Summer. My favorite season for its lazy pool days, sweaty backyard fun, and impromptu family and friend adventures. Summer break started a week early over here because both girls headed to overnight camp at Camp Seafarer in Arapahoe. After a crazy year of attending school virtually, hybrid, and ending the year in-person, kicking off summer with increased independence was just the thing for these two!
The start of summer wouldn’t be complete without a bucket list to motivate us to try new things, experience old traditions, and have a lot of laughs along the way.
Swim camp started last week (summer swim team’s Covid-19 cousin), the fireflies are out, and the gardenias are blooming – three cyclical indicators that school is out and summer is here. To say this school year felt different with its abrupt stop, online restart, and virtual year-end parties (my older daughter’s teacher is visiting in person this week) would be an understatement. Despite how the school year changed, I’m so very thankful for our amazing teachers who worked tirelessly to recreate content and stay connected, and the entire school community who stayed in touch with helpful newsletters and silly videos.
In looking back at the end of the school year, I hope my kids found closure in its ending. I know it seemed anticlimactic compared to previous years, but we tried staying true to some traditions – picking out any cereal they want for the last day (yes, I’m the mom who doesn’t do everyday sugar cereals), taking last day of school pics (poolside this year), making “thank you” teacher cards, and receiving some year-end sussies (a term my mom coined decades ago to mean thoughtful gifts).
Last Day of School: Poolside-style
We also did some new things to signal the end of the year. We drove through the school’s carpool lane like it was a Chick-fil-a drive-thru to collect yearbooks and all their items left in the classroom. Our kids said goodbye to friends and teachers virtually through online end-of-year parties. And, my older daughter’s teacher is stopping by for a visit this week (cue the happy tears).
End of Year 1st Grade PartyEnd of Year 3rd Grade Party
The end of the school year wouldn’t be complete without a summer bucket list to ease our transition into the summer months and motivate us to do some things, especially when boredom sets in. So, here it goes…
When I was little my siblings and I occasionally spent weekends with my Uncle Mike when he lived in Richmond. We always had a lot of fun when he took us bowling, to the movies, or playing pool and watching sports together in his bachelor pad basement. Thinking back, I have no idea how he fit us into his old red sports car! Three rambunctious kids was no joke and after a crazy incident at the bowling alley I wondered if he’d ever have us back again!
Around the same time my uncle got married and had kids, our weekends filled with social and sports activities, so we saw him less frequently. Eventually his family moved to Tennessee and he embarked on an amazing journey to start Safe Step tub and shower company. At the same time, I graduated from college and moved to Raleigh. Therefore, we’d only see his family during our annual Chinese Christmas gift exchange. Over the years I missed seeing his family because I could always count on some good stories and sports smack talk (he LOVES UVA).
After my mom passed away five years ago my uncle Mike committed to planning annual extended family vacations. His family still lives in Tennessee so it’s always lots of fun to get together with my cousins and catch up while we’re away together. For our most recent family vacation my uncle rented a large villa in the Providenciales region of Turks & Caicos. If there’s one place you need to visit in your lifetime, you must make it to Turks & Caicos! To think I was hesitant to go because the trip butted up against my kids’ new school year is crazy!
So, sixteen of us hunkered down in a gorgeous villa for the week and embraced everything about Turks & Caicos. We swam in the crystal clear waters, attended a local festival, visited a brewery (yes, they have a brewery), kayaked, paddle boarded, snorkeled, grocery shopped, took a sunset cruise, drove on the left-side of the road and more.
Getting Around Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos is a developing country (British-owned territory) made up of several islands. They speak english and accept American money. We stayed near the Sapodilla Bay area of Providenciales (aka Provo) which is in the southwestern part of the region. The island of Providenciales accounts for most of the country’s development. It has decent infrastructure, stores, and accommodations but imports just about everything. Several locals we spoke to mentioned how expensive shipping is and the slow government processes. In my opinion, the island’s natural marine beauty easily eclipses those shortcomings.
The flight from RDU to Turks & Caicos was super easy. We had a short layover in Ft. Lauderdale and then took a smaller plane to the Provo airport. It took awhile to get through customs, but the girls were so excited to get their first passport stamp. We quickly retrieved our bags, rented a car, and drove off full of fear on the left-side of the road!
Bill did most of the driving for the trip including the initial drive from the airport to the rental house which took about 15-20 minutes. I attempted to navigate us, but the lack of road signs, plentiful traffic circles, and random traffic lights tested my abilities (and our marriage)! We finally made it to the house and received the warmest welcome from the host’s staff.
We stayed in the residential area of Provo. Therefore, we had to drive when we wanted to visit the beaches, go out to eat, grab groceries or do any exploring. It was pretty common to see stray dogs (and even livestock) walking along the sides of the road. Groceries were very expensive there so get ready to pay about $90 for a 24-pack of American beer.
