Ever since the original Star Trek show came out and then Star Wars hit the screen I've been fascinated with outer space, the planets, stars, and space travel. Since I could never see myself as an astronaut or space shuttle commander I've done the next best thing and traveled to "space, the final frontier" in my own backyard with a telescope. We bought one when our son was young and let a salesman talk us into something that was too complicated for beginners. We never enjoyed that first one because it made us feel inadequate at the time. That's not true anymore.

With the newer models that have CD's DVD's and computer attachments that help you work the scope and understand what you're seeing, space is opened up to everyone from beginners to experts. Also, with the new technology your kids will not see this as a lame way to spend time together. It will get them off the couch but not out of your sight. We're all looking for easy ways to spend time with our kids, but if your like my husband and I're just a little too old for vampire movies, extreme sports, or rollerblading. Sky watching is the perfect way to have time with the kids, keep up with what they're doing on the internet and learn something in the process.

Have you seen the new hot dog commercial on television where the Dad comes home and everyone is involved in some electronic item in separate rooms? He turns off the electricity and starts the grill. The family comes together and the fun begins. The same can be true for using a telescope to get your family up and outside to spend time together. The difference here is the newer model telescopes coexist with computers and electronics. Your kids will be satisfied that their not disturbed of their electronics and you will be happy to have the TV turned off and conversation with your kids turned on.

Being able to shop on the internet without a salesman trying to make a commission, will make it easier for you to pick out the right telescope to fit your family in price and capabilities. Here are just a few things to get you started shopping. There are basically three types of telescopes. They are the reflector, the refractor, and a combination of the two called a catadioptric. After you figure out which of these is right for you then all you have to do is add the bells and whistles you want. It's just like buying a new TV set and getting the extra channels.

A reflector telescope uses mirrors to reflect the images you are observing back to the lens in the eyepiece. A refractor telescope scope only uses lenses in the eyepiece to bring the objects closer for you to view. A catadioptric combines both lenses and mirrors so it comes in a more compact size. Each is good in a different way. You just have to determine what features you want your telescope to have and match it to a model.

All telescopes have three basic functions. The first thing is to enhance the light gathering power of the human eye to make dim objects appear brighter, second is to magnify or make smaller objects appear larger, and lastly to make clear the details on distant objects. Understanding magnification is fairly easy. The number next to the "X" on magnification is how many times the object will appear larger than it is. So 20X to 80X means you can see something 20 to 80 times larger through the scope. Resolution is next to understand. Do you want to see a whole crater of the moon or be able to see all the little craters inside the big one. The largest aperture number on the scope that fits your budget will give you the best image display.

With a little investigating on your part and help from a reliable retailer you will be able to find just the right telescope to interest your kids and get the quality time with them that means so much these days. Get to know them in a fun learning way before they grow up and move far away. Good luck and great exploring of the "final frontier."

Sunny Immaculate Lakefront. People in Rogers Park can walk to an average of 7 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in 5 minutes. It has excellent public transportation and about 15 buses, 1 rail and 3 subway lines passing through it. It is the 48th most walkable neighborhood in Chicago with 54,757 residents. My location is 4 blocks from Loyal University Chicago. Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit university located in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Society of Jesus in 1870 under the name of “St. Ignatius College”, and has grown to be the largest Jesuit University in the United States, with a total enrollment of 15,068 (as of 2013) and over 150,000 alumni. The main campus, the Lake Shore Campus, is located in the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods of the City of Chicago, right along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Being within walking distance to the lake is the best reason to live in the Lakeview neighborhood. The Lake offers so many things to do and you’ll find people jogging, biking, running and rollerblading up and down the shoreline which is lined with a walking trail. Parks surround the lakefront and there are dog parks and places to exercise. One of the best parts of living in Rogers Park is Loyola Park which holds beautiful sailboats in bright colors. I think this the waterfront has such an enjoyable environment and boasts one of the best view of the skyline. In addition to running or walking on the trail, you can simply enjoy the lake from a rooftop building and take in the fresh air. In the summer there are hundreds of boats that go by and one of the best places to watch.

