Geo-caching

(Geocaching.com logo from romegeorgia.com)

Do you remember hide and seek or going on "treasure hunts" when you were younger. Now you can again! Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. (http://www.geocaching.com/)

Let's go! There's a whole world out there to explore!

Geocaches are everywhere, all you have to do is visit their website and you can start in your area. Once you find all the caches in your surrounding area, you'll want to branch out. You might also want to stash some of your own caches. It's the ULTIMATE game that even the kids can play. Make it a family outing or trip.

If you're a college student and you're taking a road trip, just download the Geocaching App to your phone and you can pick up the hunt anywhere! There are 54 caches just outside my office in a two-mile radius! Imagine the possibilities of your adventures!

Caches can be many different sizes and be hidden everywhere. The site will give you hint where to find it and once you do be sure to sign your name and update on the site when you get a chance!

Here are a few examples of cache locations:

Lovell G. Turnbull Memorial Cache
Hint: The cache was placed in memory of Lovell G. Turnbull. It is a Micro cache in the downtown Ferndale area. This area can be muggle intensive so please use caution when hunting for this cache. Lovell G. Turnbull was the first village president of Ferndale in 1918.

First Date Cache
Hint: This cache is relatively easy to find, grab a treat while you're in the area ;o) *Requires stealth depending on the time of day and the time of year.*
We left this cache in the place where we had our first date.Share where you had your first date. Be as detailed as you please. In the cache is a notebook. We put a pencil and sharpener inside, but bring your own writing utensil, just in case. We also put a bunch of little goodies inside for you to trade out with.

Stop the Press
Hint: Located in fasionable Ferndale this cache is right between two printing shops, so hence the name.Please set back the cache original spot keep out of Mugglers sight.Stealth is need.

Now it's your turn! Visit http://www.geocaching.com/about/default.aspx to learn more and GET STARTED!

Let the adventure begin!

Get Lost in the Celebration- 150th Civil War Anniversary

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY pays homage to it's Civil War Heroes in the 150th Anniversary Year.

Are you a Civil War enthusiast? If so, you know that 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Be sure to take time this year to celebrate the anniversary. Visit the monuments in pivotal St. Joseph County, be or visit the vendors for the Civil War Show and Sale; pay respect to the massive sacrifices that were made and history that was created for America.

The Annual Show and Sale by Zurko's Midwest Promotions is especially interested in bringing you the very best vendors for this auspicious occaision.
August 14, 2011 Zurko's Presents: the Civil War Collectors Show and Sale in Centreville, Michigan. If you're a civil war buff you'll find thousands of museum quality Civil War artifacts
o Guns
o Cavalry swords
o Historical autographs and pictures
“You can buy a real treasure of American History for yourself or a loved one to be passed down as a great family heirloom,” stated Bob Zurko of Zurko’s Midwest Promotions, a partner and promoter for numerous Civil War Collectors Shows and Sales. Admission $4 per person. (Fairgrounds, M-86). Antique & Collectibles Market. $4 per person

Show Hours: Sun 8am-3:30pm and Sat 10am-6pm

After taking time to meander through the Collector's Show and Sale,get a look at the great monuments and statues in St. Joseph.

This monument, consisting of a statue of a Civil War soldier, in the Prairie River Cemetery in Centreville was erected about 1909 by Isaac D. Toll, a veteran of the Mexican War, and by citizens of Centreville, as a memorial to area men who served in both the Mexican and Civil wars. The inscriptions read:

A tribute to our loyal sons, 1861-1865. In memory of St. Joseph Co. men who served in Mexico. Company E, 15th Infantry, Capt. I. D. Toll. [This is a reference to a Mexican War, not Civil War unit.] Visit http://www.suvcwmi.org/memorials/mcwm3.html to learn more about the monuments in St. Joseph County.

Staying Safe on the Road

It's very important to plan ahead before hitting the road. You have to have your bags packed as well as the FIRST AID kit ready!


1. Ice packs – The first thing the pediatrician will tell you to do in the event of an injury like a sprained ankle, a bump on the head or a bruise, is to apply ice to the site of the injury. Ice numbs the pain and reduces swelling, sometimes making the injury less severe in the long-run. If you're hitting the road with a cooler, pack a few, from the freezer packs, because they stay cold longer; those nifty little plastic items that you snap and shake may be shelf-stable, but they don’t stay cold very long. Don't apply the pack directly to your skin, instead make or bring a sleeve.


2. Neosporin – Any generic brand of antibacterial ointment is a biggie for the first aid kit. Wash cuts with soap and water, and then treated with Neosporin, the gel is a little better than hydrogen peroxide because it "sticks" to the cut, keeping germs out.

3. Band-aids – You’ll probably need small band-aids, large ones, fingertip ones, knuckle ones, etc. Take advantage of all the varieties. Make sure you remove the band-aid once the wound starts to heal a little.

4. Gauze and tape – These items can be used to dress wounds that are larger than the band-aid.

5. Ace bandage – This stretchy bandage is perfect for sprained ankles and wrists. This provides support and reduces swelling until you can get to the doctor.

6. Epipen – This is a first-aid kit must for children with serious allergies to things like bee stings and nuts. You should have a fresh epipen in the first aid kit and one on your person at all times. In the event of anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction, an epipen will buy you time while you wait for an ambulance.

7. Tylenol – For minor pain associated with headaches, bumps, and bruises, always have Tylenol on hand. Don’t over-administer it with every paper-cut, but keep it around for bigger owies.

These are just a few words to the wise for the adventurer in you. First Aid kits are important for any trip and every group, especially if you're taking your children along. Have fun and be safe!

