Flagstaff Exteme

Flagstaff Extreme Adventure course is an elevated obstacle course set in Flagstaff, AZ and securely suspended between the trees at 15 to 60 feet off the ground. Some of the features of course include suspended bridges, swings, slides, nets, ziplines and even an aerial surf board. The overall course consists of five segments of increasing height and complexity. If needed you can hire a guide to go up with you and or your child to provide advice on tackling the various obstacles. Our guide, Rachel, was outstanding and helped our 12 year old daughter make it all the way to the end of the Red course - the fourth segment before the ultimate "black" course - before her short tired legs gave out and could not reach across some obstacles. Our 15 year old "spider" son was able to conquer all five segments and earn the coveted black t-shirt (only available to those who complete the entire course). The guide stated that only 22% of the people are able to finish all five segments (and 10% have to be rescued from the course - which the staff skilled staff do in mere moments).  

My 15 year old son requested this for his birthday and loved it. He sailed through the trees and had the time of his life. Be warned.... completing the course builds up an appetite in a teenager that only two Smashburgers, fries, and a milkshake can satisfy.  ;-) 

Book your trip early because this is a popular venue and try to get tickets for as early in the morning as you can so you can "zip" through the course without waiting (except for the guide to catch up).  

 - http://www.flagstaffextreme.com

Scenic Chair Lift Ride Snow Bowl

During the off-season the Snow Bowl ski resort North of Flagstaff offers ski lift rides up to the top of the mountain - a slow and gentle ride with spectacular views in every direction. 

The ski lift will take you up to 11,500 feet in elevation from which you will see the red rocks in Sedona, the cinder cone volcanic field, and the walls of the Grand Canyon. The chair lift ride is about 25 minutes each way. Once you are at the top you can take hike around on the special trails and enjoy the views. There is a Forest Ranger on hand to give guided tours and educate you on the volcanic history of the mountain range. You will also be able to visit the highest public bathroom in Arizona at the Ranger Station at the top of Aggasiz Peak (as per the sign outside the building) and be able to take pictures of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University in the distance to the South or of the Grand Canyon park towards the North. We took many photos and had a relaxing ride in both directions and people on the ski lift greeted each other on the way up and down. It was interesting to see tiny kids clinging to their parents on the ride up and other people napping in the chair on the way down. 

Once down again there is a nice restaurant and gift shop. The kids really enjoyed our day trip. If you go, go early because the lines get long. 



  - http://www.arizonasnowbowl.com/?q=node/64

Camp Surf

This summer I traveled to Imperial Beach, CA to YMCA Camp Surf. We camped  on the beach and woke  up to sight and sound of crashing waves.  There are 45 acres of fun with cabins or beach camping and a variety of activities on and off the beach. 

The staff is wonderful! The food is actually yummy! The activities include archery, surfing, climbing walls and crafting.  There are several choices of programs to enjoy.  The science curriculum aligns with California and Arizona State Science Content Standards. 

Go as a family or a field trip / scout trip. I have been twice now and am looking forward to going back again. 

http://www.camp.ymca.org/camp-surf.html

Computer History Museum

In the span of two generations computer technology has jumped from huge computers that filled an entire room and needed a small army of technicians to maintain and run them to the incredibly powerful and tiny mobile computers we carry in our pockets (which also can make phone calls). It is easy to take this rapid evolution for granted as we become more comfortable with computers in every aspect of our lives but a trip to the Computer History Museum in Mountain Park, CA (just South of San Francisco in "Silicon Valley") will make any visitor stop in awe of how things have changed. 

We visited the Computer History Museum in July as part of a trip to San Francisco - it was our first stop after driving all morning. The museum contains a visual history of the evolution of computers from the Babbage Differential Engine (the first mechanical computer consisting of 8,000 parts, weighing five tons, and measures 11 feet long) to the ENIAC (a computer the size of a room used by the US War Department after WWII), to mainframe computers using punch-cards, to the first Apple computer and Atari game consoles, to a Google self-driving car. The museum displays only a fraction of their catalog but the items on display are incredible and visually illustrate how technology and computers have changed over a span of 60 years. The museum includes several hands-on exhibits to help demystify the "magic" of computer technology and also highlights some of the more prominent women and men who helped to create the modern digital world we live in. 

Babbage Difference Engine #2 

JOHNNIAC Computer

IBM Mainframe demonstration lab

There are many special exhibits such as the history of video games (including some classic games you can play), the history of the Internet, and an exhibit on the evolution of robotics. The museum also has unique historical items such as a German Enigma Machine (of WWII fame), a guidance computer from an Apollo mission command module, and a .  The museum has a lot of information for Uber-Geeks as well as people just discovering technology.

German Enigma Machine

The museum is fairly large with a lot of exhibits to take in and can take a couple of hours to really see everything. They also offer a lot of classes for people of all ages and skills throughout the year. Of course, the gift shop is a must-visit as well.  ;-)

 - http://www.computerhistory.org