A Day In My Life Of Maehem

Ewww, what did you step in?

2012-01-25T17:00:00.000-08:00

Armed with a cotton swab and directed to collect something to grow in his petri dish, the boy selected the bottom of his shoe. This is the end result after 21 days. I might add that these were new shoes, worn only a few hours.

New house rule going into effect, "Remove shoes before entering"!

Day Tripping (January 8 2011)

2012-01-22T06:10:00.000-08:00

Been a while since we have visited St Augustine so northbound drove. No real plans for the day cept for some LB'ing and wherever the path led.

Strolling through the Anastasia State Park archaeological site where coquina rock was mined.

The St. Augustine Light.

This was Vilano Beach, a stones throw from St Augustine and one of the most interesting boardwalks we have seen.

Barberville Pioneer Settlement

2011-11-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

For a little culture fix we headed northwest for a some Country Jamboree at the Barberville Pioneer Settlement.

Cool trivia for the day was the telegram was pretty much done away with by the 70's and the last commercial telegraph was sent in 1983.

The apprentice printer (Mason) was urged to produce 1500 flyers or else no lunch, he was pedaling as fast as his little legs could go!

On the way home we stopped in at Barberville Produce where I fell in love with this unique outdoor seating collection, alas we didn't have the $3500 required to bring it on home...so it's still sitting there.

USS Ponce (LPD 15) amphibious transport dock ship

2011-11-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

The USS Ponce was in Port Canaveral and open for public tours this week before beginning decommissioning after 41 years of service.

Thursday Adventures

2011-10-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

The Cruger-dePeyster Sugar Mill ruins in New Smyrna Beach.

Even in the early 1800's sugar was a risky buisness.

Cumberland Island GA, September 14 2011

2011-10-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Ferry leaving St Marys GA enroute to Cumberland Island

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Miller/Greene Cemetery

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Dungeness Ruins

Jekyll Island GA, September 12 2011

2011-10-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

The boy and I tagged along on a business trip with Jon and while hubby was working hard we spent the day in Jekyll Island GA.

This was Driftwood Beach, located on the north end of Jekyll Island, one of the most eerily beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

Shedding of the old...

2011-09-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

This 56 inch baby was right outside the front door...As long as he/she stays a minimum of a foot outside that door, we are good.

Bow NH

2011-07-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Our NH vacation is over and as we were making our way south back to CT, we stopped in here for a hike and LB in Bow NH. The view and lake were a rather pleasant surprise but ended up being practical as well...The temps had topped over 100 degrees and after our hike we were hot! New England in summer, is simply paradise.

DIANA'S BATHS

2011-07-21T18:16:00.001-07:00

Since marriage to Jon have been thumbing through Jill's photo albums admiring her families summer vacations for years. Mason and I both have been the most intrigued with Diana's Bath and this summer we experienced the thrill ourselves!

We had the most perfect and HOT day to enjoy a half a mile of cascading falls, waterspouts and granite basins. Now we are spoiled and perhaps ruined for future water fun? This was way better than any nasty ole water park.

Mount Washington NH 2011

2011-07-20T19:44:00.000-07:00

This was taken on the Alpine Garden Trail up on Mt Washington, famously known for it's crazy and unpredictable weather. Today was so warm, almost but not quite hot and airless maybe?
Then all of a sudden the wind picked up, unpredictable is an understatement.

The Fat Floridian vs Eagle Mountain

2011-07-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Per the Eagle Mountain Letterbox clues: Not recommended for fat Floridians! Now this particular Floridian who is slightly overweight and more than a little out of shape was a bit hesitant...This was some hike, approx 2 miles round trip, 1300 ft plus in elevation. But an edict was issued and I just had to take the challenge. Happy to report mission was accomplished in 1.5 hours and I won the match!.

Crawford Notch

2011-07-19T19:37:00.001-07:00

Once we crossed into NH from VT we pretty much LB'ed 302 all the way into Jackson. There was this was a fab series (5) that took us through many of the highlights of Crawford Notch State Park.
Saco Lake, across from the AMC Highland Center.

On our way down to the "Dismal Pool".
Across the street from the Willey House is Saco River and a pleasant 10 minute hike.

Two Rivers

2011-07-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite places to cool off when we lived here and the 1st place the boy wanted to visit was Salmon River. Mason was hoping the rock dam he and his buddies built last summer was still standing...Poor disappointed kid, he didn't recognize any of those stones.
After dipping our toes it was time for a (what turned out to be a 3 mile) hike in the Salmon River State Forest.
FL does not have a corner on the hot & humid market and it was downright steamy in CT today...so into the Blackledge River we went. Two refreshing rivers in one day; only in CT!

Museum of Natural History

2011-07-17T20:08:00.001-07:00

Status stone from South Pacific somewhere, was like money...So how'd you like to carry this thing around in your pocket?

Watauga Lake; worth moving to Tennessee for...

2011-07-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Already planning next years escape to the Appalachian Mountains...

Handsome feller, ain't he?

2011-05-17T17:35:00.001-07:00

OV-104 (Atlantis) on it's final rollout from the OPF to the VAB.

It's Cool In The Furnace

2011-05-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

Kids Klub (KK) presents "It's Cool In The Furnace", a musical production of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Or for all you VeggieTale fans; Rack, Shack and Benny....Mason plays the fictional character, General Camelot who is the head of King Nebuchadnezzar's Calvary. This 30 second video clip is of Mason singing his Tra La La solo.

