WayOutYonder

What a treat! Recently I was the guest of two delightful young men (eighteen months and thirty-three months old) at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. Although I can’t substantiate it, I believe the facility is created just for grandsons and their proud grandfathers. At least that’s my personal take on things. What a delightful place to fit into ones schedule right before afternoon naps.
I found a fantasy world come to life. The whole facility is designed to permit and encourage “everything kids could possibly want to do” and many they don’t even know they “can’t live without.” Naturally, there is the unspoken but understood directive that grandfathers have to photograph everything for posterity.
There is a thirty-foot parachute drop, a real Mini Cooper car to pretend to drive and fuel, a long foam tunnel to explore, and sand everywhere. Then there’s the Phosphorescent Room where everything glows, the Studio Room for budding artists, and the 3-D Sound Room. All are delightful.
There is a whole section featuring the memorabilia of Pittsburgh native Mr. Rogers. All you have to do is put on your sneakers and sweater to enter a real Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood with many of the puppets, the fish tank, and the actual working trolley. You can play Mr. Rogers’ show tunes on his working piano. Unfortunately Mr. Rogers predates my young cronies and sparked no recognition.
Perhaps the high point is a place where pairs of tiny Crocs shoes and raincoats are donned to explore various water wonders to a tyke’s heart delight. Water World features a 53 foot water table where you can sail a boat that you built yourself and send through working locks. In addition, there is a large area where a prospective plumber can construct a maze of pipes carrying actual streams of water. This virtually assures a soaking. At the end are three separate rows of about ten electric hand dryers hung from two and a half to four feet off the ground to accommodate any sized patron. Observation: they don’t get every wet part dry, not even close.
Needless to say, we all had a marvelous time and perhaps a once in a lifetime experience. It was the kid’s equivalent of a summer vacation that we sit in our cubicles or work vehicles and dream about. This year the economy has made that sadly elusive for many. Somehow, it has always seemed sad to me that we often “endure” our day-to-day lives while dreaming of an expensive, exotic week or so that we hope will make it worthwhile.
As I sit and look at the pictures from that fabulous weekend (yes, I’m one of those), I notice something interesting. My grandsons seemed to grin more at their uncle’s attempt at juggling, looking out the window at a squirrel, or playing with a vacuum cleaner than they did at the special Children’s Museum. They have mastered the art of enjoying the joys and thrills of an everyday potpourri of “not so special” events. The kids who are the supposed target market of the Children’s Museum actually discover and create a very exciting day to day life without the Museum. I suspect that’s why the Museum’s focus seems to be on those of us who can read brochures, look at websites, and are always looking for a more exciting experience. Perhaps we adults are missing something when we pin our hopes and dreams totally on something “way out yonder.” Today has some pretty neat experiences wherever you’re planted when you take the time to be childlike.