6-3-11

We slept in today. It was so quiet here, no one really knew what time it was. Plus we are all getting over a little bit of a cold. So the sleep helped.

Todays destination was Longwood Gardens. It is a huge garden designed and built by Piere DuPont. It is beautiful and amazing. There are tons of outdoor gardens including two lakes, an Italian fountain garden, three tree houses, a topiary garden, several rose gardens, a flower garden, a fountain court, woods, meadows, waterfalls, stone bell towers...then there is a giant indoor conservatory with even more gardens including an amazing kids garden. We started by walking the outdoor gardens and exploring the tree houses.




















Jack was really into the beehive that they set up in one of the tree houses. It was a real hive in plexiglass, the queen was marked with a dot, and you could listen to the sounds as you watch them come and go from the hive.











When we reached the conservatory we spent most of our time in the children's garden. Lucca had a blast playing in the whimsical fountains and neither wanted to leave.




















When we pried them away, we went and checked out the water lily garden and the 10,010 pipe pipe organ. Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries right after leaving the children's garden, so there are no photos of that stuff ( except for these iPhone photos)












There was a ton more to see and we spent most the afternoon strolling the grounds and marveling at the spectacular place. After buying some great books in the bookshop, we left.

On the way back the kids slept in the car, so we just drove and took in the beautiful countryside. I never expected to be this taken by Pennsylvania.

After dinner the campground hosted a flashlight candy hunt. They hid a bunch of candy in a field and Jack went and found a bunch. A nice ending to another great day.

Location:Kennett Square, PA

6-2-11

It was a driving day today, and we thought it would be fun to drive through the entire state of Delaware. On our way out from Ocean City we drove up US Hwy 1, through Ocean City we were surprised to see the shear number off putt putt golf places. There had to have been 20. All with crazy themes; pirates, Ufos, castles and such. We were so distracted with them we completely missed the border crossing into Delaware. We were quite upset as we usually treat each border crossing with some fanfare. Good thing we were going to cross into Pennsylvania so we would have another chance. On our way through Delaware we happened upon what really must be the last Waffle House we will probably see on the trip, so we had to stop and have lunch. The sandwiches Jordan made would just have to be a snack for later. We got into Pennsylvania and could not believe how beautiful the area we are camping in is. The little town we drove through is called Kennett Square and it is surrounded by amazing old farm houses and beautiful trees with rolling hills, narrow streets, and winding waterways. We fell in love with the area immediately. After checking in, playing at the playground, and taking Lola for a stroll we checked out what was going on nearby. We found out that the town of West Chester was having a street party. So we got cleaned up and head out. The town of West Chester was super cool, big old buildings and a real urban feel to it, but only 17,000 people. We kind of felt like we were in a mini New York. The street festival was 2 blocks long and at both ends there were blues bands playing.


The fire department had a fire truck parked that the kids could climb all over. So jack jumped right aboard and rang the bell.


After, we visited the kids art therapy booth were jack and Lucca got to color with pastels. Then we had locally made Popsicles. Jack had a cupcake and got a toy from the local gym booth. It was a great night and we really felt good to be here. Maybe because it was the first place on this trip where we felt like home. It was so dark and quiet at our camp we all fell right asleep.

Location:The road Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania

6-1-11

We woke up early in order to get out to the boat dock where we were going to rent a boat for the morning. We also needed to get to the reservation desk at our campground in order to book another night. We like it so much we wanted to stay one more day. Jack really wanted to spend some more time in his hammock.






Things took a turn when we were informed that someone had reserved our site and we had to be out by 11. We needed to be at the boat dock at 9:30 and it was 9:15. We hustled like crazy and managed to get Mimi moved and to the boat dock by 9:50. Whew! Our new site at the campground isn't as spectacular, but we still only had to walk 20 yards to the beach. So no complaints here.

The boat ride was fun. Lucca had a blast bouncing around in her life vest and Jack even got to drive.
























The back bay where we cruised around was full of sandbars and I managed to hit one. Damaging the propeller and almost stranding us in the middle of the channel. Aside from that the trip was great. We saw several eagle nests that the birds had built on the channel markers. We also saw two groups of the wild ponies. This time we got a closer look.
Jack liked that we got to go fast, and we got to go under a bridge.


















After a quick lunch at a cafe near the boat dock, we came back to camp. The wind was picking up a bit, but we still decided to take Lola out to the sand islands again. This time we didn't stay as long. The kids were tired so we came back to Mimi for naps.











Then Jordan and I hung out and waited, and waited, and waited for the kids to wake up. As we waited the wind kept picking up and we could tell a storm was moving in fast. They didn't wake up so we went in Mimi to get dinner ready. This of course woke them up. We decided to put on a movie while Jordan and I did some chores. Jack chose Lady and the Tramp. After the movie it was off to bed for all of us as we listened to the storm come in.

Location:Eagles Nest Rd,Berlin, MD

5-31-11

Today was so busy and fun that I am actually posting this tomorrow.

Oh wait... Yesterday was so fun I am posting today...
This morning Jordan and the kids hung out at the playground while I hid inside and nursed my allergies / cold that I am getting, and did the dishes. After Lucca and I took a nap while jack and Jordan went to the grocery store. When they got back we went to "our" beach. The tide was so low that we could walk out to two exposed sandbars that were a hundred or so yards from the actual beach.


Lola even took her first real swim. When she got to the island she was so excited. I have never seen her happier.






While we were out there Jordan spotted the herd of wild ponies that inhabits the barrier island. It was amazing to see! Jack was almost as excited as Jordan.



After coming back to camp, and the kids afternoon naps, we headed into Ocean City, Md. The city is actually built on a three mile barrier island and has a real boardwalk with tons of little food, ice-cream, candy, and trinket shops.















We've noticed here that a bunch of shops sell hermit crabs for pets, with custom painted shells. I've never seen that before.



The kids wanted to play on every play structure on the beach so we let them... Lucca even made a new friend.












There also was a carnival area with lots of rides and midway games. We first went through the mirror maze. Jack found his way pretty easily. Then we went on all the rides jack could. Including the big ferris wheel, the tugboat ride, and the spinning bears. Jack and Lucca both won toys at the games too.





Dinner consisted of hot pretzels, candied almonds, and ice cream. We couldn't justify getting more candy...






We got back to the trailer late and went straight to bed.

Location:Eagles Nest Rd,Berlin,Maryland