“Now I’ve had the time of my life…”

That famous anthem from “Dirty Dancing” went on heavy rotation in my head as my husband, six-year-old daughter and I began driving through the Clevelands House grounds.  There was a definite laid-back-resort-from-the-60s vibe running through this place in the Muskokas and I half expected to see Baby Houseman practicing steps lakeside.  Instead, people were playing tennis, lazing by the pools or meandering about with no real purpose.

We stopped the car in front of the North Lodge, an impressive white building and quickly began unloading our suitcases.  We were scheduled to board the Pirate Cruise shortly, a family event organized by the resort that set sail every Thursday afternoon. Click here to read more…

I suffer from Airplane Ear, a condition the Mayo Clinic describes in the following paragraph:

the stress exerted on your eardrum (tympanic membrane) and other middle ear tissues when the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. You may experience airplane ear at the beginning of a flight when the airplane is climbing or at the end of a flight when the airplane is descending. These fast changes in altitude cause air pressure changes and can trigger airplane ear.

In my case the pain happens on descent and to alleviate it I’ve tried chewing gum, breathing exercises and sucking on candy.  Nothing unfortunately has worked so I was curious when a product called EarPlanes was sent to me with the following claim:

EarPlanes is a patented pressure-regulating earplug that reduces discomfort, clogging, and popping associated with air travel.  The exclusive CeramX filter in Earplanes regulates air pressure naturally, eliminating ear pain caused by air pressure changes during the aircraft’s take-off and descent.

Would it work in my case?  I decided to put them to the test during a trip to New York City in June.  My six-year-old daughter Madison, who has complained about ear discomfort occasionally when flying, was also fitted with a smaller version of the product.

I followed the instructions to the letter when inserting the ear plugs in both Madison’s ears and mine.  My little girl felt that they were comfortable and she liked the fact that a lot of the airplane engine noise was gone.  I was having some issues with the right ear plug.  It was hurting so I re-adjusted it mid-air and had no problems after that.  Although I still had “clogged ears” upon descending, there wasn’t any pain at all.   Madison was all smiles – she had experienced no ear pain at all.  On the way back we had the same results.

One issue that bugs me about this product: these ear plugs can only be used twice so after you return home you have to throw them out.  Seems like a lot of waste to me.  The reason they can only be used twice is found on EarPlanes website:

During operation, air flows through the microscopic pores of the ceramic filter. Particles of smoke, pollen and airborne bacteria are small enough to eventually “clog” the filter and reduce effectiveness.

For more info on this product: earplanes.com

by Maria Rodrigues

I’ve always been interested in fabric so I was very excited to visit the Textile Museum of Toronto, located on Centre Avenue in the downtown core.

There are two floors, chocked full of exhibits that will even fascinate those who have no interest in fabric.   There is a small exhibit of sample making and embroidery, done by young girls who recorded their feelings thorough this type of work. One sample was made in 1823 by an eleven-year-old (see image below).

Image: Maria Rodrigues © 2008 Trips with Kids

The Permanent Collection Gallery is on that floor as well. In that gallery you will see the art of cutting through various samples of clothing.  It was interesting to see how the cut of trousers differs from country to country.  There are also exhibits of silk. There is an impressive robe (mangpao)  of silk satin with embroidered metal thread made in the late 19th century in Asia.

Fibrespace is a hands-on gallery.  You’ll see the various stages of plastic bottles being made into fibres and how animals, like sheep, silk worms and Alpaca, produce fibres for textiles.

Did you know fibres are made from plants too? Cotton, Hemp, Nettlebark from Nepal and Flax Flower are all fibre-producing plants.  The neat thing is that you can touch all the samples displayed.

On the third floor is the exhibit called When Women Rule The World: Judy Chicago in Thread.  Its purpose is to make you think of the question: What if women ruled the world?

It contains artwork from various female artists with hand-made beading, painting, appliqué work, quilting and embroidery.  There is an impressive piece – a large tapestry – named The Fall, done in 1993. This massive work, made of wool and silk, was woven by Audrey Cowan.  This exhibit will be running until August 2009.

Although small, this museum gives a whole new meaning to the word textile and it will certainly give you a different perspective on all the different fabrics you deal with on a daily basis whether it’s the clothing on your back or the plush carpet in your house.

For more information:  Textile Museum of Toronto

    

 

The new issue of the Trips with Kids digital magazine is posted.

 

This issue has stories on Ottawa, New York City and the Canadian Badlands. Click here to see it.

© 2009 Trips with Kids - Unauthorized reproduction of this article and images is prohibited.

Move over Agent Cody Banks!

 

With the help of the The Science of Spying  exhibit running at the Ontario Science Centre, kids will be able to transform themselves into super spies in no time at all!

