California African American Museum, Celebrating MLK Jr. Day

Martial Arts History Museum

The Martial Arts History Museum is a tiny facility in the heart of Burbank, CA with a big heart. Founded in 1999, the only museum of its kind in the country, the museum is an educational, artistic and cultural experience. Visitors learn the role different forms of martial arts have played in Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines and the United States. There are two detailed and colorful time lines illustrating how Asian history became part of American history. Extra kudos go to the museum for recognizing the valuable role women have played in martial arts history repeatedly throughout the museum. Beautiful exhibits with costumes, weapons, musical instruments, video displays and large, informative placards make the museum friendly for kids and adults. Alex and Serene enjoyed the ninjas, the Samurais and a special scavenger hunt just for kids. We can't wait to go back again!

USS Iowa: "We sunk your battleships"

The Battleship USS Iowa was built in 1940 and served the United States for over 50 years in World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War. The ship became known as the "Battleship of Presidents" after hosting Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. No other battleship has hosted more presidents than the USS Iowa. The ship was also known as the World's Greatest Naval Ship for her big guns, heavy armor, fast speed and longevity. Today, the ship is parked at San Pedro, CA port and is open year-round for exploration.

One of the most fun facts about the ship is Victory the Dog (Mascot First Class). Read about Vicky's life sleeping at the foot of President Roosevelt, meeting Joseph Stalin & Winston Churchill, receiving awards & honors, and even going AWOL. Check out it out at: http://www.pacificbattleship.com/page/victory

House on the Rock

The House on the Rock near Spring Green, Wisconsin is difficult to describe. I've known about it all my life and always wanted to visit. I'm glad I did, but not sure I'll ever go back again. Alex Jordan was an eccentric architect and collector. He built a unique residence and amassed a huge, bizarre collection of everything -- musical instruments, rifles, doll houses, maritime artifacts, carousels, dishes, knives and pretty much everything else that you can think about. It took us more than three hours to navigate through the self-guided tour. Exhausted at the end, we skipped past much the place has to offer. I had assumed a more interested architectural wonder, but was disappointed by the structure itself. Eventually, the kids were just bored.

Time to Discover the Ordinary

 

If you want to know why cats throw up hairballs, cows fart or how many germs flies really get on your food each time they land at your picnic table, then check out the special exhibit Animal Grossology at Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC.

We didn't have enough time to experience more of Charlotte. This children's science museum is definitely a great stop for children when visiting this beautiful city. It describes itself as the place "where science amazes, educates and entertains." That is an accurate description with its many physics, building, and animal exhibits. If we lived closer, the annual membership is worth it. Serene spent most of her time experimenting with numerous hands-on exhibits testing the laws of physics. Alex had a fantastic time building forts big and small with camouflage netting. As we get to know our way around museums across the country, this one is a great stop if you are passing through Charlotte.

Los Angeles Police Museum

 

 

A visit to the Los Angeles Police Museum should be on every young boy's bucket list. The website doesn't do it justice. (No pun intended). Children age 12 and younger are free. You can explore the original jails, snap your own mug shot, climb aboard an aged police helicopter and check out bullet-ridden vehicles. Los Angelenos will remember numerous events featured in the museum from recent decades. An audio tour is available at no additional cost. The staff is exceptionally friendly. It's a few hours of fun that helps teach the kids who are the real heroes.

Kids Space Museum

Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena, CA sits footsteps from the world renowned Rose Bowl and is one of those Southern California destinations that every parent takes their kids to at some point or another.  We had no business being there our first trip about seven years ago now. Alex was too young. He could hardly walk and we spent all of our time in the very small, overly crowded toddler room on a 100+ degree day. (Strike 1).  I tried again when Alex was four-years-old. I was pregnant with his baby sister, it was another 100+ degree day and, I lost him in the crowds of kids that show up on the weekends. (The only time I've ever lost site of him).  I panicked and had the staff racing around the grounds looking for a kid that fit the description of nearly every other boy in the museum. (Strike 2).

After another several years, we decided to try again. Finally -- a home run. We skipped the busy weekend days, and we brought along the proper attire (more or less) as swimsuits & towels are a plus when the kids play in the wildlife pond, the Arroyo, at the Water Symphony and in the other fountains. There's rock climbing, lots of bugs, a butterfly garden, ongoing educational programs, and a new, state-of-the art 'Physics Forest.' Both Alex and Serene rode the along the trike tracks even though one of them was too big and the other too small. We won't wait three years to try it again!

From Palestine to Mahmoud Darwish

The people of Palestine built the Mahmoud Darwish Museum. No foreign donations were accepted.

Memorial to Mahmoud Darwish where he is buried.

The Mahmoud Darwish Museum is part of the cultural center of Ramallah.

An outdoor theater at the museum seats more than 500 persons.

The Mahmoud Darwish Museum opened in 2012.

Steps leading up to the museum.

Perhaps no one is more loved by the Palestinian people than Mahmoud Darwish. Buried in Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine, Mahmoud Darwish (1941-2008) was Palestine's National Poet. An author and a poet, Darwish's literary works are cherished at the Mahmoud Darwish Museum (Al-Biryeh Garden). In his work, Palestine became a metaphor for the loss of Eden, birth and resurrection, and the anguish of dispossession and exile.

Rocking the bubbles and searching for artifacts at the Cube

We love the Discovery Cube!

Alex on a bed of nails.

Is that Indiana Jones on the top of that truck?

Bubble Fest - making giant bubbles.

The Discovery Science Center in Orange County, California (a.k.a "the cube") hosts a Bubble Fest every spring that features a bubble artist who does turns soap and water into art. There are bubbles inside of bubbles inside of bubbles, spinning bubbles, smoking bubbles, giant bubbles, colorful bubbles and well....10s of thousands of bubbles! Its more Vegas than kids museum and worth the trip the price of admission.

The exhibits at the Cube change a few times annually. We got to enjoy Indiana Jones and the Adventures of Archaeology. Kids can take on an electronic scavenger hunt and see how artifacts in the movie connect to archaeology exploration. As a new Indiana Jones fan, Alex loved watching excerpts of the movies and being able to see the artifacts in glass boxes just below.