Adventures with Grandparents

This whole spring, Jason has been very busy finishing up his dissertation. This has meant staying at work late on weeknights and disappearing for long hours on the weekend. While the girls and I can manage on our own, it has been fun inviting Grandma and Popop along for various adventures as we've tried to entertain ourselves while Jason dissertates. We usually pick something outdoors, like a hike that's not too long with interesting features to keep the girls entertained, and head out in the morning.

Back in April, we headed out to Occoneechee Race Track for a bit of a hike. Though the weather was a bit chillier than we expected (and we had not dressed all that warmly), we had a fun time exploring the track and talking with the girls about the history of the place. Who knew Orange County, NC was once a hot bed of the racing world?! And the best part was heading up to a favorite local Mexican restaurant (closed in our neck of the woods due to a fire a while back) for lunch afterwards!

the map, so you can get an idea. we basically just walked the track.

heading down the old grandstand to the track

posing in front of the old starting line

the girls line up for treats from Popop

H grabbed the camera and insisted on taking my picture

The Eno River runs parallel to one side of the track, with several access pts. H wanted to document this. A man we met did not recommend swimming here, due to a sewage plant located close by upstream!

H took E's picture by one of the turn signs.

 At the beginning of May, we headed out to the West Point on the Eno for some exploration and water play. The girls were intrigued by the old buildings - Hayden really wanted to go into the one with the History of Photography exhibit, but it wasn't opened till the afternoon. It was fun to visit this area without the big Festival for the Eno going on; the spaces looked so different! The girls got their feet wet in the river, we did a little bit of hiking thru the woods, and even found a really cool teepee. Hayden will be doing a camp here this summer and I'm really excited to see how it goes.

checking out the old stuff/building

buttercups! (grip tightly or they slip!)

dipping toes in

pretty water over rocks

Even Blizzard got to come this time!

Checking out the view over the dam. What are they watching?....

Two chocolate labs having a BLAST chasing sticks into the water!

a little rock climbing (Popop took the long way around...)

the teepee we discovered in the woods!

This was the trip near Cinco de Mayo. We even let Jason meet us for lunch this time!

Our most recent trip we headed out to Jordan Lake to try and find a good beach spot for summer time visits. We went to one that had a short hiking trail that was accessible from the parking lot so we hiked first (just a mile) and then hit the playground and the beach. Despite cloudy weather, the girls had a great time playing in the water and the sand. We even managed a picnic lunch!We have been so lucky to have Grandma and Popop close by to join us on our adventures!

Heading off on the hike - wait for me!

a gorgeous old tree along the trail

find a bench? pose for a picture (with the map of course!)

somebody was being mean, and wouldn't pick up Molly

hand holding to make it to the finish line

playground by the lake

Aaaahhhh.... I'm slipping....!

tire swing by the lake

all suited up and headed into the water

splish splash!

somebody got cold really quick! (and someone else was really tired from the hike!)

Grandma snuggles warm you right up!

H even managed to make a drip castle.

Who knows where we will head next?!