Natural History Museum of Utah

Last weekend we went to the Natural History Museum of Utah. It's in a brand new building, which made it a little hard to find, as our GPS and all the signs pointed to the old building (plus my city driving skills are a little lacking). If you're looking for it, it's at 301 Wakara Way, and follow the signs to Red Butte Garden.


We met Uncle Ed and his friend Nick, who had the opportunity to see the museum through the eyes and at the speed of a four-year old. Fortunately he works for the University of Utah, so he got in for free. He'll be able to see the museum again at a more leisurely pace and possibly read an exhibit or two.

Desert Boy quickly became attached to extra adult supervision, as the supervision was really fun, willing to swing him, one of his favorite activities.

The ticket lady recommended we start up on the fifth floor since we had a stroller and work our way down. That turned out to be good advice, because the parts Desert Boy was most interested in were down on the second and third floors, so that gave him something to look forward to.

The top floor had an exhibit about weather, along with a nice outside deck. We took advantage of it to check out Salt Lake City's inversion, which obscured most of the view. We were grateful to be up in the sun.

We wound our way down to the biology floor; with exhibits about different types of organisms. We missed most of those as the kids were really interested in the play/educational area. Desert Girl quickly remembered how fun Uncle Ed is.

They had neat dioramas of different habitat zones. I did a double-take when we reached the alpine zone. I recognize this photo--it's a place I've visited frequently! I won't spill the beans of where it is, but I'll say it made me chuckle.

This probably isn't what the building designers intended for a handrail, but Desert Girl sure enjoyed it.

We went through an interesting geology section (although I didn't get to read much of it). The part we concentrated on was the exhibit that showed how erosion works. We moved sand around and then turned the faucets on to see what would happen. I have to admit that I really enjoyed moving the sand, too!

After an archaeological demonstration, we headed down to the dinosaur floors. Desert Boy was in heaven.

I had fun trying to take photos in the low light and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

I think this is a wooly mammoth--again, we really didn't get to read very much. We definitely can go through the museum many more times to pick up on things we missed the first time around.

Besides looking at the skeletons, Desert Boy was fascinated with a see-through floor with bones underneath.

Desert Girl found another one and was equally enthralled.

Desert Boy found a draw-your-own-dinosaur station and did a nice job of making a "cowasaurus."

We then managed to lose Uncle Ed and Nick when we went into the kids' playroom and the kids got soaking wet playing in a fake little stream. They also had a little cave. It was little enough that I didn't really want to go in, but Desert Boy crawled through.

So we left  happy and wet. It was a good day at the museum.

Clark Planetarium

 On Saturday night we went to the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City. It's a free museum that also has lots of movies that you can pay to see. They also have a really cool gift shop where we found some fun things. In the photo above, Desert Boy tries to influence the cloud-making machine.

 Desert Girl and Uncle Ed checked out the giant pendulum.

 Then the kids went for a ride above earth to see what the Hubble telescope was up to.

 Desert Girl made it to Mars and can apparently withstand its atmosphere without any protective equipment.

 Desert Boy went for a Martian walk. He, too, has special powers.

 

On the way back, they detoured to the moon and tested the gravitational pull.

It was fun looking at the exhibits, even if it was a whirlwind tour due to some very short attention spans. 

Afterwards we checked out the Christmas lights in the Gateway Center. We were fascinated by a fountain. During the summer it would be a wonderful place to cool off. In the winter it looked cold. But my husband found a way to walk through without getting (too) wet, so he and Desert Boy took a walk on the wild side.

Sneak Peak

 We spent a long weekend in Salt Lake City to visit my brother, Ed, who was able to arrange a several-day stopover. I've hardly spent any time there, so we had a wonderful time exploring. And I had lots of fun learning to use my new camera. Which also means I have a lot of photos to sort through. And a busy week ahead, so it might be awhile before I do. In the meantime, here's a teaser of some of the things we did:

Have a great week!

