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America’s Incredible Pizza Company
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If your family or group is travelling through Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or Springfield Missouri, and your crew is hungry—head on over to America’s Incredible Pizza Company for great food and “incredible” fun at very reasonable prices! I’ve been to two Incredible Pizza’s—the one in Oklahoma City and the one in Springfield, Missouri. We went with a large group of cheerleaders, their siblings, and their parents. Ages ranged from toddler to adult. Everyone had a wonderful time! I didn’t hear one complaint—only raves about the food and fun!
FOOD: The food is quick (no long waits at a table with your hungry children). Incredible Pizza offers an all-you-can-eat buffet where every single cooked item on the buffet is made from scratch in their kitchen every day. Once you’ve got your food, head in to one of their fun, themed dining rooms such as the cool Drive-In Room, a retro 50’s Diner, or the sporty Gymnasium.
• Pizza - They offer over 30 varieties of pizza each day, with three different crusts. You can even request a certain type of pizza. They’ll make it fresh, just for you.
• Pasta - Choose from spaghetti with meatballs, macaroni and cheese, or devise your own creation with marinara sauce, meat sauce, or Alfredo sauce coupled with fettuccini, spaghetti, or fusilli.
• More - The buffet also offers a Baked Potato Bar, Homemade Soups, Fresh Salad Bar, Desserts, and drinks.
FUN: After everyone’s belly is full, it’s time for the fun! As you enter the Fair Grounds you’ll be amazed with the amount of activities offered—there’s something for everyone!
• Go-Kart Races - These go-karts are much more fun than many of the smaller, slower versions you find at other amusement-type locations. Race against other drivers in their 10-lap Nascar-like races on an indoor track. Visit their web site or call for height and age requirements.
• Bumper Cars - Those who don’t feel the “need for speed” can drive and bump into family and friends in their Bumper Cars—each with a fun animal theme.
• Route 66 Mini Golf - Putt around on their indoor Mini Golf Course, and learn about the U.S. as you play. Complete a quiz at the end of the course to win up to 10 prize redemption tickets!
• Bowling: IncrediBowl and/or Route 66 Mini-Bowling - The younger crew may prefer the Route 66 Mini-Bowling which offers little ones their own Mini Bowl lanes for a fun, six-frame game. IncrediBowl offers traditional bowling. Shoe rental is required for all bowling except Mini Bowl. (*Note: Not all locations have bowling lanes – check your location for details.)
• Incredible Kids’ Play Area - Little ones will climb, play, and enjoy pint-size fun in this safe play area.
• Video and Arcade Games - More than 100 games for all kinds of fun for everyone—and they are all G-rated for clean family fun! Redeem tickets you win in the Big Top Prize area.
| LOCATIONS: Current locations are listed below. Go to www.incrediblepizza.com for a listing of future locations. |
• Warr Acres’ Incredible Pizza Company
5833 NW Expressway, Warr Acres, OK 73132
Phone: (405) 721-0038
Web: www.ipcwarracres.com
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• Springfield’s Incredible Pizza Company
2850 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65807
Phone: (417) 887-3030
Web: www.incrediblepizza.com/springfield
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• Tulsa’s Incredible Pizza Company
8314 E. 71st Street, Tulsa, OK 74133
Phone: (918) 294-8671
Web: www.incrediblepizza.com/tulsa
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• Conroe’s Incredible Pizza Company
230 S. Loop 336 W., Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: (936) 441-2222
Web: www.incrediblepizza.com/conroe
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• Sugar Land’s Incredible Pizza Company
3412 State Hwy 6 South, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: (281) 313-0631
Web: www.ipcsugarland.com
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• Houston’s Incredible Pizza Company
3645 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 77068
Phone: (281) 583-1410
Web: www.ipc1960.com |
Great Wolf Lodge
We visited the Great Wolf Lodge. A fun hotel with an indoor water park!
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Jefferson City, Missouri
The capitol city of Missouri is a cultural and historical treasure. We visited on a school field trip.
Click here to see the pictures!
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10 Things You Should Know
Before Scheduling A Cruise
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Although a vacation on a cruise ship can be a lot of fun, there are some things that I wish I would have known before I scheduled my first cruise. I have listed a few below.
1. Swimming. Most, if not all, pools and hot tubs on the ship are filled with salt water--not chlorinated tap water like your neighborhood and public pools.
2. Communication. If you have children that are old enough to spend some time by themselves on the ship, bring along high-quality walkie-talkies to keep in touch. Cell phones don't work much of the time when you're at sea.
3. Shore Excursions. When you see "It's more than a cruise," on television advertisements, and visions of exciting adventures such as horseback riding in the ocean, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, etc. dancing across the screen-- they are showing examples of available shore excursions which are NOT included in the price of your cruise package! You can schedule these activities for an additional fee; many of which are expensive. Be careful about getting your heart set on a specific excursion, too, because sometimes it will be canceled due to weather.
4. Ports. You don't always get to go to the ports you are scheduled to visit. If the weather is bad, they will skip that stop or possibly detour to another location.
