Extended Weekend Getaways - April 2022

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Table of Contents Places to Go: Educational RV Road Trips

By Monica Baer P. 10 Things to Do: Study the History in Philladelphia, Pa.

By Renée Gordon P.42

Spring Break Destinations

By Jenna Bush P. 14

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The Weekender Extended Magazine is Published Monthly by BarnettPRO Publishing Corp. 15 East Main St., Shiloh, OH P.O. Box 96, Shiloh, OH 44878 Branch office: 1515 W. 3rd, Sedalia, Mo 65301 PHONE; 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com

Up Close: From the Editor

Publisher - Michael D. Arnold mike@barnettpro.com Managing Editor- Kathy Barnett kathy@weekenderextended.com Technical Director- Norman Reed Norm@weekenderextended.com editor@weekenderextended.com Places to Go Editor: Sheeree Oney Places to Go Team: Rebecca Embry Samantha Bradley Things to Do Editor: Kandy Derden Things to Do Team: Geremy Sowash Beth Cantrell

Jake McFarlin People to See Editor: Lisa Garcia People to See Team: Lisa Brant Angie Offenburger Social Media Editor: Norman Reed Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues at www.WeekenderExtended.com Subscriptions are FREE! Submit name and email address HERE and also be entered in our drawing for a FREE weekend getaway!

Copyright 2021 by BarnettPRO Publishing All rights reserved. Reproductions of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the publishing company.

There is no national holiday listed as “Spring Break.” Years ago, it was considered the time between college classes as early as the 1930s. Many consider Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. as the first destination for the week-long party at the beach when a swim forum was held there in 1938. It continued to grow until law enforcement shut it down in 1985. Other locations arose to the occasion.

Today, however, the term, has expanded to mean a wider collection of a much-needed getaway from daily responsibilities, pent-up winter inactivity, school classes, and work loads. And it isn’t just for the college kids anymore.

Let’s face it. The whole family needs a break. We all need a chance to rest, relax, rejuvenate, and refresh the body, mind, and soul. It can be an extended weekend, a whole week or simply an afternoon to do something different than your normal routine. It can be any date on the calendar as the Spring season lasts clear through April. and May. It’s not officially Summer until June 21.

So whatever your schedule, April is still spring; Easter is in April this year, and the weather is finally beginning to cooperate in most states. So let’s start planning that next extended weekend getaway. And while browsing through the ideas in this issue, you can get into the spirit of the Easter seasons by looking for eggs hidden throughout. How many did you find?

Email your answer to editor@extendedweekendgetaway.com and you will be entered into the drawing for some really great prizes. (Hint: Include eggs in all photos too. Until then

Happy Easter!

Cover Photo: Whatever you do on your Spring extended weekend getaway, spendtime with your loved ones and make your time together special with long-lasting memories. Grandson, Nathan, is busy decorating eggs for Easter. See Page 8.

Kathy Barnett Editor - in - Chief

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Trailhead Shorts by Coalatree With a style for men and for women, these breathable, four-way stretch shorts are for your grueling hikes, climbs and biking trails and for your lazy time in the shade. For extra versatility, they pack down into the front right pocket for easy travel or a small pillow. Other reasons you’ll wear them all summer long is that they are: Waterproof / Stain-resistant / Tear-resistant / Antimicrobial / Available in black, brown, grey, and khaki with sizes S,M,L, and XL Price: $69.00+ https://coalatree.com/ -6- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

r easter basket Easter Bunny Pudding Pots Cooking Kit An edible adventure that allows children to discover, inspire, question, create and invent all through the world of cooking!

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Includes all dry pre-measured ingredients and specialty supplies.

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Tramboline by JAKKS Pacific, Inc. A fun activity for your preschooler. Providing hours of endless fun, the tramboline features colorful character graphics from your child’s favorite brand. It is easily stored for a take-a-long on a weekend getaway and gives your child the opportunity to release pent up energy from long road trips. It is durable for both outdoor and indoor play. The safety enclosure has a zippered opening for kids to enter, With sturdy metal construction and a bungee system, this safe and fun trampoline is built to last.

Price: $159.99 www.jakks.com

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Price: $9.99 Available on amazon.com

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FIVE EDUCATIONAL ROAD T Recommended by the American Coach® Brand As families get ready for spring and summer travel, an “experiential learning” road trip or long weekend is an option that can entertain, engage, and educate. Select a city like Indianapolis or Omaha and then take in a variety of sites that range from a science center or museum to a living history site or state capital.

A convenient and easy way for families to travel is by RV. Fleetwood RV is one of the most-established brands in the motorhome industry and is known for its quality, innovative features, and family-friendly designs.

For 2022, Fleetwood unveiled its Bounder 35GL. With four distinct zones, the RV feels like a “traditional” home and includes a space at the front for work and entertainment, a mid-ship open concept kitchen, a split lavatory with a private water closet, and a spacious master bedroom. In addition to the master, the RV has a sleeper sofa and an optional drop-down Hide-A-Loft bed to sleep up to six.

Fleetwood RV is a brand within REV Recreation Group, Inc. a subsidiary of REV Group®, Inc. Please note: each museum or site has been researched but be sure to call ahead to confirm hours of operation, advance ticketing requirements, and other relevant details.

city and is known as “The Rocket City” for its close association with U.S. space missions.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center For a STEM lesson, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a must.

The center is a Smithsonian Affiliate and the Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Explore the outer limits of space, the rockets that propel humans into space, and the space agency that gets them there. Visit the International Space Station (ISS) exhibit to see NASA’s Payload Operations Integration Center where scientists and engineers on Earth manage the complex science experiments astronauts conduct on the ISS. Take a closer look at drones and explore their use over time and the role they play now and in the future. The center is also home to a National Historic Landmark – an authentic Saturn V rocket, one of only three in the world.

U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum After learning about American innovation in space, visit the U.S. Huntsville, AL Veterans Memorial Museum to Founded in 1805 and located in the Tennessee River valley, Hunts- see America’s military engineering and technology on land, sea, ville is Alabama’s second biggest and in the air. The museum is one -10- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

of the premier military museums in the world with artifacts and military equipment that range from the American Revolutionary War to present day. Military pieces include a: Kiowa OH58 helicopter, a type of copter that’s been used by the U.S. Army since 1969; Stuart Light Tank manufactured

by Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors; and Patrol Boat Riverine (PBR) used extensively during the Vietnam War. Huntsville Botanical Garden For outdoor education, there’s the 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden, which is open year round. A series of trails introduces families to a diverse ecosystem of meadows, upland and bottomland forest, and wetlands.

The garden is also home to the country’s largest open-air butterfly house. To see other winged creatures, including local and migrating birds, take the Lewis Birding Trail. The garden is actually noted as a birding hot spot in eBird, a global birding data project conducted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

RVers can stay at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center RV Park – right next to the Rocket Center museums and planetarium.

Indianapolis, IN

A visit to Indy includes four different in-person “learning” attractions that cover everything from dinosaurs to the Civil War to Native American art.

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis - China’s Terra Cotta Warriors, an Egyptian pharaoh’s ornate

TRIPS FOR RVERS

By Monica Baer

https://www.herandhimsel.com

tomb, and Captain Kidd’s shipwreck are just some of the worldwide sites families can experience at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – the largest children’s museum in the United States. It’s easy to spend an entire day in the interactive learning environment exploring world cultures, physical and natural sciences, health, fitness, and more.

Other highlights include an exhibit on modern life in Greece, the Cretaceous Period when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and the “Power of Children” which features Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White. Frank wrote The Diary of a Young Girl that documents her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944 during World War II. Bridges was one of the first children to attend a desegregated school during the 1960s Civil Rights movement, and White became a poster child for HIV/AIDS in the U.S. after contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion in 1984.

Conner Prairie - Step back in time with a visit to Conner Prairie, a Smithsonian Affiliate outdoor museum just outside of Indianapolis that transports families to the early days of Indiana. 1836 Prairie Town immerses visitors in the daily life of a 19th-century village.

Children can study in a one-room

school house, learn about the chores young ones were responsible for, and watch blacksmiths, carpenters, and potters make items essential to the townspeople. Cross a covered bridge to 1863 Civil War Journey and enter the southern Indiana town of Dupont shortly after it was raided by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan.

Learn whether Indiana was on the Confederate or Yankee side of the Civil War, meet local residents in dressed in traditional garb, gather supplies for the Soldier’s Aid Society, and participate in military drills.

Benjamin Harris Presidential Site - For history-loving families who want more, tour the 10,000-square-foot family home of President Benjamin Harrison – our country’s 23rd U.S. President (1889-1893) and Indiana’s only President. Built in 1875, the Benjamin Harris Presidential Site home is beautifully furnished with many of Harrison’s paintings, furniture, and political memorabilia.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art Finally, round out an educational visit to Indy with art. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art tells the stories of the peoples of North America

through art. The Eiteljorg exhibits outstanding Western art and Native American art and cultural objects, and its contemporary Native American art collection has been ranked among the best in the world. The museum’s collection includes artists such as T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, and Kay WalkingStick.

RVers can stay overnight at the Indianapolis KOA.

Springfield, IL

While Springfield is the capital of Illinois, it was also President Abraham Lincoln’s home from 1837 – 1861 so there are a number of Lincoln sites in and nearby the city. Other learning sites of interest include a historic walking tour that traces the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield and one of the largest personal residences designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library - The impact President Abraham Lincoln

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ROAD TRIPS . . . Cont. had on the United States can’t be overstated. Most notably, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free the country’s slaves and led the U.S. through the Civil War. Visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library for a better understanding of the country’s 16th president, his life, and the challenges he faced. The museum delivers a unique experience that combines high-tech exhibits, interactive displays, and multi-media programs. Its galleries include lifelike wax figures of Lincoln and his family, a replica of the sparse log cabin he grew up in as a young boy in the backwoods of Kentucky, and a reproduction of the White House in 1861. Two special effects theaters feature holographic historical ghosts and a Civil War battlefield that comes to life with cannon fire and smoke.

Illinois State Capital Building & 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour Just a 15-minute walk from the Presidential Museum is the Illinois State Capital where the first legislative session was held in 1877. While interior tours aren’t currently available, the surrounding grounds are open. The stately building, where laws take shape, is topped with a magnificent 405foot dome.

Springfield also offers a free, self-guided 1908 Race Riot Walk-

ing Tour. The tour marks the riot that began on August 14, 1908, when racial tensions turned to mob violence. Within two days, seven people were dead, 40 homes ruined, and 24 businesses destroyed.

New Salem Historic Site To learn more about Lincoln’s years before he was president, visit the New Salem State Historic Site, which is approximately 20 miles from Springfield. The site is a reconstruction of the village where Lincoln spent six years during his early adulthood. Twelve log houses, ten workshops, stores, mills, and a school where church services have been reproduced and furnished as they might have been in the 1830s. During his time in New Salem, Lincoln supported himself by splitting logs, clerking in a story, and serving as postmaster and deputy surveyor.

He was eventually elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1834 and again in 1836.

Dana Thomas House - While it may not initially seem like a site of interest, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Dana Thomas House intrigues young and old with its 35 rooms, three main levels, 16 varying levels, “non-traditional” design, and interesting technological advances for the time. It’s also an easy introduction to the influential American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

The home was completed in 1904 in Wright’s signature Prairie style and has 12,000-square-feet of living space. Its technological advances include a door bell enunciator (visit to find out what this is), intercom system, control box in the master bedroom to turn on lights in different rooms of the

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house, and a walk-in safe in the basement for jewelry and other important items.

RVers can stay overnight at the Double J Campground.

Omaha, NE

Located on the west bank of the Missouri River, Omaha is steeped in history. In 1804, it was a stop on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Decades later, it was nicknamed the “Gateway to the West” thanks to a Missouri River crossing that pioneers used as they headed West to the Oregon and Mormon Trails. Today, families can learn about its history at a number of sites.

Omaha Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center Visit the free Omaha Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center, talk with Park Rangers to learn more about Lewis and Clark history, and walk through the Interpretive Garden that features panels on the expedition, local wildlife, and native plants.

Pioneer Courage Park and Mormon Trail Center To see an actual wagon train, visit one of the largest sculpture parks of its kind. The free Pioneer Courage Park in downtown Omaha features a series of largerthan-life bronze and stainless steel outdoor sculptures that share the

story and struggles of a pioneer wagon train as it heads West. See wagons loaded with supplies and pulled by horses and oxen. Notice the weary men, women, and children who typically walked alongside the wagons and the hardship of pushing a stuck wagon out of the mud.

For those looking to dive deeper into wagon train history, the Mormon Trail Center features exhibits that tell the story of the Latter-day Saints’ westward migration to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah by wagon, handcart, sailing ship, and train.

Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium While Omaha’s past is marked by explorers and pioneers, a modern-day attraction has captured its own title. Omaha boasts

the world’s largest indoor desert.

Among other things, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium features a 13-story geodesic dome that’s home to the Namib Desert of southern Africa, Red Center of Australia, and Sonoran Desert of the Southwest United States. By spending a day at the Omaha zoo, families can learn about the animals, plants, and insects that inhabit a variety of ecosystems that range from deserts to jungles to polar regions. Other highlights include a 28-acre African grasslands exhibit and the largest aquarium within a zoo.

RVers can stay overnight at the

West Omaha KOA.

San Jose, CA

Located in Northern California, San Jose is the largest city in Silicon Valley and is home to tech giants like Paypal, Cisco Systems, and eBay.

The Tech Interactive Center- In the heart of downtown San Jose, The Tech Interactive delivers hands-on activities, experimental labs, and design challenges that encourage families to innovate with creativity, curiosity, and compassion. A sampling of experiences includes the “Body Motion” exhibit that explores how movement and interactions with others affects physical, social, and emotional health. In “Social Robots,” design, build, and program a robot using use sensors, controllers, and actuators. For children 12 and up, check out “Cyber Detectives,” designed to teach tweens about Internet safety. As detectives, tweens complete a training course and then their skills test in their role as a cyber security professional.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum Learn about the gods, grandeur, and inventions of Ancient Egypt during a visit to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. Historians credit Egyptians with the development of ink, papyrus sheets, written language, metallurgy, the calendar, and eye makeup, just

to name few. The museum has the largest collection of authentic Egyptian artifacts on display in Western North America, including human and animal mummies, statues, and replicas of King Tut’s golden sarcophagus and the Rosetta Stone. In addition to the museum, the complex includes an Alchemy Garden, Rosicrucian Labyrinth, and the historic Rosicrucian Planetarium.

Lick Observatory- An hour from San Jose perched on the summit of Mount Hamilton is the Lick Observatory. Since 1888, the observatory has been on the forefront of astronomical research. During a free tour, learn the brilliant story of its giant telescopes. For example, the Great Lick Refractor was used to discover Jupiter’s fifth moon in 1892 and is the third-largest refracting telescope in the world.

History Park - Want to know what Santa Clara County was like during the early 1900s? Find out with a visit to History Park, a mini city in Kelley Park that features more than 30 Old West buildings. This outdoor museum, complete with paved streets, running trolleys, and an old-fashioned ice cream shop, includes original and reproduction homes, businesses, and landmarks. The ice cream shop is a recreation of O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor, which was founded in 1878 and was the first place to sell ice cream and soda west of Detroit. Families can explore History Park on their own for free. Otherwise, guided tours that address the historical and architectural background of each building are available on select days and require advance ticketing.

RVers can stay overnight at Coyote Valley RV Resort. For more, follow Fleetwood RV on Facebook

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Best Spring Break Destinat As we emerge from the last cold days of winter, many of us are thinking about all things new and fresh and are ready to branch out. Whether travelers are looking for an adventure-packed getaway or a relaxing retreat, there is a solution for every type of traveler. Here are seven of the best, both east and west: Heaven in Hill Country: La Cantera Resort & Spa (San Antonio, Texas)

Mix things up at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa trying the latest leisure sport craze, pickleball, or taking an interactive 90-minute mixology class with award-winning bartenders like Christiaan Röllich.

Play at Pebble: Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach, Calif.)

Total relaxation is the way of life at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ La Cantera Resort and Spa. This Hill County oasis is ideal for families with five pools, a kid’s club, water slides, arcade, and nightly sunset fireside s’mores.

Sunbathe in the Sonoran: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa (Paradise Valley, Ariz.)

Pebble Beach Resorts has long been a playground ideal for spring getaways, when Monterey weather is at its warmest, making a day on the greens an easy call. Off the course, guests can kayak the aptly named Stillwater Cove or explore the kelp forests of the Monterey Bay.

Alpine Adventure: Whiteface Lodge (Lake Placid, N.Y.)

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tions to Visit

By Jenna Bush Assistant Account Executive Mower.com

Broadway in Bloom: Sofitel New York (New York)

ing destinations in the region (check out nearby High Falls Gorge for the best 30-minute walk in the Adirondacks). Back on property, soak in the resort’s swimming pool, enjoying its swimthrough indoor to outdoor design.

Escape to the Treasure Coast: Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa (Vero Beach, Fla.)

With plenty to do in this seaside paradise, guests of Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa can lounge on the beach, enjoy cocktails by the pool, experience a watersports adventure or explore the Treasure Coast on a Beach Cruiser during their stay at Costa d’Este. Guests can receive a $25 per night resort credit this spring when booking directly.

Many new productions are scheduled to open on the Great White Way this spring, including The Little Prince. Another French classic, Sofitel New York, the Official Hotel of the Tony Awards, with Broadway-themed suites and elaborate theater décor, is the ideal spot to stay.

A Countryside Escape: Tarrytown House Estate (Tarrytown, N.Y.)

Perched high on the hill, the Tarrytown House Estate is a luxury hotel anchored by an 1840 mansion with plush rooms, a restaurant, and lush grounds to explore. Located in a quaint village on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, Tarrytown is just a short train ride away from Manhattan. For a small town, it’s got big attractions, including Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown Lighthouse, and the nearby infamous town of Sleepy Hollow.

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Wander-Worthy Retreats to

Spring into adventure with Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and save up to 30% on spring travel escapes.

Enter to win a $2,000 dream vacation including airfare.

Get spring travel plans off the ground with seasonal offers by Benchmark Resorts & Hotels®.

Designed to inspire Spring Adventures, travelers can save up to 30% on their escape to one of the leading hospitality company’s treasured portfolio properties. From scenic hot air balloon rides through Vermont to zipline tours in Wisconsin and white sand beach retreats in Florida, there’s plenty to inspire travelers’ wanderlust.

Benchmark Resorts & Hotels is also launching a sweepstakes for a $2,000 travel experience including airfare, redeemable at any of its Spring Adventures participating properties. To enter, visit the website by May 10. In addition to the grand prize, two runner-up winners will receive $500 eGift cards for travel with Benchmark Resorts & Hotels.

Winners will be announced by June 15 and no purchase is necessary to participate.

Northeast Adventures

Take the ultimate off-road getaway at The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester, Vt. set amidst the scenic Green Mountains. Two spring options await travelers, both complemented by overnight accommodations and a $50 resort credit: The Land Rover Experience offers adrenaline pumping action as guests push their personal limits driving the newest Land Rover on a dynamic 80-acre course during a 1-hour driving experience designed for two. Or, travelers can opt for the Unlimited Golf with a View package, including one day of unlimited golf at The Golf Club at The Equinox, plus preferred tee times when booked in advance.

