(This is Texas Coast Day 3, Saturday, September 5th.) [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="The bucket"] [/caption] We started the day out with some breakfast cooked at our friend's house where we were staying. After breakfast, we headed out to an Alligator Farm. We saw Crocodiles, Alligators, Cayman, Snakes and Turtles. A tour guide gave a nice long talk about the animals and even let us touch them. We left the tour because it was rather long and everyone was getting antsy. We picked up some BBQ and headed back to the house to eat. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The pink chair on the shore"] [/caption] After Celeste's nap we headed to the beach again, this time we'd be meeting lots of other people there. There were 5 toddlers in all and the beach was full of cars and people. I dug a hole in the sand to serve as a private toddler ocean being continuously refilled by the oncoming waves. Celeste had a blast looking for seashells, rolling in the sand, playing in the waves, and walking down the beach and dancing yo other people's music. She particularly enjoys Tejano. At one point she stopped in right on the beach in front of someone elses camp and starting dancing. As the sun was setting and we'd had our fill of sun and sand we packed up and headed back to home base, stopping at dairy queen for a quick meal.

(Since I'm now a day behind, I'd better include dates to keep things clear. This is Texas Coast Day 2, Friday, September 4th.) We started our day with an awesome breakfast. Then did some grocery shopping, visited some people including three adorable toddlers, and then came home for a nap. After nap, we headed out to the beach for a late afternoon / early evening swim. Celeste loved it. She didn't open her eyes underwater, was not afraid of the waves, and had a blast looking for seashells, watching the birds, and playing in the sand. When it got dark enough, our friend, Bonnie, spun Poi on the beach and Celeste watched in awe. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Celeste watching Poi"] [/caption] I got eaten alive by mosquitoes once the sun set. Thankfully, Celeste didn't get a single bite. After packing up the car, we sat our sand covered selves down for a good dinner at a local restaurant. Celeste discovered a love for Ranch dressing, and then we headed home.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Hiking in Huntsville"] [/caption] Day one of our trip to the Texas Coast is complete. Celeste did really well and we're safe and sound with friends in Beaumont, TX! I picked Celeste up around 10am and we arrived here just before 6pm. She only slept for about 45 minutes of the trip. We stopped for lunch in Corsicana, for an hour or so of hiking in Huntsville, and a handful of additional times for diaper changes, refuelings, and toy fetchings. Celeste really didn't get cranky until the last 45 minutes or so. Celeste loved the hike. Lots of "Pine Noo Noos" and Pine Cones and pretty green leaves. Plus, in the eroded parts of one of the trails there's lots of boardwalk. And if there's anything Celeste likes more than walking, it's walking on boardwalk. Today's plans are undetermined. A little grocery shopping, maybe some hiking, and some friends to see. Then, perhaps an Alligator Farm and a late night trip to the Ocean.