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.  

Lemon Cake

 

I tried a new Pinterest recipe today for a Lemon Blossom Cake.  Clay is having some work folks over for dinner tonight I needed to try out a cake to take to my job next Thursday so I baked this beauty.  I mixed 2 parts of the recipe by covering the bottom layer with the glaze and then icing the cake also.  I haven't gotten to try it yet, waiting on everyone to get here tonight, so I will have to update this post later.

 

I took this picture after I glazed the first layer.  The glaze was a little thin and too runny, I think I may have added too much lemon juice.

 

 

I brought in some gardenia blossoms and butterfly bush blossoms to bring some garden beauty inside.

 

We aren't really sure if the bees are going to be ok.  We did a hive inspection 3 days ago and didn't see any larvae or eggs.  There were plenty of bees and lots of honey and pollen, we also saw what looked to be a queen cell and lots of drone bees coming and going.  We are wondering if our queen has died and they have made another one, we will have to wait and see.  I looked at the outside of the hive today and there were lots of bees coming and going and there were bees in the super we added on top but they have not filled out any of the new frames.

 

Our magnolia tree grew a blossom this year, we have GOT to get this baby in the yard  in the fall.  

 

Mother's Day Weekend

 

Friday we drove down to Statesboro to celebrate Mother's Day with Clay's mom. We tried a new restaurant, South & Vine Public House.  We started with ceviche which was delicious, I had scallops with angel hair, bacon and mushrooms which was a treat!  The place was packed...thanks to the combo of the holiday and Georgia Southern's graduation weekend.  The service was really stellar though especially considering how busy they were.

 

Killer and Lily went with us to Clay's mom's  house and they played and played.  Lily ate several chewy bones, got scared by the flashlight, smelled Jefferson the cat, and sniffed out critters in the yard.  Killer was content sitting with Clay's mom, eating lots of people food, and hoarding her chipmunks.

 

Saturday morning  Lily and I got up and went for a walk.  The weather was beautiful!  Wild blackberries were growing all along the side of the road but I didn't have anything to put them in so I picked up a random beer 12 pack that was just laying there.  I was surprised when I saw there was a black widow inside (Clay just got bitten by a black widow at home recently),  I slung it out and smooshed it, and then I used it to put berries in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday evening we went to Dudley and had Mother's Day dinner with mom, Mema, Johnannah, and Scott.  Sunday we actually were able to sleep late, even Lily slept in.  She and I went for a walk when we got up.  Then it was housework time and I went to weed and water the garden.

 

Puppy Shenanigans

 

Killer and Lily roughhousing.

 

They are ready to go.  Killer got herself all wiggled down behind the luggage so she could sit up straight.  They were not happy when we only went about 5 miles and dropped them off at the Vet.  Lily got spayed while we were gone.  Clay had his conference in Hiawassee and the cabin wasn't pet friendly. 

 

Lily has decided she loves the bathtub.  She gets in now whenever we go in the bathroom and looks all expectant...like "hey! where is the water?"  Luckily she hasn't figured out how to turn on the water but I am sure that is coming.

 

She loves to keep her toenails clean.

 

After it rained last week, Lily dug a hole in the clay in the yard then hopped into bed and on me in the bed.  These are the days that Lily gets called "red devil" instead of Lily.  

 

If my frisbee throwing skills would improve, I think that she could catch it already.  She does still fetch it though.

 

She is growing so fast, she is a little over 30lbs now.  Also, she is getting too big for the dog door so we are going to have to put in a larger one.

 

It was so cold one day recently and Lily was shivering a little so I put on one of Chico's old sweatshirts. She was not sure about it.

 

Sometimes, Lily has run around enough and decides to lay down and sleep right next to you on your pillow, sometimes she wants to dog-hug you while doing this.

 

Other times she chills out with Clay and watches television.