Emerald Isle 2016- July 13th

Wednesday, July 13th-

Since the forecast called for upper 90's today, we decided to stay out of the sun in the morning and make a trip to the aquarium with MeeMee and PawPaw.  I think we made the right decision with our timing because it wasn't overly crowded and it kept us out of the heat for part of the day.  The girls enjoyed looking at the fish and other animals, but their favorite part was being able to touch the rays. They also talked PawPaw into $2 for the hurricane wind simulator before we left and thought that was pretty cool as well.  

I liked how the aquarium was set up to lead you from the fish and animals inland all the way out to the ocean.  When we made it outside to the nature trail the girls finally saw some crabs and by some I mean lots and lots.  Ever time we'd look over the railing and see movement it was a crab crawling along with it's huge white pincher out. 

Sand sculpture at the entrance

Otters

On the nature trail

Looking at all the crabs running around below

Touching the rays

My favorite, the sea turtle

We also got to touch the horseshoe crabs

Hurricane wind simulator

When we got back to the house it was lunch time.  I made two large batch of ham and swiss sliders, Hailey's favorite, before we headed for the beach.  The girls were super excited about being able to go out in the "deep" again today.  PawPaw and Jeff took them out first and I joined them a little later.  Our word of the day was "tsunami."  Any wave that looked large or scary was immediately coined a tsunami by the girls and they had to get ready to go under it!

If we weren't in the water, we were under the tent because it was so hot.  The water was so nice all week, not too cold, but refreshing and other than the first couple of days it was fairly clear.  I loved the green tint of the water, hence the name "Emerald Isle."

The waves weren't too bad today, but as high tide started to come in the water got a little rough.  One of the waves took Hailey out and tumbled her.  She was scared and shaken up, just like Emily's tumble off of the boogie board the day before.  Even though Jeff scooped her up and out of the water, Hailey was done with the deep for the day.

PawPaw and the girls

Those are PawPaw's feet, not a 5th person

Hi Jeffrey!

The water was pretty clear today which made it nice!

Watching for a "tsunami"! 

Jeff trying to look big and bad

After showering up, we headed out for dinner at the Crab Shack.  It was our one and only time eating out for the week and could have been better.  The girls were both very tired and Hailey had a hard time staying awake at the dinner table. If you like fried food this is the place for you, but I would have prefer better quality.  The positive was that they said the wait was an hour and a half and it ended up only being about 30 minutes.  Hailey had chicken tenders and Emily had some crab meat.  Jeff and I both had fried platters which included a lot of food, just not exactly what we were hoping for.

Waiting at the Crab Shack

After dinner, we decided to walk out on the pier.  There were some king fishermen at the end of the pier and one pulled in a spanish mackerel, but that was all the excitement that we saw. The pier was just how I remembered any pier, old and not very pleasant looking or smelling. ;)  We were all pretty ready to go home and hit the sack!