On Saturday, Ada asked Nina to visit the California Academy of Sciences with her and Mr. Peebles. There was a part of her that really wanted to spend the day on the radio again, but she also missed hanging out with Nina. Nina might never trust the radio, so Ada decided that they should find other things to do together.
Mr. Peebles volunteered at the Cal Academy, and he knew a lot about the building and all the best exhibits. Ada had been there before, and she often wanted to see so much that she could get overwhelmed. Mr. Peebles knew just where to go first.
Nina might have spent the whole afternoon just at the entrance, and Ada couldn’t blame her. There was so much to see before you even walked in. The roof was like a rolling field, covered with grass and plants. There were little round windows all over it that looked like portholes in a ship. Mr. Peebles explained that the roof was called a “living roof.” It collected 98 percent of the rainwater. Most buildings allowed the rain to slide off the roof, collecting contaminants that then poured into the local waterways and ecosystem. This roof absorbed the rain and let it nourish plant life. The little portholes were part of a system that helped keep the temperature cool without air conditioners.
The inside of the museum was full of sunlight and activity. Lots of visitors were milling about, checking their maps and planning their days. Some just stood staring at the beautiful skylit ceiling.
Usually it was hard for Ada to decide where to start. Today they had help from Mr. Peebles. Since the Swamp was near the entrance, they went to see Claude first. Claude was an albino alligator who was rescued from Florida. He was nearly blind, and his skin was white, so he wasn’t able to camouflage himself. Claude wouldn’t have been able to survive in the wild. The staff used a big red paddle to push fish and pellets toward Claude, so he didn’t have to hunt for food.
“Awww . . . I never thought an alligator was cute before—except for Randolph, my stuffed alligator,” said Nina.
Ada laughed.
They watched jellyfish in the aquarium drift around their tank like bright, soft umbrellas.
“Who needs aliens when there are these things?” said Nina.
“You should see the really deep-sea creatures,” said Mr. Peebles. “I think they must be the closest thing to alien life on Earth.”
“As far as you know,” said Nina.
“Speaking of which. Can we go watch the meteor show now?” asked Ada.
“I think we still have about fifteen minutes until it starts. Want to grab a quick peek at the birds and the butterflies first?”
“Yes!” said Nina.
Ada had to admit the third level of the rain forest was pretty spectacular, if a little muggy. It smelled like leaves and rain, and there were more kinds of butterflies and birds than Ada had ever seen. A blue morpho butterfly tried to hitch a ride on Nina on the way out. She named him Frank.
“Nina, you can’t take him with you,” said Ada.
“I know,” Nina said, coaxing the butterfly onto her finger. She placed him on a plant nearby.
“Someday you’ll be free, Frank.”
“No, he won’t, Nina.”
“Come on, Ada. Let the poor guy dream,” said Nina. “Besides, I have faith in Frank. He looks resourceful.”