Beach Trips: Fort Fisher

Fort Fisher is a fantastic place for a day trip! With a large public access, the fort fisher historic site, the aquirium and estuary all within easy driving diastance you family will not lack for things to do.

The public access is large with lots of parking. It has a nice concession stand, bathrooms and outside rinse off showers. This area also has a 4 wheel vehicle access. It is a great place to take a picnic and spend the day.   http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fofi/main.php

If you want to learn some history the fort fisher historic site is there to provide it including outdoor and indoor exhibits.  http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/ 

The Aquarium is a great place to get out of the heat and enjoy learning about the ocean and the life within it. Renovated not too long ago it is a great place to take the family. Spend the day or just a few hours exploring the exhibits. Be sure to stop by the touch tank, visit Luna the albino alligator, explore the new butterfly bungalow, and if you hit it just right you might get to interact with a diver in the big tank!
http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher                                                        

The Estuary is something our family discovered quite by accident. We decided to drive to the end of the island while waiting on the ferry to southport and ended up at the estuary. It is a great place to wander around and see explore the salt march, and maybe take a walk along the sea wall. Be sure to watch the tides though! Since the time we discovered this little gen, the parking has been much improved.

Finally, the Fort Fisher Ferry. Our family used to take the Ferry over to Southport every time we visited Fort Fisher. Near the end of the day we would enjoy riding over the water and spending the last hour or so of our beach visit walking along the boardwalk, swinging in the double swings along the river and letting the kids runn around in the open green area chasing seagulls.  http://www.visitnc.com/listing/fort-fisher-southport-ferry

Beach Trips... Topsail Island...

Ok, you who know me know that eventually I would do a post about beach trips! I LOVE the beach, and will go on a day trip or weekend trip in a heartbeat. I have been known to get up around 9am, decide at 10am we were going to the beach for the day and be on the highway by 11am... not to return till the sun was setting on the beautiful sound! It will take several posts to cover my favorite beaches, so here we go!






First and foremost, my favorite place for a day trip is Topsail Island.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Town-of-Topsail-Beach-North-Carolina/138345019542554 Located just 2.5 hours from Raleigh (if you don't stop) it offers a great place to soak in the sun and enjoy  beautiful coastal views.  The island is dotted with small public access points, including one large one in North Topsail, which has outdoor rinse off showers, bathrooms and a concession stand.

If gentler water is more your speed, you can head to the very end of the South side of the Island and enjoy swimming in the sound. Perfect for swimming, floating and fishing the sound offers a quieter side of the island perfect for younger children and pets. A word of warning though. People do fish there, so water shoes can be smart to keep from walking over any leftover hooks.

Things to see and hidden gems: 

Sound Side Park https://www.facebook.com/soundsidepark  recently renovated with a big playground, benches and a large open field this is a great place to have a picnic. In the summer months their are free outdoor programs including music, dancing and movies.  There are many other smaller playgrounds scattered throughout the island as well.




The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle hospital is a must see https://www.facebook.com/seaturtlehospital?ref=br_tf . Recently they moved into their brand new space and have begun giving tours again. This is a wonderful opportunity to see sea turtles up close and personal, and hear about the fantastic work they do at the hospital rehabilitating injured turtles, as well about the nesting habits of the beautiful gentle creatures.

The Assembly Building: Missiles and More museum:  http://topsailhistoricalsociety.org/ 
Our family stumbled on this hidden jewel quite by accident. We were visiting the island on an extremely hot day and decided to see what was inside this huge building. What met us was a wonderful little museum and told about the history of military activity in the islands history. http://missilesandmoremuseum.org/ We learned about operation Bumblebee, Pirates and WASP. Want to learn more, then pop on over the next time your there, I think you will be pleasantly surprised as what you and your kids can learn, and its got AC! :-)

The Jolly Roger Pier https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jolly-Roger-Inn-and-Pier/314180554679,  allows spectators to walk on it (for a small fee) and see what the fishermen have been pulling in all day,  and The Patio Playground https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patio-Playground/100893243335360  has putt putt, an arcade and some of the best malts and sundaes you have ever tasted, its pricey, but worth the expense every once and a while!

So Whether you are spending the day, a weekend, or longer Topsail Island offers a great place for a family get away. 

Garner Destination parks ... hidden gems you must see!

I call these two garner parks "hidden gems" because if you don't live in Garner you just might miss them. :-)

 

Lake Benson: 
http://www.garnernc.gov/Departments/Parks%20and%20Recreation/Parks.aspx?ID=13

For walking, running, picnics or just some fun on the playground, this park is a definite must visit. Its trails wind beside the lake, through the woods and around a huge field giving great opportunity to get in some exercise in a safe environment. Playground and picnic tables make it a wonderful place for a picnic as a family or with friends.






White Deer Park:
http://www.garnernc.gov/Departments/Parks%20and%20Recreation/Parks.aspx?ID=25

This little gem tucked away in Garner is absolutely a must visit!  Walking tails, picnic shelters and a nature center make this park worth the trip alone, but the playgrounds are truly something to behold. One playground made only of natural resources provide shaded fun not to be missed! Right next door, or down the walking trail, is a playground that must be dedicated to spinning and centripetal force. The swings and spinning features will keep your kids dizzy with head spinning pleasure.