The Life of the Amish

The Amish are generally known for living very simple lives that do not involve much technology, interaction with the outside world or excess. But what do we really know about the Amish? The Amish religion originated from Switzerland in 1693. There are about 250,000 Amish living in North America today.The Amish are known for a conservative and "simplistic" lifestyle that disallows the use of many technologies. Amish cultures differ from one another because they set their rules according to the "ordung," which are the rules of living set in place by the church.

Forbidden The Amish do not believe in violence and do not sign up for the Army. If a draft comes about they are excused because of their beliefs. The Amish also do not believe in photography, it is strictly forbidden. Pictures, to them lead to vanity and ultimately threaten the community.

Clothing The Amish have a strict dress code in each different community. The non-varying points are that girls and women always wear dresses and men grow beards but do not wear mustaches.

Coming of Age = Rumschpringa The Amish do not attend formal school after the 8th grade. When a teenager turns 16 they are allowed to decide if they will stay or leave the Amish community. They are allowed to explore the outside world for a time before deciding. Although most choose to stay, those who do not are excommunicated from their society and are not allowed to return if they change their mind.

Information provided by: http://www.ehow.com/info_7824275_amish-lifestyle.html

You've Never Experienced This Before!!

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

We offer a limited number of tours which means we thoroughly research our excursion topics and present an authentic, accurate, historic and factual tour complete with newspapers, letters and pictures of the era of each of the tours that we offer.

We Do All The Work For You!! Our Guarantee:

* Coordinate all travel logistics and group transportation

* Ensure an enjoyable travel experience for our group tours

* Guide the travelers through the tour’s itinerary, keeping everyone well informed and on schedule

* Offer fun and fascinating commentary while traveling and sightseeing, often in conjunction with local sightseeing guides

* Handle any and all problems, personality conflicts, and emergencies

* Enjoy helping people learn new things

* Feature superior service, personal knowledge of the area, people, culture and history

* Give each participant an exciting trip—one that leaves them eagerly awaiting the next tour

* Offer hosted, structured journeys on which tour participants are always accompanied by me or one of my tour leaders who see to the groups needs.




If you're interested in joining us, call 248-619-6692 or email us at steponbustours@gmail.com.

There's No Place Like...

AMISH COUNTRY!!! Seats are filling for the June 9th tour and we want you to save your seat!

Flexible Travel to Fit Your Group’s Interests Step On Bus Tours provides entertaining and educational themed bus day trips for groups that want to discover history & mystery in MI &OH with stops, shopping, a live presentation complimented with audios, DVD, handouts and prizes for those mind-boggling test questions. Take our themed tours, or tell us about your group’s particular area of interest and we will create a breathtaking experience be it historical, haunted, horticultural or anything in between.

Would you like to participate in an authentic Amish dining experience? Or trace the Underground Railroad through Ohio & Michigan? How about a guided visit to Michigan’s haunted sites? Our information is actual and factual and never made up. Our experienced guide will step on your tour bus or provide a motorcoach and present a 3 to 6 hour tour of various Michigan and Ohio areas like you've never imagined in a fun, informative and entertaining manner. They might even step into character to deliver “eye-witness” accounts. Whether a school group, senior citizens, family reunions, conventions, scouts and more our tour guide will escort you to each site and fascinate you with little known facts about the monuments, memorials, flora, fauna, history and talk of the day back then.

When you book a trip with Step On Bus Tours, you know that a great time is waiting for you. Whether you step back in time, or step out of your comfort zone, Step On Tours will ensure that your experience is steeped in fun. What are you waiting for? Come on, Step On and Go! We provide historical tours in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

Get Curious

Get curious about where you are on the planet! What do you know about your town? Your city? Your surrounding cities and suburbs? What do you know about your state? Do you know how your state or city shaped history? Who was there? Who walked before you? You will be amazed. You can learn a little about what's going on in this fair state if you just, "get curious." Step On Bus Tours is ready to pull the covers off of Michigan's best kept secrets, from Amish Country to Underground Railroad stops, significant Civil War sites, Shrines and Sanctuaries, old churches and what they've become, History of our neighborhoods. Are you curious yet? If you are curious about any of these topics or others, gather your friends, give us a call and we'll go exploring together! There's so much more than your city, your neighborhood, your 30 mile radius. GET CURIOUS! Call us 248-619-6692 or email us at StepOnBusTours@gmail.com.

Singing in the RAIN!!!

Yes, it's a rainy day but that doesn't stop you from being an adventurer. When is the last time you splashed in a puddle? Had a treasure hunt? Or jumped in a pond? Well now is a better time than any to start exploring. Don't know where to start? Step On Bus Tours has been offering more than 15 different tours for more than 10 years. Each tour is led by Step on President and Founder, Rose Szwed with more than 20 year’s of tour guide experience. The personal interaction and relationship she develops with business owners and residents along each route make her tours richer in fact, history, interaction and commentary than many other bus tours. Dedicated to providing entertaining tours to groups in Michigan that enjoy traveling by bus Step On Bus Tours are great for religious or school groups, seniors, family reunions, employee trips, boy or girl scouts, history buffs, the home-schooled or any group interested in learning in this fun way. These trips are pleasurable whether onward to a destination or simply for a day trip. We either Step On A Group’s bus or we provide the motor coach, tour bus, or limousine and an experienced Step on Bus tour guide will give you an entertaining five to seven hour tour from our list of prepared tours. The Tour Bus niche is growing as people are seeking ways to travel and have fun on a fixed budget and so is our list of planned tours. Step On is continuously expanding its tour sites and offerings. Explore with us! Call us at 248-619-6692 or email us at StepOnBusTours@gmail.com