Time Capsule - December 1990 - Christmas in Chile

     Twenty-five years ago, I spent my first Christmas away from home. I wasn't just in another city or state, I was in a foreign country - Chile. Since holidays are molded by the cultures that celebrate them, I noticed several similarities as well as differences in the ways in which the holidays were celebrated.
     The most obvious difference was that the holiday takes place in the summertime instead of the winter. Therefore, instead of typical North American traditions such as building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate, and wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, Chileans celebrate the holidays by going to the beach, having bar-b-ques, and going for hikes (paseos) through the countryside. Despite the difference in seasons, Chileans decorate fir trees, and Viejo Pasquero (Santa) still wears his full red winter suit - although I did see a Christmas card once with Santa stripped down to his red, fur swim trunks while sunbathing on the beach.

Me playing Viejo Pasquero

     Most Chileans didn't have their houses decked out in thousands of colorful lights, nor did they have huge blow-up figures covering their lawns. Instead, holiday decorations usually consisted of a small, decorated fir tree and maybe a nativity scene.
     Similar to my own experience, Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) was usually celebrated with a large family dinner - often a large fowl or lamb. Unlike in most North American families, the celebration typically lasts most of the night. At the stroke of midnight, the family members wish each other Feliz Navidad and give each other hugs. Then they adjourn to the living room where the tree is and open their gifts. Somehow, Viejo Pasquero visits all the homes right at midnight, so there is no need to wait until morning to see what he brought. Of course there aren't piles of gifts to open. Instead, most kids get one main gift from Santa, and a few other gifts from family members. The party then continues until about 3:00 or 4:00 am with music, food, drink, and dancing.
     Christmas Day is a day of rest after the late night party. Many Chileans attend a Christmas mass. Others head to the beach or on an excursion out to the countryside for a picnic.
     Typically, New Years is celebrated much the same way as Christmas, except without the gifts. Also, there are often fireworks from celebrations throughout the country on TV. I remember the delicious BBQ goat we ate on New Year's Day.

New Year's BBQ

     Although many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate Las Posadas or Three Kings Day (Jan. 6), I never noticed those celebrations going on in Chile. I'm sure some families must celebrate them, at least to some degree, but they weren't as big of a deal as they are in Spain and Mexico. However, Chileans did celebrate Dia de los Inocentes on Dec. 28. It is a day of pranks, similar to April Fools Day.
     Feliz Navidad! y Prospero Ano Nuevo!
   

Spotlight: Pennsylvania - Hershey's Chocolate World & Hersheypark

Spotlight: Hershey, Pennsylvania is sometimes called Chocolatetown, USA - the Sweetest Place on Earth. The town was named after its most famous business, the Hershey Chocolate Factory, and has tried to capitalize on that theme with various tourist attractions including: Hershey's Chocolate World, Hersheypark, Hersheypark Stadium, Hersheypark Arena, and the Hershey Museum.
     Hershey Chocolate World opened in 1973 to replace the Hershey chocolate plant tour which could no longer accommodate all the visitors. Current attractions include the Hershey's Chocolate Tour, Create-Your-Own Candy Bar, Hershey Trolley Works, Hershey's Chocolate Tasting Group Experience, and Hershey's Great Chocolate Factory Mystery in 4D, as well as various gift shops and stores. Additional Visitor Centers have opened up at other locations around the world including: Chicago, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Times Square, Dubai, Singapore, and Shanghai.

     Hershey Park opened in 1906 as a leisure park for employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company. Over the years it gradually added rides, including the first steel looping roller coaster on the East Coast. In 1970, the park was expanded and renovated to add new rides, and was renamed Hersheypark. Today, the park contains 110 acres, and hosts 70 rides and attractions including 13 roller coasters and ZOOAMERICA.

Location: Hershey's Chocolate World and Hersheypark are located at 251 Park Blvd., Hershey, PA.

Cost: Tickets to attractions at Hershey's Chocolate World can be bought individually or in various combo packages. Individual tickets for attractions range anywhere from $7.95-$15.95 per adult (13+), with discounts for children.
-  Hersheypark tickets currently cost $18.00 (3+) during the Christmas season.

Time: Hershey's Chocolate World opens at 9:00 am daily; closing times vary depending on month.
           Hersheypark hours vary depending on the season. During the summer, plan on spending a full day or two in Hershey, since there is plenty to do.

Description: The most popular attraction at Hershey Chocolate World is the Hershey's Chocolate Tour - probably because it is the only free attraction available. No tickets are needed, and guests get to watch the transformation of cocoa beans into chocolate bars. Since the factory is no longer open, the ride focuses more on the process used rather than the actual production. As a special bonus, each guest receives a free sample at the end.

     Another popular attraction is the Chocolate Tasting Group Experience. In this experience, visitors learn the proper methods of tasting the various types of chocolates in order to engage all the senses. It was without a doubt the most delicious degree we've earned.

     The attraction I was looking forward to the most was the Create Your Own Candy Bar experience. It allowed us to not only choose the ingredients, but also design the wrapper. It was fun, but I wish that they had more than a few options for each phase: type of chocolate, special ingredient, and wrapper design.

     With 13 roller coasters, Hersheypark is one of my favorite amusement parks I've ever visited. In only 5 hours, we rode about 11 awesome coasters (as thrilling or better than most of the ones at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneyland) and enjoyed several other attractions. The park is family friendly, with rides geared toward every age group. As each person enters the Park, they can measure themselves to see which category they are in. Rides are then posted with the demographics they serve so that guests don't have to wait in a long line only to find out that they can't go on the ride after all. We thoroughly enjoyed the Park and thought that the price was very reasonable - especially compared to the California parks we are accustomed to.