The Beaches
Sapodilla Bay Beach
Sapodilla Bay Beach is a public access beach located along Chalk Sound Dr in the residential area of Providenciales. We expected to see signs for the beach and parking, but did not, so we relied on our car’s GPS location relative to the map to figure out where the beach was located. Chalk Sound Dr is a narrow two-lane road with little shoulders. Parking is limited to on-street and across the street. Be sure to lock your doors and take any valuables with you.
After you park, walk through the desert shrubs towards the beach area. After a short walk, you’ll discover the reasons people come to Turks & Caicos – the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters! It’s absolutely beautiful! This beach was hardly busy; only a few families and some locals selling drinks, grilled burgers, and jet ski excursions. Compared to some east coast beaches it felt like we had the beach to ourselves. The beach is in a small cove so the water stays calm and shallow, too. We stayed all morning swimming in the water, making sand castles and enjoying the breath-taking views.
Our rental house was located less than a five minute drive from Sapodilla Bay Beach, so some of us paddleboarded out and back one morning. The wind on the ocean is consistently strong, which made paddling extra hard in one direction. I loved the freedom of traveling by paddleboard though!
Grace Bay Beach
One morning we headed into Provo’s resort area to explore Grace Bay Beach. Grace Bay Beach extends for miles on the northern side of Provo. We parked in a public parking lot between the Seven Stars and Ocean Club West and walked a short bit to find a spot at the water.
The Grace Bay Beach area was pretty busy with tourists, jet ski riders, parasails, and resort traffic. The water on this side of the island definitely had a beautiful emerald and teal blue color to it. The waves were choppier than at Sapodilla Bay Beach, but still a very calm beach. The sandy bottom felt comfortable on our toes, but we had to watch the kids more closely because the water levels were drastically different.
After hanging in the water we walked along the beach to scope out the different resorts. They all looked beautiful and relaxing, and I wondered how our trip would’ve been different had we stayed in a resort. We hoped to find a casual oceanfront place for lunch, but after looking around it wasn’t obvious if we could walk into any resort with wet clothes. Finally, we decided on walking back towards the car to find a casual spot on the main street.
Taylor Bay Beach
Taylor Bay Beach is a hidden gem of a beach! Located within walking distance of our villa, it’s tucked away in small secluded cove. We walked out about 50 yards and the water was still only to our knees! The water was crystal clear and warm, making it another great beach for kids.
Water Excursions
Half-Day Boat Charter
While staying in Provo we really wanted to take advantage of exploring this new island. Early in the week we booked a half-day excursion with Silly Creek Water Sports, which got fabulous Trip Advisor reviews. They offer half-day and full-day small group boating excursions in the western and southern areas of Provo.
First, they picked us up from our dock in the morning and drove us to Bay Cay, known for their iguanas. Over ten years ago, people brought iguanas to this small uninhabited island, which now acts as a sanctuary. As soon as we got off the boat, several of the iguanas came right up to us. Our captain, Cynthia, walked us around the small island and introduced us to the iguanas, which she recognized by name. Tyrone was super friendly, and even our kids got close enough to pet them. After spending about 20 minutes on the island my sister and I jumped off a cliff into the turquoise water and swam back to our boat that was waiting for us. Even though it was only about 10-12 feet above the water, it was still super thrilling and memorable!
After cliff jumping we boated to Pirate’s Cove island to seek out old pirate markings. We climbed up a ladder through the cave and walked around the top of the island. Cynthia showed us the centuries old carvings, which our kids really enjoyed. From the top we gazed around, taking in the gorgeous 360-degree views of the ocean.
Then, Cynthia drove us to one of her favorite snorkeling spots. The water was calm and only about 12 feet deep in this area, so the girls wore life jackets. To prep for snorkeling we bought the girls their own equipment earlier in the summer and they practiced breathing with snorkels in our neighborhood pool. It definitely took some getting used to, but having practiced before hand really gave them an edge.
Snorkeling with my family was one of the coolest, most memorable moments of the whole trip. We saw a lot of colorful fish and coral, but seeing a huge school of purple tangs was the favorite! To see your kids (age 5 & 7) experience a brave new adventure is truly breath-taking and made us so proud! I only wish I had an underwater camera to preserve a photo!
After snorkeling Cynthia drove us back to the house. She drove slower allowing us to enjoy some much deserved beers, snacks and conversation. We loved this excursion because we were able to customize the trip to our group, Cynthia took us to some exciting places, and she shared some history of the country.
Sunset Cruise
My uncle is a sunset seeking savage! On vacations he frequently plans his dinners around the local sunset time so he doesn’t miss a moment of the sun’s golden descent. He’s also the only person (other than maybe my mom) who frequently wears binoculars around his neck on vacation. He’s always on watch for the “green flash” and sometimes drives far distances to find the ultimate westerly viewing spot.
On the second night of our trip my uncle booked a sunset boat cruise with a local tour company. All sixteen of us boarded the pontoon boat for a two-hour excursion. The captain drove us along the western shoreline of the vacation homes near our place. He noted celebrities who’d frequented the islands and told stories about some of the homes, but after awhile all his storytelling lost its pizazz. The ride was a beautiful way to see the islands, but a bit too expensive.
