Watching the Hurricanes? Here’s what fans should bring to a live game

Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer has been to a number of Miami Hurricanes games and has ranked the experiences among his favorites in life. Today, he shares a checklist of what fans should bring with them to the stadium if they’re fortunate enough to score some tickets.

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1. Comfy clothes
While putting on the green and red of the Hurricanes is a given, wearing comfortable clothing allows one to move around and makes for a pleasant experience. Fans should remember that they won’t just be sitting. They’ll be jumping and screaming, and taking part of waves.

2. Sunscreen
Football games are outdoor affairs and the stadium is open. With the sun bearing down, it’s best to have skin protection in the form of sunscreen.

3. Water
As aforementioned, fans won’t just be sitting. They’ll be actively cheering the Canes for more than the entirety of the game. And if the heat is on, people will need to rehydrate themselves. Water is the best bet.

4. Clear bags
For security reasons, stadiums have begun to implement a clear bag policy. To make sure that the experience goes on without a hitch, Hurricane fans are advised to comply.

5. Cash
Patrick Dwyer highly recommends fans to bring cash as well, in case they want to purchase anything from merchandise to hotdogs. It’ll be a good four hours before the game is over and there’ll be a lot of things to do, and buy.

Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer actively supports the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) in its aim to enhance further the quality of care for patients with chronic neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Outside of work, he is a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes. More Hurricanes football reads here .

What to expect from new Hurricanes football coach Manny Diaz

Last season was supposed to be the one that would take the Hurricanes over the top, with the team coming in as a top 10, preseason favorite. After all, the team had come from a 10-win campaign in 2017 and gotten the program’s first ACC division crown. Sadly, that team had managed a mere 7-6 record and, after the dark clouds had parted, then-coach Mark Richt decided to call it quits, says financial advisor and Miami Hurricanes supporter Patrick Dwyer.

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Now the job of coaching the 2019-20 team has landed on the shoulders of the team’s former defensive coach Manny Diaz. Interestingly, Diaz had been packing his bags on his way to a coaching stint at Temple when the phone rang, offering him helming duties for the Canes. Diaz simply couldn’t say no to the opportunity; he thanked Temple immediately, begging off and, well, unpacking.

As the dust of the whirlwind offseason settles, Canes fans’ attention is now on what Diaz can bring to the table. And everything looks good, so far: Diaz is already one of the top and elite coaches in the nation and has been with the Miami program for three years. Adjustment, therefore, shouldn’t be an issue. Moreover, Diaz has been known for his passion for the sport and his willingness to innovate. He should be able to build a great staff on just his first coaching year.

Of course, Diaz’ stint as the team’s former defensive coordinator should prove crucial in the composition and approach of the new Canes team. Miami’s defense is already one of the most lauded in recent years, and it just stands to get even better entering the 2019-20 season. Diaz just needs to hire an equally solid offensive coordinator, Patrick Dwyer adds.

Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer is a huge follower and supporter of the Miami Hurricanes football and basketball teams. Visit this blog for related posts.

University of Miami player profile: Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson was formerly the defensive end of the Miami Hurricanes. Today, he’ll be playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Another talent from the University of Miami lands a career in pro football.

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Financial advisor and long-time Hurricanes fan Patrick Dwyer expects much from the superstar and is looking forward to supporting Jackson, even if he’s donning a Cowboys jersey.

Looking at Jackson’s base stats, you can already imagine the kind of impact he can make in a game. Jackson stands at six-foot-four and weighs 275 pounds. His arm length is at 34 and a half inches. He has a hand size of 10 inches. He was known as a fierce pass rusher for the Miami Hurricanes. But instead of playing his final year with the Hurricanes, Jackson decided to turn pro and was the 27th player drafted in the fifth round (no. 165 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys.

The lone star state chose this defensive end for a reason. Though he doesn’t have the unnatural bend and lowered center of gravity that’s common in the NFL’s best pass rushers, Jackson has several tools up his sleeve when it comes to attacking the pocket.

