Oregon Coast Aquarium - Originally Published 2008

Oregon is doing a lot of things right.  As a result, it’s probably not the place for everyone.  During the trips through the state, I have been impressed by their emphasis on pride in all things local.  Oregon is not trying to be anything other than Oregon.  This same spirit is carried over in the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

The Pacific Northwest is home to a glass blowing movement spearheaded by artists such as Dale Chihuly.  In a display called Oddwater, the aquarium manages to successfully compliment unique looking fish along with locally created glass sculptures from The Edge Art Gallery in South Beach.

Even the critters that call the Coast Aquarium home are largely local to the Pacific Northwest.  Instead of committing resources to gather exotic creatures, the aquarium displays native species with pride.

If you plan on making the trip down the Oregon coast, make sure to stop here.It shouldn’t be missed.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Originally Published 2009

Time for another multiple page entry.  If you have the time, I recommend a stop at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park.  Just off of Interstate 5, the park sits on the Sacramento River in the town of Redding.  There is plenty to see here.  It makes a nice stop to stretch you legs and get a little culture.

First stop is the visitor center.  You can pick up a map of the park and buy tickets to the museum exhibitions.  However, it is possible to see some of the park without purchasing tickets so take a look at the map before rushing to invest.

My guess is that this is the oldest part of the park.  The inside of the Paul Bunyon Forest camp doesn’t have a lot going on.  There are some old saws, a few taxidermied animals, and some information on logging.  There is a some renovation going on so maybe the goal is to dress this place up a bit.  Stop in if you have already paid the admission, but it is the weakest section of the park.

This was a great surprise.  During the summer months, the park opens two special exhibits.  In one exhibit, you can wander and feed birds.

This was an especially aggressive parakeet.

 The park imports a collection of butterflies for the second park of the exhibit.  Very nice.

On to The Turtle Bay Museum

The Turtle Bay Museum is a well put together place with permanent exhibits themed around the Sacramento River and two traveling exhibits.

This is a great aquarium featuring fresh water fish found in the Sacrament River watershed.

Luckily, the day we happened upon Turtle Bay, the museum was hosting one traveling exhibit called “A T. Rex Named Sue” and one featuring Lego art.

Aside from being one mean pile of bones, Sue is supposed to be the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever found.

Right next door was a display of art made by using Lego bricks.

Listen up, architecture fans.  Right here in Redding, you can find an example of Santiago Calatrava’s work.

Not familiar with his body of work?  Don’t worry, neither was I.  The important thing is that you don’t have to know who he is in order to appreciate his work.

 The Sundial is a footbridge that spans the Sacramento and joins that northern part of the park with the southern.  One impressive think about it is that is does not make any direct contact with the river.

 Another is that it really is a working sundial.

Vancouver Aquarium - Originally Published 2009

The Vancouver Aquarium has all of the resources to be an astonishing landmark in the city.  You can get an up-close view of Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Beluga whales.  They have a rainforest exhibit that has a fantastic array of animals on display.  But, sadly, the visit left me a little cold.

I’m not sure why this place failed to do it for me.  When I think back on it and analyze it, I think it was because the place was packed with people.  There were sections that were beyond claustrophobic.  I felt like I was riding in a freight evaluator jam packed with people.  

Frog or toad?

Don’t take my word for it, though.  I have read other reviews and almost every one classifies this place as a “must-do”.  Maybe I was off my meds when I went through.

What's newt with you?

The scarlet ibis in the flesh.