The Feather Falls Salmon Hatchery

Ah yes.  I know we ALL have such fond memories of our first visit to the salmon hatchery.  Oh those majestic fish, fighting their way up the man made fish ladder, swimming against the incredible current.  All to spawn.  What memories.

Ok, so a fish hatchery isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you want to find a fun place to take your two small kids.  But it was... interesting.  We went to the fish hatchery in Feather Falls.  I am still getting used to the sight of leaves that actually change color in the fall, and this was a good place to start.  BEAUTIFUL!  The small red and orange trees growing between the rocks on the river bank looked like fire!  I tried to take pictures but they just aren't even close to showing how amazing it looked.  Anyways.  On to the fish.

I don't know if its fish season, or whatever you call it, but these fish were losing the battle.  I'm hoping these poor fish were the stragglers, the runts, the ones bringing in the season.  Because if the future of salmon is on the shoulders of the Feather Falls salmon, all you fish eaters better get your fill now.  There weren't many to see.  The actual facility was really neat.  There was a viewing area where we could see the fish go by through huge windows.  The place had bath rooms and was stroller friendly.  I dragged the stroller off the beaten path so we could take some pictures with the waterfall and amazing fire trees behind us.

The highlight of the trip though, was dinosaur fish.  Honey and I were discussing the sad state of the salmon while we watched them swim through the big underwater windows.  Chunks of fins, roe and unidentifiable things floated by too.  Madeline picked up on what we were talking about and protested, loudly.  "They're not DEAD, mama' she said.  And just then, on cue, floated by DINOSAUR FISH!  It was a VERY decayed, VERY large fish.  It scared us all so much that we gasped and jumped back.  Madeline looked scared and stunned, mostly by our reaction.  She's so awesome, this is what she says: "Don't be scared mama, that's dinosaur fish, hes my friend.  Hes nice.'  By the end of the trip, Charlie could say 'dinosaur fish' quite clearly.  We'll come back when its spawning season.

So, what else is there to do up here in Chico?

just don't call it a mommy blog

This is my blog to discuss kid stuff.  I love my kids and they are with me every second of the day... there is no time when I am simply just Sarah.  I am always 'mama' and something else.  Today I was mama AND furiously trying to make jewelry to sell at a craft fair tomorrow.  Sometimes I am wonderful amazing mama, other times I am just mediocre mama.  But I am always mama, and that's why I have a whole freakin blog devoted to just that.  Because someone out there has got to think my kids are as hilarious as me.  

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