"Summer Surprise"! Part II

So, after our adventure at Weekie Wachee, we decided to head on down the coast to Port St. Richey.

"W" and I said that really, really all you have to do to make kids at this age have a good time is a hotel, hotel breakfast, and a hotel pool.

That's it.

But, I'm assuming after a while, even that would get old.

We woke up Sunday morning and headed down to another State Park called "Honeymoon Beach"

What a beautiful place!

The beach is different than what we are used.  Very shellie and lots of rocks in the water makes wading a little lot difficult.

This was where my camera battery died. ugh!

Luckily, I was able to snap a few shots with my phone.

but really, that was it!

After a 1 1/2 hour beach dig, we jumped in the car, had a bite of lunch (charged my camera) and headed back up north.

to....

Ride on an Airboat!

but first...

a nap.

If you've never ridden on an airboat, put it on your bucket list.

It's just fun!

and

this is where I got a little camera happy ;)

(dresses from Hannah Anderson)

this one wasn't too sure at first.

sweetest thing I've ever seen.

the boat skims over the surface and you get to see all kinds of wildlife treasures!

we saw one alligator.

*tip.  We went at 5 p.m.  If you go on an airboat ride, I think you would see more "gators" in the earlier, cooler hours.

We realized that we kinda overdid that day.

That night was not the most fun any of us had.

just saying.

Anyway, we headed to Lake City!

Everyone had a great shower and hit the sack around 9.

We had some VERY tired kids.

and

tired grandparents.

On Monday, after another hotel swim, and hotel breakfast, I packed a picnic lunch and we headed here.

to yet another State Park!

www.ichetuckneeriver.com

SO incredibly beautiful!

*tip.

Get a paddle.  The river was really slow and we were having to paddle with our hands.

but a really great end to a beautiful trip with the G-kids!

I think it is safe to say our first "Summer Surpise" trip was a huge success!!!

What made this trip special?

We loved surpising our grandkids.  Also, we made use of State Parks.  Florida has terrific state parks and best of all? They're cheap!  We wanted to do everything natural, and let them see how to have fun through just exploring!  We did not want to do anything that did not involve nature.  Nothing "theme parky".

Well, except for Weekie Wachee.

(but that's different)

***tip!

If you take a road trip with kids this age, make frequent stops.  Just relax and take your time.  Don't be on a set schedule or it will drive you crazy and then melt downs happen.  I think driving 2 hours and stopping at different places is the way to go.

Also, we added up the cost of this trip.  We spent less than 1,000.00 for this trip.

And really, it could have been done even cheaper.

Next time I will pack a cooler of food.

Also, if you take 3 kids, take a blowup mattress (or one adult will be sleeping on a vinyl couch)

Stay at a Hampton Inn or even better Homewood Suites (the best IMHO)

Have a wonderful day y'all!

kb

Our First Annual "Summer Surprise"!

"W" and I were at a loss at what to do this weekend.

No.  I'm serious.

So, we woke up Friday morning and he said...

"why don't we get the kids (grandkids) and take them to...

Weeki Wachee Springs....

www.weekiWachee.com

Well, what (and where) in the world is that?

It's a little known place in the middle of Florida....

The mermaid capital of the world.

No, I'm serious y'all.

So, I know you're wondering how we know about this place.

Well, when I was young, my grandparents Nanny and Papa loved trips to middle Florida.  They loved the St. Pete area.  They would never plan, yet just get us all in the car and drive until we found a place to stay!

I was thinking how difficult this was for them without cell phones.  I guess we stopped and used a nasty old black phone at the phone booth or just stopped and checked hotels for availability along the way!

Geez, I'm old!

Anyway, one of our stops was to Weeki Wachee Springs near Homassa, Florida!

After going the first time at age 7 I knew I was going to be a mermaid one day.

I was pretty sure of it.

Well, I never became a mermaid, but not only did I grow up loving syncronized swimming, I will still at the age of 55 do a few moves in the pool ;)

(sometimes I can't help myself)

So, back to the surprise....

We called J and E and they were up for it.

