McWane Science Center, Birmingham AL

McWane Science Center in Birmingham is immense, diverse and community involved. Over 400 school children and homeshcool families were there when we arrived and the place did not seem crowded, just busy, chaotic and fun. The aquarium in the basement had individual coral reef ecosystems from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico and an area on Fish Anatomy and Alabama waterways. The Main floor contained many interesting displays from the illusional to the scientific. The hurricane simulator and riding the high wire bike was a big hit with the boys. The top floor had engaging musical involvements and several topography HO scale train tracks and towns displays.

The IMAX Dome played WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. It is about anger management, fear of change and the enduring bond of families in an out of control world. Violent and emotional way beyond the child’s story book.

Mobile to Birmingham

Hills and valleys are a nice change from flat Florida. Driving north from Mobile the rise in elevation is barley discernible until the descent into the valley where Birmingham is situated. What a nice surprise. The whole drive north was on a smooth and spacious road. The evening light was reflected on the yellow, orange and red leaves of the hardwoods as we reached the crest of the last hill and then descended into the evening darkness on a narrowed, curving highway and, oh yes, Birmingham, bumper to bumper rush hour traffic.

Of interesting note, Hyundais are built in Montgomery AL.

The inner cities of Mobile and Birmingham are very different in appearance. Mobile has a broad, ancient oak tree lined Government Street that is bordered by intricate large renovated old homes that leads to it from the west. The east side is a wild tunnel ride under Mobile bay. Either routes are fun. Downtown Mobile is on the waterfront. There’s a new convention center and they offer a free bus to tour downtown. Free attended parking was available. City hall is shaped like a 10 story boat. It looks like it is made of glass. A monument to someone’s grandeur. Birmingham has a older freeway lined with mining quarries and train tracks. Downtown is a place where new skyscrapers meet decayed, boarded up main street USA.

USS Alabama and USS Drum

MOBILE BAY BATTLESHIP

Even though the battleship USS Alabama and submarine USS Drum have set in Mobile Bay for 40 years, their sense of history is still immense. A tour inside, outside and through the 1940’s ship and sub are awe inspiring. The airplane hanger contains impressive war and spy planes. It reminds one there has and, as history tends to repeat itself, are foreign countries that want to conquer a free people. The diligence of our armed forces is appreciated.

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

Mobile’s Exploreum is a first class hands on science museum. The building is expansive, light, bright and airy. The Health Exhibition is extensive, well thought out and high tech. The shopping game teaches food label reading, Captain Insulin and the Diabetes shootout, robotic surgery, MRI anatomy and the list goes on. A BOB THE BUILDER room featuring a costumed BOB and all the BOB vignettes. The Science Lab area is first rate, a home school class was being offered in biology including frog dissection and the list goes on again.