Boys Go... Girls Stay

Brian had to return to Dallas for school on Thursday, but Sophie and I got to continue our vacation with the girls. The girls being my mom, my aunt Carmen, my sister Ashley, and her friend Julia.

Together we gathered at the beach house in Rockport to continue our vacation till Sunday (well... sans Brian).

We spent some time with family Wednesday (Brian too) before he had to leave.

Sophie was thrilled to see Carmen again. And warmed up to Grammy quickly.

Coincidentally, Rockport beach happened to be the beach were Julia, Ashley, and I found several hermit crabs along the shore. They were collected, (some sadly killed), and taken home (bodies being buried along the way). More about Sophie's hermit crabs later.

Dates with Dad on the USS Lexington

While Brian and I were in Corpus we had to visit the World War 2 battleship converted aircraft carrier docked along the beach of Corpus Christi- the USS Lexington.

It was a trip which we knew would Brian would enjoy, so Sophie and I took Dad out on a day-date together. We girls even got dressed up for the occasion.

Mostly while Brian walked around reading the plaques.

It was an amazing complex with lots of things that Sophie could play with and see.

And lots of facts and military information about the aircraft carrier's role in World War 2.

Brian could give you more information, but some of the information is that it was commissioned in 1943 as an aircraft carrier, prior to this it was a battleship.

Furthermore, the Lexington is known as the "Blue Ghost" and apparently has had several reports of apparitions in military uniforms lurking around the ship. However, it's nickname - the Blue Ghost- isn't due to the apparitions, but because the Japanese Navy reported sinking the USS Lexington on 4 different occasions. And when the Japanese came into contact with the same ship, they believed the ship to have "arisen from the grave". And at night, the ship has blue lights displaying itself.

Other little facts is that the length of the ship is 3 football fields in length.

It holds 103 aircraft and could park more than 1,000 automobiles on deck.

Armed with 12 5" guns and 68 40mm guns.

The Lex has more sleeping space than the largest hotel in the world.

Furthermore it can produce enough electricity to supply a city of 150,000 people.

It was also one of the first aircraft carriers to have an escalator installed on ship. However, for the most part of the tour we had to climb steep stair steps.

Brian could provide you with lots more facts and information than I could. I only can provide tons of pictures (something I'm very very good at).

Even have some pictures of Sophie steering the ship!

In addition to steering the ship, Sophie also got some opportunities to be a pilot.

As well as going manning the big guns with Dad.

For more information about the USS Lexington, click HERE.

Connecting with Carmen

On the 5th, Carmen arrived in Corpus Christi from Tuscon, AZ. It had been awhile since Sophie and I had seen her. It didn't take long for them to become buddies.

They colored together.

Laughed together.

Sat together.

Relaxed together.

Played ball with each other.

When we left Carmen at her beach house in Rockport (30 miles north of Corpus Christi), Sophie was disappointed she had to go too.

But we promised we'd see "Carmie" tomorrow... and that made her feel better.

Night of the 4th

Last year we visited Vicksburg, MS and watched as fireworks exploded above the Mississippi River.

Coincidentally, boats and water were involved in both of these 2 trips.

Likewise, both areas were equally crowded with tons of southerners coming out to enjoy the firework displays. Prior to the fireworks, Sophie and I spent some time on the beach, while Brian manipulated his way around traffic to procure us supper ... preferably before dark.

Once he did return, we spent our evening nearby the beach house deck, near the fireworks, but away from the crowds.

It was a good thing too. As soon as the fireworks started going off, Sophie was running into the house and the dog was barking. Nothing we could do would coax Sophie out to see the "pretty lights in the sky". Look hard and you can see both Sophie and Oscar safely inside behind the door.

Even inside, she stood prepared to evacuate the area at any moment with her hands and legs taunt ready for the unexpected. It was quite humorous for Brian and I (not so much for Sophie). So while it wasn't enjoyable for Sophie, Brian and I did enjoy the evening festivities together on the deck, with Sophie and Oscar nearby inside.

Another Aquarium for the Oneys

We've been living in Texas for about 6 months and during that time we have visited 3 different aquariums. This is something I've found fun to do with Sophie because not only is it educational, but it is also something non-existent in Kansas and Arkansas (at least to my knowledge and I don't count the fish tanks at Cabellas or Bass Pro Shop either). So, being so near to the Texas State Aquarium (walking distance really) and having a 50% discount due to our Dallas Zoo membership, how could we pass that up?

The line was a little long, but we did have an opportunity to pet a one year old alligator! How cool is that?

They had your usual selection of aquarium animals: fish (obviously), stingrays, sea horses, etc...

And they had a few new things (at least new to me) like sea turtles....

And dolphins!

I had never seen dolphins, so this was a highlight for me. I loved seeing them underwater and then when they performed in a show later.

Sophie, eh... they were ok. She didn't seem to think they were that big of a deal. Sure, they were cool, but "please Mom can we leave and see something else" seemed to be her general reaction.

Anyway, we have grown to enjoy aquariums and I think at the rate we are going (1 aquarium every 2 months) we will soon run out of new aquariums to visit.

For more information regarding the Texas State Aquarium, click HERE.