We decided to try to go to the SF Zoo this past MLK jr weekend. We tried to go just before Charles left for Maine, but we arrived after closing. We were going to go on Saturday, but decided to wait until Monday because Charles was working as proctor on Saturday until 2pm. On Monday, we packed up and headed to the City, and...It started to rain! We were hoping that it wasn't raining in SF. As we got to the Zoo, it began raining there (its near the ocean). Finally, I got the bright idea to go to the Exploratorium. Its on that side of the city, and its inside. So, we saved a trip into the city. http://www.exploratorium.edu/
The Exploratorium is a award-winning 100% hands on museum. Its aimed at middle aged children, 7-13 maybe. John enjoyed being able to run freely in the warehouse-like museum. The Exploratorium is located in warehouse behind the iconic Palace of Fine Arts (above). This plaster Greek replica was meant to be temporary for an Expo 100 years ago, but was so well loved (and beautiful) that the city recast it in concrete and kept it. Its now falling apart, and you can't go under it because of earthquake retrofitting. Its still beautiful. The lake has swans. You can't see it from the Exploratorium, because there are no windows!
We looked at the exhibits. John enjoyed the water exhibit, trying to float plastic shapes on spouting water. He likes to splash. Further in, there is a fenced in baby play area. John and Charles spent a lot of time in there, playing with the blocks, books and baby puzzles, and the other babies. We shot some video of this. I went to look at the temporary mind exhibit, which included a water fountain in a toilet, and piano suspended from the ceiling with a bulls eye under it for you to stand on, and a ladder to walk under. Then we let John run around some more. There was an exhibit on what makes something cute, and it had a tiny couch and chairs, with cute big eyed animals on the wall. John sat in it with a cute little girl who wanted to play with him. He wanted to move the couch around. Passers-by were saying "how cute! Are the babies included in the exhibit?"
Then it was time to go. there was a circus tent that was spinning and John liked to run in and out of it. We finally dragged him out. As soon as we got in the car and had some crackers and milk, John passed out. We ate some sandwiches we brought and drove home, over the Golden Gate. John had a good long nap. We went home and made dinner. Charles made his baked hoggie. Mama had the day off! Watching John was easy in a place he was free to roam (although he cried a lot on the way to the zoo, we had to pull over and try to comfort him. I had to go sit in the back and play point at Big Bird with the book I brought). Charles watched John in the baby play area so I could see exhibits, and I didn't even have to make dinner!
John had a great weekend. He got to go to the park on Sunday, and to run around Monday and play with other babies.
The Palace of Fine Arts is under the Golden Gate Bridge.
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