It's a Stretch! Saturdays: Body Worlds 2 & The Brain

This past week, I had the opportunity to sneak around Body Worlds 2 & The Brain at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  I was fortunate to see the original BW exhibit when it came through a few years ago on the very last night, but the horse had already left, which apparently was the paramount of the whole show...  But this made up for it!

(Photo: www.fi.edu)

This version of the exhibit made possible by Gunther von Hagens focuses on the brain, with attention to the rest of the human body as well as those of animals'.  Take a minute to read up on the man and all that he's done: interesting and amazing!

When I first entered the exhibit, it all looked pretty familiar to me, but never-the-less exciting!  This is an exhibit that will never get old for me.  While I was the only one in there besides a guard here or there, I was not alone.  Spread out from each other were a pair of ice skaters, a gymnast, a slightly hefty man, a woman with child, a skateboarder, and much much more!

There was a moment where I had come to the exit and sighed in disappointment.  Had it shrunk considerably since the last version of the exhibit?  And then I saw it: "Exhibit Continues" with an arrow.  It continued right on up to another floor.  !!!!

As I entered the next room, it was as if I was a child again.  I forgot about the last toy I missed out on (the horse) and only saw what was in front of me: a camel.  Without saying too much, in hopes of provoking you to go see it for yourself, the gigantic camel (or is that how big they all are?...) was dissected and positioned in such a way as to create a wonderful illusion of an image.  You must see this!  Definitely my favorite part and the piece I tell everyone about most.

Even though I had seen the first Body Worlds exhibit, this was no let down at all.  If I've convinced you ;) or you've been thinking about going, visit the Franklin Institute website for more details.  Tickets can be purchased at the site, on Ticketmaster, or over the phone.  However you do it, just do it!

Have you seen Body Words 2 & The Brain?  Let me know what you think!

Miscellaneous Wednesdays: Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards

(Photo credit: Linvilla.com)

Linvilla Orchards in Media, Pa is one of my favorite places to be!  Especially while Pumpkinland is open.  Pumpkinland offers thousands of pumpkins for sale in all shapes and sizes along with other kinds of autumn decorations and a costume shop.  All along the perimeter are life size decorations and picture ops.  (Seen in the back of the picture is the GIGANTIC scarecrow that is famous to the site.)

(Photo credit: Linvilla.com)

Along with pumpkins upon pumpkins, Linvilla plays home to all sorts of animals and a newly refurbished playground.  There's always plenty to eat year round.  The Farm Market, opened all year, offers fresh produce, candies, a full bakery, and much much more!  There is an entire outdoor food section (open seasonally) with a cider stand (I highly recommend the cider doughnuts!) apple taffies, deep fried oreos, and so on... Really, try the doughnuts.

If you still haven't had enough, try the Pick-Your-Own.  This past season, I've picked peaches, blueberries, and for the first time ever, apples!  (Which I made a delicious apple crumble out of!)  Check on their website to see which fruits and veggies are in season.

During December, you can even pick-your-own Christmas tree!  My family has cut our own tree down at Linvilla for the past few years.  They offer a warm fire, marshmallows to roast, and hot cider to accompany your tree-hunting adventure!

(Photo credit: Linvilla.com)

Going back the Halloween season, Linvilla Orchards also runs "Hayrides to the Witches House."  Running through October 30th, the hayride is a family friendly ride.  A good alternative to the haunted hayrides while the kids are still young.  (Or while the adults still get nightmares...)

While I visit Linvilla all year round, it is especially magical during the fall season.  If you're in the area, I highly suggest a trip.  Go while the air is cool, the fire is lit, and the smell of Halloween is still strong!

Miscellaneous Wednesdays: Bates Motel at Arasapha Farms - Want a thrill?

If you're from around the Philadelphia area, you must check out

Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride

at Araspha Farms in Glen Mills, PA!

Arasapha Farms has always served as THE haunted house of my childhood. (And by "childhood" I mean at whatever age I finally got the nerves to go...)

There are three Scary attractions on the farm: Bates Motel, Haunted Hayride, and Haunted Corn Maze. The hayride is by far my favorite. There has always been great fun pyrotechnics throughout the ride, which they've promised to amp up for this year!

Aside from the haunted pieces of the site, Arasapha offers food, drinks (hot apple cider!) and warm fires for those super cold nights. They also usually show classic horror flicks on the giant screen they have set up so that you can watch while you're waiting, and waiting in lines. Plenty of parking to boot.

Links:

• Prices and Ticketing/Hours **TONIGHT is Military Appreciation Night!** Vets and their families get half off!
• Directions
• Discounts! $5 off Combo - Valid Mon-Thurs
• Reviews

Check out the videos posted below - available in the "Multimedia" section of the Bates Motel website!

It's a Stretch! Saturdays: A Universal Dream

Saturdays I use for posting tidbits about items often related to Halloween but not actually having to do with it. What's a better way to kick this category off than with Harry Potter?

Recently, Universal released a LOAD of new information on the upcoming Harry Potter theme park. Slated to open this Spring 2010, the park will include many pieces of the HP world that any fan would look for. From the official site:

• At the entrance of Hogsmeade, billowing steam and an iconic whistle signal the arrival of theHogwarts Express into Hogsmeade station
• Across the way is Zonko's, a joke shop with a collection of tricks and jokes, including Extendable Ears, Boxing Telescopes and Sneakoscopes
• Honeydukes is next door and full of treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans
• The Three Broomsticks and adjacent Hog's Head pub will feature traditional British fare and drinks including Butterbeer and pumpkin juice
• Across from the Three Broomsticks is The Owlery, where owls roost and await their next delivery
• The Owl Post sends letters with a certified Hogsmeade postmark and sells official stamps from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Ollivanders wand shop is an incredible interactive experience where the wand chooses the wizard
• Completing Hogsmeade is Dervish and Banges, the magical instruments and equipment shop featuring Quidditch equipment, Triwizard apparel, Spectrespecs and Remembralls
• The first attraction, Dragon Challenge, features a twin high-speed roller coaster with many iconic elements from the Triwizard Tournament
• Next is Flight of the Hippogriff, a family coaster simulating a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle
• Located in Hogwarts castle, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is a thrilling new state-of-the-art attraction that uses entirely new technology to bring the magic, characters and stories of Harry Potter to life in ways never before experienced
• Before exiting back into Hogsmeade, Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods is full of Ministry of Magic and magical creatures merchandise, Omnioculars, and even remote control Golden Snitches

Make sure to check out this video for an exciting sneak peak. I know when I go, security will have an awfully tough time getting me out! What true fan won't be in tears at the site of this?