Arianna and Olivia boarded the bus at South Station, Boston, and rode to New York City, with their mommy and daddy last week for a quick 2-day visit of the Big Apple.
I can't even imagine the number of highlights on that trip, but their daddy took them to the top of the Empire State Building, something I could never do (because of my severe fear of heights).
Throughout the visit, for some reason, Olivia maintained she was visiting London. She just knew that the city she was in was London. She did not say whether she saw the Queen.
Monday, August 1, 2011
San Pedro, California, Area Aquariums -- The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the Long Beach Aquarium
Arianna and Olivia visited two fantastic aquariums while visiting San Pedro, California, July, 2011.
The first aquarium was the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. This aquarium has changed remarkably over the years, and is now one of the nicer aquariums in the country, comparing favorably, though much smaller, with the Boston Aquarium and the Long Beach aquarium.
Two nice things about the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: it is not as crowded as other larger, more well-known aquariums; and, it is free.
It is very, very accessible. Parking is available, and reasonable, for big city rates, but one might be able to find parking on a side street for free (which we did) and then walk down the hill to the beach, the park, and the aquarium.
Compared to the Boston Aquarium, the Cabrillo has some of the most unique sea creatures, and they are often showcased in a smaller aquarium right at eye-level and more easily accessible for very young children.
Like most aquariums these days, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium does have a touch tank.
Most surprising, and something very, very unique was a brand new, state-of-the-art marine library at the Cabrillo aquarium. It has a huge window overlooking the park and the harbor; it has several new internet-connected computers free for use by the public, and a very extensive library. For those visiting the San Pedro area for an extended period, this library is a great place to relax, read, and enjoy the scenery. And again, free, with a very, very inviting librarian.
Of course, if one loves aquariums, one is not about to miss the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific when in the San Pedro area. We have not visited the aquarium in Baltimore but it is said that the Boston, Baltimore, and Long Beach are three of the best aquariums in the United States. We fell in love with the Long Beach Aquarium. Folks spending more than a few months in the San Pedro area consider buying an annual family or annual grandparents pass to the aquarium. It will pay for itself with the second visit; the grandparent package includes four guest tickets and opportunity to bring up to four grandchildren on any visit.
The Long Beach Aquarium has three touch tanks which I think is the most of any aquarium. Two of them are with sharks and mantas. The third is a jellyfish touch pool, which I think, may be unique among aquariums.
The first aquarium was the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. This aquarium has changed remarkably over the years, and is now one of the nicer aquariums in the country, comparing favorably, though much smaller, with the Boston Aquarium and the Long Beach aquarium.
Two nice things about the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: it is not as crowded as other larger, more well-known aquariums; and, it is free.
It is very, very accessible. Parking is available, and reasonable, for big city rates, but one might be able to find parking on a side street for free (which we did) and then walk down the hill to the beach, the park, and the aquarium.
Compared to the Boston Aquarium, the Cabrillo has some of the most unique sea creatures, and they are often showcased in a smaller aquarium right at eye-level and more easily accessible for very young children.
Like most aquariums these days, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium does have a touch tank.
Most surprising, and something very, very unique was a brand new, state-of-the-art marine library at the Cabrillo aquarium. It has a huge window overlooking the park and the harbor; it has several new internet-connected computers free for use by the public, and a very extensive library. For those visiting the San Pedro area for an extended period, this library is a great place to relax, read, and enjoy the scenery. And again, free, with a very, very inviting librarian.
Of course, if one loves aquariums, one is not about to miss the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific when in the San Pedro area. We have not visited the aquarium in Baltimore but it is said that the Boston, Baltimore, and Long Beach are three of the best aquariums in the United States. We fell in love with the Long Beach Aquarium. Folks spending more than a few months in the San Pedro area consider buying an annual family or annual grandparents pass to the aquarium. It will pay for itself with the second visit; the grandparent package includes four guest tickets and opportunity to bring up to four grandchildren on any visit.
The Long Beach Aquarium has three touch tanks which I think is the most of any aquarium. Two of them are with sharks and mantas. The third is a jellyfish touch pool, which I think, may be unique among aquariums.
Lighthouses and the Vicente Interpretive Center Near San Pedro, California -- July, 2011
Olivia and Arianna visited two lighthouses while in southern California: Point Firmin and Point Vicente.
Point Firmin is at the south end of San Pedro: just take Gaffey Street as far south as it will take you and then turn right or left, find a parking spot and walk across the grassy park to the Point Firmin lighthouse.
It is open almost every day. It has a wonderful staff who will give you a tour of the living quarters and the beacon itself, the Fresnel lens. Interestingly enough, there is another Fresnel lens at the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA.
It looks like the "official" Point Fermin lighthouse website is no longer up (at least not today), but here is one source.
Of course, it never fails, here is another source at Wikipedia.
A second lighthouse Olivia and Arianna visited was the lighthouse at Point Vicente. From downtown San Pedro, the easiest and most scenic route is to take Gaffey Street to its end at Point Firmin, and then turn right (north) on Palos Verdes Drive toward Palos Verdes Peninsula. Hugging the scenic coast for a mile or two, one will see the lighthouse on the left. This is still an active military station, albeit very small, and is open to the public only one day of the month: the second Saturday of every month.
