May Daze Festival (Blanchard, OK)

The Beginning of Summer usually means the beginning of several things. Snow cones, summer swimming, gorgeous girls tanning, and my personal favorite, garage sales. The nice thing about garage sales is some people know what they have, and will sell accordingly, while others don't know what they have....and sell it anyways. This is where the May Daze Festival comes in. Blanchard Oklahoma is a small town in and of itself, so imagine the entire town getting into a garage sale frenzy.

Of course, you cant have a festival without vendors, unhealthy carnival food, and carnival rides. Just don't ride anything right AFTER eating the food. Most of the vendors are local entrepreneurs who want to bring their new, and sometimes unique products, to the local unknowing populace. One of these unique items is the apple spread from the Southern Okie business. It may seem odd, but as the saying goes, Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. By the way, having apple butter on your toast is like having a party in your mouth.

There are other vendors who offer local flavors of various tastes. Some of them offer various products and services, such as Traveling Tails which show various exotic animals, and Rada Cutlery which offers super sharp knives to cut yourself...I mean your steaks with.

What festival is complete without music? If your a bluegrass fan, check out the local band Dutch Creek, who not only plays in the May Daze Festival but also in the Bluegrass Festival.  This is also in Blanchard and takes place on August 23rd and 24th. After you have completed your shopping, take the kiddos, and even yourself, on the festival rides where you will twist, turn, flip, and slide until you throw up....please don't though.

The festival is a two day event, so if you wanted to hit up all the garage sales one day, and the festival the next, you would have every opportunity to do that. May Daze is an annual event that happens only on the third weekend of May. However, even if you should miss the festival, there will still be garage sales going on, usually until the middle of fall when things start to cool down. So next year, if you're interested in finding great deals on second hand items, visit Blanchard for the May Daze Festival. You won't be disappointed.

Additional Information

Address: Main st. Blanchard OK, 73010

Hours of Operation: 3rd weekend of May (Fri- Sat) 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.



If you would like to order any of the products mentioned above, look below for information:

Dutch Creek Bluegrass Band: www.dutchcreekbluegrass.com

Rada Cutlery: (405)685-0133 Ask for Don or Anita Hill

Southern Okie Gourmet Apple Spread: www.southernokie.com

Thank you to the above small business for letting me use you in this blog entry!

Sam Noble Museum of Natural History

What did life look like several million years ago, or several thousand, depending on what you believe? What did dinosaurs eat and how did they digest food? What were the early American settlers like and how did they survive? These questions, and more, can be answered at one place. Welcome to the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. Everything that has to do with our planet, from our ecosystems, to the very history of our existence is shown here. Here you will learn about the history of our planet. There are four permanent exhibits. The first teaches you how to become your very own museum curator and how to properly care for your items. In the picture below, you can see what light can do to art if left untreated.

In the exhibit right next to this one, you will continue on to the Precambrian period, then move up the geological time table where you will eventually meet the dinosaurs. Several of the skeletons on display are real. One of the biggest ones, however, also made it into the Guinness World Records for being the largest single dinosaur skull ever found. It belonged to a Pentaceratops.

Once you finish with the gallery of dinosaurs, make your way to the top floor. I would highly recommend the elevator. Why? Because both elevators feature a spectacular view of the huge brontosaurus. One elevator will allow you to view the beast's belly, while the other will allow you to meet the dinosaur eye to eye.

The first area to visit upon entering the second floor is the called The Hall of the People of Oklahoma. This area will tell you how the original people of Oklahoma arrived. You will start out learning about the Clovis people (13,000 - 13,500 years ago). An interesting item in this part of the exhibit is a painted bison skull. What makes it so interesting you ask? It is the oldest painted artifact ever found in North America. It features a lightning bolt on the top of the skull, which may suggest early indications of an established religion. You will also learn where in Oklahoma they had hunting grounds, stone quarries, and settling sites. After the Clovis culture, jump ahead to the Dalton Culture (9,900 - 10,500 years ago). Between the two periods, you will notice various differences in the type of spear points but also how they made them. Following the Dalton Culture you will come to the Mississippian culture. The time period here is is said to be about 10,000 years ago. This is the time period that is most common. Pottery, ornaments, even a whole governmental system was present in this time period.

In this area of the exhibit, you will come across a hands on portion where you can handle Indian made artifacts such as moccasins, a ladle made from a horn, and even a water bottle made from a bison bladder. Even though Indians may have been primitive in technology, their governmental system and the way they used parts of the animals they killed to make everyday items was advanced for its time.  The last permanent exhibit here, are the animals of Oklahoma, featuring various animals in various parts of the state. In one area you might find deer, bison, and burrowing owls and in another, you might find bears and wolves. There are even caves you can explore where you can find all sorts of animals that call this place home.