You will never go hungry in Rogers Park. One of the best reasons to live in here is the food. From gourmet to diner fare, this neighborhood has everything you could possibly want to eat. You can also grab takeout at Candlelite Chicago Restaurant and Sports Bar or bring burgers home from bopNgrill. Candlelite have been proudly serving out signature pizza with homemade dough and sauce in Rogers Park since 1950!!! A top place to eat is J.B. Alberto’s Pizza, Ethiopian Diamond II, Taste of Peru, Dragon Gate, which can be found in this neighborhood. Not only are the dining options out of the world, but it is also a Mecca for coffee lovers. Sol Café, Metropolis Coffee Company, Common Cup, Hira’s Café, Heartland Café, The Coffe Shop, and Starbucks all offer some of the best coffee in all of the Windy City. It’s also important to note that most places to eat are Noon Hour Grill, Rub’s Backcountry Smokehouse, Mullen’s Bar and Grill, Jesse’s Mexican Grill, Los Portales Mexican El Fresco, Giordano’s Pizzeria, Leona’s Restaurant, and offer BYOB (Bring your own bottle) service. There are about 263 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in Rogers Park.

The Blue Man Group, Comedians, Pianists, Rockers, and Drag Queens all take the stage in Lakeview. You can go to a cocktail bar and sing. The cobblestone (Glenwood Avenue Arts District), mural-lined Glenwood Avenue Arts District in this place is home to award-winning theaters, art galleries, a seasonal farmers market, and cute cafes. You can catch your favorite performer at The New 400 Theaters or see a movie at one of the many theaters. Entertainment is a given and you will never be bored. The schools in the neighborhood work together to bring culture to the area and you can find art installations, poetry readings, and street performers often. Thank you so much for joining us at Loyola Park for Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks! A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a hilarious, magical tale about forbidden love, mistaken identities, and the power of forgiveness. Although Shakespeare penned these words over 400 years ago, they still ring true today across cultures-throughout the vibrant neighborhoods of Chicago and around the world. Rogers Park is home to people from all over the world. Our residents speak over 38 languages and hail from over 82 countries. Over 53% of the population is within the prime-spending bracket of 19 to 44 years old.

Rogers Park is home to The Glenwood Avenue Art Fest, 17th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, Celebrate Clark Street Festival. There’s a lot of glitter, music, laughter, and fun. Another great festival is Artists of the Wall Festival Loyola Park Beach – Rogers Park, Kermes Street Fest 2014 and the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts where art of every kind is celebrated and recognized. You can almost always find a festival when walking out on the weekends and many are completely free. Fair food, music, entertainment, shopping, and art are all a part of the festivals in Lakeview. There is also usually an annual block party which takes on different themes every year.

Rogers Park is a Chicago shopping destination. With indie shops galore and luxury shops coming in, the neighborhood is filled to the brim with places to spend some cash. The Armadillo’s Pillow is a great little bookstore hidden away in Rogers Park. Bookstores are in excess and many find themselves browsing the Armadillo’s Pillow on Sheridan Rd. Rogers Park area another great shop in the Edgewater Antique Mall, Howard and Western Shopping Center, Southpoint Plaza, Western Howard Plaza, Lincolnwood Town Center.

Improve your song lyrics; lyric writing tips can turn bland to exciting!

It may surprise you but being a music producer based in the music capital of the world- Nashville- I’m very concerned with lyric quality as much as with music quality. In my opinion, a great song production begins with a great song and creating great music is only half the battle.

In fact, I’ll generalize: the average listener pays more attention to the singer and the words they’re singing than to anything I can do in terms of music arrangement. There are exceptions that are inversely proportionate to the complexity of the song; certainly a simple country song lyric gets more scrutiny than a production-heavy pop song. But here are three simple tips that will improve any lyric.

First, there are lots of nearly generic, cliche ridden, lyrics that appear on the charts, but most of those are written by the artist or the record’s producer. They don’t go through the gauntlet of industry professional’s scrutiny that a song lacking that inside track must endure.

The first step to avoiding blandness is to create an interesting, unique title. For example, turn “I Love You So Much” into “I Love You So Much I’m Rollerblading to Nova Scotia To See You” Now that’s silly but you get the idea. Make it different. Use the power of words to force a publisher reviewing your song to stop and think, “Now this is something different… this songwriter has some smarts, some talent, and understands song craft”.