Raleigh Destination Parks .... Fantastic family fun

 I call these destination parks because they all offer more than just your garden variety swings and sandboxes!

Pullen Park:
http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Pullen.html

I had the opportunity to spend some time at Pullen Park with my sister and her kids this week.  I had not had a chance to visit since the huge renovation was completed. And may I just say I was completely impressed! The old, run down, scary, dirty park I remember has been replaced with a clean, inviting destination park that Raleigh can be very proud of. Age appropriate playgrounds, water play, yummy concessions (many from local businesses), reasonably priced rides and clean open walking trails make this part a must visit!


Anderson Point:
 http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/AndersonPoint.html

Our church had an all church family picnic at Anderson Point Park just recently. Our shelter was located right next to a field where kids and adults alike could play kick ball and Frisbee. The bathrooms were reasonably clean, but lacked paper towels and toilet paper so you might want to be sure you take some along if you rent a shelter for use. With two playgrounds and lots of walking trails this park if a favorite for many families in the area. You need to be prepared to walk from the parking lot to your destination,  but the trails and walkways are very stroller friendly

Lake Johnson Park:
http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/LakeJohnson.html

This park is fantastic for families who like to walk or bike. 3+ miles of walking trails make this a great place for you to get in a really good walk with both flat and hilly terrain, but be ware of "heatbreak hill", its a whooper of a hill, worthy of its name! In addition to walking, there are picnic shelters, and boats to rent. Fishing is allowed off the big bridge too. So, whether you are training for a 5K or just wanting a really good work out, be sure to check this park out!



Sertoma Arts Center/Shelly Lake Park: 
http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/ShelleyLake.html

This is a great park for those who walk or bike, as well as if you are looking for a playground. The 2+mile trail is a fairly level walk providing beautiful views of Shelly Like, in fact if you are quiet you might see a heron or two. The playground is good for multiple ages, and there are picnic tables if you want to take your lunch.

Buffaloe Road park:
 http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/BuffaloeRoad.html 

I have not visited this park in some time, but reliable sources tell me that it is well worth the trip, with walking trails, a playground and close proximity to the Aquatic Center is offers lots for the active family.

Camping ... or Exploring Nature, up close and personal

 In this post I will highlight a few campgrounds that my family has visited in the past and of course provide you some links to get you started in planning your own camping adventure! Like the parks in our great state, the camping facilities include a variety of different camping experiences;  hike in and equestrian,  primitive campsites, tent and trailer sites with our without electric and water, as well as group sites.

And the real beauty of these camping areas is they are located from the Mountains to the Sea, from the highest peaks of the blue ridge, the gentle rolling foothills and Piedmont, and the lowlands of our coastal plains. Teaming with rich vegetation and wild life these camp sites offer a chance to get away from it all and spend time exploring some of the most beautiful natural environments in our state, up close and personal. And, one of the added benefits is that, unlike many hotels, you can take your furry family members with you on your adventure!

Mountain Camping: 

South Mountain State Park:  http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php
 Our family found this park many years ago when looking for a place to hike while visiting my grandmother who lived in Shelby, NC. tucked away in the woods this park offers some really great trails for those who dare to climb them, medium to strenuous and mostly not stroller friendly, but so worth the climb when you make it to the top and see the beautiful waterfall as your reward!
  We only spent the day here, but the park offers hike in backpack primitive sites, equestrian camping sites, family camping with showers and bathrooms, as well as some groups sites. Trout fishing and mt biking are also allowed at this little gem of a park.   If you want a rugged adventure, this is a great place to visit!

Piedmont Camping: 

Falls Lake State Park: 
 http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fala/main.php
  Holly Point was a favorite for us when the kids were growing up. On our first camping adventure we did not have a camper or a tent, we just popped open the back of our Caravan, put the screen room over the hatch and that was that!
   This campground offers, tent and trailer camping sites with or without water and electric. Well lit bath houses with warm showers are available within reasonable walking distance of most camp sites. Swimming, fishing, boating and walking trails are available for your family to gently explore.

Coastal Camping:   http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/cabe/main.php
Carolina Beach State Park: This parks name is something of a tease, because while close to the beach, in reality is it located along the banks for the Cape Fear River.  Family and Group camping sites are available at this location. Activities include hiking, fishing and boating, as well as being an easy drive to the beach and Fort Fisher this campground is a great place to go to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the coast.

How to get  the most of our your trip?  Go prepared! Go with the Flow! Go for adventure! Some things  you can do to up the educational value of your trip; have your kids create a nature journal of some of the things they see and experience, either drawing or taking pictures and creating something online, find out if the park has a visitor center to explore, stop by the library and check our some nature guides for the area you will be visiting, remember to have downtime for safe exploration .

