National Aquarium

Last year for Autumn's birthday she declared she wanted to go to the aquarium but we weren't able to find the time for all 4 of us to go together until December.  After debating about buying a membership or just paying for one visit, I opted for the membership.  At the time it was only a little bit extra and we could visit multiple times throughout the year.  Sound's perfect! I believe membership prices have increased, so weigh what is cost effective for you.  The membership is tied to your family members, so you can't let other people use your membership.

So far we have visited three times and there is still plenty of time left in the year.  We went back a couple of weeks ago once the new Blacktip Reef opened up.  Being members, for the month of August we were able to get in at 8:00 for an up close, non-crowded view and we were not disappointed.  

Here is a view from up above with the new 20 blacktip shark's.

The reef contains a ton of coral, but believe it or not all of it is handmade which I found impressive as it looks so real.

Here we are going up the elevator with another great view of the reef.  

There are multiple levels to just watch the numerous species that they have in the exhibit.  This was the below sea level view.

This is where we were able to see Calypso the 3 flipper sea turtle swim.  

You can also get an up close view of the coral and the smaller fish you can't see from up above.

We even got to see "Nemo".

I believe this was part of the Amazon exhibit, but I could be wrong.  See how close you can get to everything?  It was awesome.  No elbowing people so the kids could see.

I cracked up when I saw him doing this.  He was pretending he was a fish, but I thought he was kissing the window.

The frogs are always a favorite every time we go.

We even saw more than we bargained for.

This is by far one of my favorite places to just sit.  It always has been.  Maybe it's that inner Marine Biologist in me.

Logan love's the shark exhibit.  He could sit here forever.  

Finally we were able to see the Jelly exhibit.  Every time we go the line is insane.  This time wasn't a problem.

After lunch we headed across the Pier to one of our favorite restaurant's The Hard Rock Cafe.  

It just recently went through a renovation and re-opened in the Spring.  

It's pretty cool to just look around at all the stuff they have acquired.  Here is a jacket worn by Elton John.  The kids love watching the music video's.  They think it's cool.  Little do they know you use to be able to watch them on T.V.

I highly recommend the new exhibit and we can't wait to go back again.  If you decide to make the trek, going early before 11 a.m. of after 3 p.m. offers you the less crowded viewing experience.  If you are not a member, since they have the new exhibit and have advertised it heavily, the tickets especially on the weekends have been timed.  If you don't purchase tickets in advance you could have a couple of hours wait times to enter the aquarium.  If you park in the Lockwood garage's (One is on Lombard and the other is on Market St) remember to get your ticket validated in the machine on your way out the door.  And don't loose your ticket or you will have to pay the full $24 as I experienced the last time.

Vacation

This year we ventured to Broadkill Beach, Delaware.  Where?  That is the question I got I don't know how many times.  It is a town north of Lewes, DE near Primehook National Wildlife Refuge.  

Rise and shine Sunday morning we went down to the Broadkill store.

Every Saturday and Sunday they serve fresh homemade donuts. 

These were the best donuts I have ever had!

Our first full day we ventured on down to the beach.  The beach was rocky and very hard to walk on but the kids didn't seem to mind.

We found this guy, but he was already dead and stinking.  We were able to save one that got stranded on the beach with the tide and was struggling to make his way back in the 90 degree temps.  We attempted to go back to this beach one other day but the horse flies were so bad we left after 10 minutes.  Had we known this stretch of beach was bordered by marsh land I don't think we would have stayed here.  I got bit by more horse flies than mosquitoes.  

Oscar was the one that loved this beach!  He chased wave after wave coming in.

It was very hot the week we were here, which I didn't mind since we could just hop in water to cool off.  The second day we went to Cape Henlopen State Park to go play in the ocean.

Wish it hadn't been so hot or else we would have gone exploring.  Awesome place though to get to the beach.  They have bath houses and a snack bar.

This was Autumn having a good time until she went boarding and did a face plant.  

Logan was digging for sand crabs.

We took a break from the beach on Wednesday and went on a pirate adventure out of Lewes, DE.

Here are the pirates sneaking on the boat.

The kids loved it and looking for the treasure! Which they actually pulled a chest from the water!  The guys that did this were awesome and funny.

A stray pirate on another boat tried to attack us.  We had to retaliate back with water filled with jelly fish. But before we did we were sprayed and it had to be Logan with his hearing aids to get the full on blast.  Luckily he took it in full stride and his aids didn't get soaked.

After our second failed attempt at our beach we headed down to Lewes since we liked that beach from having spent time there last year.

When the tide goes out, you get these islands that the kids just love.  The only problem we encountered here was that the jellyfish were really bad this year.  So we just swam around them or scooped them up and put them on the beach.  They were BIG ones that filled a large bucket. 

Logan did get a chance to fly his kite one time.  There was never really enough wind.

We ended up spending 2 days at the water park, which I didn't mind (no sand! yay!).  

There was the kiddie play zone.

Water slides.

Even Daddy got in on the fun!

Of course we had to try out the go-karts.  I think this was Logan's favorite part.  The 2nd day we went I told him we would leave at 3 to go do go-karts.  That kid asked every 10 minutes what time it was.

Can't go to the beach without going to the boardwalk right?

Of course not!  We all had fun at Funland with the kids riding the rides and us all playing games in the arcade.  I could play skeetball all day!  I need one for the basement.

Another great vacation with lots of memories.  While we have enjoyed our time here on the Delaware and Maryland beaches, I think our next trip will be someplace different and new.  Time to do some exploring somewhere else and experience new things.  Just don't know where yet.