Keeping It Simple

I mentioned in a previous post that my boys loved their trip to see the USS Pampanito, a WWII submarine.  I also mentioned that you can take a virtual tour of the ship. This afternoon, Mark and James sat down to play around at that site for a while. First, they went to the submarine tour site (http://maritime.org/pamphome.htm). From there, Mark got used to how the computer mouse moves the space around on the screen (you get different angles in each room). Mark clicked on the audio icons but found that he couldn't look and listen at the same time. I put the podcast on my phone (http://maritime.org/tour/podcast.htm), so they listened on the phone while looking on the computer.  It worked fine- they could move around following the podcast or jump to any room. The podcast is listed by room so it was not a problem to keep things in sync.  They had fun doing this together, but I am going to let James play around with it on his own. Mark was in the drivers...

 All were impressed by this WWII submarine, the USS Pampanito . (By clicking on that link, you can take a virtual tour and listen to a podcast.)  Some interesting facts- there were not enough beds for the whole crew on the submarine. As part of the crew was always on duty, bunks were shared. Extra food supplies were stored in the shower area. Showers were infrequent, so the stored supplies were gone by the time the showers were needed. I believe that  my boys said showers consisted of 1 gallon of water. Not a luxury cruise for sure!!  Musee Mecanique ! More than just an arcade, this family owned business is a stroll back in time. The boys (big and little) had a great time here! There is a fun little video on the arcade link.   Then back to the car for a "trunk picnic" (middle picture). In true San Francisco style, they were serenaded during their meal by a one man band that was apparently very impressive (no picture of musician).  O...

On break from our day at the museum, we picnicked in the park. These are some of my favorite photos from the day.  Francis Scott Keys' Memorial  Words to the Star Spangled Banner.  And dogs! 

This was a 12 hour day- and it was FULL!  Stop 1:  Of course! What would a visit to a Natural History Museum be without a requisite dinosaur! This one did not play fetch though- or maybe it does after dark!     Our anatomy lesson for the day.  Fruit bat.  I have to say that all the specimens in a jar and stuff kind of weird me out. I was ready to not give this area much attention, but Mark and James settled in and enjoyed themselves.  What was I to do but join the fun?  Walrus- I think. The boys would know.  Animal identification through prints and scat.  Cross section  of a crab.  Some of those jars I was talking about.  You never know what might be hanging out in the trees.  Part one of many! 

New Orleans came to visit!  We have wanted to attend more of the events that are put on in our town, so when I heard about the "Boogie on the Bayou", I thought it would be a great chance to participate and experience a little different culture! One of the things that the boys had been hearing about on the radio was that "Alligator on a Stick" was going to be served. Not something we typically eat in these parts. ;)  Yes, they did! And, they like it!   Some fun music! Kettle Corn, hot off the press, is a universally appreciated treat. Washboard anyone? These guys were fun! We had a great time- the boys are already talking about "when we go next year...". I am going to check our local events calendar to see what else might be going on. And, I finally get to join back in at the Field Trip Blog Hops!

Horse lessons really are like a weekly field trip for us. While I am not sure that we are meant for the country life, we all enjoy hanging out at the stables. I am constantly surprised at how much there is to learn- from how to form the right knot for the right job to which tool to use for which grooming purpose, there is so much detail to learn and remember. And, of course, the safety procedures that probably seem second nature to those who are around horses regularly. It was quite a feat for the younger two boys just to learn to keep attentive to what they are doing at all times.   Yep. Scooping the poop is all part of the deal!   He's not really all that cheerful about it, but, for some reason,  was hamming for the camera.  A job well done!   While the younger two boys were scooping, Paul was riding.   Taking shoes off got a response in a previous post-  these are the shoes.  ...