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1/3/2020 Monterey Bay Aquarium. I’ll admit, we are a tad spoiled at this point. We’ve been to the Georgia Aquarium and as far as I am concerned that is _the_ standard in Aquariums. As a result, it’s going to be a tad difficult for us to go to other aquariums and be genuinely “amazed” at what we see. Of course, that’s not going to stop of from trying!!!! Monterey Bay Aquarium is on virtually every list as one of “the best aquariums” in the country, so we’rrrrrrrrre going in!
1/3/2020 Monterey Bay Aquarium. I’ll admit, we are a tad spoiled at this point. We’ve been to the Georgia Aquarium and as far as I am concerned that is _the_ standard in Aquariums. As a result, it’s going to be a tad difficult for us to go to other aquariums and be genuinely “amazed” at what we see. Of course, that’s not going to stop of from trying!!!! Monterey Bay Aquarium is on virtually every list as one of “the best aquariums” in the country, so we’rrrrrrrrre going in!
Okay, one of the things that can’t be topped at any other aquarium is their jellyfish. You’ll see more picture in a second here, but they hit you with the jelly fish RIGHT AWAY after buying tickets and walking in. I’ll admit, for such a simple display (a clear tube with water) this was a GREAT way to start the visit. Really remarkable to see them “walking around” like this.
Okay, one of the things that can’t be topped at any other aquarium is their jellyfish. You’ll see more picture in a second here, but they hit you with the jelly fish RIGHT AWAY after buying tickets and walking in. I’ll admit, for such a simple display (a clear tube with water) this was a GREAT way to start the visit. Really remarkable to see them “walking around” like this.
In this massive tank here is something that can't be seen elsewhere in captivity, the Kelp Forest. It’s hard to get a sense here of how large this tank is and just how big these kelp “trees” really are, but it’s impressive. They have a big ole’ machine in this tank that is surging large volumes of water through the tank to simulate oceans currents and it REALLY brings the “forest” aspect of this tank to life. You get an amazing sense of the sway of the kelp like a gentle breeze moves through a terrestrial forest.
In this massive tank here is something that can't be seen elsewhere in captivity, the Kelp Forest. It’s hard to get a sense here of how large this tank is and just how big these kelp “trees” really are, but it’s impressive. They have a big ole’ machine in this tank that is surging large volumes of water through the tank to simulate oceans currents and it REALLY brings the “forest” aspect of this tank to life. You get an amazing sense of the sway of the kelp like a gentle breeze moves through a terrestrial forest.
I thought this tank was really neat. The discs you see floating in the water are like a giant lens. Think of them like a really, REALLY small Glass-Bottom Boat and they provide extreme clarity to see the creatures in the water below.
I thought this tank was really neat. The discs you see floating in the water are like a giant lens. Think of them like a really, REALLY small Glass-Bottom Boat and they provide extreme clarity to see the creatures in the water below.
Here you get a sense of what sea life is like in the “Wave Zone”. At first it’s like any other tank in the aquarium with fish and “stuff” going about its daily life…..and then the whole tank gets hit with a wave from above. You get that view into what it looks like in the ocean as the waves come crashing down.
Here you get a sense of what sea life is like in the “Wave Zone”. At first it’s like any other tank in the aquarium with fish and “stuff” going about its daily life…..and then the whole tank gets hit with a wave from above. You get that view into what it looks like in the ocean as the waves come crashing down.
Grant would NOT leave this crab alone. Don’t get me wrong, it was one of the aquarium’s “touch tables”, but I think Grant was just angering the poor crab at this point.
Grant would NOT leave this crab alone. Don’t get me wrong, it was one of the aquarium’s “touch tables”, but I think Grant was just angering the poor crab at this point.
For me, the “Open Sea” section of the Aquarium is the star of the show and WHY do I think that?......it’s the jelly fish. They have to have the best collection of captive jelly fish anywhere. Simply amazing to just stand back and watch them move through the water. Genuinely amazing creatures from some many different perspectives.
For me, the “Open Sea” section of the Aquarium is the star of the show and WHY do I think that?......it’s the jelly fish. They have to have the best collection of captive jelly fish anywhere. Simply amazing to just stand back and watch them move through the water. Genuinely amazing creatures from some many different perspectives.
….and the have the entire range of jelly fish covered all the way down to the “infants” that can only be seen under a microscope.
….and the have the entire range of jelly fish covered all the way down to the “infants” that can only be seen under a microscope.
