My favorite family-travel posts from the past week:

• New England Aquarium and The Boston Freedom Trail, Boston, MA, at Have Kid Will Travel.
• My Kids’ Picks: Best of Yosemite at Kids Go West.
• Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ) at NYCityMama.
• Fun Interactive Fountains for Kids around Atlanta at Atlanta with Kid.
• Garden of the Gods (Colorad0) at SixSuitcaseTravel.
• Best Things to Do around Flagstaff, AZ, at Traveling Mamas.
• Hoh Rain Forest (Olympic National Park, Washington) at Suite101.
• International Spy Museum (Washington, D.C.) at RoadsideAmerica.
• Atlanta: Five Free Things to Do with Kids at Travel Savvy Mom.
• The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage at Suite101.
• Why People Visit Split Rock Lighthouse (Minnesota) at Split Rock Lighthouse.
• Five Reasons Not to Go to DisneyWorld on Your Summer Vacation at Uptake Vacations.
• Japanese Tea Garden (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA) at Journey into Unschooling.
• Lost River Gorge, White Mountains, New Hampshire, at Uptake Attractions.
• The High Museum of Art Atlanta with Kids at Atlanta with Kid.
• 5 Essential Stops on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula at Fodor’s.
• Family Travel in South Dakota: The 50 States Series at Family Travel Guide.
• Gettysburg Family Vacation (PA) at Travelmuse.
• Homewood Suites at Travel Savvy Mom.
• Top 10 Cruise Ships for Children at Tripso.
• Five Reasons to Hike with Your Kids at Travel Savvy Mom.
• Camping with Children: The Basics at A Frog Mom in California (by way of Frisco Kids).
• Tips on Bicycle Etiquette at TravelingMom.

Until next week, happy travels!

Entry deadline is July 10 at midnight, so if you haven’t entered the giveaway yet for this Blue Bunny trip, don’t delay.  It includes  travel money and a hotel stay in addition to the Ice Cream Capital of the World.  Don’t miss your chance to win this prize package!

My intention this summer was to write almost-daily posts about places we’ve been, so I must apologize that my writing has been infrequent.  I had forgotten how much busier life is when all four kids are at home, as well as the amount of time a garden’s bounties take to gather and prepare.  Add in a few family outings, and it’s not a recipe for a lot of blogging.  I hope you’ll understand, and hope your summer is as much fun as ours has been.

I will make note of a few things we’ve done this summer, however.

• North Dakota Vacation:  I’ve written about a few places we visited, but I have a lot left.  I wish we would have had even more time to travel around the state.  Eight days wasn’t enough.  If you’re ever looking for an affordable vacation destination, don’t count out North Dakota.  On July 13, they’re opening a new historical site near Cooperstown, the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site.  Missile sites used to dot the landscape all over North Dakota, fenced-in areas in farm fields that were shrouded with mystery because only military personnel could go on-site.  Now the public will get a chance to see what these sites were like, both in the control center and underground where the missiles were kept.
• Camping:  We used Craigslist to buy a well-used travel trailer and have now entered the world of camping, although we’re really not “roughing it.”  We intend this to be a cost-saving measure when traveling (remember how hard it is to find a hotel room that fits us, not to mention the expense?) as well as a vehicle for some last-minute weekends.  We managed one weekend trip at the beautiful Ft. Ridgely State Park campground and are looking forward to another outing soon.  (If you know of any great campgrounds in Minnesota or surrounding states, I’d love to hear about them.)
• Swimming Lessons:  One of our rites of summer, we have two and a half weeks of swimming lessons under our belts.  It’s fun to watch the kids progress in their skills from year to year.  I like doing lessons early in the summer so they can practice when we go to a lake or a pool.
• Day trips and overnights:
  • Early in the summer, we headed to eastern Minnesota to revisit LARK Toys in Kellogg and Historic Forestville near Preston.
  • We had thought about going camping for the 4th of July weekend, but opted for a day trip instead.  We went to the parade in Delano, MN, and then visited the “Farmer’s Fourth of July” at the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River.
• Upcoming events include Vacation Bible School, a trip to North Dakota to see my family, a week at a resort with hubby’s family, and possibly another weekend getaway.  We’re doing all we can to enjoy the summer.

I’ll be back to posting more regularly as time allows.  Hopefully you’re having a great summer, too!

