Sea Life, Grands and Rockets-TWO DAYS!

Our second trip to the Kenai:

Shortly after returning from camping, we were headed to the Kenai again.  This time we were going to pick up Grammy and Grampy in Seward.  They were at the end of a cruise and decided to spend a few days with us. FIRST STOP:  The Sea Life Center

This is the part of Alaska that we live in.  It is such a small fraction of the entire state.

This Sea Life Center is also a research facility.  Actually, that is its primary function.  It is nice to be able to see these animals up close and learn about them.  I really enjoyed the tide pools.  It was really neat.  The employee showed us that if we put our fingers on the sea urchin it would start to wrap itself around our finger.  The anenomes would shrink and shrivel up.  They explained that the little beetle like animal helps eat the green algea that keeps the corral  reef healthy and growing.  It was very informative and interesting.

We also saw the octopus. They are such amazingly interesting creatures. He didn't move for us. 

 

This is the seal that did laps around his surroundings.  He is so stinking fast.  It was hard to catch a good picture of him.  Grampy got up close and personal with him while the kids watched.

And then the sea lion was on the move.  From afar they look small.  But they are massive.  And it is amazing to see them glide throug the water with ease.  Look how big their flippers are!

And we can't forget the jelly fish!

NEXT STOP:  WHITTIER TUNNEL

 This is the town of Whittier.  Yep, that is it.  It is a small port area.  The only way in and out used to be by train.  They have since adapted the train tunnel for cars to drive through.  It is one direction traffic on the half hour.  For example, you go in to Whittier at 1:00PM.  The tunner remains open for incoming traffic for a half hour.  Then at 1:30PM the traffic now can only go out of Whittier.  Unless, there is a train...all traffic gives the right of way to the trains.  Below is what the entrance to the tunnel looks like.  It is 2 miles long thru the mountain.  ENTER IF YOU DARE!

Once inside this is what you see for the next 2 miles.

Single file over the train tracks.  What an adventure. To see this on the other side.

Apparently, this is/was an old military warehouse.  When the base was no longer used the building stood abondoned.  Now it is covered in mold and it is too expensive to take down.  So it stands.  There has been two new towers built that all the people live in.  Yep, they all live there with the school right behind them.  This place is way to small.  And that is coming from a small town girl.

And my father posing near a LARGE BALL!  It's pretty big.  And some of the many rotting ships around the town.  Spooky!

DAY ONE COMPLETE

The next day we enjoyed time with the grandparents.  It was a semi clear day so we headed into Anchorage to Dads work on the 10th floor to see if we could get a glimpse of Mt. McKinley.  Here is what we could see.  You can faintly see it in the background.  It looks like clouds.

 We enjoyed walking around downtown and seeing the Weekend Market.  Eating some ice cream.  Then we ate lunch at the MOOSE TOOTH.  An amazing pizza joint.  Dman found an interesting way to entertain himself during lunch.

To end the night we launched some model rockets at the kids' school.  We had to make sure that it would work tomorrow when we launched a lot of them.  Just call me the rocket scientist. 

We launched 3 rockets a total of 12 launches.  It was loads of fun.  The best part was seeing all of the kids at the playground come running over to us after the first launch.  Sadly, we lost one of the rockets.  It went super high and we never saw it again.  We retrieved the parachute and end cap, but the engine burnt thru the elastic attaching it.  Lesson learned...used more wadding.

I think the kids' faces tell you just how much fun they are having with this activity.  And I got the rockets at a yard sale for $1 each.

S loved to help with the set up.  All the kids would chase the rocket and try to catch it as it came down.  Even the parent's enjoyed them. 

And true to my Dman's form....BOOTS!  And we even decided to include his footy pajamas.  His other FAVORITE thing.  He wears them ALL THE TIME!

We had to say goodbye to the Grands all too soon.  We hope that they will return in the future and be able to stay longer.  However, we are extremely grateful that they made the effort to come and see us.  It helps us bridge the gap that distance has on us.  Thank you MOM and DAD!

END OF DAY!!! AWESOME ADVENTURES.