Murrells Inlet

We went to Murrells Inlet to eat one night. Murrells Inlet is the seafood capital of the world. Well maybe not the world but they have wonderful seafood. There is a boardwalk between the inlet and the restaurants which was wonderful to walk down. Most of the restaurants have live music which we enjoyed while we walked out the seafood we had eaten.



The boys said they felt like they were standing by Bubba from Forest Gump. They started naming all the ways we can cook shrimp.

The really big catch!

They have these crabby signs all along the boardwalk.

Brookgreen Gardens

We always love Brookgreen Gardens. Thanks Laura for the passes. This time we planted three letterboxes there. I made one in memory of Grandmom. We always went to Brookgreen with her and every time I go it reminds me of her.

Here we are at the famous Brookgreen lion. We always get our picture next to it.

Us and the Lion

The boys wanted to know why most of the sculptures were naked. We were laughing as we were writing our letterbox clues. Pass by the naked sculpture or there will be a naked sculpture on your left... Like that would narrow it down.

Hunter and the horses

In this picture, Hunter is getting ready to hide his letterbox.

Hunter and his letterbox

The whole area is full of this beautiful oak trees full of Spanish Moss which is not Spanish or Moss. Go figure.

Huntington Beach State Park

We always enjoy Huntington Beach State Park. The wildlife is beautiful. The beaches have been persevered not lined with hotels. They have lots of neat programs like the surf seining and ghost stories I mentioned earlier.



I took this picture as we were attending a program about alligators. I thought the sky and the clouds looked very cool.


They have this long boardwalk that leads deep into the salt marsh. They have both salt and brackish marshes at that the park. The alligators prefer the brackish marsh but they do walk across to the salt marsh for a few hours each day.

This is one of the gators we saw at the park.

We also had an education center full of exhibits about the local wildlife.

Jordan liked looking at the crabs and the birds in the mud in the marsh.

Surf Seining

One afternoon we went Surf Seining at Huntington Beach State Park. The park has tons of activities scheduled throughout the week. One night we went there to heard local ghost stories and walk with Atalaya ( the winter home of the Huntington's , the original owner of Brookgreen Gardens) in the dark. The boys favorite ghost story was about the hag. A warning for all single men what ever you do, do not marry a hag.

We used this net to Surf Sein and collected all the cool fish and shells right there on the surf. The naturalist helped us identity our findings. It was really neat.

Chris, Hunter and Jordan Surf Seining

Catnap

Part of the boy's house sitting responsibilities was taking care of Captain and Commander. The cats seemed very happy to have children in the house again. Hunter quickly decided that he would take care of feeding and petting the cats and Jordan was in charge of the litter box. For some reason, Jordan didn't argue with Hunter about this. The cats sleep with the boys at night. Captain slept with Jordan and Commander slept with Hunter. Both of the boys enjoyed taking care of the cats and even took a catnap or two with them.

Catnap

Broadway at the Beach and MagicQuest

One afternoon we went to Broadway at the Beach. The boys love MagicQuest. During their visit, we both became Master Magi. But don't worry there are more quests to complete and more money for MagicQuest to get.

The boys and their wands

Hunter inside the MagicQuest castle

We walked around Broadway at the Beach which is always fun. We liked the way Margaritaville was shaped like a boat.

Yes, I am a pirate 200 years too late.

The Beach!!!

Laura and Sean were gracious enough to let us borrow their house for a week while her family was away. We had a great time on our beach vacation but miss seeing Laura and her family.

Hunter

Every night we went on a walk on the beach. We enjoyed watching all the fireworks and the stars.

Jordan

The beach at Pawley's Island is beautiful. I love all the sand dunes.

The boys had the best time digging this hole. They dug until they hit water. Before we left the beach, we filled it back in so a loggerhead turtle or a person would not fall in.

The Hole

Willy Wonka

We went to see Workshop Theatre's production of Willy Wonda. The theater was sold out. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books growing up. We all love the play. They did a fantastic job.

Hunter, Kim and Jordan waiting on the play to start

They were selling Wonka candy bars so of course we had to get one. Unfortunately, there was no golden ticket inside.

