The "Fraser" Trip - AKA Camping at Hervey Bay

We survived another camping trip! First, I think I said "Camping in Hervey Bay" on the picasa site which of course we did not. We were indeed "Camping at Hervey Bay" even though we might have preferred camping in the bay as I'm quite sure the ambient temperature was cooler than the temperature in the bay. Yes, it was cold! We arrived Wednesday afternoon and were promptly greeted by kids of all ages ready and willing to make friends with our kids - even Elyssa had a group to play with. David and Colin became fast friends with Thomas from a farm near Sydney (I wish I could remember the name of the town - Thomas and his mother told me more than once but still...I don't remember). The camp grounds were lovely. We were lucky enough to camp on an end site that was bordered by palms. We spent the remainder of Wednesday exploring the grounds, feeding the ducks in the central pond (and the eel which was a big hit with all the boys) and cooking a dinner at our site. We had a very cold night - lots of layers, lots of blankets and warm sleeping bags. Apparently it was 3 degrees early Thursday morning. After an endless pancake breakfast by Grant we headed down to the beach and did a 6K walk to the downtown pier and local Aquarium. We spent some time in the Aquarium and then had lunch on the pier. It was beautiful - really, really chilly but beautiful. The kids did not even want the ice cream that came with their meals as they were too cold. Upon getting back to the campground, just when we were sure every one of our neighbors might just bludgeon us in the night for all the noise our kids were making (and us trying to stop them), one of our neighbors came over and lent us a heater for the remaining two nights. They felt bad that we were there with such cold weather and no heater. It was very kind and very, very appreciated. For the next two nights we were toasty warm! On Friday, we were ready at 7:50 AM to leave the Fraser Lodge, on Fraser Street and take a Fraser Tour Bus to catch the Fraser Dawn Ferry over to Fraser Island for a day safari on a 4WD Fraser Island Tour Bus (now you know why I called it the Fraser trip). It was a wild ride! Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, there are no roads.....just deep, white sand. This was one bumpy ride. We were there all day and were able to see many of the beautiful things the island had to offer. Next time, no tour - just a 4WD rental and a tent. We were completely beat as we arrived back at our campground around 6 PM. Luckily, Thomas and his family took the same tour so the boys were able to hang out and have fun all day. Saturday was pack up day. We broke down our site, said goodbye to all our new friends and headed home. Once again, camping is very dirty and the laundry will last for days!

There are photos of the trip on the picasa site along with a few from our day at Movie World. Not many, just one of Elyssa on her first roller coaster ride with Grant (just like the boys, no fear) and a couple of the guys with their 3D glasses for the Shrek 4D show - really cool. There are also a couple of photos of David making a purchase from "The Ice Cream Man" who comes around every other Sunday. This was the norm when I was growing up but unfortunately this is the first my kids have ever seen of the ICM. They love it.

Right now we are preparing for Grant's new schedule as he takes on four shifts per week in the ER. This will only continue through February when we plan to make further changes that allow him to be home with us more often. As much as we have all been dreading the next six months of Grant working more in the ED, we only have to think back six months ago when he was working so much more and once again appreciate all that this move has afforded us.