Summer Learning: Vancouver Aquarium

School was still in session for those in public schools and so a sunny, weekday afternoon was the perfect opportunity to visit the Vancouver Aquarium before the summer crowds.  We were able to catch three presentations, and had a good view for all of them.

John's favourite was the Pacific White-sided Dolphin.

We also learned about Beluga whales, even getting a bit wet.  And lastly, we caught the presentation on seals and sea lions.

Then we went to the 4D theater for the show about salmon.  It was fantastic, highlighting all the animals that are dependent upon the salmon as well as the salmon life cycle and habitat.

On our way out we caught sight of the display with the giant Pacific octopus where he was hanging out on the glass - such a rare opportunity to see one out of the cave.  An aquarium employee was nearby and John engaged her in conversation about the octopus!

Fort Clatsop

Lily with Sacagawea

Traditional Clatsop dugout canoe

Lily finding all the specimens for Plant Bingo along the Lewis & Clark River

John working on his word find back at the Visitor Center

Lily and John trying on the authentic explorer clothing

We spent the morning at Fort Clatsop, just minutes from Seaside, learning about the winter that Lewis and Clark spent on the Pacific Ocean.  It was fascinating to the kids that the Oregon coast has elk just like the Kootenays.  And in fact, Lewis and Clark choose to make camp on the south side of the Columbia for that very reason.  We actually saw a herd of elk on our way home from visiting the fort.
The State Parks have a wonderful Junior Ranger program which we finally took part in on this outing.  They each had to complete a certain amount of activities in a workbook specific to the State Park (see John & Lily above) and visit at least two historic sites.  At the end of our visit the Ranger checked their work, filled out a certificate for each of them, and administered an oath.  They each received a badge, a stripe with the level they completed and a ranger pin.  Awesome!
While at the Visitor Center we watched a wonderful video made by the Clatsop people about the arrival of the explorers, Lewis & Clark's winter at the Fort, and the experience of the Clatsop people in relation to all of this.  It was very interesting to have the familiar story told from the Native perspective.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

We visited a fantastic museum this morning that chronicles the history of the Columbia River: its discovery by Europeans, traditions of Native tribes living along its shores, naval history and fishing/commercial history.  We watched a video at the museum which highlighted the changes on the Columbia from a hundred years ago to now with the addition of dams. The video also documented the expertise needed to navigate the river and the bar; each requires specialized training and only a handful of men are qualified bar pilots.  We also got to tour the Lightship Columbia which was anchored 5 miles off the mouth of the river until 1970 because the coast along the Oregon side is not suitable for building a lighthouse.

Cranbrook Airport

sculpture in front of the airport representing the relationship between Natives and Europeans.

 The kids and I went on a fun field trip today to our local airport.  It's quite small with only two terminals but that made it perfect for touring.  We got to see all the maintenance equipment, go out on the tarmac for a closer look at a private jet. Watched a medic flight come in and learned all about airport and specifically runway maintenance.

Gigantic broom which sweeps away the snow

Gabe climbing up into the cab of the snow plow (my photo software isn't working well and won't flip my pictures!)

Yellowstone

Royal Tyrell Museum

We had an awesome field trip to Drumheller Lily learned how to identify raptors, learned how fossils are formed, saw lots of different dinosaurs and even a mammoth and saber tooth cats.