Nature
A Nature Scavenger Hunt
Children and adults alike love the excitement of a nature scavenger hunt. You never know what you’ll find!
To play, first decide how a winner will be determined. For example, will it be the player who finds the most items in 20 minutes? Or the first person to find 10 things? Next, present a list of search items to players; or, make one list they can refer to; or, announce one search item at a time. Calling from your secret list can add to the excitement and also level the playing field if you have players of different ages and abilities.
Items on the search list can be simple. Try asking for things according to color; shape (square, round, pointy); texture (rough, smooth); appearance (pretty, ugly, funny); and size. Be certain young players know the rules about whether they can touch what they find.
Hunt ideas to use with adults or older children:
*Have a photo scavenger hunt wherein players use their cellphone cameras to record their finds.
*List 24 items to find. Give each item a corresponding number, and write the numbers randomly on paper in the shape of a bingo card (five down and five across, leaving the center a free space). The player with the winning card yells, “Nature Bingo!”
App File
TV Time
Travelers who don’t want to miss their must-watch shows might wish to download this app.
The Winegard TV Signal Finder app helps RVers locate TV signals as they travel.
The Winegard TV Signal Finder app helps RVers locate TV signals, whether broadcast towers, over-the-air channels, or satellites. The app also identifies objects that might block a signal, such as trees, hills, or buildings. The app requires a smartphone equipped with a camera, a GPS, and a compass.
“Antenna pointer” mode finds available broadcast towers and over-the-air channels. A map displays nearby broadcast towers, the distance between the RV and the towers, and available channels and stations. Clicking on AR (augmented reality) on the map activates the smartphone camera so the user can rotate the smartphone 360 degrees to find the desired tower and the best angle to point the antenna.
“Satellite pointer” mode locates satellite signals to help guide RVers to a parking location with a clear opening for a roof-mounted dish or a suitable placement for a portable dish. Users first choose their provider — BellTV, DirecTV, Dish, or Shaw Direct — and then move into AR function to determine satellite locations.
The app is free from the App Store and Google Play Store. Information: www.winegard.com/apps.
Travel Games
Giggle Away The Miles
Before your next road trip, consider picking up a copy of Mad Libs (Penguin Random House). For more than 50 years, kids and adults have enjoyed countless books in this series, with its wide-ranging themes: vacation fun, animals, outer space, ninjas, superheroes, mad scientists, Halloween, and many more.
Each flip-style, paperback book contains short stories with missing words. One player, designated the “reader,” chooses a story but doesn’t reveal what it is about. The reader asks the other players to share words to fill in the blanks; each word is specified as a noun, a place, an exclamation, etc. The reader then recites the completed story, new words and all. Sometimes it makes sense. Sometimes it doesn’t. Often it’s hilarious. Solo players can fill in the blanks on an adjacent page, with similar results.
Mad Libs books are available at bookstores and through online sellers. To learn more, visit www.madlibs.com, where you can find out about Mad Libs apps, too. (Teachers: Check out the “Educator’s Guide” link.)
Get Outdoors
California Coastal Biking Trails
Morro Bay, California, is a scenic locale for bicyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Morro Bay, California, is known for its fantastic trails along the beach and in the mountains, all with panoramic Pacific Ocean views. This bicycle-friendly town along the Southern California coast is a haven for biking, surfing, and overall fun.
The following biking trails are within 10 miles of Morro Bay. RVers not planning to camp or visit this area can seek out similar recreation at their next destination. Visit the League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org) for bicycle-friendly communities and more.
1. Black Hill:
Breathtaking ride in Morro Bay State Park; some moderately steep climbs, the highest up to the top of Black Hill.
2. Cerro Cabrillo and Tiki Rock:
The summit of Cerro Cabrillo is the highest point in Morro Bay State Park. Quick 2.5-mile round-trip ride that offers breathtaking ocean and estuary views.
3. Morro Rock to Cayucos Pier Beach Cruise:
Beautiful 6.2-mile, one-way ride best done on a beach cruiser or a mountain bike.
4. Lower Crespi Trail:
In Morro Bay State Park; offers challenging climbs and downhill sections, with scenic wooden bridges and wildlife.
5. Quarry Short Loop:
2.3-mile loop ride through the rolling hills of Morro Bay State Park; mostly a single-track trail through a quiet, well-maintained, lightly traveled area.
6. Morro Bay State Park to Dunes Cloister Trail:
Begins downtown and proceeds south to Morro Bay State Park, winding along scenic Back Bay to Back Bay Marina.
7. Morro Bay Harborwalk:
A surrey ride along the Embarcadero leads to sparkling surf, sandy beaches, and great wildlife viewing.
8. Hazards Peak Trail:
Mountain bikers love this trail just outside of Morro Bay in Montana de Oro State Park.
9. Oats Peak Trail:
In spring, this peak is covered with poppies, lupines, sticky monkey flowers, wild radish, and mustard.
10. Montana de Oro Bluff Trail:
Fast and flat; only obstacles are large bridges and an occasional wild fox.
Visit Central Coast Outdoors (www.centralcoastoutdoors.com) or Morro Bay Tourism (www.morrobay.org) for more information.