Trip to Santa Fe (Aug 5 2011)

Here comes the Rail Runner to take us to Santa Fe

which is about 60 miles away.  It will be at least

one hours ride.

We loaded up on the car with the platform

that accommodates strollers and wheel chairs.

It is a two story train, so you can sit upstairs too.

Addi-Belle

Payson

Ma and Bria

Orion and Payson

Logan stayed in his stroller during the ride.

He was a very good boy and was patient.

Shatzi and Dave

Max and Bion

Pa with his usual photo face.

St. Francis of Assisi is a saint that is in tune

with nature and loves animals that lived in the 1700's.

 This is an old Catholic Chapel that was built in the

late 1800's or possibly early 1900's.  We decided to visit this one because

we went to the Loretto Chapel with the miricle staircase

that is so famous the last time we came the the

Webster Family to Santa Fe.

This is a stone saying that it is dedicated to the

early settlers of Santa Fe.

A closer view.

Inside the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi

Lots of pillars and stained glass windows.

Another view.

This is all of us just outside the Chapel

Another picture with Ma in it this time.

As we were walking through a grassy area, we

noticed that vendors were setting up their tents

for the sidewalk sales they have each weekend.

We stopped to rest for a minute in the shade when

a funny man came up to us.  He was a magician.

He showed each one some funny magic tricks.

It was fun and amazing to see his tricks with four

sponge balls.  Different tricks each time.

After a quick stop for icecream and drinks,

we decided to catch the train back home again.

Bria and Max in front of some old

Santa Fe trains that were at the train stop.

August 4,2011 Home again

After the Botanical Gardens, we needed

to catch the train to go back to the Zoo.

We had a good day.  We were able to visit

all three places in the Bio Park,

although a person could actually spend

a good portion of the day in each one in

itself, we felt satisfied.

Afterwards, It was Dave Webster's idea to eat

at Rudy's which is a family style

barbeque place.

It is Dave's favorite place to eat, and their family

does not have one near where they live.

The food was very good.

We had a fun day. 

Bio-Park Biotanical Gardens (August 4, 2011)

A nice area that is probably used for weddings,

or other special occasions.

Some of the beautiful flowers.

We did not get a chance to visit

a lot of the gardens because we had

a time frame to catch the return train.

A Dragon Fly that was photographed by

Dave Webster

Pa and Dave took the older kids

down a path to see the trains sets.

Thomas the train rides on this trail as well.

Bria in front of one of the many

displays.

Max in the Garden

We went down to the Childrens Adventure trail

where it is set up like the movie

It's a Bug's Life

Payson and Addi-Belle near an ant

Payson riding the ant

There was a bee hive,

a huge spider,

a dragon fly,

but they were all above ground.

Bio-Park Aquarium on August 4 2011

Our next stop was at the Aquarium. Pa just got everyone

a drink, and since there are no food or beverages allowed inside,

he waited for us at the rear of the building.

 The first

thing to see is a big pond looking down at fish.

We were able to see this again from a different

angle when we went down stairs.

The fish come close enough that you can touch them.

That is why there is a sign that says

"Do not touch the fish."

A Sting Ray

Looking at all sorts of fish.  The biggest attraction

is different sharks.

But there are all sorts of ocean fish in this tank.

Shatzi is taking a photo of the kids in front of the glass.

Payson and Addi-Belle looking at the

Jelly fish.  Bria said that she could tell the

difference between a boy Jelly fish and a girl

Jelly fish by what color they were.

"The boys are blue, and the girls are pink."

But she did not realize that there were glowing lights

in the tank that made them appear colorful.

Another big glass.  We could see

huge ocean turtles in this one as well.

Max is looking at a Sting Ray gliding at the bottom

Addi-Belle is looking at the clown fish

It looks like Payson is holding the fish in his bare hands.

Payson looking at the Sting Ray as it glides as well.

Orion

The view would not be complete if we were not able to see a scuba diver.

Usually there is not a scuba diver, but

this one was cleaning the tank.

Payson was surprized to see someone at the top.

Sitting on a star fish

Payson, Addii-Belle, Bria

Bion, Max and Orion.

Logan was in the stroller.

Addi-Belle

"What's this about?"

It is in front of a glass view of fish.

Payson

Orion

Bion

Bria

Max