Making our California dreams come true: Bit of history, bit of culture

First on the agenda was a trip to space. Well sorta, we visited the California Science Center which is the new home of the Endeavor Space shuttle. Finding the place was the first challenge, wasn't far on the map but the access to it wasn't clearly marked either. I think we tried 3 different roads into the place and although each time we could see where we wanted to be we couldn't quite get there.

Entrance to science centre

Couple of planes just hanging from the roof

Once inside we navigated our way to the newly constructed pavilion and I think we were all surprised just how big she is. Not hard to tell shes seen a bit of service, but overall she is still in great shape - 25 missions, the last one in 2011.

The Endeavour

rear boosters

one of the walls of space missions

After the visit we stopped at the golden arches for another attempt to get decent coffee. Looks like the coffee here is no improvement. Next stop farmers market.

Again another short drive and we were at the market. Wasn't as impressive as we hoped it would be so we pretty much just went to the pharmacy for lunch and then Kmart for the boys to buy undies and socks.

Our last stop after lunch was the La Brea tar pits. This is a well swampy bit where they have found many many fossils dating back to the ice age. I believe its the natural asphalt brewing in these pits that trapped the ancient beasts and then did them in.

stuck in the mud, err asphalt

We also dropped by LACMA to see the lights. Didn't go much on the modern art though...

After a rest back at the hotel we were off again to downtown LA to the Staples Center again. This time we were to see the Lakers vs the Cavaliers NBA. We left at exactly the same time and we arrived at the car parking nearly 30 minutes earlier than last night! We had lower seats tonight, and right on the end of a row which would have been great except Tony s knee which is now fair on buggered meant he couldn't fold himself into the seat. We got around it though by visiting guest services to have 2 of us moved to the wheelchair row which was exactly on the other side to our regular seats. Wasn't fantastic that we had to sit separately but a relief that Tony could sit comfortably. The game was fun to watch but we weren't really sure if we liked the ice hockey or the basketball better.