Be A Tourist - 2010

We've been a little slack on our Be A Tourist adventures this year. I refused to anything outdoors at the beginning of the month simply because it was so cold. Now, with beautiful weather I plan to attack with my pass in hand. Below are the places we have ventured to thus far.

The boys jumping off the firetruck bumper. There is no way they were about to smile and look at the camera. I take what I can get.

This is at Magnolia Plantation. Banks had Lester the Ladybug for the wkend. Lester is the class pet so he got to go on our adventures with us.

Hughes took a date to Magnolia Gardens. Okay, it wasn't a date but it was definitely a girlfriend - Lucy! Apparently, Hughes was being really funny and wooing her.

Checking out the geese.

Our Crew - Hughes, Lucy, Banks, Lester the Ladybug, Charles and Frances

After looking at the geese for awhile, we braved the Petting Zoo. It was a little scary at first for Banks. Large animals coming at you looking like they were going to peck your face off - that's scary. So, I had to pick him up and carry him most of the way.

This turkey wanted to be our friend. He didn't care if we didn't have food. He just wanted to hang with us. That wasn't so bad. It was when his brothers and sisters started following us did it get to be a little weird.

I had to sneak this picture. Banks would have freaked had he seen the pig this close to him.

WOW!

Our next adventure was to Birds of Prey in Awendaw. We toured the grounds but then the flight demonstration got cancelled because it started raining - boo! It was still fun and we decided to go back in the spring when it's not raining so that we can see the birds fly. Hughes said everything was a bald eagle.

Conley and Hughes - our tour guides

Family Shot - Lester the Ladybug made the shot, too.

Be a Tourist - Birds of Prey

Today, BecBec and I took the boys to The Center for Birds of Prey.  It was amazing!  I would highly recommend visiting this place.  We got there right in time for one of the flying demonstrations - a hawk, falcon and owl all showed their flying and hunting skills.  It was so cool to see these birds up close and in action.  Hughes slept through the demonstration but soon woke to check out the bald eagle and others.  Banks just pointed and said his infamous "hot" - not really sure he means hot but he says it all the time for everything.

Bald Eagle - hit by a car and had foot and spine damage.

Quick photo op in front of one of the many hawk exhibits.  Hughes couldn't stop saying "look, look".  He was running ahead of us, so excited to show us the next bird.  Banks brought up the rear exclaiming "hot, hot".
Check out this puff ball of an owl.  I forgot his name, but he was my favorite owl.
Flying demonstration with hawk.  It was interesting seeing how the hawk approaches his prey (fake albeit but nonetheless impressive).

Everyone had a great time - if you haven't been, you need to go.  We finished up our visit with lunch at the Sewee Restaurant.

Be a Tourist - Fort Sumter

On Tuesday, Suzie and I took the boys to Fort Sumter.  I haven't been there since I was a small child so I have no recollection of it.  Despite the cold wind coming off the ocean, it was a great adventure.  The boat ride to the fort was fun - the boys had a great time looking at other passing boats, birds, etc.  Once docked, we saw some porpoises playing.  It was cold but lots of fun.

Hughes and Banks enjoying some brotherly time on a gun beside the ticket office - no, they didn't have these kind of guns at the Fort, more like cannons!
Banks still enjoying the big gun.
Hughes and Conley inside the Fort.  There is no climbing on any of the structures or cannons - this made for a lot of "don't climb" and  "get down" by me and Suzie.
Hughes and Conley climbing the mounds right next to the sign "stay off the mounds".  They were being so sweet - picking flowers (more like weeds).  Conley was giving his to his mom.  Hughes kept his!

Hughes and Conley on their way back to the boat.  Been there, done that, check it off!

Be a Tourist - Cypress Gardens

After Mepkin Abbey, we ventured to Cypress Gardens.  The boys had a great time.  We didn't do the boat ride - I was a little nervous about two boys on a boat even though we had 3 adults to their 2 - it still made me nervous.  We opted to take a walk around the swamp instead.  It was a beautiful day and I'm glad BecBec and PopPop could join us.

Why does Hughes never look at the camera?  
Big ol' alligator sunning himself.
Zebra Butterfly

Be a Tourist - Mepkin Abbey

Last Friday, Mom and Dad met me and the boys at Mepkin Abbey.  It is a Trappist Monastery in Moncks Corner.  You may have seen it on the news last year.  PETA made a huge stink over the monks raising chickens for egg production.  Needless to say, the monastery no longer produces eggs but has moved on to honey and mushrooms.  Anywho, we were out there in the morning and it was absolutely gorgeous - right on the Cooper River, sun shining through the oaks, and no noise.  We opted out of the tour that included a noon-day prayer service.  I figured two rowdy boys would not be appreciated in a quiet service.  We stayed in the gardens and wondered around.

View of the Cooper River
Helping Banks down the stairs - he now thinks he is suppose to step down them like a big boy instead of sliding on his stomach - He thinks he's 3 like his brother!
Hughes thought these tombstones were pretty cool.
PopPop and Banks going on a little walk.
This is the best I could do to get a picture of both boys together - will I ever get a decent one?

After Mepkin Abbey, we stopped by Delta Pharmacy so that Dad could visit with some pharmacist friends.  We, then, decided to hit Cypress Gardens. - next blog!

