Assateague Island

We have been gradually getting everything needed to start backpacking as a family.  We finally felt like we had everything so we headed out.  We went with a three miler on Assateague Island State Park in Maryland.  It is a barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a bay on the other side.  We hiked along the ocean beach for about two miles and then cut across the island for a mile to the bay side where we camped.  Maria did great she was determined and didn't complain at all.  Carly will not be going backpacking with us anymore.  She can do the walking, but gets so distracted by every little thing that it takes forever to get very far.  CJ ended up carrying her on his shoulders for most of the way or we never would have made it.  We had a good time and are planning future trips.

Action shot of Maria, Carly and I.  Carly did a lot better once we told her she could take her shoes off.  We didn't realize that's what it took.

Assateague Island is home to a little over a hundred wild horses.  This herd came running through our camp a little after we got there.  They were no wild Brumbies but it was still pretty neat.  It scared Maria a little and she was on the look out for horses the entire trip.

Maria hiking on the ocean side

Maria and Carly had to run away from a few waves.

Maria just leaving camp with some wild horses in the background.

CJ's Birthday, A Play, and Swimming Pool Opening

We celebrated CJ's birthday in April.  It was not that exciting of a day for him, but he did get his favorite chocolate cherry mousse cake (in cupcake form this year) with candles and an evening with his three favorite people. He also got a new sleeping pad and light weight camp chair. I think he had a good day. It seems as though birthdays get less and less important the more you have.

I was invited to attend a play with some friends at the Ford Theater.  We went and had lunch at a really cool place downtown and then headed to the theater.  We saw Hello Dolly and it was really good.  The theater is very small and has a museum in the basement with quite a lot of historic artifacts associated with the theater.  Lincoln's coat that he was wearing the evening that he was shot and the gun that Booth used to shoot him with to name a few.  I had a great day and CJ made it a special day for Maria and Carly so they want me to go more often.  

We have been a little concerned with the opening the pool this summer.  Carly is very mischievous and quite sneaky.  With no fence around the pool and her ability to open the door going into the backyard this year we needed a new line of defense.  CJ did a little research and found a safety net to be the best idea for our situation.  We put it in and got the pool cleaned and ready to swim in.  Maria did some laps with her scooter and then her and Carly got in for a few minutes (sorry no pictures it was literally a few minutes).  It was so cold, but it got us all excited for summer.