Spring Break, March 2012

March 17, 2012 (cell phone camera). For Robert's spring break this year (while Sarah had to work to save up vacation time for the summer), we filled up the car with camping and canoeing stuff and headed down to North Carolina to meet up with Steve, Helen and Aaron for their break.
We joined them Saturday night at Merchant's Millpond in Eastern NC. They were there a couple days earlier and so had taken a guided canoe trip on the swamp while we were driving down. That worked out well for us on Sunday. But before our canoeing, Robert finished up his second reading of Geronimo Stilton's Kingdom of Fantasy by firelight. (Well, we were enjoying the firelight, Robert had his Joby flashlight to read by.) March 17, 2012 (cell phone camera).
March 17, 2012. March 17, 2012.
March 17, 2012. Helen, Robert, Aaron: March 17, 2012.
Helen, Robert, Aaron: March 17, 2012.

Before he could get into his reading, Robert helped set up our tent and his Lego guys helped with dinner. And what's camping without roasting marshmallows?

The next day, Steve, Helen and Aaron took us to "The Big Pine Tree" to look at the eagle's nest. The eagle was not at home, but we found him a few minutes later flying over the swamp. Steve and Helen gave the guided canoe tour two thumbs up and Robert and I gave their replaying part that trip as guides for us two thumbs up.

March 18, 2012. March 18, 2012.
March 18, 2012. March 18, 2012.
Before the canoeing, Robert took a trip around the campground on his bike (did I mention that we loaded up the car). And then after the canoeing, we had a nice pick-nick lunch before driving across NC to Deep Gap and Steve, Helen and Aaron's house. Robert, had a large lunch dessert (dark chocolate covered orange sandwiched between Oreos) to build up strength before the road trip. March 18, 2012 (cell phone camera).
March 19, 2012. The weather was great the whole time we were running around. Robert took advantage of it to set up a Lego tableaux on the hill next to Aaron's house.
March 19, 2012. March 19, 2012.
March 19, 2012. March 19, 2012.
Steve showed off his favorite computer games when he came home from work. March 19, 2012.
March 19, 2012. And Robert watched Aaron do his homework after school (Robert was reveling just a little bit in not having any homework for a week). I appreciated Aaron setting a good example by doing his homework with little prodding or complaint.
Robert and David: March 20, 2012. Rivendell Lodge: March 20, 2012.

The next day, Robert and I made a pilgrimage to Rivendell. Robert and I were reading The Hobbit and finished the night were camping at Merchant's Millpond; so he was on the lookout for goblins as we drove through "The Misty Mountains" on the way to Rivendell. It was nice to see the house still there, looking much the same. We decided not to go down the steps to knock on the door, but we did enjoy the view.

There is always time for Legos, even on travel days (as long as the goblins don't cause too many problems).

On the way home the next day, we stopped off in Richmond to play in the Fox school playground. They've added this cool new outdoor music area. I was especially impressed with the re-use of the air tanks.

March 20, 2012 (cell phone camera).
March 21, 2012 (cell phone camera). March 21, 2012 (cell phone camera).

Vacation notes:

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