National Air and Space Museum

The Air and Space Museum in Washington DC is clearly a family favorite as people of all ages walked or ran about the museum in search of interesting exhibits.

The size of the planes, rockets, and space vehicles is overwhelming.





















In addition to the gigantic vehicles, there are stories about the people who invented, flew, and served in various ways.









Many exhibits provide introductory science lessons.



There are many interactive exhibits, which appealed to the children and youth during in our visit.



Both civil aviation and military planes are on display.









It was helpful to see examples of air and spacecraft from other countries represented.





The museum is free.

There is a security check on entry.

No food and drink were permitted at the time of our 2017 visit (except water).

There are food trucks on the South Side of the museum as an alternative to eating in the museum.

There are several restrooms and places to sit.



See the website for more details
https://airandspace.si.edu/

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

White House

National Archives

Library of Congress

Supreme Court

National Zoo

U S Botanic Garden

Union Station

Monuments and Memorials

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

WW II Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage  www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a significant addition to the Smithsonian museums.  This museum is worth at least a day of any visit to DC. The tour appropriately begins at the lower level and gradually raises us, with our consciousness, to the light where we all stand on the same level.



We expect to hear the horrific story about the long and tortuous period of American Slavery. The brute force of the artifacts and stories of wounded bodies and souls illustrate how American Slavery grew into a unique and oppressive system within the context of historical records of temporary enslavement and other oppressive near-enslavement conditions around the world.



The signs and pictures inform the path toward freedom, which was slow and marked by much pain, suffering, and false hope.










Segregation is all too recent for people in my generation. And the images come alive in the form of videos and giant exhibits -- a lunch counter, a bus, a prison guard tower.



















We hear speeches, see TV shows of yesteryear, and images of change.

The experience is well-organized and thought provoking.

The lower levels can be crowded due to narrow passages.

Many signs are hard to read because of the dim lighting in parts.

Photography is permitted without flash but of course, there is a glare due to the lighting and many items enclosed in glass.

There are places for research and centers where people can learn more.

The food in the cafeteria is as good or better than other Smithsonian food services. The prices are high as in the other museums. Food and drinks (except water) are not permitted in the museum.

There is no entry fee.

There is a museum store but lines were long so we did not enter the store.

The rest rooms were well-maintained.


Check the website for details on hours and getting an entry pass.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/


Connect

Geoffrey W. Sutton

www.suttong.com

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

White House

National Archives

Library of Congress

Supreme Court

National Zoo

U S Botanic Garden

Union Station

Monuments and Memorials

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

WW II Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage  www.suttong.com

 And my Books  AMAZON        GOOGLE STORE

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum Springfield MO USA

The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum in Springfield Missouri USA is an entertaining and educational experience. The galleries are first class. The adventures take visitors on a wide-ranging safari across North America and into Africa with side trips to view wildlife in other parts of the world.






I've been to natural history museums in the US and elsewhere and find the Wonders of Wildlife galleries as good or better than those you will find in places like Chicago, New York, and London. Of course, you do not see the variety of natural history exhibits that you would elsewhere since the focus here is on wildlife. But when combined with the adjacent aquarium, you have a full day's worth of an awesome experience.


You enter up the stairs near the main entrance to the Bass Pro Shop. You can get tickets online or onsite. The tour begins with an optional film then a walk through the Native American Gallery, past Theodore Roosevelt's Cabin, along the Lewis & Clark journey, and into America's National Parks.

Bass Pro Stuff

The galleries include Boone & Crockett, Bucks & Bulls, Sheep Mountain, Penguin Cove, and the Polar Expedition.











The Great African Hall is like a miniature Kruger or other African preserve-- especially when you add Africa After Dark, Lion's Den, and Operation Rhino.









You exit into the large entry by the gift shop and aquarium (Great Oceans Hall).


INFORMATION

Location:  500 W. Sunshine St. Springfield, Missouri, USA 65807

Hours: Mostly 10:00 am to 8:00 pm - some variations so check the website for details.

Entrance Fees: It is expensive but not more than you would pay at a large city aquarium.

TIP: Check closely as there are a variety of tickets for individuals and families with discounts available. We plan to go back so we purchased an annual pass. Ask about the upgrade rules before you leave if you bought a one day ticket and want to return.

Refreshments: There is a place to eat inside. You can find a number of restaurants nearby.

Parking: The parking is free and so far, there has been plenty of spaces available.

Website:  http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/visit.html

Connect

Website www.suttong.com

Facebook page Geoff W Sutton

Twitter @GeoffWSutton 

Here's a few more photos

AQUARIUM at Wonders of Wildlife Springfield Missouri

The Aquarium at the Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield is worth a few hours of your time in Southwest Missouri.

My wife and I visited the aquarium soon after it opened and were quite impressed--which is not easy because we have seen some great aquariums in the US, UK, and NZ.

When you first walk in you see a huge multistory aquarium, which in itself is impressive--300,000 gallons worth! You quickly find yourself tracking movement as you navigate the circular structure.

What's next?

Well, there are displays of fishermen and their equipment. That might not thrill folks not into fishing. But don't despair. There's more. Much more actually. According to the ads, there are "more than 35,000 animals...over 800 species of sharks, rays, jellies, eels, sport fish..."

Here's a glimpse of some of the things you can enjoy.

Shipwreck Reef











Swamp at Night-- with audio effects! (Kinda dark so, no photos)

Rivers and Streams  *  Mangroves  *  The Amazon

An under river experience  *  Shark Alley  *  Coral Reefs

A fantastic display of seashells from around the world (they are in glass cases so I did not get any good photos here)


A look in deep waters


Sometimes you can see divers feeding fish.






