July Post Part 1

Here are some pictures of the first things we did after moving last month. I took Will to the new splash park at one of the public parks. It was a lot of fun--the only thing missing, in my opinion, is a way to cool off the parents! (They make sure none of the water guns can reach to where the parents sit, but I thought a spray or two wouldn't be too bad--it was really hot!).

We also went to nearby Tomoka State Park one evening--the timing was a mistake, we were walking mosquito feasts despite applying insect repellent. But we had fun walking on the nature trail and seeing the water.

I'll post the rest of our pictures from last month soon...we went to Ponce Inlet 2 weekends ago to see the lighthouse and the sea turtles at the Marine Science Center. I'm very much disliking the changes Shutterfly made to their site and it's taken me a little while to figure out.

PS...You'll see a picture of Will and John in front of a statue of Chief Tomokie in the park--it is very odd, and details about Chief Tomokie were a little scant, so I just googled him. Seems like he didn't actually exist:

"The Timucuan village of Nocoroco is recorded by the Spanish as being here at this state park near Ormond Beach. It was inhabited year-round, and the people had plenty of food from the natural sources available. They were giants, and stood at least a foot taller than the Spanish because of their good nutrition. They hunted game, ate shellfish, fished, and even grew crops and put them in a communal storehouse. There is a small museum here, and a monument to commemorate the mythical Chief Tomokie. Chief Tomokie statue (above) in its former glory. This large statue at Tomoka State Park has long been a local landmark. Unfortunately it has not weathered well throughout the years and probably won't last much longer. It was built out of concrete and local sand, and has developed several large fractures from heat expansion. It will cost at over $300,000.00 to repair. Then in late 2002, some druken tresspasses knocked the heads off two of the statues. The park took them to court to pay restitution, but doubts that they will see a dime from them, when the same group could not pay the fee for camping the night."

So come visit us and see the statue while you still can....