Spotlight: Utah County - Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)

Spotlight: Thanksgiving Point is an eclectic group of museums, gardens, shops, and theaters that provide a variety of experiences for its guests. It was built in 1995 with the idea of creating a place for the community to both enjoy and learn about nature and various cultures. The organization hosts a variety of unique events throughout the year that highlight different holidays and cultures. Some seasonal festivals include: the Tulip Festival, Easter Eggstreme, Utah Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Utah Renaissance Faire, Halloween Central, Scarecrow Festival, Eat Like a Pilgrim, Luminaria and Cornbelly's Corn Maze. They also host a variety of camps, clubs, dances, classes and expos (ie. Summer Day Camp, Afterschool Adventure, Valentines Dance, Gardening Class, and Wedding Expo). You can even schedule your own special events (weddings, receptions, etc.). Whether you are a kid, a teenager or an adult, you can always find something that interests you at Thanksgiving Point.

Insanity Point at Cornbellies

Cornbellies

Tulip Festival

Scarecrow Festival

Location: Thanksgiving Point is located at the northern end of Utah County near the "Point of the Mountain." The address of the main complex is 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi. It can easily be seen from I-15.

Time: Anywhere from 2-8 hours (depending on how many activities you participate in). Most exhibits are open Monday - Saturday from 10 am - 8 pm.

Cost: Each individual venue has it's own pricing. They include:
- Museum of Ancient Life - $15/adult, $12/senior, $12/child (3-12)
     - Mammoth Screen movie - $8.50/adult, $7/child (3-12)
- Thanksgiving Point Gardens - $15/adult, $12/senior, $12/child (3-12)
- Museum of Curiosity - $15/adult, $12/senior, $12/child (3-12)
     - High Ropes Course - $8/person (with paid admission)
- Farm Country - $8/person
Or you can purchase an Explorer Pass to let you in to all four venues:
     One day: $25/adult, $20/child
     Two day: $45/adult, $38/child
Or you can buy a year's membership for $75/individual or $220/family.

Description: Thanksgiving Point consists of four main venues:
     The Museum of Ancient Life allows visitors to explore a variety of animals and plant life that existed millions of years ago. The displays include a Carboniferous Forest and a Cretaceous Ocean. There are 60 complete dinosaur skeletons as well as models of ice age mammals and giant undersea creatures. One of my favorite exhibits was where you had to match the skulls with the pictures of dozens of animals. A variety of 50 hands-on exhibits include an Erosion Table and a Quarry where kids can have fun digging for toy dinosaurs or uncovering skeletons with brushes. You can also watch real paleontologists at work unearthing real bones. There is also a selection of fascinating films at the Mammoth Screen Theatre.
     The Museum of Natural Curiosity has over 400 interactive exhibits that allow children and adults to explore a wide variety of topics in fun ways. In Rainforest, you can check your weight against grasshoppers and hippos, compare your squeeze to that of a python, or test your hanging skills against that of a sloth. You can crawl/climb through various obstacle courses including one that is pitch dark. In Water Works you can explore the power of water, wind, sun and earth by using pipes, valves, wheels, etc. In Discovery Garden you can learn about caves and animals, find a way through the vegetative mazes, or play on the unique equipment of Archimedes Playground. In Kidopolis you can learn about optical illusions, power a toy locomotive, or program your own music composition through the use of computers. Older kids and adults can also try the challenging High Ropes Course.
     The Thanksgiving Point Ashton Gardens cover approximately 55 acres and are accessed by more than 3 miles of walking trails. The Gardens include 15 different theme gardens including a complete replica of the garden described in The Secret Garden, a book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Visitors can visit the waterfall at Monet Pond, where they can learn about water-saving gardening techniques.