Rating: Hershey's Chocolate World - 4 stars (out of 5)
              Hersheypark - 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Despite being located on the same lot, Hershey Chocolate World and Hersheypark are both independently owned and operated.
- Ironically, the Hershey Chocolate Factory is now closed, with most of the production taking place overseas. However, the tourist venues remain in Hershey.
- There are several special themed seasonal events, particularly for Halloween and Christmas.
- You can save $1.50 per ticket by purchasing your tickets online.
- Other special discounts are available, including a Hersheypark/Dutch Wonderland combo pack.
- Hersheypark is open seasonally. It opens on weekends starting in late April; opens daily in June, July, and August; is open on weekends again in September; and open during select weeks/weekends during the holiday season (from Halloween - New Years).
- During the summer, you can buy an all day pass or an evening pass to Hersheypark at a very reasonable rate. Since we were driving in from the other side of the state in the morning, we spent the afternoon at Hershey's Chocolate World, and the evening at the amusement park. This worked out great since most of the visitors to the park were school groups (early June) and began leaving soon after we went in. We had long lines for our first two rides, but were able to whiz through much shorter lines as the evening wore on.
- In addition to typical rides, Hersheypark has an accompanying water park, The Boardwalk, with water slides at no additional cost.
- Parking is $9/vehicle at Hersheypark (veer right). Parking at Hershey Chocolate World (veer left) is free for the first 3 hours, $15 for 3-5 hours, or $30 for an all day pass. There is a tram that can take you from the Hersheypark parking lot to Hershey Chocolate World on days when the park is open.

Nearby: Hershey Gardens, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, The National Civil War Museum, Dutch Wonderland

Travel Tip #35 - Plan for Weather Delays

     To expand on one of my earlier tips about traveling during the holidays, you should just expect bad weather during the holidays. You've heard of Murphy's Law; well it seems to have double application during the holiday season. So, the best way to handle it is to just expect that there will be weather delays and plan for them. That way you can be prepared to handle the delays with minimal stress when they come. And if for some reason you are able to avoid the delays, then you can enjoy the extra time you hadn't planned on having.
     If you are travelling by air, you will want to buy your tickets way before any weather reports are available. Therefore, if you have to be wherever you are going by Day X, you should plan your itinerary so that you are there a day or two before Day X. That way, your vacation plans won't be "ruined" by the weather. Don't forget that the same applies for your return trip. Even if you are flying through airports where it doesn't snow, there is a very strong possibility that connecting flights coming from other areas of the country will be delayed. One Thanksgiving, we flew from Phoenix to L.A. to SLC before returning to Phoenix. On each leg of the trip we had a layover in Las Vegas. The weather was nice all weekend and it looked like we wouldn't have any trouble on our return flight. However, I remember spending most of the night in the Las Vegas airport because the plane that was supposed to take us to Phoenix was snowed in on the East coast. We arrived home at 6:00 am, and I had to be at work by 8:00 am. I don't think I was very effective at work that day.
     When you are traveling by car, keep an eye on weather reports for the next several days. That way if the weather looks like it will be bad on the day you had planned to travel, you can adjust your plans to leave either a day earlier or a day later depending on your schedule. Even if it looks like you will have several days of bad weather in a row, you can leave a day early and make the trip over two days. I clearly remember a Christmas vacation when we were traveling to Utah. Since we saw that the weather would be bad the day we were supposed to travel, we left a day earlier. The storm came a little early and hit hard once we reached Cedar City. We slowed down drastically, but the snow was so heavy that they closed I-15. We had to pull of the interstate in Fillmore for the night. Since we didn't know anyone in Fillmore, and the hotel was full, we found an all-night restaurant where we planned to spend the night with several dozen other stranded travelers. Luckily, when we called my parents, they knew someone who lived there; so we got to camp out on their living room floor for the night. We weren't prepared for this possibility, but we got lucky. It would be wise to have a backup plan if you know that such a possibility exists. Fortunately, we were able to make the remainder of the trip once the roads were plowed the next morning.
     Good luck traveling!

Spotlight: Pennsylvania - Washington Crossing Historic Park

Spotlight: Washington Crossing Historic Park lies along the Delaware River at the site where George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the river to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian troops that were holed up for the winter in the city of Trenton, New Jersey celebrating Christmas. During the campaign of 1776, the Continental Army had suffered defeat after defeat to the better trained and better armed British troops and their Hessian mercenaries. Morale among the troops had reached its lowest point, and it looked as if the American Revolution was doomed to fail. Soldiers were deserting every day, returning home rather than continuing what was looking to be a lost cause. The enlistments of many of those who remained would expire at year's end. General George Washington knew that if they went into winter quarters without a victory to buoy morale, there might not be an army left to command once spring rolled around. Therefore, he gambled the bulk of the army on a desperate plan that could either save the war effort or doom it to failure. The attack was launched on the night of Dec. 25-26, when Washington led 2,400 men across the river at McConkey's Ferry.
     The boats used for the crossing were a motley crew of vessels, including several large Durham boats used to carry pig iron down the Delaware. Before crossing, Washington gave a rousing speech to his men. The loaded boats began crossing the ice-choked river at 6:00 pm, under the cover of darkness. Conditions worsened as the night progressed, with sleet making visibility practically nil. The attack called for a three-pronged effort, with two divisions slated to attack Trenton from the south; but the weather forced the commanders of these divisions to abandon the effort. Washington was persistent, however, and successfully transported his troops to the other side. Although they planned to attack under the cover of darkness, the crossing, which included horses and cannon, took nine hours. The delays meant that they reached Trenton under the rays of the morning sun. Luckily, the Hessian troops were still hungover from their celebrations the night before, and Washington's troops were able to capture the entire garrison without a single casualty. The resounding victory reignited the fervor of the colonies, signaling a turning point in their war for independence.
      Today, a reenactment of Washington's crossing is performed every year on Christmas Day. Visitors can watch history in action as actors dressed in authentic uniforms recreate the historic crossing.

