Entries in Leisure & Recreation (7)
Yona Williams
Calling all speed demons and racecar enthusiasts – northwestern Utah is home to an ancient glacial lake turned speedway that holds quite a history. Located west of the Great Salt Lake, the Bonneville Salt Flats is one of the largest of its kind, measuring 159 square miles. Accessible by Interstate 80, locals and tourists alike come to take pictures, test out their vehicles, as well as enjoy the sights and sounds of the Bonneville Speedway.
In 1896, it was W.D. Rishel, who first recognized the potential of the Bonneville Salt Flats, as he searched for suitable bike-racing grounds. The location showed promise for prime speed testing and continued to gain interest throughout the years. During the 1930's, an international spotlight blanketed the salt flats, as Malcolm Campbell (the first person to drive a car more than 300 miles per hour), set his final land speed record at Bonneville in 1935. There is even an old motorcycle named the Triumph Bonneville – after the salt flats that served as a site for many motorcycle speed records. 
Today, the Bonneville Speedway plays host to many different high-speed racecar competitions – some of which have reached speeds of 600 miles per hour. Each year, tourists and participants rally up for Speed Week, a festival that takes advantage of the best weather conditions for achieving top speeds. For example, the Ford Hydrogen Fusion 999 (a fuel cell car) hit 200 mph this month.
Interesting Fact: Portions of Hollywood hits, such as "Independence Day" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" have been filmed at the salt flats.
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As parents scramble to gather the last of the required school supplies for the kiddies soon returning to reading, writing, and 'rithmatic, I decided to take the advice of my colleague, Danielle and suggest one more thing to do before the last days of summer slip away…take a day-cation! You don’t have to travel miles to enjoy a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of home life. Simply plan a getaway that takes place within the comforts of your own backyard (or at least, not too far from it)… 
1) Zoo Time! – When is the last time you spent the day at the zoo, where lions, tigers, and bears (oh my) present glimpses of far-off lands and creatures. The list of inhabitants at the local zoo has a knack of changing, whether it's newborn tigers or a species you've never heard of. For example, at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY – sand cats have arrived. At the North Carolina Zoo, the new Watani Grasslands Reserve serves as home to Tonga and Batir – a mother/daughter elephant duo. At the San Francisco Zoo, families have the opportunity to enjoy overnight stays – the next one being held August 23rd.
2) Amusement or Theme Parks - Whether it's slipping down a watery slide at Seabreeze or soaring through the air on an exciting ride at Six Flags, amusement parks are a great way to get away without traveling far. Games, haunted houses, water parks, carnival food, and great memories are just some of the features to look forward to when planning a day-cation to an amusement park. A couple of suggestions: Watercountry USA (Williamsburg, West Virginia); Sesame Place (Pennsylvania); and Legoland (Carlsbad, California) – where the Sea Life Aquarium opens on August 11th. 
3) Visit the State Fair – August & September are popular months for state fairs to take place, such as the New York State Fair (a personal favorite of the Clintons), where butter sculptures, antique tractors, Syrian brown bear shows, dueling rock bands, culture, colorful flowers, High School High singers, and much more collide. Other notable state fairs include: Indiana State Fair (August 6th – 17th), Kansas State Fair (Sept 5th – 14th), and Georgia State Fair (Sept 23rd – 28th).
4) Museum Moments – Every region offers a chance to explore their city or state; explore the ins and outs of science and technology; or become familiar with geniuses of the art world. Why not spend the day at one or more museums that deliver entrance to a realm of educational enlightenment that's fun for the whole family? Been there, done that? Try traveling between 50 to 100 miles outside of your city to investigate regional nooks and crannies that you never knew existed.
5) Camping Out – Grab all the necessary ingredients to create stomach-splitting S'mores in the backyard while huddling under makeshift or real tents for as long as you can stand it. Bring along a flashlight to tell ghost stories under the glow of the moon. Slather on the bug repellant, lay back, and listen to the creatures of the night. Reveal and share innermost secrets with the ones you love. The possibilities are endless when you really put your imagination to work. 
6) State Lakes and Parks – Doesn’t a day lounging about the great outdoors sound like a decent day-cation? Pack a picnic lunch and sprawl out along a sandy beach while the children create castles and imaginary moats. Not too far from where I live, Jamesville Beach offers rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats for really decent prices – ranging from $2 (half-hour) to $20 (full-day) rentals.
As Tiger Woods addressed the media after winning a sudden death challenge against Rocco Mediate to conquer the 2008 US Open, he made mention of heartfelt memories of Torrey Pines. Unbeknownst to myself, Torrey Pines is actually a residential community (2,600 acres) situated in the northern coastal region of San Diego, California and not just a frequent PGA Tour stop of the Buick Invitational (held every February). While the greens certainly receive its fair share of attention, there are other attractions found in this breathtaking slice of golfing paradise.
Torrey Pines greatly embraces its surroundings with more than 40% of the community serving parks and other interesting wide, open spaces. 
Many sunbathers and hikers pay a visit to Torrey Pines State Beach or discover the beauty of Torrey Pines State Park, which is filled with bobcats and foxes hiding amongst the cacti and coastal chaparral.
If you travel to the cliffs of the State Park during whale migration, it is possible to capture a glimpse of these fascinating creatures in action. Head for the southern end of the beach and you'll encounter a large rock nicknamed Flat Rock. However – you may get a surprise – wander off too far south and an unofficial nude beach called Blacks Beach is uncovered.
