Saturday, July 3, 2021

June...we finally got to go on our vacation :)

 

Rose had her last day of 3rd grade



Then we hit the road!






Our first stop was Yorktown, VA to visit one of Justin's lifelong friends :)










From there we were off to a quick stop in Savannah...

With some yummy Carolina BBQ


And a stop along the way at South of the Border



It was a busy drive but we had time for a quick swim before bed. Our hotel selection was based on: free parking, breakfast, and pools :)


We LOVE Bluey :)


We made a stop in Forsythe Park



Then it was off to Florida


Hooray for Wawa in Florida :)


We made our long awaited trip to Theater of the Seas to meet Dolphins on Monday. This was Rose's request for last year and everything was planned out for April, but then the world changed and we delayed our trip. 






We saw some other fun animals and shows too :)








We also made a quick stop at John Pennekamp State Park. They moved parts of a 1700's shipwreck closer to shore so we could snorkel and see it. 






We headed into Miami for a day. The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science was not only a science center, but aquarium too. 










Some nights we picked up a late dinner and relaxed in the hotel room. 


While we made so many great memories out doing activities, some of my favorite times were just hanging out in our rooms :)




We spent another day in the keys and went out snorkeling...this was not Rose's favorite activity, but she made it through and might do it again sometime :) Plus on the way back they let her drive the boat...we did not crash ;)



We went our to Sombrero Reef and this was all of our first time snorkeling in the ocean :)


We did not get a picture of it, but we saw a ray and TONS of different fish. There was also a small sleeping shark under some coral. 


We took a quick trip through the Everglades and saw tons of Alligators, on our way up the west coast of Florida





Justin was told about a brewery from a coworker and so we stopped!


Another hotel and another pool, this one was in Tampa!


The hotel had these rolling cubes...Rose was in love and took them everywhere :)


AND another brewery, this one was mom's favorite! If you get a change to go to Cigar City you will not be disappointed by the beer or food!!



It wasn't on my original agenda, but when Rose heard we were going to be around Tampa she insisted on visiting the Tampa Zoo as a vet show she watches has been filmed there. 

Can you find the sloth in this picture?










After the zoo it was on to Atlanta for just a sleep before heading back up to VA.


We found some yummy drinks to keep us going




And we made a pit stop at Southern Tier in Charlotte. We have now made it to all 4 Southern Tier locations. There was no prize, but the food and beer were yummy :)




This time in VA we stayed with Aunt Laura for a night before our final drive home





The best way to get over 'post vacation blues' is with cute foster kittens! These two definitely hit the spot: Q-tip and Cottonball.