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Additional northwest adventures include: 25% off accommodations at The Heldrich in New Brunswick, N.J.; up to 20% savings on rooms at Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, with added perks like a $50 per day Salty Stag dining credit, a bottle of wine delivered to the room compliments of the hotel, plus two tickets to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens; up to 20% off accommodations in Burlington at The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa, including nightly hot cocoa and s’mores by the fire pit as a treat for guests; and 15% off accommodations at Saranac Waterfront Lodge in Saranac Lake, N.Y., made sweeter with a s’mores kit treat.

Southeast Sensations

Beach seekers will find plenty to do and much to save in Florida with Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ spring offers. The Call Me Cuban package at Miami Beach’s Cardozo South Beach includes a $50 restaurant credit, daily breakfast for two, complimentary beach cruiser bicycles, chairs and towels for the beach and access to Crunch Fitness. Or travelers can opt for the Treasured Spring Break package at Costa d’Este Beach Resort in Vero Beach, which includes a $25 nightly resort credit plus guest perks like non-motorized watersports rentals, use of beach cruiser bicycles, daily beach loungers and umbrella for two, and sunrise yoga by the spa on select days. In St. Pete, a Spring Break Getaway offer at Bellwether Beach Resort includes up to 25% off rates plus a $50 nightly spending credit, and nearby at The Beachcomber Hotel guests will find a $25 nightly credit to spend at Jimmy B’s Beach Bar. Additionally, travelers finding themselves yearning for a vacation in the Florida Keys can receive

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15% off accommodations plus a $100 resort credit at Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Fla. In the Outer Banks, Sanderling Resort in Duck, N.C. eatures three private beach accesses, so travelers are always just steps from the sand. The resort is offering he third night free through April and the fifth night ree from May to September. At Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV travelers can save 20% on a three-night stay or 15% on a two-night stay in the lodge, with spring activities aplenty like pontoon boating, kayaking or a CraigCat ride. Those seeking a woodland retreat can nestle into Virginia’s The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center after an adventurous day spent on the mountain trails. As part of the Hiker’s Rejuvenation Package, the Salt Sanctuary Foot Soak with handmade, aromatic minerals is a blissful cap to the day.

Zipping Through the Midwest

Make it an overnight experience at The Abbey Resort, the premier resort on the shores of Wisconsin’s Lake Geneva. Venture into the canopies with Lake Geneva Ziplines and Adventures where travelers can experience their full zipline tour at a preferred rate before heading to one of the resort’s restaurants ($25 dining credit included).

Southwest Spring Break

Head to the Texas Hill Country at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio for the ultimate family fun his spring break. Enjoy a free breakfast at Sweetfire Kitchen before setting off with the little ones to explore the rural countryside on a Kid’s Club guided nature hike. Or opt for the Six Flags Fiesta Texas package designed for a family of four including amusement park tickets and complimentary shuttle ransportation, daily breakfast, and superhero capes or the kids.

Additional southwest adventures include: 20% off best available rates at Scottsdale, Arizona’s Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, $50 resort credit for cocktails, dishes and other dining experiences at Texas’ Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake Conroe near Houston, and $50 dining credit at Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center in College

By Alison BoghosianAsst. Acct. Exec.

Mower.com

Station.

Western Wonderland

At Willows Lodge in Woodinville enjoy a beautiful Pacific Northwest spring adventure in Washington.

Take in the sights of Lake Washington on a two-hour self-captained electric Duffy boat excursion – complete with a deluxe charcuterie board for two. And toast the trip with a bottle of complimentary sparkling wine.

Additional western adventures include: up to 30% off Utah’s tech-driven, socially-oriented YOTELPAD Park City; 40% off accommodations at Forest Suites Resort in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. where skiers can enjoy epic, sunny conditions on the slopes and the adventure around the beautiful Lake Tahoe Basin; 15% off accommodations at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Wash. where guests can take in views of the surrounding old-growth forest and beautiful Columbia River; a $25 nightly resort credit plus on-property pers like tennis, bocce ball, cornhole, horseshoes and disc golf at Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz, Calif.; and a $25 daily resort credit at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa in Lake Arrowhead, Calif.

Island Experience

Set sail to Bermuda’s island paradise and experience the water view accommodations at Cambridge Beaches in Somerset Village. Splash into the resort’s multiple beaches and pools before venturing over to a full-service spa and a variety of dining options ($25 daily resort credit included).

Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ spring adventures getaway offers can be booked online. Blackout dates and restrictions may apply, and reservations are subject to availability and resort-specific booking windows. Full promotion details are available on the website.

Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® features the finest in lodging, dining, recreational and meeting accommodations. Representing unique and distinctive properties renown for exceptional service and for creating unforgettable memory-making experiences.

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By Kandy Derden Things to Do Editor

Things to Do

Million Dollar Pie Easy for Easter Dessert Practical jokes can be a lot of fun, or not. They can also require a lot of work, or not. Unfortunately, these stunts can sometimes cost a lot of money, or not. That is something which is strictly up to the person who is planning said prank. One thing I have found to be true of almost every trick of this type is the need for quite a few people to help make it work.

A few years ago, I heard of one which was fun to watch unfold, didn’t entail much work or cost one single penny. However, it did involve the help of a few dozen people.

Even though I don’t know who initiated this particular prank, it was fun to watch. For several weeks before Easter, my boss was asked by numerous coworkers, customers, friends, acquaintances and sometimes strangers about her plans for Easter Sunday.

Like so many of us, she didn’t think too much about it at first.

In fact, she didn’t even notice until it happened several times.

As the holiday approached, you would expect the frequency of such inquiries to decrease. Not so. I don’t know how they managed it, but the instigator saw to it that the number of occurrences increased.

Annoying? Yes, a little. Harmful? Not even a tiny bit. Funny?

That’s a matter of opinion.

Speaking of opinions, here is a recipe which is so flexible the list of ingredients is basically just a list of suggestions.

MILLION DOLLAR PIE 2 graham cracker crusts, 9” 1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk 1 1/3 c. coconut 1 c. chopped pecans 1 c. crushed pineapple 1 tub Cool Whip, thawed 1/3 c. lemon juice Mix milk, coconut, pecans and pineapple together. Fold in Cool Whip then add lemon juice. Pour into prepared crusts. Chill several hours or overnight.

The above is the original recipe. Now it’s time to get creative.

I’m not partial to graham cracker crusts so I prefer a regular pie crust, baked and cooled. Coconut is not my favorite flavor, but

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everyone else in my family loves it. I normally leave it out of anything I’m cooking.

They usually add more than the amount listed.

Nuts! Yes or no? I didn’t like them in anything, or so I thought until I tasted a cookie with pecans in it rather than walnuts like we usually made. The choice of nuts, if any, can be any type you prefer right along with the amount.

Personally, I think this pie could use a bit more pineapple, but I also understand some people don’t like it.

Your choice. I had one relative suggest sliced bananas would be good mixed in if you plan to eat it rather quickly.

I think the next time, I might try adding a can of well-drained mandarin oranges. That would add color as would some sliced grapes.

For garnish, top each serving with a half maraschino cherry or a mint leaf. This time of year, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find some fresh strawberries to put on top perhaps with a line twist. Or keep it simple by sprinkling with toasted coconut.

There you have it: a tasty, versatile, quick and easy to make (not to mention easy to transport) dessert which is suitable for whatever your Easter plans may be.

That’s no joke, practical or otherwise. It’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it!

People to See

By Lisa Rhoden Garcia People to See Editor

T. G. Shepherd Is Again on Tour

t

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country music legend T.G. Sheppard is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 1982 album “Finally.” The title track became Sheppard’s tenth number one song, among 21 other number one hits he attained on the country chart, and proceeded to remain at the number one spot for a total of ten weeks. Other hits include “Only One You,” and fan favorites “Crazy In The Dark,” “In Another Minute,” and more. The “Finally” album cover was shot by world-famous artist, Dick Zimmerman, who also photographed notable projects such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Sheppard has plenty of tour dates on his schedule for fans to see these songs performed live, and maybe even catch special guests who join him!

“Ever so often a magical song will come along that propels an artist’s career,” shares Sheppard. ‘Finally’ was such a song for me. I’m honored that it is still being used today as a very special song by many for their weddings and anniversaries. Thanks to Gary Chapman for writing a song that has stood the test of time.”

Sheppard is the host of “The T.G. Sheppard Show” on SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio, which features some of entertainment’s most well-known names. Sheppard discusses how beginning his career at just 16 years old led him to a lifetime friendship with icon Elvis Presley and shares his fondest memories of the King with close friends and guests such as Priscilla Presley, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Sir Barry Gibb and more. The T.G. Sheppard Show airs regularly on Fridays from 3-7 pm ET on SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio channel 75 and is also available on-demand worldwide with the SiriusXM app and Pandora NOW with a standard SiriusXM subscription.

How subscribers can listen: SiriusXM subscribers are able to listen on SiriusXM radios, and those with streaming access can listen online, on-the-go with the SiriusXM mobile app, and at home on a wide variety of connected devices including smart TVs, devices with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more. Go to siriusxm.com/streaming to learn more.

TOUR SCHEDULE: APR 01 - Country Music Cruise - Half Moon Cay Fort Lauderdale, Fla. APR 02 - Country Music Cruise / Fort Lauderdale, Fla. APR 23 - Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City / Kansas City, Mo. MAY 14 - Honky Tonk Texas / Sesbee, Texas MAY 22 - Alto Country Club / Alto, N.M. JUN 03 - Independence County Fair / Batesville, Ark. JUL 09 - Private Event / Upper Fells Point, Md. JUL 30 - Blue Gates Performing Arts Center w/ Janie Fricke & Johnny Lee / Shipshewana, Ind. AUG 05 - Lamesa Rodeo Arena / Lamesa, Texas AUG 20 - Windsor City Park / Windsor Ill. SEP 12 - Clay County Fair 2022 / Spencer, Iowa.

SEP 17 - Dickenson County Fair - Acoustic / Haysi, Va. For more information on T.G. Sheppard and his schedule, visit https://tgsheppard.com/ April, 2022 ~ EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM | -19-

Things to Do:

Multi-Day ATV Tour

EUREKA - There is no better way to see Alaska than on an ATV or snowmobile tour. With Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours that offer a range from easy to challenging, there is a perfect tour for everyone. You can explore the stunning scenery and wildlife of Alaska safely and securely with an experienced guide.

Guided tours are the perfect way to see all that Alaska has to offer. With experienced guides, you will be able to explore the stunning scenery and wildlife of Alaska. There are tours for every ability level, so no one has to miss out on the incredible beauty that Alaska has to offer.

This is a trip on ATVs through the gorgeous backcountry of Eureka. This trip will take you on some awesome trails around the “Glacier Highway” of Alaska. We will customize this trip to be exactly what you are looking for.

ATV Tour Pricing Includes all gear: Helmet, goggles, orientation to ATV operation and safety information, local guide, fuel & oil, cold drink breaks, a delicious hot lunch, all with our guide services throughout the entire trip. Guide gratuities are NOT included in the tour price. (Note: clients are financially responsible for physical damage they may cause to the ATV due to careless, negligent, or accidental operation).

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Rest easy in the Alaska Backcountry Cottages located off the beaten path with beautiful mountain views. Three different styles await to provide accommodations for your extended weekend getaway. The Pine or Spruce cabin is a two story cabin with three queen beds, a full kitchen, private bathroom, shower, washing machine and dryer. The Forget Me Not cabin is a comfortable one-story with two queen bed, full kitchen and private bath.

Enjoy world class fishing, whitewater boating, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, and snowmobiling all nearby. During your stay you’ll find a variety of restaurants serving authentic and fresh home-style meals ranging from family style to ethnic varieties to down home country cooking, as well as food trucks serving hot meals. Plenty of children friendly fast food restaurants are also available.

For more information or to book your tour and accomodations, visit https://youralaskavacation. com/ and https://alaskabackcountrycottages.com/

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PLACES TO GO:

Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Wonderland Unveils Floral Sculpture Exhibit by Local Phoenix Artist

Spring has sprung at Butterfly Wonderland! Experience a unique exhibition of handmade floral sculptures displayed among thousands of beautiful butterflies as part of Art in Bloom in Butterfly Wonderland’s Conservatory. Capturing the movement of nature, these sculptures are handmade by local Phoenix artist Jim Holbert of 3BoxStudios and were created specifically for Butterfly Wonderland. Ten floral sculptures made from raw materials are layered throughout the Butterfly Conservatory and are now fond resting places for the many tropical rainforest butterflies. Much of Holbert’s art draws inspiration from the desert landscape of Arizona where he and his family have lived for nearly 20 years, but also are a dynamic addition to the rich green landscape of the Conservatory. Art in Bloom is free with admission and will be on display through September 2022.

Butterfly Wonderland is the largest butterfly conservatory in America. It features a magnificent indoor conservatory that brings a tropical rainforest environment to the Arizona

desert where thousands of butterflies fly freely.

In addition, there are interactive exhibits, a Butterfly Emergence Gallery, Spineless Giants exhibit, Butterfly Café, Butterfly Treasures Gift Shop, Rainforest Birds and a “bug vending machine” known as the “Edible Insect Station” that teaches visitors about entomophagy – the practice of eating insects.

The butterflies will be jumping off the screen in yjr 3D theater! Come learn all about the life of a butterfly and what makes them so fascinating with our featured short-film, “Flight of the Butterflies.”

The film is also available to be viewed in English, Spanish or French closed captioning.

Introducing our newest experience where visitors can get up close and personal with the reptiles and amphibians that coexist with butterflies in the rainforest. Explore the Amazon, the most biologically diverse ecosystem on our planet. View Dart Frogs of many colors, Dwarf Caiman Crocodiles who are always smiling, and a Mata-Mata turtle named Groot.

Butterfly Wonderland is located at Arizona Boardwalk, Scottsdale’s oneof-a-kind entertainment destination that features eight marquee attractions – OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly

Wonderland, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Laser + Mirror Maze, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, Surprise Your Eyes, VR Extreme, and Polar Play Ice Bar – in addition to multiple dining, shopping, and amusement venues. The outdoor courtyard regularly hosts a variety of free events and family entertainment throughout the year. Parking is free and there is no admission required to enter Arizona Boardwalk. Arizona Boardwalk is located at 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and is part of the Talking Stick Entertainment District.

Butterfly Wonderland tickets are available onsite or online and the exhibits are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m Cameras are welcome. For more information, visit https://butterflywonderland.com/

For more on Arizona >CLICK HERE

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W

hen it comes to planning a family extended weekend getaway for Spring Break, there are several beach options that are a perfect choice for the kids. The following destinations feature calm water for new swimmers and tide pools for intrepid explorers. Picnic grounds for family gatherings are a must. Another great activity is to visit the wetlands and explore all the various birds and butterflies.

W

Heart’s Desire Beach

Point Reyes National Seashore This hidden sandy cove on the eastern side of Point Reyes National Seashore faces calm and protected Tomales Bay and the rolling hills of Marin County.

Kids love the trek down through the forest, the freshwater, seasonal stream running into the bay, and the long sandy shore. Parents love the lack of waves and gentle slope into the water.

Heart’s Desire is great for wading and swimming, with bay water that, while not warm, is certainly warmer than the adjacent Pacific. Hiking trails lead to several neighbouring beaches.

Note that this is a popular spot with limited parking that tends to fill up quickly on holidays and weekends—if you can carpool with other family members, do it.

One drawback, however, is the spotty cellphone service in this area.

Carmel Beach,

Carmel-by-the-Sea With its sugary sand and idyllic setting—edged by wind-carved cypress trees and bluffs—this roughly 1-mile-long crescent is a great place to relax and play.

Kids love to build sand castles

Things to Do:

Spring Break at the Beach for the Kids just above the surf line, or splash in the usually tame breakers (just know that the water is quite chilly—hovering just below 60°F/15.5°C, even in summer).

Carmel Beach isn’t just a paradise for people; this is a canine fun zone too—the dog-friendly beach finds owners tossing tennis balls and romping with their furry pals. It can be foggy here, especially May through August, but stick around and the sun often peeks through. Fall and winter days are often clear, crisp, and beautiful. Parking, especially during summer and on weekends, can be a challenge as the official parking lot isn’t that big.

Farther south, Carmel River State Beach is a more secluded option, with silky sand dunes

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and a host of seabirds, including marbled godwits, brown pelicans, tiny sanderlings, and black oystercatchers (see if you can spot their long, fire-engine-red bills). a great place to relax and play.

Kids love to splash in the usually tame breakers, but Carmel Beach isn’t just a paradise for people; this is a canine fun zone too. The dog-friendly beach finds owners tossing tennis balls and romping with their furry pals. (more)

Crystal Cove State Park,

Laguna Beach Lying on both sides of coastal Highway 1, Crystal Cove State Park offers access to an idyllic beach and chaparral-clad coastal hills of Laguna Beach. Search for anemones, sea stars, and hermit crabs among the tide-exposed

Coronado Beach,

Coronado Like an island getaway a stone’s throw from the city, the appealing island community of Coronado feels like a private enclave wrapped with perfect beaches, including ultra-family-friendly Coronado Beach. Reached by the arching Coronado Bridge from downtown San Diego, it’s easy to explore by bike and is known both for its water sports and for being especially dog-friendly. Rent sets of wheels from Holland’s Bicycles to pedal past elegant oceanfront mansions and tended gardens, or visit Orange Avenue, lined with shops (including ice cream and candy purveyors for the kids), restaurants, and galleries, and theaters. reef of Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area, or head inland and upland on foot or mountain bike to explore trails winding into lush Moro Canyon, which turns lavishly green after winter rains, then ascend to the grassy summit of Moro Ridge to survey the coast.

During low or minus tides, pay a visit to Reef Point, Pelican Point, or Treasure Cove—three access points for Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area, a protected underwater wilderness—to search for anemones, sea stars, and hermit crabs among the tide-exposed reef. You might even find an octopus hiding in a rocky crevice.

If all these oceanside activities leave you thinking of seafood, order clam chowder or an ahi burger with a side of beach at the park’s Beachcomber

Café. The restaurant is perched on the sands of the Crystal Cove Historic District, which protects and preserves a charming collection of 46 vintage beachfront cottages. Originally built as a 1930s and 1940s seaside vacation colony, the bungalows range in size from studios to two bedrooms. Book far in advance to score one for an overnight stay. You’ll gaze out your living room window at the blue Pacific and be the first to walk the beach as dawn breaks.

Roughing it also has its merits.

Pitch a tent or park your campervan just across the highway at Crystal Cove State Beach Moro Campground.

The camp has 27 designated RV and trailer sites and 30 tent camping sites, plus restrooms and token-operated hot showers.

La Jolla Shores,

San Diego Located about 20 minutes north of downtown (and technically part of San Diego), La Jolla is home to the wide, white-sand beaches of La Jolla Shores, with surfing, snorkeling, and made-for-s’mores firepits, as well as an adjacent playground for kids.

Paddle or snorkel (rentals available) among La Jolla’s marine denizens, from colorful garibaldi to (harmless) leopard sharks. To see more aquatic critters while on land, explore the Birch Aquarium, or stand along the sea wall at a beach known as The Children’s Pool, and watch a large community of seals lounge, bark, and tend to their cubs.

For more on California

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April, 2022 ~ EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM | -23-

Explore Shoshone Vil Located at the southern tip of Death Valley National Park is the quaint Shoshone Village full of history, incredible scenery, and fresh clean air to melt away your stress.

This former mining district and railroad town dates back to the late 19th’s century and welcomes you to a peaceful and historic extended weekend getaway. You have your choice of accommodations as there is a campground, RV park, vacation rentals and Shoshone Inn - all open and ready for your arrival.

