National Atomic Testing Museum -- Nevada

Always searching for a geeky attraction we found the National Atomic Testing Museum - a museum detailing the history of the Manhattan Project and the subsequent testing of atomic weapons in the desert outside of Las Vegas and out in the Pacific between 1945 and the early 1990's when testing was banned by most nuclear nations. The museum contains over 12,000 artifacts within 11,000 square feet of exhibits and memorabilia from the start of the Atomic Age and the first atomic test in July, 16, 1945 (code named Trinity) and through Cold War. Exhibits cover the rise of the "Atomic culture" in the United States in art, toys, television and movies, books, and the development of the "Duck and Cover" era. The museum helps to focus on the human side of the atomic weapons program and the people who worked to help create these weapons and ensure their safety. My husband was positively glowing with excitement and the kids were delighted with the hands on exhibits. 

  

    




In addition to the permanent exhibits the museum has temporary special engagement exhibits and the current one is about the infamous "Area 51" and the history of Unidentified Flying Objects AND the top secret Air Force installation where the nation's most advanced aircraft are designed and tested. The first ever exhibit on Area 51 was developed with the help of the very people that worked there. This exhibit will explore the real truth, the real programs, and address the secrecy that surrounds the base at Groom Lake including a look at the development of some of the US Air Forces more unique aircraft.

There is something for everyone to experience in displays presenting the history of the development and testing of one of man’s most significant feats of engineering - the atomic bomb.

The National Atomic Testing Museum is a repository for one of the most comprehensive collections of nuclear history. As part of its mission, the National Atomic Testing Museum seeks to collect and preserve a wide variety of materials and artifacts relating to atomic testing, the Nevada Test Site, the Cold War, and nuclear and radiological science and technology. The current collection includes thousands of rare photographs, videos, artifacts, scientific and nuclear reports and data and one-of-a kind scientist collections.


http://www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org

Hoover Dam Tour - Arizona & Nevada border

For years my husband has wanted to tour the Hoover Dam with the family. So last week we packed up the kids, refused to tell them where we were going, and set off another road trip. It was better than I expected. The Hoover Dam, originally named the Boulder Dam, is an engineering marvel of the 20th Century and a testament to the great things the country was able to accomplish even in the depths of the Great Depression. The top of the dam is open for exploration and you can walk across and look over both sides and view all of the cool dam parts on the Arizona and Nevada sides and how the dam was carved into the canyon. You can stand in the middle of the dam and straddle two states and be in two time zones. After checking out the topside we purchased the Power Plant tour and traveled down several hundred feet inside to the Nevada side power plant and saw several of he huge water turbine generators in action. The generators are huge and heavy and the generator room still uses the two original 300 Ton lift capacity cranes that were installed in the 1930's. Throughout the dam there are incredible 1930's Art Deco design details and other hints of a bygone era. Overall the dam tour has a lot of fascinating information and history and can appeal to geeks and kids of all ages.

The Hoover Dam spans the Colorado River in Black Canyon between Arizona and Nevada, some 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas Nevada. Constructed in the 1930s, the concrete arch-gravity structure was intended to prevent flooding as well as provide much-needed irrigation and hydroelectric power to arid regions of states like California and Arizona. It was originally known as Boulder Dam, but was renamed in 1947 in honor of Herbert Hoover, who as U.S. secretary of commerce and the 31st U.S. president proved instrumental in getting the dam built. At 726 feet high and 1,244 feet long, Hoover Dam was one of the largest man-made structures in the world at the time of its construction, and one of the world’s largest producers of hydroelectric power.

http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/

PING Tour

If you're a golfer (and perhaps even if you are not) you have probably heard of PING golf clubs, named for the sound they make when a golfer hits the ball with the club's "sweet spot." In 1961 Karsten moved his family and new business to Phoenix and the rest is golfing history. The Karsten family still runs the PING business and you can get a tour of the facility where they manufacture their legendary clubs still using many hand crafting techniques used on the first products. The PING facility also has computerized tools for visiting golfers to have their swings analyzed and custom clubs optimized for them. Pro golfers will visit often to test out the new equipment. Because this is an actual working factory they do not allow pictures to be taken but the tour is impressive and you also get to see a bit of golfing history including the original designs to some of the first PING clubs. 

My children have recently begun golf lessons so of course I am now interested in the history and culture of golf. PING is a large manufacture of clubs, bags, and previously golf balls (they ceased making the balls and so they are now collctors items).

http://www.ping.com/about/decade.aspx

Karsten Solheim is the man behind the clubs. When he settled his family here in Phx he also built his manufacturing plant here. PING is 100% family owned.