Second, be certain that the verse, chorus and bridge sections of your lyric are clearly separated. If you use the same sing-song rhythm and same line length throughout the song it will likely be difficult for the listener to discern where one section ends and the next begins. Change the rhythm pattern, the line length, the number of syllables and where those syllables fall in the line or all four, to separate the chorus from the verses and the bridge.

Third, freshness is king. Rewrite as often as you need to, replacing cliches with something more unique. Alliteration, anaphora and other literary techniques can go a long way toward making your lyric an attention getter.

It may seem that in a world jammed with mediocrity it’s easy to stand out, but sooner or later the decision to sink hundreds of thousands of dollars into a CD’s production and marketing comes down to deciding between just a handful of world class work. Be sure your lyric is in that category.

Also, before closing I should mention that if you set up a certain structure in verse one, verse two’s syllables, line length, etc. should match syllable-for-syllable or at least be very close. Hey, that’s four free tips and I promised only three! How’s that for a bargain?

The winter season might be over and your ski trip won’t be in another couple of months. While most would be too happy to see people shed off their winter and spring clothes for something a little more revealing, others may gloomily be counting the days before the next ski season.

So how do you cope with end-of-ski-season blues? By having fun while staying fit, of course. These fun summer activities will keep your mind off the slopes (for a while) and get you in great shape, just in time for your trip to your dream ski vacation destination:

Sand skiing – Skiing in summer? Not as impossible as you think. Just grab a couple of sticks, then head out to the beach. The best part about sand skiing is that you won’t have to pay for ski passes, or wait in line for the ski lift.

Biking – whether it’s on the road, or a mountain trail, biking can help work out your quads and core with little impact on your knees.

Trail running – Trail running makes a good pre-ski workout for two reasons: Dirt is much easier on your joints than hard surfaces, and, unlike running on pavement, trail running works out different muscle groups in your body, as you traverse uneven trail sections.

Mountain climbing or backpacking – If “being one with nature” is your style, backpacking or mountain climbing may be a great way to spend your summer. You’ll definitely benefit from carrying around heavy packs while doing trails or steep climbs at higher altitudes.

Paddle boarding – Get your bum off the beach towel and go paddle boarding. It’s a great way to catch some rays while strengthening your core at the same time.

Beach volleyball – A friendly game of beach volleyball can do more than just give you an opportunity to make new friends (and have fun with old ones too). It can help you tone and strengthen your legs, and increase heart rate.

Climbing – Whether it’s indoor or outdoor, climbing is an enjoyable and low-impact full body work out. It will help strengthen and tone all muscle groups.

Rollerblading – It’s not just a cool way to get around. Rollerblading can help get your legs ski-ready.

Crossfit – From squats to pistol, crossfit training can help keep your body stay in shape and ready for your next ski vacation. This workout combines conditioning and metabolic rate strengthening, which can help you endure the high altitudes and harsh winter conditions on the slopes.

The halcyon summer may mean saying goodbye to snow for now. But it’s a great opportunity for you to get yourself ski ready, just in time for your next ski trip.

San Diego likes to bill itself as the finest city in America. While that might be debatable, there is no argument the beaches have a lot to offer. If you are planning on taking a trip to city, you might be surprised to learn the beaches come in may shapes and flavors. Here’s an insiders guide to your options.

When many people think of the beach, they think of hard bodies and golden tans. If this is your idea of a good beach, then there are two beaches that you should check out – Mission and Pacific Beach.

Mission Beach is located about 5 minutes north of downtown San Diego [and the airport]. It is a wide, white sand beach with a boardwalk running along behind it. This is a good place to do some rollerblading, biking and kicking back on the sand. The only downside to Mission Beach is houses run along the back of it and parking can be brutal. This brings us to Pacific Beach.

Pacific Beach is the next beach north of Mission Beach. It offers the same basic layout with one exception. The beach backs up to bars, places to eat, a pier and, well, you get the idea. This is a good spot for doing some serious people watching. If you want to wet your whistle with an adult beverage or three, Lahaina’s is a legendary spot. You just sit on a deck outside that is packed with people being merry.

Ah, but what if you are looking for more of a family beach since you have kids? No worries. There are plenty of beaches in San Diego that are perfect. Del Mar is perhaps one of the most popular. The beach is plenty wide and beautiful. The northern section also abuts up to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. In June, the Del Mar Fair offers entertainment all day while the latter part of summer sees the Fair convert to the Del Mar horse races.