Jackson’s athleticism makes him a threat for easy combinations. This also makes him capable of being flexible in terms of his role. Former Hurricanes coach Mark Richt said he could play as a tight end. Jackson even said he could play as an outside linebacker if needed. According to Patrick Dwyer, he wouldn’t be surprised if Jackson was assigned a different position but would prefer if he stayed as a defensive end just to see those spectacular passes fall in his arms.

Besides being a Miami Hurricanes fan, financial advisor Patrick Dwyer actively supports the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) in its aim to enhance further the quality of care for patients with chronic neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more reads on the Canes, visit this website.

First time cheering for Canes basketball? Here are the basic positions of the game

Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor in Miami, and a huge Hurricanes fan. Every time the football and basketball teams of the U are playing, he has the volume turned way up. The other week, he had some visitors at home. Dwyer had them watch a video of the best basketball moments of the Hurricanes. He was surprised that one of his visitors had no idea about basketball. Dwyer then realized that many people who are fans of university teams aren’t familiar with some of the sports at all.

On that note, Patrick Dwyer would want to share a few notes on the basic positions of basketball for those looking to cheer for their favorite teams.

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Point Guard

The PG is the offensive leader of the team. He orchestrates the offense and brings the plays of the coach to life.

Shooting Guard

The SG completes the back court of a team. He should be reliable on both offense and defense.

Small Forward

The SF can be switched with the SG at times. Also known as the “swing man,” SFs are traditionally great at offense. Today though, SFs are multi-threats.

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Power Forward

On offense, PFs work down low on the post to score. He also aids the Center in rebounding. Many PFs also double as Centers because of their size.

Center

Many of Patrick Dwyer’s favorite players are centers. They are usually the biggest players on their team and stay close to the basket both on offense and defense.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, actively supports the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) in its quest to develop treatments for various neurological diseases. Visit this blog for more reads on the Miami Hurricanes.

The curious connection between Parkinson’s disease and exercise

Regular exercise has great benefits not only on one’s physical health but mental health as well. This is what Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor and active supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) found out in his many readings on neurological diseases.

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The positive effect of regular exercise goes beyond physical fitness. Several studies reveal that exercise also helps in the fight against neurological diseases, Parkinson’s included. Strenuous physical activity both alleviate symptoms as well as delay the progression of the disease.

Doctors and researchers found that there are corresponding exercises for specific stages of Parkinson’s. These exercises are grouped according to the level of intensity. Neurologists noted that doing the right set of exercises helps bring back a bit of balance and coordination to a person suffering from Parkinson’s. Examples of low-intensity exercises are yoga and other stretching routines.

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Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer also read how scientists noticed activities such as walking and cycling lead to the creation of neural connections and the strengthening of those that already exist. This delays the progression of Parkinson’s in patients. The key though is to do it consistently and to keep the body and mind active.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, actively supports the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) in its quest to develop treatments for various neurological diseases. He is also an avid fan of the Miami Hurricanes. Visit this page for more on Patrick and his advocacies.

Some signs of early onset Alzheimer’s disease

More than five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that affects the brain and triggers a decline in memory, thinking abilities, and reasoning. While it is known to affect older individuals, five percent of those diagnosed suffer from early onset Alzheimer’s during their 40’s or 50’s. Patrick Dwyer, a supporter of the Neuroscience Foundations, explains some early symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

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Difficulty planning and solving problems. A strong symptom of Alzheimer’s is when you or your loved one finds it difficult to develop or follow a plan of action and solve problems. Working with numbers seemingly posing a challenge could also be a symptom of Alzheimer’s.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks or chores. Patrick Dwyer stresses that when your or a loved one experiences a problem with concentration on completing daily routines, Alzheimer’s could be on the horizon. Tasks requiring critical thinking could also be challenging as the disease progresses.

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Difficulty making decisions. A person suffering from onset Alzheimer’s will find it hard or challenging to make decisions, especially when it comes to money. This symptom usually provokes a chain of financial catastrophes. A good example of this is when the person affected donates large amounts of money to telemarketers.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is one of the active supporters of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) and its efforts to finally develop an effective set of treatments for various neurologic degenerative diseases. For more articles like this, visit this page.

