Puerto Rico Day #4 - Caraboli

This is probably Keagan’s favorite day trip of the week. Some people vacation for rest and relaxation, and we do that, too, but there has to be something new, something exciting, something fun. What teen boy doesn’t like the combination of mud, water, and ATVs? Keagan loved today’s adventure! Evan didn’t really wake up until an hour into the ride, as seen in this photo,

We took ATVs down muddy trails through the rain forest and stopped several times to soak in the views and swim in the river. 

The rain forest is breathtaking! I wish I could enjoy the smell of the flowers and nature. 

One stop included fresh passion fruit juice and chicken on a stick. This was great because it had been 90 minutes since Keagan’s last meal and it was time for him to refuel. 

I wish we would have had this pic taken with no masks, but masks, unfortunately, are mandated here in Puerto Rico. 

We had tacos for lunch, picked up pastries at the panderia for dessert, and returned home for a siesta, reading, and FIFA. 

A night cap of coquito, a distant fireworks show, and all is well. 

Merry Christmas Eve!

The Real World

We tried our best to escape the real world as much as possible in the last two weeks. Then today the first soccer friendly was announced, the first tournament was written on the calendar, the media festival project ideas were finally agreed upon, my spring semester class begins Wednesday, the car needs serviced, and science fair projects still need to be done. Don't forget basketball; the first game is on Monday, our first full day back home. 

I will remember our walks on the beach, bike rides through the neighborhood, and our cruise with the dolphins with special fondness.

Be nice to us, Real World, as we reacquaint ourselves with you.

Salt Water Marshes

When we first moved to the South, I didn't understand the beauty that the locals found with the salt water marshes. It just seemed like mud and grass to me. I have since learned to appreciate the mud and grass a little more... that is as long as the smell of the marsh remains undetected. Otherwise, I avoid it at all costs.

Today we toured a salt marsh, an odor free salt marsh. It was low tide and the boys were able to find crabs, oysters, grass shrimp, and

periwinkle snails. Our guide told us that the vibrations of our voices would entice the snails out of their shells. So we sang Happy Birthday to the snails with them next to our voices boxes. It actually worked!

The boys thought my idea of touring the salt water marsh earned me a Mom of the Year award. I fully recognize that these days are numbered so I cherished today's smiles and adoration.

The Beach

We are spending the last few days of vacation at one of the most beautiful places in the Low Country, Hilton Head. I saw the sand and sea and became so giddy with excitement that I began to run to the beach. This speaks volumes because running hasn't been a part of my vocabulary since before the deployment.

I couldn't believe my luck when I saw a pod of dolphins playing just yards from me. 

This beats a trip to Orlando on any day.

The Europeans Ruined it for Me

I have never seen so many Europeans outside of Europe in my life. I think the entire country of Spain was at Universal today. What happened to Spain's crumbling economy? 

Either two things were going to happen today. Either I was going to punch a rude Spaniard in the face or suffer from frostbite. I don't know how I possibly suffered through the day without either occurring.

We did play some basketball, though, because this is not something we can do for free at our house. We are real adventuresome like that. The fun really began,  however, when the boys attempted a brief trash talking episode with three Spanish boys who were Heat fans. When the language barrier got us stuck with the Spanish saying "het" for "heat", the episode quickly ended. I tried to intervene by actually translating the trash talk into Spanish and one of the boys looked at me and said, "I don't speak English!" So I said in Spanish, "I am speaking Spanish; not English." and he said, "I don't speak English!"

My self-esteem was permanently damaged with this brief encounter.

I realize I could never live in Europe ever again. Too many Europeans. 

I am ready to go home.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

There seems to be a pattern with our holiday vacation plans and the weather. It is either snowing, tornadoes are ripping up cities on our tour, or it is raining. Today it poured on us!

