Ocean days

We literally had a two minute walk to the beach from where we stayed. We were often called down to the beach after a late dinner because the sound of the waves were so inviting, and getting there was so easy. Chris, Elias and Ben all bought skim boards. They had a blast trying to stay on top riding the water. The consequence of falling meant landing on the thick layer of broken shells which I am told is worse than road rash. This didn't turn them away. Elias had a huge amount of determination to 'get it', spending most of his beach time trying. Aria loved the background sound of the waves, to accompany her as she sang and danced down the beach. Ben loved beach combing and searching out jelly fish. Me I loved the space as we could all just be.

Beach Treasures

The beach. Its all there for a wonderful holiday. Nothing else is really needed. Sand. Water. Shells. Space. Perfection.

Had we not ventured from the beach it would have been as equally relaxing and adventurous.

The shells of course were a big hit, the first day gathering everything in sight. As the week progress we realized the abundance and became more selective. We sorted, washed, polished, examined, enjoyed each shell.

A few times over the week we found different types of jelly fish washed up on shore. We were fascinated. The kids (carefully :)picked them up, examined them, tried to bring them to life in the water, then give them a burial and no stings to be had!

After reading about ghosts crabs we decided to time our visit to Myrtle Beach State Park to include dusk. We searched out and found the crabs holes. We followed their tracks, and after being totally startled we realized they bury themselves in the sand. We watched them scurry sideways, bury themselves except for their eyes. They are the same colour of the sand, which makes them look almost see through, hence their name ghost crabs. We were giddy to have found them....or have them find us :)

When we were at Huntington State Park Chris noticed lots of bubbles in the sand as the waves rolled in and out. With the kids they sat and watched little tiny bivalve mollusks (tiny shelled creatures) go in and out of the sand between waves. They would poke out and bury themselves before the next wave returned. Later we watched the sand pipers and plovers catch them.

It was so great being in a totally different environmental zone, discovering all these cool things!

More Aquarium

Over the course of the trip, we would often talk about other holidays we would like to take that have 'popped' up because of things on this trip. While driving up we noticed three crosses; two white and one yellow, and Chris said they marked places of battle during the civil war. This was new to me and the kids. To led to conversations about the civil war, re-enactments, different books and accounts, etc. An interest was sparked.

The same happened with the aquarium, we talked about different sea life in different bodies of water, migrating and water temperature. This lead to ideas of an aquarium holiday...visiting places with different types of aquariums. There was even talk of creating an aquarium in our house!

Although the rays were the highlight I must mention a few other parts we loved. There was a horseshoe crab display, with actual crabs for you to hold. They were huge, heavy and so interesting. They piggy back on each other as a means of protection, sharks won't mess with 10-15 sets of pincher's!

There was also a tunnel with a moving sidewalk , filled with amazing sea creatures; saw fish, nurse, sand, tiger sharks, sea turtles, barracudas, fish of all colours, eels, rays, starfish. Since it was a tunnel you got to see them from all different angles, their bellies, their eyes, watching them swim. It was fascinating.

Tiny toes at the beach

His first trip to the ocean. The sand he enjoyed at the beach last year, this time was no different. The added fun of picking up seashells to put in a bucket was a big hit. The gulls were by far the biggest hit for him. Watching them fly around the water, over the beach, walk along the waves, calling to each other, he soaked it all in. The water. Not so much. Well it wasn't the water that was the big problem but the waves. He would find a spot that he thought he was in save distance and then the next wave would come and get him all wet. He clung to someones leg, interested enough to stay but not sure enough to let go.
It was adorable. The wet suit, the toddle down the beach, tiny toes in the sand, the smile finding a shell while carrying his little bucket. Too cute.

Up Close and Personal

One of the highlights was visiting Ripley's Aquarium. It was a first visit for Chris and the kids to an aquarium and we were awed. There is numerous stations, many of them interactive, highlighting both local and tropical sea life. The sting ray exhibit when asked is what my kids share as being their favorite part of the trip.

This exhibit began for us at ground level, at which you get to see the different types of rays swim around. From this angle they look almost like kites floating in the wind. They were truly beautiful. It was so interesting to see the different types of rays, some spotted, some dark, light, shark shaped, diamond shape, large and small. As we came around the large tank we found a shallow area where you are invited to sit and feel the rays. WOW! we stuck our hands in and they glided past, allowing us to feel their slimy (a coating for safety) skin. They would sometimes splash a fin as they glided along.

On our second visit (one was no where near enough) later on in the day a diver was in the area feeding them. As see walked close to the edge large numbers followed her allowing you to really see and feel them up close.

THE Drive

Including bathroom breaks, need to stretch our leg breaks, nursing breaks, refueling and

feeding we spent about ten ours on the rode for two days on the way to South Carolina and two days on the way home. We weren't sure how the kids would do for this amount of time in the car; Shai being one and the other three whom all suffer from car sickness. It was great! Quite enjoyable most of the time! We had a wonderful collection audio books and music, combined with car bingo, mum reading aloud, a selection of car toys and view to compare to none.

The mountains driving through West Virginia and Virginia were spectacular. (its on our go back and visit list!) We stopped quite a few times just to take in the view. The kids were impressed with the longest arched bridge and the tunnels through the mountains. I was excited watching more green appear as we drove closer to our destination. By the time we reached Virginia there was flowering trees everywhere.

We stopped over night at a hotel with a pool, allowing everyone to move their bodies before sleeping. Aria did have car sickness, I am pretty sure because of the windy roads. A nap did her wonders. Shai who is by far our best car traveller did have a rough patch. There was a time on the way down he couldn't be consoled. He didn't want to nurse, no toy pleased him, no songs, nothing except being out of the car. After three stops we needed to go. He was tired, we were tired. I gave him chocolate! it worked, he ate it, rubbed it over himself and then fell asleep. Yeah for chocolate!

We are home!

We have sand in our hair and we smell of ocean salt. We are relaxed, amazed at what we saw, and thankful to have such an amazing family to enjoy travelling with.

So much to share (ghost crabs, beach combing, aligators, pelicans, sting rays, fireworks and more!).....patience grammy we are going through the photos. (we hope you are enjoying england :)

It truly was fabulous!

And we are off!

For a week at the ocean, combing the beach, playing in the sand, eating ice cream and just being!
see you when we return!

Butterflies and Sunshine

What a beautiful day. Lots of deep breaths, sunshine on our face, butterflies to follow, frogs to spot, stories to weave, mud to step in. We invited some friends to join us on a spontaneous hike, which didn't happen to work for anyone else. At the end of the two hours playing in the woods, the kids commented how wonderful it is being just us together in the woods. It was a beautiful day.

In preparation for our trip I downloaded all the pictures off the cards. These were some that caught my eye :P Friends, family, daily life.