Canes in 2019: The search for the next head football coach

Just a few days after the Miami Hurricanes’ loss against the Wisconsin Badgers in Pinstripe Bowl, Canes’ head football coach Mark Richt announced his retirement. Making things official, Athletic Director Blake James led a press conference to get into the details.

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After 18 years as a football coach, Richt is bidding farewell to his career. The last three years of his career was spent working with his alma mater, the University of Miami. The talk now focuses on who will fill his shoes as head coach. Fans, enthusiasts, and UM’s management all have their picks.


Mario Cristobal is among the top choices for the position. He is completing his first year as Oregon’s head coach and maintains direct ties to the UM program. He participated in a couple of national championship teams and worked as a grad assistant from 1998 to 2000 before becoming an assistant coach for three years, leading to his six-year stretch as FIU’s head coach. The following years he spent working with Alabama, then Oregon.

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Butch Davis is another tough contender for the position, having worked with the Canes in the past as a coach. In just a couple of years, he has transformed the Panthers into a tough-to-beat team in the Conference-USA, playing 17-9 since taking charge prior to the 2017 season. Manny Diaz, currently Temple’s head coach, could have been the Canes’ head coach had Richt made the decision a few weeks before the former accepted the coaching job at Temple on December 12. Diaz is a Miami native and was UM’s defensive coordinator.


Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is an ardent supporter of the Miami Hurricanes, and an avid fan of college basketball and college football. For more updates about the Canes, visit this blog.

Looking back at the Miami Hurricanes’ 2018 football season

2018 was clearly not a great year for Hurricanes football. Even though the team was expected to win all their games, coach Mark Richt only managed to guide the team to a 7-6 record, culminating in a loss at the Pinstripe Bowl. Worse, Richt would announce his retirement shortly after, a move that, for many supporters like financial advisor Patrick Dwyer, completely blindsided the team.

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Richt’s offense was ranked 77th overall in the horrible season, not helped by the horrible kicking game. While recruiting was not bad, the Canes weren’t able to capitalize, ending with a 97th ranking in terms of special teams efficiency. The punt game was also lacking on all levels, from coverage to actual punt with Zach Feagles unable to find his rhythm throughout the season. Feagles finished with a 38.9 yards per punt while alternate Jack Spicer had a 37.7 average.


One good news for the Canes is that Bubba Baxa had a solid year as a rookie, ending the season with 9-of-12 on field goals and a 45-of-46 on extra points. He also came up with 41 touchbacks on 69 kicks. The team also displayed flashes of athletic brilliance in the return game department. Both Jeff Thomas and Deejay Dallas had solid performances, too, each scoring touchdowns on punt returns. Sadly, Thomas will be gone this year.

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The development of Baxa coupled with a leaner Dallas will prove crucial this coming season, something that would be greatly complemented by the arrival of new offense coordinator Dan Enos, says financial advisor and Canes fan Patrick Dwyer. Canes should find ways to improve their kicking game, especially if running back Lorenzo Lingard returns fully healthy.


Financial advisor Patrick Dwyer is pushing for the empowerment of medical organizations such as the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) and their advocacy of putting an end to chronic neurological diseases. For more on Mr. Dwyer’s work and advocacies, subscribe to this Twitter page.

Recruiting class of 2019: How the Canes are fairing

The Miami Hurricanes Football Team has 16 oral commitments and a class rated 14th nationally by the Rivals. The Canes hosted a group of top prospects during its annual marquee Paradise Camp last July 28.

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For the position of quarterback, most of the focus remains on Michael Johnson, the Oregon-based athlete, as the Canes’ chances might have increased slightly. Johnson’s father coaches in Oregon, and the team had just received a commitment from a different quarterback, but this shouldn’t be a problem for Johnson and the Canes’, as the athlete reportedly enjoyed his official visit in UM. The quarterback expressed his fondness for the team and the staff saying, “I loved my official to Miami and I love the staff more and more every time.” To have Johnson in the team, the Canes need to beat out LSU, FSU, Penn State, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Arizona State, and Oregon.

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The Canes have an oral commitment from three-star Marcus Crowley, a running back who averaged 6.3 yards per carry (190 attempts, 1200 yards) with six touchdowns the previous season at Trinity Christian in Jacksonville. The running back has offers from Georgia, Florida, UCLA, and Virginia Tech.

