Does yelling and getting food all over your face sound like a normal dinner at your house?
I actually enjoyed the yelling for the first time when I cheered on the Red Knight at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament with my 3 loud boys. I didn’t mind picking up my half of a chicken with my fingers either, it’s a medieval feast at my house every night so I am used to it!
What I didn’t expect was how amazingly talented the horses and knights are who train for hours to perfect dressage techniques and complicated battle scenes. It was breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Even though our Red Knight didn’t win, we came home feeling like kings and queens with stuffed bellies and with hearts full of pride for our brave knight.
Read my full review of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Buena Park, CA
If you’re itching to cheer on your very own brave knight, enter to win our fabulous Medieval Times ticket pack today!
The Steal: Win 4 tickets for a dinner and tournament at Medieval Times good for any castle location in the USA.
- Atlanta, GA
- Baltimore/Washington, D.C.
- Buena Park, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Lyndhurst, NJ
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Orlando, FL
Details:
One very lucky winner will receive:
- 4 tickets for a dinner and tournament at one of the US locations of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament (Valued at $57.95 each)
- Certificates will expire June 30, 2013
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
Enter to win below and follow the directions. The more you do, the more entries you will receive! (If your RSS reader is not displaying the box, please visit http://blog.trekaroo.com to enter.)
Rules and guidelines:
- 18 years of age or older
- US Residents only
Deadline to enter: Sunday, May 27, 2012 at 11:59PM PST
What is Monday Madness?
Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal. It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.
Thanks to Online Sweepstakes and CashNet Sweepstakes,.
Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam at mmccoy@trekaroo.com) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 boys and a girl ages 3 to 11. They love traveling to National Parks and going camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | UT | VA | WA
May is National Bike Month and what better way to celebrate than teach your kids how to learn to ride. 2012 Trekaroo Superoo PCDoctorNC shares the scoop on how to get even the most timid riders on two wheels? Does it work? Well after learning about the method I used it with my two kids and they were riding around the cul de sac in no time!
As a new parent, I couldn’t wait to help my child reach the milestone of learning to ride a “2-wheeler.” My daughter was about 6 years old when we went to the local bike shop and purchased her first bicycle equipped with training wheels. Unfortunately, I was more excited about the experience than my daughter was. A couple of minor spills caused by those training wheels was all it took for my daughter to abandon the bike and return to her battery-powered Barbie Jeep.
I finally convinced my daughter to ride a trailer bike (no front wheel or brakes), which attached to my bike. This allowed her to get the feel of a bike without the possibility of taking a spill. It also was a way to get our daughter to join us on bike outings.
As my daughter reached the maximum weight capacity of the trailer bike, I began to research different methods for teaching a child how to ride a 2-wheeler. Thanks to Google and YouTube, I found a method that was simple, painless and successful. Here’s how it works:
- Remove the pedals from the child’s bicycle.
- Set the seat low enough so the child can touch the ground with enough force to stop.
- Locate a safe place to practice that has a very slight slope. We used a local church’s parking lot during the week when it was empty of cars.
- Have the child get seated on the bike and begin “walking” it with their feet. Once they’re comfortable on the bike, encourage them to build up a little speed (this is where the slope comes in) and have them lift their feet off the ground. With practice, they’ll be balancing without touching the ground.
On our third trip to the parking lot, my daughter asked me to put the pedals back on the bike. She gave herself a push and began pedaling like she had been riding a bike for years. My wife and I were ecstatic, and my daughter was grinning from ear to ear.
For more information, check out Bike New York’s “Learn to Ride” video on YouTube.
A personal note on buying that first bicycle- I recommend going with hand brakes versus a pedal brake. If you’re concerned about your child going over the handlebars because they panicked and squeezed the brakes too quick, keep the front wheel brake (usually the left one) slack enough to it only helps slow them down. Let the rear brake do all the work and teach them, “The right brake is the right one to use”.
PCDoctorNC is a 2012 Superoo.
Family bike trips are exciting adventures guaranteed to please the whole gang. Nothing compares to the relaxed laughter and camaraderie your family will enjoy after a day spent biking outdoors. Whether you’re biking along the coast or spotting wildlife from a trail, you’re sure to create lasting family memories.
For children, bicycles represent their first taste of sweet freedom; a means to go far and go fast. For adults, riding a bike is an exhilarating and inexpensive way to reconnect to a long forgotten childhood; a quick sip from the fountain of youth. Regardless of the generation gap, one thing remains constant. Family bike rides are about starting together and ending together; about being together.
photo by CarlCostas.com
May is National Bike Month but don’t let the calendar dictate when your family should ride; that’s the weather’s job. In places such as sunny California, families can get their ride on almost year round! You don’t need lycra and an expensive bicycle to enjoy a family bike ride, but you do need a bike. Classic brands like Schwinn have been capturing the hearts of children and adults for over 100 years. When I was a little girl, my parents would go for walks after dinner and I would ride my Schwinn alongside them. Occasionally, we’d even visit a nearby Baskin Robbins for ice cream. Now, as luck would have it, my neighborhood has a bike trail that leads almost directly to a Baskin Robbins. Sometimes after dinner, my son and I carry on the family tradition.
