Vernon Volumes text

Vernon Volumes text

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Amelia Island for Easter and Andrea's Birthday

This past weekend we were joined by the Gobles for a fun weekend in Amelia Island to celebrate Andrea's birthday and Easter. We'd originally planned to go to Sea Island for the weekend, but their tennis was all booked up and we thought about how we hadn't been to Amelia Island and Steak night in a while. We were able to change our plans up and realized that we had plenty of room in the house we reserved to have the Gobles join us. We drove up on Friday and the Gobles joined us on Saturday morning.

The weather was beautiful for the weekend. It was cool and we enjoyed bike rides and walks in the shade of the towering oak trees. I played tennis on Saturday morning and then met everyone at a park nearby. Around noon we ate at Marche Burette for lunch together and then went back to the house to get ready for our kayaking adventure. 

Andrea rented a golf cart for the day and drove everyone over to Walker's Landing where we put on our life vests and then listened to a quick refresher on how to operate and steer our kayaks. Connor and I had single kayaks and the other kids split up between Andrea, Amanda, and Ryan in tandem kayaks. We paddled out in the marsh and the weather was beautiful and cool, although the wind was against us on the way out. We stopped at a big Pluff Mud spot where we stomped around and played in the mud. I'd always been curious about the consistency of the mud around our marsh and it was interesting to explore around and experience the varying firmness of it. There were some areas that were very firm and others where I'd sink up past my knees. 

After cleaning up, some of the kids switched around their seat assignments and we paddled back to Walker's Landing. Connor was having a great time splashing everyone and at one point Graydon challenged him. While they were having their water fight, Graydon was yelling at Connor and somehow his retainer slipped out of his mouth and disappeared in to the water. It was equal parts hilarious and sad as it is going to be hard and expensive to replace since their orthodontist in Kansas City isn't going to be able to simply send a new one. Other than the lost retainer and my carelessness stepping on a sharp hermit crab, the day was perfect and we all enjoyed our kayak adventure. 

Saturday night we watched some movies and ate at the Falcon's Nest. The food was a bit disappointing, but the atmosphere was great and we sat outside and watched the turtles in the stream nearby and the brave squirrel that was determined to steal some bites of food from us. 

Sunday morning we rode bikes, ate lunch, did an Easter Egg hunt, went to a park, and then packed up our stuff in preparation to go home. There was a big storm coming our way and although we could have stayed the night, we figured it would be best to head home that evening. We packed the cars up, got dressed, and then enjoyed steak dinner at Marche Burette's steakout. Andrea's steak was a bit disappointing, but everyone else's steak was delicious and it was a comfortable night to eat outside. The ambiance was enhanced by the live music and we enjoyed our Easter dinner.

The drive home was quick and painless, we mostly beat the rain, and Paige went to the Gobles for the night since there was no school on Monday. Andrea's idea to go to Amelia Island for the weekend worked out wonderfully and we are glad that the Gobles could join us.





















































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