Jeremiah Payton, a four-star receiver, has orally committed to the Canes. Payton is a receiver from Fletcher High in Neptune, and ESPN rates him 53rd among all players in this recruiting class, and sixth among receivers. Fishbein regards him as one of the two or three best receivers in the state.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, is an avid supporter of the Miami Hurricanes. For more updates on the Canes, head over to this blog.

Five things about Miami Hurricanes coach Mark Richt

His accomplishments at the University of Miami and his previous schools are all well-documented, but there other things about Miami Hurricanes coach Mark Richt that deserve to be revealed. Here are some of them.

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High school star and backup to a legend

He grew up in South Florida, a star quarterback for Boca Raton High School in the 1970s. He then went to the University of Miami, serving as the backup quarterback to Jim Kelly, deemed one of the best QBs to play for the team.

Mentored and exceeded expectations

Quarterbacks coach Earl Morrall mentored Richt, who still amassed almost 1,500 passing yards despite limited playing time. The 1980 team finished 9-3 (ranked 18th in the country) while the 1981 team finished 9-2 (ranked 8th).

Offensive coordinator role

In 1994, he became offensive coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles, whom he worked for since the start of his coaching career in 1985. Florida State was in the nation’s top five for scoring offenses in five out of the seven seasons that he was the offensive coordinator.

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Appeared on the Wheaties box and a movie

General Milles featured Richt and the Georgia football program on the cover of a Wheaties cereal box in 2006. The coach also appeared in the movie Facing the Giants as the former coach of the movie’s main character, Grant Taylor.

Religion

He’s a devout Christian while his staff is a mix of different religious backgrounds.

Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who is pushing for the empowerment of medical organizations such as the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF). He is also a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes football program. More articles on the Canes here.

How good was Shane Larkin for the Hurricanes?

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An interesting trivia about former Hurricanes star Shane Larkin was that his first love was baseball. He was primed to excel in the sport, having joined a coach-pitch league at the tender age of seven. But his coach didn’t like his swing, and the young Shane didn’t understand. It was enough to shift his focus to another game, one he felt he could dominate, sans a coach who didn’t approve of his posture. 

By 2009, with future Canes coach Jim Larrañaga watching curiously in the sidelines, the then-committed, young basketball player stole a pass from a three-man fast break, which he was the only guy left to defend. The fiery coach immediately saw a bright future for the 5’11 guard with great basketball smarts. Pretty soon, he was offering Larkin a scholarship at George Mason University.

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Things didn’t pan out for the young Larkin, who wanted to go to a school closer to home. How convenient then that Larrañaga—the guy who first saw his potential and in whom Larkin had complete trust—had just been named new coach of the Miami Hurricanes. The rest is Canes basketball history.

Shane was already an elite point guard when he entered the Canes program in 2011. And by 2013, he had already led Miami to the top of the ACC, a clutch player who can make shots almost at will and a solid defender too, reminiscent to many of the NBA’s Chris Paul. That regular season, he averaged 13 points, four assists, and four rebounds. He would go on to be picked 18th by the Atlanta Hawks in the same year’s NBA draft and will be remembered as one of the best ball handlers the Canes program has ever seen.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, supports the medical organization Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) in its advocacy of putting an end to chronic neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis. He also avidly follows the Miami Hurricanes. For similar reads, visit this blog.

Best running back duos who ever wore the Miami Hurricanes Uniform

In American football, gaining yards is everything.  That’s why there are positions that are filled in solely to advance farther into the field.  And while there’s great hype about wide receivers, there’s still a great deal of attention when it comes to running back duos.  And the great Miami Hurricanes has had some of the best RB duos in college football history.  Here are some of the Canes’ best running back duos in history.

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Alonzo Highsmith and Melvin Bratton

During the mid-80s, Bratton and Highsmith provided an explosive offense for the Hurricanes and are considered two of the finest running backs in the university’s history.  During the 1983 championship season, Highsmith had a record of reaching almost 2,000 yards and completed 25 touchdowns in four years.  Bratton, on the other hand, showed his backfield versatility, running close to 2,400 yards and helping Miami win the national championship in 1987.  The two working together resulted in an 11-1 season in 1986.