5. Cabins. Don't expect a large, luxurious room. Most every cabin on the ship is very compact, and whatever you do, don't drop the bar of soap in the shower. It's almost impossible to pick up!
6. Food. Although the food is good, I don't believe it's as great as you might have heard. And if you cruise for longer than 4 or 5 days, you will get very tired of eating the food on board. The rule of thumb is this: the more expensive and luxurious the cruise line, the better the food. You should try to make it to the midnight buffet at least once-- no matter how tired you may be. It is truly a beautiful and delicious event.
7. Drinks. Not all of the food and/or drinks on the cruise ships are included in the price of your vacation. This policy varies depending on which cruise line you book. On one of my previous cruises, the sodas, espresso drinks, and gourmet desserts (such as the large chocolate covered strawberries) all cost extra. Alcoholic drinks will also be added to your bill. The cruise line we used sold soda cards for approximately $30 per person that allowed the holder to get a soda "for free" from any restaurant or bar for the entirety of the cruise. Also, if you, like me are addicted to espresso drinks, you should know that some ships don't offer these types of beverages.
8. Gratuities. Gratuities aren't included in the cruise price. You are expected (and it is often charged automatically to your personal ship account) to tip your room steward, maitre'd, and your dinner waiters. This is done in one lump sum at the conclusion of your voyage, and the amount is predetermined by the cruise line (although this amount can be altered by you depending upon the quality of service you received). On the cruise I recently took, each passenger above the age of two years was expected to tip. Also, if you order room service, you are supposed to tip the crew member that delivers your food.
9. Ship Activities. You will spend the majority of your vacation on the ship. So before scheduling a cruise for your family, check to see what type of kid-friendly activities are offered. You will enjoy having a little time to yourself, so make sure your vacation package includes exciting, supervised activities for your child's age group.
10. Land Legs. When the cruise is over, you might not get your land legs back for a few days, and for some people it can take up to a week or two. You often feel the "motion of the ocean" at work or home.
*Bonus Tip: Our favorite cabin was an interior room (no windows) on the lowest level in the middle of the boat. The room was always dark when you needed to catch a few winks in the middle of the day, and there was very little motion even when the seas were rough. The interior rooms are also less expensive than the outer rooms.
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 Ramblin’ Road Trip
South Dakota
The Badlands, Crazy Horse Monument, Mount Rushmore, Other “Family Approved Attractions”
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My husband and I and our two children, Ryan age 12 and Lauren age 10, loaded up the minivan and headed out on our very own ramblin’ road trip. We spent 11 days traveling 3,405 miles of some of the most beautiful country in the United States. We had adventures and misadventures. We stayed at some beautiful hotels and some rather disgusting ones, too. Before we ever left home, we decided we were going to stop when and where we wanted—we didn't want a schedule to follow. Well, that brings me to my first tip: make reservations! You can't always stay where you'd like when you don't have reservations. We found entire cities with no vacancies at any hotel, lodge, or inn.
I'd like to share what we found in South Dakota.
Whether you are a family just needing a break from the daily grind or whether you are a homeschooling family that enjoys learning by seeing and doing, South Dakotas Black Hills and Badlands offers oodles of activities and sites that will thrill and entertain people of all ages!
Badlands:
Badlands National Park protects over 244,000 acres of sculpted Badlands and mixed-grass prairie. The park is home to a variety of plants and animals. The Badlands formations also contain the fossils of creatures that roamed the land years and years ago.
Hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, and horseback riding are all allowed in the park. Ranger programs include guided hikes and walks, talks and illustrated programs, and special treats such as the Night Prowl.
Kids ages of 5 - 12 years can become a Junior Ranger! They can either attend a Junior Ranger program at 10:30 a.m. (meet at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater) for 45 minutes of laughing and learning (the program is different every day) or they can purchase a Junior Ranger booklet for $1.50 at the bookstore in the Cedar Pass Contact Station, complete the book, and return it to a ranger at the information desk where they will receive their Junior Ranger badge. This is great for homeschooling families!
Tip: Check the weather forecast before heading to the Badlands. Severe thunderstorms are common during the summer. So are days above 100°F. September and October are the best backpacking months.
Highway 240 has been designated a Scenic Byway and is your primary access to the scenery of Badlands National Park.
Entrance Fees:
• Individual Entry (Bike, Foot) $5 (7 Day Pass)
• Private Non-commercial Vehicle $10 (7 Day Pass)
Mailing address: Badlands National Park, P.O. Box 6, Interior, South Dakota, 57750
Web site: www.nps.gov/badl/
Phone: 605-433-5361
Source: Prairie Preamble - The official newspaper of Badlands National Park
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 Crazy Horse:
Crazy Horse Memorial—still in progress—is the worlds largest mountain carving and it honors the Native American. This year-round family attraction is open 7 a.m. to dark in the summer and 8 a.m. to dark during the off-season. It is a nonprofit, educational, and cultural undertaking. Crazy Horse is financed primarily by admissions and contributions.