One of my favorite things about summer in our area is that the local communities have flag displays. Some have an “avenue of flags” near a veterans memorial or government building, and others, like my small town, line Main Street with American flags.

Flags on Main Street

There’s something special about seeing lines of American flags waving in the breeze.

We don’t have firm plans for Independence Day, and that’s all right.  We’ll find something fun to do as a family and enjoy the freedom we have here in the U.S.A.

See more great photos at Deliciousbaby’s Photo Fridays.

What are your plans for the 4th of July?

Blue Bunny Birthday Cake Ice Cream

This is my first giveaway here at Travels with Children, and it’s a good one.  In honor of National Ice Cream Month, the folks at Blue Bunny (r) are sponsoring a yummy trip to the Ice Cream Capital of the World.

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Capital of the World

You may have read about our family’s trip to the Ice Cream Capital of the World on this blog or at the Uptake Attractions blog.  It was a tasty stop on our Iowa trip last summer.

“But I have no plans to visit Iowa,” you say.  Well, you’re in luck.  Not only does this prize package include admission to the Blue Bunny Visitor Center and some treats at the ice cream parlor, it includes gas money, a meal in LeMars, and a hotel stay.

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor

Here’s the scoop:  (get it, scoop?)

The Ice Cream Capital of the World trip package includes:

• Free admission to the Ice Cream Capital of the World Visitor Center and Museum (up to six people)
• $200 Visa gift card to assist with gas expense
• $25 gift card to the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor
• $50 giftcard to Four Brothers Restaurant in Le Mars
• Free one-night stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Le Mars

Isn’t that a great package?  To enter, keep reading.

• Entrant must be a legal resident of one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C.
• My family and household are ineligible to enter.
• No purchase necessary to enter.
• One winner will be chosen by random drawing.
• Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.
• Winner will be required to provide shipping information within five business days of notification.
• Prize will be shipped directly from Blue Bunny.
• Contest begins July 1, 2009.  Contest ends July 10, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
• Void where prohibited.

There are several ways to enter.  Each person may use each method of entry once.

1. Basic Entry (name and e-mail address).
2. Subscribe to Travels with Children.
3. Subscribe to Uptake Attractions.
4. Follow me @minnemom on twitter and tweet this message:
   It’s National Ice Cream Month!  Blue Bunny prize package giveaway by @minnemom. Enter by July 10. http://minnemom.com

Good luck, and Happy National Ice Cream Month!

(If the entry form sticks on “loading,” leave your entry in the comments: name; e-mail address; type of entry. Sorry for the trouble.)

If you want to win some yummy Blue Bunny ICE CREAM, head over to Traveling Mamas for their Blue Bunny Giveaway!

