Virginia Children's Museum

11 July 2008

The pace was fast but manageable today. Slept in until after 8, but the allure of a free continental breakfast in the hotel lobby was too enticing to keep kids from breaking out of the hotel room. Got going over to the Virginia Childrens Museum in Portsmouth. It was great, and the kids loved the hands on interactive activities. There was some really cool stuff, a bubble room, many toys with a science lesson, and the boys had a blast enclosing themselves in the foam building blocks. Rachel really loved the museum since it was much more suited to her age.

Next, off to Nauticus, part interactive museum, part naval museum part aquarium and part Battleship (Wisconsin BB-65) We started with a 45 minute film on the sea and oceans which was spectacular, including tidal shots from the Bay of Fundy, surfing scenes on the North Shore, and diving in Palau. It was fantastic, and held everyone’s attention.

Next, we saw the NOAA sponsored “aquarium”’ with touch tanks, shark touch tanks, and plenty of other tropical tanks, as well as Chesapeake Bay sea life. Very cool and informative. The kids were less impressed by the Naval museum portion, but I really enjoyed that, especially taking the tour of the Wisconsin

I asked our kids which week they liked best: Key West or Williamsburg? Surprisingly they liked them both equally, and I am happy to have some travelers ready for some cultural/historical adventures on the road!!

It has been a long 2 weeks of travel. We all miss mom, and are ready to fly SWA to MCO tomorrow, so we can hit the swell from Bertha!!!!