Family Vacation

 

Group photo minus the Weaver Hickerson family on our vacation Summer 2014.

 

Clay was in Savannah for work this week so we had loaded up the truck and hitched up the camper before he left to make it easier on me to head out and pick him up.  The dogs and I caught up with Clay off the interstate in Statesboro and kept trucking.

 

Lily enjoyed riding in Clay's seat but quickly got put in the back seat.

 

Killer was cool as a cucumber sitting on Clay's folded up cooler and smiling with her head cocked almost the entire trip.

 

We arrived around 7:30 to Faver-Dykes State Park  and got set up in site #21 which would be our new home for the next 4 days.  We had read online that ticks would be a problem so we made certain to treat the dogs prior to the trip and stocked up on bug spray.  We were pleased that although the sites are fairly close the trees and vines made each site seem more private.

 

We drove down to the dock to see where we would go kayaking later in the stay and what a gorgeous view on Pellicer Creek.

 

Our site was large and shady and included 30amp and water hookup, there was a dump station by the bathhouse.  We did end up with a lot of sand in the camper, it is difficult to keep it out especially with 2 doggies in and out.

 

During the day Clay and I would head over the Palm Coast and hang out with the family.  Little Norah is growing so fast and it was great to get to see her!  

 

We kidnapped mom a few times for outings.

 

We tried paddleboarding for our first outing.  We rented them at Tropical Kayaks and headed out onto the inter-coastal waterway.  Mom and I were paddleboarding and Clay had his kayak and amusement watching us.  We both took a tumble in the first couple of minutes but got back up and each time was easier.

 

We had a great time, but it is definitely a work out!  I can see a paddleboard purchase in my future.  Not sure how that will work on our river trips but would be great for lake paddling.

 

On the way back to the campground we stopped at Princess Place Preserve at the suggestion of the lady from Tropical Kayaks. This place was fascinating, there were no tours offered that day but we peeked in the windows and walked the grounds.  We saw the nation's first in-ground swimming pool feed by and artesian spring which was still spilling water over the sides.

 

Clay tried to pump us some "unsafe for drinking" water at the youth campground in Faver-Dykes park but he only got brown water to come out.

 

I got to frolic in the ocean in front of the family condo in Palm Coast.  

 

Johannah and Scott taking a walk down the beach at sunset.

 

We met everyone in Flagler Beach after dinner and went down the pier with Mema.  She got to see some fishermen catch a baby shark that mom held and a jellyfish getting swept along by the waves.  We also scoped out the beach since it was listed as a dog friendly one and we planned on taking the pooches there in the morning.

One of the most fun outings was kayaking on Pellicer Creek. We headed out with a sprinkle which was cooling and welcome.  Clay went fishing from his boat and caught a catfish and redfish, both too small to keep but good enough to make him happy.  Mom and I kayaked up into some of the marshy areas looking at egrets and  crabs.  These "grasshoppers" kept hopping out of the reeds and one landed in the boat and we realized the "grasshoppers" were shrimp.  Who knew shrimp jumped?

We even saw a couple of alligators which is why Lily wasn't able to go with us.  We can't keep Lily in the boat so we have to leave her at home where there are gators in the water.

 

Peaceful!

 

We got up our last morning and took the dogs to Flagler Beach.  Several blocks either was from the piers the beach is dog friendly.  Unfortunately, there aren't any water hoses or spigots to wash the sand off before getting back in the vehicle so we learned to bring a gallon of fresh water next time. 

 

Lily had a blast, she chased her fancy ball around and I even let her off the leash to chase it.  Shhh...don't tell.  She was so happy.  We went out into the water and let her swim she hopped over waves and body-surfed like a champ.  Killer wasn't as thrilled but she settled down sitting in the surf with Clay.  We wore the dogs out and headed back to break down camp.  We got sprinkled on again while packing up which at least kept it cool.  We headed out and took the leisurely drive home up A1A.