Grandparent Visit

This is a photo I received from J while on their trip! J assures me Toe didn't really drive...

J and Toe took a trip to the Gulf Coast to visit Jason's folks this summer. Because of Sasha's age and health issues, I had to stay behind this year. While Sasha and I walked the neighborhoods and spent time in the back yard relaxing, the boys had a series of adventures.

First and foremost, the family spent time on the beach in the water. J's folks live very close to the beach and spend much of their time there. They have an amazing set up and are able to load up the truck for a picnic or barbecue at a moment's notice. In July and August, the water is bathtub temperature and there is usually a strong breeze that alleviates the heat.

With Grandpa Boat

With Grandma Gus

 Toe even ate meals in the water this visit!

Toe practiced swimming in the ocean and in the canal behind Grandma Gus and Grandpa Boat's house. J says that they also played on paddle boards in the canals.

It wouldn't be a trip to Gus and Boat's without science as well. Gus has an amazing garden at her house and volunteers at the local botanical gardens. Currently Grandma Gus is working on a research project with monarch butterflies and the family spent time examining specimens and looking at the life cycles of monarchs.

 Gus and Boat also volunteer at the local national park working with sea turtles. They tour the beach watching for turtles laying eggs and are trained to remove the eggs to an incubating facility; they also participate in releases. July and August are prime times for turtle releases and J and Toe were able to attend one where Gus and Boat volunteered, holding a net above the tiny sea turtles to prevent predators from attacking on the slow journey to the ocean. The turtles must make the trek across part of the beach, though, to be able to return to the same spot when it is time for them to lay eggs.

That's Grandma Gus on the left!

It's a long journey down the beach for these little guys!

The guys visited a local arcade/go-kart track where Toe took a lone lap on the kiddie ride before riding in the sidecar as J and Grandpa raced on the faster track.

Golf carts are pretty typical on the island where Gus and Boat live and Grandma Gus rented one just for Toe as a special treat. The thing had seat belts and was mostly for puttering around the neighborhood and to the beach, but Toe and Gus had a great time driving together.

J and Toe returned to the Pacific Northwest tanned and happy. I was sad to miss the trip, but look forward to next year!