On Monday, we went canoeing and kayaking on Irondequoit Bay. We started at the boat launch on Irondequoit Creek and went out onto the bay to explore along the west shoreline before heading straight across the bay to the east side and back to the creek entrance. When we returned to the boat launch site we found the way blocked by a family of swans. We watched them for a while until they moved out of the way and then pulled the boats up and loaded the trailer. Afterwards we went to Ellison Park for a picnic lunch, playing along the creek and games. Then it was time to head back home.
On Tuesday, we started with games and trying the rock wall while the bikes were being checked for safety. Then it was off on the 12 mile bicycle treasure hunt. We rode from site to site, finding the hidden clues and following the directions to the next site. When we got to the Charlotte Lighthouse, we searched and found the clue then looked at the sky which had turned dark and menacing and decided to ride quickly to the beach where there were sheltersin case it stormed on us. We got to the beach and under shelter just as it started raining HARD! Suddenly the rain turned to hail stones while we waited safe under the shelter. The storm passed and left behind really big puddles just perfect for riding through and getting wet. The weather turned better and some of the kids wanted to swim and others wanted to go fishing so we split into 2 groups and did both until it was time to ride home. Once back at the house, we figured out the clues, got our treasure, played some games and soon the parents showed up.
On Wednesday, we went to Lower Seneca Park to search for wildlife around the pond and to do some geocaching. We hiked around the back side of the zoo to find a geocache. Along the way we found a heavy vine that made a great swing and we got to see the elephants. Afterwards, we went to the park to play on the low rope course and the playground.
On Thursday, we packed our camping gear into the trailer and drove to Fairhaven Beach State Park for our overnight. when we got there it was raining so we played a little, then set up a big tarp. When the rain stopped, we set up camp and cooked lunch. We After cleaning up, we drove into Oswego to explore historic Fort Ontario. Later we cooked dinner, did some exploring and had a nice campfire with smores before bed.
On Friday morning we made breakfast, packed up camp and went down to the beach area for a while. Some of us wanted to go fishing so we dug out the poles and fished for a while without any luck. then we loaded up and headed towards home. We had plenty of time so we made a stop at Chimney Bluffs near Sodus. We hiked the high trail across the top of the bluffs to the east side and down to the water. We wanted to walk the beach along the bottom of the bluffs to get back but it was under water so we headed back up and took a different, muddy trail back to the cars. We set up lunch on a bench that circled a tree and we were almost done eating when it started to lightly rain on us. We started packing things up while kids held umbrellas over us. We weren't quite done packing when the rain started coming down much harder. Most of the kids dove for the cars while the adults finished packing the stuff in the trailer. Then we drove back home.
