Lynn and Nahant Beaches Zoo and Beaches Part 2

The day we went to the Stone Zoo we had also planned to go to the beach. We knew the zoo would take only about 4 hours or so to see and that left a lot of day to have fun in! We had a hard time finding a really nice beach the day we visited Plymouth and settled for an OK one. I determined to do my research and surprise everyone with a fantastic beach for the zoo day. I did good and found out about Nahant and Lynn beaches. A Beach on a skinny peninsula? attaches Lynn to Nahant. You can drive on this stretch and on the other side is a long, nice beach with good surf. We first explored the island, which is not really an island since it's attached. There were some scenic rocky areas to climb and play on. Then we settled on the beach on the skinny area attaching the two towns. This beach was a definite winner.

Nahant "Rock"

beach time!

I didn't get many pictures because I was swimming too. Hayley had gotten out of the water and asked to use my camera. Later I found all sorts of pictures of seagulls. She had been FEEDING them and was at one point quite surrounded by them.

A very fun day.

We left when it started t get dark and got terribly lost. We asked for directions at 3 gas stations, one guy at a bus stop, the McDonald's below where they spoke very little English but a customer helped. We got the kids something to eat there even though McD's is not typically on our list of places to eat! There are a few vegetarian (if not healthy) options. Finally in desperation we pulled over by some police cars in a section of town that looked very ominous and they directed us to exactly where we needed to go.

Yes, a good day....except for the getting lost part! My DH is SO getting a GPS for Christmas (don't tell him!).

Stone Zoo- part one of Zoo and Beach Day

The day after the boys got home from camp we went to the Stone Zoo and then the Beach. I was going to cancel this trip but the boys really wanted to go. They said they could sleep on the way and the did, especially Tristan! Tristan fell asleep right after he woke up. We had to carry him to the car and bring along his fresh clothes for the day. He slept almost all the way to the zoo too. It helped though and he enjoyed the day. It was about 1.5 hours drive to the Stone Zoo. I am notoriously bad at taking pictures at zoos but the better ones out of the 200 I took are below.

Flamingo BABIES!

bats

I loved this goat in his bowl in the petting zoo area. So cute!

The Yak was sleeping in his house so I couldn't get a good picture of it. I do love Yak's because they remind me of MT. Everest- where I will go some day.

Dino Dig

Silly Boys

There always seems to be a penny press!

A good first half of the day, after this we went to the beach, an unusual one, which will be another post. The Stone Zoo is the companion Zoo to the Franklin Park Zoo which we visited last month. Neither is a huge zoo but both have a fun amount of animals and activities. The birds of Prey show at the Stone zoo was excellent and I would say be sure to catch it if you visit the zoo. They offer it three times daily.

Cub Scout Camp and Girls week together

Both younger boys headed off to cub scout camp last week. Colin happily, he remembered the fun from last year, Tristan reluctantly, it was his first year and although he wanted to go, he felt unsure.

Getting settled in. Colin sets up his tent.

Tristan's bunk:


I don't feel very happy right now, Tristan seems to be thinking.



Waiting for health talk, photos, swim tests....

34 boys, 8 leaders, 2 photographers, can they get a picture with everyone facing the camera!

Swim test, the boys must swim the length of the dock 4 times, it's a pretty long distance.

Colin passed.....

and so did Tristan!

Having both sides filled in means the boys can swim wherever they want. If the do not pass there are separate areas to keep the non swimmers safe.

Hayley got to Puppy-sit someones Labrador puppy while they helped their boy, she was happy to do so!

and while the boys were at camp.............

Hayley and her friend had a 5 day 4 night sleep over! I was watching the friend for her Mom who went to cub scout camp as a den leader and with her son.

the girls...played with animals, tie dyed shirts, painted pictures, did several craft projects, swam in the pool, and the lake, watched movies that their brothers wouldn't like such as Care Bears, made giant cookies, and individual pizzas and finally celebrated the week by making matching Build A Bear cats while wearing their tie dye t-shirts!