I captured some decent sunset shots from the boat’s upper deck, which, despite the super windy conditions, were the best spot for photo ops. We never witnessed the “green flash”, but still came home with fun memories and group photos.
Chalk Sound National Park
As an early birthday present, Bill organized some time for us to explore the nearby Chalk Sound National Park by kayak. The Chalk Sound National Park is located in the southwest portion of Provo right off Chalk Sound Drive. It was a short 5 minute drive from our villa. We rented two single kayaks from Las Brisas restaurant and set off for a two-hour adventure.
The guide at Las Brisas advised us on the best “path” to kayak to ensure the fierce wind worked with us for most of the trip. Chalk Sound National Park is a beautiful turquoise lagoon with several small rocky islands. We kayaked westerly from Las Brisas and stopped at a few islands along the way. The iguanas darted around the islands and poked their heads out as we came ashore. The wind and water are slowly eroding the underpart of the islands leaving small rocky holes. Bill and I cautiously walked around so as not to cut our foot on the sharp pockets of land.
We paddled really hard against the fierce wind to get back to shore. We definitely wanted to explore more of the sound, but feared going further would be too exhausting to get back. After getting back to shore, we headed to the outdoor seating area of Las Brisas for a few mid-day drinks.
Places to Eat & Drink
Las Brisas
We rotated cooking most meals at home each night because our group was so large. I love to cook, so I always enjoy making food for other people and trying meals that others cook. However, the first night we were all a bit too excited to cook so we headed out for a big group dinner.
The western side of Provo is mostly residential so our nearby dining options were very limited. Luckily we stayed only a few minutes from Las Brisas, which is located on the beautiful Chalk Sound. They sat us outside on the deck where we enjoyed the beautiful views of the turquoise lagoon. We enjoyed fabulous service, seafood, drinks and family – I’d definitely recommend!
Turks Head Brewery
As I mentioned earlier, beer from the grocery stores cost upwards of $4 per can. In an effort to save money and explore the area, we delighted in finding Turk’s Head Brewery, a local brewery within 10 minutes of our rental house.
Turk’s Head Brewery features regular style craft beers (IPA, Lager, Amber Ale, Wheat, etc) along with some seasonals. My favorite was the GON-TA-NORT amber ale which was well-balanced and full of flavor. We enjoyed chatting with the bartender who explained the brewery’s logo was designed to look like the turks head cactus, which grows natively on the island. Before leaving, we shopped the merch and bought several six-packs to take home at a fraction of the cost of the imported beer in the grocery store.
Downtown Grace Bay
The Downtown Grace Bay area is full of walkable restaurants and shopping. During our visit to Grace Bay Beach we walked across Grace Bay Rd for lunch. Surprisingly, there weren’t many lunch options so we settled for the first one we saw at Skull Rock Mexican Restaurant. It was very crowded, so they seated our group of 7 fairly quickly.
We ordered a variety of tex-mex food, including lots of kid menu items. The fish tacos were our favorite! Overall, the food was decent, but nothing we’d seek out again. The beers were cold, service was quick and location was convenient to our beach outing!
Thursday Night Fish Fry
On the Thursday night of our stay we drove to Bight Children’s Park for the city’s weekly fish fry. Located adjacent to the ocean and in Central Providenciales, this event features live music, and local vendors selling prepared seafood and chicken dishes and yummy drinks. First, we walked by the vendors scoping out their menus items before settling on some fried conch, fresh fruit, french fries, jerk chicken and grilled fish. Then, we dashed to a covered picnic table to reserve a small spot for our entire group – it was a blazing hot night.
While half the group stayed at the picnic table the other half (of adults) grabbed beers from the Turks Head Brewery beer truck or tropical drinks made from freshly hollowed-out pineapples. The local food tasted fresh and full of flavor. I’m glad to have tasted fried conch, but to me it was too chewy. If you’re looking to take in the local scene, the Thursday night fish fry was such a lively, beautiful spot to explore.
If there’s a vacation we continually dream about revisiting it’s definitely Turks & Caicos.
Thumbs up: the beautiful blues and greens of the water, shallowness of the water, water sports, snorkeling experience, beautiful weather, local festivals, friendly locals
Thumbs down: very salty ocean so bring goggles or a mask, previous hurricanes damaged a lot of the homes in Provo and years later it still shows
School is bustling with end of year activities, the fireflies are glowing, and evening thunderstorms are popping up – it’s summer time! The next week represents a big swing of childhood development for our family. On Sunday our older daughter heads to Camp Seafarer for overnight summer camp for five nights. And, next Tuesday our younger daughter completes Kindergarten. While I’m thrilled about their growth and hunger for independence, I’ll be holding onto them (literally) while listening to “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” over the next few days. After I recover from those big events you can find me poolside with my magazine and adult beverage (ha!).
