Aquarium Of The Pacific With Family

A sly old fish, too cunning for the hook

PF Chang's & The Aquarium... A Great Afternoon 9/13/2013.... Flugtag????

Joe and Amy, Franklyn and Michele, and Bob and Robin and the boys all joined us for lunch at PFF Chang's and a walk through the Aquarium of the Pacific. A great afternoon with all sorts of excitement. We arrived in the middle of a Flugtag so what the heck... We looked around! Lindberg would have been proud!

A Quick View Of The Day...

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
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What Is A Flugtag??? We Vaguely Remembered...

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
This is our parking lot... We parked blocks away

Did You Know? - Red Bull Flugtag (German: flight day, airshow) is an event organized by Red Bull in which competitors attempt to fly home-made, size- and weight-limited, human-powered flying machines (max 10m/30 ft, 150 kg/330 lbs). The flying machines are usually launched off a pier about 30 feet (9.1 m) high into the sea (or suitably sized reservoir of water). Most competitors enter for the entertainment value, and the flying machines rarely fly at all.

The format was originally invented in Selsey, a small seaside town in the south of England under the name "Birdman Rally" in 1971 The first Red Bull Flugtag competition was held in 1992 in Vienna, Austria. It was such a success that it has been held every year since and in over 35 cities all over the world.

Anyone is eligible to compete in the Flugtag event. To participate, each team must submit an application and their contraption must meet the criteria set forth by Red Bull. The criteria varies with location. In the USA each flying machine must have a maximum wingspan of 30 feet (9.14 m) and a maximum weight (including pilot) of 450 lbs. (204 kg). In Australian Flugtags the wingspan is limited to 26.25 feet (8.0 m) and the weight (NOT including pilot) to 396.8 lb (180.0 kg).

The craft must be powered by muscle, gravity, and imagination. Because the aircraft will ultimately end up in the water, it must be unsinkable and constructed entirely of environmentally friendly materials. The aircraft may not have any loose parts and advertising space is limited to 1-square-foot (0.093 m2).

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "flying machines"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Costumes were a necessity

 

Alex, Joe, Charlie, and Amy Arrive After Finding Parking

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The kids are not sure what they are seeing ... Actually, neither are we!

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
They are going to do what with them???

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"It's a long way down"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Look out below

Time To Dine... PF Chang's

Did You Know? - P. F. Chang's China Bistro is an Asian-themed US casual dining restaurant chain owned and operated by Centerbridge Partners and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As of January 1, 2012, P. F. Chang's operated 204 restaurants in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Chile and the Middle East. It is the largest full service, casual dining Chinese restaurant chain in the United States with locations across the country.

"P. F. Chang's" is the namesake of Paul Fleming (P. F.) and Philip Chiang (whose surname is shortened to Chang).

   

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
We were going to sit outside but the noise was over-the-top

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Getting a picture of the food is always required

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Joe got the "Mac n' Cheese" from Chili'... Right next door

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The foodies are disappearing

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The boys keep busy

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
What did we do without electronic games????

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Time to order

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Joe and Franklyn consult

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The decision maker... Closing her eyes and formulating a plan
She sees Mac and Cheese in their future

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Amy is daydreaming about having a warm meal.... It does happen!

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Robin and Joe catch up

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Looks like a meeting of the gang!

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Must be interesting

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Remember these???

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
It's OK Alex... You will be taller in a few months


The food is disappearing (Courtesy of Bob Duda)


Father and Son ... Nature is forgiving (Courtesy of Bob Duda)

To Took A Short Walk Before Going To The Aquarium

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Joe had to visit the Up Up And Away House

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Dad... When does it go up??"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"I do not want to be on this when it goes off the pier!!"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
One mean machine

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Ready to fly

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Pretty aerodynamic


"Flying" saucers (Courtesy of Bob Duda)

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
A Catalina "Flying Boat"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
A flying pizza????

