Alex to Lindsay Museum

The holidays truly wreak havoc on any routine. I had written this post up except for a few final comments on the end photos on December 8th and then all progress was lost.

Sunday, November 27th, our regular bowling alley was having a tournament and so open bowling was not an option. Frank was excited because instead we would be going to a model train show, the first in over two years due to COVID. It was held two weekends by the Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society in Walnut Creek, a city about 16 miles and 30 minutes north of Alex's home. The building was nestled in a shady park. We parked and went up to the entrance only to learn the Sunday show had been canceled on short notice due to lack of staffing. Bummer.

To recover, we chose alternatively to visit the nearby Lindsay Wildlife Experience, located just on the other side of the park. It was just a short walk away but we did not know that and Siri on my iPhone did not clarify. We drove over, slightly chagrined at where we wound up. At least we were parked closer than if we had walked. 

Once inside we were impressed with how expansive it was. There was a view of the operating facilities where they care for injured wildlife. No surgeries were in progress while we were there but there was plenty to see. Every hour there were demonstrations with some live animals and other demos with interesting props at a bench area. Next to the benches was a large glassed in enclosure. Alex was fascinated by a large bird of prey that kept swooshing back and forth from one end to the other. Our first show was about color and camouflage. Alex was brave enough to pet a snake... Frank and me, too! The second show was about tarantulas, but we did not hold any of those. We did get to have to a very closeup look at the molted exoskeleton of one of them.

There were charts on the wall of different animals; beneath were doors to open and close with pictures beneath to tell about each critter. Alex liked manipulating the doors and we had a little bit of fun matching pictures. Moving critters are much more interesting. He liked this rat who darted about quickly within his enclosure but when we came to the bunnies he was truly suckered in. He was in seventh [hare] heaven and cared for nothing more.

The downstairs area was mainly for classes with school kids, but the murals on the walls were a "hoot". Alex posed along the hallway images; and Frank and I posed by the guardian of the restroom.

At our last stop, the gift shop, I bought the bowling game of Forest Skittles. Even if we never play, I thought the art work alone was precious, and the glossy wood surfaces were so tactilely appealing. The animals and trees are about 7" tall and the ball about 2 ½ " diameter.

This museum was a far cry from the trains we were anticipating but it was a fun outing and surprisingly more engaging for Alex than we anticipated. We are glad we went. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."