make this destination worth visiting. Adjacent to the pool is the Charybdis Playground, where little ones can spend hours of fun.

View of The Pool in Astoria Park

Other popular spots in Astoria are the Museum of Moving Image as well as the famous Kaufman Astoria Studios, home of television shows such as Sesame Street, Law & Order, Spin City among others.

Medora Musical. Photo by minnemom on flickr.

Medora in North Dakota’s #1 tourist destination, and the attraction that keeps people coming back year after year is the Medora Musical.

The Medora Musical is a variety show of singing-and-dancing entertainment performed nightly throughout the summer in an outdoor amphitheater.  With the Badlands in the background, the setting is beautiful, and the show is two hours of family entertainment.

The musical has been running since the 1960’s; I remember seeing it as a child, and it was fun to take my own children.  Kids are welcome at the Medora Musical and are even invited up on stage during the performance.  My kids are asking when we can go back.

If you want to make a full night of your Medora Musical experience, you can go early for the Pitchfork Fondue, where steaks are speared on (clean) pitchforks, fondued in hot oil, and served with all the trimmings, and then take the Behind the Scenes tour for a chance to go on the musical’s stage.

Another day or two spent in Medora might include Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Chateau des Mores Historic Site, or just enjoying the charm of this western town.

If you go to the Medora Musical, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The performance begins at 8:30 Mountain Time, which is 9:30 Central Time.  Even at that late hour, only one of my kids enjoyed it.
• It gets chilly once the sun goes down, so dress in layers and bring a blanket.  Don’t worry, you won’t look crazy–almost everyone at the musical brings a blanket along.
• Check Medora’s website to find out about discounts.  Wednesday is Kids Day and Seniors are featured on Tuesdays.

If you’re traveling through North Dakota, take a day to stop in Medora and be sure to see the Medora Musical.  You’ll be glad you did.

Linda (minnemom) blogs about family travel in Minnesota and beyond at Travels with Children.

Crocs shop, Lahaina, Hawaii

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

Walking up Front Street in downtown Lahaina, I came upon the mecca for Croc lovers - the Crocs Shop on Front Street. If you are a devotee of these shoes, or if you are totally new to the concept, this is definitely the place to learn more.

Crocs are made out of Croslite and are very popular in the medical field - the ergonomically certified clogs stay super comfortable for long periods of time. Over the last few years, Crocs have found a new following in beach and water enthusiasts, as lightweight shoes well suited to outdoor activities.

I usually buy my Crocs online or through local department stores, but lately I have been having trouble finding a great selection. The Front Street store nips that problem in the bud!

With helpful sales staff, I tried on many of the styles I had been looking at, including the new high heel Havana and the casual Capri flip flop. My kids were fitted quickly with styles that made them happy, and spent the rest of the time checking out Jibbitz, jewelry for Crocs.  My daughter found cute little Hula girls for her crocs, while my son decided on a “hang loose” Jibbitz for his new Crocs.

The Crocs Shop on Front Street is a great place to stop while visiting downtown Lahaina!

Crocs
855 Front St # B
Lahaina, HI 96761-2366
phone (808) 667-7080
www.crocs.com

Irène Némirovsky, 1938 (Courtesy Irène Némirovsky Archive/IMEC — All rights reserved)

By Molly G. @ The Bumbles Blog

Irène Némirovsky was a woman running out of time. And she sensed it. While being a witness to the German invasion and subsequent occupation of France, she created the beginnings of an incredibly written novel capturing what she saw. But no one knew about it or had the privilege to read it for over 60 years.

The reason her desired epic was never completed was because she was sent to Auschwitz for being Jewish where she died shortly after arriving. The reason it wasn’t discovered until recently is that her daughter didn’t know the manuscript was under her nose her entire life.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City has a special exhibit devoted to Némirovsky and her unfinished novel, Suite Française, running through 08/30/09. It tells the story of Némirovsky’s childhood fleeing from the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia for Paris. It lays out her life with her husband and two daughters as she made a name for herself as an accomplished author in France. And it shows her journal which she filled with miniscule writing to conserve ink and pages while creating her original draft of Suite Française. The cramped pages also reflect the urgency with which she wrote while desperately trying to gain French citizenship to preserve her family’s safety.

Page of manuscript, Suite Française, 1940-1942 (Courtesy Irène Némirovsky Archive/IMEC — All rights reserved)

Némirovsky’s daughters were entrusted with a valise of their mother’s things by their father, who was deported to Auschwitz by the Nazis several months after his wife, and died there as well. Through the kindness of friends and strangers the Némirovsky children survived the war and their parents’ murders. But looking through their mother’s journal was too painful to fathom so it sat preserved and untouched for decades. After the youngest daughter, Elisabeth, passed away the remaining daughter, Denise, finally found the courage to open the journal only to discover a story written by her mother. It was not about the persecution of Jews leading up to and throughout the war, or the battles going on to defend France, but instead about the everyday lives of people disrupted during the invasion and the Germans living among them in the cities and villages of the Occupied Zone in France.

