Thought for the day: Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened. [Dr. Seuss]
Okay, ready to follow me to our last Florida outing?
How about a trip to Fort Christmas? Not only is this a totally neat place to visit, it is an extremely rare commodity in Florida... it's FREE. No entrance charge at all! (What a concept.) This sign may be difficult to read, but what it tells you is the fort was originally built in the early 1800's during the wars with the Seminole Indians, who understandably didn't take too kindly to the notion of being forcibly removed from their native lands to be relocated west of the Mississippi. As an interesting aside, another sign explained a little bit about the war paint worn by the Seminoles. Red paint signified blood; green under the eyes was intended to improve night vision; and yellow was considered the color of death. A warrior with yellow paint on his face meant he had lived his life, and was prepared to fight to the finish.
Okay, here's where we enter the tiny fort/ museum.
Inside the cooking/ eating area.
Also inside the cooking area. Check out the old irons on top of the ironing board. No electrical sockets in those days.
Spinning and sewing implements from days gone by.
The wooden wagon wheel and tinder kegs were inside of the old storehouse.
Unfortunately, most of the buildings in the park closed for the day before we had a chance to explore them. There was a LOT more to see, so maybe we'll go back again next year, but a lot earlier in the day.
BUT, there was something ELSE there that made the kids happy. (Nope, no balloons this time...)
A kick butt PLAYGROUND!
As always, we had a wonderful time. Always great to see our kids and grandkids.
Always fun to capture the world with a camera. (And yes, that's an Atlanta Falcons shirt I'm wearing... brave, huh?)
 |
| Don't go, Grandpop! |
Alas, the kids were a little sad to see us go...
But like Arnold Schwartzeneggar said, We'll...
be bock!
Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.
What a sweetie-pie. I bet those little pink sandals got a good workout that day. Perhaps so did Grandma, running after her.
ReplyDeleteI used to live near Christmas and would mail my Christmas cards from there. Yeah, I know, but everyone did it.
Got my books and started reading (when I find a few minutes)
Olivia (the littlest one in the pink sandals) is like the energizer bunny. She goes and goes and goes, and then all of a sudden, she runs out of gas, cries at the top of her lungs for a few minutes, and then falls asleep. Very neat that you used to live near Christmas, and I would have mailed my cards from there, too. I'm glad to hear you've started reading those books. Let me know if you need any help getting over any confusing spots.
DeleteGreat pictures! Adorable grandkids. And I love the warm look of the rustic interior woodwork. Thanks, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I really love all the woodwork, too. Somebody else can have the diamonds and furs; I'd rather have wood and leather any old day.
DeleteLooks like it was a fun place to visit.
ReplyDeleteOh, it was. It's just too bad so many of the buildings were already closed down for the day.
DeleteHi Susan .. looks like the ideal time out with the kids .. they'd have been excited with their park and the thought of play time .. and then such fun seeing the old ways ..
ReplyDeleteI was interested to read the colour aspects re the Indians and face paint ..
Lovely to see the photos ... Cheers Hilary
It was a wonderful time with the kids. But ya know? The only thing they really cared about was the playground.
DeleteThanks, Susan. I enjoyed the post. :)
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for popping by. Always good to hear from you.
DeleteThanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, dear lady.
DeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time!!!
ReplyDeletep.s. I love the Dr. Seuss quote at the top of the post :)
We sure did. That's one of my favorite quotes. Glad you liked it, too.
DeleteNow, that looks like a fun day!
ReplyDeleteIn this particular case, looks are NOT deceiving!
DeleteWhat a neat place. And a fun day with the grandkids. Aw.
ReplyDeleteAnd have a great Thanksgiving this week!
It was a neat place, and I still can't get over the fact that we weren't charged an arm and a leg to go there. Florida usually squeezes you for every cent they can get out of you. You have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too.
DeleteThe best times we have are those spent with family. Have you ever noticed that you can take kids to all kinds of places to explore and learn, but where you see the biggest smiles is in a playground.
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely. They just kinda trudge around (as though they're indulging us) to all the scenic and historical places... but their eyes light up, and they experience a sudden surge of energy as soon as they spot the slides.
DeleteI won't be on Blogger much this week because of the holiday but I want to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you, too! We have to remember... stuff the turkey, but not ourselves. (Gotta save room for pie!)