Location: Washington Crossing Historic Park is divided into two sections. The "lower park" is headquartered in the village of Washington Crossing at 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, PA 18977 at the intersection of Routes 32 & 532. (If you type the address into Google maps, it appears to be on the New Jersey side of the river, but it isn't.) The "upper park" is located 4 1/2 miles away in Solebury Township.

Delaware River at site of Crossing

Cost: Full dress rehearsal of reenactment: $8/adult, $4/child (5-11); Christmas Day reenactment - free;
- Historic Village tours are $6/person; Thompson-Neely House & Farmstead tours are $6/person; Bowman's Hill Tower - $6/person (click here for more information and discounts)

Time: 30 min. - 3 hours, depending on how much you want to see. Most sites are open from 10 am - 4 pm. The visitor's center is open until 5 pm. Visitors can explore the Historic Village until dusk.

Description: The Visitor's Center was completely renovated in 2012. It contains historic exhibits, an educational program, and a large auditorium for movies, concerts, and speaking engagements. Among the exhibits is an original letter written by George Washington while in the McConkey Ferry Inn. Visitors may also purchase tour tickets here.

Artifacts including original letter written by Washington

     The Village (Lower Park) includes the following buildings: McConkey Ferry Inn (built in 1790 to replace the original inn, of which only the basement and kitchen remain); the Mahlon K. Taylor House (an example of a rich merchant's home from the early 1800's); Taylorsville Houses (several 19th century buildings which include residences and small shops); the Hibbs House (it has served as the home/workshop of several tradesmen including a shoemaker, cooper, wheelwright, and carpenter); the Frye House and Blacksmith shop (living history demonstrations are conducted during special events throughout the year); the Durham Boat Barn (it houses the replica boats used in the annual Delaware crossing reenactments).

McConkey Ferry Inn

Blacksmith Shop

Durham boats

     Boman's Tower (Upper Park) rises 125 feet above the top of Bowman's Hill, offering a 14-mile view on a clear day. The Thompson-Neely House and Farmstead (Upper Park) served as a temporary regimental army hospital during the winter of 1776-77. Future president James Monroe convalesced here after being injured during the First Battle of Trenton. Also located on the grounds is Soldiers' Graves - a memorial cemetery for an unknown number of Revolutionary War soldiers who died during the December 1776 encampment.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5) - Bear in mind that when we went the Visitor Center was under construction, and we never got to see the Upper Park.

Things You Should Know: - There is also a Washington Crossing State Park on the New Jersey side of the river. This is a separate park which we didn't have time to see.
- A full dress rehearsal of the crossing reenactment is held in mid-December. Along with the reenactment, visitors can participate in special colonial-era activities and demonstrations throughout the historic village. The Christmas Day reenactment will be held from Noon to 3:00. River crossings may be cancelled if conditions are deemed too dangerous for the participants.
- The painting of "Washington Crossing the Delaware" is a full sized digital copy of Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's original from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Bowman's Tower was built in the 1930's to commemorate what may have been a lookout post for Washington's troops. No such tower existed in Washington's day.
- We drove around for about 45 minutes trying to find the Upper Park, but never did (thanks to Miss Taken); so make sure you get good directions.

Nearby: Washington Crossing State Park (NJ), Trenton Battle Monument (NJ), Lake Luxembourg, Churchville Park

Trenton Battle Monument

Travel Tip #34 - Learn some of the history about the places you are visiting

     When I was 16, my family went on a cross-country road trip covering 25 states and 2 countries in 5 weeks. On that trip, I developed a love for both travel and history that has stayed with me throughout my life. My love for one has reinforced my love for the other, and vice versa. Because I love history, I want to travel to places where important historical events took place. And because I love to travel, I continue to learn and strengthen my appreciation for history.
     I can trace my love for both back to that 1988 trip. Up until that point, I had only been in 4 states - all in the southwest. That trip introduced me to new horizons, environments, architecture, and helped me connect what I'd been learning in school to the real world. One reason was that I had just finished taking U.S. History in school, so I had just learned about many of the places we were visiting. The other was that my father was also a Social Studies teacher. Everywhere we went, he was able to add a few interesting details about whatever we were seeing. Traveling around the country with your family 24/7 for five weeks might sound like torture to some people, but I absolutely loved it.
     When it came time to choose a major in college, I chose History Secondary Education. I am a strong believer in the statement, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana, Spanish philosopher) The only way to remember the past is to make learning a lifelong pursuit. Just because I'm no longer a student doesn't mean I've stopped learning. In fact, I may have learned more as a teacher than I ever did as a student. Whenever I go on a trip, I try to learn more about the places I'm visiting. Not only does it make my vacation more interesting, it helps me understand the world around me a little better.
     Have fun learning on your next vacation!