For little kids, there are "binoculars" they can use to view wildlife. There are even fur pelts from actual animals that kids can feel. Speaking of kids, there is an area on the lower level specifically designed for kids. Here, your kid can draw, touch items, see live animals, and even become a junior paleontologist dusting off fake dinosaur bones. There is always a guardian on site, so if you wish to drop your kid off and go explore the museum yourself, you can feel safe in doing so. The Museum does have temporary exhibits which you can view.  You can also view upcoming exhibits in their website. The current exhibit (1 April 2013) features close-up photos of bugs. In fact, there is a big blow-up of a spider right outside the museum. Probably not a good idea to visit this exhibit if you are afraid of bugs.

If you acquire the need to grab a bite to eat, visit the Red Bud "cafe". The name "Cafe" is very misleading. From what I understand, it used to serve hot food.  However, because of problems with cash flow, it has turned into more of a snack bar with previously made sandwiches.  You can also get coffee, various soft drinks, soup, and pastries. The prices are good for what you buy, though.  Before you leave, visit the gift shop for various science experiments, games, and things like wind chimes. The Museum of Natural history is a great place to learn all about the natural evolution of our world. From the dinosaurs to modern man, all of us at one point in time will become part of the earths natural history.

Entertainment: 3
Educational: 4
Price: 4
Cafe: 2
Gift shop: 4
Overall: 3

Additional Information

Address
2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK

Hours of Operation
Mon - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day

Price
Adults: $5
Seniors (65+): $4
Children (6-17): $3
Children 5 and under: Free
Students of OU: Free
Military Discount: Free Memorial Day through Labor Day
First Monday of each month offers free admission

For Additional information visit: www.snomnh.ou.edu

Kings Village

You may be thinking to yourself, Ok, I understand why you would list towns as attractions, but shopping centers?! What could possibly be so interesting about a shopping center? Actually the Kings Village in Hawaii, during certain times, can be very interesting especially when the Kings Guard Drill team is introduced. It's a very small shopping center that houses about ten shops, give or take a few. There is also a restaurant, which I highly recommend, especially if your into the 60's era style. Now, your also probably wondering why they call it the KINGS Village. Before Hawaii became a state back in 1959, it was officially a monarchy. The last person to rule before the monarchy was abolished was the one and only Queen Lili'uokalani after which it became a US Territory with a governor. The Kings Guard represent the original guard complete with old style uniforms.

The show starts every day at 6:15 p.m. with the lowering of the Hawaiian flag. However, only on Tuesday does the full show take place. Before the show they have a little farmers market where you can get all sorts of authentic Hawaiian food. After the show, they allow you to pose with members of Kings Guard, even holding their rifle.

Entertainment: 4
Educational: 3
Cafe: 4
Price: N/A
Gift Shop: N/A
Overall: 4

Additional Information

Address
131 Kaiulani Avenue, Honolulu, HI

Hours of Operation
Sun - Sat.: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

For more information, visit: www.kings-village.com  Note: might want to lower your speaker volume!

Waikiki Aquarium

It seems like in every state there is an aquarium. Hawaii, you would think, wouldnt need one since the entire ocean is an aquarium. While this is true, opening your eyes in salt water to see the fish probably isnt the best of ideas. And unless your a scuba diver who has been trained, going into deeper water probably isnt a good idea either. So thats why Hawaii created the Waikiki Aquarium, where the non-scuba divers can go. Its a rather small place but its got a pretty good animal display. The price is pretty good, and the gift shop isnt half bad either. The Aquarium shows animals like the shark, octopus (if you can find it) and my personal favorite, the Eel.

In one area you can find sharks swimming around with groupers. For 25 cents you can get even closer to the sharks via a camera ball in the tank. Once your done with the inside portion of the aquarium, make your way outside where there is a monk seal, and an area where you can touch sea urchins.

Entertainment: 3
Educational: 4
Price: 3
Cafe: N/A
Gift Shop: 3
Overall: 3

Additional Information

Address
2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu HI

Hours of Operation
Sun - Sat.: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day: 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
New Years Day: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed on Honolulu marathon day ( 2nd sunday of december) and Christmas Day

Prices
Adult: $9
Military, Seniors (65+) student, kama'aina: $6
Children (5-12) $2
Kids under 4: Free

For additional information, visit. www.waquarium.org

Diamond Head National Park

If your a big outdoorsy type of person that likes to climb mountains and challenge the strength and endurance of your leg muscles, then Diamond Head is right for you. Diamond Head is the remains of an erupted volcano long ago. The end result is a big crater that you can climb up the sides of to see a fantastic view of the ocean at the top. Diamond head actually used to be an army outpost used to keep an eye on enemy ships out on the horizon. The bunkers are still there, and in order to get to the very top you actually have to climb through the side of one of the bunkers to get to the very top. The start of the path begins by winding up the side of the mountain.