Really? wow.  we were SO surprised that they might want a free weekend to themselves ;)

So J met me between Birmingham and Atlanta and we had our first surprise.

well, just a precursor of what was to come!

Birthday cake milkshakes from Zaxby's!!!

Then we met "W" back in Atlanta and headed out!

Cate got out the map!

They were all ready!!!

We marked the globe!

First stop...Valdosta, Georgia

BTW parents...

You can honestly take your kids to the closest hotel, let them swim in the pool, have an overnighter, and eat breakfast in the hotel buffet and they will be perfectly happy with that being their summer vacation....

and she's ready!

 after a stop in Valdosta, we packed the car back up and headed out.

and hit the Florida line...

Where would we end up?

They honestly did not have a clue!

(p.s. this is somewhere they have wanted to go forever!)

we successfully pulled off this surprise!

The mermaid capitol of the world!

well, that didn't take long...

First we took on Buchaneer Bay.

hum...

All I'll say about Bucaneer Bay is "if you can't beat em, join um..."

Then we waited for the Mermaid show

(This is "W" entertaining the kids with Rock, Paper, Scissors)

We waited for about an hour.

y'all.  These are REAL mermaids.

Then a little ice cream.

and posing with the mermaids.

and some photo opps.

the hotel.

and then they were down for the count!!!

Today?

More surprises!!!

Have a great day y'all!

kb

Kendall Boggs.....The Vagabond...

I have officially named myself "The Vagabond"

This month, I have literally been everywhere.

And I gotta be honest.  I'm exhausted.  Totally.

End of April I had my largest art show of the year.

Pack up all the unsold goods, took them to my studio, went home, woke up the next morning and headed to Birmingham.

To help my youngest and her husband move in to their new home.

Which included something I LOVE to do.

Decorate it. (I know I"ve posted this before)

I stayed with C and H all week.

Well, that was May 3.  And I'm telling you, we got ALOT done.

It's just amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.

Like the whole house is decorated.

I also brought all my paints and painted a donation painting for the Believe Ball, a huge event for CURE Childhood Cancer.  Which I am SO excited to brag about.  What an incredible cause.

forgive me if I've already bragged about this.....wink

So, on Saturday, May 9, I got a new grand baby!

again, forgive me if I've already bragged about this.

So.  Sunday, we did a picnic at the park for Mother's day.

Then, by Wednesday, I decided I was smelling a little like dead fish and needed to head home...for a couple of days.

By last Saturday I was back in Birmingham.

Staying with Gregory and Amy and helping with my newest g-baby.

(Easiest baby EVER btw)

I mean seriously, all I've done really is just cook a few meals! 

But I've been at their home for 7 days.

Again, starting to smell a little like dead fish.

After 2 nights of art classes, I decided yesterday I needed a 90 minute massage.

And it was time for me to let the new parents get in to their own routine.

So, I headed over to sister's house....for the night.

I mean, who does this?  I am seriously a vagabond.

Today?  Back at Callen and Houston's til Monday.

Geez, they all have to be getting really tired of me.

My sweet, beautiful, wonderful, (and I mean seriously wonderful, sweet, and beautiful) niece graduated from high school this week.  She will be heading to Auburn to study graphic design in the fall.

I've got a huge surprise waiting for her this morning at 11 a.m.  

Just Harper and me! and I am SOOOO excited!!!

And then, Callen and Houston are giving her a little impromptu graduation party.

that's my Harperdoodle on the right.

OH, how bout this weather?

Yesterday, all the grandkids, Jordan, and Amy and I went to the park to enjoy the most beautiful day of the year.

that's my lil Catiebug

and my gorgeous daughter in law.

and my precious new g-baby.

And Ever's lost her first front tooth! (she's so proud!)

mr. blue eyes.

Cousins....(and some extras)

Today, after a pretty decent nights sleep, I woke up at sister's house and had my coffee outside.

I listened to the birds chirp on this beautiful cool morning.

I reflected on the last three weeks and said a little prayer thanking God for all of my blessings.

I am blessed.

Have a beautiful day y'all!

kb