Travel Tip #33 - Take a map with you on Road Trips

     In today's world, most people rely on technology for just about everything. Tools like maps are being replaced by the GPS on smartphones. In most cases, this is fine. Unfortunately, although technology is supposed to solve many of our headaches, it is often the cause of several headaches. Smart phones may work fine in urban areas, but when you are driving through rural areas, coverage is often spotty. This can cause major problems if you have an emergency out in the middle of nowhere. Having a reliable map in such a situation can be the difference between life and death. I realize that this is an extreme example, but even in normal situations, having access to a map or atlas can save you a major headache.
     For example, a few years ago, as we were driving through rural Pennsylvania, we were relying on the GPS to get us to Gettysburg. It was during this trip that my wife's GPS earned the nickname Miss Taken. Miss Taken got us on the wrong highway, driving the wrong direction. She then proceeded to give instructions like, "In 500 yards, turn right." However, there was a huge field to the right without a single street in sight. She would then chastise us for not following her instructions. It was extremely frustrating. I finally pulled over and found the atlas. I figured out where we were, where we were going, and the best route to get there. By turning off Miss Taken, and following the atlas we were able to make it to Gettysburg exactly at 10:30, barely in time for our 10:30 am tour. Unfortunately, this wasn't the only time Miss Taken led us astray on that trip.
     I realize that most of the time, your smart phone's GPS will work just fine. As problems are fixed, they become continually more accurate. We replaced Miss Taken with a new GPS, which has been much more reliable. Still, whenever you are going to be traveling long distances over unfamiliar terrain, it is wise to have a physical map that can't disappear due to a dead battery or technology glitch. Good luck on your travels.

Spotlight: Pennsylvania - Amish Country

Spotlight: The Amish are one of the most conservative religions in the world. The Amish are a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships who broke away from the Swiss Anabaptists in 1693 under the leadership of Jakob Ammann. In the early 1700's, many Amish and Mennonite groups emigrated to upper Pennsylvania, where they eventually settled Lancaster County. From there, they spread to other settlements, most notably in Ohio and Indiana. The Old Order Amish continue to live as their ancestors did, valuing the traditional rural lifestyle that is passed on from generation to generation. Some of the most obvious aspects that distinguish the Amish from modern society include: speaking Pennsylvania German (sometimes called "Pennsylvania Dutch"), wearing homemade plain dress, eschewing modern technology including automobiles, TV, radio, telephones, computers, and power-line electricity, as well as adopting a policy of nonresistance (which prohibits them from serving in the armed forces). Despite all the restrictions, the number of Amish in North America grows annually. Members must choose to be baptized after they reach adulthood. Those who do not conform to the stringent community expectations must repent or face the consequences - excommunication or shunning.
     In 1954, the play "Plain and Fancy" became a smash hit on Broadway. In many ways, it introduced modern day society to the "oddities" of the simple life practiced by the Amish. Tourism ballooned from 25,000 annual visitors to more than 2,000,000 by the end of the decade as millions of tourists flocked to Lancaster County in order to see this "peculiar" way of life for themselves. Unfortunately, the area wasn't ready for such an influx of tourists, and many of the visitors ignored the rules of common decency by invading the privacy of the Amish by trampling through their fields and staring in kitchen windows in their search for anything Amish. Recognizing a great need, restaurateur Adolph Neuber purchased the 25-acre "Amish farm and house" next to his restaurant and opened it to the public in 1955 so that visitors could gain a proper and authentic understanding of the Amish people while still respecting their privacy. Today, as you travel through Lancaster County, it isn't difficult to spot these modern-day Amish traveling around town by horse and buggy, just like their ancestors have done for centuries.

Amish Farm and House

     The Strasburg Rail Road opened on June 9, 1832. The railroad began losing steam in the early 20th century with the advent of the electric trolley. The two world wars kept it running until mid-century. In 1958, it was purchased by a group of 24 stockholders who wished to preserve its rich history. On Jan. 4, 1959, the first passenger train in forty years departed from Strasburg Station, beginning a new era in the history of America's oldest shortline railroad.

Location: The Amish Farm and House is located on the eastern edge of Lancaster at 2395 Covered Bridge Drive, Lancaster. The Strasburg Rail Road is located just east of Strasburg at 301 Gap Rd, Ronks. Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant is located at 2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks.

Cost: The Amish Farm and House Tour - $9.25/adult (12-59), $6.25/child (5-11), $8.25/senior (60+)
- The Amish Farm Countryside Bus Tour - $20.95/adult (12+), $13.95/child, $4.95/toddler (0-4)
- The Strasburg Rail Road Day Pass - $18.00/adult (12+), $12.50/child (3-11); special event trains cost extra

Time: - The Amish Farm and House is open 9am - 5 pm daily. Allow 1-3 hours.
- The regular Strasburg Rail Road tours are about 45 minutes long and leave on the hour - usually 12:00, 1:00, and 2:00 except when they have extended summer and holiday hours.

Description: The Amish Farm and House tour is a minimum of 45 minutes. The tour teaches guests about the basics of Amish religious beliefs as well as shows them the details of daily life. Guests explore the house which includes the Front Room (which is used for worship services whenever the family's turn comes up in the rotation), the kitchen, and the bedrooms. The House was built in 1805, and was opened for tours 60 years ago. Although the tour guides are not Amish, they have all lived in Lancaster County most of their lives and are very knowledgeable about Amish culture. In addition to the house, visitors can go on a self tour of the grounds, which include a variety of animals and equipment that would be common on your typical Amish farm, as well as a few unauthentic playground attractions for tourists. Guests can also interact with resident artisans who introduce guests to many of the essential skills needed to keep a farm running smoothly. Included in the tour is the one-room Amish schoolhouse, where visitors can gain a greater appreciation of how and what Amish children are taught by interacting with a former Amish school mistress.

Amish bedroom (boy)

Amish Kitchen

Amish scooters

 

     The Strasburg Rail Road is the oldest shortline railroad in America. It was refurbished in 1959 as a passenger train (rather than freight) with an eye toward historical tourism rather than travel. The regular tour takes a short ride through Amish country, stops for passengers to get out and stretch their legs, then returns at the same relaxed pace. We did see the largest turkey farm in the U.S. as we passed by. We weren't around for any of the special events, but I assume they are more interesting. We were on a tight schedule, so we didn't tour the museum.

     Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant opened in 1929 so that Anna Miller could serve passing truckers chicken and waffles while her husband repaired their rigs. The restaurant has grown in popularity as it retains its hometown quality, baking all their menu items from scratch. The most popular (and expensive) dining option is the smorgasbord (all-you-can-eat buffet). The food was absolutely delicious, which might explain why we saw Chuck Norris coming in as we were going out. They also have an interesting gift shop.

Rating: The Amish Farm and House - 4 stars
     The Strasburg Rail Road - 2 1/2+ stars (with a potential for higher for special events and/or some of the "fun extras" - see below)
     Miller's Smorgasbord Restaurant - 4 1/2 stars

Things You Should Know: - You can also purchase the premium package which includes the house, farm, and countryside bus tour at a discounted price.
- A variety of buggy rides, attractions and tours of Amish Country can be found at this website.
- Thomas the Train and Percy make periodic visits to Strasburg Station. Click here for more info.
- Other special events at Strasburg Rail Road include: The Great Train Robbery, Vintage Base Ball Day, Easter Bunny Train, The Rolling Antique Auto Event, Steampunk unLimited, Christmas Tree Train, Santa's Paradise Express, and The Night Before Christmas Train.
- Strasburg Rail Road is closed in January and runs on a limited schedule most of the year, so check the schedule before going to make sure that you arrive at the right time.
- Some "fun extras" for younger children at Strasburg Station include: Cranky Cars, Pint-Sized Pufferbelly trains, and a Pump Car.
- You can buy a combo ticket which includes a ride on the train as well as admission to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (across the street) for an additional $3 for adults and 50 cents more for children.

Nearby: Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster County Central Park, Choo Choo Barn, National Christmas Center

Travel Tip #32 - Leave no Trace

     When I was a Boy Scout, one of my scout leaders taught us the following mantra, "Take only pictures. Leave only footprints. Kill only time." My family and I have visited most of the national parks in the West. In my visits, we have often signed up our daughters in Junior Ranger programs. In those programs, they learned a similar philosophy, "Leave no trace." What does is mean to leave no trace, and why is it important?
     Take only pictures. When you are visiting a national park or monument (and most state parks), it is illegal to take souvenirs since everything in the park is protected. You might wonder what harm there is in taking a pretty rock, a shell, or a piece of petrified wood as a memento of your visit. Unfortunately, with millions of visitors to these parks every year, what would happen if everyone took just one little memento? The idea of national and state parks is to preserve the beauties and treasures found there for future generations. Take as many pictures as you want, but leave everything else.
     Leave only footprints. This was the original motto of early conservationists. Yet, like many slogans and mottos, this motto needed some revision. The original intent of the slogan was to impress upon our minds the importance of not littering or leaving markings behind (ie. initials carved or painted on natural objects). The last thing we want is our national parks to start looking like our downtown neighborhoods. However, with millions of visitors to national and state parks every year, there are tens of thousands of pairs of feet treading through the parks every day. You've probably seen what dozens of footsteps can do to spots on your lawn. Multiply that by thousands and you can get an idea of the potential damage careless visitors can do to the environments in our parks. Leave no trace means staying on established trails so that our footprints don't add to the problem.
     Kill only time. Once again, it is illegal to kill plants and animals inside national and state parks. Each living organism plays its own role in the natural ecosystem. Park rangers learned this the hard way a century ago when they actually sponsored drives to kill predators. Several species were driven to the brink of extinction through these efforts. Others were completely wiped out in certain areas of the country. It was only after the fact that they realized their mistake as the ecosystems were thrown completely out of balance. Herbivores, whose populations had been kept in check by the predators, began spreading like wildfire, which then put a strain on many local plant species. This resulted in famines which killed off many of the animals the rangers had originally hoped to protect. Long term studies have determined that when man interferes with the environment, it usually has a negative impact.
     As you travel this beautiful nation of ours, teach your kids the importance of "Leave no trace." Our future generations will thank you for it.

Spotlight: Escalante - Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Spotlight: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park was established in 1976 to preserve the thousands of the pieces of petrified wood scattered throughout the area. In addition to petrified wood, petrified dinosaur bones have been discovered from the Jurassic period.

Location: Just north of the town of Escalante, UT, the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located at 710 North Reservoir Rd.

Cost: Day use fee - $8; Senior Citizens - $4; an annual Utah State Parks pass - $75
- Paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks are available to rent next to the reservoir for about $15/hour.
- The Wide Hollow Campground costs $19/night.

Time: Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm (summer); 8:00 am - 10:00 pm (winter); allow 1-4 hours

Description: The visitor center of the park displays various pieces of petrified wood, petrified dinosaur bones, ammonite, and shell fossils.
     There are several trails in the park, but the two most popular ones are the 1-mile loop Petrified Forest Trail, and the 3/4 mile loop Sleeping Rainbows Trail. Along these trails, visitors can find plenty of colorful specimens of petrified wood among the juniper bushes and the remains of an ancient lava flow. It is similar to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, but I actually thought that this one was better.
     Adjacent to Wide Hollow Campground is the Wide Hollow Reservoir. You can explore the reservoir by boat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - The Sleeping Rainbows Trail is a bit rougher than the Petrified Forest Trail.
- There isn't a lot of overhead shade on this hike, so if you go in the summer, make sure you apply plenty of sunscreen and go in the morning or evening hours.

