by Jamee Larson

Summer is here and for many families, that means it is time for a vacation. According to CNN Money, almost sixty percent of Americans plan to take a vacation in the coming months. Although the economy is always a factor in planning a getaway, especially the price of gasoline, many Americans look at summer as a time to get away from the daily grind of work and school and spend precious time with family.

A majority of travelers will cross state lines this summer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing vacation destinations right in your backyard. The Dakota Dinosaur Museum in Dickinson, North Dakota is one such treasure. Open since 1994, the museum is the brainchild of Larry and Alice League, who still serve as Museum Curator and Executive Director. “It all began when Larry started collecting rocks, minerals, and dinosaurs in the late 80s,” Alice said. “We had so many we decided to build a museum.” In fact, the Leagues have amassed a collection of over 800 artifacts which are now on display in the 13,000 square foot museum.

Dakota Dinosaur contains real dinosaurs that were excavated from the area as well as casts of those not found in the Midwest. “Visitors are able to see a full continuum of dinosaurs,” Alice said, “from the earliest to the latest.” According to Alice, the prize of the museum is “Bill,” a 76- inch Triceratops skull that was excavated from Baker, Montana in 1992. It took over twenty-four hours to excavate, plaster, remove, and transport the skull, which is approximately 67 million years old. One of the things that makes the skull so unique is that it is a virtually complete skull, without any restoration or casting.

This season, the museum is highlighting its extensive rock and mineral collection, which contains items from all over the world. Visitors will enjoy minerals on display from exotic parts of the world including Russia, Australia, India, China, Tasmania, Mozambique, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Madagascar, as well as items from the United States. “Most of the states in the U. S. are represented with at least one mineral,” Larry confirms.

The Dakota Dinosaur Museum is open from May 1 through Labor Day. Those that have yet to visit will consider it well worth the trip. “We truly have something for all ages,” Alice said. More information on the museum can be obtained at www.dakotadino.com or by calling 701-225-3466.

Many travelers have already identified their preferred destination. Some will travel to visit long-distance relatives and friends, while others travel with the destination itself in mind. Jim Larson of Thompson, North Dakota falls into the latter category. “I enjoy traveling to the Black Hills,” Larson remarked. “My wife and I have been there approximately ten times and we find something different to enjoy each time.” I asked Jim if the current economic climate played a part in his decision making. “Not really,” he replied. “If you plan ahead, you will be ready for unexpected situations,” adding that he tried to plan vacations where they can enjoy activities that are free or inexpensive. “Free is good,” he explained.

Larson believes that the success of a trip can often come down to handling and even enjoying the unexpected. He told me about hitting a deer in Livingston, Montana on the way home from Seattle a few years ago. “Our car was damaged and needed to be towed into Livingston and repaired,” he explained. “The parts needed to be ordered and the entire process took four days.” Instead of allowing the turn of events to derail their vacation, Larson and his family embraced the moment. “We did not realize that Livingston was very near Yellowstone Park, so we rented a car and traveled to the park. We also enjoyed Livingston and took advantage of their July activities. We even found out that Livingston is where “A River Runs Through It” was filmed.” The moral of the story, says Larson, is to make the best of all situations. “Instead of sitting in our room sulking, we took advantage of what was available,” he said. “It actually made our vacation much better.”

MSUM graduate student Heather Rand is also planning a summer vacation. It is often more difficult financially for students to plan vacations, so I welcomed Heather’s perspective, who is planning an eleven-day camping trip through four area states. “This (today’s economy) is definitely at the front of our minds,” she said. “We have eight people going on the trip in a Suburban to help with the overall cost.”

Although the trip was planned when gas prices were lower, Rand believes the group will be able to accommodate for the additional cost. The biggest thing Rand’s group has done is plan with shared costs in mind. “We’re trying to maximize our efficiency by sharing as much as possible, borrowing things we need, and planning meals ahead of time,” she said, adding that her advice to fellow travelers is to pack as little as possible. “There’s never been a time when I traveled that I had wished I brought more stuff from home,” Rand remarked. “The goal for me on this trip is to fit everything I would need into a large purse, pretty much.”

Whether traveling to a specific destination or making plans to visit family and friends, it is necessary to plan ahead. Spur of the moment trips, although exciting, can result in unexpected financial burdens that may derail your plans. As Oscar Wilde once said, “To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.”

Many families will choose to vacation together. Traveling with children can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean vacation should be avoided. Huffington Post offers these tips for traveling as a family:

* Be all-inclusive. Help children feel invested in vacation planning by giving them five possibilities of places you would be comfortable going on vacation, and then letting them choose from those structured, pre-approved choices.

* Let your children know the rules. Discuss appropriate travel behavior well in advance.

* Set limitations. Give children a set amount of spending money upfront that they can use to buy souvenirs.

* Plan for a rainy day. Make sure you have a few indoor activities available in the event of inclement weather.

* Don’t overdo it. There is no need to take the family on expensive trips to exotic locations to have a great time; there are numerous vacation spots close to home that can be just as enjoyable.

* If traveling on a plane, schedule night flights so that your children are more likely to sleep the flight away.

* Bring a variety of familiar favorites on flights. Help create a comfort zone for your kids on the plane and keep them busy by bringing along their favorite snacks, favorite quiet toys, favorite books, and favorite blanket.

* Plan well, but pack a go-with-the-flow attitude. Schedule as much as you can beforehand, but once your travels are underway, come to expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Flexibility, along with a positive attitude, can go a long way in ensuring your family has an enjoyable summer vacation.