Nintendo Wii Play

If you were asked what the best selling game on Wii is, you might think of Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit or Super Smash Bros. Brawl. You may be surprised to learn that it’s actually a collection of 9 mediocre mini-games. The game is Nintendo Wii Play.

If you don’t already know, the reason for Wii Play’s success is its value for money. It is such good value for money because the game come bundled with a Wii Remote.

Of course the Wii comes with one controller but most owners will at some stage want to play multiplayer games. The multiplayer aspect of the Wii is one of the main ways the system is promoted. Just look at any of the adverts for Wii games. They always show a family or group of friends having a fun time together on the Wii. They never depict the man playing Zelda until the early hours who looks drained as he’s been playing the game for 8 hours straight, yet feels determined to finish “just one more dungeon” before bed. That is another side of the Wii, but Nintendo focus their marketing on having fun together.

Since a second controller is required to get the most out of the console, most Wii owners will want to purchase one. Wii Remotes typically cost between £26.99 and £29.99. Wii Play with Wii Remote costs around £28. So in some cases you can actually buy it for less than the Wii remote alone. At most you will not pay more than a few extra pounds for Wii Play than you would for the controller alone.

The downside of Nintendo Wii Play is that the mini-games themselves are very shallow and likely to become boring and repetitive quickly. After each game has been unlocked, which can usually been done within two attempts at the previous game, there are no rewards for continued play other than a high score. If some of the games were a little more difficult to unlock, it could add further value to the title.

The following is a brief rundown of each mini-game.

Shooting Range – This is first game available in Wii Play. Players aim their remote at the screen and fire using the trigger at clay pigeons, ducks and flying saucers.

Laser Hockey – Like Air Hockey, two players use a mallet to hit a puck into their opponent’s goal. The motion of the remote is tied to the motion of the mallet.

Tanks – This 2D overhead shooting game is the only one in Nintendo Wii Play for which the Nunchuck can be used alongside the Remote. The Wii Remote is used to aim your tank’s gun at enemies while the Nunchuck is used to move the tank around the play area.

Find Mii – The remote is used to select a Mii from a crowd which matches criteria given before each round.

Charge – This is the only game where the remote is held in the style of bicycle handle bars. The remote can be used like a steering wheel to race a cow to the end of a track before the time runs out. Bashing into scarecrows is rewarded with time extensions.

Billiards – As you would expect this is a Wii Play version of Billiard. The remote is used to select where the cue ball is hit, then the remote is pulled back and pushed forth to simulate the motion of the cue in order to hit the ball.

Table Tennis – The remote is used to control the position of a bat in a table tennis match.

Fishing – The play must cast their rod by swinging the remote and then move the rod around to catch a fish and pull it up.

Pose Mii – This Nintendo Wii Play game uses Mii characters. Pressing the button on the controller changes the pose of the Mii. The Mii must then be manoeuvre into a matching shape inside a moving bubble.

Nintendo Wii Play is almost a free title given away with a Wii Remote so you needn’t think too hard about whether or not to purchase it. Just don’t expect the game itself to keep you entertained for more than a few hours.

Helium-Powered Advertising

When people think of advertising, the first options are usually television, radio, newspapers and billboards. It never comes across the person’s head to use balloons, which happen to be the cheapest of all these methods.

Why? Perhaps because these balloons are often regarded as accessories in birthdays, parties and other company functions.

But do people know that the first balloons ever built were used as bombers or as the first passenger airliners in the world? These may have happened more than 60 years ago but there are people who use this now to advertise a certain product and increase sales.

The reason why advertising balloons are so cheap is that it does not take that much to make or maintain it. The materials used are made of nylon and silicon that can withstand strong winds or pokes by birds.

The person will just have to replace the helium tanks when these are empty so that this can be airborne again after a short period of time.

The helium-powered balloon is also considered to be the best-known method to advertise. This is because it can be seen miles away and can travel from one place to another, which a billboard can’t. It is able to catch those who are on the road and those who don’t watch television often.

A company who decides to invest in helium powered advertising balloon can use for a long period of time. If the firm has a new campaign to launch, all the people have to do is make the balloon land so that the logo or design is replaced with a new one.