Nearby: Calf Creek Falls, Spooky Gulch, Posey Lake, Mossy Cave & Waterfall (Bryce Canyon NP)

Travel Tip #31 - Traveling during the Holidays

     You've probably heard that the busiest travel day of the year is the day before Thanksgiving. It turns out that that isn't completely true - at least as far as airports are concerned. In the past, it probably has been the busiest travel day of the year in several years - giving rise to the refrain. Of course, that may be the reason why it no longer is. Some school districts have gone on modified calendars in which the students get the whole week of Thanksgiving off, allowing families to leave for the full week without worrying about their kids falling behind. Others leave on Tuesday to avoid the Wednesday rush. Still others have simply decided to avoid airports on that day. In any case, although Wednesday remains one of the busiest travel days of the year, recent data from airlines shows that the busiest travel days currently are weekends during summer break (particularly Fridays) and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

     The number of people driving on Wednesday is a bit harder to gauge; and if the stats were combined, the week of Thanksgiving is almost assuredly the busiest travel week of the year (in the U.S.), followed closely by the week of Christmas. With that in mind, here are a couple of ideas on how to make traveling during the Holidays a little less stressful.

     1) Plan ahead - If you are traveling by air, you can save a lot of money by buying your tickets several months ahead of time. If traveling by another route, planning ahead gives you a chance to research and weigh your options. Also, by packing ahead, you avoid the stress of last minute packing.

     2) Look at your options - Maybe you always travel the same way for your holiday vacation. If your current mode of travel is stressful, you might want to consider other options - including taking the train or traveling by bus.

     3) Travel light - If you only bring the essentials, you can save time and money. More and more airlines are charging passengers per bag. Also, if you are able to pack your belongings in carry-on bags, you can avoid the dreaded delays of luggage claim (and the disaster of lost luggage). If you have lots of packages, it might be cheaper to ship them ahead of time. Even if you are traveling by car, traveling light improves your average miles/gallon.

     4) Plan for weather delays - Even the best laid travel plans can be torpedoed by weather issues. This is particularly true during the holiday season. If you are driving, keep an eye on the forecasts and be prepared to alter your plans if necessary. If you are flying, just assume that there are going to be delays and plan accordingly.

     5) Avoid heavy traffic - By planning ahead, you can avoid heavy congestion. Some people try to travel the same time every year, and run into the same problems every time. For example, when we travel from Utah to visit relatives in southern California, we've discovered that the stretch of I-15 between San Bernadino and Las Vegas can resemble a parking lot - particularly on evenings at the beginning or the end of a holiday weekend. To avoid this, we try to travel that stretch early in the morning, when most travelers are sleeping in. That usually means traveling halfway on the way down, but with some advance planning, we can usually make that work.

     Whatever your travel plans are this year, plan ahead and be safe!

     

Spotlight: Escalante - Lower Calf Creek Falls

Spotlight: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers the last section of the continental United States to be officially explored and mapped. It is also the first National Monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) instead of the National Park Service. It is nearly double the size of the combined acreage Utah's five more popular and accessible national parks. The monument is divided into three distinct geographical regions: the cliffs of Grand Staircase, the Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Escalante Canyons.
     Located on the northern borders of the monument, waterfall enthusiasts will discover Lower Calf Creek Falls. As the name implies, there is also an Upper Calf Creek Falls, but we didn't have time to do both. The area was named after its use as a natural pen for calves in the late 1800's.

Location: Lower Calf Creek Falls are located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, just off of Highway 12, about 11 miles south of Boulder and 16 miles east of Escalante.

Cost: There is a $5 parking fee for the campground parking lot. Camp sites cost $15/night.

Time: 3-5 hours

Description: The trailhead to Lower Calf Creek Falls is located on the north side of the Calf Creek Campground on Highway 12. The 3-mile trail (one way) is relatively flat, but because it crosses several extensive sandy patches, it is rated moderately difficult. The trail follows the stream through beautiful Navajo sandstone cliffs among interesting rock formations, including some natural windows. About 1 1/2 miles up the trail, you can spot some ancient granaries as well as some Native American pictograph panels dating to about 1200 AD. There are also a few beaver ponds along the route.

pictographs

     You can hear the falls before you see them. Lower Calf Creek Falls plunge 126 feet into a deep swimming hole that is the center point of this gorgeous desert oasis. The colorful algae behind the falls adds a unique contrast to the sandstone cliffs. The weather is nicest in the spring and fall, but the water is usually too cold to swim in except during the summer months.

Too cold to swim, so our daughters splash through the water hole

Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - The best time to photograph Lower Calf Creek Falls is in the morning.
- You might want to wear a swimsuit under your hiking clothes if the weather is warm. If you are visiting the Falls in the summer, it would we wise to get an early start to avoid the desert heat. Also, make sure you bring plenty of drinking water.
- The canyon used to be inhabited by Native Americans from the Freemont and Anasazi tribes. You can pick up an informative trail guide at the trailhead.
-  The trailhead for Upper Calf Creek Falls is further north off Highway 12. It is only 2.2 miles round trip, but the trail is graded strenuous. The Upper Falls are 88 feet tall.
- Backcountry hikers are required to obtain permits for overnight hikes at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center.

