Field Trips in the East

Today we braced the cold and went with Grandma and Grandpa to the Kinzua bridge near their home in Pennsylvania.  The bridge at one time was a functioning train bridge up until just a few years ago when a massive tornado took it out. 

Our favorite part of the museum was the inside.  It went through all of the many inventions that were happening throughout history and we even watched a video inside a train car!  The kids loved it and we just loved not freezing to death!

The bridge has a look out point at the end of the structure that is still standing where you can stand on the glass and look down.  WE thought it was a great idea- we got outside and the cold nearly snipped our faces off!  The last time I remember being that cold was on my mission in Canada. 

After our freezing adventure out on the skywalk, we needed to go somewhere warm and when Dad suggested the Zippo lighter factory and museum, we jumped at the chance.  While our bodies defrosted, we cruised the museum to see the different knives and lighters made right here in Pennsylvania. 

The kids were especially excited to see the large audio kinetic ball machine.  I’m not sure if the boys ever moved from that place.  It had a xylophone, a big lighter that opened and closed and even a Z with a flame that lit up when the ball passed through it.  What a fun little stop!

We’ve been going on quite a few fun field trips while we’re out visiting Grandma and Grandpa.  Besides the Zippo Factory and the Kinzua Bridge last week, today we headed out to Corning, New 

York to visit the Corning Glass Museum.

It was awesome! The kids loved the idea that glass could make art AND science fun. 

We toured the museum and even got to sit in on a glass blowing demonstration.  The kids loved looking through the telescopes and seeing all of the tricks that glass can do.  I loved the gift shop with all of the beautiful glass art pieces and Dad loved the exhibit where you could hear a whisper clear across the room. 

What wonderful times we've had on our field trips in the East!