Tonight was the last show...Feeling melancholy because we will miss our friends and the camaraderie of our KK family but what a show it was!

Rain Barrel Workshop

2011-05-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Putting gutters on the back of the house and instead of purchasing rain barrels we signed up for a clinic with Brevard Park & Rec and "made" a rain barrel for half the cost of store bought. Another plus...kept some plastic out of the landfill.

Mason got the job done!

Volusia County Trifecta

2011-04-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

Jon is on 2rd shift this week for the launch and Mason and I had the whole day free. Soooo off we went for some mom/son/letterboxing adventures!
First stop was the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach. The center was a surprise artist colony smack in the middle of some Florida scrub and home to one of the best LB's we have ever found!
DeLeon Springs has been on the to-do list for 2 years now, yay, we finally made it! Trivia, back in the 50's Sunshine was a big draw....No not sunshine in the sky, but Sunshine the water skiing elephant? Skiing pachyderms are no longer an attraction, thank goodness...The big draw now is a restaurant, the Old Spanish Sugar Mill where you cook your pancakes on the griddle right in the middle of the table. Mason and I interviewed one of the waitresses and turns out they do have a GF batter available, double yay!DeLeon Spring temps are 72 year round and even though this is April, we had a 93 degree day which made for a perfect combo!Last stop was Lake George SF in Astor and an excellent example of why we love LBing so. This park was way off the beaten path...On this particular afternoon, after driving down a 2.5 mile piece of it, we ended up on a peninsula jutting out into the St Johns River.
A perfect day except for the time where I was crying at the gas pump...

Fort Christmas

2011-04-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday a much anticipated family day was set into motion and off to Fort Christmas we went. The place was really hoppin and we were surprised by how different the encampment was from last year? Like where are the re-enactors? A few questions later finally landed us a person in the know and we found out that because of the late Easter this year, the camp was scheduled 2 weeks ago and yes they were very sorry but no the website had not been updated. Yuh, well we were bummed for all of about 2 seconds...Turns out there was a HUGE 4-H Agricultural Festival going on and we were welcome to join in the fun!

Before electricity all sheep shearing was done the old fashioned way, with manual shears. This antique pair was almost but not quite up to the task, they were kind of rusty... Washing raw cotton... Sure it was a tedious and mindless job so they made the children do it. After a thorough 30 minute instructional on how to properly use a bow and arrow the 3 of us got the opportunity to shoot. Not to brag or anything but my first slung arrow was a bulls eye! The boys did pretty well themselves with plenty of bulls eye between us all. This could be a new family hobby?
We weren't all that impressed when the Fire Dept called the kids over and at first thought sure another fire truck demo...No, it was way cooler than that. This was a demo on how controlled fires are started and controlled, complete with actual visuals, they totally burnt up some grass! After the demos the kids had an opportunity to hold and use the fire hoses and make sure those fires were out!

One of the days surprises...There was this pen with gators in it and they encouraged folks to just lean on into it and pick one up! Jon grabbed the smallest fella, an approx 1 year old baby, he was too chicken to go for one of the toddlers!

Family Ties

2011-03-27T19:23:00.001-07:00

Faith and Jill, 1st cousins...Morgan and Mason 3rd cousins. Now if you look in the left corner of pic, the dude wearing the red shirt, that's Jon, a 2nd cousin.

Battle at Narcoossee Hill

2011-03-25T19:19:00.001-07:00

Nah, no real battle here, just Mason and his pop pop listening to and watching a presentation on fiber/fabric production during the Civil War.

This was our second year visiting Battle at Narcoossee Hill Educators Day in Chisholm Park which is held the 4th weekend every March. The biggest difference between 2010 & 2011? Was dry this year, which made playing with friends afterwards a whole lot less messy.

Birds Eye View

2011-03-12T16:34:00.001-08:00

A few months back our church hosted a silent auction for the youth where Jon bid on and won a one hour plane ride with Fred Mahan...
Jon, Mason and Fred, The Pilot.
Mason riding shotgun.
South end of Merritt Island
Birds eye view!

OV-103 Discovery - Final Mission

2011-02-24T20:00:00.000-08:00

20 minutes before launch... big problem:

- NTD this is SRO on 212
- Go SRO
- Range says NO GO at this time

A few minutes later:

- Discovery, launch director. We're going to take this one on down to the wire. We'll go through our polls here and uh, take you on down to 5 minutes and see if we can't get a great flight today.
- This is shuttle launch control. 5 minutes remaining in our hold at T minus 9 minutes.
- This is the NTD conducting the launch status check. All stations verify ready to resume count and go for launch.
- OTC? OTC go.
- TDC? TDC go.
- TTC? TTC is go.
- LTS. LTS is go.
- Houston flight. Houston flight is go.
- MILA. MILA is go.
- STM. STM is go.
- Safety console. Safety console is go.
- STD. STD is go.
- LRD. LRD is go.
- SRO. SRO is NO GO.
- Copy are you good to go to 5 minutes and hold? Yes. We are good to go to 5 minutes and hold. Copy.
- And CDR. Discovery is go.

At the 5 minute hold, it still doesn't look good, and the launch window is closing:

- Holding at T-5 minutes.
- Our only issue is a red condition from the eastern range. Their central command system display is not operating properly.
- 2 minutes and 48 seconds of hold time remain in today's launch window.
- Today's launch window expires in 2 minutes 28 seconds.
- All systems are go with the exception of the eastern range.
- SRO standby.
- 2 minutes remaining in the hold today. 2 minutes remaining in our launch window.
- SRO NTD final recommendation please.
- Stand by one.
- 1 minute 30 seconds remaining in our window.