Nearby: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Anasazi State Park Museum, Hell's Backbone, Devils Garden

Travel Tip #30 - Check Your Car Emergency Kit Before Going on a Road Trip

     Everyone should have an emergency kit in their car. You never know when you might need it. Automobile accidents are the number one cause of death for many demographics. Some of those deaths might be prevented if the first respondents have the right supplies to take care of problems they encounter. Even if a situation isn't a case of life or death, a well-stocked emergency kit can help mitigate problems you encounter.
     When you go on a road trip, the chances of you needing an emergency kit go up for several reasons: 1) You are spending more time on the road; 2) You are less familiar with the streets, which makes you more prone to accidents; 3) There is a much higher chance that you will be in the middle of nowhere if something does happen.
     Cell phones sometimes give us the false sense of security, that if we break down, we can just call for help. If you've ever seen one of those cell phone commercials where they show all the places their network covers, you may have noticed that there are also large spots that they don't cover. Unfortunately, if your car breaks down in one of those dead spots, it is probably one of the areas where you really, really need assistance. Therefore, it pays to be prepared. Check you emergency kit to make sure it has everything you might need, and that the items inside aren't out of date.
     To help you consider what you might include in an emergency kit, here are some ideas: a first aid kit with bandages, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, ointment, adhesive tape, aspirin, anti-itch cream and essential medications; small fire extinguisher, two or three reflective warning triangles, foam tire sealant, tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, automotive fuses, flashlight with extra batteries, gloves, duct tape, tow strap, multipurpose utility tool (such as a Swiss army knife), pliers, rain poncho, drinking water, nonperishable snacks, blanket, ice scraper, and trowel. Don't just make sure that your first aid kit contains the necessary items, make sure that nothing has expired. Also make sure you have a fully charged cell phone and a fully inflated spare tire.
     If you ever do get stranded somewhere, there are plenty of everyday things in your car that you can use to survive and get help. I once ran across an interesting blog that detailed how to use these items in case of a real emergency. I printed off a copy of the article and stashed it in my glove box so that I would have it if I ever needed it.
     So next time you get ready to hit the road, set aside some time to make sure that you are prepared. Good luck and be safe!

Spotlight: Escalante - Spooky Gulch & Peek-A-Boo Gulch

Spotlight: Spooky Gulch and Peek-A-Boo Gulch are a pair of interesting slot canyons inside Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The national monument is huge (1,880,461 acres) - larger than the entire state of Delaware. The monument was created in 1996 under the Antiquities Act.

Location: About 32 miles southeast of Escalante are two impressive slot canyons known as Spooky Gulch and Peek-A-Boo Gulch. To reach the canyons, take BLM200/Hole in the Rock Rd. (a few miles east of the city off of HWY 12) southeast for 26 miles. Take a slight left onto BLM252/Dry Fork Road. A few hundred yards later, it branches again. Stay left for another 1.6 miles to the trailhead at Dry Fork overlook parking lot. The drive to the overlook will take about 2 hours one way.

Cost: a tank of gas

Time: 6-8 hours round trip (including drive time to and from Escalante). Or you could camp in the Coyote Gulch area. The canyons themselves will take about 2 hours to explore.

Description: The Hole in the Rock Road is sometimes closed due to inclement weather. The road, which goes all the way down to Hole-in-the-Rock at the edge of Lake Powell, is a rough, washboard dirt road (with several potholes, sand traps and ruts) and may be closed due to inclement weather. A four-wheel-drive vehicles is recommended, but not required.
     From the Dry Fork overlook parking lot, a winding trail goes north down the slope into the sandy bottom of the Dry Fork creek bed. From there, you can head to either Dry Fork Narrows, Peek-A-Boo Gulch or Spooky Gulch. We combined Peek-A-Boo and Spooky gulches into a 3.5 mile loop hike, starting in Peek-A-Boo Gulch.

     To get to the entrance of Peek-A-Boo Gulch, turn right (east) and walk about 100 yards. The entrance to the gulch is a series of footholds up a 15+ foot rock wall. Smaller hikers may need a boost. The bench at the top has several small pools of stagnant water. There are several cool rock formations inside the canyon including a pair of natural bridges. As you continue deeper into the canyon, the walls will tighten until it becomes impossible to proceed. At this point, you climb up out of the canyon and along the crevice until you can drop back inside. The canyon ends in a sandy wash. From there, you can either go back the way you came, or head east for about ten minutes to Spooky Gulch.

     To reach Spooky Gulch, you can either enter the back side (via Peek-A-Boo Gulch), or enter the front side by continuing east along Dry Fork stream bed. Although the entrances are fairly wide, once inside the canyon walls quickly close in. The slot canyon winds through the colorful Navajo Sandstone, forcing visitors to twist and turn their bodies as they wend their way around protruding rock fins and climb over boulders that dot the Narrows, where visibility is limited to only a few feet ahead. The canyon floor can be either sandy or rocky, and may have small pools of water after a rain storm. Once arriving back to the canyon entrance, hikers can turn west and return to the parking area, or head east another thirty minutes to Brimstone Canyon.

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - If there is any sign of rain, do not enter the canyons! The canyons were formed by flash floods, and if you are caught inside when a flash flood hits, you will have nowhere to go. As a flash flood survivor, I know just how dangerous a flash flood can be; so don't take any chances.
- If you are claustrophobic, this hike isn't for you. Spooky Gulch in particular gets really narrow (under 18 inches wide) in one section. I am six feet tall and under 200 lbs. I got through (but it was a tight squeeze).
- Make sure you bring plenty of water. Summer temperatures can get well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and even though it will be shady inside the canyons, you still need to drink plenty of water. Also, there will be little relief from the hot sun as you make the trudge through the sandy bottom of Dry Fork to and from the canyons.

seeking shade

- If you are a slot canyon enthusiast, there are many other slot canyons nearby. An experienced hiker could easily include Dry Fork Narrows and Brimstone Gulch into their hike for the day.

