Nature Center!!!

We made a list of things we wanted to do in Albuquerque. The Nature Center was one on the list. So, the kids and I went to check it out. There were fun trails that led to all different native planets to New Mexico. They had little name plates so we could read what they were. 

I think the part we LOVED the most was the turtles. There were  a bunch of branches that were making a floating refuge for the turtles. There is a room inside the nature center that looked out over the turtles. We sat for 30 min watching the baby turtles going in and out of the water playing. SO, FUN!!!

The first pictures are some crazy looking fences..we didn't know what they were so, we just took a picture and hiked on. Morgan a month later came home from school so, excited she had just learned what those crazy looking fences are....back in the day 1930-1950's when the Rio Grande river was actually a BIG river then it is today. The settlers noticed that the river was overflowing so, they put the crazy fence things that are actually called, Jetty Jacks were placed in the water to slow the water flow. There were sooooooo many of them, it was crazy. They took them out of the river in 2002...now you know a fun New Mexico history ;0)

This was a cool little area showing us how they use to grow gardens. Dated back 4000 yrs, they said in China and India, they would bury clay pots up to the rim. Then they would poor water into the pots and the water would seep through the clay and water the plants. Great way to irrigate. 

I don't know how appropriate this is, but, it is a KID thing that needed to be BLOGGED. Joslyn has learned her letters. We were walking by and saw this sign...yes, a basic "NO PARKING" sign, we see EVERYDAY!!! Joslyn started giggling her deep gut giggle.....I asked her what was so funny. She ran over and said, "YOU CAN'T PEE HERE"....seriously, I about died laughing. You will now never look at a "NO PARKING" sign the same again!!!

There is a nest with a Mama owl and 3 babies in it....you can't see them, but they are there :0)