The Silent "I"

Visiting the Salton Sea

Driving through the desert in Southern California is a study in contradictions. We drove from the opulent resorts of Palm Springs to the abandoned buildings and forgotten towns of Imperial County, where the unemployment rate is the highest in the state. The desert landscape is dotted with date palms, scrub, and not much else.  When my son looked up from his video game player long enough, he looked up and said, "Hey, mom, is that the ocean?"

I was looking in the opposite direction and replied, "We're pretty far from the ocean." Then, I saw it: the calm, blue waters of the Salton Sea, looming on the horizon like a mirage in the desert.

The Salton Sea is on of the world's largest inland seas and one of the lowest spots on earth (-227 feet below sea level).  The sea existed in ancient times, but dried up until 1905 when high spring flooding on the Colorado River crashed the canal gates leading into the developing Imperial Valley.  For the next 18 months the Colorado River rushed into the dry seabed, creating the current 35 mile long,15 mile wide inland sea.  The sea is saltier than the Pacific Ocean, but not as salty as the Great Salt Lake, and the increasing salinity over time has lead to changes in the ecosystem. The only fish that can be caught there are tilapia, but hundreds of gorgeous waterbirds make their homes and migratory stops along the shores of the Salton Sea.

About 14 miles of the shoreline is used for human recreation (boating, kayaking, fishing, and camping), but due to state budget cuts, most of these services are dwindling. There is a State Recreation Area near Mecca, California, and that is where we stopped for a visit.

We drove through a thicket of palm trees to the park entrance, where a friendly park attendant named Nick took our $5 entrance fee and gave us a sticker to put on the car.  We drove to the lot by the Visitor's Center, which was closed when we arrived. There was one other family in the parking lot at the time, and a lone fisherman out on a jetty casting a line out to the sea.  We decided to explore the beach a little, and could see hundreds of gulls and large white birds that looked like swans floating by in pairs.

Meet Me in St Louis: The Gateway Arch

On our roadtrip at the end of December, we had a brief stop in St. Louis, Missouri,  and got to see  see the famous St. Louis Gateway Arch.  I have been to the arch once before, but never to the top of the Arch.  You can ride a tram  in the little egg shaped compartments that roll on a fully encased track to the viewing area at the top.  I still haven't ridden to the top.

The trip on the tram takes about an hour and a half.  We were in a rush to get to Ohio to see my dad in the hospital, so we didn't have time to ride up.  Alex sat in the display car at the visitors center under the Arch, which contained an interesting mixture of a gift shop, a display on westward expansion, and an old-timey mercantile store.

It was freezing the day we were there, with a cold, gusty wind blowing all around, and the chance of snow mounting every second we stayed in St. Louis.  The main attraction for us in going into the underground visitor's center was the fact that it was warm in there. We three California weather wimps were not prepared for exactly how cold it would be.

Like many of our national monuments, the Gateway Arch is guarded by metal detectors and somewhat hostile security guards who take their jobs very seriously.  The young woman ahead of me in line had a small vial of pepper spray in her purse, which they made a huge deal about, as though she had a bomb strapped to her belt to go along with the keychain full of pepper spray.  She told them to keep it, but they insisted on interrogating her about the reason she decided to COME TO A NATIONAL MONUMENT fully ARMED when there were KIDS AROUND.  I felt sorry for her, since she clearly didn't even know she had it in the bottom of her purse.  The guards seemed to be enjoying making the woman squirm, while most people just filed on in without as much as a sideward glance from them. 

So, a word to the wise: check your purse for unruly keychains before entering national monuments.  For some reason, this reminded me of a trip I took with my girlfriends when I was still single and oh-so-carefree.  My friends and I were on a roadtrip through the Pacific Northwest, when we were stopped at the Canadian border for a routine customs check.  The very earnest customs official asked my friend who was driving if we were "carrying any protection."  She looked at him and said, "Protection? You mean like condoms? Never leave home without them."

The guard turned the color of a mai tai and said, "Uh, no, ma'am...I mean...firearms."

