York-Day #2

This was a Saturday and, as always, it is a joy to have Tim be able to join us for our outings.  We had two places we wanted to go to today; the first was the Jorvick Viking Center and the second was the National Railway Museum.  With our first destination plugged in to Google maps, we started the walk to go and learn all aboutthe history of the Vikings in York.  Using the cutting-edge, satellite technology available to us via an iPhone 5, we promplty arrived at an empty parking lot at what appeared to be an abandonded building.  After about 5 minutes of trying to figure it out on his phone, Tim decided we would just start walking back towards the way we had come.  Thankfully, we saw a city map posted outside a church and were able to follow signs to the Jorvik Viking Center.  Thanks Apple, you were a huge help!

This place was another museum that came highly recommended.  While the ride through the recreated Viking village was a little creepy (it was all poorly constructed wax figures) the history and artifcats that exist from these people are amazing.  It was mind-boggling to see what was excavated from underneath the streets of York concerning this people group who dwelled here from roughly 860-960 AD.  Jewlery, tools, clothing, skeletons, coins, and weapons were just a few of the things we were able to see during our time here.  But as I am learning, the kids have very little patience or interest in learning about historical facts so they get bored rather quickly listening to audio or reading plaques that help explain what it is we are looking at.  If they can't touch it, then you can forget it.  Here is a picture of them in all their Viking gear...so fierce!

Next up was a trek to the National Railway Museum.  Once again, a really neat piece of history that if you take the time to actually listen to the presentations and/or read the information posted, it is fascinating.  We seem to march our way through, say a few "oohs and aahhs" and then head straight to the gift shop looking for some cheap trinket to commemorate the event.  I guess I can't expect too much; if they can behave themselves in a restaurant should I be that disappointed they don't want to spend hours studying the history of the Vikings or railway stations?  I suppose not.  At least I got a picture to remind them of our time there.

 

Cap this day off with some Chinese take-out and life is grand!  One more memorable day in our adventure!