The budget of the company will determine the size of the helium-powered balloon. This is because there are models that are seven feet long to those that could be thirty feet in length.

Some consider the helium powered advertising balloon as a huge billboard. This can be mobile by tying it securely, which can float up to as high as 120 feet. If the people want to get more attention, this can be flown by a pilot or using a remote control.

Advertising balloons can get the message across to the consumer. This is the reason some companies such as Budweiser or Goodyear have this flown regularly in major sports events because it is able to deliver the sales to help the business grow.

Companies big or small should spend on advertising. This is the only way to create brand awareness and develop new markets.

Remote Controlled Cars – Reasons Enthusiasts Love This Hobby

Very often radio controlled hobbies start with cars. Children are normally given remote controlled cars as a gift and many times this is the beginning of their fascination for cars. Boats and planes are the more exotic type of remote controlled devices but they are expensive and a little more difficult to operate compared to cars. Cars may not be completely destroyed if they crash, unlike planes or boats. One can gain a good amount of knowledge by assembling a radio controlled car, and this experience will assist in building speedier and trendier cars. The assembling of a RC car is an art and the serious hobbyists spend an enormous amount of time and effort in creating a customized model that can boast of superb speeds and a sleek appearance.

For the beginners of radio controlled hobbies, it is best to purchase a pre-assembled RC car. These are available in toy shops and can help you to learn the skills of the RC car handling. These may not be technological wonders, but are good enough for a beginner. At a later stage, you can dismantle the pre-assembled car to study the general construction of the vehicle like the connections of the engine and the wheels, etc. This will help you understand the intricacies of building your own RC car whenever you decide to do it. You can also utilize some of the parts of your old car in the new one you will build.

After obtaining the essential knowledge on car building, you can fashion out a car model from wood or plastic, install the engine and other components and paint it to your liking. Your amazing RC car is ready to face the race tracks. There are people who build fast remote control cars to show off among friends. As a beginner, you must learn the basics of car building before launching on any project.

To become an expert in radio controlled devices you must do a lot of research and there are many resources available to help you in the matter. The Internet is the biggest resource and you can find all the information that you require at the click of a mouse. There are tutorials for the novices and community groups or forums deal with specific queries relating to the issue. Forums and groups are formed by those sharing the hobby of remote controlled devices to discuss their views, experiences and accomplishments with other like -minded people.

There are many races and exhibitions held for remote controlled cars and you can participate in one of them to get to know other like- minded people. The best way to find out about these races is to search on the Internet for a race or a convention nearby. It may be a weekend trip but it will be worth the effort to meet other radio control enthusiasts. There may be meetings to discuss tips and tricks of the trade or it may be a competition of some kind involving RC cars. A wealth of information can be obtained by just speaking to other RC car hobbyists present there.

Remote control cars are becoming a popular hobby and if you wish to indulge in this hobby, you need to start by learning the basics, and with the resources at your disposal, the rest will fall in place.

A Pizza the American Dream

I’m not anti-American, but I do worry about the cost of supporting Bush.

David Beckham has been criticised for succumbing to the lure of the dollar, but his decision was perfectly justified. Judging by the state of his wife, he was struggling to put food on the table in Madrid.

I’m concerned that other stars may follow Beckham’s controversial lead. FC Dallas play at ‘Pizza Hut Park’, the temptation may prove overwhelming for Wayne Rooney.

Before the Roonatic can commit himself either way, he must first concentrate on United’s trip to the Emirates. Arsenal dominated the match at Old Trafford; the 13/8 about a repeat is larger than a 16 inch pepperoni with extra cheese; or as it’s known in the Rooney household; ‘breakfast’.

If Arsenal v Man U is the main course, Liverpool v Chelsea is a pretty tasty appetiser. The only suitable label for such an extravaganza is the one I used when Peter Crouch claimed he’d score 20 goals this season; ‘the big four collide.’

The timing of this fixture could not have been better for the Reds. Everton may have paraded Sylvester Stallone in front of their supporters; but Liverpool fans will get to see two great thespians.

John Terry has been offered a deal worth £600,000 a month; that’s just peanuts to David Beckham; which coincidentally, is his wife’s favourite meal. Chelsea are a different team without their influential captain, I’m painting the town red at 15/8.