Be a Tourist - Middleton Place

On Monday, we went to Middleton Place on our Be a Tourist pass.  We took a horse-drawn carriage ride through the plantation and the rice fields.   I can't say the boys appreciated the history but they did love seeing alligators, birds, horses, and other wildlife on our tour.  After our tour, we had a picnic lunch on the steps of the original plantation.   The boys had a great time running up and down the lawn.  It was gorgeous - right on the Ashley River.  After our picnic lunch, we walked over to the stable yard to check out the horses, cows, goats, pigs, etc.  The sheep just had a baby which was sooooo cute.  I fell in love immediately!  

Getting ready to do the tour.  Our carriage driver was from Ohio and the other visitor was from Canada.
Our horses were May and June.  Sisters who only worked together.

The gates of the original house.  It was burned during the Civil War.  Yankee troops had a dinner at the house and then torched it.  A few years later, an earthquake finished off the remains of the house.  The site has never been touched so who knows what's buried in all that rubble.  
This is the front lawn of the original house that sits on the Ashley River.
Behind Banks are the steps we had our picnic on.  You can also see the rubble beside the steps.
Mama Sheep and baby lamb

Had it been a little warmer, we could have easily spent half a day here.  Unfortunately, it got quite chilly and Hughes had speech so we had to cut our visit short.  

Be a Tourist - Yorktown

On Saturday, we ventured out to Patriots Point.  We knew the boys would love it.  So, we bundled everyone up and bared the cold!  Man, it was cold on the water!  

Banks pointing to an aircraft carrier and saying "ha, ha"  (what we thought was hot, but he says it for everything - sometimes in the appropriate situation - pointing to the oven - but he uses it a lot)
Hughes getting ready to take off in his fighter jet - I wonder if he'll follow in his PopPop and Bull's footsteps and become a pilot?  I just hope he doesn't work for a man named Lorenzo!
Tobogan Clan - when you don't have much hair on top, you gotta do something to keep the heat in!

We visited the submarine but had to make an early exit due to a bathroom emergency.  In fact, we were only on the sub for about 10 minutes so we exited through the entrance.  Well, this 10-year oldish boy told me I needed to go all the way through the sub to exit.  I quickly shot him my teacher glare and told him politely that we had an emergency.  I had a few other words in my head but kept them to myself.

The boys loved it - as we knew they would.  We are really enjoying this Be a Tourist pass.  

Be a Tourist - Firetruck Museum

Because of the frigid weather currently, we are sticking to all indoor activities.  Yesterday we went to the Firetruck Museum with Conley.  Once we got there, Hughes went tearing into the museum to get on the firetruck simulator.  There was this man hushing him.  I thought, "that's odd, no one has ever told us to be quiet before".  So, I went into the museum only to find Mayor Sumney (North Charleston) shooting a commercial.  That's why Hughes had to be quiet.  Thankfully, they were wrapping up.  I spoke with him briefly but he really took a liking to Suzie.  Of course, Banks pulled me away to another exhibit and I left Suzie to discuss politics with the mayor.  That was our big celebrity spotting for the year!

Hughes and Conley driving the firetruck simulator.  Hughes could have driven that firetruck all day long.  Unfortunately for him, another group came and wanted to drive it.  This did not go over well with Hughes.  
Future Fireman of America
Banks and Mom riding in the back of the firetruck.  Banks was really concerned with Hughes' driving!
Fireman Hughes, Fireman Banks & Fireman Conley

Be a Tourist - Magnolia Gardens

This year I decided to get a Be a Tourist pass.  It is a pass for locals to use to do a lot of "touristy" stuff:  plantations, historic houses, etc.  It is good for the month of January and since it was a beautiful day today, I thought we should start our January adventures!  

Today, we went to Magnolia Gardens.  The boys had a great time in the petting zoo and, I think, could have stayed in there for over an hour - pigs, rabbits, peacocks, goats, sheep, deer, birds, chickens, roosters, etc.  We bypassed the food to feed the animals but still managed to get our hands on plenty of animals' mouths.

Banks near the sheep with a rabbit in the background.  This was about the closest Banks got to the animals which I am thankful.  Although, he did like the pig.  They had a sign that read "Beware of small children near the goats"!

Hughes annoying this goat.  Once Hughes got close enough, he started moving his head slowly in the ramming motion.  I, at once, ordered Hughes to back away.  He loved the bench.  Stood there for most of our visit.
Check out this fat pig.  Man, did he have a nasty snout!  Hughes loved him b/c the pig let him rub him all day long.  He was pretty gross!
Beautiful peacock strutting himself around the grounds.  Hughes tried to chase him (Rule #2 Don't chase the animals) but he jumped on top of another cage to get away.

After the petting zoo, we moved to the Conservatory.  It was so peaceful, that is, until my boys showed up.  I had to keep reminding Hughes to use his inside voice.  We were the only ones in there except for a volunteer who was working peacefully restaining some chairs.  

After the Conservatory, we boarded the train for the tour.  Hughes kept yelling "All Aboard".  I didn't think anyone else could understand him, but another tourist yelled back "all aboard".  This made Hughes grin from ear to ear.  We saw some alligators, ducks, and lots of birds.  It was a 45 minute tour - Banks fell asleep about half way through, Hughes fell asleep with only 10 minutes left of the tour.  That left me with two sleeping boys at the end of tour that had to be woken up to get to the car.

After our adventure, we headed home where I promptly pooped out on the sofa.  Thanks goodness David came home a little early from work today!