For those looking for a secluded beach, there are still more choices in San Diego. An excellent choice is Solana Beach. This is a costal town just north of Del Mar. Much of the beach is secluded because it runs up against cliffs. Take the various access points down to the beach and you can walk north or south along the cliffs for a hundred feet and find your own little peaceful spot of heaven.

San Diego has much to offer beyond beaches and you should take the time to check out things such as the zoo, Balboa Park and so on. Still, most visitors are looking to burn off some stress lounging on the beach. Any beach will do, but the above represent some quality spots.

Scenario: I really want to get in shape, but I work all day and attend multimedia classes until 8:30. How do I find the time to exercise, and what are a few good exercises for beginners like me? Solution: Finding time to exercise is certainly a challenge. Even the most motivated among us suffer setbacks during our business’s busy season or when a new project is on the horizon. The key to fitting fitness into your busy day is to recognize that finding time isn’t the issue–it’s making time.

You may be surprised to hear that you can enjoy the benefits of a regular exercise program in as little as three hours per week.

The following routine shows you how:

Monday: Half-hour of jogging, biking (on hills) or other intense aerobic exercise you enjoy

Tuesday: Half-hour of strength training (squats, sit-ups and push-ups for beginners; weight training with machines or dumbbells for the more experienced)

Wednesday: Rest day

Thursday: Repeat Monday

Friday: Repeat Tuesday

Saturday: One hour of exercise–any type of exercise. Go rollerblading with a friend, take the family to the hills for a hike or swim laps at the pool.

Sunday: Rest day

Make your workouts more time-efficient by exercising harder. For example, you can walk two miles in a half-hour, or you can run four miles in a half-hour. You can spend an hour in step aerobics class, or you can spend 20 minutes rowing at the highest resistance level on the rowing machine. When you perform strength-training exercises, use a challenging resistance and move quickly through your exercises to get an aerobic benefit.

If you want to commit to getting fit, exercise must become a part of your life–a habit as regular as brushing your teeth. Try these ideas to help you stay on track:

*Make a log of everything you do for a week, and identify the time slots where you can fit in exercise. Did you spend a Saturday afternoon watching the Back to the Future trilogy for the fifth time? Could you manage to get up a half-hour earlier on the weekdays? Just skip an hour of television time and go to bed earlier.

*Make exercise convenient. Find a place to work out that’s close to your home or office. If you’re disciplined and have the space, work out at home.

*Develop relationships with supportive people. Join an exercise class or go to the gym with friends. If you skip a class, your friends will hold you accountable.

*Exercise at the right time. The “right time” is when you’re most likely to do it. If you know your day often ends late or meetings come up suddenly, it’s best to schedule your workout for first thing in the morning when nothing can interfere. If you’re a night owl, fit your workout in before dinner. If you can only manage a 10-minute walk on your lunch hour–do it. Some exercise is better than none.

Benefits Of Exercise

Need more motivation to get fit? Consider the following benefits of exercise:

*Exercise increases your stamina and strength.

*Exercise improves your heart and lung efficiency.

*Exercise gives your body greater resistance to disease, stress, anxiety and fatigue.

*Exercise gives you more energy and enhances your capacity for work and leisure activities.

*Exercise releases hormones that stimulate the brain, helping to clear your mind, see things from a new perspective, and come up with fresh ideas.

So make an appointment with yourself to get some exercise. Your body–and your business–will thank you for it.

Learning to roller skate can be intimidating at first. If you are a child, it probably will be the first few minutes that will be the most difficult. After that, the fear is managed and the child gradually becomes more confident on the skates. As an adult, the experience is usually more daunting. The fear usually goes beyond the first few minutes because it takes an adult a little bit longer to feel comfortable on the skates.

There are two big fears, mostly with adults, when it comes to skating. The first is fear of falling (which will happen) and secondly is the fear of not being able to stop. That fear can be managed when a skater realizes that they can plow into the rink walls. But practice and more practice and a good instructor (anyone who knows how to skate) and some good padding can get you on the road to become a skater. If you are just starting, please don’t be embarrassed at the rink. Even though there are many great skaters around you, they remember their own first attempts. Most will be very supportive and helpful to you. I would strongly urge you to begin your learning to roller skate at a rink and not outdoors.

