Sunday, September 30, 2012

Neptune Festival, The Ocean, and Richmond Metro Zoo

We are so surprised at how many things that we have been able to do while here! We had wonderful weather for a visit to the zoo and chose Richmond Metro because it is closer to where we are staying. Although we had a later start than we had planned, it ended up being perfect. As we entered the first trail/path, a keeper was feeding some of the primates and that allowed us to interact with them in a very fun way. The monkey's would chatter at us and expect us to answer them. I could have done that all day! They were very excited to have a snack of fresh fruit and they were very playful. Around the corner we ran into the giraffe. Unlike at another zoo we know, they were very interactive as well. Anybody that approached their area got an up close experience. I turned my head to show the baby and I received a kiss! Talk about friendly! :) All of my children had an opportunity to feed them a little and pet them. We made sure that we were around the otters while they were having a feeding as well. The keeper there had a lot of information for us and the male decided to do a cute climbing trick for his fish. He would climb up the enclosure so that he looked the keeper in the eye and then he would do this hilarious grunt and sniffle thing. The train ride was close by so we decided that it sounded fun. It had views that were only available from the train and we wanted to see it all. Included was a ride through an open range area with gazelle and ostrich. Several other bigger animals were there as well, but they didn't come as close as the others. In fact we had a very unsettling, but very cool, interaction with a male ostrich. He was very curious about us and he followed us so close that we could have touched him! What a neat bird. His bone structure under his wing was wonderful. Those were a few highlights of the zoo. I think it was worth the visit, even if it was a little expensive. Try to be there when the keepers are giving treats, it is so neat to interact with the animals like that.

On the next day, we had another pretty day and we finally had the chance to see the ocean. Virginia Beach was having their Neptune festival which included a sand castle competition. There were some very talented artists. The festival included the usual crafty tents but also some very unique vendors. But first things first. We had to touch the sand and play in the waves. I was prepared for the ocean to be cooler than most bodies of water. I wasn't so prepared for the shock of ice cold that hit my shins! But like always, once you got used to it, it wasn't that bad. The children found shells, the tail of a horseshoe crab, and some barnacles. For a break (ha ha) we rented a surrey. Six of us pedaled this bike like thing down the boardwalk and experienced the view from a distance. Plus that was just fun to do. I'm not into the vendors as much but we did do a little shopping. Got a few good craft ideas. Before we headed home, we played in the water again.

Wet, tired, and sun kissed. It ended up being a great day. As we hit Williamsburg heading home it started to pour and thunder and lightning. It was headed right where we came from. God held it back until we left. Thank You! :) I would love to see the ocean again, but now at least I understand the breeze and sun and sand. There is definitely a draw there and I'm really not that fond of water. Happy travels!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Lynchburg

I have to tell ya. We had a wonderful time this last weekend. Friday we packed up our ever present cooler and headed to our friends house in Lynchburg. It took a little over two hours but, the traffic was light and the weather was beautiful! We actually had a drive without the air conditioning on. Small miracle. :) When we arrived we were greeted with hugs and lots of excitement. How fun to see friends after five years! Way to long. After we settled in, we visited and then Mike offered to show us around the campus of Liberty University. They have an indoor, year round, snow tubing and ski center. That's cool. We walked a lot of the campus but were cut off from some areas due to construction that was going on. :( But when our tour was over, Lisa suggested this little Italian place that they had found. The hole in the wall type. She had mentioned that she had called and they had a few options on the gluten free menu, so off we went.

I was shocked! The owner met us at the door and showed us a table out of the way so we could visit longer. Then he asked if he could bring a small television out for the children while we were waiting for our food and such. Bonus points for the boss!!! The menu was great and there were lots of options for everyone. All the sauces were safe and they could make any pizza on the gf crust. Again, BONUS!!! They brought out these bread things that were to. die. for... I can still taste them. yum..... But I wish I could remember the exact name of the place. Villa something. Worth the drive for the food. Not kidding. Even on a Friday night. And I hate going out on busy nights.

So after games, visiting, and the most hilarious time watching my children figure out a wii, we headed to bed. We had planned a trip to Appomattox National Historical Park in the morning. They were offering a special history talk that we wanted to be privy to. Upon arriving, they direct you to the courthouse to pay and receive a map if you want one. I was shocked. Three dollars for anyone over 13 and free for the others. Or, five dollars per car load. Whichever was LESS! Great deal. We arrived within five min. of the start of the first live history talk so we jumped right in. The talk was given in the first person from a federal soldier, stationed at Appomattox, in September after Lee surrendered. For at least a hour and a half we sat spellbound as he told all about his months leading up to that moment and the conditions that he endured. Never once did he break character. Wonderful presentation. After his talk he offered to answer questions and such. We stayed and chatted with him and again he never broke character. Even when we tried to tempt him to. But, we learned so much from his chatting with us. The children even liked it...maybe not the youngest so much....but... The other buildings on the park grounds were neat to see. Life was so different. I think that the jail was the best building. I had all the children behind bars at one point. That was fun. I didn't realize that the jailer lived under the prisoners. He would have never gotten peace and quiet!

Overall, I would do it again. The history park wasn't so big that you were beat by the time you were done. They had a lot of things to explore, and if you wanted, they had information everywhere. Much more than we could digest with four children to keep happy as well. But they enjoyed their time too. I really think that it was time well spent. Happy travelin'. :)

Monday, September 3, 2012

Altered Plans

I must say that we had such big plans for this weekend. Hubby had four days off and we had planned a trip to Virginia beach and the Metro Zoo. But unfortunately we have had rain all weekend. So our plans had to be altered. Instead we have had lots of time to play games and be together. The next time we have off time we are heading west to Lynchburg. Post will follow...