James Jackson and Clinton Porti

Jackson was known for his rushing prowess with almost 3,000 yards to his name.  And while he was already sensational on his own, it was his tandem with Portis in 2001 that helped the team capture its fifth title.  2000 was their highlight season as both made a combined 1,500 yards rushing and in the receiving end.

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Javarris James and Graig Cooper

Though the Cane’s run in the mid to late 2000s wasn’t that spectacular, James and Cooper performed brilliantly and consistently.  From 2007 to 2009, the duo rushed 3,500 years combined. 

Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor and avid supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF). He is also a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes basketball and football teams. For similar reads, click here.  

The Mark Richt Football Camp: An Introduction

The Mark Richt Football Camp, LLC takes place at the home of the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables, Florida, with the objective of teaching the fundamentals and skills of the game. Here, the Miami coaching staff – led by Coach Mark Richt – will get assistance from current student-athletes as well as other university and college divisions coaches to instill and harness the love for the game among young participants.

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Lending prestige to this summer football camp is the unique opportunity to work with some of the best teachers that football has to offer young enthusiasts. With a 12:1 student to teacher ratio, every participant gets the chance to excel while getting to know other classmates along with professors. The training will be centrally located at the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence and the Greentree Practice Fields, a 34,oo0-sq.ft.-facility that serves as the ‘Canes training facility.

The 2018 football camp recently wrapped up with four sessions on campus last June. The June 13 session focused on five-year-olds through rising 6th graders, with a $20 per camper cost that included a Mark Richt Football Camp t-shirt and lunch. The June 14 to 16 sessions targeted rising 7th and 8th graders, 9th and 10th graders, and 11th and 12th graders, with a $60 cost that included an Adidas TechFit shirt and lunch.

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It’s not just the best value in training on campus where the 5-time national champions reside and thrive, but the singular prestige of learning with the best and most celebrated coaches and teachers.

Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, actively supports the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) in its quest to develop treatments for various neurological diseases. He is a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes football team and the sport in general. For similar reads, click here.

Remember To Visit These National Parks When Heading East

National parks are great weekend escapes for city dwellers, travel enthusiasts, and students who are ready to explore the wild.  Almost all the national parks in the United States are worth visiting.  Yet for visitors who are heading to the East, here are three of the national parks they can explore and enjoy.

Congaree National Park

The Congaree National Park is located in South Carolina and is the largest hardwood forest that survives—to this day—in the eastern periphery of the United States.  The perpetual flooding in the area results in more than bald Cypress trees and Spanish moss, which makes it perfect for birds and wildlife spotting.  The park, set in an area of 22,000 acres, is a home for otters, alligators, bobcats, deer, and a vast variety of birds.  It offers great access to hikers down the 7km long Western Lake Loop Trail.  The Kingsnake Trail, which is 19k long, is heaven for sighting birds.

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Everglades National Park

Astoundingly huge at 1.5million acres, the Everglades National Park is the largest sub-tropical chunk of wilderness in the whole of United States.  It is a huge reserve that consists of mangroves and sawgrass.  Visitors can move around in small boats through small channels.  Walls of high grass tower on either side.

Acadia National Park

Acadia is the first and premier national park of the East and is the most dramatic one that Maine has in store for its tourists.  Cadillac Mountain and Bar Harbor offer different attractions, yet are equally astonishing.  However, the Otter Cliff is considered the main attraction, standing at 34m high, making it a headland tallest than any north of Rio.

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Dywer and Associates works on preserving and restoring natural habitats by supporting the further expansion of the country’s national park system. For more posts like this, click here.

Interesting Basketball Trivia For The Sports Junkie

It’s every man’s sport, and if this doesn’t hold true then basketball remains an athletic pursuit of unparalleled popularity and mass appeal. Here are some interesting basketball facts and trivia, especially for fellow huge supporters of Miami teams like the Miami Hurricanes.

History and rules

Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith, who also was a P.E. teacher from Springfield, Massachusetts. It was borne out of the desire to keep his gym class busy while it was raining outside. Originally, two teams made up of nine players played the game – a number anchored on the standard number of players on a baseball team. Obviously, the teams were later reduced to having five players each.