West Ham are beginning to feel the pressure. The once idle threat of relegation is now working out three times a week. The Hammers can take an invaluable point from St James’ at a fighting fit 5/2.

Nicky Butt was involved in a nasty altercation with Chimbonda last weekend. I’m not a boxing referee, but I think Pascal shaded it. A 2-2 draw is definitely in play at a colourful 16/1.

Mad Evertonian Sly Stallone is not just a mediocre actor; he’s also a pretty warm gambler. Rumour has it that he phoned the Watford manager to say, “Yo Adrian, get on the Villa at 8/13. Great advice from a true football fanatic.

Robbie Savage can count himself lucky. If I was officiating the Gilberto incident, i’d have shown the blonde nuisance a yellow for the original foul, a yellow for the kick after the whistle, a yellow for collapsing like a Hollywood stuntman, a yellow for the patronising ‘don’t send him off’ routine and a straight red for the haircut. Tough, but ultimately fair. Man City v Blackburn is a stick-on draw at a golden 9/4.

I’ll take nothing away from the average American, especially his dinner. I’m going to feast on the 5/6 about Reading blunting the Blades.

Let me just clarify, Sylvester Stallone was only in the UK to promote his new film, ‘Rocky 6 – The fight against arthritis’. The rumour that Martin Jol was considering signing him as a replacement for Paul Robinson is probably without foundation. Fulham have won their last four matches at home to Spurs, a fifth is on the cards at 15/8.

Sylvester Stallone will be tuning into Sky to watch his beloved Everton play Wigan; if he can get to grips with the remote control. The Toffeemen will have to settle for a draw at 9/4.

Love is never having to say you’re sorry, a philosophy that the wife holds dear. I’m not apologising for steaming into the 6/4 about an in form Middlesbrough seeing off Bolton at the Riverside.

Portsmouth are the weekend good things at home to a troubled Charlton. You’ll be as grateful as an American on tanks-giving if you play on Pompey at a super-sized 4/7.

This week’s accer is so fearsome; Sylvester Stallone has offered it a leading role in Rambo 4. Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Reading and Arsenal are the selections, the payout is an explosive 17/1.

Could You Use A Personal Evaporated Cooler?

Personal evaporated coolers are ideal in the summer months and they are virtually silent meaning there will be little or no disturbance from them.

Are you thinking of getting an air cooler? There is nothing worse than sweating and feeling uncomfortable on a hot summer’s day. The home can quickly become sticky and uncomfortable to be in, even with the windows wide open. A personal evaporated cooler is just what you need in these circumstances and they really can help to keep you cool.

What Are Personal Evaporated Coolers?

Personal Evaporated Coolers are designed for you and you alone and you should easily be able to find an affordable one to suit your needs.

These types of coolers are only designed for one person and they have an internal fan which sends air across a frozen water bottle. It is small in size due to the fact that it is only for one person, though it can reach up to 7 square feet and it can also lower the temperature by up to 12 degrees Celsius.

You can even take a personal evaporated cooler to work as it has quite a low noise level and it will not disturb your colleagues. Another great thing about personal evaporated coolers is that they operate using batteries. They also last for five hours after every water refill that you give them. So that is plenty of time to keep you cool. You can also power your personal evaporated cooler through your car charger so you can keep cool on the way to and from work as well as whilst you go out shopping or taking the family somewhere.

Whilst most personal air coolers are smaller, it is possible to get slightly larger ones which will cool the whole room. These types of coolers are usually referred to as portable coolers and they have the ability to lower the temperature by 15 degrees Celsius.

If you want to compare the personal air coolers to ordinary ones, you will notice that they require no installation at all and they also have a low energy capacity too. They contain a two speed fan which pulls hot air into the cooler and of course they are practically silent so they keep the room quiet causing virtually no disturbance at all.

All that you have to do is purchase a personal evaporated cooler and it is ready to use straight away. They are remote controlled which means that you can choose either a high or a low speed and you can even set a timer telling the cooler to switch off at a certain time. If you would like added features then you may be interested in person evaporated coolers which contain carbon filters and germ free water curtains which make sure that you are getting the cleanest air possible. There are also coolers which come with an antibacterial water tank which gives you added hygiene. You should also notice that there are castors on the bottom of the coolers which makes it easier to carry them from room to room.