• Finding More Fun: Carnival of Family Travel 06/17/2009
  Posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 in Carnival of Family Travel - Comments: (4)
  While I was on vacation for a while, these writers obviously weren’t.  Enjoy these offering from the past few weeks: 24 Hours in New York City at Travel Savvy Mom. Christ Church Philadelphia at The Mother of All Trips. Top Attractions in Las Vegas for School-Age Kids at Traveling Mamas. Fun for the Whole Family in Kansas City at CNN. New York City Museum Stroller Policies at Mommy Poppins.
• Medora Musical in Medora, North Dakota
  Posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 in Theatre - Comments: (5)
  A trip to the town of Medora, North Dakota, isn’t complete without seeing the Medora Musical.  This entertaining variety show is performed nightly throughout the summer months, and is the highlight of many North Dakota vacation plans.The Medora Musical has been running annually since 1965, and I remember attending the musical as a child.  Back then, it had bench seating and lots of stairs.
• World’s Largest Sandhill Crane in Steele, North Dakota
  Posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 in Roadside Attractions - Comments: (9)
  Before we got to North Dakota, I’d never even heard of a sandhill crane.  I knew that the World’s Largest Buffalo (in Jamestown) and the World’s Largest Holstein (in New Salem) were along I-94, but the World’s Largest Sandhill Crane, in Steele, must be a newer phenomenon.We needed gas in Steele as well, and somehow I concerned enough about the gas situation as we pulled off the interstate that I missed the Sandhill Crane.
• Toilet Art, Part Deux
  Posted on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 in Roadside Attractions - Comments: (2)
  Many of you were amused by my earlier “toilet art” post that included this photo:Well, the plot thickens.This morning, I took the toilet route again, mostly to amuse the kids. You wouldn’t believe how excited they were. “Boys, we just have to go around this curve, and then we’ll see the toilets!” I guess it’s a big deal when you’re five.
• World’s Largest Buffalo in Jamestown, North Dakota
  Posted on Thursday, June 18th, 2009 in Family Travel - Comments: (8)
  Did you know that North Dakota is the biggest when it comes to production of spring wheat, durum wheat, sunflowers, barley, dry edible beans, pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, barley, honey, lentils, and navy beans?  Bet you didn’t know so much of your food came from North Dakota!North Dakota is known for a few other big things, however:  The World’s Largest Sandhill Crane, World’s Largest Holstein Cow (coming soon), and of course the World’s Largest Buffalo.
• Notes from the Road: North Dakota, Days 7-8
  Posted on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 in travel journal - Comments: (2)
  Our last two days on the road involved more driving and fewer big attractions than the beginning of the week, and the kids have been more and more tired as we go along.  If I were to do it again, I’d consider a shorter trip or plan in a little more down time.Friday we stopped at Lunds Landing west of Williston and had delicious Juneberry Pie and Juneberry Pancakes.
• Finding More Fun: Carnival of Family Travel, 06/24/2009
  Posted on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 in Carnival of Family Travel - Comments: (3)
  From east to west, with tips and ideas galore, here are some great family travel posts from the past week. Family Travel in Tennessee: The 50 States Series at Family Travel Guide. Beating the Summer Crowds at Legoland California at Uptake Attractions. Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy, CA) at Double the Adventure. Brockway Mountain Drive (Keweenaw Peninsula, MI) at Midwest Guest. Remlinger Farms and Family Fun Park in Carnation, WA, at Uptake Vacations.
• Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  Posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 in Children’s Museums - Comments: (3)
  I was a little nervous about our trip to the Please Touch Museum.  After all, we were going on a Sunday, during Christmas vacation, and we were meeting a friend with her husband and five kids.  That meant there would be 13 of us to keep together and happy.I needn’t have worried.Located in a beautiful building from the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876, the Please Touch Museum does exactly what its name says:  It invites kids to touch and play with anything and everything.
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park
  Posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 in National Park Service - Comments: (11)
  I realize my past few Photo Fridays have been of really big things, but this week I’m changing it up a bit.  Instead of larger-than-life man-made things, I’ll show off some of North Dakota’s natural beauty:  Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands of North Dakota.  These photos are from the South Unit of the park, near Medora.  You’ll see the North Unit in a later post.
• Let’s Go Bowling - For Free!
  Posted on Saturday, June 20th, 2009 in Family Travel - Comments: (3)
  One of our kids’ favorite things to do is to ask to go to our local bowling center.  A bowling alley is something that is still found in many small towns, and it’s good family fun.  This winter, we even took my husband’s parents, who hadn’t bowled since their league days 20 years ago.  It was fun to see how bowling is fun for all ages.

Lots of fun family travel posts this week!

• What Is the Hodag? at Suite101.  I had to include this since I’ve grown up with the Hodag legend and still have family in the area.
• A Day at the Farm (Green Meadows Petting Farm, Kissimmee, FL) at Home Run Mama.
• Daytona 500 Experience at The Rocket Scientist’s Guide to Raising Kids.
• 24 Amazing 4th of July Roadtrips at Tripbase.
• Grant’s Farm in St. Louis at Suite101.
• The National Dental Museum in Baltimore at The DC Traveler.
• Great Kills Park and Beach, Staten Island, NY, at NYCMama.
• Jelly Belly Factory (Fairfield, CA) at Frisco Kids.
• Torrey Pines State Reserve, CA, at Double the Adventure.
• Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia, CA, at Marin Mommies.
• St. Louis Zoo for Families at Suite101.
• Seattle on the Cheap at MatadorTrips.
• Got Teens?  Vegas Thrill Rides Best Bet at The Las Vegas Adventurer.
• Pioneer History at the Milton House (Milton, WI) at The Mother of All Trips.
• Sun & Earth Factory Tour (King of Prussia, PA) at The Savvy Grouse.  (Wish we’d known about this when we were in that neck of the woods.)
• Bayville Adventure Park, Long Island, NY, at Mommy Poppins.
• Going Batty in Louisville, KY (Louisville Slugger) at Eccentric Roadside.
• Surfing Goat Dairy, Kula, Maui, Hawaii, at Uptake Vacations.
• Millennium Park, Chicago, IL, at Uptake Attractions.
• Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Place? (Langhorne, PA) at the Savvy Grouse.
• Noah’s Ark (Los Angeles area) at Uptake Vacations.
• Top 10 4th of July Celebrations and Best Beaches for a July 4th Celebration at Away.
• Non-Annoying Children’s Music: Part 1 and Part 2 at C. Beth Blog.
• Camping Activities for Kids at Camping Blogger.
• Travel Etiquette: Five Things Parents Need to Know at You Must be Trippin’.
• 10 Great Audiobooks for Kids at Travel Savvy Mom.
• Traveling with a Toddler at The Juice.
• Packing Light when Traveling with Kids at You Must Be Trippin’.

