Of Tidepools and Everglades

One of the things we love about Vilano Beach and St. Augustine is that it is so much more than sand and water. Don't get me wrong . . . there is, indeed, lots of sand (Stayc can attest to that), and lots of water, but there is so much to do beyond the beach and the pool.

One of the kids' favorite things to do is visit the tidepools. They are about a mile down the beach from our condo, so we have to walk to get there, but it is well worth the hike (and the journey itself is part of the fun).

The tidepools only manifest themselves at low tide (natch). Then the beach is one huge landscape of sandbars and shimmering pools of clear water. The silty sand is perfect for drip castles, and the kids could seriously spend hours making them (and did).

During the week we were at Vilano Beach, low tide was rather early at about 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. This turned out to be really nice because our long walks along the beach to the tidepools were untainted by both a too-hot sun and crowds of beachgoers. We had the entire beach nearly to ourselves.

 

In addition to the tidepools (and the shells and sharks' teeth, which I mentioned in the previous post), there is another side of nature to explore at Vilano Beach, as it is located on a thin strip of land situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida's Intracoastal waterways (like much of the Atlantic coastline). There's beach on one side, and if you're lucky, Everglades on the other.

This year, we decided to explore to the north a bit more and found some lovely nature reserves just 10 miles north of us along A1A (these we drove to, not walked :). There were all sorts of trails through the Everglades leading to the Intracoastal.

Since we didn't really know what we were getting ourselves into, we were not exactly dressed for a major hike through the Everglades (hello flip-flops and swimsuits). So we took a short one mile trail out to the water. Next time, we'll gear up with tennis shoes and bug spray and explore more of the trails and scenery. You always need something to keep you coming back for more!

Welcome to Summer! or A Florida Adventure

Let the summer begin!!!!! Well, at least let the blogging of summer begin, because, let's face it, summer is nearly over. What better way to relive it than through my blog!

I like starting summer off with a bang, something to let us know, "YES, this is really summer!" Also, since Stayc left in June to go to China for three and a half weeks, we needed to get some vacation time in before he left. We decided that a week in St. Augustine, Florida soon after school ended would fit the bill nicely.

We loved our stay in St. Augustine last summer, so I contacted the people whose condo we rented and we got the same place as last year on Vilano Beach. It's the perfect size for our little family, there's a great pool, a Publix a couple of blocks away, it's just minutes away from Old St. Augustine, and the beach is right out our back door. It's perfect!

Vilano Beach is also just slightly off the beaten path, and home to so may private residences, that it is perfectly isolated and uncrowded. It's really hard to beat.

We brought boogie boards like last year, but we splurged on a nicer one this year. Next year we'll buy a second nicer one and the kids won't have to take turns.

 We also brought a beach umbrella this year, so even though Stayc was ready to go in by 9:00 a.m. (not kidding here), I was good reading a book under my umbrella for half the day.

We fall into a rhythm at the beach. Stayc and Lutece go for their early morning walks while Phoenix and I sleep in a little longer. After breakfast, we all go out for a morning walk on the beach. By 9:00 a.m., Stayc is ready to go in, and the kids and I stay out on the beach for another couple of hours. The kids go into the pool and swim before lunch. After lunch, we rest, read, watch cartoons, and then head out for our afternoon adventures around town. In the evening, we go out on the beach again. So lovely!

 

We were luckier than last year, and we found numerous fossilized sharks teeth on our walks along the beach. Lutece got really good at picking them out of the sand and came home with a pile of them.

That's why in nearly all of the pictures I have of her, she's looking down. Gotta keep your eyes open for those sharks teeth! We loved our week in Florida . . . more to come.

Last Stop: The Arch

We drove home from St. Louis on Wednesday (that would be a week ago last Wednesday) because Lutece had middle school orientation in the evening, and we didn't want to miss it. No trip to St. Louis would be complete, however, without a visit to the Arch.

On past visits to St. Louis, we have spent more time at the Arch, walking through the museums in the basement, doing the Junior Ranger packets, even taking the little car to the top. This time though, it was a park and view kind-of experience since we were short on time and had already spent an hour or so at the zoo.

Still, it never ceases to amaze.

It is a seriously cool structure. I think it appeals to me so much because it feels like a sleek large-scale work of art. A sculpture that just happens to be large enough to house a small train.

The kids spent a little time goofing around . . . "Your arm is putty. I'm going to mold it and you have to keep it that way."

This is why they are so socially awkward. They neither of them perform to strangers.

Phoenix was convinced that if I took a picture of him standing this way it would look as if he were holding up the arch. I tried to explain to him the nuances of perspective and optical illusion, but he wasn't having any of it, so I just took the picture. Look! He's holding up the arch :).*

In case this didn't come through in my other summer vacation posts, the kids truly are at a great age for traveling. We have enjoyed our summer travels immensely! 

* As I was writing this post Phoenix turned up read through it. He laughed when he got to this caption. "I should have knelt down for that picture." Indeed, it may have worked if he had knelt down, Atlas-like.

Ice Cream and BBQ

There are some seriously good eats in St. Louis . . . at least of the middle class variety. We let the kids choose the restaurants (from a short list made by us, the parents) and we made sure to eat some form of ice cream every day (though none of it was actually ice cream). One day we hit Ted Drewes Frozen Custard for concretes.

This picture makes me laugh because I have no idea what Lutece is doing with her hands here. Zombie?

Another day we sampled the gelato at Gelateria del Leone. We all agreed that the gelato was better than the frozen custard. Blasphemy in St. Louis.

