Where Have We Been #8: Higgins Armory

It's so sad that Higgins Armory is about to close.  I know most of the collection is going to the art museum but it won't be the same. I have some great memories of going there with our Gram, watching sword fighting and arms demonstrations and, the best part, getting plastic swords we could attack each other with in our Gram's side yard. Mr. No has quite a few memories there himself.  He's gone twice with me and several times with his Nana and Pop.  I have to go one more time and get a photo of the building itself.  I meant to this time but it started raining on us and Mr. No had his cardboard shield to worry about. If you live in there area, go once just to to check it out.  It's not as big as it seemed when I was little but nothing ever is.

The first time Mr. No went, he was not even 2.  We went with his friend Noodle and her family on Halloween weekend to go trick or treating. The No's were the cutest dragon and dinosaur and everyone thought they were twins.  The costumes were not planned. Mr. No just wanted to be a T-Rex and she wanted to be a dragon.  They were adorable.

 

About a week ago we went again and, sadly, that will most likely be our last visit. There is one main floor of exhibits, while not very big, houses so many interesting artifacts. Armor, swords, all kinds of weapons, amazing for anyone to see really.  Here are the two sides of the main exhibit floor of the armory which is actually the 3rd floor. You can see a few of the larger displays in the middle and the crazy amount of people there to see it all before it is moved.

Some of the detail work on the armor and the weapons are absolutely amazing. And some of them are rather creepy...the armor with the smiling face just gives me the chills. I'm not sure why.

The array of weaponry is incredible.  Not that I'm all that knowledgeable about weaponry, but there were a lot of items I had never even heard of before. 

The next floor is a balcony that overlooks the 3rd floor and has more armor, etc. That is where the very cool samaurai armor and weapons are and, Mr. No's favorite, the Medusa plaque from the Roman empire. 

Here are gorgeously detailed arrow heads.

An adult could spend hours just reading about everything there.  Mr. No just wanted to rush around and see everything...and then head down to the 2nd floor which is the play area.  There is a huge chess board, large soft, block, wooden block, armor to try on and more.  Mr. No really just wanted to build with the castle blocks and at one point he had 2 other little boys with him.  The 3 of them built an entire city. He also got to design his own cardboard shield. He planned it all out and then put us to work cutting the shapes.

The museum will be closing at the end of December. If you're in New England, it's worth a look before it's gone. Early weapons, viking weapons, samaurai armor, so much to see and learn about. Yes, the pieces are moving to the art museum but it truly won't be the same experience.  They also have shows and demonstrations right up to closing day.  I have some great memories from here most of which ended in my sister and me sword fighting in our Grandmother's front yard.  We didn't look when we were there but plastic swords used to be available in the gift shop.  We really should get one for Mr. No...and for me!

Where Have We Been #7: Sleeping Giant State Park

Most of the places we go to we just find online.  There are so many state parks and Trustees of Reservations sites to check out.  We try to check out at least 3 or 4 new places every year. Recently we traveled to CT to try the Sleeping Giant State Park.  I do have to admit that we didn't really see the sleeping giant outline driving up but apparently we were walking on him.  It's free to visit and there are picnic tables and bathrooms right by the parking lot. Anyone who travels with kids knows how important it is to know where the closest bathroom is.  It is right across from a college.  I have to say that all of the college kids that we saw on the path were very respectful of the fact that we had a younger child with us and had very considerate language and actions.  

There are a few areas of large, fairly easy to navigate, stairs going up to the path.  I'm pretty sure there was the option of path or stairs.  At 5 years old, Mr. No had no issues getting up or down them.

The main path is wide and is an easy climb for pretty much any one.  There were even a few strollers on the path. There are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way or stop for a little hydration.  Mr. No was thrilled that he could stop wherever and sit as needed. We definitely packed waters and snacks in my backpack.

One of Mr. No's favorite parts of the path were the numbers on the rocks.  Whenever his lazy bug started biting, all we had to say was I guess we won't get to find the next number and that bug just flew away and was forgotten.

The scenery was gorgeous, of course.  I find even the most simple forest gorgeous, though.  We all loved the rocks and boulders everywhere.

Mr. No ran along the path, climbed rocks, tried to carry large rocks with him to take home and found the last remaining pile of snow to jump in. At one point he was making a big show of trying to pick up huge boulder that had both us and passersby laughing at his antics.  Then he found a smaller, but still to large to carry, rock and insisted on trying to carry it uphill.  Yeah, that lasted about 5 minutes before he tried to pawn it off on us and we made him put it down.  He had an absolutely amazing time. 

At the top of the path is a stone observation tower.  You can go inside and climb to the top.  There was also another potty up there if I remember correctly. The view from the top was amazing!  Gorgeous in every direction.  Mr. No had a blast climbing all over the tower. 

The hike back down is never as fun as the hike up.  He wanted to be carried, of course, and each of us gave in for a brief amount of time.  I had him on my back for a while until I accidentally stepped in a little dip in the road and literally toppled over with him still on me...in front of a group of college kids...and a couple with their child. And my mother wonders why I didn't pursue dance beyond that first year.  Ever graceful...

Sleeping Giant State Park is absolutely a place we'll go again.  Probably bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it. And if we go when the insects are out, Mr. No will be in heaven!