If you’re going to be in Medora, ND for the Medora Musical, I recommend eating supper before the musical at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue.

What? You’ve never heard of a pitchfork fondue?

The Medora Pitchfork Fondue consists of steaks being put on the tines of pitchforks (nice, clean ones, of course), and cooked in hot oil.  And somehow those steaks are seasoned perfectly so that they come out just right.  Delicious!

Steak’s not the only part of the meal, though; they have all the trimmings as well–baked potatoes, baked beans, salad items, garlic toast,  lemonade, and brownies for dessert.  Kids can get a hot dog meal instead of a steak.  Prices range from $6 for a hot dog meal to $25.50 for a ribeye.  With tax included and no gratuity, that’s not a bad price for the amount of food you get.

The Pitchfork Steak Fondue shares a parking area with the Medora Musical, so you can head up the hill and stay for the evening.  If you’re planning to go on the Behind the Scenes tour, I’d recommend getting there at the beginning of the fondue; if not, you can wait until later in the serving time.  If there’s a long line when you arrive, don’t fret–they can serve an amazing number of people in a short amount of time, and there’s plenty of seating available.

The Pitchfork Steak Fondue overlooks the Badlands for a unique outdoor dining experience.  It’s a fun–and tasty– part of the Medora experience.

Note:  My family received complimentary meals at the Pitchfork Fondue.  This does not affect my review.

I realize my past few Photo Fridays have been of really big things, but this week I’m changing it up a bit.  Instead of larger-than-life man-made things, I’ll show off some of North Dakota’s natural beauty:  Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands of North Dakota.  These photos are from the South Unit of the park, near Medora.  You’ll see the North Unit in a later post.

If you’ve ever thought that North Dakota is just flat and boring, I offer this evidence to the contrary.

From east to west, with tips and ideas galore, here are some great family travel posts from the past week.

• Family Travel in Tennessee: The 50 States Series at Family Travel Guide.
• Beating the Summer Crowds at Legoland California at Uptake Attractions.
• Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy, CA) at Double the Adventure.
• Brockway Mountain Drive (Keweenaw Peninsula, MI) at Midwest Guest.
• Remlinger Farms and Family Fun Park in Carnation, WA, at Uptake Vacations.
• 5 Fun Places to Enjoy in New York City for Free at Travel Bargain Mama.
• The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, PA, at The Savvy Grouse.
• The Downtown Aquarium in Denver at The Denver Guide.
• A Day Out in Madison, WI, at The Mother of All Trips.
• The Little Red Lighthouse, Ft. Washington Park, NY, at NYCityMama.
• Summer Road Trip: Gold Country (Sonora, CA) at Marin Mommies.
• Honolulu: Five Family Favorites at Travel Savvy Mom.
• 5 Free Los Angeles Attractions at Travelmuse.
• History with Children in Philadelphia at Uptake Attractions.
• Cape Disappointment State Park (WA) at Uptake Vacations.
• Pick-your-own Farms around Atlanta at The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog.
• Where to Feed the Kids: Waffle House at Family Travel Guide.
• Be a Camping Pro, or Just Look Like One at Kids Go West.
• Planning and Saving on Family Camping Trips at Frommer’s.
• National Geographic Traveler Family Vacation Planner at Double the Adventure.
• Seattle Airport for Kids at One Tiny Suitcase.
• Family Road Trip Packing Tips and Checklist at Fodors.
• 5 Tips for Camping with a Toddler at Marin Mommies.
• Travel Etiquette: Five Things Parents Need to Know at You Must Be Trippin’.