The tour lasted 2 hours and I went thru  4 buildings and saw first hand the equipment being built. Sadly no pictures are allowed.

http://phoenix.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/ss/PING_9.htm

First Friday Phoenix

For anyone not familiar with First Friday, it is a long running open art and music event hosted the first Friday of every month in downtown Phoenix (Roosevelt @ 2nd Street area). The empty lots fill with local artists selling a wide variety of goods and pieces such as paintings, sketches, found object art, clothing, and jewelry. There are usually lots of street musicians of different genres and sounds filling the night air to compliment the visual activities in the area.  Enjoy the spirit and culture of downtown Phoenix as you mingle with thousands of other residents and visitors. Tour art galleries, venues, and related spaces from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. every First Friday of the month. (Note: each art space has their own hours.)

This past Dec we took the family downtown to First Friday.  We parked the car and walked to Sit and Stay, a great little hot dog joint.  We then spent the next 4 hours wandering the streets enjoying art galleries, street artists and musicians and much more. We ventured into Nash, a dry jazz joint that features local musicians going up on stage and sitting in for a few songs in the set. On these Friday nights the cover charge is free and the music is always excellent. There are lots of shops to browse and a few coffee bars to sit and recharge before your next adventure. The people you meet are friendly and generally everyone has a good time. 



http://www.rooseveltrow.org/about/first-fridays/

Picacho Peak State Park

Picacho Peak State Park - worth the stop on the way to/from Tucson

On the way home from a day of Bookman's Book Stores in Tucson, we stopped at Picacho Peak State Park to stretch our legs and find out what the park that we had driven by so many times was about.

Traveling along I-10 in southern Arizona you will find the 1,500-foot peak of Picacho Peak State Park. Hike trails that wind up the peak. The park and surrounding area are known for its unique geological significance, outstanding and varied desert growth, and historical importance. The unique shape has been used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times. One interesting claim to fame about the park was that is was the site of the only Civil War battle in the Arizona Territory (long before it was a state).

The park facilities include a visitor center with exhibits and a gift store, hiking trails, playground, historical markers, campground, picnic areas, ramadas, grills, dump station, restrooms, and showers. The group use areas, for day & overnight use, are available by reservation. Before you hike, be prepared with enough water and proper footwear as the trails are steep and challenging.

For a family it is a nice break from the city and only an hour drive from Phoenix with several nice trails to hike and a fairly challenging trail to the top of the saddle between the two major peaks. As a troop it is an easy link to a journey and a chance to earn a fun patch and explore a little pre-Arizona statehood history. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking gear and bring a canteen. 

This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own.

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/PIPE/

Arizona Challenger Space Center

Rendezvous with a Comet 

Take part in a daring trek of exploration as, once again, comet Encke travels close to the Sun and Earth. This time, human space travelers, as well as space probes, will undertake scientific missions to the great comet. Years of planning and hard work have been invested to get to this vital moment. Team members in both the Spacecraft and Mission Control must work together to rendezvous with the comet's tail, and successfully launch a scientific probe. Along the way, team members will also encounter many important tasks that need to be performed. Journey with us on this important mission; the great comet awaits! 

Recommended for 5th through 6th Grade

I took my daughter to the Space Challenger Center where she embarked on a 2 1/2 hour mission in space. While her team was in one realistic-looking spacecraft, another team was in an adjoining classroom Mission Control, back on Earth. The team members must work together to collect and share information to solve problems - sometimes under "pressure" of spacecraft system malfunctions.

Not only did she have fun while learning, she actually asked to go back for another mission.

To go to the museum just to look around is ...... ok - there are some interesting historical displays to look at but not a lot else to do so be sure to sign up for an activity.  There are different activities designed for different grade levels between 4th and 12th, so we only experienced the one activity for 6th grade students.


http://www.azchallenger.org/home

This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own.

Arizona Opera

Arizona Opera, originally called the Tucson Opera Company, was founded in 1971 and since then it has moved to downtown Phoenix and produced over 170 productions. Recently I was able to attend a dress rehearsal of "Rigoletto" - the classic opera by Giuseppe Verdi about why it's a bad idea to pick up an assassin in a dive bar. 

I am so pleased to say that I have finally experienced the opera. I LOVED it. The stage, the costumes, the amazing talent of the opera stars absolutely thrilled and astounded me. 

Don't speak Italian or French? - No worries - The story and lyrics are projected above the stage so you can easily follow the story without losing out on the action. Don't know much about opera or the production you are about to see? - No worries - Learn about the stories  by attending a free, pre-opera lecture. Arrive one hour before curtain to learn about the show you are about to see!

Check out the website to find upcoming shows,and special nights / prices to take your students.  Have your school sign up to be put on the mailing list for appropriate upcoming performances.

I hope to go back to the opera soon and to take my 11 and 14 year old too. There are so many reason to expose your children to the theatre and the opera. 

http://www.azopera.org/watch-listen-learn/community-events