Lazy morning, eating breakfast as we got up (all but Dennis), just as we were ready. The Daytona Beach Visitor's Bureau offered us free tickets to the Marine Museum as a travel agent perk, and I needed to go pick them up. I called to see if they were open, but never got an answer - so I would just wait a while, no hurry. Kelsi spotted a large turtle stranded out on the beach, from our balcony, and so off went Seth, Kelsi, Lauryn, and Savannah to the beach. Several others were surrounding the turtle when they got down there, and the Beach Patrol came to the animal's rescue and loaded it up to take it to the local Marine life Hospital.
Back in the room, we were all ready now to leave and pick up the tickets for our Museum visit. After I ran in the office to pick up the tickets, we made the 20 minute drive out to Ponce Inlet to the Marine and Science Museum. This place is so cool! We were able to touch Stingrays in the touch pool, and it was feeding time, so Seth helped hand feed a stingray. He said it was "strange", like a huge suction on your skin, but he we proud, " did it for Steve Irwin" he said. Lots of fish, turtles, large eels, and other sea animals surrounded us in tanks or aquariums, but a large glass window had Savannah's attention, over by the back wall, the marine life hospital and surgery center. They had 3 or 4 medium sized turtles in large plastic containers awaiting surgery. We watched them hang IV bags and fill several syringes with medicine, preparing the area. Savannah was entranced and didn't want to leave. It appeared the prep time was going to be very slow and long before any "action" really happened, so we finally convinced her to leave. Pretty cool place!
Back to the Inn for a quick lunch and then head to the beach! Remember 2 paragraphs back when I said Dennis didn't eat breakfast? There was a perfectly good cafe that serves breakfast in the lobby of our hotel, but, I don't even know why he didn't go. He said he was waiting on me to go pick up the tickets all morning, and thought he would just get something then - anyway, point being - it is 11:00 and he hasn't eaten yet. Winn Dixie, for smoked chicken, here we come! Afterwards, we played in the ocean, the pool, then indoor pool, the baby pool, back to the ocean, whew!
About 4:30 the cousins arrived, YAY - we've been waiting on them all afternoon. Laura, Cliff, Ana Grace, Sam and Lydia drove over from Orlando to play with the kids (and see the rest of us). The ocean was cold and the waves pounding, but the kids didn't care - they were together and having fun. It was so good to visit with Laura and Cliff for a little while. A quick clean up by everyone (now it's 14 people and only 1 bathroom - yeah, we made it work) and we are off to dinner at Aunt Catfish! Crazy name, but Yummy Food!
Kelsi had Alligator, and Seth had an Alligator Sandwich. Kayna was brave and tried a bite of Kelsi's and both of them really liked it (Seth too). They have a huge Salad bar (with cheese grits, stewed apples and baked beans). I had sauteed shrimp and Dennis had shrimp and Talipia The highlight of the meal? A kid's playground and a cinnamon roll at the end of the meal, on the dinner plate. Oh my (wishing I had another one)... yeah, we will be back our next trip to Daytona. This one is a keeper! Thank you Lynne Sweatt for recommending this one to us.
Tired people, ready for bed!
See you all on
Seth: :'o) Very sweet! When I heard yesterday that you got to feed a stingray, I was going to comment, "Crikey! Don't get too close!" :D But then I thought that might seem in poor taste to someone who doesn't realize you are the Croc Hunter's protoge! :)
ReplyDeleteEveryone: Glad you all are having a great time! We have never been to the museum, but we did go to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse years ago, so pretty there! Thankful everyone is healthy!