As with past summers, we’re excited about our upcoming summer travels. But, whether we’re on the road or at home this summer, we’re looking forward to making new memories. Here’s our kiddo-collaborative summer bucket list for 2019:
Last year my mother-in-law won a Boone Christmas package from Explore Boone that included four tickets to Tweetsie Christmas. And, guess what?! She gifted the package to our family, and we were SO pumped to use them. So, after celebrating Christmas with family in Raleigh we headed out to Boone for a fun two days in the mountains.
Staying in Boone
Included in the package was a gas card, gift certificate to Mast General Store, and a stay at the Holiday Inn in Boone. We don’t often stay in hotels when we travel because we like to have more room and cook meals. But, after a week of holiday hosting it felt great to pack less, and the accommodations at the Holiday Inn were really nice. The hotel stay included daily breakfast buffet, which the girls loved because they sampled every sugary cereal. It also included a good variety of breakfast options of bacon, eggs, sausage, yogurt and more.
The hotel is conveniently located on 321 between Blowing Rock and Boone. Several shops, grocery and restaurants are located across the street. Having arrived a few hours before the Virginia Tech bowl game, we had a few hours to unwind before football started. Then, we met up with dear VT fans (also vacationing in Boone) at The Rock Sports Bar to cheer on the Hokies. Despite losing the bowl game, the restaurant served cold beer and the adults caught up while kiddos had fun.
Snow Tubing & Hiking & Mystery Hill
Such smiley faces waiting to hike in the cold!
The morning after the bowl game, we got up early for our breakfast buffet and headed out to Hawksnest in Seven Devils for snow tubing. We wanted to keep our plans open so we didn’t pre-purchase tickets. Hawksnest sells day-of tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis (in two-hour increments) so go in with flexibility. We paid for parking and were told an upcoming time slot had space at the parking booth. Unfortunately we took too much time getting snow gear on between parking and purchasing tickets. It was a very cold weekend so imagine me bundling the kiddos like Randy from “A Christmas Story.” So, the next time slot sold out before we could buy tickets, and we couldn’t wait for a later time. Luckily, they happily refunded our parking fees and we drove back down the mountain.
As a backup to snow tubing, we conveniently hiked Otter Falls Trail located on the same drive down the mountain. The trailhead has a small nearby parking lot and is located at 825 Skyland Drive in Seven Devils. Having just left a very cool snow tubing possibility for hiking in the cold provoked some little girl tears. With some coaxing and promising for frequent stops they eventually got going.
The trail map shows several loop paths and I suggest taking a screen shot to help stay on course. Since it was a very cold and windy day we hiked the shortest route down the trail. I didn’t have to deliver on the promise for frequent stops because everyone felt most comfortable when moving (yay!). Thankfully, the girls wore their new pink Carhartt jackets and I came prepared with my deep wine Carhartt jacket (thanks Dad!). The hike started out steep, but then the grade became more manageable. Unfortunately there wasn’t much signage along the trail making it hard to remember where to turn to stay on the shortest path to the falls.
After about 1/2 mile we arrived at the falls, which flows into Valley Creek. At this time of year the falls were mostly iced over, making for a dramatic effect we don’t usually see when hiking. The steps down to the creek were a bit icy too, but once on the ground the girls enjoyed the closer view of the icicles. They said it reminded them of Elsa’s ice castle. The hike back up took some patience and strength because the girls were pretty chilled at this point. But, overall this was a moderate 1 mile hike, and would be interesting (and probably easier) to hike in other seasons.
As a last minute indoor activity we took a stab in the dark and visited Mystery Hill. Mystery Hill is kind of a tourist trap, but ended up exceeding our expectations. It features historical artifacts from the area and hands-on science fun. The girls loved experimenting with the optical illusions, trying to swing in the tilted house, and standing in the human-sized bubble. It sounds kooky, but it wasn’t too expensive and was a great way to escape the wind for an hour.
Tweetsie Railroad Christmas
If you’ve never visited Tweetsie Railroad, it’s a must-see attraction for families when visiting the mountains. With a wild-west theme, Tweetsie features amusement rides, games, live shows, face painting, miniature train rides, a zoo, and the super popular No. 12/No. 190 locomotive train ride. Though it’s smaller than your average amusement park, its live entertainment and scenic mountain train ride sets it apart. Where else can you ride a historic locomotive while looking out for bandits?!
Tucked between Blowing Rock and Boone, Tweetsie Railroad’s history dates back to 1882 when the East Tennessee & Western NC Railroad (ET&WNC) began hauling iron ore between Johnson City, TN and Cranberry, NC. They extended the tracks to Boone by 1919, adding mail and passengers to their operations. Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, PA built the infamous narrow-gauge rail service Engine No. 12. In 1940, large floods wiped out much of the tracks in the Blue Ridge Mountains eliminating service to Boone. Shortly after, ET&WNC ended its narrow-gauge rail service and scrapped all the old engines except for the No. 12, which moved to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Finally, in 1957, the No. 12 locomotive returned to the Blowing Rock area and made its first run at Tweetsie Railroad attraction.