Overall personal evaporated coolers are ideal for people who could do with cooling down at work and the great news is that they are extremely cheap to purchase.

4 Remote Controlled Vehicles – Tips To Identify The Best One

There are many hobbies around the world but none more fun than the radio controlled hobbies that many people seem to enjoy. What could be more exciting than taking a fully efficient miniature vehicle version of a real car and driving or flying it? All it takes is a basic familiarity for motors and the radio equipment for you to join in.

1. Remote Control Cars –

Many men remember when they were young boys getting a remote controlled car to play with. Due to this, it is not surprising that this simple yet exciting toy is still the most fun. However, many may argue that this is no longer true.

These cars are created so the user can steer, speed up and slow down as they need it. Nowadays, this can be done in a couple of ways.

Some cars are designed to be battery operated; others are equipped with a gasoline or nitro methane engine. Why would someone change their car? Many notice that battery powered cars have less speed than gas or nitro fitted. These cars can come in kits that are already pre-done, meaning there are no special parts that can be added. (This is a good idea for someone new at remote control cars.) People can also build their remote control car from scratch meaning they will take parts from anywhere to make and design their car.

2. Remote Control Boats –

While a remote control car is very popular to have, for enthusiasts having a boat can be fun too. It is pretty easy to convert toy boat and make it into one that can be controlled by remote. The only issue to this is the boat’s electrical parts and engine need to be kept in a waterproof area.

How can a person keep the engine and electric parts from getting shorted out? It can be done by positioning the engine in the boat’s hull with the propeller coming out from under the water into a water tight seal.

It would not be a bad thinking to acquire a kit with a pre-made boat. This can save time and money from trying to create your own, which could cause waterlogged or even ruined engines.

3. Remote Control Planes –

Remote control planes cause the most problems for people but more so for beginners. Why? Planes need accurate measurements and calculations to keep in the air.

It is easy to procure a kit to make a plane. In the kit there will be pieces that will need to be cut out and all you will have to do is bond them together. After that, you can add the radio and motor equipment. Should you be of the audacious type, you can purchase wood of lightweight origin and make a plane done from scratch using the wood and other plane parts.

4. Remote Control Helicopters –

Helicopters, like planes, are not the only thing that can be flown in the air. Like a plane, the costs is relatively the same. Although a helicopter is able to go backwards, forwards and hover mid-air unlike a plane.

With four different types of remote control vehicles to choose from, all that is stopping you from enjoying this technological hobby is you.

The Purpose of a Portable Air Conditioner

A portable air conditioner provides many advantages for those who need additional cooling in their homes or offices. Since traditional air conditioning units are larger and fit in a window, they also require ventilation. A portable air conditioner does not require that someone places it in a window or cuts a hole in a wall for ventilation, ensuring that it is truly mobile and can be transported to any room that needs additional cooling. Since there are many rooms or buildings that are not designed for traditional air conditioning units, a portable air conditioner often provides the best solution.

 

Some typical uses for a portable air conditioner includes cooling a shed, garage, basement or warehouse as well as for use in places like RVs, trailers, and boats. However, a portable air conditioner can provide the cooling needed in any room such as a kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. Since a portable air conditioner operates simply by plugging it in, it is the perfect way to make certain that you remain cool and comfortable in any environment.

 

Another advantage of using a portable air conditioner is the fact that the unit is on wheels. This ensures that if you need to continually transport the unit from one room to another that you can do so easily and without hindrance. This is especially important for those who work in warehouses that do not have traditionally cooling systems installed. A portable air conditioner can easily be rolled from one workroom to another without needing to lift the unit or manually transport it.

 

Today’s portable air conditioners feature many more luxuries that previous models simply didn’t have. For example, current models include digital touch settings and are also easily operated with a remote control. This makes it very convenient to ensure that your air conditioning unit is set to the perfect temperature at all times.

