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Go behind the scenes of the Discovery Children’s Museum on “KNPR’s State of Nevada” at desertcompanion.com/hearmore
travel
A family affair Strap in the brood and load up the car. These familyfriendly trips have something for kids of all ages (and your inner kid, too)
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By JoAnna Haugen
L i k e di nosau rs had a m osh p it Nearly 200 million years ago, dinosaurs trod the earth around the shores of an ancient lake in southern Utah, and, in 2000, the first of thousands of tracks made by these dinosaurs and other animals was discovered. Today, visitors can put on their archeologist caps and make tracks to the Dinosaur Discovery site at Johnson Farm, where they can see and learn about the history and ecology behind this footprint-thick site in the Southwest. A short movie provides background and context for the dinosaur foot, skin and tail prints, as well as the active excavations taking place in the area. Tip: Dinosaur Discovery is best for older kids who have an interest in prehuman history. 2180 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, dinosite.org Co m i n ’ down the m o u nta ii i i i i i i n! Part natural wonder, part amusement park, part historic experience, Glenwood Caverns Mountain high: is an adventure park perched on a mountain in ColGlenwood Caverns orado with a plethora of family activities. The actual cavern itself features large, open underground rooms that can be explored with a 50-minute tour, and blast-from-the-past diversions include digging for fossils and panning for gemstones. Many of this western-themed park’s rides take advantage of the mountainous setting, including the giant canyon swing and the Soaring Eagle zip ride, which lets riders fly down the side of the mountain. To catch the best views of the Rocky Mountains, ride the Iron Mountain Tramway, a gondola offering a seven-minute ride up the mountainside. Tip: Ticket prices can be steep; look for discounts on Groupon and similar sites. 51000 Two Rivers Plaza Road, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, glenwoodcaverns.com
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Companion | May 2013
Petal power: the wildflowers of Ridgecrest
Sweet dates i n a va ll e y . . . o f d eath ! For a short getaway from Las Vegas, combine an unusual piece of food history with a chance to enjoy nature at the China Ranch Date Farm located near southern Death Valley. A lush oasis in an otherwise barren desert, China Ranch is a small, family-owned operation that sells date-laden goods on site, but that’s not the only reason to visit. The ranch features an interesting mix of geology, botany, ecology and history, which can be explored via one of several interpretive guided nature walks and hikes that slip back into slot canyons, up to overlooks and through the