Music Instrument Museum March 23, 2016

Today we went back to the Phoenix Music Instrument Museum.  We spent 5 hours here last year and did not see all the exhibits.

Last year the featured exhibit was about drums.  This year it is Stradivarius violins

Cremona was the hometown of Stradivarius and other master violin makers

Decorative front and back

So nice to our "local" Rachel Barton Pine recognized as an expert violinist.  

Angele's video performance was beautiful.

 See the following pictures on how this decoration is made

 More pictures to be added tomorrow.

Green Valley Model Sailboat Club March 20, 2016

We heard there was a model sailboat club that sailed on the lagoon on Sundays.  So we're back today  at the Sahuarita Park.

 There were about 12 "sailors" with 1 meter, larger (Odom class, O on sail) and the Victoria, smaller(V on sail) boats.  These sailboats maneuver only with wind.  The sailors have handheld radial controlled devices that move the sails to catch the wind.  They have a course set up and have competitive races.  


Big challenge to line up for the start of the race.  Gentle collisions happen with owner apologies voiced.  There is a recorded machine that says" 50 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds..... to start time.  If a boat crosses the starting line early, it is penalized and has the make a 360 turn before it can continue in the race.  There is a member who records who wins which race.  Everyone was very talkative and encouraged us to get a boat and join the club.  We met a guy who used to live in Racine and wished we had brought a kringle!!!

 The wind was variable, sometimes gusting and sometimes dead calm.

Off to Parque Del Rio, about 4 blocks away.  This is truly a neighborhood dedicated to children.  There's another pool and lovely grassy lawns, playgrounds, and more bronze animal statues.

  Must have shade

 A great walking path for me.

This family reserved the area for a birthday party complete with bouncy house.  

 So.... a Safari Trail means animals. Stand by.

 Lion

 Zebras

 Monkeys

Orangutan So life like.  Great facial expressions

Mountain goats

 Gorillas

 Racoons

 Lions drinking at a make-believe stream

Hippo in the desert ???

Giraffe

White tail deer

 Desert Tortoise

 Black Bears

 Pigs

Grey Foxes
Elephants.

Back to Green Valley. The warmest day yet - 88 degrees.