 

Portable air conditioners also serve as dehumidifiers and are a suitable solution for those who need to remove excessive moisture from an area. This is perfect for those who are in a working condition that they feel is a bit too humid or may be contributing to excessive mold growth. When looking for a portable air conditioner you should take into consideration how much moisture you expect the unit to hold and whether or not you want the unit to connect through a hose to expel moisture or to use evaporation technology.

 

When moisture is removed from the air, either through a dehumidifier, a traditional air conditioning unit, or a portable air conditioner the moisture must be expelled. When the moisture enters the unit it is turned into water. Traditional window air conditioners provide a vent where the water is allowed to drip out the back of the unit. Dehumidifiers often have a tank where the water is collected and then manually removed. However, new models of portable air conditioners use a technology known as evaporation. These units do not need to be vented or connected to a hose as they take the moisture and evaporate it through the use of a coolant. It’s important to take all of these pints into consideration when determining the best unit for your home or office needs.

 

5 Types Of Remote Control Helicopter

If you are thinking of what particular remote control helicopter to buy, then this article should help.

Here are the different types of remote control helicopter:

Gas remote control helicopter – If you are thinking of flying a helicopter that somehow close to flying a real helicopter, then the gas remote control helicopter is for you. Made with an engine and powered by gas, this helicopter is the most advanced remote control helicopter to buy. Gas remote control helicopter does not come cheap with engine and more complicated moving parts. Gas remote control helicopter is for advanced rc pilot.

Electric remote control helicopter – Early electric remote control helicopters released are expensive but later models are more affordable. This makes electric remote control helicopters more popular than any type of remote control helicopters in the market. It is easy to fly. It creates no noise and smell not like the gas remote control helicopter. It is powered by a rechargeable battery. The electric remote control helicopter is suitable for beginners.

Mini remote control helicopter – Also powered by battery, this type of remote control helicopter is similar to the electric rc helicopter. In fact, it is hard to define if the electric remote control helicopter falls on the category of a mini. But to be safe about it, you can say that it is mini if you can fly it on your living room without imposing danger on your furniture.

Mini remote control helicopter is fun to fly although controlling it on air might be a little complicated at first. But once you get the hang of it, maneuvers and landings are easy. It is also far more affordable than the two mentioned types of remote control helicopter.

Micro remote control helicopter – If you have seen micro rc car, micro rc boat, and micro rc plane, then you should not be surprised if you see micro remote control helicopter. This tiny piece of aircraft can stretch up to 8 inches. But, you cannot consider it a toy. It has standard features similar to that of a standard remote control helicopter. It is so tiny that makes it look so delicate but in face, materials used such as titanium and carbon is strong.

Toy remote control helicopter – If you want an affordable remote control helicopter, then this one is for you. Only remember that to fly this type of remote control helicopter requires a lot of practice.

Crazy Ideas Can be Valuable

Sometimes it is just fun to create and share crazy ideas. For example, I recently read about one man’s idea to give away free gas. The catch was that there were remote-controlled paintball guns with cameras on them, connected to a web site on the internet. People would pay to fire paintballs at drivers as they filled their tanks. Apparently this gentleman even went as far as to ask city officials if they would allow such a business. They wouldn’t, but it was worth a good laugh in any case.

Apart from the humor and fun, though, there is often something to be gained from exploring crazy ideas. The more obvious examples are ideas that eventually lead to practical solutions for business, like the idea of eyes on shoes that lead (by a circuitous route) to safety reflectors which make joggers more visible at night, so drivers don’t hit them. But there are also important questions of philosophy, psychology and morality that can be profitably explored from the perspective of an unusual idea. The following is an example of that.

The Thousand Mile Hole

One day I had a crazy thought. I imagined that somewhere in an isolated forest, a hole a thousand miles deep and several hundred feet across is discovered. Rather than ignore this idea, I worked with it a bit. It wasn’t long before I imagined falling into the hole, and I realized that because of air resistance, I would soon reach a terminal velocity of around 120 miles-per-hour. That meant I would have eight hours before hitting the bottom and dying.

Put yourself into this scenario. You can’t have a much more certain countdown to death. You know you have roughly eight hours to live. What do you think about? Does it matter? If you can hold a pen and piece of paper against the wind, what would you write?