The Shoshone Inn is one mile from the southeast entrance to Death Valley National Park. It is conveniently located in the heart of Shoshone Village rice and vegetables. Be sure to save room for desert only a short stroll from the Crowbar Café and Saloon, the Charles Brown General Store, and the Sho- as they offer cake, pie, and cheesecake. Closed on Monday and Tuesshone Museum. Enjoy “The details and design are what makes day, they are open these accommodations this place so unique. Its location is very from 8 a.m. - 9:30 that provide the charm convenient to all Big Bear has to offer and p.m. A short walk of western hospitality. the hosts were very responsive and courtefrom the Crowbar Let the penetrating ous. We also appreciated that they were so Cafe & Saloon, Dubheat of the day and the dog-friendly!” lin Gulch is the forA recent Guest fiery glow of the sunset mer home to miners melt away your stress. willing to literally carve out a home for themselves!

Start with a relaxing stroll on one of the nature trails Come see these unique dwellings and get a feel of to get a feel for the area’s abundance of natural the rugged life of the miners whose lives helped beauty. The Shoshone Spring Interpretive Trail is shape this region. a great choice to enjoy the scenery and walk by the You can soak your cares away in a soothing wetlands, pupfish ponds and vole habitat where warm mineral spring pool located near the the at-risk endangered species are housed. World-class campground. Then relax with a good book or sit out birding is right out your door or tent! You’ll find this short trail across from the Shoshone RV Park & under a tree and enjoy the sunset. You may want to stay an extra day or two to explore the geologic, Campground next to the warm springs swimming historic and natural history wonders of Shoshone pool. and Southern Amargosa basin!

When you return, the Crowbar Cafe & Saloon Nearby is the Armagosa Opera House, organic awaits to serve you a full course dinner with menu farm Desert Bloom Eco Farm, and Three Moons choices offering handcut steak delmonico, prime earth bag homes work study and eco communirib, Santa Fe chicken, trout, salmon, or South of the Border selections featuring fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, ty to explore. Don’t miss visiting the little mining town of Tecopa offers a fun change of pace with or a combo plate. They are famous for their French the food and beverage offerings of Tecopa Brewery fries, but their are other potato options as well as

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llage for a Family Spring Break and Steaks & Beer. Located at the Southeastern edge of Death Valley National Park, Shoshone has come to be enjoyed by travelers from around the world. It is a small piece of paradise in the vast desert which is a delight all year round. Walk amidst the palms on a real date farm, birding, gift shop, date shakes, trail head to Amargosa Canyon.

And Dublin Gulch is a unique collection of old miners’ homes constructed into the solidified volcanic ash just outside of town. Homes were built into the rock, with some containing fireplaces, chimneys that come out of the top of the stone, multiple rooms, and even garages. Similar to Dublin Gulch is Castle In Clay, which stands just east of Shoshone. For reservations and more information, visit https://www.shoshonevillage. com/

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April, 2022 ~ EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM | -25-

Things to Do:

in Colorado Springs Our top three “must dos” for an unforgettable getaway: Hit the trails in Garden of the Gods Park. With over 15 miles of trails to choose from, there is something for any level of skill and interest.

Learn something new by exploring one of the many museums (most free!) throughout the city.

Pioneer Museum, preserves the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region, and the Money Museum, is America’s largest museum dedicated to coins, paper money, tokens, and medals. The museum features a Kids Zone that teaches children about money through fun and interactive activities. Don’t miss the Fine Arts Center, just north of downtown, which is the premier gallery in Colorado Springs.

Or, book our adventure package and let us help with the planning. Receive discounts to adventure partners like Angler’s Covey, City Rock and Raft Echo Canyon.

SCP Colorado Springs Hotel offers Spring Break savings one of two different ways. Either prepay for your stay and save 15% or schedule an extended weekend getaway with at lest three nights or more and save 20%. $10 per night credit at Provisions Market is included with this -26- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

Designed with SCP’s trademark minimalist style, the 380-square-foot rooms feature an ultra-comfortable, plant-based foam king mattress, locally crafted White Oak furniture, large flat-screen TV, WiFi and spacious desk. Walk-in showers include eco-friendly Further Bath Products. Exterior rooms are located in the outside corridor. Other convenient amenities are free wifi, an in-room refrigerator, 55” HD flat screen TV and walk-in shower. Pets are also allowed.

If you are looking for a “Wellness” escape, vacations should be energizing, not exhausting.

Fuel your mind, body and soul through SCP’s lineup of wellness offerings including: $20 credit to our onsite Provisions Market stocked with organic, locally sourced, plant-forward bites Welcome drink (like a locally-made kombucha!) upon check-in Fitness options, including Peloton Bikes or enjoy a fully stocked guest room with sanitized yoga mat, fit ball, hand weights, fitness straps and more. Early check-in and late checkout For more information or to book your stay, visit https://scphotel.com/ colorado-springs/offers/

For more on Colorado

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Go, Do, See

Spring Adventures

F

or those who like to feel a rush of excitement on their vacations, Idaho offers thrilling activities in stunning settings that will get pulses racing. Add some heart-pumping action to your itinerary with these outdoor pursuits.

Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking

Idaho is home to the most navigable miles of whitewater in the lower 48, making it a list-topper for avid rapid riders. Splash your way through a one-of-a-kind wilderness trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, or discover wild-water exhilaration in Hells Canyon or on the Lochsa, Selway, South Fork of the Payette and several other rivers.

Rock Climbing

You can thank Idaho’s geological history for its jagged landscapes that provide a playground for all types of rock climbing. The aptly named City of Rocks National Reserve is home to thousands of granite spires—and 600-plus routes— that rise like skyscrapers across the southeastern Idaho desert.

Other must-climb destinations include Elephant’s Perch, Castle Rocks State Park, Q’emiln Park and Chimney Rock.

BASE Jumping

Parachute-toting thrill-seekers travel from all over the world to

Twin Falls’ I.B. Perrine Bridge to experience the rush of leaping, free-falling and then floating to the Snake River Canyon floor. Take a tandem leap with a trained professional or enjoy the action as a spectator from the safety of the canyon rim.

Cat & Heli-Skiing

For those who find conquering black diamond runs a tad too familiar, it’s time to explore Idaho’s renowned backcountry on a guided cat or heli-skiing trip, where you’ll descend thousands of vertical feet as you navigate waist-deep pow, alpine cirque bowls, powder fields, chutes, glades and covered tree runs.

Mountain Biking

With thousands of miles of Qsingletrack around the state—and an impressive portion of that being lift-served, downhill trails— you’ll find invigorating rides wherever you go. Silver Mountain Resort claims North America’s longest single-stage gondola, providing access to nearly 40 trails ranging from gravity-fed and flowy singletrack to technical terrain and hand-tuned jump lines across 3,400 feet of descent.

Other can’t-miss rides can be found at Brundage Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, Schweitzer, Tamarack Resort, the Ridge to Rivers Trail System and many other areas.

Zip Lining

Nothing compares to the thrill of wind in your face as

you soar over forest canopies, creeks, canyons and valleys at speeds up to 55 mph. Zip lining in Idaho offers some of the best vantage points for experiencing the state’s raw beauty as you zoom from platform to platform.

Embark on a high-speed tour with several outfitters peppered across the state.

ATV Recreation

Throttle-happy adventurers will find all kinds of designated off-road territory in Idaho to get their motor running. St. Anthony Sand Dunes rise to 400 feet above the valley floor, creating a wonderland for dune buggy fun.

Discover other open spaces to rev your engine.

Skijoring

Winter’s wildest event doubles as the perfect spectator sport.

Imagine a galloping horse (or a dog sled or an ATV, depending on the event) pulling a skier at a fast clip through an obstacle course of jumps and gates, while sometimes collecting rings, for the fastest time—that’s skijoring! You can witness this unique, intense activity at competitions around the state, like the Wood River Extreme Skijoring event in Bellevue or the Extreme SkiJor competition in Wallace.

For more on Idaho

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Go, See, Do

Perillo Tour Did you know that Perillo Tours, the ‘Italy Company,’ has been hosting visitors to Hawaii for 3 decades?

We call it a ‘tour’ because Hawaii is not just a fun-in-thesun vacation. Hawaii is also an historical and cultural destination that compares with the rich cultures of Europe. So you can surf Waikiki Beach in the morning, and then learn why Captain Cook named Hawaii the ‘Sandwich Islands’.

It’s a ‘tour’ because dozens of arrangements are carefully booked and confirmed – from your mainland flights, to your inter-island flights, your transfers, hotels, sightseeing, meals, tipping and baggage handling.

Best of all, you benefit from our enormous buying power which makes your dream vacation affordable!

Perfect for family vacations, anniversaries and honeymoons. We’ll also host your groups, whether friends, family or churches. A fresh, cool lei greeting is awaiting you in Oahu!

10 Day Three Islander 2022 Our ‘3 Islander’ brings you Oahu, Maui & Kauai – 3 of the most beautiful islands in America, if not the world. Our hotels are not just about slippers, bathrobes and chocolates on your pillow.

Some are famous historic national landmarks - like Oahu’s Moana Surfrider.Our Deluxe Westin Maui is not just on any shoreline.

It’s on Ka’anapali Beach, rated by Conde Nast as one of the best on

the planet. Watch daily cliff-diving (try if you dare!), snorkel in your own tropical fish tank, toast fantastic sunsets, walk miles of endless trails and meet lots of friendly sea turtles!The Grand Hyatt Kauai is true luxury in paradise! The best Pacific island cuisine to enjoy, endless lazy lagoons to navigate, and authentic live, local music with Mai Tai’s overlooking heaven.

Itinerary at a glance: Oahu - Aloha! Lei Greeting and Welcome to Hawaii!Oahu Breakfast - Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial - Panoramic Tour of Historical Honolulu & ‘Iolani Palace - A La Carte Dinner at Duke’s WaikikiOahu - Breakfast - Day of Leisure - Dinner at Orchids RestaurantOahu to Maui - Oahu

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North Shore Visit - Flight to Maui - Tour Lahaina Town - A La Carte Dinner at the Westin Maui Resort & SpaMaui - Full Day of Leisure - Sunset Cocktail CruiseMaui - Morning at Leisure - Hawaiian Luau & ShowMaui to Kauai - Flight to Kauai - Free Afternoon - Dinner at the Grand Hyatt KauaiKauai - Full Day at Leisure - Optional Helicopter TourKauai - Sightseeing Tour of Waimea Canyon - Kauai Coffee Koloa Estate - A La Carte Dinner TonightKauai - Fly Home https://www.perillotours.com/

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Things to do:

Enjoy the Spring Flower Gardens

Rhododendrons and azaleas are some of Oregon’s most stalwart landscape plants, and they love our temperate weather and acidic soil. Rhodies have a longer bloom season, beginning in March and extending all the way to early summer. Both come in a range of colors: scarlet, fuchsia, apricot, yellow, ivory and purple, just to name a few.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland was founded in the 1950s, but the oldest rhododendrons in the garden are more than 100 years old and make a visit truly special. You might not think of rhododendrons as trees, but one stroll beneath the grove of the kingly rhody cultivar called Loderi King George will change your mind. Hibiscus-sized blooms dangle from a canopy that towers above the path, allowing for appreciation in an entirely new way.

Across from the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area east of downtown Reedsport, the O.H. Hinsdale Rhododendron Garden boasts a historic collection of rare and vintage rhododendrons, which thrive in the mild climate of the Oregon Coast. If your visit doesn’t line up with one of their annual events, you can visit independently any day of the week — just don’t park in front of the gate, be careful crossing the busy road, and use the utmost care in protecting this sensitive ecosystem.

Oregon has several other stately gardens with rhododendron and azalea collections worth a visit.

Palmerton Garden in Rogue River displays them

under specimen trees from around the world. Eugene’s oldest city park, Hendricks Park, contains a rhododendron garden with thousands of rhodies, some dating back to the 1950s. And Brookings’ Azalea Park features deceptively tropical-looking native western azaleas alongside other ornamental plantings.

Of course, you can also head out into the woods.

Five different species of rhododendron are native to Oregon. The most spectacular is Rhododendron macrophyllum, or the Pacific rhododendron, with huge leaves supporting brilliant pink blooms each June. Catch them in their full glory on Mt. Hood Wilderness hikes such as Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain; Huckleberry Mountain; or Burnt Lake.

If you miss that elusive moment of peak bloom?

Don’t fret. Even after the last petal falls, there’s plenty to appreciate about Oregon’s lush public gardens.

“I like flowers. Flowers are great,” says Brandon Baker, director of the Friends of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

Baker. “But I really love a good leaf.

For more bloom inspiration, check out Oregon’s flower trails.

For more on Oregon

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April, 2022 ~ EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM | -29-

Things to Do:

Spring Activities in Moab MOAB– On average, Moab, Utah, basks in 244 days of cloudless sunshine annually. Come March and April daily temperatures climbing into the mid-70s invite visitors to shed sweaters while scrambling around this playground of red rocks and blue skies.

Following are six of this region’s most popular pursuits come spring, according to Moab Adventure Center, the go-to hub that can arrange all things adventure in the region.

1. Arches National Park Tour – Moab Adventure Center guides showcase the more accessible of over 2,000 arches representing the highest concentration of arches on the planet. Driving and hiking through this Jurassic-age wonderland provides a glimpse back in time when geologic forces from deep below the surface bulged upward to crack the surface sandstones into fins which through time, eroded into today’s arches.

NOTE: Arches National Park has introduced a timed entry permit policy to control the number of visitors in the park at any given time. Permits are obtained three months in advance of public visits. However, through its concessions contract, Moab Adventure Center is permitted daily access for vehicle and walking tours. https:// www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park-tours 2 Mountain Biking – Moab is the undisputed mecca for mountain bike enthusiasts by virtue of its beautiful red rock terrain, views that go on forever and trails ranging from beginner

playground known as Moab, Utah, with a magnificence that speaks for itself even when guests may be speechless in wonder.

The Moab Adventure Center can arrange this memory. https:// www.moabadventurecenter.com/hot-airballoon-rides-moabutah 6. Horseback Riding – Morning and afternoon trail rides recall such icons as John Wayne riding off into the sunset. The Moab Adventure Center arranges for rides to begin with expert cowboy instruction in the corral before heading up Castle Creek toward astounding views of the valley.

Imagine the Colorado River in the distance as red rock cliffs tower 2,000 feet above. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/moab-horseback-riding Also beginning in April is the Moab Information Center’s Lecture Series that continues through November.

Regional experts share insights about the Moab region’s fascinating past and present, places and people, wildlife, plants, dinosaurs and more! The early evening talks are free to the public. https://www.discovermoab.com/ events/

to advanced. Moab Adventure Center offers professional guided Moab mountain biking tours on many of Moab’s classic rides. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/moab-mountain-biking 3 Hummer Safari – Access Moab’s spectacular backcountry in style and comfort aboard the world’s most serious 4x4. Moab Adventure Center’s professional guides operate custom Hummer vehicles that have raised seating in the rear for optimum passenger viewing. These vehicles can climb to the top of seldom-seen, awe-inspiring Moab overlooks on 2-hour, 4-hour and sunset safaris. https://www.moabadventurecenter. com/moab-hummer-tours 4. Canyoneering – Canyoneering and/or rock climbing combine adventure and natural history to create a terrific mix of learning and excitement Moab Adventure Center (https://www. moabadventurecenter.com/) is a division under the watchful eye of Moab Adventure Center’s professional instruc- of Western River Expeditions (http://www. westernriver.com/) tors. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/climbing-canyoneering For more on Utah 5. Hot Air Balloon Adventure – The time is sunrise. The vehicle is a hot air balloon. The landscape is the red rock

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Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa is celebrating a milestone 100 years this summer, creating memorable vacations for guests at its stunning lakeside location deep in the Wyoming backcountry of the Shoshone National Forest.Since its construction as a stopover for travelers to Yellowstone National Park, the lodge has provided an all-inclusive resort experience, offering a rustic and yet luxurious escape near Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole that combines Western pioneer-era charm with modern amenities.

DUBOIS/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The year was 1922: President Warren G. Harding spoke at the dedication of the newly commissioned Lincoln Memorial. Construction began on the original Yankee Stadium.

The Girl Scouts started making their very first sugar cookies to sell door to door, and Prohibition trudged on. Meanwhile, the year also saw the creation of a much-needed stopover for travelers heading to Yellowstone National Park, a comfortable haven for outdoor adventure in a perfect mountain destination. The resulting Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa celebrates its centennial anniversary this July. Initially called the Two-GwoTee Inn, the Shoshone word for “spear,” the 100-year-old lodge is nestled in the Rocky Mountain wilds of Wyoming adjacent to 300-acre alpine Brooks Lake. That ideal location quickly helped the original remote inn transform into a dude ranch and then into the luxury guest ranch and all-inclusive resort it is today.

“From the beginning, the mission of Brooks Lake Lodge has been to offer guests an out-of-this-world escape where they can engage with the outdoors in ways that allow them to relax and recharge,” says Brooks Lake Lodge General

Manager Matthew Tousignant.

“The fact that we are now delighted and grateful to celebrate 100 years of hospitality is testament to the continuing need for true immersion in the natural world, which is becoming increasingly difficult but more critical than ever before.”

Hidden away in Shoshone National Forest but within easy driving distance to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, the 25-acre crowd-free property seamlessly blends its pioneer-era foundation with modern amenities. For instance, the main lodge, constructed in a record four months in a Western Craftsman architectural style in keeping with Yellowstone’s “Parkitecture,” has been carefully preserved. Décor details evoke the grandness of the time – magnificent stone hearths, antler and wagon-wheel chandeliers, plush leather furniture, stained-glass windows – while simultaneously offering current-day comforts such as sink-into feather beds, state-of-the-art spa treatments, freshly prepared and locally sourced gourmet meals and free Wi-Fi. The views from the property’s perch at 9,200 feet above sea level just one mile from the North American Continental Divide – and including the Pinnacle Buttes, Austin Peak and Brooks Mountain – could not be more jaw-dropping, inviting visitors into the surrounding natural playground for the range of outdoor adventure that is the hallmark of this all-inclusive getaway. The breathtaking setting with its majestic mountains and endless evergreens even compelled Bryant B. Brooks, the seventh governor of Wyoming and Brooks Lake’s namesake, to write in 1889 upon his discovery of the valley, “Among the fir and pine there glistened a lake … what a sight!

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Brooks Lake Continued...

I stood closer that day to nature’s heart than ever before.”

Summer and winter activities on the property and in the more than 2 million neighboring acres of pristine national forest and mountain-ringed farmland focus on connecting guests of all ages with the area’s natural abundance and include such authentic and immersive experiences as: • Horseback riding along trails and in the arena with experienced wranglers, as well as on glamping-style overnight pack trips complete with backcountry golf, hiking and fishing; •Hiking for all skill levels, from short nature trails to summitting an 11,000-foot peak; •Year-round fishing for trout in Brooks Lake, complete with the chance for guests to have their catches brought back to the lodge to be cooked up for dinner; •Canoeing around the stunning Brooks Lake; •Archery lessons and target practice with instructors; •Skiing and snowshoeing on miles of groomed trails or into the backcountry; •Expert-guided wildlife excursions; •Stargazing tours of the pristine Wyoming heavens; and • Snowmobiling into the nearby forests, including 2 million acres of scenic terrain.

