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.

Introducing The Offensive Breakout Hurricanes For This Season

Last year, the Miami Hurricanes ended the season with a three-game losing spell, which makes matters worse when considering a win against the Pitt would have afforded them a spot in the College Football Playoff despite their outcome against Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

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DeeJay Dallas 

DeeJay Dallas put on extra pounds in the weight room this spring in hopes of becoming a stronger, more durable player. Dallas’s workload is set to increase this year, and he is doing all the right things to prove he’s a good bet to become one of the team’s stars. As the Hurricanes hope to take advantage of a strong quarterback play by Malik Rosier, a favorable rushing attack can assist the team in making a comeback as one of the conference’s premier teams; the team hopes Dallas can make it happen.

Lawrence Cager 

Despite the Hurricanes losing the game Wisconsin, Lawrence Cager set careers highs in receptions (4) and receiving yardage (76) while scoring. Conclusively recruited out of high school, and receiving offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State, Cager had impressive stats in 2015 and is only increasing those as he progresses in the game. 

Jeff Thomas 

Jeff Thomas is a speedy and versatile player. As a freshman, the wide receiver made 17 catches for 374 yards and a touchdown, which made him the Hurricane’s fourth-leading receiver in yardage. The exits of Christopher Herndon IV and Braxton Berrios can prove to be an excellent opportunity for players like Thomas to step up to the plate. 

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Patrick Dwyer is a financial advisor who is an ardent supporter of the Miami Hurricanes football team. For more updates about the Hurricanes, visit this blog.

Exploring The Superior Wilderness Of Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale is the largest island in the vast Lake Superior. The land mass is more than 45 miles at its longest point and nine miles at its widest. It is also surrounded by around 400 smaller islands. These isles make up the Isle Royale National Park, established on April 3, 1940.

Image source: nationalparks.org

In 1976, the park was designated as a National Wilderness Area to preserve its natural conditions. And in 1980, because of its wondrous ecosystems, it was also made an International Biosphere Reserve. 

People can still visit Isle Royale National Park, although they have to ride a sea vessel or a float plane to do so. 

One of the most enjoyable things to do in the park is to appreciate its unadulterated flora and fauna. Because there is limited human intervention today, several wildlife mammals can roam freely in the place. The park is known for its wolf and moose populations. There are also plenty of birds that can be spotted there, particularly loons that let out their magnificent call on the coastal waters. Different species of wildflowers and berries are littered all over the forests that are also home to conifers and deciduous trees. 

There are campgrounds for those who want to stay the night. And if they are lucky enough, they can even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. 

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Dwyer and Associates support the protection and preservation of the U.S.’s national parks. Read more about these wonderful places here.

Rugged Beauty: Having a Good Time At The Badlands National Park

Mount Rushmore is just one of the many magnificent sights that can be found in South Dakota; another is the Badlands National Park.

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Formed by eons of deposition and erosion, the 242,756-acre land boasts of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires and painted gullies that preserve the past in layers of colorful sediments. The park also has the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the country.

Visitors can have a good time in the Badlands via different activities. For one, there is a number of hiking paths of varying difficulties, which means that people of differing hiking skill levels can enjoy and explore the trails and monuments that are millions of years in the making. Most trails reward those who can finish them with grand views of the park. The journey itself can also be satisfying because of the presence of numerous species of flora and fauna that reside in the park.

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Visitors can also revel in history as many fossils have been dug in the paleontologically rich park since the middle of 19th century. Remains of prehistoric creatures are abundant in Badlands, which tourists can learn more about through guided fossil trails on the several boardwalks sprawled across the park.

Humanity should do its best to protect the planet’s biodiversity, which is why Dwyer and Associates fully supports the initiatives made to preserve the country’s national parks. Read more about these natural wonders by following this Twitter page.

Three fun facts fans should know about the Canes

The Miami Hurricanes is known for having passionate fans and for producing some of the best football players in the U.S. For those who are only getting to know the team and its rich history, check out these three fun facts about the Miami Hurricanes: 

Image source: Miami.edu

The distinctive "U" logo 

These days, the logo can be seen as a giant bling proudly hanging on the neck of whoever won the turnover chain. However, the distinctive logo was decided by Bill Bodenheimer, a Miami designer to make the university stand out from other schools that have the initials UM. U also launched slogans such as "U gotta believe" and "U is great." 

Sebastian the Ibis 

Those who attend the University of Miami can always spot the beloved mascot Sebastian the Ibis hanging around the campus aside from being present during games. But why did the university choose the ibis as its spirit animal? It is said that the ibis is the last bird to seek shelter whenever a hurricane is approaching to warn those around. 

Orange smoke 

As they enter the field, the football players run through smoke as a way of exciting the fans. In the ‘50s, fire extinguishers were used to create the smoke. While the setup and the equipment used to produce the smoke has changed since the 1950s, the tradition remains. And the team still looks cool while they enter the stadium. For sports lovers, knowing about their team's traditions makes them more than just fans. This makes them feel that they are friends who are willing to support their team no matter what. 

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For updates on collegiate sports and the Miami Hurricanes, follow this blog for financial advisor Patrick Dwyer.