There are dark caves and River Monsters


And there's a chance to touch rays and starfish. Great for kids-- all ages of course.






And of course a gift shop where you can find gifts at reasonable prices. We naturally thought of our grandchildren.


INFORMATION

Location:  500 W. Sunshine St. Springfield, Missouri, USA 65807

Hours: Mostly 10:00 am to 8:00 pm - some variations so check the website for details.

Entrance Fees: It is expensive but not more than you would pay at a large city aquarium.

TIP: Check closely as there are a variety of tickets for individuals and families with discounts available. We plan to go back so we purchased an annual pass. Ask about the upgrade rules before you leave if you bought a one day ticket and want to return.

Refreshments: There is a place to eat inside. You can find a number of restaurants nearby.

Parking: The parking is free and so far, there has been plenty of spaces available.

Website:  http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/visit.html

Beauty comes in many shapes



      


Here's a few more videos from my YouTube Channel: Sutton Travels

Check out my web page https//www.suttong.com

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Missouri

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Southwest Missouri is worth a visit if you are in the area. The Visitor's Center includes an introductory film that runs near half an hour. The museum includes storyboards giving the historical context of this early battle, which was decisive for the slave-holding state of Missouri--and perhaps for the nation.

I recommend reading the information on the website to get an overview along with additional details regarding hours and fees.

The staff are helpful. And there are special events, which are listed on the webpage. Following the film, we viewed a musket firing demonstration. Notice the clothes of this man representing Col Franz Sigel's German troops. This was 10 August, 1861 before the Blue and Gray uniforms clarified which side a soldier represented.

Later, a volunteer told the story of the Ray family house, which became a field hospital during the battle. General Lyon, the first Union general killed in the war, was brought there before eventually heading back to his family in Connecticut. Read more on the John Ray family.

Ray House, Wilson's Creek Battlefield

Gen Lyon brought to this bed

The Ray House is also a story of slavery in the Ozarks. Here's a quote and link to more information about Rhoda Ray (Ray story)

Rhoda Ray was born a slave about 1824; she and her children were owned by John Ray. She was referred to as “Aunt Rhoda” by the Ray family, and she and the children worked on the Ray farm. During the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, on August 10, 1861, Rhoda and her children initially sought shelter in the cellar of the Ray house, then helped treat the wounded after the house was occupied as a Southern field hospital. Rhoda was freed in 1865 and moved to Springfield, Missouri, where she married John Jones in 1868; she “took in laundry” and her husband worked in a stone quarry. Rhoda Jones died in Springfield, Missouri, on November 4, 1897, and is buried in Hazelwood Cemetery.

The tour road is accessed via a token-operated gate and is a one-way blacktopped road to the left. There are turnouts and parking areas along the route. Storyboards tell about local places and battle events. A phone number provides an audio message along the route.

In addition to the historical information, the site offers the beauty of the Ozarks -- green rolling hills in the spring and summer, various birds, white-tailed deer, wildflowers, and a variety of trees. And of course, there is Wilson's Creek. There are many well-marked trails as well.



Wilson's Creek itself is worth a few moments of tranquility and reflection.

White-tailed deer at Bloody Hill

Rest rooms are available in the Visitor's Center.

And there is a picnic area nearby.

Connections

My Page    www.suttong.com

  

My Books  AMAZON                       GOOGLE STORE

FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton

TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton

PINTEREST  www.pinterest.com/GeoffWSutton

City Market Kansas City MissouriCity

City Market Entrance Kansas City MO/ Geoff W Sutton 2017

We walked about the City Market during a June 2017 visit to Kansas City. It's a good place to mix with people from many cultures selling a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers, and various items suitable for unique gifts.

An historic marker identifies an old trading post.




There are several restuarants offerring a variety of ethnic foods in addition to other vendors. Many offer tempting samples. It's a good place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

We found parking nearby and there's a local city tram serving the area.

The market is also home to the Arabia Steamboat Museum- also worth a visit.

Arabia Steamboat Kansas City MO

Arabia Collage Geoff Sutton 2017

We are glad we went to see the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

The local explorers display tons of buried treasure they found when the excavated this pre-Civil War Steamboat, which sank in 1856. The museum tells the story of the ship and the discovery along with the process of restoration, which the explorers learned as they sought to preserve the contents of the mud-covered horde along with parts of this iconic 1800s boat.

Tons of treasure but only a few cents

We were fortunate to meet two of the explorers who answered questions following the brief introductory video. The film provides an overview and though not like those you will find in the best museums, you get a sense of adventure as you join in the exploration and awesome find. The authenticity comes through in a way that glitzy presentations can not capture.

An award-winning pitcher/ Arabia Steamboat/ Geoff W Sutton 2017

The displays are nicely designed and the lighting is much better than in some museums so you can actually read the inofrmation boards and take decent photos without flash.

Arabia Steamboat Treasure

Many of the items were for sale at area stores so some displays capture life in pioneer days as seen from the perspective of a frontier shop. Whether from the US or elsewhere, the Arabia Steamboat Museum offers a unique glimpse into this segment of Midwestern US history.

Ready for an 1800s store

One exhibit offers a hands-on educational talk on preserving sunken cargo.  There will be more to see in the future. The museum appears full yet there were some 60 of the 200 tons left to explore and restore.

Brief history of the Steamboat

Notes and tips

Check the website for times and more details.
There are clean restrooms near the exit.
There is a museum store on the main floor where you purchase tickets and shop.
The first part of the tour is guided.
Toys and working models make it interesting for young and old.
There are places to sit within the museum.
There's adequate parking neaby.
The area is served by a local city tram.
There are many fine restaurants in the nearby City Market.