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
How long will the wings last?

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Marching to their flights at the end of the pier

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The pit crew is also fully in costume but where is the pilot????

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Into the water it will go

Did You Know? - The record for the longest flight is 258 feet (78.64 m), set September 21, 2013, at the Flugtag in Long Beach, California by the team "The Chicken Whisperers".

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Amy is saying "Oe Vey"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Charlie is not too sure about this

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Next time they are in Long Beach we ought to enter..... Yeah!


The ramp where the action took place (Courtesy of Bob Duda)


It wa crowded (Courtesy of Bob Duda)


The bay was active (Courtesy of Bob Duda)

To The Aquarium!

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013


The fishies are standing outside (Courtesy of Bob Duda)

Did You Know? - In the Roman Empire, the first fish to be brought indoors was the sea barbel, which was kept under guest beds in small tanks made of marble. Introduction of glass panes around the year 50 AD allowed Romans to replace one wall of marble tanks, improving their view of the fish. In 1369, the Chinese Emperor, Hóngwǔ, established a porcelain company that produced large porcelain tubs for maintaining goldfish; over time, people produced tubs that approached the shape of modern fish bowls.

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Hey Mom... Where is my fishing pole???"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Fishing pole.... in the aquarium... Not a great idea"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Alex exploring the exhibits

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Great displays at "kid level"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Sand dollars!

Did You Know? - The term sand dollar (or sea cookie or snapper biscuit in New Zealand, or pansy shell in South Africa) refers to species of extremely flattened, burrowing sea urchins belonging to the order Clypeasteroida. Some species within the order, not quite as flat, are known as sea biscuits. Related animals include the sea cucumbers and starfish.

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Joe's politically correct shirt....

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Checking everything out....

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Alex says "I have an idea!!"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Sea Lions are so graceful

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013    Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013    Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Look... I am a jet plane"

     

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Playing "follow the leader"

Did You Know? - Follow the leader is a children's game . First a leader or "head of the line" is chosen, then the children all line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader's actions. Any players who fail to follow or do what the leader does are out of the game. The last person standing other than the leader is now the new leader.

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The baby is growing up quickly

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Charlie likes the sea lions

Let's Go Outside

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013


Looks like they were colored with a crayola

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Lorikeets all over the place

Did You Know? - Lories and lorikeets (tribe Lorini) are small to medium-sized arboreal parrots characterized by their specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar of various blossoms and soft fruits, preferably berries.

The usage of the terms "lory" and "lorikeet" is subjective, like the usage of "parrot" and "parakeet". Species with longer tapering tails are generally referred to as "lorikeets", while species with short blunt tails are generally referred to as "lories".

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Why thank you for the drink!!"


"Have a bite"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
This is good

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Just hanging around

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Joe got a little present from the lorikeet

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Time to dive bomb???"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Be careful or we will have lorikeet soup!"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Chomp chomp


Dad shows the boys a Lorikeet

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Amy is smart... She keeps her distance

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The birds were everywhere

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Really cute...."

Time For Sharks

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Always pet them with two fingers....
Then... count your fingers when you are done!!

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Alex is thinking about this....

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Careful... Do not fall in!

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Attracted to water

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Hey dad... Where is the button???"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"I found it!"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
A formal moment

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Rays and skates.....

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Mom is watching so no attempting to ride on the skates


Goochie goo (Courtesy of Bob Duda)

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Is it a ray race???

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Charlie is going to catch one for dad

Back Inside The Aquarium

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The cliff dwelling birds

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
No brain and that's why they swim upside down

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
The otter's were pretty active this afternoon

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
"Thanks Miss Robin... I can see them now"

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Back and forth we go

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Sardines????

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Amazing colors


A picture of dinner (Courtesy of Bob Duda)

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Catching a breath

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Paul and Robin planning the next adventure

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013
Darn... Time to go home already???

Lunch and the Aquarium with family 9/21/2013