Monet Pond

Secret Garden during Tulip Festival

     Farm Country aims to teach urban children about rural life by showing them how farmers grow crops and raise animals to feed our country. They can follow the entire process from soil to supermarket. It allows children the opportunity to interact with traditional farm animals as well as a few exotic ones. They can learn how to milk a cow, take a pony ride, or participate in a number of interactive hands-on exhibits.
     In addition to the four principle venues, there are a variety of other businesses associated with Thanksgiving Point. The Thanksgiving Point Golf Course, designed by golf pro Johnny Miller, is the largest course in the state of Utah. It has won several national awards as one of the best courses in the country. Brick Canvas provides a variety of services including yoga, spa treatments, a beauty salon, a juice bar, etc. Restaurants include the Harvest Restaurant, the Thanksgiving Point Deli, the Expedition Cafe, the seasonal Trellis Cafe, and the popular Ice Cream Shop. There is also a wide variety of shops to explore.

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Check out their webpage to see the calendar of upcoming events.
- The High ropes course at the Museum of Curiosity, the Mammoth Screen Theatre, and the Golf Course are not included in the Flex Pass.
- If you become a Thanksgiving Point Member, you have unlimited access to all four venues. You can also get your guests in for half price admission. It also gives you discounts on food, events, programs, Mammoth Screen movies and High Ropes Course tickets. Finally it gives you access to hundreds of other museums, science centers, and gardens throughout North America.
- The Eat Like a Pilgrim event recreates the first Thanksgiving by preparing and serving a meal that is as close as possible to the original Thanksgiving feast. In addition to the meal, visitors can explore the various exhibits that teach about the Pilgrims and Native Americans. During the meal, visitors are treated to a few speeches by key historical figures associated with the colony and feast.
- The Cornbelly's Corn Maze allows visitors to traverse a human maze through the corn field, shoot mini pumpkins and corn cobs at targets, and participate in a wide variety of other fall activities.

Nearby: Cabelas, Utah Lake, Discovery Park, Timpanogos Cave NM

Spotlight: Costa Rica - Whitewater rafting

Spotlight: The Sarapiqui River is a tributary of the San Juan River. The lowlands around the river are mostly tropical rain forest with lush vegetation. The river is designated a National Historical Monument since it was instrumental in transporting arms, supplies and soldiers in the 1856 war against the North American filibusters led by William Walker in their effort to take over Central America. Today, the river is one of the most popular destinations for those seeking new adventures - particularly whitewater rafting.

Location: We went rafting on the Rio Sarapiqui. I don't remember the name of the company we used, but there are several companies that offer similar experiences.

Cost: You can find excursions for between $60-$650 depending on length, season, and extras (such as food and accommodations)

Time: Tours run between 2 hours and 4 days - depending on where you go and what you want to see.

Description: Whitewater rafting can be one of the most fun experiences you'll ever have; it can also be one of the most scary if you aren't prepared. If you are going on class 4 or 5 rapids, then everyone in your group should be an experienced swimmer. Otherwise, stick to class 2 or 3 rapids and make sure those who aren't strong swimmers are well secured and next to someone who is. Regardless of experience, everyone should be drilled on proper safety procedures.

     Our excursion was about 2-3 hours. We jumped in from the shore and had to swim to our rafts so that our guides could make sure we could swim. We hit about 7 rapids, I think there were two class 3's and the others class 2. Since the only other rafting I'd done had been in Utah, the scenery was definitely unique. We saw some baby iguanas sunning themselves on some boulders and several tropical birds. There was also a rope swing that a couple of kids grabbed onto, exiting one raft and dropping into another. We were able to get out of the rafts at a couple of lazy sections of the river and swim before climbing back in.

     After the trip, we were served a Costa Rican picnic-style lunch. It was delicious - rice, beans, meat, bread and juice.

Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5) - I would have put 5 stars, but our tour was shorter than advertised

Things You Should Know: - Make sure you shop around before you decide on a tour. There are several different factors to consider: the types of rapids you will be facing, the experience and preferences of your group, how long of an excursion you want, the type of accommodations you require, if you need bilingual guides, the price you want to pay, ratings by other groups, etc.
- Make sure you wear sunscreen and bug repellent - in that order. You will be hating life if you forget one or the other.
- If you go during the rainy season (June-November), check on flood conditions, advisories, etc. Short rainstorms are typical and won't affect your excursion as long as there isn't lightning. Extended storms upstream can be problematic.
- I didn't bring my camera, so I didn't get a lot of pictures. If you want pictures, bring a phone and protect it in a water-proof pouch that you can hang around your neck.

