Canada: Stunning Beauty & Amazing Wildlife

OH, CANADA! 

Some of the animals featured in my children’s poetry book, PAWPRINTS IN THE SNOW, can be seen by visiting the breathtaking national parks of Canada. Best time to do it? This year! Canada is celebrating its 150^th birthday in 2017 with FREE entrance to its parks (only those managed by Parks Canada). Banff and Jasper are two of Canada’s treasures, and among the oldest in the country. You’ll see moose in abundance, like in the photo at left, taken by wildlife photographer Robert Kramer, whose photos appear in Pawprints. The shy, nocturnal wolves are harder to spot. If you love the sight of Rocky mountain peaks, glacial lakes shimmering in the sun, verdant forests and blue skies, make your way to Canada. If you like to save money…do it this year. 

 

And if there’s a child in your life who loves animals, rhyming poems and wildlife photos…check out PAWPRINTS IN THE SNOW  by Susan Miura and Patt Nicholls, with poems about the fascinating ways God protects animals from the cold. See a full review on The Daddy Guide, a website that reviews hundreds of products for children.  http://thedaddy.guide/pawprints-in-the-snow/

Here's the moose poem from PAWPRINTS IN THE SNOW. Scroll down to see two other sample poems.

 

Moose

The mighty moose is strong and tall;

He doesn’t mind the cold at all.

He dines on leaves and grass and twigs.

And grows and grows so very big.

Let snowflakes fall and cold winds blow,

His long legs plod through ice and snow.

God blessed him with a thick tough hide

That keeps cold out, and warmth inside. 

Fun Facts: Moose are the largest deer in the world. Their long legs help them walk through deep snow. In summer, moose love to swim and eat plants that grow in lakes and rivers. A moose can paddle for many miles and stay under water for thirty seconds.

PAWPRINTS IN THE SNOW

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I’m drifting away from travel talk today to tell you about my new children’s animal poetry book, Pawprints in the Snow. Written for kids ages 3-9, this Christian-based book combines rhyme with reason and faith with science, with poems and colorful wildlife photos on every page. 

At the end of each poem, kids will find researched fun facts about the featured animal. For example, polar bears have hollow hairs, to help keep them afloat while swimming. And a moose has long legs so it can wade through rivers and deep snow. Speaking of snow…did you know it won’t melt on a wolf’s fur? Kids will have fun learning how God keeps these animals and many others warm in winter or cold climates. 

Available from Amazon.com

Here are a couple of sample poems and photos:

AMAZING IDAHO

Nature on Steroids

If you’re looking for an amazing, nature-filled vacation with dramatic scenery, incredible photo opportunities, and every outdoor activity you can conjure…think IDAHO. I know…everyone hears that name and thinks “potatoes.” But Idaho is sooo much more. With the majestic Rocky Mountains running through it from north to south, and a plethora of waterfalls, hot springs, forests, lakes and rivers, this state is like nature on steroids. It even has Hell’s Canyon, divided by the Snake River, which is the deepest gorge in the U.S. Along the Snake you’ll find Shoshone Falls (near Twin Falls, ID – southeast section of the state), which is higher than Niagara Falls. Head east a little ways to see Mesa Falls in Ashton, also a breathtaking sight.

Otherworldly

Possibly one of the most fascinating areas is Craters of the Moon National Monument – a sea of lava flows, dotted with cinder cones and sagebrush. You’ll definitely feel like you’ve left the planet. Idaho is definitely one of our country’s hidden treasures, so next time you’re planning a getaway, consider the potato state. 

And speaking of potatoes…here’s one of my family’s favorite cookie recipes:

POTATO CHIP COOKIES

2 cups butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups crushed potato chips

Optional: 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla or almond extract. Gradually add flour to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in potato chips and nuts (if using). Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. If you want to make them pretty, add colored sugar or sprinkles and gently press on top. Bake 10-12 min. or until lightly browned. Cool 2 min. before removing from pans to wire racks. When cool, sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.