Gorky Park

Eric had a day off after 12 days of working the flight so we had another field trip.

He took us to Gorky Park.

The park runs along the Moscow River so we headed to the bridge first to take a look.

The view of the river from inside the covered bridge.

watching her shadow

After doing a bit of research...

This now amusment ride for children, used to be a test shuttle during the Buran Project started in the 70's and ending in 1993 because of lack of money and the collapse of the USSR.  This particular shuttle was used for thermal, mechanical, and acoustic tests.

During this project 6 test models were built.  They had planned on 5 actual flight shuttles but only 2 were completed before the end of the program while the others were partially finished. 

So one shuttle flew (unmanned I believe) and that consisted of 2 orbits around Earth and home again. 

It then was housed in an air conditioned hanger but was destroyed when the roof collapsed. 

For more information you can check out buran-energia project

The part of the park we walked through was the amusement side.  I believe the other side has gardens and statues and what not.

Since the rides aren't up and running during the winter, the paths become the ice skating rink.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  All those paths you see are ice so people are skating in all different directions.

Lunch = Mexican food :o)

I have been impressed with the range of restraunts they have over here.

Also the kind of food you can order.  For example they didn't have much for kids but I ordered a fruit plate for Scott which advertised watermelon and strawberries, 2 fruits he is dying to eat but hasn't since we've been here.  It came without watermelon :o( but with a strawberry, slices of grapefruit, cantelope, pear, plum, green apple, kiwi, pineapple, orange, and some green and purple grapes. Yum!

On the way home we hit up the neighborhood park.

It's warm enough to wear thinner gloves so the kids can finally climb.

I took this picture becaues the ladder just looked HUGE from this angle!