The Washington DC fireworks were AWESOME!! PBS TV is running it again for those who missed it! http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/
Washington DC Fireworks ARE AWESOME!
July 4, 2009
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Wonderments | Tagged: child, children, family, fireworks, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, kids, Places to Go, Washington DC Fireworks | 
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Posted by mygrandmasue
Long Beach Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo
July 3, 2009From today’s Long Beach Presss-Telegram: Take the family to the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo! You can try out various musical instruments like violin, trumpets and tubas. All ages are welcome. 4 pm. Wednesday at Long Beach Main Library, 101 Pacific Ave 562-570-7500 and 2 pm Thursday at Brewitt Library, 4036 E Anaheim St., Long Beach, 562-570-1040. Free. There were no dates, so call first to make sure it is an on-going thing! I tried but they are closed for July 3&4th.
OK. So I googled “Long Beach Symphony Petting Zoo” and discovered it’s for last Wednesday and yesterday! Rats! Sounded fun!!
However, all is not lost! Some fun still can be had with the storytimes I found listed in the calendars as well as other fun activities. Here is the calendar. Just click on the activity that catches your eye!
Leave a Comment » | Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, kids, library, Long Beach, Places to Go, storytelling, storytime | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Possible Plethora of Wildflowers
June 30, 2009Because of the late, cool spring rains, the wildflowers in the Sierra Nevada may be in bountiful bloom in a few weeks. The warm weather that is expected this week will start them on their way. Actually, we’ve seen blue lupine, white prickly poppies, pink, red and light purple penstemon, and California poppies along the road already.
Some of our favorite wildflower books for the high desert are Sierra Nevada Wildflowers by Karen Wiese and Great Basin Wildflowers: A Guide to Common Wildflowers of the High Deserts of Nevada, Utah, and Oregon and Wildflowers of the Eastern Sierra and Adjoining Mojave Desert and Great Basin both by Laird R. Blackwell. Laird Blackwell also has Tahoe Wildflowers: A Month-by-Month Guide to Wildflowers in the Tahoe Basin and Surrounding Areas for the Lake Tahoe area.
Our mode of operation on our car trips, mainly on Highway 395, between LA and Reno is for me to give the high sign that I want us to pull off to the side of the road so I can pull out the books and camera to identify and record the latest splash of color along the road. According to the books, Horseshoe Meadow and Onion Valley are showy places. Also off of Highway 88 on Blue Lakes Road is another super spot. The mountainsides along 395 on the other side of the road from the Walker River splash with color. Carson Pass is another good place to find different wildflowers.
3 Comments | Uncategorized | Tagged: child, children, Desert Flowers, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Great Basin, Green Hour, High Desert Wildflowers, hiking, Karen Wiese, kids, Laird Blackwell, Lake Tahoe, Places to Go, Reno, Reno area, Reno-Tahoe, Reno/Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, Walker River, wildflowers | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Youth Backcountry Camps for Ages 13-18
June 29, 2009This summer, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Sierra Nevada Journeys will be offering four sessions of three-day, two-night Youth Backcountry Camps. These camps are intended to engage high school youth in a true wilderness experience and a service learning project on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
From the website:
“The Youth Backcountry Camps provide a valuable wilderness experience to youth in the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. These camps combine wilderness education, trail operations and maintenance, outdoor education, and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, all while camping in the backcountry in a life-changing outdoor program. Participants learn valuable lessons and gain outdoor experiences that will help them to connect with the environment and infuse environmental stewardship for the future, allowing them to spread their new found knowledge and skills throughout their community.
The TRTA Youth Backcountry Camps engage young adults between the ages of 13-18 who love the outdoors and want to learn more about backpacking, trail operations, ecology and outdoor leadership skills in an advanced wilderness setting.
Dates:
* Session 1: July 13-15th
* Session 2: July 16-18th
* Session 3: July 19-21st
Several topics incorporated will be:
* Map and Compass Orienteering
* Leave No Trace: 7 Principles for Minimum Impact Recreation
* Shelter building skills
* Flora and Fauna Identification
* Backcountry survival skills
* Team building exercises
* Leadership skills
Each camp has the capacity for 12 students and will be fully supported by TRTA and SNJ staff. The cost for the program is $99 (scholarships are available). Participants are provided with all necessary camping gear and food for the program. Participants only need appropriate footwear and a passion for the outdoors!
For more information or to register, contact Katy Washington
775.298.0238 or.katyw@tahoerimtrail.org”
1 Comment | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: Backcountry Adventure Camp, Backcountry Hiking, backpacking, children, Ecology, Green Hour, hiking, kids, Lake Tahoe, Leave No Trace, nature, Outdoor Education, Outdoor Ethics, Outdoor Leadership, Outdoor Leadership Skills, Places to Go, Service Learning, Service Learning Project, Sierra Nevada Journeys, summer camp, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Trail Operations, Wilderness Education, Wilderness Experience, Youth, Youth Backcountry Hiking | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Full Moon Hikes
June 29, 2009Have you ever hiked at night by the light of the full moon? Ok, with maybe a little help of a flashlight? In the Reno/Tahoe area there are two series of full moon hikes being offered by two separate groups.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is offering full moon hikes for members (Membership is $20 annually) starting at the Tahoe Meadows Trail trailhead. Per the event calendar: Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes led by experienced hike leaders. Take in inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses.
TRTA Membership is required to attend.
Space is limited; please call the TRTA office at (775) 298-0012 or email katyw@tahoerimtrail.org to reserve your spot. Bring a flashlight, layered clothing and water. This may not be the best hike for children under 10. Please, to respect the night sounds and wildlife, no dogs this time! The dates are July 7, August 6, September 4 and October 4.
