The August 2009 Sunset Magazine has a great article by Peter Fish and photographed by Ian Shive on National Parks With Amazing Views: Grand Teton National Park, Yosemite National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It has an on-line link to an interactive page with lots of information on Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Olympic National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park. Watch the video of Sunset editor-in-chief Katie Tamony interviewing Ken Burns, who is the filmmaker of “National Parks: America’s Best Idea” – PBS will show it on September 27. The other videos are also very good. There are suggestions, photos and a map where you click on the park for even more info on activities, accommodations, campgrounds, and “top wow spots” from Sunset. I found it quite awesome!
National Parks of the West
August 19, 2009
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Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: camping, Canyonlands, Channel Islands, child, children, family, fishing, fun, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, hiking, Ian Shive, kayaking, kids, National Parks, nature, Olympic National Park, Outdoor Adventures, Peter Fish, Places to Go, playing, rafting, relaxing, river rafting, snorkeling, Sunset Magazine, trails, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion | 
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Posted by mygrandmasue
Take Time To Be A Dad
August 17, 2009Sometimes it is really hard to be a dad. Sometimes it is hard to feel you are a being good dad because you just don’t know if you are doing what you are “supposed to be doing.” Father involvement with their kids is so important for the youngster’s well-being.
The Ad Council reports on their website: “More than 79% of Americans feel “the most significant family or social problem facing America is the physical absence of the father from the home.” Research shows that the lack of a father in the home correlates closely with crime, educational and emotional problems, teenage pregnancy, and drug and alcohol abuse.
In an effort to show dads the critical role they play in their children’s lives, the Ad Council has partnered with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and volunteer ad agency Campbell-Ewald to create a new PSA campaign that communicates to fathers that their presence is essential to their children’s well-being. The campaign provides fathers with the information they need to become better dads.”
The ads are great! I saw the cheerleader one at the doctor’s office this afternoon, which is what inspired today’s blog. Here is a whole set of ads – they are all good! I hope they inspire lots of Dads to stick around and be part of their kids’ lives. My dad left my mom and us three girls when I was 7. I was the oldest. I know what it’s like.
Like President Obama said in his recent Father’s Day Message, “even the smallest moments can have the biggest impact in a child’s life” – which is what Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! is all about, as well. The National Fatherhood Initiative site has examples of things you can do. Hopefully my blog is full of ideas for you, too!
The FatherFactor blog sponsored by the National Fatherhood Initiative is awesome for thought provoking passages. You can check out and maybe join the Dads Club or the Fatherhood Programs.
Being a Dad should be a very special experience. Then when the kids are all grown and have their own children, you hopefully get to do all the fun parts again as Grandpa!
1 Comment | People Who Make A Difference | Tagged: children, Dads, family, father, Father Involvement, grandchild, grandchildren, grandfather, grandpa, grandparent, kids | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Sunsets and Cell Phones
August 14, 2009Here’s a cute article by Beverly Beckham on the Grandparents.com site about a family vacation sunset experience on Cape Cod. It’s funny and true….
Leave a Comment » | Places to Explore | Tagged: Beverly Beckham, Cape Cod, cell phone, child, children, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Places to Go, sunset | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Creating A Statement of Family Values
August 13, 2009Michael Josephson today spoke about the importance of family values or core beliefs and creating a Statement of Family Values for our children. Take the time to think about how you really feel about these 12 areas and put into words what you want your children to believe. It will be hard and will probably have to be done in many sessions, but it is amazing what you end up with!
The 12 areas that Michael Josephson listed are: Character/ethics, Faith/spirituality , Marriage/family relationships, Friendship, Education, Self-reliance, Attitude, Service, Success, Money/material possessions,
Drinking/drugs, and Premarital sex.
Leave a Comment » | People Who Make A Difference | Tagged: child, children, core values, family, family values, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Michael Josephson | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Fun Filled Family Favorites
August 12, 2009Oprah has suggested 13 fun family activities for creating family memories as our summer winds down. If you need some ideas, be sure to check this list out! Some of the activities have already come up on my blog. Do enjoy!
Leave a Comment » | Indoor Activities, Nature Activities, Places to Explore, Routine Activity | Tagged: aquarium, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, hiking, kids, kids museum, Oprah, Places to Go, Playing with Children, train ride | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
2009 Perseid Meteor Shower
August 11, 2009Grandpa Ron and I have seen several meteors streak across the sky in the last couple of weeks. The Perseid Meteor Shower is very intense right now. According to Space.com: In North America, the best time to watch will be between midnight to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, but late Tuesday night and also Wednesday night could prove fruitful, weather permitting.” More info in the NASA story. Check out Space.com’s Top 10 Perseid Facts.
Here are some totally awesome photos captured on www.RealClearWx.com – which also has great weather photos. – Could spend a couple minutes with the kids (longer if their attention span holds!) discussing lightning and storms.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities | Tagged: child, children, family, fun, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, lightning, meteor showers, night sky, Perseid Meteor Shower, starry night, storms, weather | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Hot August Nights
August 10, 2009The Reno Hot August Nights string of events is over for another year. Sounds like the Beach Boys were awesome at the Peppermill. The cars cruising all over Reno, Sparks and surrounding area were fun to see. You may want to keep it in mind for next year. We saw lots of pre-1973 cars. More cars were there than ever before but , surprise, surprise, spending was down as reported here in the RGJ. Here is a Reno Gazette-Journal listing of articles and photo albums from this year including the Saturday parade and the trailer queens.
Leave a Comment » | Places to Explore | Tagged: Beach Boys, car parade, cars, child, children, classic cars, family, fun, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, HAN, Hot August Nights, kids, old cars, Peppermill, Places to Go, Reno, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Hot August Nights, Sparks, trailer queens | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Lots of Whales Off CA Coast
August 5, 2009The Daily Breeze reports there are lots of Blue Whales off the San Pedro coast this year. Seems like lots more than in the past. The Aquarium of the Pacific has a Whale Watching 101 site about all the sealife in the San Pedro Channel. The Daily Breeze also has another 8/1/09 article by Sandy Mazza with photos and Blue Whale Fact Sheet. Here is a CBS News video.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore, Uncategorized | Tagged: Aquarium of the Pacific, blue whales, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Places to Go, San Pedro, San Pedro Channel, whales | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Saving Sea Otters
August 3, 2009The Monterey Bay Aquarium sent a letter yesterday about the plight of the sea otters. Here’s the aquarium’s page on Southern Sea Otters. Check out The Otter Project, too!
The Sea Otter Research and Recovery Act (H.R. 556) passed in the House late Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 316 to 107. Now the bill moves to the Senate; we’ll be sure to let you know when the time is right to ask for support from your Senator.
Here is the aquarium’s on-line Sea Otter Exhibit page and another page about sea otters with a video and activities. Here’s another video, too.
1 Comment | Indoor Activities, Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: aquarium, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium, otters, Places to Go, Sea Otter Research and Recovery Act (H.R. 556), sea otters | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Dragon Boat Races
August 2, 2009The Dragon Boat races have just completed in Long Beach, CA. I can tell from my office because I don’t hear the screaming and cheering from the crowds any more! I am just on the other side of our condo complex or I’d be able to watch the boats, too! The Dragon Boat Festival is part of the festivals within the Long Beach Sea Festival. Got that!
Here is a history of Dragon Boats. The Long Beach Press-Telegram had an article on Thursday and a shorter one on Friday.
1 Comment | Places to Explore | Tagged: children, Dragon Boat, Dragon Boat Races, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Long Beach, Long Beach Seafest, Marine Stadium, Mother's Beach, Places to Go, Seafest | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
MyGrandmaSue 