It began in 1947 when sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski arrived in the Black Hills to accept the Indians’ invitation to carve the mountain. Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bears invitation said, “My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too.”
There are 3 main goals for Crazy Horse Memorial: completion of the mountain carving, an Indian Museum of North America (in existence), and the planned University and Medical Center for the North American Indian.
The 9-story-high face of Crazy Horse was completed in 1998. Work has now shifted to the lower half of the 219-foot high horses head.
While visiting Crazy Horse, plan on seeing the mountain carving in progress, a beautiful 40,000 sq. ft. orientation center, Indian Museum of North America (3 wings), Native American Cultural Center (2 levels), sculptors log studio home and workshop, antiques and art, sculpture galleries and sculptors 1/34th Crazy Horse scale model, and much more! The Legends in Light multi-media laser-light program is offered nightly throughout the summer beginning around 9 p.m. This is laser-light storytelling that illuminates cultural diversity, celebrates similarities, and encourages better understanding and harmony among races and nations. There is also a restaurant, snack shop, and gift shops.
Entrance Fees:
• $10 for ages 6 & up; under 6 is free.
• $24 per carload
Mailing address: Crazy Horse Memorial, Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, South Dakota 57730-9506
Web site: www.crazyhorsememorial.org
Phone: 605-673-4681
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 Mount Rushmore:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is open year-round. The memorial can be viewed from the roadside at any time. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began drilling into the 5,725-foot mountain in 1927. Creation of the Shrine of Democracy took 14 years and cost a mere $1 million. Mount Rushmore features the busts of four exalted American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Did You Know? The 4 presidents chosen for Mount Rushmore represent the birth, growth, preservation, and development of the United States of America.Washington represented the birth of our country since he was the first president; Jefferson represented the growth since he was primarily responsible for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803; Lincoln represented preservation of the union of states in confronting the challenges of the Civil War; and Theodore Roosevelt represented the development of our country.
The Avenue of Flags leads from the Concession Building to the Grandview Terrace. The flags of the 56 states and territories fly below the memorial. It’s a lot of fun to find your state’s flag!
The memorial offers interpretive programs, exhibits, and a 13-minute film at the Lincoln Borglum Museum. Rangers provide interpretive walks and talks, including the Evening Sculpture Lighting Ceremony. The lighting program takes place at approximately 9 p.m. from May-September in the amphitheater. Other programs offered include guided walks to the Sculptor’s Studio, Presidential Trail walks, talks on the Grandview Terrace, afternoon children’s activities, and studio talks. Stop by the information center first to discover information about current activities and programs.
Kids 5 to 12 years old can become a Junior Ranger! This program helps children develop an understanding and appreciation for National Parks, with a special emphasis on Mount Rushmore. To earn the Junior Ranger certificate and have the opportunity to purchase the Junior Ranger patch, the kids must attend a ranger-led activity or watch the 13-minute film, “Mount Rushmore, the Shrine” at the Visitor Center. They also must complete the Junior Ranger booklet and turn it in to a ranger at the Visitor Center or Information Center. This is great for homeschooling families!
What about older kids? Don’t despair—kids ages 13 years and older can complete the Rushmore Ranger program and receive a certificate and then they may purchase a patch from one of the bookstores. Booklets for this program are available at the Information Center or Lincoln Borglum Museum. Estimated completion time is one hour.
Tip: The memorial is best viewed and photographed in the morning light.
Did You Know? More than 2.5 million visitors come to view the colossal faces of Mount Rushmore each year. The faces are scaled to men who would have been 465 feet tall.
Entrance Fees:
• Free, but there is an $8 per car fee for parking (good for 1 year).
Mailing address: Mount Rushmore History Association, 13000 Highway 244, Building 31, Suite 2, Keystone, South Dakota 57751
Web site: www.nps.gov/moru
Phone: 1-800-699-3142
Source: The Mount Rushmore Visitor’s Guide - The official newspaper of Mount Rushmore National Memorial
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 Other “Family Approved Attractions”
Besides the Black Hills scenery and national parks, you’ll find a surprising array of fun attractions your kids will enjoy. The best of these fun spots have joined together into a trade association called “Family Approved Attractions” and have pledged themselves to a code of quality control. Each year, paying customers evaluate the attractions. This report card checks on safe premises, truthfulness in advertising, good value for price, wholesome entertainment suitable for the whole family, and 8 other measures of customer satisfaction. Their aim is to provide the best in wholesome, G-rated entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
One of my family’s favorite was the President’s Alpine Slide:
• President’s Alpine Slide - This attraction is a blast! You ride a chairlift up the mountain where you will have a great view of Mount Rushmore. Enjoy some time at the summit—eat at the Mountaintop Cafe and explore the beautiful paths and scenery. Then when you’re ready, hop in a sled and ride down the alpine slide. Don’t worry, you can control the speed of your sled. Small children may ride with an adult. Guest may opt to ride the chairlift back down if they prefer. www.presidentsslide.com 605-666-4478
Visit www.blackhillsattractions.com for a list of all the other “Family Approved Attractions.”
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