Summer with the grandkids

Summers on Whidbey Island are for family.  This summer we had another set of fun times with the grandsons.

First, in April (sort of summer, for us, since seasons are defined in a different way when one is retired), we took Soren to Wild Adventures in Valdosta Georgia.  We had checked the place out a few months before, and found that it opened the first week of April.

HOW-FREAKING-EVER, though, the website neglected to mention that during April it was only open on weekends.  We didn't know that until we had flown to Georgia, secured a rental car, drove four hours to Valdosta, and checked into our motel.  When we told Soren, expecting great disappointment, he said "That's OK.  We'll find other fun things to do."  What an ability to roll with the punches.  And we did--we went to a nature preserve, where we hiked and saw alligators, a movie, a fun house, swam, etc.  

 See the gator sunning himself? 

And decided to stay one more day so we could see Wild Adventures.

This is an interesting place.  It has a lot of rides, a water park (not open at all until real summer), and a very respectable zoo.  There was no waiting for rides, and it wasn't all that expensive.  It is a private amusement park, one of the few left in the nation.  It exceeded expectations.

Soren had a blast on the rides.  (so did we, to tell the truth).

 One feature of the zoo was an exhibit of tigers.  And a tiger "show."  The zoo actually tries to help animals, not just displaying them in cramped cages. 

 

Our next grandson excursion was a camping trip to the Hoh Rainforest and the Olympic Peninsula.  We took Ian and Adam in our camper.  Did a lot of hiking.   

 

Saw elk right outside our camper.

The next trip, about six weeks later, was to Mt. Baker.  We stayed in a cabin with Ian and Adam and took some spectacular hikes.

 

 

Then in early September it was back to Georgia to camp with Soren, Sebastian, and family.  Our final day there we took Sebastian to the zoo.

 

Gummy worms are animals too, aren't they?

While writing this blog entry I realize that when we do things with grandchildren we often gravitate to those outdoor activities that we love ourselves. 

We feel very blessed to be able to be a part of these four special young peoples' lives.  They do so much for us.  We hope we are doing something for them also.