At day’s end, guests – who are treated to the highest level of service that can only come with a 1-to-1 staffto-guest ratio – can enjoy a restorative treatment in the relaxing Rocky Mountain Spa, designed to replicate the National Historic Register of Places-designated main lodge and featuring a tranquility room, dry sauna, fitness center and 11-by-14-foot hot tub with incredible mountain views (spa treatments priced separately).

They also can peruse the ever-expanding collection of Western fine art and sculpture before retreating to the handful of lodge rooms – individually decorated with handcrafted lodgepole pine furnishings and goose-down comforters – or private cabins sporting wood-burning stoves and inviting sitting areas, each ensuring a quiet -32- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

and restful stay.

In addition, all guest meals are included: The chef serves hearty Western breakfasts every morning, filling lunches at noon and gourmet dinner nightly in the homey Great Hall, as well as Governor’s Tea with hors d’oeuvres for a pick-me-up in the cozy, fireplace-centered Tea Room. Meanwhile, the Cowboy Bar within the lodge serves up an extensive selection of spirits along with fun and casual nighttime entertainment, echoing the charming and wholesome atmosphere of a bygone era.

Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa will celebrate its centennial with a grand open-tothe-public party that will take place at the lodge on Saturday July 2, 2022 (check the Brooks Lake Lodge website for details; no overnight reservations are available for July 2).

About Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa Brooks Lake Lodge & Spa, a 100-year-old historic guest ranch is located in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest near Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by evergreen forests next to alpine Brooks Lake, the exclusive, all-inclusive Rocky Mountain resort offers five-star service, luxury accommodations and gourmet dining.

The lodge enjoys frequent media acclaim, including as a “Top All-Inclusive Family Resort in the U.S. by Reader’s Digest, and one of the “20 Best All- Inclusive Resorts in the U.S” by U.S. News & World Report in 2021, a best place to “Lean into Winter” by Travel + Leisure in 2020 and a 2018 “Best Lake Resort” by National Geographic Traveler. Brooks Lake Lodge is in partnership with Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forest and an equal opportunity employer and provider. For additional information and reservations visit http://www.brookslake. com or call 866.213.4022. Follow Brooks Lake Lodge on Facebook and Instagram.

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Hartford History of America) in our 19th-century schoolhouse theater. You can also explore our exhibit Noah Webster: Defining American; after that, enjoy a tour of Webster’s birthplace via our new tablet tour, or when available, one of our experienced guides. Family groups will not want to miss Noah’s Discovery Learning Space – three rooms of fun hands-on activities that explore young Webster’s life and 18th-century America.

Noah Webster, creator of the American English Dictionary, was born in Hartford. During his years as a student and then as a schoolteacher, Webster realized the American education system needed to be updated. Children of all ages were crammed into one-room schoolhouses with no desks, poor books, and untrained teachers.

Webster believed that Americans should learn from American books, so in 1783, he wrote his own textbook: A Grammatical Institute of the English Language.

It earned its nickname, the “BlueBacked Speller”, because of its characteristic blue cover. For over 100 years, Webster’s book taught children to read, spell and pronounce words. It was the most popular American book of its time, selling nearly 100 million copies.

In 1801, Webster started work-

ing on defining the words that Americans use. He did this because Americans spoke and used words differently than the English, and to help people who lived in different parts of the country to speak and spell the same way.

It took him 22 years to include 37,000 words, their spelling and definition.

Noah Webster’s ca. 1750 house is available to visitors on a walkin basis seven days a week from 1-4 p.m. Guests may self-guide through the house using a new tablet tour. Docent-guided tours are subject to availability and last approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Tablet tours allow visitors to take a tour at their own pace. Noah Webster’s house consists of four period-furnished rooms in two floors.

Guests have the opportunity to enjoy an orientation film (Noah Webster: Schoolmaster

Save some time to examine the ever-changing exhibits and brouse through the gift shop featuring Noah Webster and West Hartford related items. Admission tickets are $8, ages 6-18 are $5. For more information, visit https://noahwebsterhouse.org/ While in town, visit West Hartford Center which features Blue Back Square (named after Webster’s Blue-Backed Speller) and Webster Walk. Take an art walk through the library. Visit the Connecticut Science Center. There are several parks to enjoy as well.

Learn about Connie the mythical 100+ foot-long sea serpent who is said to have lived at the Underground Park River.

For more information, visit https://hartford.com/attractions/

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Go, See, Do...

Gardens in Spring WILMINGTON - As the colors of spring begin to appear, enjoy the warmer weather with a weekend tour of the region’s numerous botanical gardens.

Take a leisurely drive through the winding roads and rolling hills of Chateau Country. Start with Rockwood Park, just off I-95.

The grounds surrounding the rural Gothic-style Rockwood Mansion are sublime.

Explore 72 acres of parkland including a six-acre formal garden. Unique features include a monkey puzzle tree, a ha-ha (sunken wall used to keep livestock away), and a stone from the Giant’s Causeway, a distinctive hexagonal rock formation along Ireland’s coast. An apothecary garden, filled with medicinal plants, was added in fall 2019.

Since the founding of the DuPont Company on the banks of the Brandywine Valley, the DuPont family has had a profound impact with their strong interest in horticultural preservation, reflected in the next stop. Hagley Museum & Library, less than two miles north of Gibraltar off Route 141, is the site of the original DuPont gunpowder mills. Its gardens are as much about function as they are about form. The estate, on the banks of the Brandywine River, is home to two very different restored gardens that date back to the 1800s: one that fed the du Pont family and another that fed company workers. A pollinator garden, new in 2020, attracts butterflies and bees.

Nemours Estate is approximately two miles up Route 141 from Hagley. Its French-style gardens, inspired by Versailles, are among the finest and largest of their kind in the U.S. There’s a formal boxwood garden and a maze dominated by a sculpture gilded in 23-karat gold leaf. The one-acre reflecting pool features 157 jets and holds 800,000 gallons of water.

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den. The Baroque-style Russian gate was acquired from a palace built by Catherine the Great. The English gate was once used at Wimbledon Manor. In addition to the formal gardens, there are family-friendly woodland walking trails to explore.

Nemours opens for the season May 1.

Approximately five miles north of Nemours is Winterthur Museum & Gardens. Winterthur features 1,000 acres of rolling hills, streams, meadows and forests. A favorite of the young and young at heart is the fairytale-like Enchanted Woods. From the Faerie Cottage to the Tulip treehouse, it is a realm of fantasy. Another stand-out is the Marian Coffin-designed reflecting pool, a series of descending terraces and views ending in what was once the family swimming pool. From April into May, the Azalea Woods, with its thousands of Kurume azaleas and wildflowers weaved through the forest, is a must see.

Continuing north on Route 52 is the nationally renowned Longwood Gardens. It is home to 11,000 varieties of plants spread across more than 1,000 acres of meadows, woodlands, and elaborate horticultural displays. In the four-acre conservatory, don’t miss the Wood’s Cycad. Called Longwood’s “King of the Conservatory,” this palm tree-like plant is extinct in nature and one of the rarest plants in the world.

The gardens’ majestic fountains are another awe-inspiring feature. Major renovations were completed in May 2017, adding new water cannons to project spray high into the air as well as new sound, light, and synchronization features.

For more information, visit www.visitwilmingtonde.com.

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Main Spring Break

L

ook out your window — with snow beginning to thaw and temperatures creeping up, all signs point to the jubilant florals of spring. As much as a reprieve from winter may appeal, spring means it’s time to get out your travel books, hit the web, and plan your spring break trip. Skip the long lines at theme parks and the busy streets of New York for an outdoor adventure in Maine. An extended weekend getaway at Acadia National Park will provide everything you need to feel relaxed, invigorated, and ready to embrace the season. So Let’s go.

Looking for a spring break one-stop-shop? Search no further than Acadia National Park on

Mount Desert Island. Bring your hiking boots — Acadia features non-standard hiking excursions that capture the natural beauty of Maine’s landscape. Traverse the ladders and ledges of the Beehive near Sand Beach. Keep in mind: though your kids will ascend the mountain like billy goats, this trail can be a challenge for adults with adult fears. If you’re a sucker for a good sunset, set your alarm and hike (or drive after April 14) Cadillac Mountain, the first place to see the sunrise in the United States.

Enjoy the fresh spring air and revel in the benefits of the less-crowded offseason at attractions and restaurants. You’ll want to bring extra layers with you to keep warm on the crisp mornings and cool evenings

Not all the adventure in Acadia is uphill. The rich history of the region has given way to miles of carriage roads. If you’re visiting in late spring, we recommend the loop around Jordan Pond where you can stop for lunch at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant for tea and delectably buttery popovers. With all this daytime activity, spend your evenings in complete relaxation — the cozy cottages at the Mira Monte Inn & Suites are ideal for families. Plus, with its delicious restaurants and late night activities, Bar Harbor makes a perfect spring break home base for kids of all ages.

For more information, visit https:// visitmaine.com/

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Places To Go

The Taste of Iceland Festival in Boston Guests are invited to join in celebrating Iceland’s iconic food, cocktails, music, film, literature, and more.

BOSTON, PRNewswire/ Visit Iceland right here in the U.S. through a series of events inspired by, and in celebration of, the best of Icelandic culture through food and beverage, music, literature, films, art and more.

From April 7-11, and in partnership with local businesses in Boston, and Taste of Iceland’s official partners, events will be hosted by the Cheeky Monkey, Alibi, Trident Bookseller & Cafe, the SoWa Power Station, Brattle Theater and the Wicked Queer Film Festival, Down Under Yoga, and Royale. The schedule of events includes: • Icelandic Culinary Experience: Hosted daily starting at 5 p.m., from April 7-10 at Cheeky Monkey, located at 3 Lansdowne Street with Viktor Örn Andrésson and Head Chef at Cheeky Monkey, Wagner Sousa will prepare a sampling of traditional bar

fare with an Icelandic twist.

Reservations can be made at Resy.com • Cocktail Class Presented

by Icelandic brands Reyka Vodka and Ólafsson Gin: April 7, starting at 4 p.m., at Alibi within The Liberty Hotel, located at 215 Charles Street Four different cocktails using the different Icelandic spirits. Attendees must be 21 years old with a valid ID to attend and consume alcohol. The CocktailClass is free and follows a first-come, first-serve policy.

• The Write Stuff with Iceland’s First Lady, Eliza Reid: April 8, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., at the Trident Bookseller & Café, located at 338 Newbury St. Guests will also experience a Fireside Chat with Eliza and Pulitzer Prize Winner Geraldine Brooks, with question and book-signing opportunities.

• Elemental Sound Bath: April 9, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Down Under School of Yoga, located at 2000 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge.

Icelandic Energy Healer, Jósa Goodlife, will take attendees on an elemental journey beyond time and space, with a deeply relaxing and uplift-

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ing program, with healing sounds from nature that will leave guests feeling rejuvenated.

• Icelandic Provisions Snack Bar: At 3 p.m., immediately following the Elemental Sound Bath, located at the Down Under School of Yoga. Skyr Can, which is an Icelandic yogurt that has sustained Icelanders for nearly 1,000 years! Icelandic Glacial water and Oatmeal from Icelandair will also be available.

• Cop Secret Film Screening: April 9 from 6 – 8 p.m., at the Brattle Theater located at 40 Brattle St in Cambridge.

The film shares the story of how a police officer, in denial of his sexuality, falls in love with his new partner, while investigating a string of bank break-ins.

• 66°North Photo Exhibit and Fire Side Chat with Chris Burkard: April 10, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., at the SoWa Power Station, Mezzanine, located at 540 Harrison Avenue. The photo exhibition titled, 50 times and counting; because once wasn’t enough! will display photos captured by Chris Burkard that tell the stories

of his travels throughout Iceland, hosted at the SoWa Power Station. 66°North Brand Ambassador, Chris Burkard is an award-winning, self-taught photographer and artist whose images are punctuated by energized landscapes and moments of bliss, by adventure seeking and the lifestyle that ensues, and by movement and intuitive light-working capabilities. Billy Brown, Senior Gear Editor at Fatherly.com, will host a Fireside chat with Chris, as he answers questions about his photography journeys. Reyka Vodka and Olafsson Gin cocktails will also be served. The photo exhibition is free and follows a first-come, first-serve policy.

• Reykjavik Calling Concert with Icelandic Musicians Axel Flóvent and Bríet: April 11, from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., at Royale, located at 279

Reykjavik Calling Concert is free and follows a first-come, first-serve policy.

• Wheel of Prizes Presented by Icelandair: Daily, at various events (additional details below), participants will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including a trip for two to Iceland! Other items are Blue Lagoon skincare, an Icelandic Wool Blanket, a year’s supply of Icelandic Provisions’ Skyr, cases of sparkling and still water from Icelandic Glacial, a Reyka Vodka package, a Tindur Shearling jacket and Surtsey Knit Cap from 66°North, Most events will be free to the public and follow a first-come, first-serve policy, with limited capacity. However, guests are encouraged to register for each at https:// www.inspiredbyiceland. com/culture/taste-of-icelandboston/ to receive up-to-date information. Taste of Iceland is adhering to Boston’s COVID-19 mandates.

Tremont St. Bríet is a multi-instrumentalist Icelandic Artist who writes and performs her own songs. Her album Kveðja, was selected as the album of the year at the 2021 Icelandic Music Awards, where she also won singer of the year and lyricist of the year. Axel Flóvent, an Alternative/Indie Artist from Iceland whose newest album, ‘You Stay by the Sea’ is inspired by the search for a place to feel at peace taps into the DIY spirit of his earliest recordings, but with a sense of refinement and newfound wisdom. DJ Hermigervi will host the evening and welcome guests with music from playlists featuring all Icelandic artists across genres. Reykjavik Calling is free For more on Massachusetts to attend, and >CLICK HERE doors open at 7 p.m. The

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Go, See, Do:

Museums + Arts + Culture CAPE MAY. - Cape May MAC celebrates the history and enriches the life of greater Cape May. The staff can breathe life into the stories and places of the past and foster unforgettable experiences in the arts, history, and culture.

Travel in time—along the stairs, streets, and scenes that have drawn generations to these shores. America’s oldest seashore resort welcomes you.

Since its founding in 1970, Cape May MAC has helped transform Cape May from a “summer only” beach resort to the country’s leading Victorian theme destination.

Visit the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for an in-depth look at Victorian architecture and the period, reflecting one Victorian family’s lifestyle, and detailing the way the Physick family and their household lived, worked and spent their leisure time. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural wonder built by famed American architect Frank Furness and is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architec-

ture in the country. In 2020-21 the tour them “This Old House” focuses on the Physick House and the organization, Cape May MAC, that lovingly restored it 50 years ago and continues to do so today.

A special tour at the Physick Estate celebrates a Clueless program where instead of determining who is guilty, you decide who will be exonerated.

For The Exoneration, step inside Cape May’s brand new Home for the Criminally Insane, where three local murderers are serving out their life sentences. But rumor has it, one of these convicts was unfairly framed and is innocent. Tickets are $25 for this event. Reserve at https://cmmac. ticketapp.org/portal/product/19.

The first floor of the Physick House Museum is fully accessible. Free onsite parking/RV-friendly Another option is to take a two -hour tour by trolley of Cape May’s Historic District. This tour provides an in-depth look into Cape May history and architecture. The tour includes a visit to the Carriage House Carroll Gallery Exhibit and begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley stop.

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Tour tickets for this tour are not available for online purchase. Purchase tickets at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street or at the Physick Estate Other Cape May MAC tours, activities and events include: Through April 30 - Carroll Gallery Exhibit “A Diamond of Their Own,” Carriage House, Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Hours vary.

April 16 - Lighthouse Full Moon Climb. Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May Point State Park. 7-9pm April 23 - April Outdoor Crafts & Collectibles Show. Emlen Physick Estate, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Free For more information, visit https:// capemaymac.org

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Laughter Can Be Healing JAMESTOWN - As the world remembers the late comedy legend Carl Reiner on his 100th birthday this Sunday, March 20, the National Comedy Center – the United States’ official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy, and the home of Reiner’s career archive -- continues digitizing and preserving rare documents, scripts and artifacts spanning Reiner’s extraordinary career in preparation for its new, multi-media exhibit: Carl Reiner: Keep Laughing, debuting on July 1, 2022.

The new exhibit will showcase hundreds of never-before-seen archival materials spanning Reiner’s remarkable seven decades as a writer, director, producer, author, and performer.

Visitors will explore interactive stations that feature rare audiovisual clips, creative papers, photographs, and dimensional artifacts that intimately chronicle a lifetime of creative output: from Reiner’s early years as a performer on Sid Caesar’s legendary Your Show of Shows to his creation of the seminal The Dick Van Dyke Show, from his collaboration with Mel Brooks on the Grammy-winning 2000 Year Old Man to his acclaimed cinematic partnership with Steve Martin (The Jerk, All of Me and more), and across his far-reaching contributions to the comedic art form.

The exhibit will run throughout 2022 and beyond.

On the occasion of Reiner’s 100th birthday, the National Comedy Center released images of select artifacts and documents which will be on display

in the exhibit, including Reiner’s typewriter case and original, typed manuscript for the first episode of Head of the Family – which would become the legendary The Dick Van Dyke Show; rare photos of Reiner with Mel Brooks, with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, and with Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore; the cowboy hat that Reiner wore in the final episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show; and a manila envelope with Reiner’s New Rochelle, NY address on Bonnie Meadow Road (just one number off from Rob Petrie’s address in The Dick Van Dyke Show) in which he kept early short stories, and more.

Reiner, who was a founding Advisory Board member of the National Comedy Center, will also be celebrated with a special event, Carl Reiner at 100 – Celebrating a Comedy Legacy, on July 27, 2022, as the National Comedy Center partners with nearby, world-renowned Chautauqua Institution for an evening program featuring those who knew them best – including children Annie, Lucas and Rob Reiner, and best friend Mel Brooks – joining together for a one-of-a-kind evening of laughter as they reflect on Reiner’s life, career and legacy. The presentation will feature in-person and video appearances by special guests as well as rare footage from the National Comedy Center’s new exhibit.

With a multi-faceted career spanning television, film, stage, record albums, books and even social media, Carl Reiner, who passed away in June of 2020, was a twelve-time Emmy® award-winner, a April, 2022 ~ EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM | -39-

Grammy® award-winner and a recipient of The Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Reiner was an early advocate and an instrumental supporter for the National Comedy Center’s vision to celebrate comedy as an art form. In 2021, the National Comedy Center formally named its ongoing work to preserve comedy’s heritage in honor of Reiner.

The Carl Reiner Department of Archives and Preservationserves as the central hub for all archival and preservation work within the Comedy Center, as it continues its mission to present the history of comedy and preserve comedy’s heritage for future generations.

The Carl Reiner Department of Archives and Preservation is an incubator for the study and dissemination of comedy history, and a resource for educating artists, students, scholars and the public about comedy’s great minds and unique voices. The Department leads research, conservation and exhibition activities throughout the organization, including the acquisition of artifacts, documents and audiovisual materials that chronicle the story of comedy across all genres and eras of the art form.

Reiner’s career archive includes thousands of pages of creative papers and business correspondence; unpublished comedy material; rare photographs, film footage and audio recordings from his personal and professional life; and industry awards, including his Emmys and Mark Twain Prize.

The comprehensive collection

includes early drafts and final scripts written by Reiner throughout his career with his handwritten annotations – from the earliest material from his Army days and “Your Show of Shows” sketches to all 158 “Dick Van Dyke Show” scripts, and his film screenplays.

