VACATION OUTING: HEMINGWAY HOME

In the heart of downtown Key West, The Earnest Hemingway Home was built in the 1850s to be the grandest home in town by a wealthy man with a large family. Tragically, he lost his family, and the home fell in to disrepair, rumored to be haunted or cursed. Earnest Hemingway and his wife Pauline restored the home to its former grandeur.

For my family, it was really nice to be in lush, tropical gardens once again. The home is located on a full acre, so there is a roominess you rarely feel in a city.

 

The kids were fascinated by the six-toed cats. Honestly, they were, oh… nearly identical to ordinary cats, aside from the silly looking feet.

            

It was a fun way to spend an couple of hours while wandering downtown Key West. We think we’d like to try one of the trolley tours sometime, too—maybe a haunted one. :)

TWO NIGHTS IN RODANTHE (PART 1)

Fall has been slow to come this year. We might have our first frost tonight, but a return to mild temperatures is forecast for the week ahead. We used the summery weather to our advantage last weekend when our family made an after-rush-hour dash to the Outer Banks. We checked in very late, and awoke to sunrise over the Atlantic. (One benefit of a really late season trip is sunrise is after 7, ha ha!)

At this point in time we’re really happy to be cabin campers. For our family’s needs, it really is the best to have plenty of room to sleep with privacy, a kitchen, room to relax… the deluxe cabins are often about the price of a comparable hotel room suite but with more to offer immediately outside the room.

We chose to try out the KOA in Rodanthe because it appeared to have a lot to offer as far as accommodations, fun stuff for the kids, and their own beach access. We’ve done a lot of ‘city beach’ time, and played on natural California beaches, but this was to be our first east coast natural seashore time.

Cole was up really early Saturday morning, but I was able to buy an extra hour of zzzs by hooking him up with some cartoons—another reason I’m fine with us ‘really not’ camping for now. This deck was a great place at both ends of the day, and we had dinner outside.

Once I’d put enough caffeine into my system, Cole and I explored while everyone else slept a bit longer. He loved the opportunity to get one on one time with me, and so did I.

The pirate-themed playground is a fun touch. It’s great that it’s not too babyish. Later Cole had no trouble luring Carter out to play—quite often.

Cole and I also walked to the sound side to check out a little fishing pier.

Shortly after, all the kids were out on the bounce pad and playground.

After a while it was time to head to the beach, just a couple minutes walk from the cabin.

Paul and Cole were in the water the most this time. The water temp was about 66, not so bad for late October.

After a few hours on the beach the kids wanted to try out the water slides. It was fun to be able to switch gears so quickly, without hassle.

 

…eventually it was time to bathe and get ready for what promised to be a spectacular sunset…
…to be continued…

3 DOUGHBOYS

FALL COLOR

I did some calculations, ran some sophisticated algorithms, and have concluded that last weekend was it. THE peak of fall color here. Thank goodness we took the time to get out and really see it.

This weekend the leaves are still very pretty, but trees are thinning, and there is that undercurrent of brown. Speaking of… I think it’s time to buy a rake! Those kids need to learn what leaf piles are.

FAMILY ARBORETUM OUTING: JAPANESE GARDEN, ROSE GARDEN, & THE TENDER PERENNIALS BY “THE NECESSARY”

Did you know the zig zag bridges in classic Zen gardens are designed to keep out evil spirits? At J.C. Raulston Arboretum the Japanese Garden is one of many theme gardens. Meant to be a place of contemplation and serenity, my family obviously could only stay for a brief while before the rascals among us grew restless.

Carter loved the koi. He always loves koi.

Near the “Necessary” are a wonderful display of tender perennials, most of which had huge leaves and heady scents. Also, I think I want to call the bathroom the “necessary” from now on. How funny would that be, to be so delicate that I could only make the most vague of suggestions about certain “necessities?” After ~12 yrs of parenthood, I am constantly amazed by the things I will say now, so the mismatch of asking my kids if they need to visit the “necessary” amuses me. ;)

And then there was the Rose Garden. I love roses, but have grown tired of their neediness. So, I’m not sure I’d be into having a full-on garden of roses… all the more reason to appreciate others’ gardens! Adjacent to the roses is grouping of marble statues called Italian Reflections, which was pretty. It’ll be nice to revisit the area in spring when the wisteria are blooming.

This next photo is not so great, but it makes me laugh.

A while back, Bunny told me, when I was standing in front of her combing her hair, that my armpits were “too deep.” I really don’t know how that even is a *thing* but well, as you can see… They are extra ‘pitty.’

FAMILY OUTING TO BASS LAKE

While the kids and I had a great time at Bass Lake Day, we knew we’d have to return soon with Paul to show him what a nice place the park is, and to explore beyond the small part we saw that day, which really was only one building and an adjacent grassy area.

There is a perimeter trail around the lake, amounting to about 1.5 miles, but at this time the trail does not fully circle the lake—sooo close—so hikers need to backtrack. (A map inside the nature center says the trail is meant to be completed in spring 2014 and needs one last bridge.)

I became mildly obsessed with the turtles found everywhere a decent sized log protrudes from the water.

Seriously, the buggers were everywhere (well, everywhere logs popped up from water) and I just love the way their heads look.

We also came across ample evidence of busy, busy beavers.

Then Bunny became a little more than mildly obsessed with the concept that she could find a beaver, catch it, name “her” Mrs. Beaverson (and she added she didn’t care if it was a girl or not), and…. well, she didn’t have a plan beyond that. Good thing we never found a beaver.

After we walked (almost) around the lake and then back again, we enjoyed a picnic on the verandah around the Visitor Center, Bunny and I went inside the Nature Center where the attendant kindly took out a hognose snake for us to see up close, and we spent some time hanging out on the dock in the late afternoon warmth.