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Tuesday, February 12, 2019

More How I Spent My Bday

An earlier post described how I spent my actual birthday and mentioned that we would be going on a weekend trip. We did so this past weekend and visited family in the  New England states of CT and RI. The CT family visit was also to drop-off our our no-longer-needed 26-inch TV to Grenville's aunt and uncle. 

After our CT visit on Saturday, we traveled to RI to spend time with the grandchildren and their mom. We met up at the Biomes Marine Biology Center in RI.
This was a first-time visit for us and we learned that this facility is New England's only private marine education facility and the most hands-on aquarium in the region. Since 1989, it's focused on teaching children and adults about the marine life of Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Biomes features over 120 species of animals on display and is said to house the largest collection of local marine life in the world. It provides unique marine exhibits and hands-on interactions and is a popular family destination. (biome is a community of plants and animals that have common characteristics for the environment in which they exist.)
The facility features lots of touch tanks and hands-on exhibits. Families can freely explore the exhibits which feature printed information on the marine life. Biomes boasts the original shark-petting tank in New England. Grandson was apprehensive about the touch tanks, but soon became "friends" with a sand shark that he named "Buddy."


Biomes is a private, locally-owned education center and as such it's not funded by grants, donations or corporate sponsorships. The facility is self-sustaining and is funded solely by admissions and program fees. All marine animals on display have been collected in Narragansett Bay by staff and volunteers; no animals have been purchased or imported.

Biomes founder, Mark Hall, is a 1986 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. As a teenager, he began a wholesale collecting business to supply marine specimens to high school science classrooms across the country. After college, Hall traveled to schools throughout southern New England to demonstrate his collection of living ocean life. In 1995, he opened a small educational facility in North Kingstown, RI to house the marine life used in the traveling shows and to provide a venue for class field trips. The present facility we visited was opened at the end of 2013. 

Both grandchildren and their mom had a great afternoon at this facility. Grenville was a very happy parent and grandparent. (Does it show much?)
We grandparents had a fun afternoon too. This was a wonderful "birthday" getaway weekend. We're planning to give the grands a membership as part of their holiday gifts this year. Their mom introduced us to gifting "experiences" instead of gifts which re often soon forgotten. It was a wonderful idea as last Christmas we gifted several experiences: ice skating, roller blading and an Audubon membership.

16 comments:

MadSnapper said...

I am most definitely not a child, but I would love to visit this place. what a great place for a family get together for your birthday...

Anvilcloud said...

What a great enterprise started by one person.

Grenville is quite photogenic.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful time you had with your grandchildren. That really is quite a birthday present! This post reminds me of the one year I spent at the University of Rhode Island in 1988. It was beautiful in North Kingston, and I love Narragansett Bay.

Anonymous said...

PS-- You have a beautiful family!

Valerie said...

A gift that everyone loves. Brilliant. I am quite envious.

DUTA said...

How interesting! A marine facility where both children and adults can have fun and learn things about marine life.Grenville is the star.

Connie said...

Wonderful photos! It looks like everyone had a fun and educational time there.

Linda said...

Yes, he was a very happy looking grandpa! But it was your birthday! Where’s the ‘very happy looking GRANDMA?”
Looked like a wonderful way to celebrate! Beautiful daughter you have!

Emma Springfield said...

Sounds like a fun adventure. It's good that you all enjoyed it.

mamasmercantile said...

What an amazing gift. Looks like an amazing place to visit.

William Kendall said...

I would enjoy visiting there.

Nil @ The Little House by the Lake said...

That's a place I'd love to visit. :)

Red said...

There's so much that can be learned by touch. The look in their eyes says it all.

Doris said...

Great gift and so fun! Loved all the pictures.

baili said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear Beatrice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

may you see many more happy returns of the day with you precious family!

your family images always are treat for my eyes and soul
i can see so much love and happiness shining through your beautiful post!

LOVED your grand kids ,they are growing fast :)

What a wonderful place to visit and enjoy !
enjoyed each bit you shared about this place here my friend!




~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Family fun is the best! Love those happy smiling faces! Enjoy your weekend!