Get Packin'

Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN - Flickr photo by Robert B

Imagine the temperature a sweltering 95 degrees; then you step on an elevator shaft and whoosh, the temperature changes instantly to a cool 60-70 degrees as you plummet 260 feet below ground.  Not only do you get an immediate reversal of temperatures, but you are going to be treated to a marvel: Beautiful rock formations, flowing passages and several stream beds make up this castle like cavern below ground.  Ruby Falls, located in Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee has an average year-round temperature of 60 degrees (although it can at times feel like 70 due to humidity in the cave).  So, if you’re wanting to cool off, this popular tourist attraction is open year round – for more information check out this site: http://rubyfalls.com/pages/History/

If you really want to stay cool in the summer, Missouri is the place to be with its 6,000 or so caves.  With names like Bridal Cave, Cathedral Cave, Jacobs Cave, Talking Rocks Cavern, and Meramec Caverns (probably the most well known in that number) just to name a few; you’re sure to find the perfect one for cooling off.    Visit here to see a map and learn more about Missouri’s caves:  http://missouricaves.com/mo-map.htm

Meramec Caverns, located in Missouri - Flickr photo by marcin wichary

What about the second longest cave in the world (at 151.34 miles)?  It can be found in South Dakota.  Jewel cave, which celebrated its centennial in 2008, offers breathtaking walks with its many stalactites and stalagmites as well as several varieties of bats.  This is the place to be when the temperatures are soaring outside.   Custer, South Dakota is about 13 miles away, or as the crow flies it would be about 54 miles to the Rapid City, Iowa airport. 

Another cool place to visit is the Lost Sea, located in Sweetwater, Tennessee, where you can visit America’s largest underground lake 364 days a year.  The Lost Sea is part of the Craighead Cavern system, used by the Cherokee Indians, early settlers and the Confederate Army.  There are anthodites (cave flowers) to see, rare cave formations, and cool temperatures to appease visitors on a hot day.  It is easily accessible off of I-75. 

Or, you may want to experience the thrill of Rickwood Cavern’s miracle mile of underground caverns where you can find “260 million-year-old limestone formations, blind cave fish, and an underground pool,” just a few of the natural wonders in this colorful cavern located in Warrior, Alabama.

Carlsbad Carerns, Carlsbad, New Mexico - Flickr photo by YoTuT

How about touring Mammoth Cave near Cave Springs, Kentucky?  It is considered “the most extensive and diverse ecosystem in the world” to quote the World Heritage Site.  The park and its subterranean labyrinth features unique fauna of more than 200 species. 

If you want to tour the deepest cave in the U.S., then you may want to visit Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and trek down Lechuguilla Cave, which at 1,632 feet is surely a great place to cool off during the Dog Days of Summer.

One last note: if you happen to venture beyond the U.S. shores, you might consider visiting the Reed Flute Cave, a landmark and tourist attraction in Guilin, Guangxi, China, where you can tour this 180 million-year-old cave known as Nature’s Palace because of the multi-colored lights illuminating the cave’s interior.

180 million-year-old Reed Flute Cave "Nature's Art Palace" Flickr photo by Bernt Rostad

Dog days of summer . . . . . "Houndog" Flickr photo by jitze

There appears to be a lot of myths about the ‘dog days’ of summer, but the most relevant one is that it refers to anything that is slow, lazy or languishing, which makes sense because when it’s this hot no one wants to do anything, although if your tempted to brave 85+ degree temperatures, here are some ideas to cool off.

An old fashioned movie theater still showing movies in Doylestown, PA. Flickr photo by Gail548

Go to a movie matinee.  Not only will you sit in the comfort of a darkened air-conditioned room, you’ll also be entertained at the same time.  And, don’t forget the popcorn; plenty of butter, please.

Better yet, why not splash around in one of those fun for the whole family water parks popping up all over the place.  Many county recreation departments have built water parks as part of their overall recreation program, and there are plenty of private coporations that have built water parks with lots of features like ocean-like waves, tubes and body slides.  Although some water parks might be a feature at a hotel or resort, most offer day passes so you don’t necessarily have to check in to splash around.

Splish and Splash Water Park at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea - Flickr photo by familymwr

For instance, if you went to the Americana Conference Resort and Spa in Niagara Falls (Ontario), Canada, you could purchase a 4-hour day pass (plenty of time to get pruned fingers and toes) and splash around in their Waves Indoor Waterpark, or if your a member of the military, then you might enjoy the Splish and Splash Water Park at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea.

