Travelsmartplanet

Here’s a moody shot of the iconic Space Needle in Seattle looking like something you could make with a giant erector set.

Groot was created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Tales to Astonish in 1960. The character was supposed to be from outer space and act like a sentient tree-like creature. The first Groot was an invader that wanted to catch humans for experimentation. It’s transformation into a heroic noble being happened in the crossover comic book  storyline “Annihilation: Conquest”. Groot went on to star in Guardians of the Galaxy. He became a pop culture star, with his line “I am Groot” becoming an Internet meme.

How cool is this little study area inside the architecturally stunning Seattle Public Library.

That first glimpse of the Space Needle is always exciting when you are driving in to Seattle.

At the waterfront in Sault Ste. Marie, there’s a park named after Canada’s first female astronaut. You find out that she is a neurologist, biologist, pilot, the first female Canadian astronaut and crew member of the space shuttle Discovery.

Tiny houses have become a huge thing, checkout the Mid-Atlantic Tiny House Expo and see why. It’s all about simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space.

Tiny house living is a social movement in which people decide to downsize the space they live in. It’s all about simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space. A typical tiny house is about 100 – 400 square feet, and come in all shapes and constructions. Building a tiny house costs significantly less than purchasing a traditional house, and are generally eco-friendly; reducing your impact on the environment and lowering energy costs.

Whether your curious or serious, attendees will be able to see the latest trends in tiny living.  Two action packed days, learning from builders, project experts and lifestyle authors at the educational conferences or panel discussions and meet other tiny house enthusiasts. See the latest in finished THOWS and shells, trailer frames, building materials, plans, products, furnishings and  appliances, and anything else you could possibly need or want to know about tiny houses. Parking FREE.
To buy tickets: tinyhouseexpos.com/tickets/#va-show-ticket-sales

If you can’t make this exhibition, there will be another one at: Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD on October 6-7, 2018

Location: Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Date: May 12 – 13, 2018
Time: 10am – 5pm
Tel: 301-775-1363
tinyhouseexpos.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfred.com

Wilson, NC Exit 121: The North Carolina Whirligig Festival is a 2-day hometown annual arts and crafts festival features arts of the region, including the giant Whirligigs created by late local artist, Vollis Simpson. Like the whimsical outsider art, the Wilson Whirligig Festival,  in Historic Downtown Wilson, is a community celebration of people and art in motion.

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is hosting their Grand Opening the Thursday before the festival weekend, Nov. 2^nd starting at 4 pm.

With Over 200+ vendors, 3 stages of live entertainment, a showcase of local and interactive art,  delicious food, beer gardens, Non-Profit organizations, free Whirli-Kidz Zone, Special events, 5K Whirli-Run, Whirli-Kidz Stage & Choir, Cup Cake Challenge, Photo Contest. New this year is a Ninja Whirligig Warrior Zone where you can meet local American Ninja Warriors, watch them compete and get a chance to test out the course yourself.

The ever popular cake dive is back, Sun @4pm: witness the festival’s messiest event, a “dive” into a large 10 ft x 10 ft anniversary cake for a variety of prizes.

Touch-A-Truck is a fun event for the whole family, allowing children three + an all access pass to explore, climb and touch city of Wilson trucks and emergency response vehicles. Kids can sit in vehicles, honk the horn and talk with the equipment operators. Horn free hours will be offered throughout the day for kids with noise sensitivity.

Douglas Street will transform into a space to build, create, and envision. With Brick Scholars, Greenlight, and Imagination Station Science & History Museum. Kids five + will be able to make Lego creations, even a whirligig! Showcase your creation with the onsite photo booth.

It’s a colorful 2-day celebration that sparks creativity in the people of Wilson, so get inspired and take part in the community’s largest celebration. (rain or shine)

Location: Historic Downtown Wilson,NC 27893
Dates: Nov 4 – 5, 2017
Times:  Sat, Nov 4 -10 am – 5 pm , Sun, Nov 5  noon – 5 pm
Tel: 252-289-9650
whirligigfestivalnc.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: wilson-nc.com

What do you get when you assemble authors, scientists, and leading innovators alongside outstanding artists? The International Festival of Arts & Ideas – a 15-day festival of performing arts, lectures; dynamic public programs to captivate, entertain, and motivate a diversity of communities.

Each June, the Festival takes over the theaters, open spaces, and courtyards of New Haven, Connecticut with performances and dialogues that tickle the senses, engage the mind, and inspire the soul. More than 80% of festival programs are completely free to the public, including events that feature some of the most influential jazz, classical, dance, and theater artists of our time.

This year will feature an array of world-premiere theater performances, internationally renowned musicians, modern dance, circus theater, weighty discussions on contemporary issues, food and bicycle tours. Be empowered through the rhythms of BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play, healed through the communal music of (Be)longing, and surprised by international premieres from China, cutting-edge, retro-tech experiences of Manual Cinema, and LEO’s gravity defying theatrics.  In addition, more than a dozen new performances and experiences in ALTAR’d Spaces surrounding the New Haven Green, the Big Read, The Wailers and Rusted Root… the line up is bounteous!

Photo Credits:New Haven Green – Judy Sirota, Pop Up Fair – Haven Anderson

Location: Town Green and various venues throughout the city
Downtown New Haven, CT 06510
Dates: June 3- 24, 2017
Hours: Various
Tel: 203-498-1212
artidea.org/festival
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitnewhaven.com

If you’ve even wanted to feel like an astronaut, but do not want sign up for a space flight, perhaps the first step might be to experience weightlessness. The ZERO-G Experience has built a specially modified Boeing 727. While flying in it, parabolic arcs are performed to create a weightless environment allowing you to float, flip and soar as if you were in space.

The price for this out-of-the world experience starts at $4,950 per person and it includes 12-15 parabolas. You get to keep your  own ZERO-G flight suit, some ZERO-G merchandise, enjoy a a Regravitation Celebration, are given a certificate of weightless completion, and of course, photos and video of your unique experience.

The cities it is happening in from March-August: Austin, TX, Cape Canaveral, FL, Chicago, IL, Houston TX, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, CA, Miami FL, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco CA, Seattle WA

www.gozerog.com

FL Exit 212: Space shuttle Atlantis will be unveiled at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on June 29 for its new mission ­to inspire those who visit it; It will be on permanent display. The Space Coast will be one of only four destinations worldwide where visitors will be able to view an orbiter and one of only three destinations where visitors will be able to view one that traveled to space.

Space shuttle Atlantis made NASA’s historic final launch, completing the 30-year shuttle program. Atlantis will be housed in a brand new $100 million interactive exhibit complex. The shuttle is dramatically showcased as if it were in orbit – as only astronauts have had a chance to see it – departing from the International Space Station.

Rocket Launches – Though the Shuttle program has ended, visitors can still catch sight of unmanned rockets that continue to launch from Kennedy Space Center. Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com to learn about upcoming rocket launches.

Location: Kennedy Space Center
Date and Time:  starting June 29, 2013
Hours: Daily 9-5
Tel:  321-449-4444
www.kennedyspacecenter.com