As previously mentioned, today’s my birthday. Last year, after Raechel, James and I had spent the day at Sturbridge Village we’d made plans to go to Mystic Aquarium for this year’s trip. And so that was how the majority of our day was spent after all the assorted dog things were taken care of and I’d opened my presents1.
After getting our passes, we decided to check out a bit of the indoor aquarium before heading off to the sea lion show. It never ceases to amaze me how diverse aquatic life is, even just the number of different fish there are. At the sea lion show we were asked to sit a few rows back. I couldn’t see too much during the show, but James basically videoed the entire show.2 (We just got through looking at the videos and photos he took and I’m very thankfully for the digital age.) On the other hand, Yara definitely could see everything and was very much interested. In fact, there was a part where the largest sea lion, Cocoa, came up onto the walkway in front of the bleachers and went passed most of the crowd and Yara was a bit taken aback. Otherwise she very contentedly watched; while, Yancy basically slept through the whole thing. At least until Surfer, the second largest sea lion, started barking a lot.
Both of the dogs were somewhat curious at the different tanks of fish and other aquatic life. Though, in Yara’s case children were of a much more important interest. She did jump up and put her feet on the wall over top of a sea lion tank. James kept trying to get her down and she very insistently kept hopping back up and putting her paws on the top of the wall.
Anyway, after the sea lion show, we met up with Patty and wandered around the outdoor aquariums. We saw some more sea lions and frogs and tadpoles and beluga whales. And, of course, the penguins, which pretty much made my entire birthday. Then we stopped for a snack and chatted a bit before Patty headed out. After, we went back inside to check out the rest of the tanks and then Raechel and I wandered around the gift shop. So many cute things for sale! I ended up getting myself a little perpetual motion thing that has two penguins on it and some ridiculously cute note cards with different emperors on them. Among other things, of course. :)
As we were headed out of the aquarium, Tom drove up and we all got to say a quick hi. Well, mostly Yara. But it was still very awesome to see both of Yara’s fosters again. Then we walked through the little village of shops and restaurants. We ate at one that Raechel and James were familiar with and I had a lobster grilled cheese sandwich. We also visited this cute pet shop and picked up some biscuits for all the doggies. I was very shocked and pleased that they had wheat free ones that Yara could have!
Now my feet are nice and blistered, probably from walking so much in sandals I haven’t worn in almost a year. But I still had a super fun time and am absolutely bushed. Raechel and I decided that next year we’ll take a trip to The Book Barn, which sounds very exciting. Yay for books! Anyway, as you probably gathered, there were a LOT of photos taken today! Check them out here on Flickr if you please.
1. An origami crane necklace and the entire Wolfwalker series (one of Raechel’s personal favorites).
2. Apologies that you can’t see the entire thing because Flickr truncates video playback.