Hunter and the Wonka bar

Right before intermission, the actors were waiting on Willy Wonka to open the gates of the his chocolate factory. So during intermission, they stayed on stage in character. They interacted with the audience. It was the first time I had ever seen this. It was very neat.

After the play, Mr Wonka signed autographs.

Hunter and Jordan with Mr Wonka
Jordan was excited that he got to hold his cane.

They it was time for the cast to take a ground picture. I thought the Oompa-Loompas were especially cute. They were around 6 years old and did lots of tumbles and gymnastic moves.

The Cast of Willy Wonka

Ice Skating

We had an ice skating pack meeting. I'm Jordan's den leader this year so I was there but not much help on the ice.

Jordan and me on the ice

It was only Jordan's second time ice skating. Unfortunately for him, I'm not an ice skater so we had to help each other.

Jordan is the center

We skated for about 2 hours. By the end, Jordan had improved significantly.

Jordan the Ice Skater

Members Night at the Zoo

We attended member's night at the zoo for the first time this year. They had $1 hot dogs and free soft drinks. Thanks goodness it had cooled off a little since it was in the evening.

Riding the Extinct Animal Carousel

Jordan and me

We are very lucky to live so close to such a fabulous zoo.

SC State House

During the week days, they have tours of the state house. So we stopped by for a tour.

Hunter and Jordan on in front of the State House

Normally the third graders tour the State House since they study SC state history. But this year, Jordan's class didn't go which I think is ridiculous since we live in the Midlands. Since nobody asked me, I took Jordan myself.

The State Seal

SC is the only state that officially has a double sided state seal.

Hunter and Jordan inside the state house

In the lobby between the Senate and House of Representative

They actually has signs on the tables telling people not to sit on the tables. These people of the law makers of SC. You have to wonder are the signs really needed. The sad part is they probably are.

The stain glass window in the State House

A day at the Museum

We spent the day at the state museum. Mom and Dad met us at the museum. Dad showed Hunter the first car that he drove back when their was no driver's licenses required and apparently no age requirements were enforced.

Jordan's expression says it all.
ARRRR!!!

The traveling exhibit at the museum was Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers which was great for the boys.

See boys drinking too much can kill you

We had a great time looking at all the exhibits. It had been a long time since Mom and Dad had been to the museum so the boys enjoyed showing them around. They enjoyed telling them the "inside story" on things in the museum.

Dad must be thirsty

There were lots of interactive exhibits at the Pirate exhibit.

Couldn't Dad find a pen?

Yo Ho Ho, Its a Pirate's life for me.

Ahoy me buchos!
Lookit me crow's nest up thar

We ate lunch at the museum and then continued looking around.

Mom and Dad

I love this picture of the boys. Hunter spread his legs so he would stay up in the huge tire.

Let the good times roll

The boys loved "digging" for dinosaur bones.

Zoo Trip with Hunter

Hunter and I went to the zoo together. It was pretty hot so we tried to stay in the shade and cool off with an icee.

Hunter riding the lion

I always enjoy looking at the gorillas. It was so hot today; she was just laying on the ground right at the glass. She almost looked dead she was so still. Occasionally she would move just a little bit.

Relaxing in the shade

We saw the diver feed the fish in the aquarium. The fish knew it was feeding time because they were swimming around the latter the diver walks down. It was cool watching her feed all the fish. The stingray would stay around her and wanted her to pet him.

Hunter even recognized the pilot that took him and his brother flying. He was at the zoo with his grandson. Since I was working the day of their flight, I was glad to meet him and thank him for giving them they such a wonderful experience and keeping them safe.

Feeding time

Hunter enjoyed feeding the birds. You can really get a close look at them when they are eating.

It was nice spending some time with Hunter alone. We had a great time at the zoo.

Young Eagles

Chris took the boys to Hamilton-Owens Airport which is located downtown. The boys took their first flight in a Cessna. They saw Lake Murray, the dam and their grandparent's house during the flight.

In the Cessna 172

Their names were entered in the World's largest logbook at the EAA AirVenture Museum after the flight.

Taking off

Hunter's favorite part of the flight was turbulence.
Jordan's favorite part was landing.

They both had a great time!