April '09 Vacation Pictures-Day 3

Day 3 of our trip saw us heading out to our river boat ride. We traveled Cape Fear River on the Henrietta III.

This picture was actually taken on Day 1 when we were at the picnic area next to the Battleship. We got a nice shot of the boat as it was going by. The boat travels right up near the Battleship so passengers can get a nice view of it as well. If you look at the 3rd story of the boat, you can see a group of school kids that waved to us as they went by.

The Captain was speaking during the tour but I couldn't really hear anything he said, so if we passed something interesting, I don't know about it. There's not much in particular to see. However, this rescue boat put on quite a show for all of us. They had all their sprayers going in all different directions. I heard one of the kids wondering whether or not those guys on board were getting wet. I'd say yes. LOL

The relaxing nature of the ride allowed our little ones to form their circle. They chit chatted amongst themselves for most of the ride. The conversations they had were quite interesting and revealing all throughout the trip.

After the boat ride our family headed back to the Civil War Museum on Ft. Fisher. We had promised Pooh a return trip so that he could finish seeing all that interested him.

Here are all the boys trying to push the big turn thingy that a canon is on. (No, I don't know the technical terms of these things. I was hot, tired, and frankly, a little bored of all the civil war stuff.) That's one large, heavy piece of machinery.

Next we headed to the trail by the aquarium. The sign said a bike trail so we hopped on our bikes and took off. I think the trail was only about 300 ft before it stopped. I was so upset! Talk about false advertising!!! So the redeeming value were the ponds on the trail. We startled some bullfrogs who got quiet as soon as we got there. But I did manage to get a photo of this dude hanging out on the bird box. This area must be full of snakes. We almost ran over a black rat snake with our bikes too!

Off to the beach again! This time with more sun. Tigger spent a lot of time going back and forth between sand play and water play. His facial expressions are always a hoot. I have some with his tongue hanging out. Some with him stomping through his sand creations like Stitch did in the movie Lilo and Stitch. He's a bit of a wild child with snuggles and kisses all rolled in.

Having a blast with his water board in the waves.

"Hey, Mommy. Did you see me? I'm having a great time in the waves."

Pooh has already captured a few female hearts with his big brown eyes. Mine is one of them. ;D

Up from where we were on the beach was a fishing pier. They let us go on there free since we weren't going to fish. One of the fisherman was cutting up his catch in the sink area provided. Perched right near him was a pelican. When the fisherman noticed my fascination with the bird (I was taking shots like a madwoman!) he started tossing bits of fish to the bird. What fun! and such a great thing for the boys to be able to experience. (Me Too!)

These birds are so much bigger than you'd think. Just the size of their feet are amazing. They are also more colorful than this photo shows. Under its beak is an amazing olive green color. Combine that with the other colors and the light blue of it's eyes and you have one beautiful bird. I grew up in Florida but this was the closest I had ever gotten to a pelican. I was impressed.

Evidently some sting rays had swum past and one was caught by a boy on the pier. He left it to die there. I wasn't happy. I asked--he wasn't going to eat it or throw it back or anything. It always gets me how some people can be surrounded by nature and beautiful things and show no appreciation for them.

Seagull footprints in the sand. Something I don't see in my part of the country.

And here are a flock of the culprits.

Back at camp. This is our tent. It held up pretty well. There was light rain the first night and no one got wet, so I consider that a success. The vestibule area on this one is great. I hung towels from there and we had a nice dry area to keep some of the bags so they didn't have to be all inside the sleeping area. The D-door is GREAT! So easy to open and easy to get in and out of.

The campground had a life size chess set that the kids had a fun time with. (These two turned out to be best buds.)

A group volleyball game in progress.

Girl time at the swings.

Our homeschool group has lots of activities we do during the year. However, this trip took them beyond some of those activities. They were relaxed and had a chance to chill out together. They talked, explored, collected wood and roasted marshmallows together. Before the trip was even over, several of the parents requested we do it again even without the field trip stuff. Just to hang out together and enjoy good association. We will hopefully be putting something else together soon. Plans are beginning already for the next school year.

Try camping with some families in your area. You'll have a blast and so will the kids.