DeleteHA! So smart of them to include a playground.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. And, yep, they definitely knew what they were doing when they included the playground.
DeleteWhy on earth is it called Fort Christmas? Lots of interesting things here... can you imagine weaving and sewing our own clothes -for the whole family- now? I do remember the iron that sat on the stove! My Mom had one when we lived upstate. But I don't recall her ever using it. :D I love these excursions with you!
ReplyDeleteGood question... but I didn't know the answer, so I looked it up. It turns out, soldiers first arrived there to build the fort on December 25, 1837. (Ah-HA!) The surrounding town is also called Christmas. My sister-in-law would have been right at home with the weaving and sewing for the whole family. She sews beautifully, and has her own loom and spinning wheel... and uses them! However, if her husband wants anything ironed, he has to iron it himself. Not her bag. (She's really cool.) Thanks.
DeleteI would have been a spinster during those times. No man would have put up with a woman who refused to iron or put wood on the fire. I'm a wuss.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Nah, you'd just have to hook up with a wealthy dude. Then he could hire someone to do all those things, while you lived the life of leisure.
DeleteI hooked up with the wealthy dude. He took my money, got even wealthier, yelled at me cuz the house wasn't clean enough to suit him, and finally dumped me. I don't want no more wealthy dudes. Give me good-hearted Elvis Aaron Schwarz.
DeleteThere ya go. Any man who's willing to share a bed with your dogs is the kind of man who'd help you with the chores. Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteI went to Sanibel a while back with nieces and nephews and they couldn't get enough of a similar jungle gym which was cooler than anything they'd come across. Me too actually!
ReplyDeleteLooks like everyone had a pretty good time :)
Playgrounds sure are a lot different, and safer, than when I was a kid. But no matter what the playground looks like they've always been a natural magnet for kids.
DeleteYour pictures of Fort Christmas looked so interesting, I googled the place and put it on my list. This will be great for a day trip for my husband and me!
ReplyDeleteAlso wanted to tell you that I read an article last week about baby names that are "up and coming" and are expected to become popular during the coming decade. Persephone was mentioned!
Oh, cool. I think you'll really enjoy it. We sure did. (But go earlier in the day!)
DeleteTotally neat about the name Persephone becoming popular. I guess that makes our granddaughter a trend-setter.
I think you finally got me. I have never been to Ft. Christmas. Something new to check out, if I ever get down that way again.
ReplyDeleteWow! Who'd a think it? It's a really neat place to visit. (And I still can't get over the FREE part!)
DeleteIt's nice to find a place this wonderful that you can walk right into at no cost, and what is even better is sharing places like this with the Grandbabies, the playground included :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. We know of a lot of terrific places to go here in GA that don't charge admission, but it was really refreshing to find someplace like this in Florida.
DeleteI really love the thought of the day: Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened. Thanks for sharing this on. The house looks interesting, and the wooden wheel is cool! A new follower!
ReplyDeletexx!
Glad you liked the thought of the day. It's one of my favorites, too. Thanks so much for stopping by and for signing on as a new follower. I do appreciate it, and welcome aboard! I'll be returning the visit asap.
DeleteYour grandkids may not remember the museum, but they'll remember the playground and going there with you :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
You're right. Little ones may not remember details of the places we take them, but they (hopefully) remember the overall positive family experiences.
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, where is that Gary? Here I am and I must say that most certainly was a delightful time at the Fort Christmas museum and the playground for the grandchildren. Free, you say. Now, there's a concept. Thanks for this, Susan.
Your starstruck fan, Gary
Hi-ya. Good to hear from you again. Yep, free is definitely good. (I'm not a cheapskate; I'm thrifty.)
DeleteLove the vintage kitchen stuff. Have a great Thanksgiving! :O)
ReplyDeleteI liked the kitchen stuff a lot, too. Kinda made me think, though. Some of the stuff in that "vintage" kitchen is still in MY kitchen... and I still use it! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
DeleteHowdy, howdy, howdy. Great pictures. Love the little stove area. And it's great to meet you.
ReplyDeleteCheers and boogie boogie.
Boogie boogie, yourself. Thanks for stopping, and for signing on as a new follower. Welcome aboard, wonder woman!
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