However, if there is not a rink nearby or you only want to skate outside, there are a couple of points that you need to know.

1. Wear a helmet and protective gear. Although you might be using skates intended for outdoors, there is a much greater chance for you to fall. Things like cracks in the cement, rocks, etc. can easily send a novice skater to the ground. Some department stores and online stores provide some excellent choices for protective gear. Your risk of being injured on roller skates can be lowered by wearing a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. Whether you are an adult or child, wearing protective equipment when you are outside is essential. A helmet will reduce the risk for serious injury by 85%.

2. If you have an abnormal fear of falling, you can help eliminate this fear by wearing some padded undergarments that are worn by hockey players and roller derby players. If you are learning on a rink, you can rent a “skate mate”. It is a safe, durable, economical and effective teaching tools to help beginning skaters of all ages to learn how to roller skate. The “skate mate” stabilizes the skater so that they can quickly develop balance and self-confidence. The “skate mate” can be used outside but it will be more effective if used indoors on a rink.

So why not give roller skating a try! Perhaps you will find a hobby that will give you great satisfaction as well as great exercise. If you are a parent, please give your child a good opportunity to learn how to skate. If you do, your child might begin a sport that will carry throughout their life.

In September 2004 Orange County, California published an article

“OC Women are the Healthiest Women in the world.” Location. Location. Location pretty much is the case for these women. Well not everyone is so fortunate to be raised in or live by a resort town, but no matter where you live you can mimic these important factors.

First and Foremost Vital Secret: is to focus on exercise. Then of course your multi-daily vitamins, nutritional supplements, pleasure and relaxation. Always walk first, ride your bike second and then if you must thirdly drive your car. It might seem crazy but these women ride their bikes to work to family functions with or without baby in tow. These women are all on sports teams; play volleyball in the sand; softball in the park; rollerblading to lunch. What made this become a reality in California was non other than the “Boardwalk” a 100 mile stretch the pretty much entire coast of the state from Northern to Southern Cal. The Boardwalk is also a favorite spot on the Monopoly game board, our culture’s game of excitement, and true in fact. What we are seeing across the board, or nation, is a need to help all women reach these awesome health ratings.

If your not so lucky to have a boardwalk, river walk or bike trails close by check out the massive new homebuilder locations, communities and websites. These builder’s are going the extra mile and adding or letting The Homeowner’s Association add (vote) on country clubs, swimming pools, running tracks, walk paths, bike trails. They are a growing trend, a very healthy trend. These homebuilder’s actually set aside 5 to 15 acres for this very reason. Everyone needs to get out daily get some sunny Vitamin D (even 5-15 minutes with out sunscreen). It’s time to get your positive endorphins pumping- they are key to that healthy glow and smile! Exercise is their secret and every woman should make it a conscious effort to go to the lake or recreation areas in your town every week! Play Ball!

Second Vital Secret: Nutrition, especially in some of our toxic environments. Organic fresh fruits and vegetables. Our bodies need to replace what the food supply has come up short, and many nutrients have been depleted, due to many factors such as pesticides and travel time to market. You can find good deals at you local supermarket on organic foods, by looking for their specials. Also visit your local farmers market’s popping up everywhere! Start growing your own garden and eat your fresh sweet homegrown tomato’s! Multi-vitamins are a number one must also to do. They must become a part of your every day life, period. Water, water, water, yes it’s still one of the best thing for you. We all need to take a look at ourselves inside and out. All natural organic products are the main targets. Another great tip comes from the Pacific Islanders’ who live off of coconuts; coconut meat; coconut juice; coconut oil and do not experience as much disease as our western diets have caused. You can by extra virgin coconut oil online, by the tub or in supplements, at your favorite natural foods market and even in your regular super market (for less money) in the baking aisle. Replace coconut oil when cooking, instead of butter. Olive oil is also important as well as a daily glass of wine after a brisk walk, like they do in Italy and live longer. Vitalize and energize your body on a daily basis is a very key secret to a happy, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

Third Vital Secret: Pleasure and relaxation is a must! Spoil yourself. Basically invest in yourself. Go on a weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, and internet. Hit the spa and the tanning salon for a breather. Or just grab a blanket, hit the sand or grass, bring a picnic and most important invite your family and friends!

