Edisto part 3

We took three, what I like to refer as, Silver Lining Walks.

I love to take a good walk anytime, but our three "group" walks had precious God-winks throughout.

Chad and Hub left the beach Tuesday evening as Chad had to work and Hub's knee has been acting up.  So, 2 of the 3 walks did not include them.

Walk 1-  We decided to take annual, family beach picture at Botany Bay which is a beautiful wild-life preserve on Edisto.  We had never been out there before so I didnt know what to expect but it is one of those places that will leave an imprint.  Refer to Edisto part 1 as most of those pics came from Botany Bay but here are some of the still life pictures that caught my eye..

Walk 2.  We trusted Tommy to take us on a nice, 2 to 2 1/2 mile walk.

Anytime we see a Mantis, we have to take a picture with it.  

Can you find the mantis on this crazy kid's head?

About 20 minutes into the walk, we hear some distant thunder and see dark storm clouds.  Instead of turning around, we continue on.

I had stroller duty.  These two shared a single stroller- good thing they are both skinny.

Hunter offered to push the littles

About 15 minutes later, the clouds are definitely coming to us and the thunder (with some lightning) occurs.  It is a good 20 minute walk back to the house when we realize that it is going to be a DOWNPOUR!

 Thankfully, the fire station is super close.  Tommy says he will run, literally run, back to the house to pick up the car and then pick us up.  We make a mad dash to the fire station as little drops of rain begin to fall.  Three minutes after entering the fire station, the sky falls out.

The first God-wink was that the kids got a non-scheduled fire station tour, complete with getting in the fire trucks, learning about the trucks, and goodie bags for each kid.

Hunter in the driver's seat

The fireman turned the lights on

I really think this was the highlight of Bennett's trip. He was captivated and looking for Marshall (from Paw Patrol)

Mr FireMan telling them about the truck

Tommy made it back to us about 20 minutes later however, 7 kids, 3 adults, a stroller, and a Keltie could not fit in the care so Sandee and I walked back.

The second God-wink was spending time with my amazing sister-in-law... haha.  Just kidding- she really is great and I suppose that was some nice child-free time but we saw just a beautiful rainbow on the way back home.  It made it all totally worth it.

A promise.

Walk 3-  Our last night at Edisto we all wanted to watch the sunset at the tip of the island.  The mosquitoes were horrible right in front of our house and the two blocks we had to walk... HORRIBLE.
The third God-wink came in the form of the sunset.  Watching a sun set never gets old to me.

The setting sun...

... then turn around and see the moon.  So cool.

Quick shot with me and the boys

Grandma and the 7

The fourth God-wink was getting to see dolphins.  We had caught some sightings of them throughout the week, but the view was much better on this evening.

dolphins :)

Because the bugs were so brutal, we decided to take the walk back on the beach (why we didnt do that on the way down, i have no idea.)  It reminds me that sometimes, our human nature is take the hard way when a stone's throw away is not only an easier path but more beautiful.

Grandma with Hunter.

the walk back included colors like this (doesnt do it justice)

Anyway, we walk back on the beach and kids chase ghost craps and we see the gorgeous colors of the sun setting against the sand and ocean.

Another oldest to youngest shot.  We have learned that my boys have to hold hands or put arms around eachother or their hands find other things to hold.... I could do a whole post just with hands on weinies.  Boys.

Love these people.

All 3 walks were quite memorable, as was this trip.

As I conclude Edisto 2016 series, I  want to thank Hub and Patsy for funding the house and for the preparations.  They also took us all out for a great dinner Sunday night.  We all had sooo much fun!!!
(Let me also shout out to my parents who came up here to get Moses and then took him to their house for the week.  He enjoyed his vacation as well.)

The kid's table.

Hunter and PapaHub playing rock, paper, scissors.

Chad and his mom.

Until next time....