If you assume for a moment that someday your remains will be discovered, you might actually still have something to offer the world with your writing. That’s an intriguing thought, isn’t it? Being the first person to fall a thousand miles to your death would generate enough interest that people would surely read what you had written as your final thoughts. What insight would this eight hour journey provide? What could you share that might help others?

But what if you had no pen? You are simply going to die, and nobody will ever know what happened during these eight hours. In that case, does everything you think or do become irrelevant? We like to think that with even eight months left to live what we do matters, but what about eight hours? Would you still try to live the “good” life for that remaining time? What would that mean? Thinking loving thoughts about others? Trying to see the bright side of life?

I explored these questions in my own mind for a while. One question in particular that came to mind was about the reason for morality. Is thought or action morally good only on the basis of an expected future outcome? There is hardly a future when falling eight hours to one’s death. Is there a moral value to thoughts and actions that is in the moment, in the action itself?

I also wondered at the metaphorical value of the above scenario. Is there a “thousand mile deep hole” that we can fall into? Do we gain a new spiritual perspective in the process, with which we are “reborn” after the fall?

The Value Of Crazy Ideas

When we allow crazy ideas to arise, they may come from unconscious places that are trying to show us something.  Even if the “trying to show us” part is not strictly true, these images and thoughts from the unconscious mind are an opportunity to look at things from a new perspective. For example, imagine a new creature, the “deniaphant,”  an enormous being who is human-like but with elephant-like feet which were so large that he regularly steps on and kills people. This makes him very sad, so what is his solution? He stops looking down.

It’s a silly thought, and yet it immediately suggests itself as a metaphor for what we humans actually do. We stop looking at the pain and suffering we cause others, because that’s much easier than watching where we step. If we were to develop the story of the deniaphant further, we might see what the consequences of such an approach are, and perhaps what could be done about it. Examples like this hint at the value of crazy ideas when they are explored with an open mind.

California Kids Getaways, From Horses to Innertubes

California has its theme parks, but where can you take the kids in California besides the usual trips to Disneyland or SeaWorld?

Here are three examples of great getaways for holidays, or for any other time of year that you can take the kids along.

San Francisco

San Francisco has a plethora of attractions for the small-fry ranging from theme parks to museums to aquariums to islands where you can enjoy great hikes and spectacular views of the bay. While many see San Francisco as a romantic city, the truth is you can have just as much fun when you take the kids along.

Start by booking a Kids Suite, like the one we reserved at the Hotel Union Square in the heart of the city. It’s not likely you’re going to see a bunch of kids running through the hallways, or teens congregating in the lobby. This is a more sophisticated hotel that just happens to offer some of its accommodations in a special format that appeals to families.

While parents will love the fact that this is a boutique hotel – with all the extras that the term implies such as brick walls, mosaic murals, warm colors and stylish furnishings – the kids who share the Kids Suite with Mom and Dad are in for an extra special treat. The suite actually is a spacious high-ceiling corner room that has been subdivided into a parents area and a kids area. A free-standing partition also serves as a storage device where games, toys, dolls and anything your kids could want are ready to use anytime.

There is a bed for the kids, and on the kids desk is a Mac computer ready to fire up and play games on the internet. But the piece de resistance is the 47″ flat panel HD TV hanging on the wall with a Wii game system attached – an incredibly fun diversion for kids and adults alike. The Wii system lets you play tennis, baseball or golf or other sports by holding remote controls in your hands and “hitting” the ball with the same physical movements you would use in the real sport. We literally spent hours playing these games with our eight-year-old – one of the most unusual and fun experiences we’ve ever had with our kids in a hotel room.

When you do venture outside, there are many family activities in the city, especially near Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39: Aquarium by the Bay, an arcade-like atmosphere and real up-close animals such as the sea lions lounging by the pier. From here, you can take a ferry to Angel Island, a popular island where visitors hike trails and visit more than 100 historical buildings. Another great attraction in the city is the hands-on science center called the Exploratorium, located near the Presidio at the end of the waterfront near the Golden Gate Bridge. And then there’s Golden Gate Park, where there is a children’s playground including a restored carousel, Alcatraz Island, where you can take a self-guided tour of the famous prison that was closed in 1963, and the San Francisco Zoo, which offers hours of enjoyment for the whole family.

