Yesterday we spent a few hours at Pullen Park in Raleigh on a fieldtrip. What fun we had kicking off the new school year with our wonderful homeschool group.
You didn’t know I was best friends with Andy Griffth did you?
And he’s crazy about Michaela.
In fact, you’d think she was Opie’s big sister the way they act together.
We all like to hang out in Pullen Park. If you haven’t been there, you should go! I’m sure Andy would like to see you!
There’s a beautiful pond where you can get on a pedal boat and pedal around with the ducks. Well, they paddle. You’ll be pedaling.
It was HOT yesterday. The high was predicted to be about 100. That’s a lot in this North Carolina humidity. I never looked at a gauge, but I think it probably got to 100.
The little ducks were some on the water and some up on the banks. They looked pretty unbothered by the heat out on the water. Me? Well, it was a bit toasty.
It was quite picturesque, coming toward the bridge and wondering about what was around the bend.
There was an immediate sense of cool under the bridge. I loved the way the sunlight sent reflections like dancing diamonds off the water and onto the bridge-ceiling as we pedaled under.
Around the bend, I do believe the temperature dropped. We quit pedaling and just floated easily around, enjoying the cool shade and our company of ducks.
It gave us just enough energy to come out on the other side and make our way back to the dock.
The life jackets were, shall we say, less than cool.
But I still got a smile from my girl. She did a lot of the work and told me just to relax.
Later we rode the little train. You’ll know you’re on the right train if everyone screams when you go into the dark tunnel. I remember when I rode it years ago with baby John (yes that was quite a few years ago) and when we came out on the other side of the tunnel, his eyes were like saucers! But no crying and no scared face. Just amazement. He always loved trains after that and we had to buy every engine on the Thomas the Tank Engine crew.
Pullen Park is really nice. There are other areas that I did not photograph. I should have. They have lots of sand to play in, swings, little tiny boats that go around in a circle for the toddlers, a place to get snacks and sno cones, and a very nice, very old carousel. It’s free to go in and then tickets are 1 dollar apiece. Most rides are one ticket and the boats are 6 tickets per boat.
Happy Friday!
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
I would love to have my picture made with Andy and Opie. That looks like a wonderful park!
Dear Lynn,
I want to go to Pullen Park! I’ve loved Andy Griffith since I was little. What a wholesome show it was, with a moral to it. We don’t have anything like that around these parts, but about four hours from here in Utah there’s a park a little like that. Sigh. . . We have to make do with wishing we had a boat big enough to paddle around the lakes and ponds here.
The weather sounds pretty miserable; I hope it’s cooler for you today.
Love,
Marqueta
p.s. We’re almost done cleaning!
Happy Tasha Tudor Day!
Hi Lynn,
What a beautiful park! A perfect day! Although 100 degrees is really toasty as you said! Your daughter is precious in the pictures. What a personality!
I just finished packaging books for shipment. Ebay adventure!
It’s late and sleep is calling but I just had to pop in for a quick visit. Have a wonderful day…
Diane
Looks like a beautiful day, though hot!
My husband’s favorite show is The Andy Griffith Show… he’d have loved that statue!
Looks like a fun day! I have to give you credit for sticking it out in 100 degrees.
Hi Lynn,
Loved this post o Pullen Park!! Oh so peaceful. What a perfect place for Andy an Opie to be. I envy that you all are friends. (ha ha) Thank you for all of your wonderful posting!!
Hey! The train trestle in the last pictures is the one under which Christian, Troy, and I are doing our GaugeCam water level research project for NCSU. Very cool. What a beautiful park!
MamaHen, it really is nice.
Marqueta, I love Andy Griffith too.
And it’s cooler here today. Very nice temperature.
Thank you for visiting, Diane. Yes, Miss Priss does have quite the personality.
Dana, we love Andy too. The statue really is a remarkable likeness.
Janet, it was quite toasty!!
Susan, so good to hear from you. I’ve been meaning to call you. Life is just so busy — where does the time go???
Ken, how cool is that? We were right that at it then. Wow. Your projects are amazing.