Turks and Caicos Conch Farm

We needed a break from the sun, sand and surf, so we spent the morning at a Conch Farm. Until this week, I had no idea that an animal actually lives in the conch shell and that it makes for a great meal. After today's tour of the farm, we know more than anyone ever needs to know about the sea snail. However, we couldn't leave the island without a conch shell. We took the rental car down another gravel road to Pelican Bay where we were told we could find conch shells washed up on the beach. 

Sure enough. There were two; this just so happens to be the number allowed through customs. After a thorough wash, we are hoping to find the shells to be animal free.

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.

The Wedding Crashers

One of my very best friends from college, Lynette, spent this past week on St. Simons Island with her family, and we met them there this weekend for dinner. After dinner, we took a walk around the pier and shoreline where hundreds of people were fishing and picnicing. If I told you that the boys almost crashed an outdoor wedding when they began a rousing game of soccer and used an aisle of white rose petals as the goal line, you would probably think the meeting was a complete disaster. However, the bride and groom were good sports about it, and the mother of the bride didn't even balk when one of Evan's punts caught her in the back of the legs. They never even scowled at Keagan when he took a seat in the white chairs set up on the waterfront for the wedding guests. I wish I were a fly on the wall, though, when the couple takes their first look at their wedding photos and finds four strange boys chasing a soccer ball in the background of every shot.

Thanks Lynette, Billy, Henry and Max for meeting up with us. Let's hope we don't crash any more weddings next fall when we meet again.

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.

We've Been Adopted

It began yesterday morning. Keagan and I were working on some soccer drills in the side yard. We heard something, and we ignored it because our tree line is constantly filling our lives with the sounds of nature. We heard it again, though, and Keagan decided it was time to investigate. Within minutes, this is what walked out of the tree line.

A short time later we left the house to run errands. I prayed the whole way there and back that we would get home and find the cat gone. Evan would not have it, though. He claimed the cat as his. He persuaded me to buy some catfood. He checked out a book at the library about caring for a cat. He spent the next few hours fretting over the cat, the food, and the heat.

When we got home, we found the cat patiently awaiting our return, and because the cat was still here when we awoke this morning, I think it may have adopted us.

The cat's first photo shoot took place after breakfast. If photo shoots with sunglasses, sunglasses on the cat I might add, won't scare the cat away, then I guess it is here to stay.

We Live in a Fantasy World

We went to the pool today. After seven summers of making the trip to and from the pool and beach, I think I have finally mastered the art of packing the pool bag. This is a fine art that takes years to master. Only the very best can remember to pack a salty snack, a fruit snack, a granola snack, drinks, goggles, earplugs, swimtoys, water balls, sunscreen, towels, and an extra toy or two. I may have done it today, but I am making no promises that the magic of packing the perfect pool bag will materialize ever again.

Yesterday the boys played in the sprinkers because I still live in a fantasy world and tell myself that I can get our yard in tip top shape without the help of a professional, and I spent an hour spreading ironite and fungicide over mounds of sand with tiny sprouts of something that resembles half dead grass. After all of this, I ran the sprinklers. The boys were in the middle of it playing Ben10 with no worries about the iron pellets plastered to their feet and bellies. After five summers of watching the boys morph into aliens, I am betting this is the last summer that they play Ben10 together in the sprinklers. Evan has even put all five of his real Ben10 watches aside and uses his wristband to call on the alien of choice. It can double as a Ben10 watch, and it is so much more cool than the actual watch. You can wear it and everyone will assume it is just a wristband. Only I know better. I think this is why he is so concerned with wearing his wristband on the soccer field; he thinks he can call on Four Arms for an extra boost when in need. 

He, too, lives in a fantasy world. Only his seems much more entertaining.