Also included are the chairs and TV trays used for years by Reiner and his best friend and frequent collaborator ¬¬– comedy legend Mel Brooks ¬– as they would

spend evenings together eating dinner and watching television.

The National Comedy Center has collaborated with dozens of artists and estates to preserve materials that representcomedy’s significant artistic, social, and political contributions to American culture including collections illustrating the careers of legendary artists like George Carlin, Lucille Ball, Lenny Bruce, The Smothers Brothers, and the development of groundbreaking creative work such as sketch comedy series In Living Color, Saturday Night Live and more.

Within the Comedy Center’s museum galleries, more than 50 interactive exhibits and immersive experiences employ cutting-edge technology to present the story of comedy from its origins to the

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present day – using archival documents, artifacts, and media as their core.

The museum’s educational programming on the art form has featured George Lopez, Margaret Cho, Norman Lear, Tiffany Haddish, Debra Messing, Rain Pryor (daughter of Richard Pryor), Jay Leno, Kenan Thompson, Gabriel Iglesias, Ben Stiller, John Cleese, Jimmy Fallon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and many more.

Plan your visit to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY at ComedyCenter. org. Tickets for the special event on July 27 can be purchased now by calling 716-357-6250 or online at tickets.chq. org starting May 3rd.

The National Comedy Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit cultural institution whose mission is funded by philanthropic support.

Donations and grants support the museum and its work to present the vital story of comedy and preserve its heritage for future generations. Visit Comedycenter. org for details.

The National Comedy Center is the United States’ official cultural institution and museum dedicated to presenting the vital story of comedy and preserving its heritage for future generations, as formally designated by the U.S. Congress. Opened in August 2018 in Jamestown, New York, the museum complex offers an unprecedented, immersive visitor experience using state-of-the-art technology, interactivity and personalization.

USA Today named the National Comedy Center the “Best New Museum in the Country” while TIME magazine named it one of its “World’s Greatest Places” ¬– one of only “100 new and newly noteworthy destinations to experience right now” and one of only nine attractions to visit in the United States. Condé Nast Traveler called the National Comedy Center “one of the best museums in the country,” and People magazine named it one of “100 Reasons to Love America.” Comedy industry authority The Interrobang named the design team second on its list of “Innovators Who Changed Comedy.”

In 2021, the National Comedy Center was featured in The New York Times, CBS Sunday Morning, CBS Saturday Morning and on NBC’s TODAY Show, which called it “the Smithsonian of Comedy.” Visitors from all 50 states and eighteen countries have given the Center a rare 5/5 raring on TripAdvisor, ranking among the highest in the attraction and tourism industry.

Based on the vision of James-

town native Lucille Ball for her hometown to become a destination for comedy, the non-profit National Comedy Center showcases comedy’s great minds and unique voices in ways that engage, inspire, educate and entertain. The Comedy Center’s mission is to provide education on the comedic arts in the form of commentary and contextualization of its bodies of work across all eras and genres of the art form.

The National Comedy Center operates the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, which explores the lives, careers and legacy of the “First Couple of Comedy” and the incredible impact they had on the world, as well as the pioneering role and remarkable influence that I Love Lucy and Desilu Studios had on the entertainment industry for generations to come.

The acclaimed Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, produced and presented by the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, was last headlined by John Mulaney and Sebastian Maniscalco, and has showcased comedy’s greatest stars and rising young comedians,

including Jerry Seinfeld, Trevor Noah, Lily Tomlin, Amy Schumer, W. Kamau Bell, Jim Gaffigan, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers and more than one hundred other comedic artists. The 2022 festival will take place August 3-7, featuring comedian Jeff Foxworthy and SNL legends David Spade, Kevin Nealon and Rob Schneider, along with over fifty live comedy events The National Comedy Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural institution whose mission is funded by philanthropic support.

Donations and grants support the museum and its work to present the vital story of comedy and preserve its heritage for future generations.

Stay connected to the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum: Websites: www.comedycenter. org

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Places to Go:

Philadelphia in

I ES cla is ic ac pi th

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By Renée S. Gordon

n a PHLASH

In 2015 Philadelphia was designated the country’s first UNSCO World Heritage City, gaining parity with other world ass cities like Berlin, Mexico City, Paris and Quebec City. It widely renowned as an international destination, a historand cultural mecca with affordable, family friendly sites, ccommodations and world class dining venues. The centeriece of a visit is a tour of “the most historic square mile in he nation.” #visitphilly

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I highly recommend CityPASS in every city where available and Philadelphia CityPASS is a member of the program. Passes are available online and can be printed or saved on your mobile device for use at a selection of eleven attractions. There are three pass choices that offer 3, 4 or 5 attractions at rates from $52 to $79. Savings can amount to 50%. A travel guide is offered containing attraction information including hours of operation, safety protocols and entry guidelines. www.citypass. com/philadelphia.

Philly PHLASH operates from May to December and is easily the best bargain in town. These gaily-colored buses visit 18 attractions, departing from a scheduled route. Two additional sites, Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo are available with an included PHLASH transfer. Visitors can hop on and hop off, buses at 15-minute intervals. A one-day pass is $5.00 and resident seniors, with a Septa Key Card, ride for free. This is also a great way for residence to show guests the city.

RidePhillyPHLASH.com Visitors taking the transfer shuttle obtain wonderful views of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.

The 2,000-acre green park, one of the largest urban parks in the states, features artworks and several colonial homes, one of which, Belmont Mansion, was an Underground Railroad station and is now a museum. The Philadelphia Zoo, nestled within the park, is the oldest zoo in America.

It was chartered in 1859 but the

Civil War delayed its opening for fifteen years. It opened with 813 animals; today it exhibits more than 1,500 animals.

Philadelphia was the only colonial city that did not begin as a fort. Quaker William Penn realized that the Leni Lenape Native Americans had long inhabited the land and had a prior claim. He learned some of their language, negotiated and purchased a portion of the land between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Originally the city was 1,200-acres, 1-mile wide, 2-miles long and laid out in an innovative grid system.

Land to the west of the city was reserved for later use. That area, including the cultural corridor known as the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, has since become a tourist draw with a vast number of museums, scientific institutions and architectural attractions.

The Philadelphia Art Museum, chartered in 1876 as part of the Centennial Exposition, anchors the parkway. Situated on the highest point in the city the African American architect Julian Abele of the Horace Trumbauer firm designed the building and a marker outside details Abele’s contribution, based on classical Greek temple architecture. The 240,000 object permanent collection and special exhibitions are displayed throughout more than 200 galleries. www.philamuseum. org Before leaving the museum visitors love to run up the 72 exterior steps and have their picture taken with the Rocky statue located in

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a small grove to the right of the steps. The Rocky Tour Experience is newly available on the Bounce app. The immersive tour may be taken solo or with the addition of up to 6 friends on a personal phone. The app includes movie landmarks, cast information and background stories, all set to music from the original soundtrack.

With the app you can take the Rocky Step Challenge, racing up the museum steps against Rocky’s time. https://apps.apple.com/us/ app/bounce-the-world-is-waiting Dr. Albert Barnes was born in 1872 in Philadelphia, earned a medical degree at 20 and became a millionaire by 1912. He considered himself both an artist and collector and in 1922 he established the Barnes Foundation and his residence on 12-acres where his art collection was displayed to a limited number of people.

In 2012 the foundation moved into a new $150-million museum on the Parkway. The 24-room Barnes Collection houses one of the world’s best Impressionist, Post-impressionist and early Modernist European works, valued at more than $25-billion. His

2,500 objects include 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 7 van Goghs, 46 Picassos as well as 125 African pieces and additional Native American and metal works. There are more Cézanne paintings than in all the Parisian museums. Barnes was one of the first collectors to amass African objects as pieces of art.

Away from the parkway is one of the countries most haunted sites, Eastern State Penitentiary, featured on several television shows as well as in movies and music videos. This was another of Benjamin Franklin’s ventures.

In 1787 he and a group of citizens met to discuss the deplorable conditions at the Walnut Street Jail where all prisoners, regardless of their crime, age or gender were incarcerated together. Inside crime and disease were rampant. Reforms were instituted but the need for a larger prison, based on the Pennsylvania System of repentance, rehabilitation and spiritual guidance, was constructed.

The co-ed prison, then in the suburbs, was completed in 1829.

It was designed around a central courtyard with 7 corridors and 2-story cellblocks arrayed around it and stone exterior walls 20-inches thick. The prison was equipped with central heating, toilets and

showers in each cell. Prisoners were isolated from each other with their only personal property being a Bible. They were fed and communicated through a hole in the door. Fifty stop tours are self-guided but include an audio tour narrated by Steve Buscemi.

Highlights of the tour are “the Hole” and a replica of the cell occupied by Al Capone complete with Oriental rug, radio and other creature comforts. Women were admitted in 1831 and the cellblocks were desegregated in 1961. Eastern State, a National Historic Landmark, closed in 1970 and reopened as an attraction in 1994. Early tourists included the Marquis de Lafayette and Charles Dickens.

No matter how enthusiastic you are about your visit you can’t do it all in a day and most visitors tour Independence National Historic Park on their first trip. Independence Visitor Center, in the heart of the Historic District, is the best place to begin all Independence National Historical Park tours.

Here you can get tickets, make reservations, obtain maps and brochures and watch an orientation film.

Independence Mall, known as State House Yard in the 1700s, contains Independence Hall, Old City Hall and Congress Hall. This is the area Washington, Franklin,

Jefferson, Hamilton and Adams strolled every day.

The President’s House, official residence of Washington and Adams during their presidencies, is reconstructed using exterior beams that allow access to areas of the structure. The home, across from the Visitor Center, also interprets the story of Washington’s nine enslaved workers. During his stay Washington’s black chef Hercules fled. Martha Washington was so upset about the loss of his cooking skills that she asked Washington to send the militia to locate him. He was never found.

Adams did not own slaves.

Liberty Bell Center is located steps away. It was a symbol for abolitionists before the Civil War and after the war it was exhibited around the country to help bring the nation back together. Visitors can take photographs and view both the crack and the inscription from Leviticus, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”. www. uwishunu.com.

Philadelphia Savings Fund Society was the first savings bank in the country and in1929, they commissioned the construction of a 491-foot skyscraper that would house their banking and other business activities. The building became the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in April of 2000. Travelers are invited to celebrate this anniversary Sundays - Thursdays in April. Guests will receive 22% off Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa & Salon treatments, off on-site parking and food and beverage en suite or at Bank & Bourbon.

Philadelphia is where the nation’s history really starts. Begin at the beginning and immerse yourself in the sites and sounds of this international city.

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Camelback Mountain Adventures TANNERSVILLE – Throughout the warm spring and summer months, outdoor adventure seekers of all ages and skill levels can visit Camelback Resort for great fun experiencing the resort’s mountain air adventures. Four major outdoor attractions, including Pennsylvania’s only Mountain Coaster, open next month with more to come for summer.

Mountain Mayhem continues to excite water sliders, and the resort app helps the whole day (or stay) run smoothly.

The schedule for the highly anticipated Camelback Mountain Adventures for outdoor thrills: On Friday, April 8, the Appalachian Express Mountain Coaster opens. It features an amazing 4,500 feet of steel track and passenger cars that thrillingly zoom down the steep slopes of Camelback Mountain.

On Saturday, April 16, the 1,000foot Double Barrel Zipline opens to deliver a heart-pounding experience as enthusiasts are harnessed up and then zip through the trees up to eight stories above the ground.

Saturday, April 30, is the opening of the Euro Bungee where participants can do flips and tricks or just enjoy the four-minute exciting jump!

Saturday, April 30, is also the date for the opening of the Mountain Segway/UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) Tour – an off-road adventure taking travelers through the forest to experience fabulous scenic views and a special visual perspective of the Poconos.

All Adventure tickets must be purchased online at https://www.camelbackresort.com/mountain-adventures/.

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At Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, the recently opened immersive water slide adventure – Mountain Mayhem – takes water sliders to the next level of interactive wonderment by offering four unique techno-centric adventures projected inside the slide along with musical effects.

Camelback Resort’s Arcadia Family Indoor Adventure Center provides families fun with hours of playing time with entertainment housed on two levels, including over 100 videos and interactive games positioned in age-appropriate zones.

Before and during their stay guests are encouraged to utilize the resort app– available on IOS and Android – to book their stay, plan itineraries, arrange for equipment rental, procure tickets, make dining reservations, reserve poolside cabanas, explore the property and secure real-time information.

And for a sweet ending to busy, fun-filled adventures, guests can play all day and stay overnight at Camelback Lodge. The Lodge offers 453 guest suites with many suites perfect for multi-generational vacations with full kitchens, fireplaces, balconies and spacious lofts.

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Things to Do:

Weekend Getaway with Spring Farm Animals

WOODSTOCK,– Spring brings the birth of many animals at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont. On Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10, Billings Farm & Museum opens the barn doors to welcome visitors for hands-on fun during the Baby Farm Animal Celebration.

Animal experiences include meeting newly born calves, lambs, goats, chicks, ducklings, and piglets, as well as fluffy bunnies.

Guests can tour the cow barn and state-of-the-art Heifer Barn to learn about the 60 Jersey cows in the herd. Other animals living on the farm include dairy breed goats, Jersey oxen, Percheron draft horses, Southdown sheep and chickens. Billings Farm & Museum Baby Animal Celebrations hours are from 10am to 5pm on April 9 and 10.

To kick off its 40th season on Friday, April 8, Billings Farm & Museum will host its opening day celebration with a free scoop of ice cream for all guests as well as a lamb-themed scavenger hunt with clues hidden among the farm exhibits.

New to Billings Farm & Museum this year is the Billings After Hours series for adults that offers hands-on skill development and social events from May through November. Programs include the Billings Backyard Series Workshops that teach guests sustainable living skills useful in everyday life, and Fiber Arts Classes to learn quilting, dyeing, and felting practices. Date Night Cooking Classes,

available through the fall, will focus on preparing and eating a variety of cuisines, and the Moos and Brews events invite guests to enjoy food and craft beverages amongst the farm’s Jersey cows while taking in views of the Farmstead from the patio, lawn, and gardens.

More information can be found by visiting https:// billingsfarm.org/classes-workshops/.

The new Farmstead Gardens is an 8000 sq ft area consisting of five gardens that will provide opportunities for visitors to learn from and engage with these natural environments. With construction beginning in April, the planned gardens include a Chef’s Garden, which will serve as inspiration for visitors who wish to start growing their own produce, an Heirloom Garden featuring produce that was grown in 1890s Vermont, a Permaculture Garden, an Herb Garden, and a Pollinator Garden, that will promote pollinators as well as other insects critical to the health of plant life. Set to open in early June, the gardens will be in full bloom in mid to late August to coincide with the full-bloom of the annual Sunflower House, a 20,000 sq ft walking garden featuring more than 100 sunflower varieties.

The farm is open daily to visitors from April 8 through Oct. 30. For hours and prices, visit www. billingsfarm. org.

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Go, See, Do:

Getting Into

By Kathy Barnett Managing Editor HUNTSVILLE - If you like to blend a little education with your family weekend getaway, there is plenty to discover in Huntsville at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USS-RC).

The Official Visitor’s Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center even calls it home. As a Smithsonian affiliate and one of the largest museums of its kind in the world, you will witness one of the largest collections of rockets and space artifacts on display anywhere.

The newest addition to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the Davidson Center for Space Exploration where a Saturn V Dynamic test vehicle is displayed. This is a full size prototype Saturn V rocket – the same that took astronauts to the moon – which was used to test the rockets performance when vibrating under launch power.

Be sure to accept the opportunity of the free guided tours offered by volunteers, who are usually run by those who actually worked for NASA on these programs. I had the priveledge of meeting and visiting with Jim Troy who worked with NASA for several years. He provided several background stories that were a bonus to the tour.

He even offered to return the next day and give one of my “things - to - do” team members, Mr. David Derden, a personal tour. They shared computer software interests, lunch at the Mars Grill, and took a glimpse of the future in commercial space ventures with the latest technological innovations.

Insert by David Derden What used to take a whole floor of a building to house a computer, was needed in the spaceship. Of course, there was no space for such a monster piece of equipment. The NASA engineers were able to to create integrated cicuits that -48- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

are standard today. This enabled them to reduce the room-sized computer down to 70 lbs and they called it the Apollo Guidance computer. There were two - one in the Command Module and the other in the Lunar module. Now every cell phone, tablet, ipad, laptop and home computer has this technology in order for us to have the modern conveniences that we have.

Because there were seven Lunar modules that landed on the moon, I asked if they knew the locations of all seven. I learned that there is still one unaccounted for. The original Apollo 11 module is still missing. Perhaps a future space scientist will be able to locate it wandering somewhere in space.

I had the opportunity to enjoy the flight simulator which is a must for anyone interested in what it’s like to actually manuever an F-18 Fighter plane.

Another attraction is the Virtual Reality ride, take a flight to the Moon and actually walking around.

There are just so many activities that can interest the whole family for hours.

Space Imagine sitting in a comfortatble theatre seat and the lights grow dark.

The screen in front of you envelops overhead and around you as if you were outside looking at the starlit sky. This is just a meager description of the experience within the INTUITIVE® Planetarium. This immersive digital dome theater can take you through space, offers educational astrology shows and is the only one of its kind in the Southeast.

In 2019, inside the Davidson Center is the National Geographic 3D Theatre, which plays a variety of space related titles, usually lasting in the region of 45 minutes. The largest production ever filmed in space, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience is an epic four-part immersive series that invites you to join eight astronauts on life-changing missions aboard the International Space Station. Shot over two years with exclusive access to the crew, The ISS Experience offers an intimate take on the joy, wonder, and dangers of life in orbit. Tickets for these shows are sold separately ($8 each), although a combo ticket is available which includes entry to the museum as well as one movie.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is also home to the US Space Camp program – an awesome on-site educational camp experience that will give you a taste of what it is like to train to be an astronaut.

This is not something you can just turn up and do, as it requires advance booking, and usually between three and six days of your time.

The main people who take part are school children, but individuals, families, and international visitors can also take part. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www. rocketcenter.com/ We stayed at the 106 Jefferson, a fairly new hotel in the downtown area. The look and feel of this hotel returns to the era of the space race that lifted this community to new heights and continues to inspire us today, according to its website. They provided exceptional accomodations in spite of the area’s current roadwork and construction. Delicious dining was available at the Revivalist and a nightcap is always in order at the rooftop bar. For reservations, visit www.106jefferson. com/

Photo by Kathy Barnett

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Places to Go:

By Kathy Barnett Managing Editor

Spring Break Getaways It is time to let the spring activities commence with outdoor festivals, concerts and baseball games. Take a peek at some events happening in April.

monster truck toys come to life in a full-size, kid-focused, immersive Hot Wheels experience. If you have kids, you should check out this event.

Earth Day Festival

April 24/FAYETTEVILLE - Join the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks from 1-5 p.m. as they celebrate 52 years of Earth Day with an event that includes family-friendly activities, crafts, music, games and giveaways. You will be able to visit booths and explore six cultivated acres of garden beauty! Plus, the City of Fayetteville will be giving away free saplings. There will also be live goats for guests to pet and feed. https://www.bgozarks.org/ earth-day-festival/

Delta Roots Musical Festival

April 9/HELENA - Visit the Delta and celebrate Levon Helm’s rich heritage with The Weight Band led by the guitarist who was closest to him. There will also be arts and crafts and a Beans, Greens and Cornbread competition. Time: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Tickets: deltarootmusicfest. eventbrite.com or call 870-5725223 for more information

Arkansas Folk Festival

April 15-16/MOUNTAIN VIEW This marks the beginning of the 2022 season at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Admission is free to the Craft Village on both Friday and Saturday.

