Month: July 2019

Johnson Space Center – Houston

Space Shuttle Independence on 747

On July 20 of this year we will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the landing of man on the moon. If you were alive at that time, I don’t think you will ever forget it or Neil Armstrong’s words: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Although most space launches occur in Florida, the main control center for flights is in Houston at the Johnson Space Center. Touring this facility can only be called inspiring. There are so many amazing things to see. As you drive up to the main building, the first thing you see is one of the space shuttles atop a 747 that is used to transport the shuttles back to Florida. Once inside the main building, you can actually go into both of these vehicles and see the massive size of the interior for yourself. Then you can walk around the main building where you see all types of exhibits and mockups of different space vehicles, and movies. There are also hands on experiments for both adults and children, as well as an area for kids to actually attempt to do some of the things that astronauts have to learn to do. One of these exhibits is a moving vehicle kids sit in and try to dock a incoming space vehicle to a stationary vehicle in “space.” There are also rides that can be taken (extra cost). One of these involves using goggles that make things appear multidimensional. In addition, there is a lunar rock area where you can actually touch a rock from the surface of the moon, and see many others.

Another very interesting adventure involves taking tram tours. Most of the time there are two tram rides. The blue line or the red line. Both took us to Rocket Park. This is by far our favorite part of the tours. There are a few rockets outside the building, but when you enter the building, you are totally blown away by the massiveness of the Saturn V rocket inside. It is laying on its side and is 363 ft long. This rocket has three stages and a command module. Finally on the very top is the lunar module.

From here the tram tour drives you around the actual working areas of Nasa and shows you the buildings from the outside. Then you are allowed to go into the Christopher Kraft Building and see the actual mission control room for the Orion missions. We were told that this will be closed very soon, and we were one of the last groups to be able to see it. In this building there is also a room that you can tour with a special ticket of the old mission control room of the early space programs. On a trip quite a while ago, we were able to see this room. The thought that we were able to put a man into space using computers that didn’t even have the capability of a present day cell phone is truly amazing!

The second tram tour takes you to the astronaut training center as well as riding around the outside of buildings. It has lots of different space vehicles and robots that are used for training.

I would say that the space center has something for just about all ages. Older adults will enjoy the historical parts and seeing the actual machinery involved. Younger children will enjoy all of the hands-on experiences and rockets.

Dallas World Aquarium

Although it is called an aquarium, I think that the title indoor zoo would be much more appropriate. Given the chance to visit here or the zoo in the summer, this wins. But only because our usual outdoor temperatures are at or near 100 degrees Farenheit. All other times of the year, it is a toss up because they are both very nice.

Even before you enter the building, you know that this will be a different experience. On the walkway up to the door, there are birds, fish, monkeys and even a stork. Immediately after entering the door, there are penguins swimming and entertaining you. From there, you climb a staircase. At the top of the stairs are more birds and an actual indoor waterfall that is two or three stories high. On the island in the middle of the water is a large tree with monkeys hiding throughout it. There are numerous ducks and all kinds of fish swimming around the island. From here you slowly wind your way through the building, seeing fish and other animals at every turn. One of our favorites is the sloth. Usually he is high in the tree and has his head buried, but on our last trip with the grandchildren, he was down low and eating.

Sloth

As you continue winding around the exhibit, you encounter more birds, an otter and even several crocodile.

On one of the lower levels near the cafeteria, there is an area with lots of coral, urchins and other exotic and interesting fish. My favorite is the seahorses. I could watch them for hours.

My other favorite animal at this amazing place is the manatee. He usually carries around a board with him. We think it is his security blanket.

Manatee with security blanket

As you continue meandering you way through the building heading towards the end of the exhibit, there is a tunnel that you can walk through with all types of unusual fish, like sawfish and sharks swimming on the sides and on top of you.

Tunnel with fish swimming around you on three sides

When in Dallas, if you like animals of all kinds, the World Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit. It is in downtown Dallas and easily accessible. You can ride the Dart train, take Uber or Lyft or your own car. Parking is directly across the street from the building. If you would like more information about the Aquarium please go to their homepage: https://dwazoo.com/