This small museum has interesting display on different types of sand from around the nation, a netted catwalk, a bubble area and simulated beach. The full-body bubble was a bust though because it wouldn't go past CJ's knees before popping. 

Among others, there are sections on patterns, music (including playable instruments), the sea, human body, visual distortions, and telephones.

OUR RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

We would have given the Long Island Children's Museum a 3 star rating except for two things: 

1. The complete section devoted to teaching about handicapped life and how disabilities are more "differentabilities" than actual inability to live a "normal" life.


2. The newsroom that actually allows children to put on a simulated newscast.

Teleprompters, "green screen" technology, and working microphones kept CJ engaged for almost an hour each time. However, his "best memory" is of the catwalk.

As you can tell by the picture, our visit was back in 2009. When CJ was younger. If you'd like to read more recent reviews, check out the LICM page on Trekaroo.

To get more info on admission pricing, hours of operation and directions, head on over to the Long Island Children's Museum's website.

We do recommend getting a membership. Not only did we get free admission for an entire year, we got reciprocal benefits at several science and children's museums nationwide.

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Today, we're visiting the swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

• The 2011 Atchafalaya Basin Festival will be held on Saturday, November 12th in Henderson, Louisiana.


• Google search for "Breaux Bridge Louisiana Atchafalaya Basin swamp tours".

We'd Love To Hear From You!

If you have a location in the Rio Grande Valley (anything south of the San Antonio and Corpus Christi metroplexes) that you'd like us to check out for you or if you'd like to host us anywhere in North America, send us a message.

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P.S. In case you are interested, the song for this video is Cory McCauley's "Two Step de Pointe aux Tigres".

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One of the biggest decisions a family can make is where to spend their time and money. Sometimes it's hard to know in advance if something is going to be appropriate for our kids, have the right amenities, be well-maintained and still fit in the budget.

That's where we come in.

We make short virtual tours and reviews of different locations to help you make the most of your family's fun time!

Today, we're visiting the Eden Valley Refuge in Baldwin, Iowa.

• Iowa Beautiful - Eden Valley Refuge


• My County Parks - Eden Valley Refuge


• MapQuest Map


• Google Maps Map


• Cost of Admission: Free (unless you want a special activity)

We'd Love To Hear From You!

If you have a location in the Rio Grande Valley (anything south of the San Antonio and Corpus Christi metroplexes) that you'd like us to check out for you or if you'd like to host us anywhere in North America, send us a message.

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P.S. In case you are interested, the song is Ghost Of An Earthworm (Instrumental) by Loch Lomond.

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• 

On the 18th of August, we stopped at the Crazy 'Bout Crawfish Cajun Cafe in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. We know the reviews on TripAdvisor are split pretty evenly between "this place rocks" and "this place sucks" but our experience was pretty good.

What We Tried

We tried the combo platter with a little of everything and had alligator bites for an appetizer. It was all good except for the white rice. It was kinda bland.

The cheesy, mini-pies were so delicious that we graciously accepted an extra one from one of our companions.

[su_pullquote align="right"]Alligator bites have the look of popcorn chicken, the texture of shrimp, and taste like – wait for it – chicken![/su_pullquote]If you like the spices that the Crazy 'Bout Crawfish Cajun Cafe uses, you can actually buy a container or three on your way out.

How Much

There were four adults and one child at our table. The individual prices gave us sticker shock (we didn't remember paying that much in that area before) but we were told it's par for the course after the BP thing. After factoring inflation into the pricing we remembered, our table's total (with tip) was pretty reasonable. It came in at just under $128. Not bad for huge plates of seafood.

Other Notes

The restrooms were clean. Our heavily pregnant server was really nice. Wish we could remember her name. Yes, we've got pictures of the food and their service was pretty good but what struck us as ingenious was their ceiling. They've painted business cards on the ceiling tiles!