The rain couldn't stop us, though. We made it to Harry Potter and experienced a ride like no other! Best of all, we only had to wait in line 90 minutes! I had high hopes that the rain would keep out the hundreds of thousands of other guests who planned to visit the park today. Unfortunately, the butter beer and magic wands were so enticing that even rain couldn't keep them away. I have never seen so many people in once place...EVER!

Wes says that after a day spent at an amusement park he feels like he just endured the Bataan death march. Since we were in bed by 9:00, I think it means we are just old.

Beach Weekend

Boardwalk Outside the Hotel We don't ever need a reason for a weekend at the beach, even if the temperature requires jeans and sweatshirts. However, this weekend, after our soccer games in Savannah, we drove to Disney's Hilton Head Resort to celebrate Evan's birthday. It was perfect, if for no other reason than I got to sleep for 10 hours straight and then nap all the way home.

Beach Weekend

Boardwalk Outside the Hotel

We don't ever need a reason for a weekend at the beach, even if the temperature requires jeans and sweatshirts. However, this weekend, after our soccer games in Savannah, we drove to Disney's Hilton Head Resort to celebrate Evan's birthday. It was perfect, if for no other reason than I got to sleep for 10 hours straight and then nap all the way home.

Weekend Travels

When we found out that Wes was going to deploy, we knew we needed to take a mini-vacation before he left for training. We chose Jekyll Island because nothing says relaxation and family time like the beach. We arrived and immediately hit the beach. We rented bikes and rode through the downtown area. Every time we visit the island we find something new. This weekend was no exception.

We went swimming in the heated pool that isn't really heated, and we took several naps. It was just what we all needed.

Dare we try a game of miniature golf? That's what next. Guess who got partnered with me? Pray that I survive another round of putt-putt.

Weekend Travels

When we found out that Wes was going to deploy, we knew we needed to take a mini-vacation before he left for training. We chose Jekyll Island because nothing says relaxation and family time like the beach. We arrived and immediately hit the beach. We rented bikes and rode through the downtown area. Every time we visit the island we find something new. This weekend was no exception.

We went swimming in the heated pool that isn't really heated, and we took several naps. It was just what we all needed.

Dare we try a game of miniature golf? That's what next. Guess who got partnered with me? Pray that I survive another round of putt-putt.

Surfing with the Dolphins

A day in the city does me good, but I love Savannah like no other American city.  I left yesterday wishing we could stay forever. For several months, I have wanted to take a boat out on the river and go dolphin watching. We did that yesterday, and I think it was probably the best thing that we have done since we have been here. 

We found a pod of dolphins right off Tybee that were busy playing, and we found them just as they decided to breech and perform tricks. The guide told us that in thirty years he had never seen the dolphins do that. The boys were so excited; Evan clapped and whistled with each jump. It was amazing - like Sea World meets the natural world. After idling in the water watching the dolphins, the guide turned up the engines so that we could see the dolphins surf with the waves from the boat.

Another perk of the trip, Evan got to hold the tooth from a megladon. Scientists studying artifacts and fossils dredged from the bottom of the Savannah River believe that this tooth came from a pre-historic shark that was 50 feet long.

We all returned to the dock promising that the proceeds from Wes's first military retirement check will go towards our own boat. The next six years cannot go by fast enough with that goal in mind.

We Almost Melted

The Farragh family vacation continued yesterday with a stop at one of the local forts. We were all looking longingly at the boats speeding up and down the Savannah River. I bet the ride in the boat was much more enjoyable than our walk in the 110 degree sun.

It was so hot the bugs decided to stay away. I guess that was a good thing, but with sweat running off of my elbows, the lack of bugs was never really acknowledged or celebrated. I did get a picture with all four grandkids looking at the camera, though. That was celebrated with lunch at Five Guys and some much needed AC.

We then visited a small aquarium on one of the local islands.

It was here, at the touch tank, that Mallory learned gentle means don't stick your finger into the shell of the crab to try to retrieve it. Poor crab.

Today the family returned to Texas, and it was especially hard to say good-bye to this little dear. Isn't Caroline just the cutest thing?