21 agonizing seconds later....

- Ops manager NTD. Ops manager on 212. Go ahead. I got verbal confirmation from the 45th wing commander... we are GO. I would like you to proceed. Copy that. NTD with that uh verification that the range will support today's launch we need to press on. Pick up the count on your mark.
- Copy that. And SRO NTD? Need to put this uh, your hold switch to proceed position.
- 40 seconds remaining in our launch window.
- Range is go.
- GLS has the SRO hold been removed?
- Negative sir.

- SRO NTD.
- NTD I can remove the hold here...
- SRO on 212.
- We need you to put your hold switch in proceed position.
- in proceed.
- GLS can you verify?
- GLS verifies.
- 15 seconds remaining in our hold.
- Copy. We'll pick up momentarily. CGLS pick up the clock on your mark. GLS copies. 3..2..1.. mark. T-5 minutes and counting. TLT OTC perform AT start. TLT in work. CDR OTC reconfigure heaters. Copy in work.
- Reconfig complete.
- All systems are go and weather is green.
- Flight director NTD.
- Flight NTD?
- NTD Houston flight.... I have 2 seconds of trade back hold remaining. Two seconds.
- NTD SRO is go for launch. And what is your status? We are go. Copy.

Go for main engine start...

Credit for this lovely photo goes to Chris Swindal, he is an amazing photographer!

Shadow Bay Park

2011-02-03T17:06:00.000-08:00

Winter vacation is over and we needed something special to ease us back into our routine.
Letterboxing provides lots of inspiration so off to Orlando we went! This series on endangered/threatened species covered Sand Lace, Sand Skink, Scrub Lupine, Scrub Wild Buckwheat, Florida Bonamia and Papery Whitlow-Wort.

This gopher tortoise was playing peek-a-boo with us and while he wasn't on our list today they are endangered.

CT/FL Express

2011-01-31T10:03:00.001-08:00

What we left.

2.5 hour flight later.

What we came home to. The pineapples are shot, a freeze got em in December but the tomato, basil, chives and parsley are hanging in there!

SN*OW

2011-01-27T12:46:00.001-08:00

In snow thou comest
Thou shalt go with the resuming ground,
The sweet derision of the crow,
And Glee's advancing sound.

In fear thou comest
Thou shalt go at such a gait of joy
That man anew embark to live
Upon the depth of thee.

Emily Dickinson

Whee!

2011-01-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

Surfing downhill at Goodwin Park aboard mum mums almost 60 year old sled, still works!

What goes down, must come up!

Cracker Christmas in Kissimmee

2010-12-19T18:52:00.001-08:00

Osceola Historical Society had their Cracker Christmas this weekend. Have never been here before but it was rather nice. Weather was not, which negated some of the experience but still worth the trip. Prerequisite of our next home; a water hand pump, the kid loves them, which means he can do all the fetching of water.

OK, so there is a story behind this picture...When we lived in Miami (many moons ago) our apartment complex was loaded with possums and Jon was totally wigged out by them. Imagine my shock when he voluntarily petted one?

Yup, another bonus park..Chisholm Park in St Cloud. Check out that cute little ass. We have been here before, this park hosts the Battle of Narcoossee Mill Civil War re-enactment. Never really took the time to explore and even though overcast and cool the upside was no brutal mosquito attack, which makes a fine day for a hike and stamping in.

The wild side of Blue Springs

2010-12-17T18:15:00.000-08:00

It's winter and that means manatees head for warmer waters. On the central east coast of Florida, the destination is Blue Springs in Orange City with it's year round 72 degrees that the manatees find moderate and balmy. To be clear this middle aged wimpy mom requires the most scorching of a hot August day to consider 72 degree water comfortable. What can I say but..."To each his own"!

Joking aside, this was the most amazing afternoon we have ever spent at Blue Springs.
The Park Ranger informed us that the count this morning was 198 manatees and maybe they under counted? There were manatees every where you looked!

Bonus park...Lake Monroe Park in Debary. We stopped by this park, (you guessed it, letterbox), on our way home and what a gem! Would love to go back to this one and camp.

Everglades National Park

2010-12-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

Last day of our South Florida vacation and this was our last stop before heading home, Ernest Coe Visitor Center of the Everglades.
In all we spied well over 30 gators. Sure it's the Everglades you say and I would agree with you...but these gators have free run of the place and there are no fences between you and them. That is no rock wall, the right side is about 14 inch high but the left is about 3 inches. That 14 foot gator if so inclined could have come right up and put his head in Masons lap!

Big Pine Key and Key Deer

2010-12-09T05:23:00.001-08:00

On our way south Sunday for an afternoon of snorkeling in Looe Key we had to drive through Big Pine Key and while we were hoping to see some Key Deer, we weren't expecting to come across a Key Deer who had been hit by a car.

So we followed the deer cutting through some brush and then into a church parking lot where once I got out of my car this poor little thing started to follow me.
There was a car in the parking lot so I went into the church hoping someone was there and would know who to call. Absolutely thrilled someone was there, in fact the woman was a 911 dispatcher and she quickly put in a call to get this little gal some help.

John Pennecamp & Dagney Johnson

2010-12-09T05:22:00.001-08:00

We can't let a lil ole thing like rain stop us, so it was off to John Pennecamp we went. Boohoo the welcome center was closed but the trails were open and we made good use of em. As you can see we won the prize and that made it all worth it.

