Thursday, Mar 28, 2013, Museum of Science and History, Sally Corp Tour, Jacksonville, FL

Got up early (OK - early is now 7:30 for us) and drove to Jacksonville, FL. We walked along the riverfront and around Friendship Fountain until the Museum of Science and History opened. 

Watched a strange "lift" bridge as it let a sailboat go down the river.  

The museum was interesting and seemed to have the right mix of science and history. For example, we did not know that Jacksonville suffered a devastating fire in 1901 and had to rebuild nearly all of the downtown area. In 8 hours 146 city blocks burned to the ground - 2,368 buildings.

We got to see all of the projectors used in their planetarium since its start. They also had a variety of indigenous animals on display. 

We saw everything by 11:30 which was good so we could make our scheduled tour at Sally Corp. It was a very interesting place that makes robotic figures. Their factory was about 40,000 square feet and employed a variety of artists, graphic designers, machinists and engineers. Julie, our tour guide, took us step-by-step through their process from concept to finished product. Sally Corp makes animatronic figures, "Dark Rides" and games.  

Next, we went to the Budweiser Brewery for a little tour and samples (who knew?) We got there just as a tour was started so no waiting. Found out the name Budweiser was completely made up to sound German to give the product some class. Also found out Europeans have now bought the company so it is no longer "American Owned" (could it have been the German-sounding name?) 

That place was huge and the numbers were staggering - 12,000,000 bottles per day! Joani tried a Lime-a-rita (she loved it) and I had a Becks Sapphire in the Hospitality Lounge.