Emmerson's Journey

I had a fun time at my first ever sleep away camp. I was sad to go away from Mom and Dad but I was okay since Breighton was at camp with me.

I picked my bunk quickly. I liked the top bunk near the counselor in case I needed help.

We had a good group in our cabin.

I got to paddle a canoe and kayak.

We visited the pet place and held turtles, snakes and alligators!

We learned all about hunting safety and earned our safe hunters cards!

We had a lot of range time for archery, shotgun and muzzleloader.

I did shoot the shotgun! It was LOUD! I didn’t do the muzzleloader since it was really loud and I was super nervous.

 

We learned outdoor survival skills like starting fires and building shelters.

I also got to paddle a kayak.

I was sad that the last day of camp the mud hike was canceled due to bad weather in the area. The storms were really bad at camp and the rain just kept coming! I can’t wait to come back next year for Anglers!

 

Dad is off to DC and we are playing with friends before everyone else leaves for the summer. We enjoyed a morning of bowling.

The next day we went and saw a free summer movie, Ice Age. Then went out to lunch at Quaker Steak and Lube.

Zoe came down and we died shirts and had fund watching  movie, since it always rains when she visits.

We got all packed for Ocala Adventure Camp.

I wasn’t feeling to well and asked to go to the doctor. I was fine but they did say to up the allergy meds for a few weeks to adapt back to Florida.

We have owls in the backyard. There are 3 babies and 2 adults. They are super cute to watch bob around and learn to fly and hunt.

We participated int he fun shoot at WAC. I improved my score quite a bit over the last tournament. I was proud but I was tired so I was in a bad mood.

We have hearing protection in since there were people on the shotgun range during our time.

 

 

We arrived a day early at the Yogi Bear Campground in Madison, Florida. The campground was fairly empty so we enjoyed time in the lazy river, pool and beach before the weekend crowds arrived.

I loved the 4 story slide. I went down the slide about 20 times. Mom said that was like climbing an 80 story building! WOW!

There was also a lake with inflatables to play on. I loved the air cushion that you can launch people off of.

Snuggling with Breighton before he heads of to 4-H Intermediate State camp. He has been really nice to me lately.

Since camp drop off it so late at night everyone from the county was dropped off with us at the campground. It was pouring when everyone arrived. We opted to watch Alice in Wonderland and have popcorn while we waited for camp.

The rain stopped for a while and we got to play putt putt before they all went to camp.

Once they were at camp I just wanted to watch TV and do nothing. I was missing Breighton very badly. The next day I went swimming for an hour and did the slide a few times. I colored a cool shirt. Then I was done. I did help clean a little and then just sat in the back bedroom and vegged. I honestly miss B a LOT when he is gone!

I drove home with Dad in the motorhome while Mom waited to pick up all the kids from camp. Dad left for DC shortly after we got home.

We arrived at Herring Cove Provincial Park and set up basic camp and went out to explore. We checked out the Roosevelt Cottage and learned all about the family. I was impressed that the house had no electricity! I learned that there were two dogs that belonged to the Roosevelts. One was Anne Roosevelt’s dog named Chief and the family dog, Fala.

Eleanor Roosevelt used this exact megaphone to call the children in for meals and other activities.

The kids had to do school in a little classroom upstairs.

The house had no electricity but this servant call station ran on a battery. You pushed a button in the room you needed help and it would ding in the kitchen to alert the staff.

We explored all over the island. We found a cool lighthouse but could not get out to it during high tide. We opted to come back later at a lower tide.

The campground was near empty.

Back at the lighthouse you can see the tide is out and there is a visible path to the lighthouse.

After several ladders we finally were on the right island. During high season this is a tourist trap. There were a few other people down with us.

The campground was empty as I said. We had fun exploring buildings and areas. My favorite sign!

We enjoyed Tea with Eleanor on Moms 42nd birthday. We had tea and ginger cookies while listening to stories about the Roosevelts.

We spent the afternoon hiking and exploring the bog trails and other dirt roads.

In the evening Dad and B went on a hike one direction and Mom and I went another. I wanted to walk along the beach and find a piece of driftwood. I found several but was sad with all the lobster bands I found. I collected them on a stick as I walked and then took photos of the stick for 4H for next year. Microplastics in the water are a huge concern right now.

I loved the monkey bars. My hands were soft so I only went a few times across.

We head back to the US and towards Florida in the morning. It has been a great few weeks away. I am eager for our later summer trip!

Stop #1 was top priority after crossing into Canada: KINDER EGGS!

We hit the beach at the campground. B and I played outside until dinner and then more afterwards. We really love it here and hope to keep coming back.

Our first full day was packed with fun. We started at the Wild Salmon Nature Center. We got a personal tour guide for the time and learned all about the history of the salmon and fishing in Canada.

I loved looking at all the fishing flies!

We got to see the few salmon that they had in the river tank. They had just opened last week so it was still pretty quiet.

We hiked the upper falls and part of the lower falls trails. The river was so soothing and calming.

B with the spock thing is driving me nuts!

I enjoyed exploring along the rivers edge.

Grandma and Grandpa had a nice hike along with us. We are trying to do easier hikes with them and then more difficult ones on our own.

We toured the Ganong Cholocate Factory. It was all you can eat chocolate but honestly it wasn’t that good!

I enjoyed watching them hand dip chocolates.

After lunch at the motorhome we headed out to the Fundy Discovery at Huntsman Marine. I loved all the animals in the tidal pools and watching the sea lions play in their tank.

We left Grandma and Grandpa downtown with their car and we walked home past the lighthouse and along the beach at low tide.

We have a “paint factory” that we are running on the beach. We are smashing all sorts of things to get different colors. Mom thinks we are so creative. B and I get along really well and I love creating adventures with him.

We found all sorts of critters in the tide pools.

We drove across the ocean floor to Minister’s Island and had a lovely tour of the property. It was neat to see the tide go out and a road appear. Mom was nervous driving but got us out and back safely.

Everything was so ornate and fancy.

B and I LOVED the huge billiards table!

My favorite part of the tour was visiting the pool house. It was built into the cliff and they had (at one point) a pool carver out of the rock that changed daily with the tides.

I loved the view so much that I didn’t hear Mom call for me that we were leaving and I ALMOST got left behind!

B and I had fun at the playground at a seafood place. I opted to eat at the motorhome so I just payed while everyone else ate food.

The last day in town was wet and dreary. We did laundry in the morning  and worked on some school stuff.

We said goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma as they headed north towards Newfoundland and we headed south towards Campbell Island. It has been fun traveling with them.