GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- The Minnesota Historical Society Press (MHS Press) is pleased to announce the release of the new book, 'Dad's Eye View: 52 Family Adventures in the Twin Cities' by Michael Hartford and the accompanying free iPhone app 'Dad's Eye View'.
In 'Dad's Eye View', Hartford describes fifty-two of his family's favorite Twin Cities spots-one for each week of the year-and dares other dads (and moms and grandparents, too!) to explore them with gusto. Shoot sparks at the Bakken Museum, track foxes along the Mississippi River gorge, climb ropes at French Regional Park, and measure your success not by the time it takes you to get in and out but by the number of questions your kids ask: How many books are in this library? Why were mills built here? Seek out adventure and savor it, with Dad's Eye View along for inspiration.
With Michael Hartford as your guide, Twin Cities visitors as well as residents will discover the most affordable, educational, and, yes, fun things to do and see throughout the year. The book is a one-stop-shop for family fun in the Twin Cities and immediately connects users to the locations, prices, and descriptions of places that make Minneapolis and St. Paul great cities in which to live and visit. Sample venues include the city libraries; museums such as the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Science Museum of Minnesota, and lesser know gems such as the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum and Pavek Museum of Broadcasting; celebrations such as Holidazzle and the May Day Parade; outdoor activities such as sledding at Minnehaha Creek and visits to regional parks.
The free companion iPhone app has a number of convenient features for busy dads and caregivers, giving users a fun new way to explore important cultural and historical places in the Twin Cities and share their experiences with others:
•Search all locations by season, venue (indoor/outdoor), and price
•Read about the author's experience at the location
•Contact any location with the touch of a finger
•Locate your destination on a map
•Rate your outing
•Make notes for next time or to share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter or on the official Dad's Eye View Facebook page and Twitter account (@Dads_Eye_View)
"The dad's eye view is a little above and behind the kids': above, so you can scan the horizon for danger and excitement; behind, because adventures are best lead by the kids." So says writer and amateur photographer Michael Hartford, who has followed his twin boys and their mother up historic water towers, down secret streets, and through Twin Cities landmarks, both lauded and little known, with vintage camera in hand. Over the years, the destinations have changed, from zoos to markets to museums, but the point has remained the same: to play and learn and explore together.
Michael Hartford is a Java web developer at Lawson Software in St. Paul. He is also a short story writer, blogger, Cub Scout pack leader, and collector of vintage cameras. A true Twin Cities digital dad!
To purchase the book, click HERE.
To purchase the iPhone app, click HERE.
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)