When we visited Tweetsie during Christmastime, the amusement park looked like Pullen Park’s Holiday Express on steroids! Twinkling lights, garland and bows beautifully decorated the park. Again, we joined our dear friends from Raleigh to share this fun experience. The park featured different attractions where kids could visit with Santa, step into a snow-filled globe, watch a Christmas-themed variety show, and eat s’mores on the jumbo outdoor fire pits. The lines were long for some of the Christmas activities, but the bright lights and s’mores easily distracted the kids. Having previously visited during summer, the kids were a little bummed to learn the regular rides weren’t operating.
The crowd favorite was the Christmas-themed night train ride. With hot cocoa or apple cider in hand, we boarded our reserved train for a magical ride around the mountain. Since the train has open windows we also bundled up and snuggled in while listening to Christmas carols and watching light displays. We definitely channeled our inner White Christmas, willing the music to play “Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow,” but to no avail.
Visiting the mountains around Christmastime definitely helped us stay in the holiday spirit. We made fun memories with friends while stretching out the Christmas season. It even started snowing on the day we left Boone. Despite the busy seasonal crowds I’d love to do it all over again!
Thumbs up: contrast of icy waterfalls along hike, outdoor fire pits for s’mores at Tweetsie, night train ride at Tweetsie, hot apple cider, light displays and Christmas decorations at Tweetsie
Thumbs down: regular Tweetsie rides not in operation, long lines for some of the Tweetsie-Christmas activities, poor signage along Otter Falls Trail
With swim team in full gear, preschool finished, and the last week of elementary school on the horizon – summer is already in full swing! Next fall brings a new chapter in our lives with both kids in elementary school, so I’m looking forward to making fun summer memories! While we plan to hit the open road quite a bit this summer, we still have lots we want to explore here at home. I’ve intentionally shortened my summer bucket lists over the years to hopefully slow down our summer while having a go-to list of ideas for our family.
Bucket List
Swim at a lake
Decorate canvas bags for checking out books at the library
And, just like that, I’m watching my youngest, Claire, have her final preschool days at The School of Grace. While I know we’ll have a full summer together, her preschool graduation means her kindergarten milestone is just around the corner in August, and it’ll be a big changing of the guard moment for me.
I’ve had the lucky opportunity to stay home with the girls over the past 7 years! Having both girls in elementary school next year means I’m losing more time with them. While I’m excited to have more time to myself, I’ll miss staying so connected. And, these final few days signify a lot of “lasts” with just her.
Last days walking her into preschool and watching her “sign in”
Last days getting a big squeeze as I pass her onto her teacher
Last days she hangs with me after school eating a snack, helping or running amok in the classroom
Last days her and I sing to the Trolls soundtrack or Avett Bros with the windows down after we drop big sis at school
Last impromptu mid-day park visits
Last days she runs up to me for hugs on the preschool playground
Last days I get to spend a solid four hours of uninterrupted together time being her Helping Parent
While I’m hopeful she’ll mature a little this summer, I wrestle with the desire to let her be her. As much as she brings the potty words energy to the party, she also gives the best hugs ever and loves to have picnics. Though we’ve been butting heads a lot lately (probably our way of processing the upcoming changes) I’m so proud of this spunky, comedic, crazy, intensely loving chic!
Top 6 Parks for Picnics with Preschoolers
Like I mentioned above Claire loves picnics. She loves to throw them for her lovies at home, bring them to friends’ houses or to a park. Here are our 6 favorite local parks to have a picnic:
Roanoke Park (Five Points, 1500 Cherokee Dr) – features a large open grassy area adjacent to a smaller age playground area with lots of benches; open field has several trees along the perimeter perfect for climbing and a shady picnic; I’m a huge fan of ordering take out from Nofo and picnicking here
North Wake Landfill Park (North Raleigh, 9300 Deponie Dr) – enjoy a picnic under the large pavilion next to the playground area; if you want to take in amazing 360-degree views of Wake County, hike the short but steep trail to the top of the hill
Lassiter Mill Historic Park (ITB, intersection of Lassiter Mill Rd & Lassiter Circle) – throw a blanket down on the sandy beach near Crabtree Creek, provided the water levels aren’t too high; then, skip some rocks in the water together or wade out into the water
Mordecai Mini Park (ITB, 1122 N Blount St) – features lots of shady spots on the mulch or at the picnic tables; great fenced-in playground for kids of all ages with slides, swings and climbing areas; walk to Escazu for amazing hot chocolate or ice cream push-pops afterwards
Dorothea Dix Park (ITB, multiple access points) – has a mix of picnic spots with views of downtown Raleigh, tree groves, and open grassy areas; our favorite picnic spot is near the Big Field (101 Blair Dr) under the trees along the perimeter; the girls love to ride their bikes, barrel roll down the hills, or kick the ball around
Anderson Point Park (east Raleigh, 20 Anderson Point Dr) – follow the paved trail around the park for several picnic options; enjoy a picnic while swinging on the bench swings overlooking the park; sit on the stone wall or grassy spots at the amphitheater; walk up the spiral path to another scenic overlook and sit on the wooden benches while enjoying the view; one of our favorite spots to enjoy a picnic is in the large grassy spots near the playground area
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
Moms tend to always be the ones behind the camera, and now is the best time to adjust the focus and snap a quick pic with her. This week I drove to some of my favorite Raleigh Parks to scope out the best spots to take pictures for Mother’s Day. Though I concentrated mostly on places with flowers and trees in bloom, I also noted places with unique backgrounds, hardscapes and water features.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and cheers to snapping some fun pics in nature with your mom!
1. Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve
It’s been at least a year since I last visited Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve and I’m so glad I started my park visits there. Between the beautiful morning sun and large meadows of grasses and wildflowers, I wanted to daydream on a picnic blanket all day. Snap a pic among the wildflowers and grasses at the front of the park or in the large back meadow. If your mom likes rustic backgrounds, walk towards the left corner of the park for a pic in front of the old gray barn. Don’t forget to admire the flitting butterflies and chatty birds along the way, not that they’ll let you forget!
Park address – 2900 Horse Shoe Farm Rd, Wake Forest, 27587
2. Historic Oak View County Park
Where else can you stroll on brick paths and stop for pictures with animals, plants, or historic buildings? The herb garden’s contrast of brick walkways, lush plants and white picket fence make for great photos. Relax in the gazebo outside the main house, rock in the chairs outside the plank kitchen, or stroll through the pecan grove. And, don’t forget to say hi to the goats and chickens!
Meander around the meticulously manicured lawn and flower beds and snap a pic with mom in front of flowering trees, alliums (aka enormous dandelions) or peonies. Stop by the circular stone wall for a beautiful backdrop or walk through a shaded trail on the way for a pic in front of the Borden House. Follow the path past the tennis courts for a picture in front of the art sculpture or on the deck overlooking the wetlands. With so much lush green grass everywhere, even a simple selfie on the lawn would be special!
Park Address – 820 Clay St, 27605
4. JC Raulston Arboretum
With so many color and texture options at the Arboretum, it’s hard to go wrong with photo taking at the Arboretum. Even though the irises in my yard are on the decline, the irises at the Arboretum are still in full bloom in purples, corals, and yellows. For a shady spot, admire the bright white blooms in the White Garden while relaxing on a bench with mom. Or, hold hands with mom as you walk by the tree line in the Plantsmen’s Woods. If you’re looking for a quirky surprise in the garden, look no further than the dead elm tree (near the restrooms). Even though it is currently stricken with Dutch Elm disease the tree is all dressed up in red and white polka dots – perfect for any mom with a good sense of humor!
Park Address – 4415 Beryl Rd, 27606
5. Lassiter Mill Historical Park
Lassiter Mill Historical Park still remains a hidden gem of a park to me. Tucked inside the beltline where Crabtree Creek flows through, it’s a great spot for fishing, picnicking or just listening to the water. Currently the water levels are low enough for exploring the sandy “beach” or capturing NC mountain-esque photos with the waterfalls in the background. Several large fallen trees lay on the beach, giving a driftwood look, which would be fun for any water-lovin’ mama!
When I brought my girls back to the Rose Garden this week, they literally stopped to smell all 60 varieties of roses. Even though we’ve been to the Rose Garden many times in the past, the girls didn’t have memories and were blown away by the colors and quantity of roses. Nestled in the University Park neighborhood, the garden has a unique history that has evolved nearly 150 years. By early this week the roses really started to show their colors. Many varieties boasted lots of big blooms mixed with smaller blooms, with more blooms yet to come forth. You can’t go wrong with taking pics in front of mom’s favorite colors, or escaping to the ends of the park for a pic under the pergola, shelter, or benches.
Park Address – 301 Pogue St, 27607
7. Dorothea Dix Park
Dorothea Dix Park’s landscape boasts lush green fields and full trees and shrubs right now. The landscape will change a bit starting this weekend for the Light the Woods with Sound performances, offering some unique evening photos. But, if visiting in the daytime, my favorite spots include:
intersection of Cramer Dr & Black Dr with downtown Raleigh skyline in background
Umstead Dr with beautiful magnolia tree and gazebo
outside the Spring Hill House on Barbour Dr
walking under the canopy of trees along Barbour Dr or Blair Dr
wide open green fields and rolling hills of the Big Field (embrace your inner Julie Andrews from Sound of Music)
8. NC Museum of Art Museum Park
In years past, I’ve taken pictures of water lilies in full bloom on Mother’s Day at the NCMA Museum Park. Sadly, I only saw a few in bloom this week, but maybe they’ll be ready to open by this weekend. Even if the lilies aren’t in bloom, the Museum Park is bursting with photo op spots. Take a stroll with mom through the Rodin Garden near the soft roses – a great contrast to the hardscape. For a picture near water, walk to the Pond Platform for a place of relaxation that overlooks the pond. For the adventurous mom, walk the unpaved trail for a picture outside the Cloud Chamber exhibit. Don’t forget to bring out mom’s inner child with a fun slide down the Sculpt C exhibit (aka piggie slide). Finally, a trip to the Museum Park is not complete without a pic under the distinctive Gyre rings.
