Travel To Exotic Places in USA/Grandchildren

At the New Bedford Whaling Museum,MA,children can explore a replica of the fo'c'sle (living quarters) of a whaling ship to see how whalers lived during their long voyages. Another child-pleaser is the skeleton of a 65-foot blue whale that hangs from the ceiling.

http://www.whalingmuseum.org/

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., each year, and kids of all ages always ask the same question: Could I be a spy? They wonder if they have what it takes to become an undercover agent: What level of education and experience is needed? What kind of work would they perform? And, of course, what cool gadgets would they get to use?

While there have been many changes in the international espionage arena since the end of the Cold War, the need for timely and accurate intelligence to protect our nation remains.

See if you have the right spy stuff by checking out The Real Spy's Guide to Becoming a Spy, the official handbook for kids who dream of one day working in the intelligence field. Written by Peter Earnest, founding director of the International Spy Museum and a former CIA Clandestine Service operative, the book is a fact-filled primer on becoming a spy. It also includes a historical timeline, definitions of key terms, suggestions for further reading, an index, quizzes, and exercises.

Do you have what it takes to be a spy?

From: The History Channel Club 12/28/09

Spy City Tours® is available every Tuesday and Saturday at 10:00 am. The 2009 rate is $75 per person. All Spy City Tours include same day admission to the International Spy Museum. Tickets can be purchased online at www.grayline.com or by calling 1.800.GRAYLINE.

"Only Five Barbie Bikes Left in the SLC Valley!"

I think anyone with children has went through the "search for that one present." The countdown to Xmas was progressing... Received a call from my daughter,"There are only five Barbie bicyles left in the Salt Lake valley".
We live in the southern part of the valley. The closest one was in Sugarhouse shopping center - 2236 South 1300 East, SLC, UT. I drove north on I-15 to the Cheyenne exit before 2100 South. Exit on 1300 East and turn left. Sugarhouse Shopping Center is on your left off of 1300 East.
I had to drive around the parking lot to find a place to park. Went into Toys 're Us and found the desired bike. I called my daughter. "Yes, it is a 26" bike - has a backpack on the handlebars,also, a bike for Barbie to ride along." She said, "Is it on sale?" It was on sale! Didn't have it assembled, so they carried the box to the front for me to pay for it and went on my way... My five-year old great-granddaughter had one request for Santa - a Barbie bike and helmet...
There is a Red Lobster restaurant and an Olive Garden Restaurant on 1300 East.In front of me, were various shops - Nordstrom Rack with name-brand items at discount prices; Robert Crafts, Barnes and Noble... Unique shops such as the Dancing Cranes on 673 Simpson Ave., SLC. The store has spectacular gifts - candles, incense, jewerly to furniture; clothing and eastern-looking statues!

"Flavors of the Salt Lake City Neighborhoods"

“Flavors of the Salt Lake City neighborhoods”:

Sugarhouse is one of the oldest neighborhoods founded in 1853 – 10 minutes from Downtown SLC. It was named for a sugar mill that never came to actuality, as the machines didn’t make the journey from France. Houses are unique and much sought after. The neighborhood has been revitalized, but maintains its distinctive personality.

Tea Grotto, “Sugarhouse”, 2080 S. 900 W., SLC, UT… Free Tea tasting…
(10:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
“Today I went to the Tea Grotto.”

Buy Local First! Posted on the front door.

“I was surrounded by tea.” A clerk indicated a large board - 90 varieties including Black Estates, English… I asked, jesting, “Are we required to read all of them?” Naiyana, later said, “The hardest thing she had to do when she started working there was memorizing all the names of the tea.”
It had the same ambience as a coffeehouse. Comfortable couches to sit and read – people working on laptops. A unique glass topped table filled with firecrackers, an elephant, bottle caps and a sign – “What is the new thing and you will win a free serving?”


I asked Naiyana what was the best-selling tea? “Genmaicha with roasted brown rice”. It has a nutty flavor. The restaurant has pairings of tea and food together. I the tried the tea, and it was paired with polenta that translates to cornmeal. This was a new experience for me. Two round servings of polenta with pesto and pine nuts were artistically arranged on a rectangular ceramic plate. The green and white teas are steeped 3 minutes before serving in the teapot.


“I took a bite of the polenta, another bite with the pesto…” It is cold cornmeal that sounds weird, but I like cornmeal. I sipped the nutty tea and ate the polenta, and two couples went to a second counter – Dolcetti’s that sells gelatos. I sampled their walnut tea gelato –“Creamy”.


Ninety flavors... I enjoyed the Genmaicha, a green tea. A favorite is Jungpana - black tea that is grown in Darjeeling, India. Coffee drinkers,also, like Ghillidary –a fine black tea.The shop sells tea in bulk, so you can take your favorites home and make a cup of tea.


 Stop in on Saturdays for FREE Tea tasting and informative discussions on different types of tea from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Tearoom conducted by the friendly employees.

 Local musicians play some Saturday nights – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

 Gallery Stroll – Local Photography - 3rd Friday each month 6:00 – 9:00 (Shuttle available between the shops)

The Tea Grotto is a Community partner of the University of Utah in the lifelong learning program. A fall quarter class was presented on the tantalizing tastes of tea with tastings, and a description on how tea is processed…

 Check spring quarter schedule for classes -"http://www.lifelong.utah.edu/

Sugar House Barbeque Co. - Voted best barbecue in Utah 10 years in a row. 2207 S. 700 East,SLC,UT (801-463-4800)