Key Largo has another hidden gem, Dagney Johnson Hammock Botanical State Park. And yes we scored there too, an endangered FL animal trio carved by MooPoo.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

2010-12-07T16:10:00.000-08:00

Fort Taylor has the best beach in Key West although we didn't dip our toes in it today. There is plenty to do here besides swim...Tour the fort, hike the trails, enjoy the views. You would think the place would be packed but we were maybe 3 of 10 people in the whole place.

10, Ten, One Zero, Diez, Tien, Ti, Dieci, Dix...

2010-12-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

December 7, 2010
Mason is 10 today!

The perfect ending to a perfect day, Mallory Square at sunset. Last b-day gift of the day... My Boy Blue invited Jon to join him in his acrobatic juggling fire act.
See slide show titled Mallory Square.

Polydactyl Cats, Southern Most Point & Cemetery

2010-12-06T19:37:00.000-08:00

Hemingway's former Key West home is home to approximately fifty descendants of his cats (about half of which are polydactyl),they were everywhere! You are not allowed to pick them up but scritches and scratches are happily accepted.

Maybe an odd tourist destination but the KW cemetery is full of history and is unusual in that because the area is so close to sea level, burials are done above ground.

Looe Key

2010-12-05T18:21:00.000-08:00

Quick change of plan...The weather looking not so hot this week and the best (warmest) day being forecast was today. Flexible we are so we headed south to Looe Key from Key Largo to take advantage of balmier December temps.

The good news was the sun was shining but it was a bit choppy, 1-2 ft seas and a bit cool. We snorkeled the first reef location but not the second, we were so exhausted from the first. Frankly the boat ride was the best part but snorkeling/diving is best done in the heat of the summer if you ask me.

Kokomo

2010-12-04T04:20:00.000-08:00

Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go...

Fort Christmas

2010-11-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

Fort Christmas Florida; home to a full size replica of Fort Christmas and seven restored historical "cracker" homes.
The houses are interpreted to show pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Key theme here is laundry, I wonder if the boy would be so enthusiastic if this was for real?

2ND Seminole War Reenactment. The Second Seminole War, also known as the Florida War, was a conflict from 1835 to 1842 in FL between the Seminoles and the United States.

Saving the best one for last...Don't normally snap pics of the privy but check out the bowl to the left of the "bowl". Hallelujah but am I ever blessed to have been born after the invention of the modern loo roll.

Melbourne

2010-11-14T18:20:00.001-08:00

We started out the day at the site of our first canoe date; Turkey Creek Sanctuary in Melbourne...Love love love this park and bonus tip, a really cool letterbox is here too. We really wanted to spot a sea cow, but no luck today...That's OK though, there is always the next time and we are coming back soon.

A sandy frolic on Melbourne Beach and a slice from Bizarros finished up Jon's trip down memory lane. Same beach, different memories for me....First time I ever came here (with Heather like 15 years ago), someone stole my favorite cut off jean shorts while we were swimming. The car keys were in the pocket.

39

2010-11-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

My honey's b-day today and the destination was Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. 140,000 acres so we didn't see it all but we sure gave it a shot.

Phooey, no manatee or gator sightings but we didn't feel gypped, this is just a beautiful place to spend a few hours with your favorite people soaking up the nature.

No day trip is complete without stamping in somewhere...We were in Titusville so we stopped at Veterans Memorial Park (which is directly next to Space View Park) and snagged a rather clever one...Lift Off! Look between the noggins of my 2 favorite guys and you can see the VAB across the water.

My birth certificate says Swindal

2010-11-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

Shirley Swindal, Jon Swindal, Chris Swindal, Mason Swindal

Five Scrubs

2010-11-05T19:41:00.001-07:00

After 5 scrubs 5 days in a row, Uncle Chris & Cousin Shirley decided to call it quits and return to their respective homes in CT & AL. Before heading back home though, time to squeeze in one more tourist attraction. No, not the mouse house but the Veterans Memorial Center right here in lil ole Merritt Island.

KSC field trip with Uncle Chris

2010-11-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Been a decade (or 2) since Uncle Chris has visited this area so the boy volunteered to be his personal tour guide. It's the Space Coast so only natural that the adventure begin with Kennedy Space Center.

Saturn 5, at the Saturn 5 Center, KSC.

View of Pad 39A in the background from the VIP area of Saturn 5 center.

October and at the beach...

2010-10-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yes you heard me right all you peoples with your flannel sheets and the heat turned on... October 11 and we were at the beach, not just there but actually in the water.
That wasn't the original plan though. Woke this morning to beautiful, clear and sunny skies so we decided to head east and enjoy some playing in the sand fun.

But then the lure of the surf called on me and into the drink I went. So happy to have listened to that inner child like voice. The water and waves were so grand and before we knew it, 2 hours had passed. Ahhh, I love Florida in the fall!

Working the ropes

2010-09-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

Wonderworks in Orlando has a ropes challenge course that is guaranteed to make a grown woman cry. In my defense the thing is 3 stories high, 36 feet off the ground!

And for the record...I did work the ropes for all of about 5 minutes before the fear of hanging myself on those same ropes became too overwhelming.