Water Mountain at Denver's Elitch Gardens - Flickr photo by ishrona

How about a water mountain – found in the waterpark, a key attraction at Elitch Garden Amusement Park in Denver, Colorado . . . . and, although not a typical water park, Millenium Park in Chicago, Illinois offers a fun way to cool off.

Here are some cool names associated with waterparks:  Rain Fortress, Ocean Commotion Wavepool, Lazy River, Mountain Screamer, Southern Pipeline, Water Trampoline, Geyser Fountain, the Big Splash, Flowrider Surfing, Tidal Wave, Frantic Atlantic, Splashtacular Place, Mon Tsunami wave pool, Soak Zone, Lake Harmony, Thunder Run Tube Slide, Boogie Bear Surf, Vortex and Spin Cycle, Master Blaster, Rio Rapids, Splash Attack and so on.  I’m getting the ‘chills’ just thinking about all these wet cool places . . .

Millenium Park Fun in the Water (Chicago) - Flickr photo by metaxin

Want help in locating some great watering holes?  Visit this site for a map that will point you to a cooling off place near you.

http://themeparks.about.com/cs/waterparks/l/blwaterparksst.htm

  . . . . Part Four of a Four Part Series

Pipe organs, 7^th inning stretch, food and souvenir hawkers; all of these things, including the famous “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” ditty are part and parcel of America’s favorite pastime: baseball!  And, in case you’ve forgotten the end of this song, check out this website:  http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics,  

Fenway Park - Flickr Photo by charliekwalker

As we end our four-part series on baseball as an attraction and special event, we hope you will take time out to attend at least one ball game this year, and while you’re at it, look around at your surroundings.  The beauty of America is everywhere, including some historic major league baseball parks like Boston’s Fenway Park, built in 1912, dubbed as ‘America’s most beloved park’, and home of the Boston Red Sox.

Fenway Park - Flickr Photo by chipgriffin

Boston's 'Beantown' Trolley

While you’re in Boston, be sure to check out all their great attractions, beginning with a bean town trolley ride.   Don’t miss touring the Old State House Museum built in 1713, as the seat of British Government for the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

For all those history buffs, why not visit the Salem Witch Museum and Old Sturbridge Village, or if you’re one of those politico types then a trip to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum would suit.  Other attractions include the Franklin Park Zoo and, my favorite; whale watch excursions at the New England Aquarium.  For a bevy of attraction information in Boston, visit this website: http://www.boston.com/travel/boston/

Wrigley Field - Flickr Photo by dnewman8

Since we are talking about baseball’s historic venues; how about Wrigley Field, an icon in Chicago since 1914.  While the Chicago Cubs have called Wrigley Field home since 1916, Wrigley was also the home of the Chicago Bears between 1921 through 1970.  One of Wrigley’s main distinction is its ivy covered outfield walls and the wind phenomena off of Lake Michigan which can affect which way the ball flies, so to speak. 

Another unusual aspect of Wrigley field is not the field itself but the neighboring community where enterprising residents even set up bleachers atop apartment building roofs, which the Chicago Cubs organization finally cried foul when this became a money making venture.   An eventual mutual resolution was reached and these rooftop seats are now effectively part of the ballpark’s seating area; although they are not included in the seating chart.  I guess you could say this took ‘tailgating’ to new heights . . . pun intended.

Navy Pier - Flickr Photo by willowbrookhotels

Who wouldn’t want to visit Chicago, with its many museums and the infamous Art institute of Chicago; or how about the Brookfield Zoo, but if you’re not into live animals, don’t forget, Chicago is home to the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and Wolves.  These sports teams are sure to provide excitement when visiting the ‘windy city’.  Why not trek on down to Navy Pier, off of Lake Michigan.  You might even enjoy touring the Chicago Trolley Company, and you sure won’t want to miss going to the top of the Willis-Sears Tower Skydeck.  Want to learn more about Chicago, visit here: http://www.chicagotraveler.com/attractions.htm

So many ballparks, so little space . . . 

World Champion 1926 St. Louis Cardinals team promotional photo - Flickr photo by kopper

How about old versus new, something the St. Louis Cardinals can boast about – there was Busch Memorial Stadium (1964-2005) and now there is the ‘new’ Busch Stadium, located directly across the street from where the ‘old’ stadium stood.  The Cardinal’s have a rich history in St. Louis, although they actually began playing ball, as a tenant, in Sportsman’s Park (home of the St. Louis Browns) before acquiring their own stadium.  The skyline beyond the stadium is awesome with towering office buildings and the famous Gateway Arch easily seen. 

