Friday, June 19, 2009

Rafts, Rocks and FIRE

The children have been dreaming of building a raft out of driftwood.

We spent yesterday on the river. We've enjoyed a run of great weather...like none I've experienced in 27 years of visiting. Mike and the kids built their raft and all had fun either floating it or watching it.

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We ate lunch on the sandy beach. The beach USED to be very rocky. The beach and the bottom of the river are now sandy. It's fun to watch the river change with the years. We discussed sand ettiquette and I was reminded NOT to bring supplies to make lunch at the beach. ::snort::
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THIS is BIG ROCK....

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...generations have been swimming or floating out to Big Rock and playing. The water around Big Rock is DEEP and so the rock itself is great for diving off of.... I KNOW but GENERATIONS of Gocker's have been doing this and Mike is always very careful to check the water levels and such before the kids jump/dive.
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Over the years a small, sandy beach has developed by Big Rock....we spent the afternoon down here swimming, sunning, reading and sunning. Stacia, our little fish, brought me an orange life jacket and told me, "Please give me a life so I can be safe." She and Zander had been wading by the sandy beach and not out in the deep waters of the rock. I obliged. The next thing I knew she was SWIMMING out to Big Rock....if the others could so could she....then Zander swam out and back several times, not about to be outdone by his little sister. I stayed on the beach with my book.
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We had the beach all to ourselves - with the exception of these visitors.
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Fire? That is what I'm sure several of us are feeling this a.m. despite the 30 spf sports sunscreen we used. The BACK of my knees and thighs are burning.....Stacia is up now and yes, she has a moon burn (you figure it out).

This girl did not get sunburned...
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We came back to the trailer. I made cornbread to go with the stew that had been simmering in the crockpot all day.

All but Stacia and I went out to sleep on the river beach. We did sandy laundry, watched a movie and slept.
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

9 comments:

Kris said...

That raft is awesome! I pray that this time is refreshing for all of your spirits.

Julie Zesch said...

What a wonderful time. The water looks so pretty and clear. Blessings as you continue your journey.
Julie

berrypatch said...

What great memories you are making together!

Darshia said...

What an excellent summer vacation!
That raft is cool!

Anonymous said...

HI:

What an awesome raft! Stacia & Alexander swimming.... WOW! Won't be to long and that little girl will be wanting to swim alone with no orange vest. OH! MY!

We do remember so much the fun we all had on that rock. Have some neat fotos of Nathaniel diving and some of you kids jumping.... YEARS ago!

Enjoy to the hilt!!! So glad this last part of your time before heading to Japan is refreshing, fun, and stuff to look mostly look forward to.

love/prayers Mom T

Cynthia said...

YOu gusy are having such an amazing time! It's fun to see what you're up to!

Anonymous said...

whoops!

how in the world did you manage to get those buterfly foto's. AWESOME!

love the funnly gaces. How about our glamor girl, Stacia. She is so cute!

Of course I've said that about all your kids.love/prayers Mom T

Romany said...

You all look as though you are thoroughly enjoying your vacation!

The river looks beautiful!

Wild Homeschool Family said...

The raft is EXCELLENT!

Go little swimmers Stacia and Zander!