Sebastian Inlet State Park

2010-09-18T14:46:00.001-07:00

Sebastian Inlet has quite the reputation for surfing so we nabbed the surfboards and made the trek. Thank goodness the boy looks after his mommas weak heart and took one look at the waves and said "no thank you". Jon declined getting his surfboard wet as well but did make a journey with the boogie board. No pics of that but yes he took on some big air and the leash broke too!

One second you are standing in ankle deep surf, the next you were swept off your feet, this was some strong surf!

WNC Nature Center

2010-09-08T17:43:00.001-07:00

Nibbles the ground hog, he was sooooo cute!

We have visited a fair amount of Nature Centers but this nature center in West North Carolina was really a miniature zoo of NC indigenous animals that was very well done.

Oconaluftee Indian Village (Cherokee N.C.)

2010-09-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Loved this living history museum of life in a Cherokee village in the mid 1750's.

The seven-sided Council House where the seven clans of the Cherokee Nation gathered.
Blue, Long Hair, Bird, Paint, Deer, Wild Potato and Wolf. We sat with the Deer clan

There were some beautiful weavings to admire but these belts really caught my attention. They had been woven from bison hair and according to our guide this was the first time in over 150 years that a Cherokee had used the material. He introduced us to the woman who had made them and she spoke with us on how she had taught herself this long and almost lost art.

Cherokee pottery is all thrown by hand, no wheels here! This industrious woman is finishing an elegant little pot; hard to see from the photo but she is rubbing it all over with a stone to give it a shiny finish which will also waterproof the pot as well.

Zeb Vance Birthplace

2010-08-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

Another day of exploring in North Carolina, this area is so rich in history! One of our stops today...The birthplace of Zeb Vance. A nice bonus was stamping in with a carving of ole Zeb himself!

http://www.nchistoricsites.org/vance/main.htm

Mars Hill North Carolina

2010-08-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

Since moving from CT, letterboxing has taken a huge backseat and I sure have missed it...

Heritage Cabin

Isaiah found the prize!

Mars Ascendant

Watauga Lake Elizabethan TN

2010-08-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Even though we were forewarned with a 32.7642% chance of rain we decided to risk it and throw all caution to the wind and were totally blessed with sunny skies! Which lasted for about 2 hours before the 5 hours of rain which came in increments of mist and downpour. But hey we were wet anyways and then the last 2 hours were fantastic!

So worth it rain or shine...the backdrop of Watauga Lake, nestled inbetween the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest in NE Tennessee provided the most stunning of vista's!

Lake Okeechobee

2010-08-14T16:06:00.001-07:00

Haven't been to the Big O in 32 years so it was time...Mason had an airboat ride this summer over on Lake Mary and complained it wasn't long enough. Jon has never been on an airboat. Well if you want to go on a safari do you go to Illinois? OK, it's not the Everglades but we only have approx 30 hours to get the job done, Lake Okeechobee here we come!

Side trip to the Smithsonian

2010-08-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

We drive through DC on the way home so no good reason to not stop and the boy has been asking to see the Hope Diamond. Why, we don't know, he saw it a few years ago but doesn't remember. Anyways a visit to one (or two) of the Smithsonian museums is always a blast and an easy enough request to fulfill!

Mystic Seaport & Book Barn

2010-08-02T19:05:00.001-07:00

First stop Mystic Seaport, the weather was spectacular and the company grand! Mason, Seth & Haley practicing their waterproofing skills with hemp & tar (oakum).

Next stop...The Book Barn, the only bookstore I know where the kids love it just as much as the moms!

Perfect ending to a perfect day...Happy Birthday to me!

Salmon River

2010-07-25T14:30:00.000-07:00

Real Teamwork; Our future civil engineers Dante, Mason & Lucia moving mountains...

Gillette Castle

2010-07-24T18:40:00.001-07:00

A private little beach on the Connecticut River at the foot of Gillette's Castle next to the Chester Hadlyme Ferry. This was a blast from our past, I know Mason is only 9, but we spent many an afternoon on this beach when he was a little guy. Such wonderful memories this brought back...

Mystic Aquarium

2010-07-23T14:53:00.001-07:00

Mystic Aquarium packs a lot of punch for a small aquarium and the only way to make it better is to go with friends which we did. Thanks Deb & Zach, we love hanging with you guys and hey the price was right too!

Battle Track "Jousting"

2010-07-23T14:52:00.001-07:00

Battle Track Jousting and yes they were keeping score!
1pt for reaching the center, 2pt for damage, 3pt for knock off...

Mashantucket Pequot Museum

2010-07-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

If you ever get the opportunity to visit this museum, do so. This is a well done Native American museum, actually the best I have ever visited.
http://www.pequotmuseum.org/

Polar Bear Challenge

2010-07-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Day 4 of Lego Camp and Jonathan presented the Polar Bear Challenge as follows: 1. Drive in 2. Move Iceberg 3. Lift/move bear 4. Transport bear out of area. All the kids killed the bear, but hey, it was fun trying!

Blue Springs 2010

2010-06-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

Only six more months and Mason will be eligible for the Padi Jr certification...But he is so ready now!

Marineland, St Augustine and Santa Claus

2010-06-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

With Jon in WA, Mason and I are having to entertain ourselves so we spent our 1st Saturday apart sightseeing up the east coast. First stop Marineland...We did not do any of the interactive programs but were fortunate enough that while we were there 3 of the programs were going on and we experienced it through those good folks.

Marineland sits on an absolute pristine beach...Cool trivia; the oceanarium was rebuilt a few years ago but the over 70 year old water exchange system that runs invisibly under this unspoiled beach still works perfectly.