Rugby is one of the roughest and toughest sports in existence today and because of this, as a player you need to make sure you are on top of your game at all times. In order to prepare yourself not only physically but mentally as well, there are several core rugby skills that should be mastered before you step out onto that field for your first game.

Of course the very first area of interest should be your general fitness levels. Rugby is an extremely intense sport that requires a high level of cardio fitness as well as strength from weight lifting and resistance training prior to each and every game. You want to prepare yourself for the brutal 80 minute game by running 30 minutes per day, especially in the off season so you are prepared for the season to come. Any type of cardio activity including cycling, kayaking, swimming and rollerblading can keep your heart healthy and properly prepare you for the duration of a rugby game.

The worst thing you can do when it comes to your fitness regime is continue working out the same muscle groups and doing the same activities each and every time; mix it up! Next, your ball skills should be your second priority. No matter what your position is on the field, each and every player needs to have basic ball handling skills in order to be considered for any advanced rugby team. You don’t have to practice with a large group of people, there are many skill testing exercises you can do on your own such as practicing line out throws against the wall or kicking up and unders to yourself. It may feel strange practicing by yourself but you will benefit greatly from these skills.

Obviously, physically strong players are known for playing rugby so this means strength training becomes a major part of your fitness regime. There is really no need to detail out each and every possible strength training exercise so long as you know to mix up muscle groups every other day so your muscles receive a rest after you have worked them hard. You will not see any advancement in your muscles if you do not alternate the groups you work out.

Lastly, speed is important in the game no matter what your position. Cardio can help you build up your ability for speed. Sprint drills are the number one way to turn an average guy into a speeding bullet. You can practice these absolutely anywhere and it only takes a few attempts before a significant change can be seen.

When it comes to rugby the more you put into your physical training the more success you will see come out of your career. Take pride in your physical strength and fitness levels because when you play a contact sport like rugby only someone who is completely fit physically can avoid injuries and maintain a long career. Check out professional players career stats and successful teams like the Natal Sharks and you will see what you are up against!

Well, you have your reservations and the car is packed and ready to go. You’re off to Florida for a vacation! Have you made your list of cheap travel Orlando tips and ideas for the family while there? I’m not talking about theme parks but just a list of free parks that are really fun!

Here ya go, a list of 3 free parks and museums in Central Florida.

1. Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando.

This park is 43.2 acres including the lake, and features a sidewalk circling the entire way around the lake for rollerblading, walking, or jogging. The sidewalk is just under a mile long at 0.9 miles. Like many Florida lakes, this particular lake was originally a sinkhole. Amazing, huh? You can see a spectacular view of Orlando’s skyline from this park or enjoy one of the concerts in the outdoor amphitheater. There is a fountain in the middle of the lake, and you can also rent swan boats and paddle around. This is of course not free so that would be optional but still qualifies as a cheap Orlando tip as it is fairly inexpensive. If you are visiting during the fall, Fiesta in the Park is a not-to-be-missed art festival. Free of charge and well worth the trip to the park.

2. Harry P Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical garden and museum featuring 3 miles of paved scenic walkways.

The gardens feature the largest Camellia collection outside of California, largest formal rose garden in Florida, a house museum dating from the 1880s, a 2-acre tropical stream garden, vegetable and herb garden, butterfly garden, and palm and bamboo gardens. There is also a gift shop, tours, and special events including songs and storytelling for the kids. When it comes to cheap Orlando deals, I think this is one of the best-kept secrets. Schedule a trip here for the afternoon for a relaxing time away from the crowds.

3. Fort Christmas Historical Museum and Park.

Located on the outskirts of Orlando in Christmas, Florida, this is another well-kept secret of Central Florida. Here you can visit the full size replica of Fort Christmas including 7 restored historical homes preserved in the “Cracker” architecture of East Orange County, Florida. The houses are interpreted to show pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Key themes are homesteading, cattle, citrus, hunting, fishing, and trapping. This is an interesting and enjoyable park for the entire family, definitely should be on the list for cheap Orlando activities. There is a gift shop and special events including a cowboy reunion where local cowboys share their experiences, a bluegrass arts and crafts festival in March, Old Timer’s day in May, Pioneer Homecoming Day in October, and Cracker Christmas in December.