Sopadilla Bay at Chalk Sound

 It would not be a Toole vacation if we didn't take a rental car down a dirt path, and to maintain our adventuresome spirit we did just that today. We had to master driving on the left side of the road (well, Wes had to master this), and we had to manuever round abouts that made me dizzy. It took us a while to find the right dirt road, and after finally stopping a construction worker, we were on our way to pure bliss.

The water here at Turks and Caicos is the clearest and most beautiful that I have ever seen. The water is so blue that the sunlight is reflected off the water and back into the clouds so that the clouds hold the same aqua blue. I bet there is a scientific name given to this phenomenon because I know I read about how people from all over come here to study it, but because my knowledge of clouds is limited to cumulus and cirrus, I am really at a loss for anything more specific. Let me just say I have never seen it before and I think it is beautiful.

It is at this same bay that pirates shipwrecked thousands of years ago. They buried their treasures and left clues to the hidden loot with a map carved in the rocks, but the stash has never been found. The boys were so taken by this tidbit of information that they began their own search for jewels and gold coins.

We now have an entire collection of beach shells and rocks that contain hidden messages that only Evan and Keagan can decipher.

Snorkeling

There aren't too many really big waves here at TCI, but there is enough of a breeze for the boys to boogey board. However, the highlight of day two of our vacation, has been the snorkeling. Our hotel is located 20 feet from a coral reef that is home to hundreds of varieties of fish and turtles. Although we haven't seen a turtle, Evan has spotted puffer fish, decorated crab, and angelfish.

Keagan didn't take to the snorkeling on his first try, and after lots of pouting and tears, he finally solved the problem when he created a snorkel float that includes his boogey board and mask. 

After a two hour break (mandatory per me), the boys will be right back at it.

Summer Vacation

We made it to Turks and Caicos with only a few minor problems: no luggage and a rain shower. However, within a couple of hours, we were on the beach in swim suits and in the sun. With this view, though, it could rain all week and I think I would still be happy.

The Island

I could live here, forever. The trees, the moss, the ocean, the azaleas in bloom... it was beautiful and very peaceful. Of course, we would have to purchase a boat if we were that close to the water, and I would probably have to bathe in Off Deep Woods to keep the sand gnats at bay. Don't forget the mosquitoes - they are probably as big as the flies that swarm Hinesville in the summer. I am certain I saw wild hog tracks in the mud.

Hummm, I think I could totally overlook all of that if I got to wake up to ocean breezes, the smell of salt water, and moss covered trees every day!

Especially if I had a tree of this size in my front yard!

Spring Break: Must Get to Beach

For two months we have had 80 degree temps and sunshine. It has been beautiful and I have had one single thought: must get to beach. The one year we live close enough to go to the beach every single day without the traditional cost of spending spring break on the beach, and I experience the temps dropping thirty degrees and the streets flooding with inches and inches of rain. I've tried to reconcile my poor luck with my Kindle and Pinot Grigio. I have also remembered to be thankful for the rain, for the rain has put out the wildfire that just threatened our evacuation from our home and every single item we own. So while I am not on the beach, I do still have a house and everything in it, including my Pinot Grigio and my Kindle.

Yesterday, in between rain showers and brief warm ups in the house with hoodies zipped to the neck and jumprope drills, the boys played war. Our experience on the carrier last weekend has carried over into our backyard. The London Knight, complete with costume, sword, and shield, battled Europe whose soldier carried a huge tree branch, aka victory flag. When I reminded the boys that London is in Europe and that there are no factions in Europe, Evan said, "That is the past, Mom. We are fighting a battle of the future."

Today the fighting is not nearly as intense, and the guns have all been put aside. However, we seem to be engaged in more hand-to-hand battles.

Thirty nine more school days until summer vacation. I have just one thought: Must get to beach.