Read Tina’s review of the Schwinn Meridian bike.
Read Tina’s review of the Schwinn Del Mar Cruiser bike
Read Tina’s review of the Schwinn Boys Burnout bike.
photo by CarlCostas.com
If your neighborhood lacks a bike trail, Northern California is chock full of recreation trails sure to keep your families grinning from ear to ear. Some of my favorites include:
Half Moon Bay’s Coastside Trail
PIcture via Flickr user Solsken
Enjoy a ride along the 6-mile paved trail from Pillar Point Harbor to Poplar Avenue in Half Moon Bay. All along the trail, paths lead to inviting state beaches and remarkable coastal views. For a true escape, stay at the nearby Ritz- Carlton or reserve a room just a few miles away at Half Moon Bay Inn. The Coastal trail is free to use, but it can get congested. Best times to visit are spring, fall and winter, as it’s less crowded, and you’re more likely to get sunny days. Bring your camera, and plan to stop at Cameron’s Pub for lunch or Sam’s Chowder House for dinner. You’ll be glad you did.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Photo via Flickr user Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious
Two miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1 is Wilder Ranch State Park. This unique 4,500 acre park is one of the most diverse in California. Wilder Ranch offers great trails for family bike rides featuring ocean vistas, rolling grasslands, redwood forests, and wildlife. Amenities include restrooms and picnic areas. If you’re looking for nearby family-friendly accommodations, you can’t go wrong with Beach Street Inn and Suites. Beach Street Inn is located almost directly in front of the Santa Cruz Wharf with a spectacular view of the entire Santa Cruz coastline.
The Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Trail
Photo via Flickr user Robert Schlie Imagery
The waterfront Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail stretches 18 miles, from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south. This popular paved path hugs the coast, following the same route as the old Southern Pacific Railway. The recreation trail is a great way for families to reach the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, the Museum of Monterey, and Fisherman’s Wharf— avoiding busy roads all the way!
Angel Island State Park
Bikes are welcome on the ferry from San Francisco to Angel Island State Park, a former immigration station known as the Ellis Island of the West. Adult and kid-size bikes are available on the island, but for trailers or tandems, stop by Blazing Saddles at Pier 41 before boarding the ferry. A five-mile lane rings the car-free island, where clifftop overlooks beckon for snack breaks and photo ops of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge.
American River Bike Trail
flickr: rysac1
The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (or American River Bike Trail) is a paved multi-use pathway and is considered one of the longest paved purpose-built bike trails in the country. The trail is maintained by the County of Sacramento and is painted with mile markers placed at every half-mile increment. The area follows the course of the American River and is rich in wildlife. The trail passes several places of interest between Sacramento and Folsom.
Disclosure: To facilitate this review Schwinn provided me with a Schwinn Meridian, a Women’s Schwinn Del Mar, and a Schwinn Boy’s Burnout. Schwinn did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinion.
Tina Buell is Trekaroo’s Northern California Destination Specialist, single mom, and mother to a constant ray of SONshine
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | UT |VA | WA
Flickr/ NASA Goddard Photo and Video Image Credit: Hinode/XRT
Did you know the sun will turn into a ring of fire, known as an ANNULAR ECLIPSE, on May 20, 2012? Better question- how in the world will this happen and where can you take your kids to see this amazing event? Here are some answers!
When the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks the light from reaching earth, it is called a solar eclipse. Because the moon’s orbit is elliptical, its distance from the earth changes slightly, so it can appear smaller or larger when it passes in front of the sun. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon is too small to completely block out the sun, therefore a ring of fire is still visible around the edges of the moon. One has not been seen in the USA in almost 18 years, and the next total solar eclipse will not occur until 2017. This May’s event is special, and definitely one that your kids will remember!
On May 20th, the afternoon sun will become eclipsed and the ring of fire will be seen in various spots across the western half of the USA. Starting near Lubbock, TX, the full annular eclipse will be visible in a path that passes over Albuquerque, NM, St. George, UT, Reno, NV, Chico, CA, and Medford, OR. For those east of Texas, or outside of the path, a crescent-shaped sun can be visible.
Eclipse map/figure/table/predictions courtesy of Fred Espenak, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
National Parks
Some of the best places to take kids to see the Annular Solar Eclipse are at National Parks and Recreation Areas. Most of the 150 National Parks in the Western U.S. and Alaska would be great places to view the eclipse, as long as there is an unobstructed view of the western horizon and a sky free of thick clouds. Several National Parks are hosting viewing events with telescopes set up for the public to use and rangers on hand. These parks boast grand vistas, clear air and dark skies for optimum viewing.