Irène Némirovsky on the beach with her daughters, Denise and Elisabeth, 1938 (Courtesy Irène Némirovsky Archive/IMEC — All rights reserved)

The exhibit has several videos including an interview with Denise which provide a good overview and insight into Némirovsky and her story. There are several family photos, items related to her previously published books, as well as letters and telegrams showing the increasing panic that struck the family. The famous valise that kept the journal safe for all those years is on display as well.

Some controversy exists about the family’s reasons for converting from their Jewish faith officially as the war approached, as well as the interpretation of the Jewish context found in some of her published works. These details are addressed but not judged in the exhibit. What is conveyed is that the Nazi regime did not discern amongst rich or poor, famous or otherwise. It leaves one to wonder how Némirovsky would have portrayed them in the remainder of her novel, had she survived the war herself. Leaving the museum you can gaze out at the Statue of Liberty and contemplate that very thing.

Statue of Liberty view from Battery Park (photo by Molly G.)

QUICK HITS:

• COST = Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students $7, Under Age 13 is Free. Admission is Free for ALL on Wednesdays from 4PM - 8PM.
• DURATION = Exhibit is open through 08/30/09. Allow for an hour to visit the exhibit. Visiting the rest of the museum can add an additional hour or more - depending upon the level of interest.
• HOURS = Closed Saturdays, Jewish holidays and Thanksgiving. Open at 10AM all other days - closes at 5:45PM Sunday - Tuesday, at 8PM Wednesday, at 5:45PM Thursday and at 5PM Friday
• ENVIRONMENT = Handicap accessible, stroller use determined by museum’s discretion. The subject matter of this exhibit is somber and may be difficult for children under age 10, but important lessons can be learned. The museum has special tours for younger children unrelated to this exhibit.
• ACCESSIBILITY = By subway/bus/ferry. By foot. No parking on site but parking can be validated for a discount at nearby garages.
• WEBSITE = http://www.mjhnyc.org/irene/index.html
• FUN FACTS = You can schedule a group tour of the exhibit with a book discussion to follow by calling (646) 437-4305.

Lost River. The name conjures up images of an adrenaline-pumping, breath-holding Disneyesque ride. And in a way, it is. But Lost River is no theme park; it is a natural gorge that was carved ten thousand years ago by a glacier that covered this area of New Hampshire. As it receded, the glacier blocked drainage through Lost River Valley, creating a chasm at least 50 feet deep.

Wooden boardwalks, stairways, and bridges scramble over boulders and torrents of falling water on the way to the bottom of the gorge

The melting water carried sand and small stones, acting like a giant sandblaster, carving and smoothing the sides of the gorge. Over the eons, the smooth rock walls lining the gorge fractured from the cycle of winter freezes and spring thaws. Huge chunks of the rock broke off along joint lines and fell haphazardly into the gorge, creating a series of “caves.”

Waterfall inside a boulder-strewn cave

Fast forward ten thousand years and step out with me onto the network of wooden stairways and boardwalks that hug the steep-walled gorge and snake through lantern-lit boulder caves. As I descended into the stony labyrinth I mentally fitted enormous chunks of granite littering the path into holes in the canyon wall above, piecing together a giant jigsaw puzzle. Soon, I encountered my first cave: behemoth fallen boulders balanced against one another, with razor thin gaps between the rocks providing access to the dark, dank interior. Some caves could be entered by ducking under a boulder; others required crawling on hands and knees or slithering on my belly. In between caves the boardwalk led past frigid waterfalls, giant whirlpools, and unique formations resembling a guillotine, a wolf’s head, and a variety of ships.

For six hours, I hiked, climbed, crawled, and squeezed through ten caves with names like the “Dungeon” and “Lemon Squeezer,” but this attraction is not just for adventurous souls. The hike is as easy or as challenging as visitors choose to make it, since there are bypasses around each cave. But whether you opt for the full adventure or skirt around the more difficult caverns, this ancient gorge is a spectacular journey through time. And once you’ve been there, you’ll understand why they call it the Lost River.

Rushing river roars over a granite lip to the canyon floor

Located in North Woodstock in north central New Hampshire, Lost River Gorge is open daily May 6th to October 25th (weather permitting). Admission is $14 for adults an $10 for children ages 4-12 under 4 free).

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

During the Summer the heat in NYC is unbearable to most.  It is no wonder, come the weekend, hundreds of cars and buses carrying city dwellers will be stuck in traffic on their way to one of the coastal beaches.

Most New Yorkers love the Long Island beaches, such as Long Beach, Robert Moses, and Jones Beach, which is wonderful because Jones Beach also hosts Summer concerts.

