STRATACA – A salt mine adventure

While we were on vacation in the US we went with some of our friends to a salt mine.  This salt mine is considered one of the 7 wonders of Kansas.  It is called STRATACA.  We had a blast.  Our friends, Heide and Alicia took us there.  After registering, we were briefed on safety, and then we entered the elevator.  We went down 650 feet under the ground, and it was total darkness in the elevator.  It was a blast.

A Elevator Model

At the bottom, we explored around the various exhibits about salt and salt mining.  We saw the old machinery and large chunks of salt.  We learned about salt, how it is used and mined.  We rode a underground train that the miners used to use.  We also took another tram-type ride where we were able to pick up pieces of salt as souvenirs.   We saw the old boxes that had previously had dynamite in them. 

Different Sizes of Salt

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The saying is, “what goes down into the mine, stays in the mine” meaning cars, trash, and all kinds of things stay underground.  The funny thing is that the salt mine atmosphere causes some things to rust badly and other things to be well preserved. 

We learned a lot and it was a lot of fun.  I would recommend it to anyone that might want to check it out.  Even my mother who doesn’t like heights or depths enjoyed herself. 

On the train ride

Instead of making concrete to drive on, and hauling down sand, which would take time and money they just use ground up salt and call it salt-crete.

Waiting for the elevator

Some more salt

Kansas Cosmosphere – A FIVE "STAR" Experience

Our friends mentioned in the previous post also took us to the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, KS. 

While we were there we rode the flight simulator “with the Blue Angels”.  It was very interesting. 

Some Used Space Suites

We then looked at lunar modules, rovers, space exploration, tools, space history, rocket history, and space station models. 

A Full-Size Model Lunar Lander

Small Model of the International Space Station

My favorite part was Doctor Goddard’s Lab! 

Draining liquid oxygen from a large piece of cotton

When he lit the super oxygen filled cotton it burned so fast it exploded!

Here we learned about rockets, explosions, and, of course, Doctor Robert Goddard, the first rocket scientist that explored the use of liquid rocket fuel.  It was fascinating.  The man doing the explaining and experiments was very good at his job.  The liquid oxygen was really cold and “cool”.  He showed us that oxygen isn’t flammable, but it makes combustion highly accelerated!   He took a cotton ball and lit it on fire.  Then he compared it with to a large amount of cotton soaked in liquid oxygen.  The result was an amazing explosion!  My mom caught the explosion on camera.  We learned a lot in Doctor Goddard’s Lab.  We also saw him light a hydrogen bomb that he made.  He also made an alcohol rocket.  It was great stuff. 

We also watched a very interesting video in the stellarium.

Doctor Goddard's first Rocket Design 

A Moon Rock

A space toilet

Me sitting inside a used Space Shuttle Tire

Bugs in Africa

We just left Chicago and our new friends, the Turner family.  I had an amazing time playing with Seth.  This blog post is especially dedicated to my new friend Seth.  He likes bugs.

Tiny very colorful fly

processionary catterpillars

termites

ants

What is that glowing thing?  Next picture answers the question

In the center you can see a little white worm - it is a glow worm.  Sorry - it is hard to focus with night pictures

Big cockroach

This wasp has a cricket

The ants can do much when they work together

Army ants

More army ants

Thousands of Army ants

Our Vacation

We went on vacation Sunday the 9th and stayed in Iringa.  Sunday, we went to the mini-zoo and did some shopping.  The mini-zoo is called Mkwawa Magic Site (see post "mini zoo".) 
We had a very good lunch.
The next morning we went to a camp just outside of Iringa called Masumbo.   I was really excited to see that in the cabin in which we were staying I would sleep in the loft.
We played on the zip-line that crosses the river, went swimming, ate mulberries, climbed rocks, hiked and had a just-plain-fun time.
 In the evening I met Seth.  He is twelve years old, same as me.  We have a lot in common.  He is even an American.  His parents manage the camp.  We chased monkeys that were trying to eat the mulberries.
The next day, Tuesday, I spent almost the entire day playing in the river with Seth and his Tanzanian friend, Calvin.  We played on inner-tubes and had a great time.  After lunch we floated down the river a ways and then we talked a lot.
We were told that there was a resident hippo, but we never saw it.
I am glad I made a new friend.

The zip-line

can you see me?  I am in the middle of the picture, just my head

My loft

Seth and me