Surprise Beach Adventures or just Penguins?
Friends had booked they're after Christmas vacation down in Bolivar and I had taken some vacation, but Heath was scheduled to work. After New Year's, I was also on vacation, so Heath decided to join me! We told our friends that we would come and eat lunch with them New Years Day, but we had actually booked a spot next to them and completely surprised them when we pulled up with "The Freedom" in tow!
The Bolivar Peninsula RV Park was our destination and the spots there are very spacious and that is what Heath, and I love the best! This particular time we were camping with friends and were able to pull in next to them where our doors faced each other. That makes our camp site feel like we have a yard to enjoy our meals and campfires together.
The weather was gorgeous. It was windy, but it is always windy at the beach! At night it did get cooler. We wanted the cool weather for the campfire's sake, but a couple nights it was more cold than cool! LOL
"Penguins"
As soon as we got on the road, Tommy began to express that he was happy that we "go to beach!" But his elephant memory just associates the beach with penguins! I blogged about trips to see the penguins many years ago, but this trip was already being planned for us! As Heath and I were discussing trying to make Tommy's plans become reality, there are always things to consider when traveling with him. Trying to figure out what day would be best for crowds and if I was paying the entry fees that are rather high, I was going to make sure that we got our "monies worth." With all of that being said, we chose Thursday! A weekday and planned to arrive when they open!
I explained that it was time to get up, get ready and time to go see the penguins and he decided that his adventure would allow him to be "shot gun!" Poor mom already booted down the list! LOL
We headed out on this adventure about 9, hit the ferry line with no wait and stopped for a biscuit and hashbrown for breakfast, which is always a GRAND IDEA for Tommy!
You will notice the animals that came along for his adventure!
I did not remember the grand entrance to the Moody Garden's aquarium, but Tommy made a friend immediately! We purchased our tickets and exploring we went. The biologist had the penguin feeding scheduled for 11 and it was one of the first stops as we followed the path. They have benches there and I secured a spot and just let Tommy take it all in. We were there before the crowds arrived and stayed until after they all left, remember I mentioned getting our monies worth!
Tommy was most entertained by the penguins that would swim up on a ledge close to the window. He had the best conversations with his new friends! Listen closely to him, he even tries to tickle the penguin at the end! LOL
The aquarium is really a great place to visit. There are many unique animals to see and learn about. It is worth the visit for the experience. Tommy enjoyed that there was something new to see at every turn. He even found Nemo and Dori! He was fine with the dark areas, which have bothered him on past trips. I continue to see “growth” in him through the small things…
He loved seeing the sharks, jellies and was especially thrilled to see the Sea lions and Seals! They are probably his second favorite!
Upon exiting of course, they know how to get you with their magnificent gift shop! We survived! Tommy got a pack of penguins, I know you are shocked at that! He even got a few accidentally "broken, we will pay for that" items!! HELP ME! Tommy is really careful when browsing stores, but had picked up a plastic box of animals by the handle and as he turned it in his fingers around where he could look at it better, he dropped it:(
It really was an accident, but Heath and I were like - “LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!”
One Happy Boy!
On to park fun!
We successfully boarded the ferry with no wait line again and arrived back at the park with plenty of daylight to enjoy! We cooked with friends, and we even got Tommy out to enjoy the campfire.
We believe that the park had been sold, so there were a few things that needed some cleaning and TLC, but hopefully those items will be addressed soon. They had an area with horshoes set up, which we had never tried to play with Tommy. He was willing to try and played with Heath. I really like that he is coming out of the 5th wheel more now. Maybe because it is cooler this time of year, but the exercise and the experiences are so good for him.
2025 is off to a good start and I am thankful for that! I hope that you continue to tune in and go on Tommy’s adventures with him. Lots in store for this year and I can’t wait to see this boy/man continue to blossom!
- God Bless
one final video of Tommy enjoying the jellies!
