My dad decided to come to Boulder for a long weekend visit. I picked him up at the airport at 8 am and headed back to town. We stopped at the Walnut Cafe for what is also a good breakfast.
We then went an checked him into a hotel. He can't stay at the house given a serious allergy to cats. Then following a nap, we headed up to NCAR for a tour.
I'd been wanting to do the NCAR since since moving here, but had never gotten around to it. Wow, was that a mistake. The place is awesome!
First thing learned was that IM Pei designed the place. Amazing architect. He took into account the environment to design something that really works.
Also learned that it is nonprofit. Most think it is a governmental agency (self included) but it is not. It's funding tends to come from governmental agencies (e.g., NSF), but it is run by a board of directors.
Lots of very cool exhibits. We had an hour tour and that just pretty much introduced us to a lot of very cool exhibits. Saw films on the beetle kill, warming earth and just what NCAR does.
I didn't realize that NASA was so involved in climate change research. So much learned there.
Think dad had a good time. Not sure what he liked best, but it's clear he liked the supercomputing room. The supercomputers are being phased out of the NCAR site - they cannot get enough electricity or water there to run and cool them. They will be housed in Wyoming in a building already built.
Also, the tour asked a long standing question of mine - how were they able to build a building there? It clearly is outside the limits of where building can happen in Boulder. Answer - it went to a vote in the city. The population voted 3.5:1 to allow it. It was a good decision as it has brought a lot of cool jobs, cool people and prestige to Boulder.
I will head back there again and spend more time. Awesome place!
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