Uncertain, Texas
Uncertain is a great name for a town and this is a great spot for a vacation with the kids. The real draw here is Caddo Lake State Park where your choice of recreational activities is wide open. A very popular activity is to canoe through the creepy moss covered trees. If the kids are so young they might be scared, they can always just take a dip in the lake. Caddo Lake offers plenty of opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing, and camping. An absolute must is a tour of Caddo Lake on the Graceful Ghost, a paddlewheel steamboat.
Caddo Lake State Park
245 Park Rd 2
Karnack TX 75661
(903) 679-3351
tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/caddo_lake/
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke is the interesting name of a little village on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The fun begins with the ferry ride to Ocracoke. Among the activities to indulge in here are a free tour of the lighthouse and the Blackbeard tour at Teach's Hole, a shop that specializes in all things pirate. Older kids will enjoy the Ocracoke Ghost Walk, but it might be a little too much for very young children. Rent bikes at the Slushy Stand or head out to sea on a schooner named the Windfall.
Ocraoke Recreational Activities
ocracokevillage.com/activities.htm
Teach's Hole
935 Irvin Garrish Highway
Ocracoke, NC 27960
(252) 928-1718
teachshole.com/
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
A vacation to an active volcano immediately means fun for many kids. The national park here offers many special programs for kids during the summer. There is a Junior Ranger program for kids aged 7-12. Kids of any age are invited to become members of the Chipmunk Club. Even parents are encouraged to join the Volcano Club. These activities serve to enhance the fun of exploring the extraordinary geological features found here. The Bumpass Hell hiking trail is sure to be a lot of fun when the mud pots and pyrite pools release their noxious bursts of hydrogen sulfide. You can choose to either camp inside the park or relax in slightly more comfortable surroundings at the nearby Drakesbad Guest Ranch. Staying here is a lot like camping because there is no electricity. Kids will get a kick out of using the kerosene lamps at night.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
P.O. Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063
(530) 595-4480
nps.gov/lavo/index.htm
Drakesbad Guest Ranch
End of Warner Valley Road
Chester, CA 96020
(866) 999-0914
drakesbad.com/
Article Written By Timothy Sexton
Timothy Sexton is an award-winning author who started writing in 1994. He has written on topics ranging from politics and golf to nutrition and travel, and his work appears online for Zappos.com, Disaboom and MOJO, among others. He has also done work for "Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Florida.