Later on, in Orange, Texas, we stopped at a diner (can't remember the name) that had business cards professionally applied to their tables. We must have missed the memo. In all of our adventures, not once have we seen something like this! Is this a new trend or has this been around for a while? Oh yeah, Crazy 'Bout Crawfish Cajun Cafe also serves food in fish shaped dishes or canoe-like artwork. CJ tried to buy one of the latter but no dice.

Final Verdict

Not bad but not totally impressive either. It may be that we're accustomed to South Texas fare, South Texas spices. We felt the same way about a lot of the restaurants and diners we've stopped at. All things considered, we would stop by again.

• 

Update: Sunday, June 29, 2014

Crazy 'Bout Crawfish Cajun Cafe is a 2014 winner of TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence.

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This video is provided by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to illustrate the dangerous speed of fires like the ones currently raging here in Texas.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhJeDYQVtdQ?rel=0&w=520&h=445]

For full coverage of the Bastrop County fires, please visit the Austin-American Statesman's website.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those (people and animal alike) who are or will be affected by this disaster.

Have fun, stay safe and God bless,

 

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One of the biggest decisions a family can make is where to spend their time and money. Sometimes it's hard to know in advance if something is going to be appropriate for our kids, have the right amenities, be well-maintained and still fit in the budget.

That's where we come in.

We make short virtual tours and reviews of different locations to help you make the most of your family's fun time! 

Today, we're visiting Garza Park in McAllen, Texas.

• City of McAllen Parks Page


• MapQuest Map to Garza Park


• Cost of Admission: Free

We'd Love To Hear From You!

If you have a location in the Rio Grande Valley (anything south of the San Antonio and Corpus Christi metroplexes) that you'd like us to check out for you or if you'd like to host us anywhere in North America, send us a message.

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P.S. Sorry about the camera issues. All the traveling we've done has apparently taken it's toll on our beloved little camera. We plan to replace it soon. When we do, we'll be uploading a better version of this video.

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A lot of folks are against the situation(s) we find ourselves in. However, we as a people should not declare war on our troops!

If we had a problem with how the postal service was being run, we wouldn't attack the mailman. It wouldn't do any good. He or she is just doing their job.

It's the same with our military!

If anything, it's worse for our guys and girls in uniform because THEY bear the brunt of the horror that is war.

"Regardless of what we think of the war(s), our soldiers are just doing their jobs. Direct complaints and criticism to the people in charge."
~ Pearl 'Penny' Lane, C.P.C.

We just Tweeted this but felt it needs to be repeated. The Soula Boy military dis brouhaha is a direct indication of our times.

We can complain and gripe all we want but we're not the ones coming back with PTSD, nightmares and wounds. They don't need grief from us too.

Regardless of whether they joined out of a deep belief in defending our country, to pay for college or to have a relatively secure job (during peace time, it was secure), they are out there doing what you and I can't or won't do.

So, to every service person who reads this: thank you and I'm sorry for all the bad things you have gone through and will go through in the future. Some of us do appreciate your sacrifices.

Have fun, stay safe and God bless,

 

 

 

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Someone has been going around one of the local parks and 'tagging' the bottom of the picnic tables with actual artwork.

Another park had a Che Guevara profile pic but we didn't have our camera on hand to document it.

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We've been told we're goofy, crazy and fun. Sometimes we can sing really well too.

A few people even suggested we become entertainers.

Whether they meant it as a joke or not, we figured, what the heck? Let's do it!

Have you ever done something crazy and fun just because you could?

Have fun, stay safe and God bless,

 

 

 

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With all that is going on in the world today, it's more important than ever to find our "happy place".

Adults and children alike are getting burned out. The constant bombardment of negative news, bad things happening and a society that's always plugged in contributes to frayed nerves and bad tempers.

[su_quote cite="Pearl 'Penny' Lane-Soliz" url="https://PennysEmpowermentClub.com"]"Don't forget to make time for fun! It will help you to be grateful and not be upset about all the bad stuff that's going on."[/su_quote]

It may seem frivolous but we desperately need time to heal, regroup and restore our souls.

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