The Way We Play

CFOA

Totem Bowls
Totem Bowl, Seattle, Wa.

Monday, June 26 Ask most Americans what they do during their leisure time, and they're likely to tell you they don't have any. The reasons? More pressure, encroaching technology, and the stress of balancing work and family. But recent studies show leisure time in this country has increased over the last decade -- audio button by as much as one hour per day. In the first of a three-part series, NPR's Wendy Kaufman went to a Seattle bowling alley to explore what leisure has become and what we'd like it to be.

  • Links & Resources

    Tuesday, June 27 Yellowstone National Park has been a mecca for summer leisure-seekers since it was dedicated in 1872. These days, though, vacationers can go online while they're on vacation, audio buttonthey're using cellphones in the bush, and the general store sells portable espresso machines for campers. NPR's Wendy Kaufman visits Yellowstone to explore how the American vacation is slowly being transformed by technology.

  • Links & Resources

    Night Vision
    Lakota River Guides
    Night Vision tour

    Wednesday, June 28 In part three of Morning Edition's look at American leisure, NPR's Renee Montagne travels to Vail, Colorado to examine how far some Americans are willing to go with their leisure. Renee joins rafters on the Colorado River, paddling in the dark while wearing night vision goggles,audio button then she cheers recreational runners as they climb Vail Mountain for a 3,000-foot fun run. What pushes these folks to live their leisure life on the edge?


    Links & Resources:

    Totem Bowl
    http://yellowpages.msn.com/Seattle/totembowl

    Yellowstone Reservations
    http://www.yellowstoneres.com/index.html

    Yellowstone National Park
    http://www.nps.gov/yell/

    Lakota River Guides
    http://www.lakotariver.com

    The Changing Face of America is an 18-month long NPR project that tells the stories of regular, everyday Americans and the issues they face at a time of rapid and dramatic change in the U.S. This special series can be heard on NPR's Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

    The Changing Face of America series is sponsored by
    The Pew Charitable Trusts.