Beach Vacation Day 6

Monday was spent at Hunting Island State Park, which is about an hour's drive from Hilton Head Island because one has to take a horseshoe route inland.

"Hunting Island is South Carolina’s single most popular state park, attracting more than a million visitors a year, as well as a vast array of land and marine wildlife. Five miles of pristine South Carolina beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and ocean inlet are all part of the park’s natural allure."

John eyeing an interesting caterpillar

We first checked into the visitors' center where we promptly spotted an interesting caterpillar, two turtles, and a crocodile. It was a promising start to the day!

Watching the mama alligator

Free from my car seat!

The Hunting Island Lighthouse

"Of all the lighthouses in South Carolina, the Hunting Island Lighthouse is the only one in the state that is publicly accessible. From the top of one of the most distinctive lighthouses in South Carolina, guests can stand 130 feet above the ground to take in the breathtaking, panoramic view of the Atlantic Coast and surrounding maritime forest."

Ice cream makes children happy.

We learned that there is a height requirement for climbing the lighthouse. John was the only child tall enough to climb it, so he went with Daddy, while Pop-Pops and I stayed behind to assuage a very tearful, too-short Mary. We ate ice cream, which made all of us feel more chipper.

Daddy and John waving from the top of the lighthouse

With the boys back from their climb, we headed down to the beach to look for shells. The shore and maritime forest were absolutely gorgeous, with only a handful of people visiting. The weather was perfect at a sunny 80 degrees. We really could have spent an entire day there, had I planned for that.

Many trees were sitting with exposed root balls, some halfway fallen over, 
and many already collapsed and turned to driftwood.

Margaret chasing birds in hopes of putting them in her bucket

A behind-the-scenes glimpse of Mama with her ever-present camera, capturing the moment. 
As my mom always said, "Now, look casual!"

What did Mary (5) do when she saw all the toppled trees? She shrieked, "It's just like a jungle gym!" And off she climbed, up, up, up!

Mary climbing

Mary climbing

Mary climbing

Mary climbing

Mama walking with the littles

Our drive home felt like Gilligan's "three-hour tour" . . . taking about two hours and what felt like a half dozen stops instead of one quick hour home. Thankfully, we arrived back to the condo to a wonderful feast prepared by Grandmom: steak with blue cheese and sauteed mushrooms and onions, baked sweet potatoes, grilled pineapple, green salad, and rolls with Irish butter, plus corn dogs and mac-and-cheese for the kiddos.

We ended our day with a nice walk down to the playground adjacent to the beach, then the requisite baths, and the kids finally fell to sleep exhausted, with no spunk left in 'em!