After leaving Marineland we drove north up A1A to Fort Matanzas National Monument. First things first though, the big draw here is not necessarily the fort but the larger than life trees that beg to be climbed and any kid worth his salt will not pass up!

A short ferry cruise carries us over to the fort.

Getting up and down is a snug proposition to say the least!

Your reward for the tight scale is a spectacular view of the wild barrier island.

Time for lunch and where else but the Florida Cracker Cafe, Mason loves their fried gator bites.

Turns out there was a Santa convention going on and everywhere you looked there was "Santa" so we visited with quite a few, each one insisting that they were the REAL Santa Claus! That and an ice cream for dessert made for a fine ending to our day.

Never say never...

2010-05-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

It's been years since I have been requested to make Ants On A Log, so I figured I would NEVER make those again. But just when you think they have become too 'big', the kid throws you a bone and you get to relive and enjoy for just a few minutes at least, one of those precious toddler moments from the past.

Palm Beach, enclave of the wealthy...

2010-05-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

No we didn't unearth a long lost buried cache of gold in the garden, we just spent a fun weekend in West Palm Beach. Started at the Palm Beach Gardens Hilton; $99 a night and that included the best breakfast buffet of which I savored every second of the tummy ache from overindulgence. First stop, Lion Country Safari, it was OK, but even with a found Internet coupon not worth the $$$. Skip it unless the ostrich is your thing.
Next stop John D. MacArthur Beach State Park:

Oh my golly, what a spectacular park and beach; to get to the beach you have to walk across a 1600 foot long bridge over the estuary to get to it...a great way to burn off our morning breakfast.

And being as this is the beginning of turtle nesting season here in FLorida we ended with a visit to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Check out their website if you have a few minutes to burn, they have a turtle cam.

Cousins

2010-05-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

We had a new member of the family join us this year for the 2nd Annual DeLaney-Swindal Aquatica Meet up...Hey AJ! What a great way to spend a 91 degree day in the middle of May, we just love this park!

Word Spring Discovery and Jesus Film Project

2010-04-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Two for one field trip with our h'schl group today...We started out at the Word Spring Discovery Center at the Wycliffe Bible Translators and finished with the Jesus Film Project down the street at the Campus Crusades for Christ headquarters. Still trying to wrap my head around all the incredible information we soaked up today.

Like there are approx 6000 languages in the world today and only 429 of them have a complete bible. Over 90% of the languages are spoken by maybe 6% of the world’s population, which tells us that there are hundreds of languages with only a few speakers. English is #3 in terms of most spoken, Chinese Mandarin is #1, with Spanish placing at #2.

The "JESUS" film has been translated into more than 1,000 languages! Which makes it the most translated and also the most-watched motion picture of all time.

"He is risen; he is not here." -- Mark 16:6

2010-04-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday...a day of honoring and recognizing Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead and His glorious promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him.

And for the child with untrustworthy parents... a pair of Rear View Spy Glasses to keep the little sneaks from coming up behind and plundering candy from inexperienced said child.

12 years of wedded bliss

2010-03-20T18:44:00.001-07:00

Lemonade Stand

2010-03-20T18:42:00.001-07:00

Our HOA had a community tag sale and Mason took that opportunity to go into business for himself for the day. I don't think he will do it again any time soon but he was proud to be able to sit back and say "I did it".

The one that didn't get away...

2010-03-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

After all the oohs and aahs he was put back where he belonged, no worse for the wear other than the extra hole in his lip.

Tree of Life

2010-01-28T20:36:00.001-08:00

The Tree of Life is the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom...Inside is the "It's Tough To Be a Bug" theatre that brings you face to face and smell to smell with bugs, spiders and other creepy crawlies that WILL get your attention!

Electro Magnet

2010-01-25T15:44:00.000-08:00

Mason went to a Mr Science class today where the theme was electricity and magnets and the kids were sent home with a AAA battery and a nail wrapped with wire. Didn't take long to drain that AAA and the next time I looked the boy had filched a C from somewhere? Looked up again and a light switch was attached...OK, science is making me nervous now that items are disappearing from walls and remotes.

EPCOT

2010-01-21T19:01:00.001-08:00

Happy New Years Eve!

2009-12-31T20:30:00.001-08:00

And no better way to spend it than at the beach, especially since Santa left a surfboard under the tree!

Boys and their toys

2009-12-31T20:27:00.001-08:00

War of the RC helicopters!

Alex, I'll take 'What Is Pearl Harbor Day' for $1000

2009-12-07T03:55:00.000-08:00

Answer...Mason's birthday!

Best place to spend your last single digit b-day? Why the happiest place on earth, Magic Kingdom!
Now about that last single digit b-day...How can I explain being so happy and proud of each step you make towards independence and then eventually adulthood, while simultaneously being so incredibly sad about my baby growing up?

Armadillos and their foot fetishes...

2009-11-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

This little guy loved my toes! Didn't take it personal though, according to the zoo keeper at Brevard Zoo, their armadillos like to lick toes. Ok, but it freaked me out, I didn't like it at all!

Yes, that is a Puffer Fish.

2009-11-29T18:14:00.000-08:00

Good for your fish tank, but not for your dinner table...It was however the only thing we were getting from the Indian River, one puffer fish after another.

Bones!

2009-11-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the final performance of Bones, a Kids Klub production that told the story of the prophet Ezekiel and his vision of the Valley of Dry Bones.

