Sunday, September 21, 2008

Weekend Recap

If a blogger goes to the beach, but forgets her camera is it like she never went at all? I am still pondering this question. In what can only be described as a moment of complete absentmindedness, I forgot to pack my camera this weekend. I realized it when we were 1.5 hours into our 9 hour trek to Amelia Island Friday night. It is a such a picturesque location, I was kicking myself the whole weekend. Thankfully, our friends who were also attending the conference had a camera, so I should get some snapshots for posterity!

When we decided to accompany my husband for the weekend, I thought the drive was only going to take 6 hours. That's because the last time we made it my children still napped 2-3 hours in the afternoon and they wore diapers! A fortunate part of the length of our trip was that we were able to make a dinner stop in Brunswick, GA and meet some good old friends for dinner. Being with them made me miss them more!

We had a terrific day Saturday collecting shells, running from the waves, enjoying the pool, feeding turtles, watching a lizard eat a spider, exploring the nature center and playing with friends. Last night I asked my children to name their favorite thing from the day and it was riding the tram! Isn't that just classic? The resort transportation mini-buses were the highlight.

Today the weather was poor, so we spent a large portion of the morning indoors. Just before leaving we had enough of a break in the rain to spend 45 minutes or so on the beach. We collected more of the massive (think softball sized), intact shells that are so abundant at Amelia and found a large washed up, dead horseshoe crab. He was literally the size of a serving platter--and very smelly. My fearless daughter carried him around by his tail until I confiscated him. She begged me to bring him home so she could take him to school.

The drive home was faster (only 7.5 hours) largely because the children all slept simultaneously for 2 hours--reducing our frequency of potty breaks. We made a stop in Atlanta for a pizza dinner with grandparents before completing the journey home.

It was a remarkably relaxing weekend considering what a long, quick trip it has been. I love to travel, but my favorite part is coming home!

6 comments:

Colored With Memories said...

We love Amelia Island too...isn't it gorgeous? I don't remember finding so many shells though...hmm!

Pam said...

Ah . . . my old stomping grounds when we lived in St Marys. I loved Amelia Island and have quite a few shells from there -- none as large as you described though. We also saw our first horseshoe crab there . . . never ceases to amaze me how creative God's hand is in His creation.

Glad you're home safely. Next time maybe you can stop by Harris Teeter and get a disposable camera. Looking forward to the pictures from your friends.

Have a great week, JMom!

Kate Geisen said...

It used to drive me crazy the way my husband had to relentlessly document everything we do...until I started blogging and writing about our activities for a family website, and now I'M the one who insists on pictures!

We never missed diapers so much as we did the vacation after Jacob was potty trained.

Mrs. H said...

Bummer on forgetting the camera (you should link your post/question to my new "weekly" - mind-wandering mondays). Glad to hear the weekend away was fun. Beach in late summer is always neat b/c it's like one last grab before the season's completely gone (although I remember hitting the beach in October when we lived in No. FL).

Pumita said...

Wow, Amelia Island! That's where my husband and I got engaged at my freshman-year college roommate's wedding.
I, too, am sorry you left your camera behind. Glad your trip was fabulous, though.
Thanks for sharing!

Tara said...

I am completely jealous (in a good way of course). We love Amelia Island and have been there the last two Thanksgivings. This year we are not going and I'm so sad. But I know I will be thankful no matter where we go. It's so pretty there and you can't beat the fudge at the shop downtown in Fernandina Beach. Hope you got to try it.