Patuxent Research Refuge

So a few weekends ago we decided to go visit the oldest wildlife refuge in the country: Patuxent Research Refuge.  They were having an open house and the first trolley rides of the season so we packed up and heading out.

 Feeling the different furs (these animals were not killed for this demonstration but recovered furs)

 Guess what's in the box

 How about a butterfly tattoo?

 Caution! It's a bumpy ride

 Smiles after the trolley ride (it was a bit cold though)

Getting a biology lesson from Dad

We did have an interesting afternoon but that was mainly because of the open house and the extra activities they had (hands on exhibits, reptile show, and lots of interpreters).  The museum was a bit dated even though they say it's state of the art (maybe 10 years ago) and the exhibits in the museum are pretty wordy making them less visually appealing to younger kids.  The trolley ride was okay but we're not really into bird watching.  I'd like to go back when it's a bit warmer to go on the hikes as the park was really quite pretty.

Adventure Aquarium

Our final stop on our Philadelphia tour was the Adventure Aquarium.  We had a great time until 700 elementary school kids decided to join us.  We figured we were being clever going to a museum on a Monday in February, no school groups visit on a Monday especially in February but boy were we wrong.  We did at least have the Aquarium to ourselves for the first hour and a half.  We made sure that we saw all the touch exhibits and the shark tunnel before the school arrived which was a very smart decision on our part.  There were lots of neat touch exhibits which most aquariums are getting away from.  I understand why from a biological perspective why touch exhibits are bad but they are quite fun.  We touched: sharks, rays, starfish, crabs, lobsters, and jellyfish.  It was my first time touching a jellyfish on purpose (I got stung a few times by small jellyfish when we were in the Bahamas) but this one did not sting.

Jellyfish

Don't loose a finger to the sharks 

Did you see that Ray?

I'd rather play with these Rays

When we had finished all the touch tanks we moved on to the shark tunnel.  In order to get to the shark tunnel you pass by the hippo enclosure and I have never seen such lively hippos (I've see a lot of hippos in my time).  They were moving around like crazy it was amazing. 

Swimming Hippos

The shark tunnel was pretty amazing too but I had a hard time tying to get a good picture with a shark in the background (I need to work on  my photography).  I kinda wish we had come on a Saturday and then I could have swam with the sharks, maybe next time.

 GET ME OUT OF HERE (not a fan)

Oooo, Sharks I like sharks or maybe just my reflection

All in all this was one of the better aquariums that I have been to but unlike the Baltimore and Boston Aquariums this one does not handle 700 screaming kids very well.  We left much sooner than we would have had the elementary school not been there. 

Franklyn Institute - Heart to Heart

The Franklyn Institute was the highlight of our trip to Philly.  Ever sense I saw the giant heart on an episode of House I knew I had to go here.  How cool is a giant heart which you can walk though (can you tell I'm a bio geek).  Neither the giant heart or the Franklyn Institute disappointed me.

Of course the first thing we had to see was the Giant Heart.  While the walk though Giant Heart is the big attraction there was so much more to see and do at this exhibit.  I think what Tavish enjoyed the most was the Bloodmobile video (we are HUGE They Might Be Giants fans).  The best part of this museum is there is how much there is to play with.  I'm a big kid and I like to explore all the touch stuff (more adult friendly than the Children's Museum).  Loved this exhibit can't wait to go back.

The Giant Heart

Tavish was a bit scared but as long as he was with dad he did okay

Smile (what a terrible picture)

How much blood do you have?

Bloodmobile

Get that Cardiovascular system going