by JT Pilaf
Before the big trip I needed to take a lil' nappy nap. Rest is very important when your responsible for an entire crew, just ask Captain Kirk. Who put that binky in my mouth?
The car trip down to North Carolina was fairly uneventful, which is just how we like it it. We drove from Pittsburgh to Topton, NC in just under a day. Not bad if your baking a turkey in the oven in the 1920's. As soon as we made it to Topton, NC, Uncle Jim knew exactly what I needed.
Their home was beautiful and they were very, very hospitable. There's plenty of things to do on the Nantahala River, white water rafting, kayaking, hiking, biking, we went for a jet boat ride down the winding river. The jet boat needed only 4" of water to run. The river was the training grounds for white water rafting, kayaking, and canoeing for the Atlanta Olympics. We stayed an extra night in Topton and let the cousins play. They had a really nice time with each other.
We started oout aggain the next morning on our way down to Jupiter Beach. Once again, the trip down in the car was fairly uneventful. We stopped a few times to stretch our legs and throw the baseball around. We were hoping for lunch in Atlanta with someone but....
We started oout aggain the next morning on our way down to Jupiter Beach. Once again, the trip down in the car was fairly uneventful. We stopped a few times to stretch our legs and throw the baseball around. We were hoping for lunch in Atlanta with someone but....
just kidding.
As soon as we made it down we rushed of to the ocean. It was just how I remembered it... huge and blue. The kids loved playing down at the beach and wave surfing (except for the salt water part) and playing in the sand. We usually went early in the morning and then again after dinner. The loggerhead sea turtles had laid a ton of eggs on the beach and all were marked wiith a stake saying "keep away or die". They'll be hatching from now until October.
Our trip really was based on getting from one body of water to the next. We went down to the lagoon one day when it was cloudy out and the kids loved looking for hermit crabs and other sand crabs there. Zachary caught 5 crabs and had them in his bucket for a little while.
One of the days we went down to the West Palm Beach Zoo. It was awesome. They did a really nice job with it. It was about the same size as the Buffalo Zoo. On another day we went to the WPB Science Museum. That too was alot of fun and the kids had a riot at both places.
The best part for me was eating out almost every night at a different place. Grouper, crunchy grouper sandwiches, sea bass, crab cakes, shrimp, lobster bisque, crab legs... whew, I ate like a king. Someone got some sun.
Well, actually the best part was watching the kids swim everyday. Emma grew into a mermaid right before my eyes and Zach was like Mark Spitz. Too much fun.
As soon as we made it down we rushed of to the ocean. It was just how I remembered it... huge and blue. The kids loved playing down at the beach and wave surfing (except for the salt water part) and playing in the sand. We usually went early in the morning and then again after dinner. The loggerhead sea turtles had laid a ton of eggs on the beach and all were marked wiith a stake saying "keep away or die". They'll be hatching from now until October.
Our trip really was based on getting from one body of water to the next. We went down to the lagoon one day when it was cloudy out and the kids loved looking for hermit crabs and other sand crabs there. Zachary caught 5 crabs and had them in his bucket for a little while.
One of the days we went down to the West Palm Beach Zoo. It was awesome. They did a really nice job with it. It was about the same size as the Buffalo Zoo. On another day we went to the WPB Science Museum. That too was alot of fun and the kids had a riot at both places.
The best part for me was eating out almost every night at a different place. Grouper, crunchy grouper sandwiches, sea bass, crab cakes, shrimp, lobster bisque, crab legs... whew, I ate like a king. Someone got some sun.
Well, actually the best part was watching the kids swim everyday. Emma grew into a mermaid right before my eyes and Zach was like Mark Spitz. Too much fun.
There was a question as to whether the flowers that she recently placed on Dad's grave were still breathing, so we picked up a replacement but found that the geranium had survived. Mom navigated to the gravesite effectively, complaining all the way about her back problems, but the only compromise to date was agreeing to hold my arm. Amazing for going on 91.
Time for lunch at "the Dome" and, believe it or not, she did pick up the check. Thanks Mom. Good lunch.
Patti decided to spring for dessert, and Mom said that Anderson's is always a good choice. My Girls insisted on singing Happy Birthday to me, a song that I enjoy hearing less each year.
Of course we had to stop at Tops, cash her scratch off winners and pick up a few groceries. Note the "staples"; seemed a bit heavy on the potato chips, etc.
We returned to Luther Manor. The aroma of hot packs and seared skin was heavy in the apartment, but we returned "our diva" safe and sound. She hit the chair for a well deserved nap, somewhat grateful that Ruth was not sitting there waiting for her. Thanks Mom, we had a great visit.
With the Pilafs about to embark on what I am sure will be a most memorable family vacation, I would like to share some experiences from past trips which might help you make the most of your time. One of the keys to providing the children memories which will last a lifetime is to have a series of planned stops which will allow time to stretch the legs and create valuable learning opportunities. Since the second largest ball of string is too far west to be available, here are some places that Kristen and Adam visited that I know they have strong memories of. Above, just two hours south in Bradford pa., is the Zippo lighter factory with a huge display of both practical and whimsical lighting devices. It will be tough to walk away. Heading southeast about four hours, and you are in Allentown, Pa for the world-famous coal museum. A delightful two hour tour shows all of the stages from plant growth to peat and ultimately to the coal deposits that we know and love today. After the tour I am positive that both Zach and Emma will be able, just as easily as we can,to identify the top specimen as anthracite and the bottom as bituminous. In the interests of saving time I would not bother with the related exhibits on zinc and molybdenum, but hey, who knows, the kids might insist.
