Today we would making our way to the Mystic Aquarium. Honestly, I went back and forth about visiting this attraction. We have a wiz-bang aquarium in Boston that we visited just a couple years back, so my yearning to “walk like a penguin” was not all that strong. Also, we had just laid out a good wad of cash on the Seaport the day before so I was reluctant to dole out another fifty bucks today. In the end, we decided to go for it and I’m so glad we did. During this visit, the aquarium was displaying artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi’s project, Washed Ashore : “Art to Save the Sea”. Her medium is trash that had washed up on beaches. Sad to think that this is just a fraction of the plastic refuse lurking in the oceans. Pretty creative, I must say.
A fine welcome from a Trash Seal.
Smooch!
I was not prepared for the beauty of this place. Having been to the afore mentioned New England Aquarium many times, I expected the same sort of format. Where the Boston aquarium has it’s massive marine tank and interesting educational displays, this place has expansive, outdoor environments for the aquatic animals.
Rock work and natural looking pools for the Beluga Whales.
There were lots of viewing areas for up-close and personal views as well.
Hello there, cutie.
Family photo.
Watch your head!
We rounded the corner just in time to witness the Seal lions having their lunch.
Another sizable pool for the Sea Lions.
This was a real treat. It’s hard to tell from these pictures, but the Sea Lions in this area were enormous! They weigh between 1500 and 2000 pounds.
He was singing for his supper.
He’s haaaangry!
Action shot!
The Mystic Aquarium also houses an exhibit that it’s New England counterpart has since done away with which is the Sea Lion Show. My brief research showed that there was some pressure on the N.E. Aquarium by the Citizens to End Suffering and Exploitation claiming that this was cruel to the animals that put a stop to the show. Although the Mystic Aquarium hasn’t ended it’s Sea Lion attaction, they do spend a whole lot of time explaining how well the animals are treated. The sea lions do not have to do anything they don’t want to. This was evident because the behaviors (tricks) that the trainers were attempting were only successful about half the time.
For the love of Pete, would ya please twirl around or SOMETHING?!!!
Those same Citizens probably wouldn’t approve of this either. You could totally touch a Ray!
The, ahem, children leaning into the ray pool.
Success!
I only have one quick pic of the penguin environment because we were trying to beat feet before a gaggle of obnoxious middle schoolers swarmed the place.
That’s it, I’m outta here!
The most unexpected area was this lovely, boardwalk trail through a marsh environment. This was lush with native plants and trees which did a great job of disguising the fact that Route 95 was right beside us.
You’d never know it.
These splendid ponds were host to an army frogs and bales of turtles (a tip of the hat to James Lipton there). If you have known my husband for more than five minutes you’ll understand how happy making this was for him.
There were frogs and turtles in there, I promise.
As we exited the marsh area we came upon the “Birds of the Outback” experience. For another five bucks you could enter this bird hut, as it were, that is filled with parakeets. Here you can feed the birds by hand by way of a sort of bird seed popsicle. When we walked by I could hear the blood curdling screams of a small child who thought this was the worst idea ever!
EEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!!
“Feed the birds”, they said. “it’ll be fun!” they said…
Mystic Aquarium does feature impressive indoor exhibits as well. Just not the Ginormous tank like Boston.
More trashy art.
“You can’t seeeeee meeeee!!!!!”
Nemo’s House
I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly.
We were all getting pretty hungry at this point.
There were a couple oyster bars that I had pegged to have lunch on this day, but we couldn’t resist going back to the Pita Spot! My friends, that’s just how good this place was. Not only did we go back, but we ordered the same dish!
Yes, I took ANOTHER picture.
We also tried another special, a very well-spiced dry sausage in a pita wrap. The slaw on the side we quite unusual. It had a floral, yet pleasant quality.
See, we had something new!
We headed back to our serene room at the Whaler’s Inn to nap up for our big show that night at the Mystic Boathouse. We had arranged this gig months ago. The management there was super nice to deal with and very gracious to host us. When we arrived around five o’clock, there was a respectable number of people at the bar, but it was pretty slow going for the rest of the night. Apparently there was some sort of event during the day that drew everyone out earlier.
It was a wee group.
Though it wasn’t hoppin’, the folks there were really receptive. They shouted out requests and really dug what we did. Plus, they fed us, so you know we were happy. I kinda bungled the ordering because I chose two very heavy dishes. They were a bit too substantial but really tasty.
Clam Fritters. More carbs and calories than anyone really needs. Delish!
Lobster Carbonara. I told you I over-ordered. Burp!
Our next goal was to see some live music ourselves. We found some entertainment at the nearby Harbour House.
Gin Martini. The classiest of cocktails.
We arrived just in time to hear the last set of this gentleman, Bruce John. He was really good and had the um, ladies, wrapped around his finger. Seems like he had a regular crew there. Good Stuff.
The melodic Bruce John.
It was time to roll back to the Whaler’s Inn for one last sleep in Mystic. We had designs on what tomorrow would bring, but plans changed for the better!
Up Next: “Wine – it should be enjoyed for the benefits of the soul – and nothing more.”