New Hay Barn

 I saw a high, bright red thing out on the ranch, so we went to investigate. It was the new hay barn! The old hay barn fell down last winter with huge amount of snow on the roof. This one will be sturdier. It was fascinating to watch the process.

 It was a big crew. And they were a long way up!

 Now on to the other side!

I really liked the moon over the hay shed!

Sewing Day

A few Saturdays ago we went to the community center for sewing day. Several ladies were working on a variety of projects. I dug out my box of crochet projects I did once upon a time. We also brought some thread and needles and rags so Desert Boy and his friend Ernesto could practice their sewing skills. Carol graciously spent some of her time helping them.

They went to work making little bags that could carry their cars around. They both did pretty well and neither even punctured a finger.

Then Carol showed them how to do a neat candy cane activity. That was fun stuff!

The little boys did great at sewing day. I hope they continue to like sewing. They'll be sure to snag ladies in the future if they have a valuable skill like sewing. 

A Dead-End Adventure

These photos are from back in September. Sometimes it takes me a little while to get organized! But I didn't want to forget them, and when you get to the last photos, hopefully you'll feel a little warmer (especially if you're dealing with below-freezing temperatures and blowing snow like we are now).

So the story starts with a rumor I had heard about petrified wood at a little-known destination out in the desert. I found someone to substantiate the rumor. Only problem was that I didn't know exactly where it was. I had a general idea, so I looked at the maps and tried to figure out the best way there. Well, there was a shorter way and there was a longer there. And the longer way would take us up a canyon I had wanted to visit, so I figured, why not, let's take the longer way and kill two birds with one stone. (Not that I'm into killing birds. Unless they are European starlings. I have been very tempted to get a BB-gun so I can shoot them. For the record, so far I have resisted.)

The scenery was beautiful, so I figured that even if the road on the map wasn't truly a real road anymore, we would still have a good time. We had snacks packed, so it would be a good trip as far as the kids were concerned.

We cruised up the very good gravel road, then turned off on a good gravel road, then onto the okay gravel road, then onto the rather poor gravel road that continued to deteriorate. Things weren't looking too hopeful. Still, we persevered, enjoying the beautiful rock formations.

Finally we got to a point where the road seemed a little too narrow for our wide truck. Plus it was slightly washed out.

We didn't want to stop, so we got out and proceeded on foot.

As you can see by Desert Boy's short sleeves, it was a nice day. And with his irrigating boots, he was ready for the next gully washer. I'd like to say he's prepared like that, but more likely he chose the boots because he couldn't find any of his other shoes.

He was thrilled when he found a horseshoe. That was a real treasure.

It was apparent no one had been on the road for awhile. The pinyon and juniper trees have encroached upon the human disturbance. My main focus was on the spectacular rocks that jutted from the trees towards the clouds.

Wouldn't this one be a fun one to climb?

Photo op! (Once again I can't get both kids to look at the camera at the same time!)

We decided it was time to retreat. I'd love to go back and hike more of the old road. I think the trip helped my husband decide to buy the very-used Jeep that is now his hobby. He'd love to go back and drive more of the old road. Perhaps the Jeep will be tough enough.

On the way back, we were treated to some very nice afternoon light. I love how the shadows make all the gullies seem deeper and more mysterious.

On the drive home, Desert Girl started crying and was inconsolable until we stopped.

She had had enough with all the bumpy driving and just wanted to play a little. The gravel on the side of the road was perfect for her bare little feet.

Then she was ready to pose with her chocolate-stained cheeks (and dress) in the terrific light.

Oh yes, we want to see her round belly!

How's that for a mischievous grin? Desert Girl's personality is getting stronger and stronger, and she has a very stubborn streak and a good sense of humor.

Oh yeah!

Okay, almost done.

Have to finish with both kids actually looking at the camera!

Seeing the bare feet and exposed skin makes me wish for some warmer days! 

To think we just went sledding yesterday. Yikes! Ah well, we have to appreciate each season, and before we know it we'll be back to the heat.