Another aspect to this aquarium that I think often gets overlooked, but definitely makes them a stand-out from the crowd is your constant ability to go outside and see the surrounding ocean. Almost like it gives the things you are seeing INSIDE the aquarium some context. To put it another way, I loved all the different observation decks they have all over the place.
Another aspect to this aquarium that I think often gets overlooked, but definitely makes them a stand-out from the crowd is your constant ability to go outside and see the surrounding ocean. Almost like it gives the things you are seeing INSIDE the aquarium some context. To put it another way, I loved all the different observation decks they have all over the place.
Of course, NO visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium would be complete without some otter watching. They just might be the cutest thing on planet Earth!
Of course, NO visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium would be complete without some otter watching. They just might be the cutest thing on planet Earth!
Wrapped up the day with a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae….
Wrapped up the day with a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae….
While looking at this….
While looking at this….
Grace elected to get a milkshake instead of a sundae. I _think_ this is her “this is great” face, but it’s anybody’s guess at this point.
Grace elected to get a milkshake instead of a sundae. I _think_ this is her “this is great” face, but it’s anybody’s guess at this point.
1/10/2020 “Mystery Spot”, Santa Cruz CA. no matter where you live, you’ve almost certainly seen the bumper stickers somewhere. Those bumper stickers alone have enabled this place to self-market itself into a status that can probably be categorized as “Legendary”. Anytime anybody mentions the name “Santa Cruz”, the next question is ALWAYS “did you go to the Mystery Spot”. Well, we did. It’s a funny little place tucked back into the woods and the short version of the back-story is this; It’s a place in the woods where there are strange “gravity anomalies” and places where the laws of physics do not apply. It’s VERY campy and based completely on optical illusions, but at the same time it’s very entertaining. It’s almost impossible to NOT laugh while you are here which makes the smile-to-dollar ratio pretty darn high.
1/10/2020 “Mystery Spot”, Santa Cruz CA. no matter where you live, you’ve almost certainly seen the bumper stickers somewhere. Those bumper stickers alone have enabled this place to self-market itself into a status that can probably be categorized as “Legendary”. Anytime anybody mentions the name “Santa Cruz”, the next question is ALWAYS “did you go to the Mystery Spot”. Well, we did. It’s a funny little place tucked back into the woods and the short version of the back-story is this; It’s a place in the woods where there are strange “gravity anomalies” and places where the laws of physics do not apply. It’s VERY campy and based completely on optical illusions, but at the same time it’s very entertaining. It’s almost impossible to NOT laugh while you are here which makes the smile-to-dollar ratio pretty darn high.
Take a look in the background in this picture. You’ll see a board sticking out of the window and there is water running of the end of it. Well, our tour guide had just placed that board there and verified with a bubble level that the board was indeed pointing uphill as you can visually see in the picture. Despite all that, after he poured water on the board, it ran UP the board and onto the ground.
Take a look in the background in this picture. You’ll see a board sticking out of the window and there is water running of the end of it. Well, our tour guide had just placed that board there and verified with a bubble level that the board was indeed pointing uphill as you can visually see in the picture. Despite all that, after he poured water on the board, it ran UP the board and onto the ground.
This is a fun one. Two parallel concrete blocks with flat boards placed between them. A bubble level is used to verify that the concrete blocks and the boards are level. The level is left in place between the blocks the entire time this “Anomaly” demonstration is taking place. Step 1, Grace and Dylan stand on either end of the boards and their normal height difference is clearly visible…..
This is a fun one. Two parallel concrete blocks with flat boards placed between them. A bubble level is used to verify that the concrete blocks and the boards are level. The level is left in place between the blocks the entire time this “Anomaly” demonstration is taking place. Step 1, Grace and Dylan stand on either end of the boards and their normal height difference is clearly visible…..
Step 2, they switch places on the ends of the boards. Nothing else is changed or even touched, they simply swapped places and just like that, Dylan TOWERS over Grace…..
Step 2, they switch places on the ends of the boards. Nothing else is changed or even touched, they simply swapped places and just like that, Dylan TOWERS over Grace…..
