On the road again - Oklahoma and Texas

I noted that "We've been on the road again...travelling from Florida, to Georgia, to Tennessee, to Arkansas, to .... would you believe Oklahoma?"

Why would we go to Oklahoma? It's not a bad state or anything but we don't have any family / friends there.  (That I know of...if someone has moved, let me know!)

So why Oklahoma?

Two words.

Oklahoma Aquarium

No, wait..I mean...a different two words.

Bull Sharks

So, you have to understand - Shanon loves sharks.  She has watched (and gotten her husband to watch) more shark documentaries than he ever knew existed.  He can now name and recognize over a half-dozen types of sharks...and occasionally even knows facts about them.

So...why Bull Sharks and not say, Great White Sharks?

Well, let's start on a few details.  First, Shanon wants to see Great White Sharks - but they are rarely found in captivity.  Monterey Bay Aquarium in California was the only aquarium that even tried to display Great Whites for extended periods of time.  However, they ended displays back in 2013.   So, they're cool but difficult to see.  (A number of groups have argued that it's impossible to keep Great White Sharks in captivity at all)

Bull Sharks are not easy to see either.  We've been to a number of aquariums:  Georgia Aquarium (Whale Sharks!), Florida Aquarium, Mote Aquarium, etc.  Only Oklahoma Aquarium - with no access to oceans had Bull Sharks (Nurse Sharks are also in the tank).

A few details of Bull Sharks:

• Bull Sharks  have the highest testosterone level of any animal.
• Bull Sharks are known for being aggressive. 
• Bull Sharks were likely responsible for the Jersey Shore attack of 1916 - the inspiration for Jaws.
• Bull Sharks - while not a true fresh water shark - can tolerate fresh water well.  They have been known to travel up the Mississippi River as far as Alton, Illinois.

I'm still trying to upload my bull shark videos.  (YouTube is taking forever)  :-(

What was that about Texas?

Well, there's a Dallas Aquarium as well.  Well, it's not JUST an aquarium.   They have LOTS of things there.

But first and foremost - they have Penguins... specifically Little Blue Penguins.  (This is actually a species of Penguin and not something that Thomas just made up...this time.)

Little Blue Penguin

Actually they had LOTS of Little Blue Penguins

They also had a lot of other stuff as well...

Crocodile

Vampire Bats

Even Burrowing Owls

There was also a large tank with a manatee, elephant turtles, and lots of fish.  Alas, no photos though.

Also in Texas...

We traveled down to San Antonio to visit David, Francesca, and CJ  (waive hi!).  San Antonio was amazingly hot - but we also visited Riverwalk (no photos, sorry) and the Alamo.  (We didn't enter the Alamo, given the heat and the lines)

Alamo

Where to from here?

We loved visiting Texas (even given the heat) to see friends and sights - but we're going to be travelling the next couple of days.  Stay tuned - it's about to get interesting.