Aquarium Visit

We took a day trip to Chattanooga for Home School Day at the Aquarium (while the pet sitter came to feed and play with the puppy.) We met a couple other home-school family friends. I don't know why they all look so strange in this picture!

We got "behind the scenes" passes and got to see where the food is kept and prepped (including zip-lock bags of frozen mice and rats, mealworms, and various fish.) We got to go to the top of the huge tank to see how and where the sharks are fed, and Daniel got to try on SCUBA gear.

We got to feed shrimp to the rays in the sting ray exhibit.

I got to be part of a bird show, holding a dollar bill for a cockatoo to come and get and then bring back. I realized later that I stared straight ahead and never looked at it on my arm. I think I would have screamed if I had seen it perched there!

We saw the IMAX film Born to Be Wild, about saving orphaned chimps and elephants. It was a great story. The chimp champion is Birute Galdikas, who I studied in Anthropology class in college. (We are both older now....) My favorite part was seeing the other orphaned elephants who have been re-introduced to the wild come to see the three youngsters ready to start this phase of their life.

All in all it was a fantastic day!

Tonka Trucks

Daniel and Emily's big sister gave them these Tonka trucks when they were adopted almost eight years ago. They have been "riding" them for years, but took the trip to a whole new level today.

Cummins Falls

I heard about this place on the news in early August. It is rated in the Top 10 swimming holes in America. The land was purchased and it will become a State Park next year, but for now you can visit in a guided hike offered once a month. I figured it would be neat to go before it got busier, so I signed us up. They even said Ruby could come!

We had a great day. It was quite a hike into the falls and swimming hole, but well worth it. We had to hike through the woods, and then through the water for 3/4 mile. Ruby wasn't too sure of the water, and got chilled, so I carried her most of the way there and back. We were glad to have brought snacks and plenty of water!

This is me. Afraid of heights and much closer to the edge of the top of the falls than I'd like!

Eddie, Daniel, and Emily played in the falls while I sat with Ruby. Then Eddie and I traded places.This is a nice view of the swimming hole. Cold and refreshing!