On top of all THAT stuff, we are introduced to a creature that would QUICKLY become a new favorite of Grace’s, the Banana Slug……
On top of all THAT stuff, we are introduced to a creature that would QUICKLY become a new favorite of Grace’s, the Banana Slug……
After The Mystery Spot, we moved to Natural Bridges State Beach. First thing you should know is that we’ve been actively seeking out Monarch Butterflies for a couple weeks now. There are several places in/around the Monterey Peninsula where they are supposed to winter in LARGE numbers. This is one of those places, but to date, this is the best sighting we’ve had. For an area that is supposed to have hundreds of thousands of Monarchs this time of year, THIS is the best we can do!
After The Mystery Spot, we moved to Natural Bridges State Beach. First thing you should know is that we’ve been actively seeking out Monarch Butterflies for a couple weeks now. There are several places in/around the Monterey Peninsula where they are supposed to winter in LARGE numbers. This is one of those places, but to date, this is the best sighting we’ve had. For an area that is supposed to have hundreds of thousands of Monarchs this time of year, THIS is the best we can do!
…..and we’re off into the woods to try and find more!
…..and we’re off into the woods to try and find more!
An unsuccessful trip to find more butterflies leads us to the real reason most people come here, the beach…..
An unsuccessful trip to find more butterflies leads us to the real reason most people come here, the beach…..
……and the tide pools. What an amazing find! We really had no idea that this was what we would find here, but it was spectacular.
……and the tide pools. What an amazing find! We really had no idea that this was what we would find here, but it was spectacular.
1/11/2020 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Who doesn’t love a good ole’ amusement park that is on the beach and has been in multiple movies?! NOT US! We had a GREAT time!
1/11/2020 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Who doesn’t love a good ole’ amusement park that is on the beach and has been in multiple movies?! NOT US! We had a GREAT time!
This is “The Giant Dipper” and also our kids introduction to just how thrashed you get on a wooden roller coaster.
This is “The Giant Dipper” and also our kids introduction to just how thrashed you get on a wooden roller coaster.
Grant LOVED this ride! Couldn’t tell you why, but we rode it A LOT!
Grant LOVED this ride! Couldn’t tell you why, but we rode it A LOT!
I’m telling you, it does not matter how big or how small they might be, this kid can SMELL helicopters from an incalculable distance!
I’m telling you, it does not matter how big or how small they might be, this kid can SMELL helicopters from an incalculable distance!
This indoor carousel is one of VERY few remaining in the world that still have an operating ring dispenser mechanism. Not familiar with what I am talking about? Well, neither were we until we came here! Here it goes: There is a long arm extended from the wall of the building that has a hook on the end of it. Metal rings get dispensed down the arm and end up on the hook. If you are on the outside row of horses, you reach out and grab a ring and promptly attempt to throw it into a target. No prizes, just the glory of making it in the target (which none of us did). If you’ve ever heard the term “reach for the brass ring”, it originates from these ring dispensers at carousels that were, at one point in time, very popular. NOTE: This is not my picture, I borrowed it from the internet for the purposes of illustrating the ring dispenser.
This indoor carousel is one of VERY few remaining in the world that still have an operating ring dispenser mechanism. Not familiar with what I am talking about? Well, neither were we until we came here! Here it goes: There is a long arm extended from the wall of the building that has a hook on the end of it. Metal rings get dispensed down the arm and end up on the hook. If you are on the outside row of horses, you reach out and grab a ring and promptly attempt to throw it into a target. No prizes, just the glory of making it in the target (which none of us did). If you’ve ever heard the term “reach for the brass ring”, it originates from these ring dispensers at carousels that were, at one point in time, very popular. NOTE: This is not my picture, I borrowed it from the internet for the purposes of illustrating the ring dispenser.
This is “The Fireball” and it was most certainly the favorite of Dylan and Myself. Picture one of those crane claw things from those ultra-frustrating arcade machines where you try to grab a cheap stuffed animal. Now scale it up to the size of a 2 car garage and then attach seats to the tips of the claw arms. Okay, now swing it back and forth like a pendulum…..and then spin it! Yep, it was very humorous.
This is “The Fireball” and it was most certainly the favorite of Dylan and Myself. Picture one of those crane claw things from those ultra-frustrating arcade machines where you try to grab a cheap stuffed animal. Now scale it up to the size of a 2 car garage and then attach seats to the tips of the claw arms. Okay, now swing it back and forth like a pendulum…..and then spin it! Yep, it was very humorous.
The cars of this little roller coaster actually spin and you end up going backwards at random times during the ride.
The cars of this little roller coaster actually spin and you end up going backwards at random times during the ride.
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