Bring your friends and family for live music at the Blacksmith Stage and craft demonstrations in the park.

This would make for a perfect family outing to kick off the beginning of the season for the Ozark Folk Center.

Open 11 a.m. Friday until 3 p.m.

Saturday. Purchase tickets at the Ozark Folk Center State Park (regular admission)

Kids Fest

April 15-16/LITTLE ROCK - A day devoted to kids having fun. The

events take place at the Statehouse Convention Center. There will be mini figure displays, bounce houses, costumed heroes, princesses, community organizations, video games, tabletop games, a nerf battle maze, photo ops and so much more! One of the big features this year is a 65-foot obstacle course designed to challenge kids to the very end. https://www. kidsfestlittlerock.com/

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

April 23-24/JONESBORO - For the first time ever, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will visit First National Bank Area for three epic performances! Fans of all ages will enjoy an exciting lineup of epic monster trucks as they experience the thrill of watching the iconic Hot Wheels

Tim McGraw in Concert

April 29/ROGERS - 7 p.m. at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion.

Announcing the McGraw Tour 2022 with Russell Dickerson, Alexandra Kay and Brandon Davis Tim McGraw will be visiting Arkansas live and as of right now there are still tickets available.

Gates open at 5:30) Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 479-443-5600, or in person at the Walmart AMP Box Office or the Walton Arts Center Box Office. https://waltonartscenter. org/AMP/upcoming-concerts/timmcgraw/

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Go, Do, See

Hollywood Backdrop Art

The first museum museum, includshow dedicated to ing atmospheric Hollywood’s paintsound effects ed backdrops, the related to the grandest illusions ever original movies, created for the movies, and to the scenic makes its world previstas. miere in South Florida “It is miracu(April 20 ‒ January lous that these 22) at the Boca Raton historic monuMuseum of Art. mental paintings Art of the Hollywere not lost wood Backdrop: Cinforever, as so ema’s Creative Legacy many Hollywood honors the unsung hetreasures have roes who created these disappeared. The monumental canvases concept for this for the camera, going show had its genhis scenic backdrop (above) is from the 1959 MGM back almost 100 years. film North By Northwest. Produced and directed by esis with a CBS These artists were the Sunday MornAlfred Hitchcock, the film starred Cary Grant and backbone of the film ing segment that Eva Marie Saint.“This is the grandaddy, the Babe industry. called attention Ruth of all Hollywood backdrops,” said Karen L. The exhibition was to the campaign originated by the Boca Maness. “Especially because it was such a key play- to preserve scenic Raton Museum of backdrops that er in the telling of this story.”

Art and is co-curated had laid rolled up

by Thomas A. Walsh in the basement of and Karen L. Maness, who played ard Maltin, the renowned film MGM’s studios,” said Irvin Lipcritic, historian and author. pivotal roles among a group of pman, the executive director of This exhibition of 22 scenic passionate Hollywood insiders to the Boca Raton Museum of Art. backdrops, made for the movies salvage these American treasures.

For more information, visit The result in the Museum’s gal- between 1938 and 1968, celebrates https://bocamuseum.org/ leries is a magical portal that takes an art form nearly forgotten.

This is a well-deserved mothe terms “large-scale,” “immerment in the spotlight for the sive,” and “virtual reality” to a dozens of unidentified studio whole new level. artists. Their uncredited crafts“These monumental paintings were essential to moviemaking for manship made scenes of Mount Rushmore, Ben-Hur’s Rome, almost a century, and were never the Von Trapp Family’s Austrimeant to be seen by the public an Alps, and Gene Kelly’s Paris with the naked eye. Having this street dance possible. rare opportunity to experience For More on Florida, Soundscapes have been engithese American masterpieces up >Click Here close is long overdue,” said Leon- neered to surround visitors in the -52- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

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Things to Do:

Listen to the Music At these Spring Music Festivals

The best of spring includes the best of Georgia’s signature music festivals, where a cross-section of genres take you all across the state for a full experience of live music, local flavor, cultural celebration and more.

Savannah Music Festival, Now through April 9

SAVANNAH -Georgia’s largest musical arts event and one of the most distinctive cross-genre music festivals in the world, the Savannah Music Festival is a world-class celebration of musical arts. There will be an impressive lineup of artist collaborations and live performances throughout this festival.Find a true medley of melodies where music ranges from country to folk to jazz to chamber. Venues showcase the best of Savannah’s walkable vibrancy and include inti-

mate churches, synagogues and club venues, breezy outdoor streets settings and revered cultural centers and historic theatre spaces, like the Johnny Mercer Theater. With a strength in classical music, Americana, acoustic and jazz -- but also rock n’ roll, dance events and a variety of world music -the Savannah Music Festival is the tie that binds an immersive, global music experience to peak spring in an iconic Southern city.

For more information, visit https:// www.savannahmusicfestival.org/

Bear on the Square Mountain Festival April 23-24

DAHLONEGA - Bear on the Square is as authentic as it gets. This Appalachian heritage festival and experience will play you some mountain music -or you pick your own fiddle, bajo, dulcimore and more and join in on this

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annual town tradition. Dahlonega’s historic public square is prime music territory for two full days, kicked off with pre-festival jam sessions on Friday as live music circulates all weekend. Spotlighting bluegrass and oldtime music, Bear on the Square also includes a juried artist marketplace featuring traditional mountain crafts, storytelling, free music workshops and demonstrations, local wine and beer, dancing and more against a backdrop of mountain city springtime charm.

SweetWater 420 Fest April 29-May 1, 2022

ATLANTA-With its annual dynamic blend of music, arts and local brew, plus a healthy dose of food, entertainment and respect for Mother Earth, the SweetWater 420 Fest is a revered annual tradition that celebrates springtime in the city. What started on

the small stage at SweetWater Brewing Company has blossomed to today’s jam-packed, mega-festival status in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.

But even with major headliners like The String Cheese Incident, Snoop Dogg, Trey Anastasio Band and more, SweetWater 420 Fest still has the heart of the local brewer. In addition to the entertainment, you can taste more than 25 unique styles of SweetWater beers, enjoy presentations on topics “as wide as our brewers’ bellies,” such as sustainability, and experience an artist market, food court and eco-village. This is where beer, music and the spring season get the best of each other.

West Georgia Jazz Festival April 30

VILLA RICA - Villa Rica is the birthplace of the Father of Gospel Music Thomas Dorsey, but before he wrote his best-known composition “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” he was also a revered blues pianist who accompanied Ma Rainey with his Wild Cats Jazz Band. So, while Villa Rica is worth a return visit for the annual Thomas Dorsey Birthplace Festival in June, consider the West Georgia Jazz Festival a perfect spring primer to the city’s festival season, where jazz, blues and gospel remain

Sweetwater 420 Fest

Little Roy & Lizzie Music rooted. This rain-or-shine festival takes place at The MILL Amphitheater, and it features multiple acts during the day and an evening headliner. The event is free to attend, and reserved seating can be purchased.

Family of Bluegrass Gospel” music tradition with him, recognized today as one of the foremost five-string banjo pickers in the country.

Little Roy and Lizzie Music Festival, April 28-30

ATLANTA - It’s one of the youngest, biggest, hippest music festivals in Atlanta, and with its cityscape landscape and stellar line-up of 60-plus acts, Shaky Knees is on solid ground in Georgia. Since its inception in 2013, Shaky Knees has featured a diverse lineup, ranging from world-renowned acts to up-and-coming artists. It’s more than a music festival but a full-throttle, three-day extravaganza with late-night shows and postfest parties at local venues featuring more intimate sets from many of the festival’s acts. With heavy-hitting headliners like Green Day, Nine Inch Nails and My Morning Jacket, Shaky Knees is three-day take-over of a rock lover’s dream.

LINCOLNTON - The Lewis Family Homeplace in Lincolnton makes the perfect spring setting for the Little Roy and Lizzie Music Festival, a regional bluegrass experience featuring on-site camping and more bluegrass acts than you can shake a fiddlestick at. This rain-or-shine event has a big tent for inclement weather and has become a destination festival headlined by the talent of “Little Roy” Lincoln and Lizzy Long of the Little Roy and Lizzie Show. Little Roy has carried the Lincoln Family’s “First

Shaky Knees Festival, April 29-May 1

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Go, Do, See:

Springtime in Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City calendar is packed with all kinds of events and festivals throughout the year and springtime is home to two of its biggest annual events.

Festival of the Arts

From April 19-24, the stunning displays of as many as 140 artists will be represented and line Bicentennial Park for OKC’s Festival of the Arts. Browse through paintings, jewelry, photography, mixed media and other beautiful pieces (all for sale). You can even enjoy creating some art of your own! between live performances from local musicians, school groups and more. During the six days of the festival, more than 300 performances will happen across three stages. Insider tip: Come with an empty stomach. The Festival food is as impressive as the impeccable

art that surrounds it. After watching culinary demonstrations, indulge in culinary creations from local restaurants, chefs and vendors. The Festival of the Arts is a community celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts, bringing a variety of talented artists together in downtown OKC’s Bicentennial Park. An OKC tradition since 1967, the Festival of the Arts is considered a rite of spring and a signature event for the Arts Council, with an average of 750,000 attendees.

For more information and schedule of events, visit https:// www.artscouncilokc.com/festivalof-the-arts/

OKC Memorial Marathon

On April 23-24, runners and spectators from across the globe will make their way to downtown Oklahoma City for the OKC

Memorial Marathon, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. A tribute to those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever by the Oklahoma City bombing, the marathon unites locals and visitors in a hopeful mission to celebrate life, reach for the future and honor all who were affected on April 19, 1995.

It is a #RuntoRemember – and a race to show that we can each make a difference and change the world. It will take place at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. https://okcmarathon.com/ news/sign-up-for-2022/

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S

ave the Date!

Scarborough Renaissance Festival® 41st season is scheduled to open Saturday, April 9, 2022, with its “Travel Back in Time” weekend that will feature the all-new Scarborough Character Quest, Kids Free (up to 3 kids 12 & under get in free with each paid adult) and Half-PricedSeniors (seniors 65+ can purchase tickets for half price at the Festival’s ticket office on Festival days only).

The Festival will run eight consecutive weeks: Saturdays and Sundays April 9th– May 29th and will closeout the season on Memorial Day Monday, May 30th. Student Days 2022, Scarborough’s interactive Student Field trip experience, is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

Adults (13+) and $17 for Kids (512) and

Scarborough Renaissance Festival® will welcome back many Festival favorites while also introducing exciting new performers and one-of-a-kind artisans throughout the 2022 season. Each weekend has a different theme and a variety of Special Events that will include the all-new “Viking & Ale Weekend” April 23rd & 24th.

Mermaid Lagoon, 20+ stages of non-stop Renaissance entertainment and the 125+ member perKids 4 & under are always forming company. Discover 200 Free. Advance discount tickets are shoppes of exquisite crafts and available now at www.SRFestival. amazing artisan demonstrations. com. Beginning April 2nd single Experience Knighting Ceremoday discount tickets will be also nies, Combat Competitions, the available at North Texas Tom Grande Parade, daily Wine & Thumb & Albertsons stores Beer Tasting events, Themed Weekends, and so much more.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival® is interactive fun for everyLocated in Waxahachie, Texas, one, 16th Century style! Here you Scarborough Renaissance Feswill discover our 35-acre recretival® is just 30 minutes south ation of an English village set of the downtowns of Dallas and in the days of King Henry VIII. Fort Worth off I-35E and one hour Join in the fun as the “Village of North of Waco. Scarborough ReScarborough” celebrates the visit naissance Festival® is sponsored of his sister, Margaret, Queen of

by Dr Pepper. For more informaScotland and the Isles, her royal tion visit www.SRFestival.com or court, and guests with a festival follow us on Facebook & Twitter. of entertainment, artisans, food, For More on Texas magic, and merriment!

Single day tickets for the 2022 season will be $37 at the gate for

Enjoy full combat jousting and birds of prey exhibitions, a

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>CLICK HERE

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Go, Do, See

Morton Arboretum

LISLE - It’s a public garden AND an outdoor museum with periodic displays art sculptures. The new exhibit being introduced is Human+Nature (pronounced simply “human nature”). It is being designed and created by the South African artist Daniel Popper and will consist of five larger-thanlife sculptures to be found around the park. (bottom photo.)

Located about 25 miles from Chicago, discover lush, green landscapes, and find respite and inspiration in the shade of towering trees. The botanical garden contains 1,700 acres and its focus is the global scientific tree research center. A colorful blanket of tulips os planted near the Visitor Center. Different tulip species and cultivars bloom at different times – from early to mid-April through May (depending on the weather).

The different exhibits connect visitors with an award-winning children’s garden, a special maze garden, and several miles of scenic hiking trails. Splash through secret streams, climb colossal acorns, and slide down giant tree roots in t the children’s garden (right). Give your child open-access to connect with nature in a safe and kid-friendly environment This destination offers numerous exhibitions, activities, events, and classes for all ages to enjoy.

Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny April 15 or 16. Make lasting memories this Easter and hop on over for a tasty springtime buffet and a special visit and treat from the Easter Bunny. After your breakfast, enjoy wide-open lake views and see grasses, spring leaves, and the first flowers emerge in sweeps of native plants. Stroll the paved, half-mile path that winds around scenic Meadow Lake.

On April 24, let nature inspire your preschooler’s creativity as they explore various art mediums in this hands-on, discovery workshop.The class is from 11 a.m. to noon. The fee for members only is $6. To register, go to https://mortonarb.org/ The annual Arbor Day Plant sale is scheduled for April 28 through May 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will offer thousands of carefully chosen plants, and expert Plant Geniuses are available throughout the sale to answer questions and suggest plants. Regular Plant Sale tickets (for afternoon times on Thursday and all times on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) are $10 for members and $26 for guests.

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For more on Illinois

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Jurassic Quest is roaring into the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center April 8-10th!

Jurassic Quest is back indoors and better than ever. See our herd of life - size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, T-Rex and an incredible 50 Foot Long Megalodon. Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Meet our trainers, baby dinos and watch a live interactive Raptor show.

In collaboration with leading paleontologists, each dinosaur has been painstakingly replicated in every detail. Whether their prehistoric counterpart had skin that was scaly, had feathers or fur, Jurassic Quest has spared no expense in bringing the dinosaurs to life. Jurassic Quest

exhibits also allow future paleontologists to dig up fossils.

www.jurassicquest.com to guarantee your timeslot.

You don’t want to miss “The Quest interactive adventure, where you can meet dinosaur rides, giant fossil dig, inflatables, fossil science exhibit, “Triceratots” soft play area, dinos and prehistoric sea creatures, capture yourself in a Dino Snap, search for fossils, watch a live Raptor Training Experience and more!

Pick up a Quest brochure when you enter Jurassic Quest and follow the ten clues to the “Quest Spot” signs with the matching number.

Hours to be open are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Timed entry slots vary per day. Purchase online for your preferred timeslot or buy at the venue on the day of the event.

Once you finish the all the activities, collect a prize at the endQuest Complete! Be sure to take photos along the way of your Dino-tastic experience and share on social #readysetquest. Sellouts expected, buy in advance at

Timed entry eliminates crowds and allows all guests to enjoy their Quest in a safe and accessible environment. Unlimited ride tickets for children are $36.

General pricing is $22 for adults and kids. For advance tickets or more information, visit https:// www.jurassicquest.com/readyset-quest

For more information on Indiana,

>CLICK HERE

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Go, See, Do:

Time for a Spring Break Getaway

AMES - All ages are invited to enjoy JAX Outdoor Gear’s Spring Fishing Day April 16 at Ada Hayden Lake. Members of the Ames Anglers and the Fishing Club at ISU will be there to help and offer fish cleaning. For those interested in learning about fly fishing, Ash Burton, of Skunk Bugs Freshwater Flies, will hold open classes: Casting (9-12 p.m.); and Fishing (12-3 p.m.) Cornhole games will available for use. The Hungry Boys Food Truck will be at the event.All attendees are eligible for prize drawings to be awarded at the end of the day.

Winners need not be present to win. Prizes include a season pass to the Furman Aquatic Center, two free rounds of golf at Homewood Golf Course, and more.

Event sponsors are JAX Outdoor Gear, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the City of Ames, and Story County Conservation. All those fishing should have appropriate fishing licenses.

WATERLOO - Local live theatre is back in business. Celebrate Spring by attending a Judy Moody & Stink performance of The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at the Waterloo Community Playhouse.

Presented by the Black Hawk Children’s Theatre, shows are schedules April 1 and 8 at 7 p.m. and April 2, 3, and 9 at 2 p.m. ​Storyline: When the Moody family takes a weekend trip to “Artichoke” Island, third-grader Judy and her little brother Stink don’t know what to expect. What they find is a pirate, and he sends them on a treasure hunt, racing against rivals Tall Boy and Smart Girl!

Can they find the clues, crack the secret codes, and solve the tricky puzzles before time runs out?

Tickets are on sale now for $15, children are $10. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit online at https://www.wcpbhct. org/

For more information on Iowa

>Click Here -62- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

AMANA - Back by popular demand, Hotel Millwright’s Easter Brunch on April 17. They will have ALL the fixin’s including: omelet station, carving station, breakfast favorites, and SO MUCH MORE!! Take brunch to the next level with a Bottomless Mimosas drink pass! The cost is $35 per adult and $15 for children ages 3 to12).Drink Pass $8 (21+ Only) Seating between 10:00 a.m.

-1:30 p.m. Limited Seating & Reservations are required.

Contact Guest Services at stay@ hotelmillwright.com or call (319) 8385015 for more information or to make reservations.

Make a special weekend getaway out of it by making accommodations reservations. This hotel is a mixture of modern industrial design and history.

There’s no lack of character within these walls. Each of their 65 unique guest rooms boast rich hues, modern style, and top-notch comfort to boot. https://hotelmillwright.com/

Things to Do:

Smell the Flowers

TOPEKA - See thousands of multi-colored tulips and spring flowers in bloom at Ted Ensley Gardens/ Lake Shawnee, Doran Rock Garden/Gage Park and Old Prairie Town/Ward-Meade Botanical Garden.

Jerold Binkley Tulip Time is set for April 8-22 this year. The event is named for its founder, Jerold Binkley who passed away in 2019.

Tulip Time began nearly 30 years ago in the home gardens of Jerold and Joan Binkley.

Mr. Binkley desired to create an ongoing and beautiful county-wide event with Tulip Time. Today the event draws visitors from around the nation.

There are two special events in addition to regular self-guided tours through the gardens. Tulips at Twilight features larger than life lighted displays with thousands of tulips illuminated by candle light and lighted displays. The displays include 15-foot tall illuminated tulips and larger-than-life illuminated flowers, illuminated mushrooms tall enough for patrons to walk beneath them, rivers of blue lights and floating lanterns in the Asian garden. Tulips at Twilight is set for 7-10 p.m. April 8-24. Admission is a $5 donation with children five and under free.

Tulip Time Festival the Lake is set for April 23 at Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee. The event is

from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A $5 donation for the day gains guests entry to the gardens, live musical performances, vendors and fun for the kids.

Tulip Time has been attended in the past by people from 68 cities in Kansas, multiple states and visitors from the United Kingdom, India, Russia, Australia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Tulip Time is an annual destination popular with everyone from area residents to out-of-state visitors on bus tours.