Park Address – 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, 27607
9. Annie Louise Wilkerson Park
Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal and Annie Louise Wilkerson Park is no stranger to welcoming new inhabitants and new flora. As we visited the park last night, we watched 7-week-old Great Horned Owlets perch on a branch near their nest. Then, the super friendly park ranger showed us where the Phoebe baby birds nested and wait for mama to return. While those might not present great mom photo spots, it’s fascinating to watch new moms nurture their young in the wild.
After exploring the animals (don’t forget to visit charismatic turtle Holden), settle in for some remarkable photo ops with mom. The mowed grassy trails provide a nice contrast to the tall surrounding grasses. For a water pic, relax on a bench near the pond. Finally, don’t forget to explore the Nature Play Area, which features lush groundcover in a wooded area. The sunlight sneaks through the trees making the groundcover pop in color!
10. Historic Yates Mill County Park
Though I didn’t make the drive to Historic Yates Mill County Park this week, I vividly imagine great photo ops based on previous trips. For an unmistakable photo, gently climb the rocks in front of the dam for a memorable waterfall pic. Then, head back towards the main building and across the bridge over the pond for great photos overlooking the water. Finally, head to the back of the main building to enjoy the rocking chairs or sneak a quiet spot together on the small landing overlooking the water.
Even though Pullen Park’s Holiday Express has been sold out since July, there’s still plenty of other Holiday happenings in local parks. If you can’t make it to an event, explore a park soaking up Raleigh’s inevitable sunny winter days (remember Christmas Eve two years ago when it was almost 80 degrees). Grab coffee (and goldfish) to go and meet friends at a park, meet a friend for a bike ride or run on the greenway, or take a solo walk around a lake. Here’s a list of several indoor and outdoor programs sure to keep the kids busy (and the parents sane) happening across different parks through New Years including First Day Hikes.
City of Raleigh Programs
Wednesday, 12/13 (8-10pm) – Skywatching at Dorothea Dix Park – join volunteers and staff from several local astronomy clubs and the Morehead Planetarium to watch the Geminid Meteor Shower of 2017; Free; Meet at the Big Field
Thursday, 12/14 (5-6pm) – Creative Crafts Throughout the Holidays at Hill St Community Center: create a Christmas-themed craft; Free; program barcode #210494; ages 5-12
Friday, 12/15 (5-7pm) – Holiday Pajama Party at Greystone Community Center: bring the entire family dressed in your pajamas for a holiday movie, cocoa and cookies; $2 per participant; program barcode 210518; all ages, not many spots left
Saturday, 12/16 (7am-noon) – Christmas Bird Count at Walnut Creek Wetland Center: stroll along the greenway looking and listening for birds. 2016’s Christmas Bird Count netted 49 different species. Please bring your own binoculars, or you can borrow a pair of our children’s binoculars. Free; ages 12+; registration required; program barcode 217570
Saturday, 12/16 (10am-12pm) – Snacks with Santa at Chavis Community Center: enjoy holiday games, arts and craft activities and story time with Santa. Bring your camera to capture a photo with Santa. Please bring two nonperishable food items for this event; Free; ages 12 and under; program barcode 211028
Saturday, 12/16 (1-2:30pm) – Gingerbread House Decorating Competition at Method Rd Community Center: they provide the gingerbread houses and supplies and you build; $20 per family; program barcode 211845
Saturdays in December, January and February (11:30am-12:30pm) – Yoga at the COR Museum – bring your yoga mat and water for a free yoga class instructed by yoga studios from around Raleigh
Wake County Parks & Recreation
Sunday, 12/17 (2-3pm) – Family Feature: Winter Wrap Up at Crowder County Park: winter is a great time to explore nature at the park! Join a naturalist and learn how to identify tracks, explore conifers, and drink pine needle tea. Then, observe snow and ice through hands-on science experiments. Don’t forget to bring your scarf and mittens! For all ages; $1/person; Registration is required for all family members and children must have an adult accompaniment.
Dec 22 (10:30-noon or 2-3:30pm) Field School: The Ingalls Long Winter at Historic Yates Mill County Park – Learn what Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family did to survive one especially long winter and find out how the family celebrated Christmas. Taste an old-fashioned peppermint candy stick and bring home a home-made holiday craft. Feel free to dress in your best pioneer outfit! For ages 7 and up; $6/Child. Registration is required. This is a drop-off program but adults are welcome to stay – however, seating is limited.
