Friday, October 10, 2008

Field Trips Week Guitar Factory JPL Painted Horse Pinki the Clown

We went on three field trips in a row this week. WHEW! It has been a very busy week.

Monday we had enrichment classes at Somis.

Tuesday we had a field trip in the afternoon to Larrivee. It is a factory in Oxnard that builds guitars. They make, on average, 16 guitars a day and work M-F. The normal prices are about $1000-3000 each but our tour guide said with special things, custom things and upgrades they can go a LOT higher. He said one sold recently for $45,000.

I will post photos later but overall it was a neat place. We got to walk around to all the different stations viewing the employees sanding, gluing, painting, etc.

The total field trip was a little long for the younger ones and it was hot. Normally it is in the low 70's in Oxnard but on this day it was 86. They have special rooms that have temp and humidity controls but the rest of the places was all open, HIGH ceilings and it was too hot!

This would be a neat place for adults to go and learn about guitars too. They actually make a few other similar instruments but the majority of sales are guitars.

Wednesday we went to JPL and had a tour of the grounds. We went with two other families so it was a nice, small group. We were there for about 2-2 1/2 hours. The kids go to see a new Mars Rover being built, satellites and more. The tour guides were great and friendly. Answered all of our questions and were very patient with the kids. This is defiantly a fun place. In May they have a two day open house that is open to the public too.

Today, Thursday, we went to The Painted Pony. It is in Santa Paula and it is a working ranch. The kids got to pick apples, pick one pumpkin, feed and pets goats, pigs, miniature horses, rabbits, ducks, chickens and I'm sure there are some I'm missing. They had a great time. This was with a group from Somis and it was huge. I guess everyone needed some fresh air and running around. The place is beautiful. Surrounded by lush, green hills and mountains. It was great to be there. In the spring they will be starting a gardening class and in the summer they have a camp for kids (too far of a drive for us but neat to pass on).

I have LOTS of pictures from all three of these places and they are all still on my camera. I will post them soon.

Tomorrow, Saturday, we are going to Lowe's for their free children' workshop and then we might go see Pinki the Clown at the Simi Cultural Arts Center.

On Sunday it is the 18th annual Japanese Festival Day at the Camarillo Community Center. We have made it 3 of the last 4 years and the kids think it is great. They have sword fighting, sumo wrestling, tea ceremonies, children's crafts like origami and they sell a lunch tray that has Japanese food. I'm hoping we make it there this year, after church!

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