Busch Stadium Inagural Season - Flickr Photo by pdsphil

Gateway Arch - Flickr Photo by davef3138

The Gateway Arch, built between 1963 and 1965, has been a popular tourist attraction since its opening on July 10, 1967.  Millions of visitors have taken its unusual tram to the top of this 630’ tall structure.  In case of emergencies there are two stairwells with 1,067 steps.  The world-renown St. Louis Zoo is celebrating its centennial this year.  They are inviting you to help celebrate their rich history with a year of special activities, events and a new Zootennial exhibit; definitely something for the whole family.  If you’re into museums; this is the city to visit with its Black World History Wax Museum, Bowling Hall of Fame Museum, Dog Museum, Lewis & Clark Center, Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis and the National Great Rivers Museum; just to name a few.

Want to cool off?   A trip to Citygarden, an urban oasis in downtown St. Louis, with its lush gardens, family and pet-friendly walking areas, artistic sculptures and water falls is sure to be a hit.   Better yet, visit when the sun goes down so that you don’t miss Citygarden’s colorful dancing water show.   Need more information about site-seeing in St. Louis, visit here: http://www.explorestlouis.com/visitors/25things

Citygarden - an Urban oasis in downtown St. Louis - Flickr Photo by englishsnow

. . . . Part Three of a Four Part Series

If you’ve forgotten the 3^rd stanza of this catchy baseball tune, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, you can find it here:  http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics,  

Artist rendering of a young Frank Robinson, in the suite of the same name at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Flickr Photo IMG_701 by dbking

The Baltimore Orioles were one of the American League’s “eight charter franchises in 1901,” although they were known then as the Milwaukee Brewers; for one short year, until their move to St. Louis, then becoming the St. Louis Browns.  We won’t delve into their 52- year history as the Browns though (before their move to Baltimore in 1954), since we want to focus on the Orioles, who had their greatest success in the late 60’s and early 70’s, winning four pennant races and two world championships.  Some famous players, who were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, wore the Baltimore Orioles uniform, like Frank Robinson and Jim Palmer, and we can’t forget Cal Ripken Jr. who led the Oriole’s to their 3^rd world championship.

Oriole Score Board - Game Time Flickr Photo by See MidTN.com (aka Brent)

A special note here: some teams that relocated in the 50’s (like the Browns) retained their nicknames as a sense of continuity with their past; such as the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves.  Not so with the St. Louis Browns, who were renamed the Baltimore Orioles upon their transfer, “distancing themselves at least somewhat from their history”.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Flickr Photo by Conspiracy of Happiness

Misty M, one of our bloggers shares per personal experience  . . . “I have been to a Baltimore Orioles game with my son, sister and best friend. It was apparent as soon as we entered the stadium that the fans are loyal, all games are nostalgic to those long time fans and exciting to all others in attendance. Camden Yards is located in the heart of Baltimore. There are nearly endless activities for all age groups. Located a few blocks from the stadium is the Baltimore Inner Harbor where locals and tourists can enjoy fine dining, music, and art. I enjoy visiting the aquarium and eating at the Fago de Chao. It is well worth it to explore this area.” . . .

Baltimore Harbor - Flickr Photo by kymagirl

Why not take Misty’s suggestions, and while you are in Baltimore, take advantage of all the great attractions, especially those that are FREE, like visiting The Baltimore Museum of Art, or for a great photo op, why not check out the statues of famous Baltimore sports heroes at the M&T Bank Stadium or at Camden Yards.  If you’re the adventurous type, why not play a little Bocce Ball in Little Italy or climb the 228 steps to the top of the first monument dedicated to George Washington.  Want a little night life, why not cruise Fell’s Point Art Loop where you can spend an evening ‘mingling with artists’ and sample cheese and wine.  Many restaurants in the area are open late and offer specials to night time visitors.

You can also take in an outdoor performance at the Harborplace Amphitheatre, and if you happen to be in town with your pooch, then head to Locust Point Dog Park for the time of their life.  There are 42 more ‘FREE” things to do in Baltimore, and to help you find them, visit this website http://baltimore.org/50-free-things/ or for even more information about Baltimore and its attractions, try this website: http://www.baltimore.biz/