So, there you have it, just three of the many many campgrounds you available for your enjoyment over the coming months, and years. Hook up that trailer or borrow a tent, pack your cooler, grab some firewood; don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray and head out for chance to explore nature, up close and personal! Oh, and just for the purposes of full disclosure, yes, we did allow our children to bring their handheld devices and a DVD player, but there were not allowed to use them the whole time we were there, usually only at night, day time was spent talking, swimming, walking and enjoying the environment around us.

NC Zoo ... or ... Walking on the Wild Side ... .

Yesterday's post covered parks in general, and in the coming days I will zero in on some specific ones that my family has particularity enjoyed. This time I would like to highlight one of our favorite places, The NC Zoo!

First, I should start by saying I am NC born and raised, and the only zoo I have ever been to is the NC Zoo.  I have no comparison from other zoos in other states, so I can not say if our zoo is better, worse or the same as any other. However, I am a proud North Carolinian and I think our zoo is fantastic!

Located in the foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains, very near the of city of Asheboro, the NC Zoo has 500 acres of beautiful landscaped habitats for visitors to explore and enjoy. Divided into African and North American Continents, 5 miles of shaded walkways take you to see more than 1,600 animals and 52.000 varieties of plant life. Each habitat, whether outdoor or indoor,  is specially created to give the animals a homey and safe place to live and thrive.

If the 5 miles of trails sounds daunting there is a tram and shuttles that run every 30 minutes during the summer hours carrying people from on side of the park to the other.Our kids always loved the tram because as home schooled kids it was the only time they got to ride a bus! :-)

In addition to animals and plants, there are activities for the whole family to enjoy including a playground, hands on KidZone, and special 4D movie viewings throughout the year. Rangers and volunteers are available at many of the habitats to answer your questions, and if your lucky, you might even get to see them feed the sea lions! Also, the zoo is full of Art sculptures that the kids are allowed to play on and make perfect photo opportunities. If its a hot day check the surfaces to make sure they won't get burned, and then let them climb and play.

Some ways to make the most of your visit? Go online and print off a map of the zoo, and have your kids choose the 5 animals they most want to try to see. That way you can make sure you see them first, and then back track if you still have the every and time to see more. Create a scavenger hunt or zoo bingo for your kids to mark off as you go through the zoo. If  they have their own phones, have them take pictures and compile a collage or slide show when you get home. Find out what animals your kids want to read more about and head to the library so they can research on their own, watch a DVD and create a lap-book and you have an instant unit study.

One thing we also do is try to get a little something from the gift shop that represents our favorite part of the zoo that day, if you budget is really tight, skip the gift shop completely and use your photos to create a memory.  And don't forget to ask them what their favorite part of the day was as you ride home. You might be surprised at what they remember. Also, don't try to see everything in the zoo in one day. If you live close enough to make several trips focus on one continent per visit, or go on a rainy day and explore all the inside exhibits, or go and focus on the variety of plant life you see.

Schools and Groups! Schools and groups can get free or reduced admission. Policy's can change so check out the website or give the zoo a call to  find out criteria for free admission or group rates. http://www.nczoo.org/

So, are you ready??  Rain or Shine, Warm weather or Cold, Young, Old and In Between,  the Zoo is a fantastic place for a grand adventure! Why not plan a visit today, put on your  walking shoes, wear comfy clothes and get ready to enjoy a "walk on the wild side", the animals are waiting for you, so what are you waiting for?? 

A Walk in the Park ..

So, I'm sure you thinking. Really? A trip to the park? Your first blog is about a trip to the park? I wanted excitement, adventure,  beautiful scenery, to feel like I have been somewhere special. Well, keep reading, because if you do will find out that the parks in our State, County and City can offer wonderful opportunities for play and learning.

The parks in our State are largly divided into four  types; National Parks, State Parks, County Parks, and City Parks. And no two parks are exactly the same. Some of tiny little places with just a playground and a water fountain. Others are huge with walking trails, lakes, playgrounds, paddle boats and fields. And all sizes in between, including those that are near historic places. Some even have campgrounds for the more adventurous and brave. ;-)

In the old days, like 15 years ago, you would have had to pick up a list from your local library, or make lots of phone calls to find out about different parks and what they offer,  but today you can easily access information about all these parks via the internet. Each site gives detailed information about what they provide, if there is a cost, and sometimes even if there are special events going on.

One thing that can be fun to do it create a list of parks you want to be sure to visit, maybe make a map to put on your wall and mark each park you want to visit with a push pin, then as you visit them come home and put a big check mark on the spot! You could spend an entire summer just exploring the various parks in your city and county, not to mention State and national ones.

During the school year, parks with visitors centers can make wonderful places to go and learn about specific animals and plant life, and we have found that most of the time park rangers are very happy to engage students in conversation and answer questions.  Or create your own little passport book or nature journal and write/draw entries about something you liked or leaned that day. Combine a trip to the library, a Magic School Bus DVD, or other nature video and you have a mini unit study without even trying. :-)

So, there you go. The links are listed below and now its up to you. Pick a park and start your adventure!


http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

http://ncparks.gov/Visit/main.php

http://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/Departments/Articles/ParksandRecreation.html

http://www.wakegov.com/PARKS/Pages/default.aspx