Dec 30 (2-3pm) – FWS: Green and on the Scene at Blue Jay County Park – Join Blue Jay staff for an outdoor adventure hunting winter plants and trees that are green and on the scene. All participants must be independently mobile or in child backpacks. No strollers please!; $1 per participant; open to all ages though most appropriate for ages 5+
NC Parks
Sunday, 12/17 (2pm) – Holiday Sing-a-Long at Eno River State Park: Join a park ranger at the historic Piper-Cox House for cookies, hot chocolate and the chance to sing historic carols sung by the inhabitants of the Eno River Valley.
Saturday, 12/23 (2pm) – Happy Holidays to You & the Birds at Falls Lake State Recreation Area: meet at Shelter 24 at Beaver Dam Lake area to make bird feeder ornaments and decorate a tree in the park with wildlife friendly decorations.
Thursday, 12/28 (2pm) – Winter Wonders at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area: explore the nothern portion of the lake with a Ranger! Observe bald eagles, winter birds and water fowl. The deck is located approximately 150 yards from the gravel parking lot with the walk being very easy. Dress for the weather as it’s usually colder on the deck. Meet at observation deck off Martha’s Chapel Rd.
Friday, 12/29 (2pm) – Winter Wonders at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area: explore the southern portion of the lake with a Ranger! Observe bald eagles, winter birds and learn about the lake’s history. Meet near the volleyball court at the Ebenezer Day Use Area.
First Day Hikes on Monday, January 1, 2018
William Umstead Park (9am): meet at Reedy Creek parking lot off Harrison Ave exit on I-40 for a moderate 4-mile hike that will be a bit off trail, on the Company Mill Trail; highlights include two millstones in the woods that were never finished, the old Craggy Garden Scout camp and the biggest rock formations in the park. Please call the park for more info or to register.
Walnut Creek Wetland Park (2-4pm): Jump-start your New Year’s resolutions and join our staff for a scenic guided walk along the Walnut Creek Greenway. Be prepared to walk at least a mile. Strollers are welcome! Preregistration is helpful but not required. FREE; all ages; program barcode 209308
Falls Lake State Recreation Area (10am & 2pm start times) – Meet at the Rolling View Recreation Area for a hike on the kid-friendly Neuse Bend Trail; join a park ranger for an easy scavenger hunt/hike on the 0.75 mile Neuse Bend Trail in Rolling View Recreation Area. The Scavenger Hunt Hike is designed for ages 6-12 but all ages are encouraged to participate; Pre-registration is required and spots are limited: 919-676-1027
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Hike #1 (9-11am) – meet at the New Hope Overlook Recreation area and hike the challenging 2.7 mile Blue Loop Trail; no pre-registration
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Hike #2 (1-3pm) – meet at the Ebenezer Church Recreation Area shelter #8 for an easy 1 mile hike along the Old Oak Loop Trail; great for families; no pre-registration
Phew! Where did the Fall season go?! It’s almost December, but the recent warmer afternoon weather makes me reminisce about our amazing summer adventures with family and friends. Even though we didn’t cross off everything from our 2017 Bucket List, we explored so many new (to us) places in the mountains and at the beach.
We kept the weekdays simple, yet fun, with pool time and swim team with friends, and spent the weekends mostly traveling around NC and VA. We had lots of ups – amazing travels meeting up with friends and family, fresh seafood, gorgeous waterfalls; but, we also had some downs – getting lost down a one-way road with the Winnie, late night kiddo fevers in the Winnie, Winnie electrical outages in hot July, and the Hatteras Island evacuation. So, when things got out of our control, we tried to stay positive and improvise knowing that things will come full circle, which they eventually did! We somehow turned Winnie around at the end of Little Buck Creek Rd, fevers magically disappeared, my sister saved our food (and sanity) during the great electrical outage, and we moved our family vacation to beautiful Emerald Isle at the last minute.
As a summertime bonus, we survived a major kitchen renovation that is finally concluding, we celebrated what would have been my mom’s 60th birthday, Claire turned 4 years old, we celebrated Labor Day weekend with a crab feast and lots of Hokie buds and their littles, and we witnessed a total solar eclipse. I don’t know how we’ll top the mix of relaxation and travel from this past summer!
Enjoy a low country boil (with the in-laws over Memorial Day weekend)
Survive having two kids on summer swim team (it was touch-and-go at some points)
Perfect my mojito making (muddle 8 sprigs of mint with slice of lime cut into quarters and spoonful of sugar, add 2 Tbsp simple syrup, add 1.5 oz of white rum, fill glass 3/4 full of ice, add enough club soda or La Croix to cover ice)
Start composting (Bill put the nix to this idea)
Have a water balloon fight (backyard sister fun)
Read a long book together as a family (Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame)
Enjoy Winnebago camping as a family (5 trips under our belt this summer)
Visit a new brewery (Deep River Brewing Co in Clayton, Sierra Nevada & Wicked Weed in Asheville)
Wednesday, 12/13 (8-10pm) – 
William Umstead Park