Nearby: Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, Tortuguero National Park, La Selva Biological Station

Spotlight: Costa Rica - Manuel Antonio National Park

Spotlight: Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the premier tourist destinations in a country that caters to tourism. The national park, established in 1972, is home to three beaches. The two main ones are Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. Although it is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, in 2011 it was declared by Forbes as one of the "World's Most Beautiful Parks." The park has a rich diversity of wildlife including 3 types of monkeys (Howler, Spider and Capuchin), sloths, raccoon, agoutis and hundreds of species of birds.

Location: Manuel Antonio National Park is located in Puntarenas Province, Canton de Aguirre, Costa Rica.

Cost: $16 each (foreigners)

Time: 7 am - 4 pm (closed on Mondays). Plan on spending the 4-9 hours here.

Description: The beaches are about a 30-minute walk from the entrance. It isn't a tough walk, and wooden walkways are used to help keep the trail free of encroaching vegetation.

     Playa Manuel Antonio is known for its beautiful views of rocky outcroppings edged with leafy vegetation from the encroaching rain forest. Visitors can spend as long as they want bathing in the warm waters while bobbing in the relatively tranquil waves, swimming, snorkeling, exploring the hidden jungle trails and taking pictures of the ever-present wildlife. We saw Capuchin monkeys, raccoons, sloths, agoutis and various birds. Just make sure someone is guarding your stuff because the monkeys and raccoons will steal it. Not might, WILL - if left unattended. In fact, they are so clever, there is a good chance they'll make off with something even if it is guarded. They sometimes work in pairs, one distracting a guest while his partner grabs a lunch bag or whatever is handy.

 

 

     Since Playa Manuel Antonio is the closest and most popular beach, it is also the most crowded. If you want a more solitary or adventurous experience, head to the other side of the peninsula to Playa Espadilla Sur. Not only is it less crowded, the waves are bigger and more powerful. This can be a good thing or a bad thing - depending on what kind of experience you are looking for. This is also a popular beach for surfers. Both beaches are covered with soft, white sand making them the perfect place to just sit and relax.

     In between the beaches is a wooden observation tower. It is about 50 meters high and offers a nice view of the surrounding area.
     The beaches are divided by a strip of rain forest with trails that head up to the Punta Catedral 0.9 mile loop trail - which crawl up and down the large bluff jutting out of the sea at the end of the peninsula. While hiking along the jungle trails, you often can't see the beach even though it is usually less than 50 yards away. On the other hand, you are more likely to run across some of the shyer wildlife - such as sloths and agoutis.

agouti

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Take cash; there is a fee for using a credit card.
- There are bathrooms up the trail from the beaches where visitors can change into bathing suits or vice-versa. This might be a big deal for someone those with bathing suits that aren't well suited to walking since it is about a half hour walk to and from the beach.
- Things to bring: swimsuit, sun screen, insect repellent, towels, drinking water, hat, sunglasses and hiking sandals. If you bring food, make sure it is zipped up tight and guarded; otherwise it will be stolen. For this reason, certain food items, like chips and peanuts, are not allowed.
- For more information on hiking trails within the park click here.
- If you go during the rainy season (May - November), be prepared for intense rain storms which occur almost daily - usually in the afternoon. Bring a poncho or waterproof pack and try to hit the park early to try and take as much advantage of the time as possible, while beating the crowds and getting a better view of the wildlife.
- When you go in the water, try and stay near other swimmers and keep an eye on conditions as riptides can occur.
- Because of environmental restrictions, most hotels do not have direct beach access. Instead, they are set up on the cliffs where they have superb views of the outlying area. There are public and hotel shuttles that take visitors to the park entrance.
-  If you came to see animals, the best time is in the morning. You can book a tour with a local naturalist who will know the best spots to find them. To guarantee a good experience at a reasonable price, only use guides certified by the ICT (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo).