Mason played one of the Israelites, Rabbi Levi, what can I say, proud stage momma that I am, he was wonderful in his role!

No pic's due to the lack of lighting but for Ezekiel's 3rd vision, several of the kids wore black outfits that were embellished with white skeletons, the rest of the kids wore white gloves, all the lights went off and all the black lights went on and it was the most amazing choreographed scene, this really was a cool play!

World's Largest Logbook

2009-11-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

Mason became a Young Eagle today and had his name permanently entered in the World's Largest Logbook!

38 years ago today...Happy Birthday Baby!

2009-11-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

What do you get a guy who has the perfect wife and child? Easy, have him take his first vacation day in over a year, make him his favorite breakfast of bacon, eggs & fried potatoes, then head out for a midday round of putt putt golf.

The nice thing about putt putt is a 8 year old can and will beat the pants off his parents.

Then finish the afternoon off eating a delish lunch and b-day cake on the pier followed by a show of local surfers catching some waves!

How much can one owl eat?

2009-11-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

Mason dissected and identified the contents of an owl pellet with some of his h'schl buddies today...his pellet contained the remains of a shrew and a rodent.

St Augustine...again

2009-10-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Can't help it, we adore St Augustine and when we had the opportunity to camp with some h'schl friends we jumped at the chance. Campground was Anastasia State Park. Now folks I have camped at some really outstanding parks but this one makes my top 3. The beach is breathtaking and just an all around beautiful place to stay. Can't wait to go back!

Mason with a friend walking the moat at Castillo de San Marcos.

Jon & Mason wading at the beach at Anastasia State Park.

Jon & Mason atop Fort Matanzas, this was a first for us, we had never been to Fort Matanzas. What a best kept secret, we will go again.

Raising a well-rounded, self-sufficient man...

2009-10-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

Mason has the part of Rabbi Levi in the latest Kids Klub production, "Bones" and he wanted to help make his costume. Sure thing! Sewing teaches a skill that all boys need in their repertoire.

Dog Days....

2009-10-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

Mason has been patiently waiting for the new Wimpy Kid book to come out and we havn't heard a peep from him since he got his copy.

Violin

2009-09-30T19:23:00.001-07:00

After requesting violin lessons for the past 5 years, Mason is now getting his wish and he started lessons with Miss Holly this month. According to her...he just may end up being pretty good at it too. See good things do come to those who wait!

Hair today... gone tomorrow

2009-08-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

It was all Mason's idea...but I think it may have had much to do with his hair always getting tangled up in his goggle & mask straps. No matter, handsome with or without the locks!

Leaving New Hampshire...

2009-08-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

Our last day in New Hampshire was also the warmest. As we headed home on the Kancamagus Highway we stopped for a fun game of putt putt that made everybody happy... The kids were sooo hiked out!

World's worse weather!

2009-08-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

Mt Washington New Hampshire, Aug 23...Started out sunny and warm, turning into cool and misty, followed by foggy rain which morphed into downright rain, ending with sunny but slightly overcast skies and warm/cool breezes.
That was some crazy a** weather is all I can say but in the end perfect for a hike!

It's My Birthday!

2009-08-02T07:55:00.001-07:00

And I got to spend it with my favorite people in the whole world!

The day started out with breakfast in bed and ended with a 'feast' at Medievel Times. Halfway through Mason leaned over and whispered in my ear that this was my best birthday ever! Well what's not to love, you get to eat with your hands and watch men fight...

Two of the most impressive things for me about the entire evening was the level of expertise these people really had. These folks display some really excellent horsemanship both in terms of riding, and how well the horses were trained.

The other thing I thought was pretty impresive was the falcon trainer. He put on a display of how they train the falcon and what it was used for back in medieval times.

As the competition progressed, our knight was really kicking some butt. When they got to hand to hand combat, our knight got the sign to ‘take a fall’. While we were disappointed that he didn’t win, we were proud of the effort he put forth for his Lords and Ladies seated at Table 10 in the Black and White section.

The Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar

2009-08-01T07:08:00.001-07:00

Isn't she lovely! The picture does not do this baby justice, this particular Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar was about 5-6 inches long, hard to miss. At the time we had no idea what kind of caterpillar this was so we only touched with our eyes but turns out she will become a moth with a 5 inch wing span.

We passed Miss Hickory on our way down to the spring, Blue Spring that is. A 72 degree pure, beautiful & natural swimming hole on the St Johns river. This park is popular and we heard they fill to capacity early and have to turn folks away on weekends. So Jon took Friday off and it was a perfect day to go. Hot enough day to enjoy some snorkeling in the spring but we didn't know to bring water shoes and the rocks were just too much for our softie feet so we didn't spend as much time in the water as we would have liked. Even so Blue Springs is an awesome state park and we are looking forward to returning. Maybe this winter...Blue Springs is a favorite wintering spot for manatees.

Weeki Wachee Springs

2009-07-18T03:36:00.001-07:00

We made the trek over to the west coast to vist one of my old stomping grounds and I am pleased to say that even though the state of Florida has taken over, it's still as kitschy as ever! After catching The Little Mermaid show we headed down to the springs where Jon was brave enough to submerge himself in the 74 degree, beautiful & clear spring.

Fives times is the charm!

2009-07-15T17:03:00.001-07:00

After scrubbing 4 times Endeavor finally made her way and Clairia finally got to see a shuttle launch. The kids stopped surfing long enough to watch, barely. Rather cloudy but there was no mistaking the shuttle and then of course there is the rumble, the best part in my book!