 

Train to become a spy at this interactive exhibit running at the Ontario Science Centre 
Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The exhibit, running until September 7th, is definitely a fun way to learn about the craft of spying.  It all starts with a mission.  The mission, should you choose to accept it, (sorry, I couldn’t resist) will be to penetrate the ultra-secret OSTECK organization to find out what dastardly deeds they are planning.  But wait!   Before you let the kids loose on OSTECK, they will have to go through spy training to ensure a successful outcome to the mission.

That training will include learning how to crack a safe, decipher codes and how to tell a lie when needed.  Participants can choose a disguise to make sure they remain undetected as well.  Once the training is complete it’s show time!  Kids, or rather the spies, are now ready to walk into the OSTECK compound undercover.  Will they make it out once they’ve completed their mission?  The only way to find out is by experiencing The Science of Spying exhibit.

Click here to see a video on this exhibit.  

 

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Catch a glimpse of history this summer at the ROM.

From June 2009 to January 2010, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit will be running at the Royal Ontario Museum.  It’s a chance to see fragments of the texts that are the earliest record, known to humans, of biblical documents such as hymns, prayers and religious laws.  Most importantly, these documents trace the 2,000 -year-old traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

This exhibit brings those faiths together in an interesting exhibit that allows the public to view these precious documents with their own eyes.  On loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority, (click here read about the ongoing dispute over who actually owns the Scrolls), the first of these texts was discovered in a desert cave near Khirbet Qumran in 1947 by a Bedouin goat-herder. Over the next few years more than 100,000 fragments of text would be found in 11 different caves.   The discovery is traced though images and video at the exhibit and it is definitely a fascinating story to hear.    

The mainly parchment scrolls are very sensitive to humidity and light.  I was surprised to learn that the Israel Antiquities Authority has four conservators on staff whose only duty is to slow down the deterioration of the fragments.  Tools used in the conservation are also on display.

The actual exhibit doesn’t have a lot of interactive opportunities for kids but the ROM has set up an area on a different floor just for the younger crowd.  In this area, children will learn about the Scrolls through games and hands-on activities such as artifact excavation.  I was unable to check it out as it was still closed during the media preview.

To view a video of the exhibit, click here

 

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The Canadian Forces Parachute Team wow the crowds during Canada Day festivities. Image: Cobourg Tourism

 

Not sure how to spend Canada Day this year?  Look no further!  You’ll find four days of fun at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival, an event running from July 1st to 4th.

Click here for a schedule of events

Take three — days that is, to vacation on Vancouver Island’s eastern shore, located two hours northeast of Victoria. This region known as Oceanside, has been nicknamed the Canadian Riviera by those in the know. With sandy beaches, rainforests and eccentric delights, it is a great place for a family holiday that won’t be soon forgotten. Watch video of the famous “Goats on the Roof” and find out more about the Horne Lake Caves system.  Click here for story and video…

It’s not hard to have a howlin’ good time at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls.

From water park fun to great food to Disney-esque entertainment, this resort has all the ingredients for family fun.  Trips with Kids has listed the top five reasons, in no particular order, why you should visit Great Wolf Lodge this summer:

 

The Water Park:  We’ve been to a lot of water parks but this one is definitely the best we’ve experienced so far.  There were lots of slides for younger kids and still enough water rides to keep the teenagers and adults happy.  It does get incredibly busy so pack your patience.  If you find waiting in the lineups is getting to be too much just take a break at one of the two snack shacks inside the water park. Bonus: there were tons of lockers, special dryers for swimsuits and all the free towels you could want.  

Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The Staff:  You may not think that this is a reason to visit a resort but we think that the staff can make or break your weekend.  We found all of the employees to be more than friendly and very helpful.  All of my questions were answered quickly, efficiently and with a smile.

 

The Animatronics: I must confess that I was skeptical about the animatronics show.  I’ve seen a lot of these shows and most leave a lot to desire.  Not at Wolf Lodge!  The show runs three times a day and it’s really good.  The kids absolutely love it, especially the evening show when they get a bedtime story.  Click here to see a video of the morning show.

Story time at Great Wolf Lodge. Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

The Antler Shanty Grub just had to make this list.  It’s one of the restaurants inside the resort and we loved its morning buffet.  It was hardy, varied and tasty but best of all, it felt like breakfast at home –  except you’re having it with about a hundred other people. 

 

A Spa for girls under 12?  You betcha!  The Scoooops Kid Spa is the place where your little princesses can get the pampering they deserve.  With ice-cream themed manicures, pedicures and facials, you may find it just a tad difficult getting your kids to leave.

 

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Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids

 

Click here to see a video on family activities in Ottawa.

 

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© 2008 Trips with Kids - Unauthorized reproduction of this article and images is prohibited.