Going to the Dogs, Breckenridge Colorado

Breckenridge Colorado is an active outdoor community with much to offer. I'll post about many activities in Breckenridge like skiing, kayaking, hiking etc; but this post is for all my friends with pets. With as much traveling as I do this is the first time I've seen a "special area like this". Look at that marvelous view of the mountains. You can enjoy beautiful blue skies, snow capped mountains while your dog can run, jump and chase in their very own very special Dog Park.

This park has more to offer then dogs catching flying freebies. There's a pavilion, tennis courts, picnic tables and more. There's nearly a full acre of land here at the park. Off on the edge of the park I noticed a trailhead for hikers.

This fabulous and very unique park is located just 4 blocks East of Main Street at the south end of High Street, super accessible. When I visited, it seemed visitors and locals alike were enjoying the area.

Free Seats available, Worthington Ohio

Flat Stanleys here with another Fun Friday with Flat Stanley adventure. St. John's Church was formed way back on Feb. 6th 1804. Can someone please do the math and tell me how old this church is? It indicates it's the First Episcopal Church established in the Northwest Territory. The sign tells us the church was completed in 1831. And that the historic graveyard in it's backyard was established with the burial of Captain Abner Pinney. You might know him, since he's a friend Stanley talked about before HERE.
This is the flip side of the sign Flat Stanley is showing you. The alter was brought with the original settlers and is still in use inside this historic little church on the corner of High Street and State Route 161 in Worthington, Ohio. The graveyard has 317 documented burials of which 5 are Revolutionary War Veterans and 7 are veterans of The War of 1812.
The church is The Gothic Revival Style. I've attended a wedding in this beautiful little church. Stanley wanted to show you the sign here beside the door. SEATS FREE! Anyone ever seen that listed outside a church before?
The bell for the church was also brought here by the first settlers and served the community well since it was used for more then church; but school as well. That same bell is perched high across the street from the church in the bell tower of the community's school.

Flat Stanley suggest the kids look for corner stones, and signs at churches near them to see how they are. Do they have a bell in the bell tower? Does the church have a small cemetery associated with it? Have the kids draw a church, discuss why in years past a cemetery was often associated with the church. How the church was used for community events, community meetings and the center of the community.

Kids love blocks, maybe they could build a church with their blocks. As you look for churches you can walk or ride your bikes too point out the various architectural styles.

As always doing activities with kids helps them learn and remember a location or event. Math, coloring, block building and discussion can be done to enhance to experience with so many of Flat Stanley's adventures.

If you missed any, catch up here:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)
• July 2, 2010 Special 4th of July with Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)

Breckenridge, Colorado

The sponsorship of this post wasn't honored by Breckenridge Vacation Rentals and so was deleted. There will be multiple interesting posts about Breckenridge instead.

Special 4th of July with Flat Stanley

I can think of no better way to celebrate our Nations Birthday, The 4th of July then to honor a True American Hero. You often hear of a football player, or a golfer as being heroic from announcers on TV. They are not brave or heroic and I really dislike the misuse of the word.

Flat Stanley found this broken unreadable gravestone. Thankfully The DAR have done research and determined this gravestone marks the final resting place for Israel Case. Israel Case is a true American Hero, he fought for our Independence and that's heroic.

We all love an extra day off work to spend time with family and friends, to have a picnic or cook out; but....let us remember, let us teach what the true meaning of the day is. Find time to take the kids to one cemetery near you, help them find a true American Hero to honor. Take a small flag with you so the kids can leave one on a grave for someone who so nobly served. Look for The DAR marker and see if you can find a Revolutionary War Veteran to so honor.

Israel Case was born on November 14, 1757 and died April 27, 1818; at the age of 60. That might sound old to your children, but since I'll turn 60 myself this November it doesn't seem old to me. Help them understand how old 60 is. Give them 60 pennies to put in piles of 10. Have them pull out pennies to represent their age. Understanding the relationship of the number will help them remember and relate a bit.

The Revolutionary War was 8 years long, from 1775-1783. Do the kids understand how old Israel was when the war began? Use your pennies again. He was born in Simsbury, Connecticut and is buried in Worthington, Ohio. Help the kids find both locations on the map. Ask them why they think he lived in Worthington, Ohio; so far from Connecticut? Discuss how the soldiers were given land for their service, how some opted to sell their land, while others traveled great distances to an unknown wilderness to make a new life for their families.

He served under Captain Jon Humphrey in McClellan's Regiment, was one of the original 38 proprietors of The Scioto Company, and appeared on The Franklin County Tax list in 1806, just 3 years after Ohio became a state.

Grab a map and crayons. Help the kids find the 13 original colonies:
Connecticut
Delaware
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Rhode Island
Virginia
Georgia
Maryland
Massachusetts
New York
North Carolina
South Carolina
Pennsylvania

Help them draw a flag to color that has just 13 stars so they understand and remember those original 13. Have them count states on a current map so they can see the difference both in numbers and physical locations of the states in The United States of America.

Could I also suggest when you and the kids find your Rev. War Veteran that you mark on your calendar his birthday and or his date of death. When those date's roll around next year; take the kids again to leave a small flag for this person. I'm happy to help do a bit of research so they might learn something about the person's who's grave you find. Please leave his name, the name of the cemetery and location in a comment and I'll do my best to help obtain some personal information to make your American Hero come to life.

Happy Birthday America.

Be safe in your travels this holiday week-end. Until next Friday July 9th, Flat Stanley out.

If you missed any of Flat Stanleys previous adventures, no worries. You can catch up here:

• April 23, 2010 Books and Parks (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• April 30, 2010 Traitor or Hero (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 7, 2010 Flat Stanley and his friend Captain Pinney (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 14, 2010 First Flight and Flat Stanley (Worthington, Ohio)
• May 21, 2010 Up The Indian Mound with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• May 28, 2010 Flat Stanley goes to Camp (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• May 31, 2010 Honoring Those who Served on Memorial Day (Upper Arlington, Ohio)
• June 12, 2010 Signs and Flat Stanley, (Worthington, Ohio)
• June 18, 2010 Breathe Easy with Flat Stanley (Columbus, Ohio)
• June 25, 2010 Stanley at The Masonic Museum (Worthington, Ohio)

Furniture adds to comfort when Traveling

Do you notice furniture and decor when you travel? I do and find it interesting and sometimes actually educational. Hotels, condo's, suites all are a huge part of our travel expense. I like comfortable surroundings and assume you all do too. The lobby's at hotels are always pretty, with attractive furniture, floral arrangements, art and I take it all in. Good accommodations when traveling is about more then a bed. I also find it's a great way to get new ideas for furniture and decorating ideas for home.

I've been noticing quite a trend towards contemporary furniture in our travels. My home tends to be more traditional so it's fun to see interesting new designs, and color combination's. Some of the modern bedroom furniture I've seen is functional as well as being hip.

Bedroom, dining room, living room, office, even kids furniture by quality Italian and European Designers is available at eroomservice the largest modern furniture store in The US. You can search by designer, by the room you're wanting to decorate, or look for the individual peace of furniture. They also have a newsletter to keep you informed of special deals or news regarding new designs. Platform beds for adults and children in every color of the rainbow. What a great safety idea for young children not to be far from the floor.

Keep your eyes open and tell me what you see on your next trip, furniture wise. I've seen curved dressers that take less room, and reversible ottomans that can act as a table and a place to sit or place your legs and feet. Told you, when I travel I really do take it all in. Remember it not just about the destination, but the journey.