The Squaw Valley hiking center guided moon hikes begin at 6:30 p.m. at High Camp (accessible via cable car). The hikes are approximately three hours long and are moderate in level. The dates are July 6 and 7 and August 4 and 5. The cost is $15 for adults, youth and seniors and $5 for children. Bring drinking water and flashlights and wear warm clothing.
The Squaw Valley hiking center also has guided sunset hikes July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 31 and August 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. For more details call 530-583-6985 or click www.squaw.com
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, Full Moon Hikes, fun, grandchild, grandpa, grandparent, hiking, hiking trails, kids, Lake Tahoe, moon hikes, night hikes, Places to Go, Squaw Valley, Tahoe Rim Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail Association | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Volunteer Vacations
June 28, 2009USA Today reviewed two books loaded with ideas for vacations where you can make a difference. Check it out!
The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life, by Pam Grout and
Volunteer Vacations Across America by Sheryl Kayne
While on Amazon I also found:
Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others by Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger, and Ed Asner
Leave a Comment » | People Who Make A Difference, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, familt vacation, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, kids, Places to Go, vacation, vacation destination, Volunteer Vacations | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
The Great American Backyard Campout is TONIGHT!
June 27, 2009The Great American Backyard Campout is tonight. I wrote about this before. The Reno Gazette-Journal has an article here on Backyard Bonanza by Maggie O’Neill.
Do it! Have fun and take pictures! Send the best one in for a contest!
From the RGJ (Reno Gazette-Journal):
Send in a photo of your family participating in the Great American Backyard Campout for a chance to win a copy of Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Your photo could be published in the RGJ. Send submissions to moneill@rgj.com
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: backyard camping, camping, Camping With Kids, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, kids, Places to Go | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Marine Science Adventure Camps – Summer 2009
June 24, 2009Long Beach Marine Institute has two series of camps this summer. Ocean Adventure Camp is for ages 5-12 and Junior Oceanographer is for ages 13-16. The following information is from their poster:
Ocean Adventure Camp for Ages 5-12
Unique experience with hands-on marine science
Available June 22-August 21
$180/week or $680 for four weeks
Prices include all field trips
Each week has a different ocean related theme and is filled with projects, crafts, and aquatic fun designed to promote ocean sciences and conservation. Campers will enjoy weekly field trips, kayaking, snorkeling, an expedition aboard the Long Beach Marine Institute research vessel and lots more!
Week 1 & 6: Liquid Jungles
Kelp Forests and Coral Reefs
Session I: 6/22-6/26 & Session II: 7/27-7/31
Week 2: Mysteries of the Deep
Deep Sea Creatures and Habitats
Session I: 6/29-7/3
Week 3 & 7: Whales and Friends
Marine Mammels
Session I: 7/6-7/10, Session II: 8/3-8/7
Week 4 & 8: Invertebrate-A-Mania
Study of Invertebrates
Session I: 7/13-7/17, Session II: 8/10-8/14
Week 5 & 9: Shark Days
Study of Sharks
Session I: 7/20-7/24, Session II: 8/17-8/21
Junior Oceanographer Teen Camp for Ages 13-16
This oceanography and marine science camp is created for teens enthusiastic about learning and exploring our marine environment. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in oceanographic research and exploration while they live aboard the Research Vessel Conqueror. This week long excursion will allow campers to discover marine habitats along our coast and on Catalina Island. This camp will better acquaint students with the basic elements of geology, physics, chemistry, and biology. Hands-on activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and dissections are utilized to conduct investigations to re-enforce concepts learned. ** Inquire about school credit!
$1200/week
Price includes all room and board
Session I: July 13-17
Session II: August 10-14
Long Beach Marine Institute
6475 E Pacific Coast Highway #281
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562)431-7156
For more information, visit the Long Beach Marine Institute website.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: biology, camping, chemistry, child, children, day camp, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, hands-on activities for kids, Junior Oceanographer, kayaking, kids, Long Beach, Long Beach Marine Institute, marine biology, Marine Science, Marine Science Adventure Camps, Ocean Study, oceanography, physics, Places to Go, shark, snorkeling, summer camp | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
Visiting the Hollywood Sign
June 19, 2009Yesterday Austin and Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa Ron and I went to view the Hollywood Sign. We went up to the Griffith Observatory. It is a great spot to see it, but it was a bit cloudy so our pictures will need Photoshop help to fix the contrast. We had a great time though. Austi also enjoyed climbing all the steps at the observatory!
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Posted by mygrandmasue
Mountain Deals – Aspen, CO
June 16, 2009The Long Beach Press Telegram carried an Associated Press article by Catherine Teal about the great bargains and beautiful scenery to be enjoyed if you visit Aspen, CO in the non-ski months. I couldn’t find the article on-line, so you’ll need to check out the Aspen Chamber of Commerce website for details. There are 50% off deals for booking over a Wednesday night. What sounded awesome to explore is Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells wilderness area; however, it sounds like everybody is doin’ it from the USDA Forest Service website. Shuttle buses are in service to help with the traffic jams. This news release from 05/19/2009: On-Mountain Activities, Camp Aspen/Snowmass and Bluegrass Sunday Line Up for Summer 2009 captures oodles of summer events to include Silver Queen Gondola rides, alpine sightseeing and hiking, mountain biking, skateboarding, rock-climbing wall, camping, guided hikes and walks, disc golfing, fishing, backcountry hikes and Hatha yoga, storytelling and campfire sing-alongs.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore, Sport Activity | Tagged: alpine sightseeing, backcountry hikes, campfire sing-alongs, camping, child, children, disc golfing, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, guided hikes, guided walks, Hatha yoga, hiking, hiking trails, kids, mountain biking, Places to Go, rock-climbing wall, Silver Queen Gondola rides, skateboarding, storytelling | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
MyGrandmaSue 