Bryce Canyon National Park will be holding a 4-day astronomy event to view the incredibly dark sky of Utah with huge telescopes. The “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse will be completely seen before the sun sinks below the horizon. Free solar glasses will be handed out to all visitors for this amazing event. Find details on the NPS website for the Annual Astronomy Festival.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers many great viewing areas for the eclipse of the sun. Be sure to find a location where there is an unobstructed view of the horizon as the eclipse will only last 3-4 minutes before setting. Expert astronomers and solar telescopes will be on hand to view the eclipse and the stars after dark. From May 18-20, many activities and family-friendly events will take place during the Annular Eclipse Festival Events.
Grand Canyon National Park will be a dramatic setting for viewing the annular eclipse of the sun. Rangers will set up pinhole cameras and/or “reverse projection” to be able to see the eclipsed sun at posted locations throughout the park. On the South Rim, solar telescopes will be set up by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association to be shared with the public for the eclipse and a Star Party after dark. An early-afternoon program about eclipses and the latest research will also be offered by NASA scientists. It is free to the public and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Find information on times and locations, and sign up at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center starting at 8:00 am on May 20. See the Grand Canyon NPS website for more information.
Great Basin National Park is in the bull’s-eye path for the annular solar eclipse. A special program will take place at the Great Basin Visitor Center in Baker, Nevada. Rangers will be on hand with telescopes to view the eclipse that will begin at 5:20pm. Solar glasses can be purchased in the bookstore.
Flickr/ Joaquin Souyris I
City Events
Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been called one of the best cities to view the Annular Solar Eclipse. It is directly on the center path of the sun and has amazing views to the west. I can just imagine riding the tram to the top of Sandia Mountain to see this amazing event. Check out these options for viewing the eclipse in Albuquerque, led by astronomers, graduate students, and museum educators. Each one has a direct view of the horizon so that the eclipse will be visible. Many events offer kids activities and education about astronomy for families. The first contact of the moon to the sun begins around 6:20 pm in Albuquerque. Note that the event held at Petroglyph National Monument is sold out. For information on each location, check out the City of Albuquerque Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
(Visit early in the day for educational events or viewing of the eclipse)
(Visit early in the day for educational events or viewing of the eclipse)
(viewing and education)
(educational events only)
(Vendors and educators on hand and viewing of the eclipse)
(viewing only)
Reno, Nevada, will see the first contact of the moon on the sun starting at 5:15pm. A great place to observe the spectacular occurrence of the Annular Eclipse is at the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center. The public is invited to this free event from 4-7pm on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus.
Ashland, Oregon, is home to the Science Works Museum who will be hosting events during their Astro Blast Weekend, May 19-20. An eclipse viewing party for the public will begin at 5:08 on Sunday.
Kanarraville, Utah, has been named by NASA officials as the “Sweet Spot” for viewing the Annular Eclipse since it lies in the center path. Bring camp chairs, blankets, and eclipse glasses, and find a spot in the main viewing area just off of Spring Creek Road or along Old Highway 91. The eclipse will start there around 6:15pm. On hand will be vendors with food and souvenirs, as well as an Associate Professor from Southern Utah University willing to share several telescopes with the public.
Cedar City, Utah, is hosting a free “Solar Eclipse Extravaganza” on Saturday, May 19 from 11 am – 3 pm at the Aquatic Center. Everyone is invited to a fun afternoon of hands-on learning, telescopes on display, and free “Sweet Spot” eclipse glasses. A map will be available with location suggestions for viewing the eclipse.
Flickr/ Photogan
Tips for Viewing the Annular Solar Eclipse
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN. I repeat, do not look at the sun! Make sure that your kids do not look at it! The brightness of its light, even with 95% of it blocked, can be blinding. The annular eclipse is much brighter than a total eclipse so everyone viewing the event MUST have eye protection.
Flickr /roundedbygravity
- Purchase “Eclipse” glasses (solar filters) or welder’s goggles, rated 12 or higher, to look directly at the sun. Regular sunglasses or anything other than the above does not give protection.
- Consider taking an umbrella with you to block the view of the sun from your kids. It can be a great reminder to them to not look at the sun until their solar glasses are firmly in place.
- View the sun through a solar telescope or solar binoculars. There are many viewing events throughout the west, especially at National Parks, where these tools are set up for the public.
- Use a professional or home-made pinhole projector. These allow a sliver of light to pass through onto a white board where you can see the shape of the sun being cut into a sliver by the moon. The easiest way to show your kids how to do this is to criss-cross your fingers to make a waffle weave and look at the shadow on the ground. The small light sections will be shaped like the crescent of the sun as it is eclipsed. Look at the ground under dappled shade trees for hundreds of crescent images in light.
Flickr/ JP
Wherever you are, be sure to go outside and take the time to see this unique event on May 20, 2012. Check out your local planetarium for more information or the chance to view the sun through their telescope if you are unable to travel to one of the “Sweet Spots” of the Annular Eclipse.
For more information on solar and lunar eclipses, see Fred Espenak’s Eclipse Web Site.
Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam at mmccoy@trekaroo.com) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 boys and a girl ages 3 to 11. They love traveling to National Parks and going camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.
Get our weekly digest hot off the press in your email: Join Trekaroo
| . |
 | |||||||
| |||||||
|
