Anniversary vacation!

It seems the week flies by and I didn't get to do the things I really wanted to do, but we found ways to get out and have some fun. Most of the ocean beaches are over crowded since they closed the inland lakes and ponds to swimmers, and with the heat, we tried to be on the coast when we could.

We had one day with the boys, taking them to New London Connecticut to visit Fort Trumbull. The fort was closed, but we got to explore around the grounds.

From there, we headed to Harkness park and were pleased to find it was free and we had a spot in a grassy field, facing the bird sanctuary. The boys had fun walking around the grounds and visiting the mansion's gardens.

I took a day off to visit my lyme doctor and to get a refill on my sinus medicine. Well, he said I had a sinus infection, could be why I have been feeling cruddy and put me on antibiotics and other meds I won't take. Then he said, you need a family doctor and it isn't me, so I guess I won't be going back and no idea what to do, just that I am tired of doctors who do not get, I do not like medicines and the one I need the most, they won't give me.

So I am taking the antibiotics and decided to stay away from the boys just in case and went out the next day for some exploring. We visited several parks along the back roads of Connecticut and ended up at Gay City Park.

We hiked around the trails and had some lunch in the picnic area. It is nice to have our food with us and a bathroom. Lots of old ruins from the old homestead along the trails. We will definitely go back for more hiking when it cools down.

And today we went back to Harkness and enjoyed a few walks around the bird sanctuary and sat at our camper, to enjoy the views. The main park was crowded so it was nice to have a more quiet spot to ourselves.

Here are some Ospreys that I got from the bird shelter. The bright sun makes it hard to get good shots, but it was fun to see the new ones testing their wings.

Lots of shore birds in the marshes.

And a variety of birds in the bush, as well.

And to top off our week, we came home to this. It seems Bill didn't notice the amount he paid for a case of flour. He wanted 6 bags and we got 6 cases and it is non returnable. I cannot use that much flour and I cannot afford to spend that much for flour, so I was not happy about that and thinking we will have to donate the rest to the food bank and take the loss.

I hope you all have a nice weekend, we have rain coming in, so we will stay at home and go out for short trips if it stops.

Anniversary Week Continues and Another Giveaway!

I hope you are all enjoying my photos of my vacation week. After a long winter it is so nice to be outside every day and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having.

First I will announce the winner of the last giveaway. What is Bill looking at? If you looked in the right hand corner, you would have seen sky writing, lol. While we were out, a plane was writing an advertising and the wind was blowing it away as soon as he was forming the letters, not sure how effective that was.

The winner of my newest pattern is Gayle! If you could please email me so I can reply to your email, I will get your pattern out to you.

Yesterday we went for a paddle from the Barn Island launch in Connecticut. I love this area since it has a nice launch and you can paddle out into the sound where you are surrounded by RI, Connecticut and looking out you will see Fishers Island, which belongs to NY, so we are surrounded by 3 states. We paddled down the cove for a bit and cut across to a sandy island sitting between the states.

This is the area that we launch from, our destination is out to the right.

This is looking down the beach towards Napatree point in RI. As you can see, we had the beach to ourselves, most of the people go to the further end, we stay in the middle. We have the inlet on one side and the ocean, on the other. I actually swam in the ocean, even if it was a bit cold.

At the ocean, the seagulls were flying around me.

And seagulls squawking at me.

These two were doing a happy dance for me.

When I got back to our tent area, I heard a chirping and looked down. I thought this poor sand piper was hurt, it was dragging it's wings through the sand in front of me. Then she stood  up and flapped her wings and walked away, lol. I realized she was playing hurt to steer me away from her nest.

And on the inner beach, I found two of these cute babies walking around. I have never seen a baby seagull, they are too cute.

I also spotted a couple of these guys, I have no idea what they are, but they sure are funny looking and they do not sit still for photos.

And for the final photo and the giveaway photo! I thought this seagull sitting on the crates, would make a nice photo, so I took a shot of her. Then she took off and started dive bombing me, lol. I didn't realize I was disturbing a nesting area. Can you see what she is hiding, in this photo? I didn't notice until I saw the photo, when I got home. I will pick a name from all of the comments and the winner will win their choice of any of my epatterns. I will draw a name on friday night and show you more photos from today's trip and anything we do on friday.