A $5 donation is suggested at Ted Ensley Gardens and Old Prairie Town/Ward-Meade Botanical Garden to help cover the cost of the event and enable Tulip Time to continue in future years. Guided tours for groups of 15 or more with advance reservations are available at Ted Ensley Gardens and Old Prairie Town/Ward-Meade Botanical Garden (785) 251-6800.

Shawnee County Parks + Recreation includes nearly 60 miles of trails, 2,696 acres of parks and 320 annual days of sporting activities. In addition, the department offers recreation programs, educational programs and golf. For more information, visit http://parks.snco.us/

For more information on Kansas,

>CLICK HERE

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Places to Go:

Zehnder's New Addition

By Al Zehnder, CEO of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth About 1847, brothers Johann George and Johann Mathias Hubinger built a dam of logs and stones across the Cass River (at the same spot as the current rock ramp) in hopes of generating enough power to operate a flour and lumber mill. The Hubinger brothers came from a family in Germany that had been in the milling business for 200 years.

Machinery for flour milling was imported from Germany and the Hubingers opened that business in 1848. Prior to that, local farmers had to take their wheat, oats, and corn to Flint for milling.

The Mill operated successfully for years creating a ready market for local agricultural products. A fire in 1909, caused by an exploding kerosene lamp, resulted in extensive damage. The Mill closed for repairs and was open once again for business in 1910.

By 1921, the Hubinger family sold their milling operation,

known as Frankenmuth Milling Co., to their competition, Star of the West Milling Company. Star of the West was founded in 1870 and operated just north of downtown Frankenmuth. Star of the West operated the mill until 1956. In 1956, Star of the West sold the mill and property to Frankenmuth Brewing Company who deemed it obsolete and an eyesore and demolished the building. The property on which the Mill stood was given to the City of Frankenmuth.

In the early 1980’s, local business leaders formed a group to recreate that mill as a celebration of the community’s milling heritage. The new mill, a recreation of the 1910 mill, named Nickless-Hubinger Flour Mill and Store was opened in 1984. The wood flooring installed on the first floor was left over from the 1910 mill construction.

The milling of wheat and a variety of grains was more of an historical demonstration as opposed to a serious commercial venture. The investors ultimately donated the Mill to the Franken-

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muth Historical Association and the land remained the property of the City of Frankenmuth.

A variety of retail concepts operated in the east side (lower side) of the mill until the last one left in about 2017; the mill remained vacant for about 3 years.

The maintenance and upkeep of the Mill became a burden for the Historical Association and they, along with the City of Frankenmuth, decided to sell their mutual interests in the mill in 2021.

Given its close proximity to our other properties, just south of Zehnder’s Restaurant and bordering on the Cass River and Zehnder Park, we were immediately interested in acquiring the mill which we did in early 2022.

We are excited to be caretakers of this historic symbol of Frankenmuth and look forward to determining how it will best fit into our family of businesses.

I’ll keep youon posted.

For more Michigan

>CLICK HERE

Things to Do:

World’s Fishing Fair The World’s Fishing Fair is a one-of-a-kind showcase of fishing, boating, conservation, and the great outdoors live from Bass Pro Shops in Springfield. Attend fishing seminars, visit over 200+ vendor booths, attend country music concerts by famous headliners and experience amazing deals and factory closeouts now through April 3.

The 2022 World’s Fishing Fair will be the second iteration of the storied event, building on the success of the World’s Fishing Fair in 1988 attended by 250,000 people.

Attend Classes: The fair boasts a lineup of fishing seminars from top pros and legends of the sport.

Hear From Professional Anglers: Legends of the sport such as Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston and Rick Clunn are joined by some of today’s top bass fishing pros like Kevin VanDam, Edwin Evers, Skeet Reese and many others. The lineup of seminars offers visitors the opportunity to gain firsthand fishing

knowledge from some of the best to ever do it.

Attend Concerts: Listen to country music headliners such as Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Chris Janson and others play music for NASCAR legends, America’s top fishing pros, and top outdoor personalities.

Check Out All Kinds Of Fishing Gear: The World’s Fishing Fair features an incredible assortment of the newest fishing tackle and boats available at incredibly low Fair pricing. More than $10 milliong of tackle will be on display and priced to sell. Showcasing over 200 exhibits from more than 150 manufacturers across fishing, boating and outdoor categories, the Fair provides access to see and learn about a greater selection of tackle, products and accessories than any event in the world.

The Fair also will showcase a one-of-a-kind lineup of some of America’s favorite fishing boats and all-terrain vehicles, with more than 20 new 2022 models from TRACKER, Ranger, Nitro and

others.

Explore Bass Pro Shops & Wonders of Wildlife: Beyond the incredible buying opportunities, Fair visitors also can visit the National Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame, the American Fly Fishing Museum, the Archery Hall of Fame, the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum and of course Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.

A unique showcase of the leading role played by hunters and anglers in conservation, the Wonders of Wildlife facility has three times been voted “America’s Best Aquarium” by “USA Today” readers’ polls.

For more information, visit https://www.basspro.com/shop/ en/worlds-fishing-fair

For more information about Missouri

> Click HERE

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Go, See, Do:

Spring Ride Days/Street Fest Where else can you ride The World’s Fastest, Steepest & Tallest Spinning Coaster, watch glass being blown by master craftsmen, feast on a homecooked meal from a giant skillet and see an old-time saloon show in one day? Bring your family to Spring Ride Days presented by Humana® for a Spring Break that breaks the mold! There’s no better place to celebrate the official start of spring than Spring Ride Days!

Silver Dollar City’s limited-time spring event is your family’s ultimate destination for good old-fashioned fun. Bring the whole family to Branson, Missouri, for a Spring Break getaway and explore over 40 thrilling rides & attractions, from world-renowned roller coasters like Time Traveler® and Outlaw Run® to kid-friendly adventures in Fireman’s Landing® and The Grand Exposition.

Voted one of America’s Best Amusement Parks by USA Today 10Best readers, Silver Dollar City also offers a special lineup of limited-time spring entertainment, award-winning restaurants and so much more. Plan your visit today featuring more than 40 rides and attractions.

Street Fest, April 14 - May 1, is an extravaganza of jaw-dropping entertainment that will dazzle the senses from gravity-defying feats and foot-stomping beats to a whimsical Living Garden and towering stilt walkers.

Plus, taste unique flavors at eateries throughout the park available only during Street Fest!

The lineup includes amazing NEW acts:

The Passing Zone - Comedy duo Jon Wee and Owen Morse combine laughter, high energy, and exciting stunts, in a show that is perfect for all ages. They were finalists on “America’s Got Talent,” appeared on “The Tonight Show”, starred at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, and have opened for comedians Jay Leno, George Carlin, Bob Newhart, and David Spade. Other television appearances include “Game of Talents,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “The Today Show,” and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us.” If you like to laugh, this is the show for you!

Buckets N Boards - A hilarious, high-energy show chock-full of amazing percussion, ridiculous songs, spectacular tap dancing,

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inventive instrumentation and an incredible variety of musical talents!

Living Garden featuring aerialists, living topiaries, living statues and comedy, juggling and magic with Mike Bliss.

For more information about Missouri

> Click HERE

Things to Do:

Celebrate Arbor Day Weekend

By Kathy Barnett/Managing Editor

In honor of Arbor Day this month, visiting the city where it all began offers a “full-of-adventure” extended weekend getaway for the whole family.

Julius Sterling Morton, the founder of the official Arbor Day holiday, was actually born in Adams, New York.

With a love for nature (and newspapers), he attended school at the University of Michigan where he met and maried Caroline Joy French.

They left for Nebraska on the day of their marriage where he became the editor of the Nebraska News.

Once settled in the prairie lands of Nebraska City, Julius missed the trees from the Eastern states and actively promoted agriculture by supporting better farming methods, conservation programs, and tree planting.

He served as the territory’s Secretary of State and later as acting governor. He left politics between 1878 - 1882 to more actively promote agriculture and during that time helped create Arbor Day, the holiday for planting trees. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day that is now celebrated in all 50 states.

This year, the Arbor Day celebration is scheduled for the weekend of April 29 through May 1. Continuing a tradition that started 150 years ago, local schoolchildren will celebrate Arbor Day with an educational and entertaining field trip to Arbor Lodge State Park from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the first day. Explore all of Arbor Day Farm’s 260-acre campus, including a Tree Adventure, Discovery

Ride, and hunting for 150 hidden prizes. Look for envelopes containing prize hunt certificates hidden in the trees - both inside and outside. When you find one, go to the front desk at Lied Lodge to turn it in and redeem. Prizes include Arbor Day Farm wine, attraction tickets, t-shirts, meals at Timbers and Porter’s, and Lied Lodge overnight stays.

Free admission is offered to visitors of the Arbor Lodge Mansion throughout the weekend in celebration of Arbor Day’s 150th Anniversary. You can take a self-guided tour of this 52-room mansion and learn all about Arbor Day’s history. There is a new display of the women of Arbor Lodge in a recently - opened section of the home.. Take time to explore the park grounds while there, complete with a visit to the arboretum, an Italian terraced garden, and more than 200 varieties of beautiful lilacs.

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Make reservations for accommodations at Lied Lodge right on the Arbor Day Farm. The most popular getaway package includes breakfast at Timbers on location with indoor or outdoor seating available. Carryout and room service options are also available.

Another popular package is the Spa Package which includes your overnight stay, breakfast andd two 50-minute Swedish massage treatments. The signature apple blossom massage is an exclusive offering from Lied Lodge. It is a full body massage featuring apple-scented aromatherapy and foot exfoliation with hot towel wrap. Choose from it, a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage or dreamtime facial, hand and foot

mssage. This activity is sure to relax you and entice you to return.

All around Arbor Day Farm, you will find the makings of memories that will last a lifetime. The Tree adventure features a tree house trail toward a forest canopy at Treetop Village containing 11 different treehouses. They are connected by safe and netted walkways. The first in the United States of its kind, one area has a Wondernet for jumping and another has a huge slide. Be sure to pack closedtoe shoes for this activity.

Another not-to-miss activity while visiting is to get a front-row seat to nature on the Discovery Ride, a one-hour journey into the backwoods of Arbor Day Farm.

You’ll travel through orchards and

vineyards, over streambeds, and all across the 260 historic acres of Arbor Day Farm. Along the way, a Nature Interpreter will share interesting facts, historical tidbits, and conservation information about your natural surroundings.

You may even find deer, turkey, fox, raccoons, and other woodland creatures at home in the forest.

On Saturday, special entertainment will be provided by Omaha Street Percussion at the Tree Adventure. Two performances are scheduled - one at noon and the other at 2 p.m.

Other Saturday celebration activities include a 5K family fun run/walk, a home and garden market, and a grand parade.

An open disc golf tournament is scheduled for Sunday as well as the annual Nebraska Bloody Mary State Championship. Start the day out right with a pancake and ham breakfast at the Nebraska City Municipal Airport. For more information, visit https://nebraskacity. com/

For more on Nebraska

>Click here -68- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

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Things to Do:

Equine Affaire

LON D O N _ A r e y o u l o o ki ng fo r a f un e ve nt f i l l e d w i th e d u cati o nal acti vit ies fo r k id s a n d a d u l ts , l o ts o f gre at s h opp i ng a n d p l e n ty o f e xci ti ng e xp e ri en c es fo r t h e w h ol e f a mi l y ? Che ck o u t E quin e A ffa i r e! N or th Ame ri ca’s p re mi e r equin e e x p o s i ti on a n d e qu e s tri an g athe ri ng will t ak e p l a c e a t th e O hi o E xp o Ce nte r on A p ri l 7 - 1 0 , 2 0 2 2 . T hi s e xci ti ng, ho rsefi l l e d e ven t is s p re ad o u t o ve r fo u r days a nd fea tur e s a vari e ty o f acti vi ti e s suit a bl e f or a ll a g es , i ncl u d i ng e d u cati on a l cl i n ic s , i n te r acti ve e xhi b i ts , thri llin g co mp e ti ti on s , a s e ns ati o nal ni g htti m e sho w a n d p l e n ty o f o p p o rtu ni ti e s to admi re , pe t a n d i nte ract wi th hu nd re ds of ho rs es . S h a k e off tho s e wi nte r b l u es an d bri ng th e w h ol e fami l y to ge the r to en j o y a d a y f a l l i n g i n l o ve wi th ho rs es at Eq u i n e A f f a i r e !

G e ne r a l a d m i s s i o n i ncl u d e s acce s s t o a l l cl in i c s , s emi nars and d e mo ns trat ion s, do ze n s of s p e c ial l y the me d p avi l i o ns an d e x hi b its , a c r es o f ve nd o rs at the tra de sho w a n d mu l ti p l e co mp e ti ti o ns . T ic ke t s for a d u l ts a r e j u s t $15/d ay o r $50 f or a fo u r - d a y pa s s , whi l e ti cke ts fo r kids, a g e s 7 - 1 0 , a r e $ 8 – al l avai l ab l e o nl in e in a dva n c e. C h i l d r e n ag e s 6 & u nd e r r ec eive fre e a d mi s s i on . T i cke ts are al s o ava ilable o nl i n e f or F a n ta s i a, E qu i ne Affai re ’s signa t u r e m u s ic a l ce l e b rati o n o f the horse!

F a nt a s i a i s a s ep arate e ve nt that takes p l a ce n ig h tly a t 7:30 p m o n T hu rs d ay, A p ri l 7 ; F r id a y , A p ri l 8; and Satu rday, A p ri l 9 . T ic k e t p ri ce s fo r F antas i a ran ge fro m $ 1 4 to $ 2 5 fo r chi l d re n and adult s; chi l d r en w h o a re two and u nd e r and c an si t o n a la p g e t i n fre e .

A l l ti c k e ts a r e d i gi tal and can b e saved t o y o u r mob i l e d e vi ce fo r e as y , co nt ac t l e ss a d mi s s i on . T o p u rchas e b o th g en era l a dm i s s i on a n d F antas i a ti ck e ts , v isit e q u i n e a f f a i r e . c o m to d ay . Ge ne ral a dmis-70- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

sion t ic ket s w ill also be availabl e a t the gat es on t h e day of t h e sh ow and wi l l b e c ash on ly. Tic ket s f or Fan t asia s el l ou t quic kly, so buy yours on lin e in a d va nc e.

Wh et h er your f amily is bran d new to t h e h orse w orld or already f ille d wi th h orse f an s, t h ere’s somet h in g f or you t o do at Equin e Af f aire. All edu c a ti onal session s, c lin ic s an d demon str a ti ons are c on duc t ed by some of t h e ind u s t ry’s most kn owledgeable h orse m en a nd h orsew omen . Equin e Af f aire is hom e t o N ort h Americ a’s largest h orse- r el a ted t rade sh ow , wh ic h mean s you c ou l d spen d h ours brow sin g ac res of vend or s in searc h of t h at perf ec t souveni r to ta ke h ome. Visit t h e Breed Pav ilion a nd Hor s e & Farm Exh ibit s t o admire h orses u p c lose, ask quest ion s of kn owledgea b l e an d f rien dly breed represen t at ives a nd learn more about dif f eren t bree d s a nd disc iplin es. You c an also en joy wa tc hi ng h orses an d t h eir riders an d h an d l er s c om pet e in t h e Versat ile H orse & Ri d er Com pet it ion , t h e I n t ern at ion al Libe r ty Hor s e Assoc iat ion Freest yle I n v it at ion a l , or the M ust an g TI P Ch allen ge.

Got kids? Th e Equin e Fun dam enta l s Forum is f illed w it h f un , educ a ti ona l a nd kid- f rien dly ac t iv it ies, in c ludin g a S ti c k H orse Rodeo at 3 pm daily, a m ec ha nic al h orse an d art s an d c raf t s p r oj ec ts .

I f you or your kids h ave n ever r i d d en a h orse bef ore, v isit t h e Breed Pa v i l i on i n t h e Voin ov ic h C omplex durin g the event t o sign up f or t h e opport un it y to R i d e a H af lin ger! Th e Oh io H af lin ger A s s oc i a t ion is prov idin g at t en dees wit h the op port un it y t o ride season ed lesson hor s es an d rec eive basic in st ruc t ion on T hu r s day, April 7, an d Sat urday, Apr i l 9 .

Fin ally, af t er you’ve spen t t h e d a y st rollin g t h rough t h e groun ds, f i ni s h

y o u r d a y r i g h t b y atte nd i ng E qu i ne Af fai re ’ s s e n s a ti on al ni g htti me s ho w, Fan t a si a! F a n ta s ia i s a mu s i cal ce l e b ration o f t he h or s e th a t s ho wcas e s s o me o f t h e nat i o n ’ s top eq ue s tri an p e rfo rme rs in a va ri e ty of d is c i p l i ne s , fro m vau l ti ng an d ci rcu s a c ts to r e i ni ng , l i b e rty , g arroc h a, d ri l l te a m s a n d s o mu ch mo re .

H o u r s f or E q ui ne A ffai re i n O hi o are fro m 9 a m to 7 pm, T hu rs d ay thro ugh S at u rd a y , a n d 9 am to 5 p m o n Su nday.

The d oor s to th e Co l i s e u m wi l l o p e n f or t he F a n ta s i a a t 6:45 p m e ach e ve ni ng and t h e s h ow wi l l b e gi n at 7:30 p m.

Pl e ase n ote th e O hi o E xp o Ce nte r charge s fo r p a r k i n g : $7/e ntry o r $20/fo u r - day p a ss. F or th e s afe ty o f al l atte nd e e s, n o p e t s a r e a l l owed o n the g ro u nd s o r in t he bui l d in g s , s o p l e as e l e ave yo u rs at ho me !

F o r a d d i ti on a l i nfo rmati o n ab o u t

Equin e Af f aire, in c ludin g in f orm a ti on about ot h er spec ial f eat ures, an event sc h edule, h ealt h an d saf et y guid el i nes an d more, v isit equin eaf f aire.c om or c a l l t h e Equin e Af f aire of f ic e at ( 740) 8 4 5 0085 bet ween 9 am an d 5 pm EST, M onday t h rough Friday. You c an also f ol l ow Equin e Af f aire on Fac ebook, Twi tter a nd I n st agram v ia @equin eaf f aire.

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Things to Do:

Spring Break at Grand Lake

Now that Spring is officially busting out all over, the number of events and activities planned in the Greater Grand Lake Region is also in full bloom!

This is prime-time crappie fishing weather and anglers are claiming their spots. Pros and Amateurs alike will be at the Grand this month for the Crappie USA Super Tournament. Anglers, amateurs and pros, from Ohio and surrounding states will be at Grand Lake St. Marys this month as Crappie USA brings a SUPER tournament to the lake.

The tourney dates are April 22 and 23, 2022. There is a guaranteed payout of $15,000! Plus the Top 3 Teams in each division qualify to the Classic! (Points are tabulated in each division separately.)

For more information or to register, CLICK HERE. Late fee pricing goes into effect April 7th.

There will also be a Kids Rodeo taking place on Saturday the

22nd. This FREE event is open to kids ages 1-12. There will be prizes for all who enter. The winners in each division will win rod & reel combos, gift certificates and other prizes. ALL kids who participate will be eligible for the Kids Outdoors Scholarship that is given out annually each fall.

The Kids Fishing Rodeo and the Tournament weigh-ins will both take place at Lake Shore Park, Celina--don’t miss the fun and excitement! You will now be seeing more boats, canoes and kayaks hitting the lake for fishing or just boating pleasure.

