Science Museum & New Bikes
Apr 07, 2022 | Roanoke, VA
It was raining but we ventured out anyway. One of the things I like most about our setup in Roanoke is that we're right in the middle of the city, so we can just walk right out our door and hoof it to any spot in downtown that we want within 5 or 10 minutes tops. So that's what we did, with raincoats on and an umbrella in hand.
First we went to Scrambled and got breakfast. Erika got a tangerine mimosa which apparently comes with glittery sprinkles on the rim. We then went to Cello coffee house and I got a Turkish latte and Erika got a pistachio baklava. I had never had Turkish coffee before, and only vaguely knew that it is supposed to have grounds left at the bottom of the cup, but I didn't know it's also flavored with cardamom. Cardamom isn't exactly my favorite flavor unless it's mixed in with other curry spices, but I didn't hate the drink. Probably just the kind of thing that I'd only ever drink again if I was offered it for free though. I had never had baklava before either and was surprised how much I liked it just because of how picky about sweets I am. Erika had had plain baklava before, but like this pistachio version better.
We decided to hit up the Western Science Museum which is in an area of downtown called Center in the Square. It's an interesting place because it's a tall building that houses several kind of "educational"/"tourist attraction" type spaces. One being the science museum, but also a kids' museum, a pinball museum, arcade museum, "parakeet garden" exhibit, and an African American museum. They all had their own tickets though and just doing the science and the parakeet brought us up to $20+ each, so we'll be saving the rest for another day.
The science museum was pretty cool. I haven't been to many others so I don't know possibly how cool they can get. So it might have been helpful being uninitiated in this case. The one thing that made the visit, uh, intense, was that there was seemingly an entire school's-worth of children running around and screaming like maniacs. We just kind of waited them out until they got ushered away by their chaperone's, because these kids were seriously flying off the handle.
We finally decided to grab some new bikes that evening since ours got trashed in Florida. We drove out half an hour to an area called Goodview to grab them from a dude who gave us each a beer while we evaluated them in his garage. He was really proud of how big and buff his son is, and showed us pictures of him. He told us there's a nice lake nearby called Smith Mountain Lake and a cool Mexican restaurant that we should check out while we're in the area, so we did. The lake is huge and definitely a "boat guy" lake. We got margs at the restaurant and I do believe they had the best salsa that we've had since being in the South.
The inside of Cello. Modest space, but the guy was really nice and we'll probably be back if only for the baklava
The inside of Cello. Modest space, but the guy was really nice and we'll probably be back if only for the baklava
They gave me a funny little water bottle with my coffee. I think it's because the Turkish coffee has grounds at the bottom that can get in your teeth
They gave me a funny little water bottle with my coffee. I think it's because the Turkish coffee has grounds at the bottom that can get in your teeth
Erika poured my coffee into the empty bottle so we could take it "to go" to the museum
Erika poured my coffee into the empty bottle so we could take it "to go" to the museum
For some reason McDonald's sponsors the museum. We also saw a church later that day that said on their sign that they do weekly bible readings at McDonald's. Only in the South, folks.
For some reason McDonald's sponsors the museum. We also saw a church later that day that said on their sign that they do weekly bible readings at McDonald's. Only in the South, folks.
Museum lobby ceiling
Museum lobby ceiling
Interesting rock wall texture
Interesting rock wall texture
We liked the way the top turtle is balancing himself with only his toenails
We liked the way the top turtle is balancing himself with only his toenails
Parkeet Garden time!
Parkeet Garden time!
This was one of the coolest exhibits. If you mess with the sand it projects a new topographical map over the to of it based on the new peaks and troughs.
This was one of the coolest exhibits. If you mess with the sand it projects a new topographical map over the to of it based on the new peaks and troughs.
Noticed that Lagunitas is putting out seltzers finally, but of course they're too insecure to admit that they're following a mainstream trend. So instead of just calling them what they are, they're "sparkling teas". And they supposedly collabed with local yerba mate brand Guayaki to create it, by which further trying to obscure their motives imo.
Noticed that Lagunitas is putting out seltzers finally, but of course they're too insecure to admit that they're following a mainstream trend. So instead of just calling them what they are, they're "sparkling teas". And they supposedly collabed with local yerba mate brand Guayaki to create it, by which further trying to obscure their motives imo.
Oh you know, just another sane Southern conservative person exercising their freedom of speech
Oh you know, just another sane Southern conservative person exercising their freedom of speech
Yes, let's make sure the freedom of press is suppressed like all free countries must hope for
Yes, let's make sure the freedom of press is suppressed like all free countries must hope for
Interesting that he wants his finger to specifically be vaccinated, but at least he's willing to do his part
Interesting that he wants his finger to specifically be vaccinated, but at least he's willing to do his part
Random view of the backyard of the eclectic brewery Golden Cactus as we walked home.
Random view of the backyard of the eclectic brewery Golden Cactus as we walked home.
Grabbed a couple beers at the little downtown co-op
Grabbed a couple beers at the little downtown co-op
Erika made her famous risotto once more
Erika made her famous risotto once more
The sunset on the way to pick up our "new" bikes
The sunset on the way to pick up our "new" bikes
This insane moose statue outside of Moosies. We passed on going into Moosies and opted instead for the Mexican spot.
This insane moose statue outside of Moosies. We passed on going into Moosies and opted instead for the Mexican spot.
I liked the calm power of this pudgy sun character
I liked the calm power of this pudgy sun character
Looking at the Roanoke star. Far, far away on its mountain
Looking at the Roanoke star. Far, far away on its mountain
Here're the new bikes
Here're the new bikes
Had to capture the penny farthing bike that our apt building decided to hang above the rack
Had to capture the penny farthing bike that our apt building decided to hang above the rack