.All Trips / Eastern Canada / North America / Ontario

Family Fun in Centennial Park, Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay 09-2010 (14)
Developed in 1967 in celebration of Canada's 100th birthday, Centennial Park covers approximately 147 acres (60 ha) along the Current River.  The park is situated at the north end of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The park was built to represent the history of logging in the area, which is well known for its pulp and paper industry.  The park features replicas of conditions at logging camps in the early 20th century.  Very popular during the summer is a ride on the Muskeg Express Train, The park also has recreational facilities, such as hiking or cross-country skiing trails, a picnic area, an animal farm, and a toboggan hill.  A new children's play area is being constructed.  It is a great day's destination for a

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.All Trips / Central USA / North America / South Dakota

Dinosaur Park, Rapid City

06 Dinosaur Park
A good family travel destination in Rapid City is Dinosaur Park.  It was one of the first free tourist attractions in the Black Hills region, opening in 1936. The park was designed to divert travelers traveling to and from Mount Rushmore into Rapid City. The dinosaurs in the park were designed by Emmet Sullivan, who also created the Christ of the Ozarks statue in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  Dinosaur Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 21, 1990. Dinosaur Park is located at 940 Skyline Drive, high on a ridge overlooking Rapid City.  On a clear day the park provides views that extend for dozens of miles east to the Badlands.  When we visited it

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“Pic of the Week”, July 30, 3032: Strömparterren—Stockholm’s oldest Public Park

05 Stromparterren
Located on a small island called Helgeandsholmen is Stockholm’s oldest park, Strömparterren (1832), which has been recently renovated.  You descend to the park from stairs on the Norrbro bridge.  It's not a large park but is pretty and offers beautiful views of the city, so it's worth the effort to reach.  Strömparterren is surrounded on three sides by the Royal Palace, the Parliament Building and the Royal Opera House. It's a great place to sit and relax, people-watch, and enjoy the scenery. The park is a popular place from which to fish and it's possible to catch salmon, trout and pike. The park is best known for its statue The Sun Singer (Solsångaren) crafted by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. This statue sits on

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“Pic of the Week”, March 26, 2021: Kungsträdgården, Stockholm

06 Kungstradgarden (1)
Kungsträdgården (the King's Garden) is a popular park and public space in the center of Stockholm, not far from the Royal Palace.  It dates to the Middle Ages and, just like the city in which it resides, has changed a lot over the centuries. This place is popular with the Swedes and you'll likely find it busy, especially in the warmer summer months when a covered stage hosts many popular events such as concerts.   There are rows of benches for sitting and a variety of cafes and restaurants you can enjoy. In the colder weather you can explore a popular Christmas market on December weekends, or a skating rink. I was especially fond of the following fountain, by Johan Molin. It was originally

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.All Trips / Alberta / Central Canada / North America

Prince’s Island: A popular Urban Park in Calgary

00 Prince’s Island Park, Calgary
One of the most popular places in Calgary during the (all too few) warm summer months is Prince's Island Park.  The park occupies an island in the Bow River and is situated immediately north of downtown Calgary.   It's open from sunrise to sunset (5 am to 11 pm).  Several pedestrian bridges provide park access from downtown.  Prince's Island Park was named after Peter Prince, who moved from Quebec to Calgary in 1886. Mr. Prince founded the Eau Claire Lumber Mill, and formed the Calgary Water Power Company to provide hydroelectricity to the city.  Prince's Island Park was developed as a community park after the Prince family sold the land to the city in 1947, resulting in the development of a

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.All Trips / California / North America / Southwestern USA

A Day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari (1)
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is found near Escondido, California, about a half hour's drive northeast of San Diego and its world famous San Diego Zoo.   I've visited the San Diego Zoo Safari Park about a half dozen times in the past 35 years and really enjoyed every visit.  When we first came to the park decades ago the place was known as San Diego Wild Animal Park, but in 2010 the name was changed because some people were apparently getting it and the zoo confused.  This is not the zoo -- it's where you can go on a (sort-of) safari.  But at either place you'll have the chance to see a large quantity and variety of

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.All Trips / Central Canada / North America / Saskatchewan

Crescent Park, Moose Jaw

00 Crescent Park, Moose Jaw
I enjoy green public spaces and was glad to find the small prairie city of Moose Jaw had set aside a nice space for walking, playing and relaxing.  The grounds of Crescent Park are nicely maintained, as you can see in these photos.  Lots of birds were chirping in the trees and ducks enjoyed the parks waters. Crescent Park was designed in 1911 and is just a block from the city's main street.  It covers over 28 acres. The park is centered on Spring Creek.  A series of paths follow the banks of the creek and are part of the community's trail system (Rotary Trails of Moose Jaw). [caption id="attachment_41476" align="alignnone" width="640"] Crescent Park, Moose Jaw[/caption] Scattered around the park are various monuments

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.All Trips / North America / South Carolina / Southeastern USA

“Pic of the Week”, February 21, 2020: Battery Park, Charleston

01 Charleston Battery Park
There are many places in Charleston where you can enjoy views of the city's Harbor and, if you turn around, get to see rows of beautiful historic homes.  If you also want a place to sit and relax, and enjoy the fresh breeze, among the best spots in town is historic Battery Park The Battery features a seawall and was constructed several centuries ago as a defensive site.  The place has been witness to a lot of history.  Dozens of pirates were hung here from oak trees and gallows in the early 1700s and were left to ripen on the noose as a deterrent to other pirates.  During the War of 1812, the point was occupied by Fort Broughton; cannons were

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