The first night, the kids chose Vietnamese cuisine (I love that given the choice between fried chicken, sandwiches, and Vietnamese, they chose the latter). The second night they chose BBQ, because, duh, St. Louis. We went to Pappy's Smokehouse because it got good reviews online. We all loved it! Yum!

Those ribs were delicious. We all agreed that Grandma Terry would have loved them. As I look at this picture with a little perspective, I honestly don't know if the food looks good or not, but take my word for it . . . GOOD.

Memories at Mount Vernon

No trip to Grandma's would be complete without a visit to Mt. Vernon. We dedicated our last day to its perusal. This latest trip to Mt. Vernon, and especially this close-up shot of Phoenix, reminded me of all the other times we've visited Mt. Vernon over the years . . . particularly, THIS fateful trip.

Now that the kids are older, they have the energy and attention-span to really enjoy the museums and grounds of Mt. Vernon.

We saw the house, the grounds, the museums, the gift shop, AND the food area (lunch, you know).

We even got in the tomb and the Slave Memorial.

It might just be impossible to get it all in with one visit. Thankfully, we just keep coming back for more.

A Day at the Museums

The one museum the kids had been dying to see for the months leading up to our DC trip was the International Spy Museum. Lutece heard about it from somewhere and determined that we needed to experience it. Grandma got tickets for everyone*, and we made a day out of going downtown, visiting not just one, but three museums by the end of the afternoon.

I thought the Spy Museum was fascinating and quite enjoyed myself. The kids enjoyed themselves as well, but will, I think, appreciate it even more in another few years. There were a few hands-on activities, like the above simulation of holding on to the ledge of a skyscraper with a wind-machine blowing on you, or the system of air ducts that the kids could climb around in. There were also lots of cerebral and/or computerized quizzes and activities that the kids *mostly* enjoyed.

Two things worth noting: 1) Lutece really wanted to be an independent agent during our time at the Spy Museum, meaning, she begged me to be able to walk around the museum herself, without having to be with the family. I finally consented, and told her to meet us at a specific time (about 45 minutes later). Even though I was vaguely concerned for her (and I still tried to keep her in my sight), I feel like she is responsible enough to manage on her own and stay safe. I suppose I should have consulted with Stayc on this decision, as he wasn't as comfortable with the idea of her being left on her own. Within 20 minutes, he was searching the entire museum for her. I finally found her near the end and told her she needed to stay closer to the group. She responded, "Mom, I still have 20 minutes. I know because I just asked someone for the time." My responsible little/big girl.

2) Not only did Grandma pay all our entrance fees into the museum, she also promised the kids one item from the gift shop (which was super cool). Lutece had her heart set on a spy watch, and when she found one, most of the cousins wanted one too. Phoenix decided on an all-purpose knife/tool/etc. Super fun stuff!

After the International Spy Museum, we hit the Shake Shack for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. While Stayc, Aleithe, and Annie ordered the food inside, I sat outside and set four different watches to the correct time :).

After lunch and saying goodbye to cousins, we headed across the street to the National Portrait Gallery. Although it is part of the Smithsonian collection of museums, it is off the mall, and thus not as frequented nor well-known. In fact, this was the first time I'd ever been there. It was marvelous! I'm excited to return. The first floor had a collection of modern dance icons, including various videos of performances. The kids were entranced by "Thriller."

Understandably, the kids were not extremely interested in viewing portraits of famous, dead Americans, so I bribed them with Tic-Tacs. If they could identify 10 people they knew and tell me something about them, they could have a pack of Tic-Tacs.

Needless to say, it kept them occupied and vaguely interested, and they were able to identify such American greats as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Andrew Jackson, Pocahontas, and even Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

 

The Tic-Tacs also kept them occupied while we waited for Dad outside the museum.

Lutece fiddled with her new watch and told me what time it was in Sydney, Hong Kong, and 15 other places in the world.

I thought the kids would be exhausted after two museums, but they asked to go to the American Museum of Natural History (their favorite, hands-down), so we walked the couple of blocks to the mall and enjoyed another couple of hours at the Natural History museum.

Whew! All the adults were wiped out by then . . . and the kids look a little tired too. I asked for one final picture on the mall before we got on the Metro, but Lutece wasn't cooperating. I love these next few pictures. I asked them to quickly put their arms around each other so I could take a picture. Lutece wouldn't do it.

Phoenix tried to make her, and I heard him say to her under his breath, "Just do it Lutece. The faster we do it, the faster it will be over with." Smart kid.

She refused, so we finally just got a picture of them side-by-side, but smiling at least. The kids really ARE good travelers (albeit not great picture-takers). I'll take it!

* Sometimes I don't think the kids realize how good they have it with their Grandmas, who are always buying or doing something or other for them. They are very blessed!

Downtown Decatur

We finished up our time at the beach (Saturday to Saturday), and headed back to Lexington via Atlanta so we could see Tom, Alice, Peter, AND Rosie one more time.

Ever since China, the kids are obsessed with bronze sculptures. "Take a picture of me sticking my finger in his ear, Mom." I don't know WHAT Phoenix is doing.

This time we headed to downtown Decatur for dinner (Farmburger, mmmmmm) and an evening walk.

It was really nice to see Tom, Alice, and Peter. We could chat with them all night long.

Lutece and Phoenix got silly when I asked to take their picture. I love how much this next series of pictures captures not only their personalities, but also their good relationship with each other.

It was really a great trip. No complaints at all!