Once your done with the winding pathways, you will come to a tunnel in the mountain, go through this tunnel to confront your next challenge. a stairway to the more tunnels that eventually lead to the old army bunkers. Before your venture up the stairs, take a look at the walls. There is the occasional graffiti but there are also names of soldiers back in the 1940s if you look hard enough.

Once you enter the bunkers, you can see the strategic advantage having these bunkers on the top would have been in spotting enemy warships out in the open ocean.

Climb through the opening of the bunker (no your not going over the cliff) to reach another path that goes to the very top. The view is spectacular.

Entertainment: 4

Educational: N/A

Price: 5

Cafe: 3

Gift shop: N/A

Overall: 4

Additional Information

Hours of Operation

Sun. - Sat. 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Last entrance to hike is at 4:30 p.m.

Address

Diamond Head Rd., Honolulu HI

Price

$5 per car OR $1 per person CASH ONLY

For more information visit: www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/index.cfm?park_id=15

Valor in the Pacific and Submarine Museum

Between the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Bowfin the Submarine Museum are various static displays. When you first enter the park, you will start off by seeing various types of torpedoes  and missiles. The picture above is of Regulus 1, a Ship/submarine launched nuclear cruise missile built back in the 50's. Some of the designs at the park might actually surprise you. For instance, did you know they had a nuclear torpedo? Sounds like a great idea if you want to kill the enemy and commit suicide at the same time right? Needless to say, they were rarely used and were discontinued. You will also see the very first submarine launched ballistic missiles.

Now as was mentioned back in the post of the USS Bowfin, You will be unable to go up inside the actual operations center of the sub, but there is a cutaway version that you can explore. This is located next to the 40MM Anti-aircraft guns and the Japanese kamikaze torpedo.

A little ways off from the torpedoes is a memorial to all 52 submarines that were lost in WWII.

Now on to the museum. Now you might think that the first submarine might have been used back in WWI, but the first submarine was actually used by confederate forces back in the American civil war. from there, submarines took off and developed over the years to become what it is today. Also in the museum, you will find mini training subs that were used to teach others how to identify friendly subs and enemy subs. Among the memorabilia are various items that submariners would take aboard to make life a little less stressful. Near the end of the museum, you will find several models of modern submarines that have made a name for themselves. As you can tell, there is a lot to do and see at the Valor in the Pacific park. The USS Missouri, USS Arizona, USS Bowfin, Pacific Aviation Museum, Submarine museum, and of course the the various static displays. Visiting all these sites in one day is literally impossible so be sure to plan, at the very least, two days to checking out his massive exhibit.

Entertainment: 4
Educational: 4
Price: 3
Cafe: 3
Gift shop: 3
Overall: 3

Additional Information

Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pkwy

Hours of Operation: Sun- Sat: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Price: See website for pricing Information

For more Information, visit: http://www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm

Hickam AFB Hotspots *MILITARY ONLY*

Pearl Harbor as you know, wasn't the only place attacked on December 7th. The nearby Ford Island, was bombed to oblivion because of the fighters on the ground that could have greatly reduced the casualties had they gotten into the air. Hickam AFB, then known as Hickam Field, also suffered a great number of casualties. The barracks were probably the worst hit. The battle damage can still be seen today through out various parts of the base.

The airmen, inside the barracks were trapped while bullets were literally going through the walls. those lucky enough to survive grabbed guns and ammo and fought literally in their undergarments. Those wounded were transported to the hospital, which is still in use today. There is a plaque in front of the entrance telling of the horrors that awaited them on the steps of the hospital as hundreds poured in from Hickam Field and the battleships.

Right across from the hospital is a static display of an RB-26 Invader and a memorial dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor and members of the 11th Bombardment Group who lost their lives in the Pacific Theater.

Also on the base is what is called the Freedom Tower. It is basically a water tower that was built before WWII but has since been dedicated to those who serve in both past, present, and future.

The last place I visited was at the Officers club. There is a memorial there depicting four F-22s in a missing man formation. For those who don't know, The Missing Man Formation is a flying formation in honor of those who were lost. It is a four ship formation, and the middle plane takes to the skies, symbolizing the heaven bound journey the fallen make.

There are other locations which I was not able to see. But if you wish to see if there is a tour available for certain hotspots at Hickam, check out ITT to see if they have any.