She replied, "No, no firearms. Do we need some?"

He waved us through, and we high-fived each other all the way to Vancouver.  This was, of course, before 9/11.  Now, customs officials are way more serious and we would likely be strip-searched for remarks like that.

Anyway, the Gateway Arch is somewhat of an architectural marvel, and a must-see for any visit to St. Louis.  Maybe next time, I'll actually take that ride to the top.  I've always wanted to ride in a metal egg.

You can purchase tickets for a ride to the top of the Arch, including parking tickets, at The Gateway Arch Riverfront website.

 

 

Ford Reception at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a private event, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, at the Detroit Insititute of Arts.  The building itself was an impressive, classical-style building that reminded me of the Art Institute of Chicago and other fine art museums I've visitied around the world.  I had no idea that Detroit had such a grand and historic art museum.

The reception was held in the Diego Rivera Courtyard, which housed four walls of fresco paintings entitled "Detroit Industry" and were really incredible to see.

During the reception, we were welcomed by Edsel Ford II, Henry Ford's great-grandson.  Mr. Ford acted as an unofficial ambassador to Detroit, explaining some of the rich history of the city and its relationship to the auto industry, particularly as it was represented in the mural and building that surrounded us. 

Standin' On the Corner in Winslow, Arizona

Standin' On the Corner, in Winslow, Arizona, originally uploaded by glennia.

We visited Winslow, Arizona, where the local pastime is standing on the corner, just like in the Eagles song, "Take it Easy":

Standin' on the Corner
In Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin' down to take a look at me.

The town commemorated the song with a statue, a mural, a park, and a gift shop.

Oklahoma City Memorial: Remembering a Tragedy

The entrance to the Oklahoma City Memorial is inscribed with these words:

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived, and those whose lives changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

We came here at night, and when we arrived, there were no other people, just our small family of three, come to pay our respects.  We didn't expect to find comfort and wisdom. We didn't expect to find solace for our own grief. We didn't expect it, but it was there.

The story of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 is embedded in the American psyche, a jarring reminder that violence and tragedy can visit us at any moment, in any circumstance. On that fateful morning, the men, women and children in the Murrah Federal Building went about their daily lives, going to work and school, just living.  They had no idea that a group of crazies would decided for them that this was their day to be visited by violence, changing not only their lives, but ours as well.

Frank and I were in Japan when this happened.  We turned on CNN international and were horrified by the images of destruction we saw in America's heartland.  I think as Americans, we had become immune to seeing images of devastation around the world, whether from terrorists bombs or natural disasters.  This image made us pause. A typical office building in a typical city on our home turf, not some faraway place. I spent the better part of the day glued to the television in our hotel room, waiting for more news.  In Japan, the reports were sparse and showed the same images over and over, unlike in the US, where the news coverage was relentless (or so I'm told).

We walked around the reflecting pool, with the moonlight reflecting on the water, and stopped to note the names of survivors inscribed on a granite wall.  Alongside the reflecting pool are 168 empty chairs, representing the people who died that died that day, each adorned with a wreath for Christmas.  It is a beautiful, thoughtful memorial.  I'm glad we made it there.

San Francisco: 5 Best Educational and (and Fun!) Places for Kids

Driving across expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge on my first trip to San Francisco in 1993, I wondered where on earth the people who live there would ever go on vacation--or why. It seemed to me then, as now, that if you lived in a city so beautiful and charming, you'd never want to leave.

On sunny days, the view of the gleaming city by the bay is unparalleled.  The tall spires of commerce offer the perfect counterpoint to sailboats skimming across the cool grey-blue waters of the San Francisco Bay. Even through dense fog, the iconic red ladders of the Golden Gate bridge invite visitors from all over the world to experience the city's mystery and history.