Of course, the Torrey Pines Golf Course is an attraction that draws in a great deal of vacationers. The coastline views and deep ravines are nearly hypnotic. Wildlife meanders about every corner. Golfing enthusiasts may want to take the time to enjoy the junior golf and adult clinics or browse the award-winning golf shop that carries golf equipment, novelty gifts, and designer golf apparel. The Golf Shop at Torrey Pines is also known for consistently earning the prestigious award of Golf Shop Operations 100 Best Golf Shops in America.
When looking for adventures beyond Torrey Pines, you will find that the community is surrounded by:
Del Mar – former home to Lucille Ball, Jimmy Durante, and author Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park")
La Jolla – wealthy seaside resort with beautiful sunsets
Mira Mesa – home of the Annual Philippine Festival
Los Penasquitos Canyon Reserve – with access to a waterfall traveling down volcanic rock and a forest full of giant California live oaks
I've been inspired to learn a bit more about Vancouver, Washington and would like to share a few activities and events that you may want to fit into your schedule if you plan on visiting "America's Vancouver" – not to be confused with its Canadian cousin. Below you will learn why this city stands by its motto: "A colorful past, a bright future."
1) Vancouver Farmers Market – Head for the heartbeat of downtown Vancouver (505 W. 8th St) to browse gourmet foods, colorful blooms, unique artisan crafts, fresh local produce, and endless family fun. Every weekend (from April 5th to October 26th), the Farmers Market is waiting for you. If you'd like to explore a list of vendors - click here. Hours of Operation: Saturdays 9am – 3pm and Sundays 10am – 3pm
2) Hit the Trails: There are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore when visiting Vancouver, WA. Peer through the fir and alder forests to take a peek at Mt. St. Helens when you tour the Bells Mountain Trail (7.5 miles) – open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Travel back into time when you enjoy the historic and scenic setting of the Discovery Loop Trail (2.3 miles) – typically conquered in about 1½ hour. Hiking and biking adventures unfold on the Steigerwalk Lake Trail (3.5 miles), which touches upon the Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge and gorgeous views of the Columbia River.
3) Esther Short Park Summer Fun: A summer trip to Vancouver means exploring the many outdoor activities and events held about town. The place to be is Esther Short Park (located at 555 W 8th St) – full of music, outdoor magic, and memories. Don’t forget to check out The Terry Lee Noon-Hour Concerts (held each Wednesday from July 9th – August 13th) with "Science in the Park" kid-friendly activities starting at 11am; and Riverview Six to Sunset Concerts (July 10th – August 14th) on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm. 
4) Interesting Annual Events: Visit the city in late August to enjoy an intoxicatingly good time at the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival in Esther Short Park – the largest jazz festival in Southwest Washington. In September, St. Joseph Catholic School plays host to the Vancouver Sausage Fest, which brings in about 100,000 people over the course of the 3-day event.
5) Festival of Trees: This annual event is held in November, where the lobby of the Hilton Vancouver Washington comes alive with a magical, glittering exhibition of more than 50 magnificently decorated Christmas trees. What a way to bring in the holiday spirit! The fee to enjoy this event is: $5; seniors ($4); 7 to 12-year olds ($3); and kids under 7 are free. Opening Hours: Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-2.30pm; Sun 10am-4pm.
Also – don’t miss out on the tree-lighting ceremony at Propstra Square – held at Esther Short Park. About town, a handful of tea parties will also mark this spectacular occasion.
6) Discover the Firsts: The city of Vancouver, Washington is regarded as one of the first settlements in the Northwest – upholding a long and honored military and pioneer history. Following the British surrender of Fort Vancouver, attractive homes were built to accommodate the officers brought in to man the Vancouver Barracks U.S. military post. Today, the buildings of Officers' Row are now the responsibility of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve and are quite a sight to see. If you get a chance to hit the Columbia River Waterfront Trail – you will come upon the oldest apple tree in the Northwest – planted in 1826. 
7) Discover Little-Known Facts: Did you know? In 1956, country legend Willie Nelson relocated to Vancouver to jumpstart his music career with the recording "Lumberjack". The single sold reasonably well, but did not solidify him as a giant in the music world. Nelson worked as a radio announcer and sung in local clubs in Vancouver before getting his big break. The rest…is history.
This post was inspired by Northwest Window Washing – a proud server of the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington Metro region.
If the song titles "Dreams," "Gypsy," "Edge of Seventeen," "Stand Back," and "Avalanche" mean anything to you, then you should know that a dreamy cloud of chiffon and lace could soon make a stop in an eastern United States city near you. Pack up your memories of heartache, undying love, and self-discovery – it's time to plan a trip to absorb the one of a kind voice of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer – Stevie Nicks.
June Tour Dates
5 - Biloxi, Mississippi – Hard Rock Live
7 - Hollywood, Florida – Hard Rock Live
8 - Tampa, Florida – Ford Amphitheatre @ Florida State Fairgrounds
10 - Alpharetta, Georgia – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
13 - St. Louis, Missouri – Chaifetz Arena
15 - Clarkston, Michigan– DTE Energy Music Theatre
18 - Rama, Ontario – Casino Rama
20-21- Atlantic City, New Jersey – Borgata Hotel
22 - Boston, Massachusetts – Bank of America Pavilion
25 - Toledo, Ohio – Toledo Zoo Amphitheater
I should also alert you to keep an ear out for confirmation on Fleetwood Mac tour rumors that states the group may soon hit the road in the beginning of 2009.