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Basketball superstars

Michael Jordan had a so-called “love of the game” clause in his contract, and this effectively allowed him to play basketball against anyone, anytime, and practically anywhere. Tim Duncan, on the other hand, grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he was preparing for the 1992 Olympics as a competitive swimmer, until a hurricane destroyed the only Olympic-sized pool on the island. He was left with the option to swim in the ocean, but there was one problem: he was afraid of sharks.

Historic brawls

The Pacers-Piston game on Nov. 19, 2004 marked the most infamous fight that broke out in the NBA. It involved a massive brawl among players and spectators, where the league suspended nine players and had to deal with $11 million in lost earnings. Five fans, on the other hand, were slapped with criminal charges and were banned from Piston home games forever.

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Patrick Dwyer, a financial advisor, encourages everyone to give the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF) continued support because it is working on key research to improve the diagnosis, management, and treatment options for these illnesses. He is a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes basketball team. Learn more about great American sports on this page.

A Review: Miami Hurricanes 2017-18 Basketball Season

The 2017-18 basketball season for the Miami Hurricanes is marked by a first-round NCAA Tournament exit, despite the coaching staff and team braving the odds, injuries, and many distractions during the journey. But it’s not one without valuable lessons to bring into the seasons they will face.

The team came into the season as number 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, as well as number 13 in the Associated Press Top 25. They leveraged on a weak non-conference schedule and gallantly worked their way to a 10-0 start to the season. Part of the winning streak is an 86-81 win they had on the road against Minnesota during the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. UM also manage to clobber Pittsburgh at home as well as Virginia Tech on the road in January.

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Add this to the fact that there trudged along with a limited Lonnie Walker IV, the freshman who was still working his way back into the game after an offseason knee surgery.

The season may not have emerged with the ideal results, but it’s another teaching moment for head coach Jim Larrañaga and his staff in their unyielding quest to build a winning program. For one, it enjoyed significant contributions from the freshman squad of Bruce Brown Jr., DJ Vasiljevic, and Dewan Huell, as well as an exciting game element in the form of point guard Chris Lykes.

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Amid the spirit of resiliency, UM has to grapple with a number of negatives from the season, such as its spate of injuries, inconsistent shooting, recruiting shortcomings, and underperforming for much of the season.

Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor and avid supporter of the Neuroscience Centers of Florida Foundation, Inc. (NSCFF). He is also a huge fan of the Miami Hurricanes basketball and football teams. Similar reads on this page.

Great National Parks In The U.S. To Visit With Your Kids

While many parks and reserves in the U.S. are great for the family, not all of them are child-friendly, especially those that are riddled with difficult and steep trails. Listed below are some of the best parks to visit for that bonding with your kids and with nature.

Arches National Park

What makes this Utah park most alluring for family visits is that it’s very accessible. Kids will not complain about the distance of the trails much, as the 36-mile loop will already have visitors witnessing the park’s main sights. Kids will love the numerous sandstone arch formations that look like spires and domes, especially since some of them are climbable. Make sure to visit Delicate Arch, the most-photographed monolith jutting out at the corner of a cliff like the feet of a giant or a portal to some magical place.

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Yellowstone National Park

This famed park is more than just Old Faithful. Kids will love seeing the geyser for sure, as well as the wildlife of bison and wolves, but the park has many programs in place specifically catering to kids, from studying the site’s thermal features while playing with laser guns to tracking earthworms. There’s plenty to do here to keep the kids happy and occupied when the excitement about the scenery has passed.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This is the perfect place to bring the children to witness swarms of fireflies as well as 30 species of salamanders. The 500,000-acre park that straddles North Carolina and Tennessee offers ranger- or naturalist-guided training for kids who want to get closer to the various species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that call the reserve their home. You can enroll the children in the Smoky Mountain Field School, or even have their try playing junior rangers.

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Dwyer and Associates will always be for preservation of biomes and other natural environments that exist within national parks. More writings on national parks in the U.S. here.

Children Will Love These National Park Adventures

American novelist Wallace Stegner was right when he said: “National parks are the best idea we ever had.” Here are some of the best delectable adventures for children in store in the country’s well-preserved national parks.