Whether you're visiting San Francisco for the first time or the fortieth, there's always something new to discover.  San Francisco is known primarily for activities and attractions for adults--from gourmet food to sports to theatre and music.  Lesser known are the fantastic opportunities for kids.   These are my Top 5 Educational Attractions for Kids:

1.    Located in the heart of Golden Gate Park in the museum complex that boasts the DeYoung Museum and Japanese Tea Garden, The California Academy of Sciences is dedicated to making science fun for both kids and adults.  Inside, you'll find a multi-story bubble that houses numerous species of butterflies flitting about, and displays featuring insects and animals of the rainforest.  it's like taking a walk inside a giant terrarium.  If you're really still, a butterfly or two might take a liking to you and hitch a ride on your finger.  Down below, you can learn about hundreds of species of fish and water animals at the Steinhart Aquarium.  Our favorite? Claude the Albino Alligator.

2.    Ever want to swim with sharks without getting wet?  Try the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 for a unique underwater view. The Aquarium at Pier 39 is a hidden gem of an attraction buried in a sea of themed chain restaurants and t-shirts shops. Walk through a tunnel and find yourself surrounded by sharks and colorful fish.  It has all the benefits of deep-sea diving without all the gear and discomfort.  As you're looking around at the fish, they seem to be looking back at you. I sort of wonder if they think they're looking at a people display (humanarium?) instead of the other way around.

3. Further  west along the coastline, take the kids to visit a real Civil War fort. Located right under the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point offers a glimpse back in time.  Build in the mid-19th century, Fort Point has been used as a look-out and a point of defense for the San Francisco Bay in both the Civil War and World War II.  As museums go, there is not a whole lot here, but the fact that a brick building of such a large scale is still standing in earthquake-prone San Francisco is a marvel in and of itself.  Park Rangers offer some very entertaining stories about the fort and its uses.  Our son loved running around the halls of the barracks, doing his own version of a Civil War reinactment using imaginary weapons. The Fort is only open 3 days a week, from Friday through Sunday from 10-5, so plan your visit accordingly.

4.    Also in the Fisherman's Wharf area, be sure to visit the Maritime National Historical Park at Hyde Pier, where four historic ships are open to the public for tours.  We particularly liked the cargo ship Balclutha, with its tall masts and cramped sleeping quarters for the deck hands.  Our son loved exploring all the nooks and crannies of the ship, and was particularly pleased to be allowed to ring the ship's bell.

5 Fun Things to Do with Kids In & Around Anchorage

Planning a family vacation to Alaska? Be sure to stop in Anchorage, where fun activities for the whole family abound.  We spent a week in Anchorage in June, and these were some of the highlights of our trip.

1. Tour the Solar System. Downtown Anchorage offers you a unique opportunity to tour our entire solar system through the Lightspeed Planet Walking Tour.  Find the sun at the corner of 5th and G streets, where a map guides you through town to the various planets in the solar system.  The walking tour is designed to take you from the sun to each planet at a leisurely pace, approximating the speed of light. If you make it to Pluto, the entire trip would take over five hours.  Good thing Pluto is no longer a planet.

2. Visit the Native Heritage Center. The Native Heritage Center is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Alaska's indigenous people.  It boasts a well-curated museum of artifacts and a living-history tour of different styles of dwellings and lodges used by the five cultural groups represented in Alaska.  Kids can roam around and touch whale bones, totems, and tools used by Alaska natives in daily life.  Knowledgeable guides are on-hand to give you a feel for the story-telling traditions and village life.  Open in summer months only.

3. Explore the Anchorage Museum Imaginarium. We loved visiting the Anchorage Museum, particularly the Imaginarium's hands-on exhibits science and technology.  The Imaginarium contains several rooms of hands-on science exhibits for tots to teens to explore and learn.

4. Take a goofy photo at the Captain Cook Statue. Located at the end of 3rd Avenue in downtown Anchorage, Resolution Park boasts a statue of famed explorer Captain James Cook, whose travels took him from England to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and points around the globe. Captain Cook met with a tragic end in Hawaii, where he ended up on the wrong end of a pointy spear.  He may or may not have ended up the main course at a luau, along with the poi and poke salad.  At any rate, his voyage to Cook Inslet, near Anchorage, was a much less eventful journey.

