Around the island

The Dossin museum recently underwent renovations -- the result:  Far more museum-y.  The observation, of all three yutes, was that the swan boat was missing!  (i.e., from Boblo...)

 

 

We only ever went to ping around the pilot house and blow the whistles, so the fact that there was actual interest before that point, is likely a good indicator that the renovations were a success.

 

Will, driving the family around, while Jared takes off his sock so he can dip his toes in the water.  Meanwhile, Ari practices looking casual.

 

As we entered the pilot house, we were informed that the passing ship is the former Henry Ford II -- the Ford Motor Company's old ore ship. 

 

Captaining from the pilot house

Jared sounding the alarm

 

And, lighting up a Fresnel. 

 

 

There's a nice tribute to Boblo -- sad the kids will never get to enjoy that nice, long ride down the river. 

The rides, down, were always a blast, agog with anticipation, prime time for exploration, of all the decks, the engine room..

The ride back, on the other hand, was a bore...  Exhausted after a day on the island, the trip always dragged -- seemed like it was always cold and rainy, too!

 

Across the lagoon, we noted that the secret garden at the Conservatory appeared to be open, but were perturbed as a woman kept yelling at Arianna to stop putting her hands in the water -- she wasn't even near the water!

 

A crab, at the acquarium.

Will made a donation and got to write his name on an the little angel fish, there, and pin it to the wall.

 

His favorite part, was running through the gardens.

 

They've made a nice effort to clean them up a keep them flowered.

The last time we came through it began to rain, so this time, Will was ecstatic that he run the aisles.

 

The one public fountain, downtown, that's still running.  That lady kept telling Arianna to stay out of the water, again...

 

Walking the grounds

 

 

 

If you click the pic, below, you can better see, that the lagoon has now been opened to the river.  Several years ago, the vegetation and blocks of concrete were removed and a beach was installed at the point.  Rumor has it that was a favored spot for youngsters to have a sip; this gives a better view, now, for law enforcement to keep tabs, on what has become known as -- cringe -- hipster beach.