Patriot's Point

While in South Carolina for the soccer tournament, we spent an afternoon at the USS Yorktown, an actual aircraft carrier that was used in the Pacific during World War II. We toured "The Fighting Lady", climbed aboard planes on the flight deck, and learned about the day to day live of the crew members. The boys were intrigued by it - especially Evan.

This is my favorite shot from the entire trip. Love, love, love the precious salute, and the spontanity of it.

Upon entering the first tour, Evan immediately began imagining they were responsible for finding spies that had infiltrated the ship while at sea. Keagan was the commanding officer, and he gave the "marching orders" to the "Army men" working for him on the boat.

Oma and Opa left Mt Pleasant, Texas to meet us in Mt Pleasant, SC to watch the boys play soccer. They joined us on the tour of the Yorktown. This picture was taken after we toured the submarine. 

This was a great adventure for the boys. I highly recommend it if you are ever in the Charleston area. 

Brookgreen Gardens

You know it has been a great vacation when you have lost all sense of time and you have no idea the day of the week. Day 6? Day 7? I don't remember, so I titled today's entry as the name of the place we visited. 

We spent the morning at the indigenous animal zoo located at the back of the park, and because it was feeding time, the boys aided the zookeeper with feeding the birds living in the aviary. Evan was hoping for a close encounter with the red fox, but that was not to be. 

The gardens were beautiful with random pieces of sculpture art hidden among the live oak trees, daffodils, and tulips. Wes took some time to take pictures. Meanwhile, I was left to explain the significance of Greek gods, and more importantly, the reason for their lack of clothing. Then we found the goddess Diana, and I tried to explain the story of the hunter who found her bathing and how she turned the hunter to a stag. That blew Evan's mind and I spent five minutes trying to explain that it wasn't really a true story, but it is a story that people all over the world have heard and know. He then said, "Are you trying to tell me it is a myth?"

It was at that point that I realized that my seven year old son is more articulate than I. 

And this experience was just as eye opening for me as last night's conversation was for Wes. Evan was able to identify, explain and provide back ground information for the pop singer Justin Bieber to Wes, and because Evan was more versed in some pop music artist, Wes was in a semi-state of shock. He continually asked, "Did that just happen to me? When did I get old?"

After dinner tonight we headed back to the hotel for smores in the courtyard. With live music playing, Keagan entertained the crowds with his "Secret Dude Dance." It was at this point in the night that I realized Keagan has begun a real fascination with dancing. It is a really good thing that he can play soccer well and run like a gazelle because dancing on the center stage is not really what I have in mind when I dream big dreams for my younger son.

Magi Quest

There was a day where I vividly remember saying that I would never take Evan to play Magi Quest again.

I lied.

When we gave the boys a list of options of things to do while on vacation in Myrtle Beach, there was no hesitation when both boys voted to spend a morning at Magi Quest. And because I didn't think I could survive another quest with Evan in search of a rune (what are runes anyway?), I almost told them it was closed in order to avoid it all.

But despite my previous experience at Great Wolf Lodge with quests, adventures, and runes, I accepted the challenge. I almost ruined the best family vacation ever with this little decision.

Evan had two major melt downs. If you haven't played the game, then you will be lost with the following pieces of terminology - vocabulary that only a master magi can truly appreciate, but we had tears and feet stomping because Evan couldn't find the yellow crystal. It was at this point that our team of four became a team of two, and Wes officially paired Evan and me together. Then to make matters worse the Code of Wizardy eluded him in the very next quest. This meant more tears and more feet stomping. The poor guy just can't handle a good ole' challenge from an imaginary wizard who lives in The Circle of Rocks. There was just a minor breakdown when we couldn't zap the portal star, and I almost broke the wand over the shelves of the castle library when I couldn't locate the slime necessary for the healing rune. I should have known that pairing the two high strung members of the family as a team was a bad idea. Wes and Keagan played the game like they had years of experience. 

However, Evan and I collected five runes - more than team Cool Cats. It was an added bonus that we lived to tell you about it!