All Aboard Ferry Rides

  Every once and awhile we take a trip on a ferry.  We leave the car behind and walk aboard the ferry to cross the Elizabeth River and explore downtown Norfolk.

  The kids enjoy the ride because they can pick where they sit.  Upstairs is open to the wind in their hair and all the sights and sounds. Downstairs is enclosed and a bit quieter.  They also enjoy watching the water wheel propel us across the water.

They also enjoy catching the sight of other boats.

  The ferry runs every 30 minutes and makes two stops in Portsmouth but only one stop in Norfolk.  During the summer it runs every 15 minutes with the help of another ferry and also runs a ferry to Harbor Park for the games.

  The opportunities are endless for family fun in Norfolk.  Waterside has plenty of games and a splash pad to keep you or small travelers entertained.  This area is immediately where you get off the ferry! We stop after our adventures because one the kids don't want to leave and two it helps motivate them to head towards the home.

Adults there are plenty of chairs for you to rest in while the kids play.

When your ready to leave Norfolk head back to Waterside for the quick ride across the water!

The ferry is free for kids with a paying adult. Adult fares are $1.75 one way and exact fare is required.  So next time your looking for a different mode of transportation and want a little more fresh air grab a ferry and head over to Norfolk.  

A different perspective is always a nice change of pace.

Pictures Speak (Botanical Gardens)

 

  We are members of the local botanical gardens.  I enjoy this membership as its one place that is always changing.  It changes with the season as well as the holiday.  You may even get an exhibit passing through that stops there for a period of time.  Over all however you get to experience the freedom to roam, see what's growing at the present time and stop to smell the Roses!

I love a good tree.  They all have their own personality.  With or without leaves the gardens have an abundance of trees just like flowers.

Beautiful historic bridges that also make a great photographic backdrop.

Caterpillars are in abundance in the summer time.  I even got too see some I have never seen before.

If you keep your eyes open  you will see more then just caterpillars and butterflies.

A squirrel in the tree in such a odd way had us talking about camouflage.

Our Rose gardens bloom twice a year! Lol, I said our like I had a part in this.

A wildflower field is another great photographic backdrop as well as see the variety of flowers in a wild and carefree area.

It's not all about the flowers and trees.  Random berries or seeds decorate the trees making them unique.

Lastly, there is always time to stop and smell the Rose's!

Now that the holiday season is here we will go back to take a ride through the gardens at night with the holiday lights.