capuchin

sloth

Nearby: Damas Island Estuary, Santa Juana Mountain Village, Parque Nacional Los Quetzales, Nauyaca Waterfalls, Teleferico del Pacifico

Spotlight: Costa Rica - Aerial Tram Tour

Spotlight: The Aerial Tram Pacific Tour, also known as the Teleferico del Pacifico, is run by Rainforest Adventures. It promotes itself as the only guided tram tour in Costa Rica. The aerial tram is located in a lower elevation rain forest near the Pacific Ocean, hosting a different variety of plants and animals than those living in the cloud forests of Monteverde. The aerial tram offers visitors a unique view of the rain forest.

Location: The Aerial Tram Tour is located near Jaco, Puntarenas Province.

Cost: $60/adult, $30/students & children

Time: The tram runs at 7:30, 9:30, noon and 2:00 pm. The whole tour lasts one hour.

Description: The Aerial Tram Tour takes visitors above the jungle canopy so that they can get a bird's eye view of the rain forest with the idea of seeing animals that you wouldn't necessarily see from the ground. It is a good idea, and the aerial trams felt safe. Unfortunately, we didn't see many animals. We saw a couple of birds in the distance, but I was hoping to see a toucan. I didn't see any, but our tour director saw one. Unfortunately, he was on a different tram. We did see a sloth.

a sloth

Toucan

small waterfall

      After the tram ride, we did a small walking tour around the complex that included a Butterfly Garden, a Medicinal Plants Garden, and a Terrarium (with reptiles and amphibians). We saw turtles, caimans, snakes and poison dart frogs. Although the "poison dart frogs" aren't poisonous in captivity due to their diet, we did spot one in the wild while there.

iguana

pineapple plant

poison dart frog

Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Don't go off the trail; there are poisonous snakes in the area, but they stay off the trails during daylight hours.
- The tour guides are bilingual. It is expected that visitors will tip their tour guide.
- Rainforest Adventures also offers a 5-in-1 package that also includes: zipline excursions, waterfall climbing, a sky bridge tour, and nature trail trek. There are other adventure packages available at their website.

Sky Bridge

Nearby: Jungle Crocodile Safari, Los Quetzales National Park, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park

Spotlight: Costa Rica - Jungle Crocodile Safari

Spotlight: The Jungle Crocodile Safari & Bird Watching Tour takes you up and down the River Tarcoles. The two-hour guided tour allows you to view enormous 4-meter crocodiles in their natural habitat. Although the main attraction is the crocodiles, you will also see iguanas and up to 50 different species of birds.

Location: The Jungle Crocodile Safari is located at Tarcoles - La Barca, 1, Puntarenas Province 61101 on the Rio Tarcoles.

Cost: The tour costs $30/person

Time: The 2-hour tour departs daily at 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. You can also schedule a private tour if you have a large enough group.

Description: The Jungle Crocodile Safari is reminiscent of the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland - but without the corny puns. Naturally, you aren't going to see nearly as many varieties of animals as you will see on the Disney tour, but the animals you do see are real. We saw lots of crocodiles and iguanas including a 17-foot crocodile lying on the side of the river. He even opened his mouth wide for a picture of the deadly rows of sharp teeth that lined his mouth.

baby croc hiding in a small den on the side of a bank

iguana cave

     As we floated through the mangrove swamp, we also saw a bunch of different species of birds including: egrets, herons, macaws, spoonbills, storks, ibises, hawks and swallows. We were each given a bird guide  pamphlet to help identify the different species common to the region.

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - En route to the Crocodile Safari, you will cross the Tarcoles Crocodile Bridge. If you find a spot to pull over nearby, it is worth the walk across the bridge to look at the crocs swimming in the river below.

- The tour is wheelchair accessible.
- If you cancel at least 7 days prior to departure, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel within 3-6 days, there is a 50% cancellation fee.

Nearby: Crocodile Man Tour, Playa Guacalillo Bird Observatory, Carara National Park, Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva