Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

If you’ve never experienced the peculiar sensation of standing two feet below a shark as it glides above or being surrounded by an underwater world populated with sea turtles, colorful fish and moray eels, you could take a scuba-diving expedition or just head to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

It’s worth the short drive, the inevitable tourist traffic and the $20 adult fee to spend a few hours exploring the marine life of tropical rainforests, coral reefs and shark lagoons and the gallery of crazy-looking sea creatures, including my favorite, the sea dragon.

“Party for the Planet” will be held April 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with information for families on recycling, energy conservation, ocean preservation and other 
environmental issues.

The non-profit Association of Zoos & Aquariums also accredited the facility in March, insuring it meets standards of animal and veterinary care, conservation, education and safety.

There’s something about absorbing the many marvels of the ocean (even in a land-locked tourist setting) that provides a peaceful sense of calm and wonder — hard to come by these days, so take it where you can get it.