Happy Independence Day!

2009-07-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

Our 4th of July started off with a driveway bang because way back in October as we made our way to Florida, a much anticipated shopping spree was put into action at South of the Border, hehehe, I can still see us trying to stuff already packed cars with our Ancient Chinese booty!

We ended our evening on Cocoa Beach with the real thing...and I am reminded of this classic yet timely quote from John F Kennedy; “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

KSC Space Campers

2009-07-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to 2 sets of very generous grandparents Mason and Clairia were campers at the Kennedy Space Center this past week. They absolutely loved it and want to go back again next week!

Turn up the volume for the short video, it's a catchy tune and in case you want to sing along here are the lyrics...Climb aboard the spaceship, We're going to the moon, Hurry up, get ready, We're going to blast off soon, Put on your helmet, Buckle up real tight, Here comes the countdown, Count with all your might! 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 BLAST OFF!

Want to feel young and active...

2009-06-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

Take your grandbabies to the beach!

Uncle, Nieces, Nephew & Cousins

2009-06-08T04:27:00.001-07:00

From left to right; Mason, Clairia, Bubba and Sadie, all relaxing after a long day on the road!

St Augustine, Jax, Orlando

2009-05-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

We have been in Florida for 6 months now with no vaca so a little R&R was called for. A big plus...my brother and his family joined us for the 2ND & 3RD leg of the trip and we had a GREAT time! First stop in St Augustine was the San Sebastian Winery and yes you can bring the kids. We skipped the rather generous looking wine tasting at the end because we were driving but I highly recommend this free and very educational tour. A cool fact...The Spaniards made wine from Muscadine grapes 150 years before the first chardonnay were planted in California. Muscadine is the only grape indigenous to the United States and only grows in the southern half of it. The kegs in the background behind Mason in the above picture are aging port. But there is an interesting story to those kegs. A law put on the books (and still on the books today) meant to keep coopers in business was that whiskey makers were not allowed to reuse their oak barrels, so they sell them and wineries are one of their biggest customers. Next stop was the Colonial Spanish Quarter. Even though small compared to it's New England living museum counterparts, this little 1740's gem packed a punch. Check out the shelf suspended over the table, aptly called a rat shelf...not necessarily for rats though, all kinds of varmints were a problem. Cooking, if done indoors, was done on a fogon, a mediterranean-type stove. No chimney, you just moved a few boards on the roof to let the smoke waft thru.

Sunday we hit the Jacksonville Zoo for the day. We had heard that Jax Zoo was a biggun and that was no lie! Took a full 3 hours to see everything and we really didn't linger in any one spot or take any breaks.

Our budding cinematographer had 79 pics and assorted videos on his camera, very difficult to pick out just 2 but elephants and flamingos are always worthy of some extra exposure.

Sunday we headed to Orlando and spent the day at Aquatica, what a great waterpark, one of the best in our opinion. The day was beautiful, warm enough to spend most of your time in the water but not too hot to be miserable. Our sunscreen was right on too, after 9 hours of fun & sun, none of us took a burn!

A Day In My Life Of Maehem

Ewww, what did you step in?

Day Tripping (January 8 2011)

Barberville Pioneer Settlement

USS Ponce (LPD 15) amphibious transport dock ship

Thursday Adventures

Cumberland Island GA, September 14 2011

Jekyll Island GA, September 12 2011

Shedding of the old...

Bow NH

DIANA'S BATHS

Mount Washington NH 2011

The Fat Floridian vs Eagle Mountain

Crawford Notch

Two Rivers

Museum of Natural History

Watauga Lake; worth moving to Tennessee for...

Handsome feller, ain't he?

It's Cool In The Furnace

Rain Barrel Workshop

Volusia County Trifecta

Fort Christmas

Family Ties

Battle at Narcoossee Hill

Birds Eye View

OV-103 Discovery - Final Mission

Shadow Bay Park

CT/FL Express

*S*N*O*W*

Whee!

Cracker Christmas in Kissimmee

The wild side of Blue Springs

Everglades National Park

Big Pine Key and Key Deer

John Pennecamp & Dagney Johnson

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

10, Ten, One Zero, Diez, Tien, Ti, Dieci, Dix...

Polydactyl Cats, Southern Most Point & Cemetery

Looe Key

Kokomo

Fort Christmas

Melbourne

39

My birth certificate says Swindal

Five Scrubs

KSC field trip with Uncle Chris

October and at the beach...

Working the ropes

Sebastian Inlet State Park

WNC Nature Center

Oconaluftee Indian Village (Cherokee N.C.)

Zeb Vance Birthplace

Mars Hill North Carolina

Watauga Lake Elizabethan TN

Lake Okeechobee

Side trip to the Smithsonian

Mystic Seaport & Book Barn

Salmon River

Gillette Castle

Mystic Aquarium

Battle Track "Jousting"

Mashantucket Pequot Museum

Polar Bear Challenge

Blue Springs 2010

Marineland, St Augustine and Santa Claus

Never say never...

Palm Beach, enclave of the wealthy...

Cousins

Word Spring Discovery and Jesus Film Project

"He is risen; he is not here." -- Mark 16:6

12 years of wedded bliss

Lemonade Stand

The one that didn't get away...

Tree of Life

Electro Magnet

EPCOT

Happy New Years Eve!

Boys and their toys

Alex, I'll take 'What Is Pearl Harbor Day' for $1000

Armadillos and their foot fetishes...

SN*OW