taking a new walk

 Today I took a walk in a new direction.  One of the things I like about living downtown is being able to walk places.  Only in nice weather of course, I have always admitted to being a fair weather walker.  When I do walk, I most frequently walk to the library or church which are both in the same direction.  But today, which was a chilly but sunny day, I headed north, around multiple construction sites across Clinton Street and north over the MLK bridge heading for Science Central.  When I got across the bridge I needed to get back to the east side and thought I would get there by taking the walkway under the bridge, but when I looked down I saw that the sidewalk under the bridge was under water (we did have a lot of rain yesterday) so I decided to cross at street level. I was feeling more winded that usual as I closed in on my destination. Possibly a lack of exercise? But as I got closer, I saw an ambulance parked at the entrance.  How nice of them.  Then I remembered that it was Doctors' Day which is why it was a free day at Science Central and why I had come.  I know someone who works there and he wanted to show me around.  I love to go behind the scenes in public places.  One of the fun parts of acting in plays is knowing about everything that goes on behind the scenes.  At Science Central we walked through many new displays since the last time I was there.  An instructor was slicing open cow eyes for fascinated children.  I did not linger.  I saw the class rooms and a suspended sphere that can project moving images of amoeba and other things, a sand box that creates topographic 'maps' from sand hills piled up by the children.  I wanted to play but though it would be rude to push all the little kids out of the way.  Another fun area allowed children to color pictures of animals, then put them on a tray under a projector, and watch as their animals (I particularly liked a purple giraffe) came to life in a jungle scene projected on a large TV screen.  Those were all in the public areas, but I also got to see where all the offices are, the break room for employees, and the huge storage area with bins and bins full of mystery items for field trips to schools and summer camps and more.  I also was able to see where the planetarium will be installed, due to open in 2024 or 25? It was a fun afternoon and reminded me what a great asset Science Central is to our city.  When my great nieces and nephews come to visit this summer, I will certainly be taking them to Science Central.