Nearby: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hole-in-the-Rock, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Calf Creek Falls

Travel Tip #29 - Check out the SkyView Stargazing App

     If you are camping out, you might want to check out the SkyView Stargazing App. There are a couple of versions of this app - a basic edition (which is free), and a more detailed version available at a modest price.
     The app gives viewers a variety of details. On its most basic level, when you point your device at the ground, a compass appears. When you point it at a star, it tells the name of the star, what constellation it is in, the star's classification, how many light years it is from Earth, and its location on star charts. Major constellations show up as pictures showing how the ancients connected the dots to create a picture. If you tap on them, additional information about the constellation appears at the bottom. Other items that show up are the Hubble Telescope, the International Space Station, the moon and planets which also can be tapped for additional interesting facts, including their orbits (with the local time they will appear at certain points in the sky).
     One of the most interesting things about the app is that you can even use it on cloudy nights. You might not be able to see the stars or planets, but you can see where they should be in relation to each other. You can even "see through" the Earth and find out where the sun is currently located in relation to your current position, and at what time it will rise above the horizon.
     Although I'm still getting to know this app for myself, my daughter and I have enjoyed looking for constellations with it. If you or your kids have any interest in space, I recommend that you give it a try. It might create some great opportunities on a camping trip to explore and ponder the mysteries of the universe.

Spotlight: Canyonlands NP - The Maze

Spotlight: If anything is along the Path Less Trodden is would be The Maze in Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park has three sections: Island in the Sky, Needles, and The Maze. There are no roads that cross either the Green River or the Colorado River within the park, so the three sections are isolated even from each other. It takes between 2-6 hours to drive from one section to another. The vast majority of park visitors visit either Island in the Sky or the Needles District. Less than 1% (2,000/year) of Canyonland visitors ever get to see The Maze.

The Maze Overlook

Location: The Maze is definitely the most remote section of the park, and can only be accessed by 4-wheel drive vehicles. The closest "city" is Hanksville (more than 5 hours away) at the confluence of Highway 24 and Highway 95. For directions from Hanksville, click here.

Cost: No entrance fee, but backcountry permits are $30 per group.

Time: 3-14 days; Hans Flat Ranger Station is open from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm daily.

Description: I went to the Maze in mid-October with a couple of friends. Even though there were only three of us, we took two jeeps. That way, if one of the jeeps got stuck, we would have the other one available to help get it out or to go get help.

    To get to our campsite, we had to travel over miles of road that would have been difficult to navigate on foot, let alone a vehicle. One of the places we visited was called "The Neck." It was a narrow neck of land, about 20 yards across at its narrowest point, with big drop-offs on either side. We then drove down Flint Trail - a narrow, windy road with hairpin turns. If two vehicles encountered each other partway down, one would have to back up because there were very few spots where someone could pass. Of course, the chances of that happening were extremely remote since we didn't run into anyone else in our three days there.

Flint Trail down the bluff

      Our campsite was the Sunset campground. It was aptly named for the glow that lit up Sunset Butte every morning and evening. We calculated that we were the only humans within about a ten-mile radius of the butte. Once it got dark, stars started appearing by the hundreds. Since there was no moon that evening, and no other lights within dozens of miles, thousands of stars lit up the night sky. It was absolutely breathtaking! We saw several satellites and meteors as well as a phenomenon we'd never seen before. Along the horizon we watched some "jumping stars." I assume it was some sort of mirage, because we couldn't think of any other explanation for it.

Sunset Campground

     On Day 2, we drove out to the Doll House. The road was really rough near Teapot Rock, but the formations were totally awesome. Some of them included the Golden Stairs, The Wall, Lizard Rock and Chimney Rock. We named several others - a Jack-o-lantern, Jabba's Frog, and a Newsie Boy.

The Doll House

Jack-o-Lantern

Chimney Rock

Newsie Boy leaning against a building

     On Day 3, we drove out via Poison Spring Canyon Road. We had to hug the cliff because the road didn't have guardrails and the cliff dropped several hundred feet. The views, though, were spectacular. When we reached the canyon, we were treated to Aspen Trees decked out in their fall colors, contrasted against the deep red hue of the cliffs. We also crossed the Dirty Devil River. Once you commit, you have to keep going; because if you stop, you might get stuck. That kind of describes the whole trip. Was it worth it? You bet!

Poison Spring Canyon

Dirty Devil River

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5) - as long as you can handle not having a toilet

Things You Should Know: - There are no services, food, gas, or potable water sources at The Maze.
- Do not even attempt to go to The Maze without a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. In fact, you should probably have two vehicles in case one gets stuck.
- When visiting in the Maze, or any other backcountry site, you must have a printed and signed permit in your possession during your entire trip. A permit is not valid from any mobile device. Backcountry permits can be reserved at canypermits.nps.gov up to four months before the start date of the permit, and can be picked up at the Hans Flat Ranger Station. They are good for up to 9 people and 3 vehicles, and can be issued for up to 14 consecutive nights (but not more than 3 nights at any one spot). Other backcountry regulations apply.
- Hans Flat Ranger Station serves The Maze District. The station is 3-6 hours away from most locations within the maze, so visitors need to be prepared with the proper wilderness survival equipment for self-rescue. The phone number for the ranger station is (435) 259-2652, but there is little to no cell phone service in the backcountry. You might want to look into renting a satellite phone if you are going to be hiking in the Maze.
- Hiking within The Maze can be tricky for several reasons. Trails are primitive and are not well-marked. Also, many of the slot canyons look alike, so you can easily get lost. Also, slot canyons are prone to flash floods during inclement weather. Make sure you have both a detailed topographical map and a GPS, as well as a knowlege of how to use them.
- Special permits are needed for river trips or horseback riding.
- Temperatures can vary greatly (from -1 degrees Fahrenheit in January, to 116 F in July). On average, nights are between 20-30 degrees cooler than daytime temperatures. The most ideal weather is typically in the late spring or early autumn.
- For a list of authorized tour groups within the park, click here.

Nearby: Cataract Canyon (Colorado River), Goblin Valley SP, Horseshoe Canyon, Glen Canyon Nat'l Recreation Area