We had orginally planned to go to the shore yesterday, but changed our plans because of the threat of rain and the cloudy skies. After spending the morning picking peaches and apples at a local orchard, we went to The Insectarium.

I was not all that thrilled with the idea of being in the same room with all those creepy/crawly things, but once the kids heard about this place, we just had to go! It's a small museum, but had many different displays and we got lucky that we had the guide all to ourselves. He followed us and was quick to answer our questions (and my kids had a ton of questions). The kids were most taken with the live bugs. A live tarantula, a honeybee hive encased in glass (it had a clear pipe leading to the outside of the building) and the most repulsive, uh I mean, the biggest display; a glass-enclosed area that had a toilet and sink on one side and a kitchen sink and cabinets on the other. Inside were the biggest ugliest roches I have ever seen! I couldn't help looking (although I then couldn't get it out of my head the rest of the day!) The guide told us that a slippery strip kept the roaches from climbing out, but if they managed ot get past it, an electrified strip above it would give them a little shock and knock them down. There were enough hands-on activites that the kids learned about these creatures without realizing they were learning about them. I learned a few things too, despite my lack of enthusiasm.

It was actually interesting, if you're into that kind of stuff. My kids have been asking me ever since to go back, but I think I'll wait until I get that image of the roaches out of my head.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 02:27 pm:

That is something my dd8 would LOVE!!! My ds5 would enjoy it, too, but my dd is soooo into insects of all kinds.

That is so cool. Wish they had something like that around this area....

I have to admit, the roach thing would really get me, too! hehe!

By Tink on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 09:57 pm:

Eeew! I got the heebie-jeebies just picturing the roach display. I haven't had one in my house yet but every one of you will hear me screaming when I do see one. My dks would love that museum too. My dks love anything with nature though. I'm glad you had such an unexpectedly good time.

By Mrse on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - 01:58 am:

The roach thing gave me a shiver up my spine, sounds like your kids had a good time. we don't have anything like that here.