There are numerous sites where one can visit the lighthouse on the web:
While visiting the lighthouse be sure to stop at the Vicente Interpretive Center for an opportunity to watch whales migrating along the coast. The best time to see the whales are in the spring and the autumn, but they are known to be in the area throughout the year.
We did not get a chance to visit the third lighthouse in the immediate vicinity of San Pedro: Angel's Gate lighthouse marking the Los Angeles Harbor.
Point Firmin is at the south end of San Pedro: just take Gaffey Street as far south as it will take you and then turn right or left, find a parking spot and walk across the grassy park to the Point Firmin lighthouse.
It is open almost every day. It has a wonderful staff who will give you a tour of the living quarters and the beacon itself, the Fresnel lens. Interestingly enough, there is another Fresnel lens at the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA.
It looks like the "official" Point Fermin lighthouse website is no longer up (at least not today), but here is one source.
Of course, it never fails, here is another source at Wikipedia.
A second lighthouse Olivia and Arianna visited was the lighthouse at Point Vicente. From downtown San Pedro, the easiest and most scenic route is to take Gaffey Street to its end at Point Firmin, and then turn right (north) on Palos Verdes Drive toward Palos Verdes Peninsula. Hugging the scenic coast for a mile or two, one will see the lighthouse on the left. This is still an active military station, albeit very small, and is open to the public only one day of the month: the second Saturday of every month.
There are numerous sites where one can visit the lighthouse on the web:
- Al's Lighthouses
- Photo Blog by Richard Wong
- California's Majestic Lighthouses (perhaps some of the best photo)
While visiting the lighthouse be sure to stop at the Vicente Interpretive Center for an opportunity to watch whales migrating along the coast. The best time to see the whales are in the spring and the autumn, but they are known to be in the area throughout the year.
We did not get a chance to visit the third lighthouse in the immediate vicinity of San Pedro: Angel's Gate lighthouse marking the Los Angeles Harbor.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Summary of July, 2011, in Los Angeles
SUMMER IN CALIFORNIA
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (Touched sharks, mantas, and jellyfish!)
Beach, special day with Aunt Cindy (just Olivia)
Beaches
Birthday swim parties at Uncle Flavio and Aunt Cindy’s for Olivia and me
Birthday swim parties at Uncle Flavio and Aunt Cindy’s for Olivia and me
Boogie Boarding with Uncle Flavio
Bookstores
Books -- best ever Shark and Dinosaur books, 3D Animal Book, $1 classics from Target
Buddhist Funeral for Great Grandma Kay Forever
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Cars 2 Movie
California Adventure (Tower of Terror, Soaring over California, and other great rides)
Capt. Jack Sparrow in the parking lot (gave Olivia and me rings)
Chinese Restaurant with Jennie and Ray
Disneyland
Fourth of July in backyard. Great view of fireworks.
Glass Church (Wayfarers’ Chapel, Palos Verdes Peninsula)
Hummingbird Feeder with daily visits from hummingbirds
Jacaranda Cafe Saturday Morning Breakfast Group with Kei and Leon
Legoland and Water Park
Lemon Tree (Walked uphill carrying three bags of lemons for the Jacaranda Cafe)
Lighthouses (climbed to the top at Point Fermin and Point Vicente)
Los Angeles Museum of Natural History new Dinosaur Exhibit -- Awesome!
Math one hour daily with Papa Bruce. :-)
Meals outside on the patio
Monopoly, Bingo, Cards, Puzzles with Papa Bruce
Nature Walks down to the ocean
Ruby’s at the Huntington Beach Pier
Parks with ponds and ducks
Parks
Playgrounds near the house and at the beach
Playing with Cousins
Playing “Beach” and “Train” in the driveway with Olivia
Reading
San Pedro Fish Market at 5 AM with Papa. Arianna fed seals and got salmon and sea bass.
Shark Book (best ever) and shark model
Skechers shopping with Aunt Cindy
Subway sandwiches overlooking the ocean
Sushi at Mitsuwa (Konichiwa)
Swimming at Flavio and Cindy’s
Uncle Flavio and Aunt Cindy
Walking to 7-11 every morning with Papa to get Grandma a newspaper
Whale watching
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The weather outside is frightful ...
... but the pool is so de-lightful...
Swimming lessons at the indoor pool at Hanscom Air Force Base, outside Boston, Massachusetts, February 19, 2011.
Swimming lessons at the indoor pool at Hanscom Air Force Base, outside Boston, Massachusetts, February 19, 2011.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Boston Snowstorms, January, 2011
Wow, this has been quite a winter. Snowstorm after snowstorm after snowstorm. Now I hear we're going to get another snowstorm this week.
Arianna has been a great help shoveling the snow.
I prefer to stay inside and help Grammy make cookies.
Arianna has been a great help shoveling the snow.
I prefer to stay inside and help Grammy make cookies.
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