For more information on Hotel Union Square, phone 1-800-553-1900 or visit www.hotelunionsquare.com.

Resort at Indio

Another “adult” place that can also be fun for the kids is the Greater Palm Springs area. On our most recent trip to the desert we based ourselves a few miles east of Palm Springs in Indio, a comfortable neighborhood, but perhaps less extravagant than some other parts of the valley. Out on the eastern edge of the valley cities, this area is now undergoing a major transformation with several new housing developments that feature modern, spacious homes set alongside man-made lagoons and canals, all five minutes from the freeway. It is in this same area that a major new resort complex – the Resort at Indio – was built just in the last few years.

This group of condo-style buildings includes 453 units altogether, built around what almost looks like a water theme park full of swimming pools, whirlpool spas, giant sprinklers for the kids, ponds, canals and even a man-made river to float down on a resort-provided inner-tube. There are a couple of huge swimming pools – the largest being almost 5,000 square feet. The resort also includes tennis courts, a basketball court, a recreation center with pool, ping-pong and other games, and a modern workout gym.

Given the recreational opportunities, it’s not surprising that the Resort at Indio is especially popular with families. During our visit on an unseasonably warm spring weekend, family groups large and small were taking full advantage of the pools and other facilities. Families were taking advantage of hundreds of deck chairs all positioned poolside and an easy walk from the snack area. Come mealtime, many would walk the short distance back to their condo units and fire up the barbecues available on their decks and patios.

As you might expect, the accommodations are really vacation rentals, not hotel rooms – each unit comes with a complete kitchen, multiple bedrooms, living and dining room areas. Since the resort is almost brand-new, everything is in top shape with the latest appliances, colors and decor.

This is the kind of place where you can settle in for a few days, let the kids play and meet other kids and just relax. Within easy driving distance, you’ll also find fun family excursions such as Patton Museum with its World War II tanks as well as other fighting equipment and memorabilia. There are many hikes in the general area, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is another fun family adventure.

For more information on the Resort at Indio, phone 800-867-2095 or visit www.greatpricedcondos.com/id/.

Greenhorn Guest Ranch

To our way of thinking, one of the most ideal family vacations we have taken is when we visited Greenhorn Guest Ranch, about an hour’s drive west of Reno in California’s Plumas County.

Sometimes you just know when you’ve come home. Within about 30 minutes of our arrival at Greenhorn, we were chowing down on their Friday night barbecue of scrumptious, fall-off-the-bone ribs with all the fixin’s. The owners of the ranch, Trish and Ralph Wilburn, were strumming their guitars and singing western songs by the campfire. Soon, the kids in the group were scurrying to get their marshmallows and chocolate so they could get more smores than anyone else.

Out there, the Big City might as well have been on the moon — which, incidentally, was just starting to rise to take its place among the sparkling stars visible above the towering dark pine trees’ surrounding the ranch.

The Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch is where you go to get a healthier heart. Not that barbecue ribs and steaks and big breakfasts of bacon and sausage and biscuits are going to unclog your arteries. The heart we’re talking about is the one that helps you look at the world and shape your reactions to it. It’s the one that sometimes gets a little overwhelmed with the day-to-day and forgets about the big picture.

The big picture is considerably brighter after spending a few days with fellow ranch visitors of all ages, shapes and sizes. Some of the people visiting the Greenhorn know about horses and may even have horses of their own. Others aren’t sure which stirrup to step into first. Some are constantly running from one ranch activity to the next. Others are just content to sit on their cabin porches and inhale the Great Outdoors. Most people will ride the horses, sometimes an hour or two each day.

Cabins are cozy and the food’s good at the Chuckhouse dining room. Coming up Thanksgiving Week, the food will probably be pretty spectacular with a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner as well as many holiday activities such as wreath-making and a horse-drawn wagon ride to cut down your own Christmas tree. Guests don’t have to book the entire week; you can come for just a night or two to get a taste of this wonderful family experience.

For more information on the Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch, please go to www.greenhornranch.com or call 1-800-334-6939.

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