Well, we finally did it. Our family took a little vacation before the summer got away from us. We headed to Asheville, NC and the surrounding area for lots of hiking, waterfalls, admiring rocks, and searching for animals. The cool mountain air was a refreshing change from our Savannah August weather.

This was our first trip taking the kids hiking, and they all did great. Enthusiastic, happy, and hardly any complaints. They found it much more rewarding than walking our own native flat trails.

Our family recently went to the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum located downtown on ML King Blvd. Three floors in the historic Scarbrough House contain ship models, artifacts and art from 18th and 19th century shipping history.

Wednesday turned out to be Snake Day at our house... a day when fun and games of the virtual variety were trumped by our front yard wildlife. You see, my husband decided to mow the grass, and lately when he mows, the vibrations send the young garter snakes skittering about. As soon as my children heard that my husband had caught a snake, the video games were abandoned and everyone was outside.

Celebrate our nation's independence with these great events happening in the Coastal Empire. You'll also find parking information, safety tips and more.

Tybee to enforce parking prohibition July 3
Tybee Island’s fireworks show tonight is free, but it may cost you.

On Saturday our family celebrated World Oceans Day at the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island. Admission was free for the day, and there were crafts, a treasure hunt, and story times for the kids.

The aquarium debuted the new exhibit, “Sea Jellies of the Georgia Coast,” which currently features locally caught comb jellies. The display is mesmerizing in a giant lava lamp sort of way with slowly changing colors showing off the little jellies.

So I got my new bike for Christmas, and we have been trying to do family bike rides. Last weekend we ventured north to Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, located between Bluffton and Hilton Head. There is no admission fee, and the gate currently closes at 6:00pm.

Join Habitat Savannah for its 2nd Annual Family Fun Day on SAT, OCT 22, 11AM- 2PM, at the ReStore located in McAlpin Square on Victory Drive.  Hands-on building projects for kids and adults, origami house design, eco-friendly arts and crafts, Lincoln Log/Lego building station, storytime, demos by Lowe's & Home Depot. Targeted age group: pre-K- 2nd grade.  Activities led by SCAD SOS. Free fun.  Contact Diane Parker at parker@habitatsavannah.org or 912-353-8122 for more info.