Summer vacation, Lots of pics, and News that I received a grant!

I am loving summer! Just got back from a great trip with my family. They wanted to go to the Outer Banks but they know I love zoos, so as a compromise we stopped at a zoo on the way there and the way back. Both were amazing. I have a goal to visit a zoo in every state, and thanks to this trip I can now say I have been to 14 zoos in 9 states! Here's how I keep track :)

We stopped at Metro Richmond Zoo in VA on the way to NC. It was not at all what I expected, but better! Privately owned and definitely unique. They let you feed any hooved animal in the park, have an awesome sky ride, and a super cool giraffe interaction area. I loved getting to pet, feed, and even kiss the giraffes!

On the way home from NC, we stopped at the Pittsburgh Zoo in PA. I have been there before, but during construction, so I wanted to see it again. Seeing the sea turtles was probably my favorite, but I was also mega excited to get to take my picture with an elephant! I just love hands-on, up close opportunities!

 

The Outer Banks was a lot of fun. I enjoyed spending so much time with my niece and nephew! Some highlights were...

Having a sea turtle lay a nest right by our beach house the 2nd day we were there! We got to see the tracks, nest, volunteers dig up 1 egg to DNA test, then rope the area off. Pretty cool! Wish I could go back when it hatches!

 

 

 

 

 

My dad and I also went kayaking. We went on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge hoping to see alligators in the wild. Turns out we saw barely any wildlife. I was very disappointed and complaining when we got back to the car... Mother Nature must have heard my disappointment just then because a black bear crossed right in front of the car! It was so awesome and exciting!!

 

On another day, we went to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. It was a cute little aquarium. They had a Sea Turtle Rescue Simulation my niece just loved. They even lend you cute little lab coats to wear :)

Another activity we did was a guided tour to see the wild horses. Not exactly what I expected either, but neat.

We did go to the beach too. I enjoyed taking walks at night and seeing all the crabs everywhere. I also saw my first ever washed up jellyfish! As a bio teacher I loved this. I brought back a lot of nature souvenirs- shells, mermaid purses, part of a horseshoe crab, and even whelk egg case (not pictured). Can't wait to show them to my students next year!!

Well, those are the highlights from my trip! Now it is back to reality for me. I have one more month of summer left and A LOT of planning still to do. I so far have only completed 2 chapters of notes for my forensic science class! I really need to kick it into high gear! I did get great news though, which I now realize I forgot to post on here. I received a $3000 grant to buy lab materials for my new forensic science class! I ordered so many lab kits, I think the kids will have a blast!!!

I did also go school supply shopping yesterday. You know you are a teacher when you go through the checkout line with 15 boxes of markers, 5 calculators, boxes of pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. I hate spending my own money, but I feel like I have to. I'm still looking for colored staples though, can't remember where I bought them last year but they made me happy and are worth the extra change :)

Ok well, hope your summer is going well! School will be back in session before we know it! Take care.