5. Take a Glacier Cruise.  Drive about an hour outside Anchorage, and hop on a day cruise of the famous glaciers of Chugach National Park.  We liked the 26 Glaciers Cruise, which included a comfortable, roomy catamaran, lunch, and prime viewing spots for wildlife, glaciers, and gorgeous scenery.  It was an unforgettable tour for the entire family.

If you happen to be in Alaska from August 26-September 6, 2010, be sure to drive to Palmer to check out the Alaska State Fair.  We visited the State Fair in 1996, before our son was born, but it still holds a special place in my heart.  There, you can feast on fair food, hear live concerts, and check out some of the worlds largest vegetables.  Alaska's growing season may be short, but with nearly 24-hour daylight in mid-summer, cabbages can grow to the size of a Volkswagen.  Who among us can resist a ginormous squash?

Alaska Native Heritage Center: A Walk in the Woods

We had the opportunity to attend a banquet at the Alaska Native Heritage Center while we were in Alaska, as part of Frank's EIPBN Conference.  It is a very special place, with living exhibits of Native life in each of the five cultural groupings that are indigenous to Alaska.  There are actually eleven distinct groups, but the Native Heritage Center has them grouped into five, based on linguistic similarities and geographic location.  Within the five groups, there are many distinct languages and cultures.

At the Center, the main building housing exhibits is situated on a lovely, small lake.  You take a path around the lake to see examples of different types of dwellings used by the five distinct groups of indigenous people represented in Alaska.  I didn't get to see the exhibits, but I did take a walk around the lake to see the dwellings.

I think I went the wrong direction, because I arrived late and went left to go clockwise around the lake.  The rest of the tour groups were going counter-clockwise.  I'm not sure it mattered that much.  The first building I came to was a gorgeous Eyak Log House with a totem pole next to it.  The Eyak people live in the southern part of Alaska.

The Anchorage Museum: A Great Place for Kids of All Ages

During our trip to Anchorage last week, we spent an afternoon exploring the Anchorage Museum, a modern, glass and chrome structure in the heart of downtown Anchorage. We had the rare treat of having both of Alex's grandmas along to see what the museum had to offer, along with Alex and myself.  It was a wonderful place for kids and adults alike, with a collection of exhibits on history, science, and art.  It was like MoMA, the Smithsonian, and the Tech Museum all rolled into one. This is one place I highly recommend for visitors to Anchorage.

 
The museum opened in 1968, and expanded through the 1990's with an infusion of oil revenues.  The current incarnation is a sleek, modern building with an impressive array of technology exhibits geared at science education, a terrific collection of Native Alaskan artifacts, a planetarium, upscale fine dining at the Muse Restaurant, and some interesting traveling exhibits as well.  The Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center just opened recently, and is something that should be required viewing for anyone interested in Native Alaskan culture.

Alex particularly enjoyed the Imaginarium Discovery Center, a hands-on science exhibit on the first floor that introduces kids to physics, biology, and technology.  While mostly geared toward school-age children, there is a special section for kids ranging from infants to age 5. It's often hard to find things in museums for very young children, so I thought this was a terrific way to introduce kids to science at the earliest ages.

We started out looking at a Rube Goldberg-like contraption of balls, chutes, and wheels that was mesmerizing. The walls are adorned with inspirational words and quotes from scientists, like Albert Einstein's quote: "Nothing happens until something moves."

What's in Wasilla?

After spending the morning hanging out in Anchorage with my friend, Susanne, we loaded up the rental car to head to Denali National Park, via Wasilla and Talkeetna.  We were meeting up with Frank's stepmom, Chris, and her sister Ruth and Ruth's husband, Ralph, for a day tour of the national park.  The trip from Anchorage to Denali is about 250 miles on the two-lane Parks Highway.  The Highway (Alaska 3), runs right through Wasilla, the town most famous for being the headquarters of the Iditarod and hometown of Sarah Palin.

Longtime readers of this blog know that I am not a Palin fan, but I was curious to see what exactly was in Wasilla, perhaps looking for some explanation for why Palin is so unique.  Susanne warned us in advance that there is not much to see in Wasilla.