It is Spring Cleaning Time in the region, as you will see in the events calendar the vast number of community and organizational garage sales that are taking place during April. Time for a treasure hunt?

Finally, April also brings us Easter which means Easter egg hunts, fun activities for the kids and some of the most delicious

candies, ice creams, baked goods and gourmet popcorn for your Easter Baskets, Easter Dinner desserts or just Easter snaking time.

If having the “Sweetest” Easter Baskets for your loved ones is important to you, the Greater Grand Lake Region has some wonderful options for premium candies and gourmet popcorn!

Head to Winans Chocolates + Coffee, There are now two locations for your convenience; Winans has an incredible selection of luscious chocolates, beautifully boxed to dress up any Easter Basket or make it really, really easy (and take the credit) with their pre-filled baskets. Be sure to stop in and see Big Max, the 20 pound chocolate bunny at both locations!

Spring is such a fun time at Grand Lake, It’s the Perfect place to Take a Break!

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Things to Do:

Under the Big Top

The Garden Bros Nuclear Circus Humans Gone Wild is bringing its brand new show to Cleveland in the I-X Center April 28 through May 8. This year’s performance is packed with breathtaking special effects, arena seating, concertstyle sound and lighting along with three rings of nonstop entertainment.

This SHOW is going to fill the Big Top arena with more than 60 professionals from as many as 22 different countries around the world.

Having entertained families for more than 100 years, they will amaze you with special effects, concert style lighting, Human Cannonball, Wheel of Death, Motorcycles in the Sphere of Fear, Human Slingshot, Comedy the whole family will love, Girls hanging by their hair, Olate Performing Dogs as seen on America’s Got Talent, Cossack Riders; ...we can keep going but you just need to see it to believe it.

Get ready to enjoy 1 1/2 hours of excitement, laughter, and memories families are sure to cherish for a long long time. Topnotch Aerial Artists will blow your mind, See the Funniest Clowns ever and Jugglers as seen on America’s Got Talent, and much more!!!

The first 100 Adult Tickets sold online are only $14.50. Buy them online at https://secure.gardenbroscircus.com/ ONE Free Kid’s Ticket is valid PER PAID ADULT. This is for General Admission seating.

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If you have a Free Kid’s Ticket, no other ticket purchase is necessary for your child.

Free Kid Tickets are valid for children ages 3-13. Children under 2 are free unless they require a seat.

Its 1½ hours of excitement and fun at GARDEN BROS NUCLEAR CIRCUS “Humans Gone Wild” All under the Gigantic climate controlled Big Top Arena! ​Free children’s tickets have been distributed at all elementary schools, pre-schools, day care centers and churches.

The Free Tickets are also available at sponsoring businesses in the area. Or download it HERE. Come early and meet the Circus Stars and get your face painted like a superhero. Ride the Monster Slide or play on a moon bounce. It’s Yum Time; so go eat somecotton candy, popcorn, funnel cakes, sno cones and more! YUM-TIME! The Circus is America’s Greatest Family Tradition and a place for your family to have fun together. For more information, visit https://secure.gardenbroscircus.com/

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Things to Do

Sioux Falls has become a premier road trip destination for a weekend getaway. With plenty of free activities and outdoor fun, this is an ideal city for families.

Let the kids burn off some energy at Sky Zone Trampoline Park. This place is a favorite among local families for a quick burst of fun. Book an hour or two to jump freely throughout the building on the many different trampoline areas.

Herre, fitness can be fun and play can be smart and that after a down…, there is always an up! Sky Zone Sioux Falls was completed in 2013. We offer Freestyle Jump, Sky Slam, Ultimate Dodgeball, Foam Zone, Sky Ladder, Sky Joust, the Warped Wall, Free Climb, an Augmented Climbing Wall, GLOW and Lock-Ins! For just about any age, shape or size, Sky Zone Sioux Falls is the ultimate PLAY experience! For more information, visit https://www.skyzone.com/ siouxfalls The Thunder Road facility has become a mecca for outdoor and indoor entertainment. Choose from activities such as Hyper Bowling, laser tag, 7D Theater, and arcade games.

During the summer months you can choose from high-powered go-karts, mini-golf, Euro Bungy, and so much more.

When you “play” up an appetite, they’ve got you covered. The Rev It Up Grille at Thunder Road has full menu for lunch and dinner featuring tasty appetizers, burgers, pizzas, salads and kid meals everyone can agree

Family Activities in Sioux Falls

on. If your time out with friends (or family) warrants an adult beverage we’ve got you covered there too. You’ll find beer, seltzers, wines and even a boozy root beer float.

Between the food, drinks and entertainment, Thunder Road may just become your weekend go-to option.

For hours, prices and activity details, visit their website at https://thunderroadsiouxfalls.com/

indoor water park has several different pools to choose from that include slides, high and low diving boards, lily pad crossing, lap lanes, and more. There is even a warm water pool where you can enjoy a good dose of relaxation. It is open year-round with a calendar full of events that are perfect for every age group. Open weekdays 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., they are open Saturday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. andSunday, noon to 5 p.m. The pool will be closed on Easter Sunday. Regular admission is $6 ($5 ages 2-17). https://www.midcoaquaticcenter.org/

Not only is the Washington Pavilion an iconic building in Sioux Falls (it was once a high school) but it has also been a go-to spot for fun for many years. Now known as the Great Shots is a three-story golf region’s premier cultural, educational facility that is designed to accommoand entertainment center located in date any experience level, whether you have a lot of it or none. There are the downtown area, spend some time with the many interactive exhibits in a variety of games to choose from the Kirby Science Discovery Center, allowing everyone a chance to win. admire the intricate works of art in Located at the Sanford Sports Comthe Visual Arts Center, or catch a plex, the unique 54,000 square foot touring performance in the Mary W. facility houses the Sanford POWER Sommervold Hall. The list goes on Golf Academy and Sanford Sports Science Institute golf research, has 60 and on.

Leonardo’s Cafe - Featuring daily bays and is a year-round destination with controlled climate. Special events specials our menu includes homemade soups, focaccia pizzas and and group meetings may be hosted gourmet sandwiches. Open Mon.-Fri. for elite players and beginners alike.

Visit our website for special evening Be sure to also order something hours. WIFI. from their delicious food menu! http://www.washingtonpavilion.

Check them out at https://www.greatorg/ shots.golf/

Get a taste of upcoming summer fun at the Midco Aquatic Center.

Located at Spellerberg Park, this

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Things to Do:

Take a Longer Spring Break

Think seasonal savings for a longer spring break vacation that most families have been waiting for.

This spring, visit where it’s “warm” in Wisconsin (like an 86-degree indoor waterpark) and enjoy a longer spring break that doesn’t involve days of traveling – and there are two options to choose from on the same resort campus.

For families in need of a real break from routine and in search of experiences that don’t involve a screen or standing around in airports, Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark and Grand Geneva Resort & Spa are offering families up to 25-30% savings for a long spring break with the annual “Spring Break Longer” offer at Timber Ridge and “Spring Break Fun” package at Grand Geneva (finally an excuse to use those saved-up vacation days).

Families will enjoy Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, an all-suite resort featuring all the necessary amenities for a home away from home family spring break – including a kitchen and indoor waterpark.

Named one of the country’s top waterparks, Timber Ridge’s Moose Mountain Falls is always a comfortable 86-degree temperature and it is only a car ride away from most major Midwest cities. Moose Mountain Falls offers an array of family activities to entertain travelers of all ages including 50,000 square feet -78- | EXTENDEDWEEKENDGETAWAYS.COM ~ April, 2022

of indoor and outdoor waterpark fun which features 35-foot high slides, a lazy river that puts the “break” in spring break, three-person rafts for triple the fun, a water table for the little splashers, its own fastserve restaurant, plus pool-side cocktails for mom and dad. And this spring break, guests can take advantage of spring break savings including 20% off a three-night stay with $10 arcade credit and a large 2-topping pizza; and a 30% discount off a fournight stay plus $10 arcade credit, a large 2-topping pizza, and 4 large souvenir ICEE drink cups.

For those looking for more relaxation, adventure, or both, the 1,300 acre Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers guests several activities including a relaxing indoor pool and hot tub, horseback riding, scooter rentals, hiking trails, championship golf, a WELL Spa + Salon, state of the art fitness center, plus award winning dining. This spring, the resort is offering a 15% discount and $50 resort credit on a two-night stay; a 20% discount and $75 resort credit on a threenight stay; and a 25% discount and $100 resort credit on a four-night getaway.

For additional information, visit grandgeneva.com and timberridgelodge.com

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Go, Do, See

Land Between the Lakes

Known as the “Gateway to Land Between The Lakes”, this vibrant community is located on LBL’s northern border, just across from the Lake Barkley canal. There you’ll find several shops, a handful of eateries, groceries, fuel, camping supplies and more. The town is home to the famous Patti’s 1880’s Settlement. Grand Rivers is closest for those in northern Land Between The Lakes, such as Hillman Ferry Campground.

There are so many “Grand” things to do throughout the month to keep you busy during an extended weekend getaway. The first item on the agenda is to reserve your accomodations.

Beautiful waterfront resorts including Green Turtle Bay and Lighthouse Landing are located in Grand Rivers.

At Green Turtle Bay, take advantage of their Spring Fling special by staying two-nights or more between April 15-May 15, 2022 and receive 15% off your condo rental. Their full service marina features over 450 slips for most any boat style or size.

One of the town’s top attractions is Patti’s 1880’s Settlement. The settlement features a nationally-recognized restaurant known for its inch-thick porkchops and homemade rolls baked in individual flower pots. You can shop all day in the fabulous gift shops, play at the miniature golf course, and more and take in a live show right across the street at The Badgett Playhouse.

From April 4 to the 17th, kids can participate in the Grand Rivers Egg-cellent Egg Hunt for a chance to win a mountain bile, a giant plush rabbit, or Easter basket. Eggs are hunted individually at your own pace, any of the scheduled days. and times.

Who says kids should have all the fun hunting eggs? Adults have the chance to hunt for some great prizes as well during the Village Market & Cafe’s “In-Store Egg Hunt”, April 11 - 17th. Easter Eggs will be hidden throughout the store all week long!

Prizes include candy, FREE Hunt Brother’s Pizzas, Discounts, and Gift

Cards! One egg will contain a $100 Gift Card! Eggs will be numbered and turn in your egg to claim your prize.

The Grand Rivers Community Churches invite you to sunrise service on Easter morning to experience the blessings of Resurrection Day. The ervice will begin at 6:30 AM, on Sunday, April 17, and will be held at the Old Grand Rivers Ballfield located at the entrance to Lighthouse Landing. Everyone is invited and welcomed to attend the worship service.

The Grand Rivers Quilt Show returns to the Grand Rivers Community Center April 27 - 30. See quilts close-up, shop amazing vendors, and vote for your favorites. The Quilter’s Challenge for a 24” x 24” wallhanging this year is a line from a song.

For more information and other activities, visit https://grandrivers.org.

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Places to Go:

Raleigh Hotel Choices

Looking to “retreat” yourself in the coming months for an extended weekend getaway? In the Raleigh area, Southern charm meets your sweet escape (and relaxing days at the spa and outdoor adventures await!) Rich history, Southern and global cuisine and authentic experiences are all at your fingertips when exploring in the City of Oaks, Cary and beyond. Below are insider suggestions for the best ways to put it all together for a perfect visit!

residents Jeff and Sarah Shepherd in 2018, who have since meticulously restored, renovated and redesigned the interior of the hotel while maintaining the integrity of the original architecture. Much of the project has been documented on Instagram. The building is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Heights House has bicycles available for guests to borrow— great for a ride into the Warehouse District to explore all its attractions. Try dining at the recently opened Sam Jones BBQ. Visit the beautiful Dorothea Dix Park

Heights House Hotel

How does a weekend stay in one of America’s coolest new hotels sound? Just opened in spring 2021, Heights House Hotel—born from a completely revitalized preCivil-War-era mansion in downtown Raleigh—is a 10,000-squarefoot, Italianate-style home that provides nine incredibly gorgeous guest suites. Hardwood floors, cozy fireplaces and grand common spaces with immaculate decor undoubtedly make this one of the Tar Heel State’s most unique getaways. Named for its location within Raleigh’s historic Boylan Heights neighborhood and originally built in 1858, the two-story home was purchased by Raleigh

Origin Raleigh

If you’re looking for a fun retreat at one of the City of Oaks’ newest hotels, look no further than Origin Raleigh. This incredibly stylish and modern full-service property provides top-notch amenities and a must-try restaurant. Guests receive a true taste of the area with their savvy “Do List”—a handcrafted, battle-tested and inspired guide of things to do, places to eat and stuff to see.

Every guest receives one upon check-in.

This pet-friendly, 126-room, seven-story hotel with locally inspired décor is the perfect spot

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for a fantastic getaway for you, friends or family. Its unique amenities include in-room yoga kits and kids camping (sleeping bags and a starry night light) upon request.

Directly across the street is Dram & Draught, a neighborhood bar with more than 300 whiskeys from around the world, hand-crafted cocktails and draft beer. Step over to Morgan Street Food Hall for a mind-boggling array of mouth-watering food options to be enjoyed on the massive back patio. If you want a nimble way to get around the city, head over to the Citrix Cycle station and rent a bike. Don’t miss out on dinner at Origin’s on-site restaurant, Good Day Good Night, to cap off an amazing day of fun and adventure in and around the hotel. The plant-forward and thoughtfully sourced menu allows incredible flavors to shine through.

The Longleaf Hotel

Vintage motor lodge charm meets contemporary comfort at this refreshingly unique and completely modernized, mid-century gem. Renovated from the ground up, The Longleaf Hotel—opened

s for a Spring Weekend Getawy in early 2020—manages to hold on to the character of the 1960s-era motor lodge it once was.

Step inside and you’ll discover crafted bespoke room details from local artists like retro light fixtures, custom photography and wallpaper inspired by the hotel’s namesake, the longleaf pine.

The Longleaf Lounge is a relaxed, unpretentious hangout for both visitors and locals alike. As you indulge in evening drinks with the lounge’s selection of wines, classic cocktails and local beers, you’ll be surrounded by retro décor while enjoying Southern hospitality that would make anyone feel special.

Make a reservation at Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar for some of the area’s best food and perhaps the most unique outdoor dining setting.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa Tucked away among Cary’s natural beauty and spacious woodlands is an oasis beckoning you for a weekend of ultimate relaxation. Recognized by Forbes Travel Guide and AAA as a FiveStar and Five-Diamond property, respectively, The Umstead Hotel and Spa is N.C.’s most highly rated hotel. receiving world-wide

recognition, earning a ranking as the No. 3 Best Hotel in the U.S. The spa, open seven days a week, includes everything from body treatments and massages to manicures, pedicures and facial treatments. The spa also boasts a sauna, steam room, whirlpool, outdoor pool and meditation courtyard.

After a day at the spa, let the hotel’s first-class service “wow” you with a tasty meal at Herons— one of only 62 Forbes Five-Star restaurants in the country. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the intimate, 98-seat dining room features a full-view kitchen, original artwork and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the outdoors. The bar and lounge area offers signature cocktails, a wine cellar stocked with selections from around the world and live music in the evenings.

William B. Umstead State Park Escape to nature’s own retreat where 22 miles of wooded hiking trails and opportunities for horseback riding, mountain biking and picnicking await.

Inside, visitors are greeted by a tasteful mix of historic charm and modern comfort. The bedrooms— calm, soft and flooded with day-

light—are intentionally designed.

Comfy common spaces include the historic parlour and study and a spacious kitchen that opens into a special backyard courtyard with skyline views.

This delightful space also has another perk: it’s easily within striking distance of award-winning restaurants (including two new food halls—Morgan Street Food Hall and Transfer Co. Food Hall) and relaxing outdoor spaces (you’ll find weekly yoga classes at the beautifully renovated Moore Square, and picnic-goers and Frisbee games at the massive Dorothea Dix Park).

Just a few minutes from downtown Raleigh, The StateView also provides easy access to Raleigh’s finest bars, restaurants and museums, plus a perfect relaxation spot within easy biking distance at beautiful Dorothea Dix Park.

You’re also close to PNC Arena, which makes adding sports to your weekend retreat a breeze— the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes (in action Oct.-April, plus playoffs!) and the North Carolina State University men’s basketball team (Nov.-March) call the arena home.

Your getaway also wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the largest natural history museum in the Southeast and one of the most popular attractions in North Carolina.

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Go, See, Do

Virginia’s Playgrounds Giles

This is definately Virginia’s Mountain Playground® where mountains and back roads lead to amazing, world-class friend and family adventures.

We want you to experience our 37 miles of the New River Water Trail which is home to topnotch smallmouth bass fishing and paddling experiences for all skill levels. Giles County,

Hampton

Sleep among the trees at Sandy Bottom Nature Park.

You can have a private getaway, or bring all of your closest friends. They have 9 campsites, 2 group sites, and 4 yurts (Cabins). The park also includes 12 miles of trails and a lake for you to rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle boat.

Hotel & Conference Center in Natural Bridge, Virginia.

Adjacent to Natural Bridge State Park and its namesake limestone arch, the pet-friendly hotel offers on-site dining and is an easy drive to Virginia Safari Park, Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail stops, and more.

Norfolk

Soak up the warmer days in Norfolk, VA and celebrate Women’s History Month with a relaxing stay at woman-owned Four Eleven York Inn. Spend a day exploring the surrounding Historic Freemason District and enjoy culinary delights in their beautiful courtyard restaurant before ending the evening in your suite’s soaking tub.

Harrisonburg

With the moto “minutes from town, miles from reality” By the Side of the Road Getaway Lodging offers the perfect retreat only a few minutes from Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia’s First Culinary District, museums and shopping.

Enjoy a cozy private cottage by a pond or stay in their 18th century farmhouse.

Lexington & Rockbridge

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Easter Break at Glade Springs

SPRING SPECIAL Take a spring break at Glade Springs and save at least 15%!

The longer you stay, the more you save. Stay one night and receive 15% off the standard rate.

Stay two nights and receive 20% off, or stay three nights and receive 25% off! Our Spring Special is available March 20 – April 30, 2022. Our Spring Special is available now through April 30, 2022.

EASTER PACKAGE Easter Package at The Resort at Glade Springs in WV Available April 15 & 16, 2022 and includes overnight deluxe accommodations, breakfast, egg painting, Easter cookie decorating, our annual Easter Buffet in the Bright Ballroom, Easter Egg Hunt, and more! A two-night minimum stay is required for this package.

Bring the family and create new memories for a fun-filled Easter weekend! This package starts at $145 per adult, per night, plus state and local taxes and resort service fee.

Other activities and attractions at the resort include daily movies in the cinema room, a basketball court, indoor pool and hot tub, sauna and steam rooms, a fitness center, hiking trails and arcade. Evening bonfires are scheduled in the Town Square.

From laser tag and swimming to archery and escape rooms, The Resort at Glade Springs boasts year-round entertainment you’re sure to enjoy.

There are cookie-cutter resorts, and then there are the endless possibilities that define your experience at The Resort at Glade Springs. The lodging accommodations are designed for all groups and tastes. Do you prefer a hotel room or suite, or your own multi-bedroom vacation rental spacious enough for the entire family? The lodging accommodations at our family resort in WV are casually elegant, and best of all – surprisingly affordable. For more information or to make reservations, visit https://gladesprings.com/

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