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First on the list is to become a Junior Ranger, a program that enables children to earn badges or patches for completing fun activities. There are other programs for youth, including the Junior Paleontologist program, which teaches kids about fossils at Badlands National Park, and Young Scientists for probing the area around Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park.

Kids can also have a crash course in geology. Arches National Park in Utah boasts of the richest concentration of arch and “window” formations worldwide, from the Double Arch (two huge arches sharing a common support column) to the Fiery Furnace (a warren of passageways between stone fins and walls, best for guided hikes).

No one’s too young for an adrenaline rush, too. Have the children take a scenic helicopter ride such as the North Canyon Tour, a 30-minute aerial tour of the Grand Canyon, or have them go sledding on a sand dune onboard snow saucers at New Mexico’s White Sands.

They can also make their park visit a learning opportunity with the wealth of events, classes, and activities available on schedule. Celebrations like the National Hispanic Heritage Month teach them a thing or two about appreciating cultural diversity, while they can join fun online classes, such as following the lives of Brooks River brown bears on the internet.

Image source: NationalGeographic.com

Dwyer & Associates believes in the conservation of national parks and will always be protective of these scenic beauties. For similar reads, visit this page.

Miami Hurricanes Trivia To Enjoy

History, statistics, coaches, and players, and anything under the sun – welcome to the Miami Hurricanes world, where college football is at its best and legends are born. Here are some fun-filled facts and trivia to enjoy.

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What’s the name of the award given each season to Miami’s MVP? It’s the Jack Harding Award. Harding came to the Hurricanes in 1937, serving 11 years as head coach and directing the athletic department from 1948 to 1963. Every year, the award goes to the Most Valuable Player on the football team. It’s been given since 1964 and selected by players and coaches alike.

Which Miami quarterback never threw for 400 yards in a single game? That would be Vinny Testaverde. And who didn’t attend the University of Miami? That would be Willie McGinest, who attended USC. Then there’s Edgerrin James, who rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with only 50 seconds left, during the 1998 upset victory over then BCS number two UCLA. The game was initially scheduled for early September but was rescheduled for Dec 5 due to Hurricane George.

Then there’s the coaching side. Butch Davis coached the 2000 Miami Hurricanes and was known as among the best Miami recruiters there ever was. Jimmy Johnson led the 1987 National Championship team of the Canes, while Howard Schnellenberger was the coach of the 1983 National Championship team.

Sebastian, the official mascot for the University of Miami, is an ibis, and it represents bravery and being the last to hide during a hurricane, the first to come out of shelter. The Hurricane dancers are called The Sunsations, who perform not just at Canes’ football and basketball games but also at charitable and community service events.

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Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who is an ardent supporter of the Miami Hurricanes. More articles on the Canes here.

Come And Visit The Volcanoes National Park

Adventurous spirits who haven’t visited Hawaii are missing out on a lot. There are a hundred things to do in Hawaii for those who love nature. And there are very few places like it on earth.

Image source:NPS.gov

One of the places that’s sure to attract the attention not just of nature lovers, but also of thrill seekers, geologists, volcanologists, and researchers all around the world is the Volcanoes National Park. This national park proves that there is more to Hawaii than just world-class beaches.

The Volcanoes National Park can be found on Big Island, and it is home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The protected part of the park extends from sea level all the way up to Mauna Loa’s peak. There’s a trail that takes visitors through Mauna Loa’s barren lava landscape. Many guests are surprised to feel the chill in the night air, being beside a volcano and all. It’s also important to remember that people who plan to venture through the Mauna Loa trail should be fit enough to do some high-altitude, low-oxygen treks.

Image source: NPS.gov

For a less physically demanding time, the Kilauea trail is easier, but no less scenic than that of Mauna Loa. Although most of the adventure will be done in a motor vehicle, there are still plenty of things to do such as see Crater Rim Drive and the Chain of Craters Road. There are tourist spots such as museums and information centers where people can learn a great deal about the Volcanoes National Park.

Dwyer and Associates advocates the preservation of the planet through conservation of national parks. For more articles on the grandeur of national parks, click here.