Long Beach, NY

But I like to often venture in the opposite direction, towards Orchard Beach in the Bronx, if I manage to leave my apartment early enough in the day for Staten Island for a fun day in the sun.

Orchard Beach in The Bronx

Recently, I discovered a wonderful park and beach area in Staten Island called Great Kills Park and Beach. Though relatively smaller than most of the other beaches I am used to frequenting, this one is also easier to get to, not as crowded, and a lot quieter.

Great Kills Beach, Staten Island

The area offers plenty of options for other activities such as model airplane flying, bird-watching, biking, hiking, fishing, and boating.

Great Kills Marina

The beach has bathroom with shower facilities, and though there aren’t any restaurants nearby, there are truck vendors who sell grilled foods such as hot dogs and burgers, as well as ice cream, chips and sodas.

Great Kills Beach

The beach area has a wonderful play area for smaller kids, but these can also be found through out the park in the various picnic areas nearby. Parking is plentiful and free, and the locals who frequent the beach are friendly and helpful.

The ride from Manhattan, with no traffic, is no more than 30 minutes over the Verrazano Bridge. But my recommendation is that no matter what beach you are wanting to visit, your best bet is to always head out earlier in the day to avoid traffic, because as much as we New Yorkers love our city, when it comes to sunny, hot summer days, we tend to all love our beaches even more!   So pack a lunch, a blanket, and an umbrella, and join us on one the many wonderful beaches we have to offer.

Last week, over at the Uptake Vacations Blog, Whit Honea and the team posted their favorite Independence Day photos - you can see some of them from Seattle, Idaho and Ohio.

Today, as I recover from a weekend of celebrating (fireworks on Friday, July 3rd, and a big BBQ on July 4th), the Attractions bloggers have been sending me their favorites from this weekend. Check out the variety and let us know how you celebrated this year. Did you have a special parade in your hometown? How about a fireworks display that seems to go on for hours? Or maybe a house or two that really got into the spirit decorating? Share your stories!

Molly is flag-happy over at The Bumbles Blog. Check out her Thursday Thirteen “Wave That Flag“. She also wrote about celebrating the 4th in Massachusetts.

Rowes Wharf Flag

Linda, at Minnemom, wrote about flag displays on Main Streets in many towns around the U.S.

Flags on Main Street

Over at Hole in the Donut, Barbara wrote about July 4th celebrations in Sarasota, Florida, including some great fireworks displays:

Mosaic of pyrotechnics, Sarasota, Florida

As part of State Park Sunday at Family Adventure Guidebooks, Bridget wrote about visiting Wilder Ranch State Park in California, and experiencing the 4th of July as pioneers did (including ice cream!)

Wilder Ranch Parade

Jody, at Iowa Geek, writes about how her family celebrated the 4th in the heartland, including BBQs, naps and fireworks. She also includes a brief history lesson at Celebrating our Independence.

Iowa Fireworks Collage

Shari, aka Crazedmommy, wrote about her experience with Friends, Family and Fireworks on the Fourth in sunny Florida, including the joy of purchasing fireworks with her husband.

Fireworks at home in Orlando

Carol made us all jealous with a wonderful post about a 4th of July date night in New York City. She brings back romance (with fireworks!)

Holding hands on 4th of July

And naturally, over at my food blog, I wrote about celebrating the 4th with food! Yumm, cherry pie!

Cherry Pie

All photos courtesy of Uptake Attractions bloggers, except the Sarasota fireworks photo, which is courtesy of Markus941.

Beach Train at Roaring Camp Felton, California

Want to rediscover the fun of an old fashioned Independence Day?  Roaring Camp Railroad has lots of vintage activities planned for the the Fourth.  This year they are putting on a vintage 50’s Fourth of July celebration with a sock hop and hula hoop contests.

Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton, California provides family fun any time of year.  Visitors can choose to ride an old fashioned steam train in a redwood shaded loop.  They can also take  an old diesel train to the Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk.  This has been a favorite trek of picnickers and tourists for generations.

Horseshoe Making, Blacksmith Shop Roaring Camp

Last year our family enjoyed an old fashioned Independence Day celebration the weekend after July Fourth.  The blacksmith shop was open, and children were welcome to help pound out a horse shoe. My oldest son and his dad rode a handcart down the tracks for a small fee.  The little guys enjoyed a hula hoop contest and raced rubber ducks down a sluice.

This year, we visited the last weekend in June.  We could have caught an old fashioned train robbery up on the mountain, but instead elected to  ride the train down the the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  While the older kids in our group headed to the arcade, our preschoolers enjoyed digging in the sand.  We hopped back on the train and finished up our Roaring Camp adventure with a hike in nearby Henry Cowell State Park.

If you find yourself near the California Coast this Fourth of July, head to Roaring Camp for some old school fun. A steam or diesel train ride through the serene redwoods brings out the child in everyone.