So here were are in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It was a quiet morning with birds just waking up as I was. It was still dark, but I could tell the sunrise was happening soon. Then I heard it. Gun fire. Definitely machine guns and 2 distinct ones with some grenades sprinkled in. Being from a military town surrounded by bases with nightly bomb drills I didn't think much of it so I tried to doze a little more.
Then my momma-bear brain started working. What if there were some crazed gunmen on the cape trying to highlight their cause or make a point running around town shooting people? What if there was a person shored up in a house shooting at police about to run out through the cities? Did it sound like it was getting closer? Maybe.
So I turned on my phone to see if there was any breaking news or schedule reenactments or drills. Nothing. I peeked out the tent and no one was running around or packing up. After about 15 minutes the gunfire stopped. Then 5 minutes later started again. My brain thought ok, the police didn't get the person and they're fighting again. And it's getting closer. Maybe.
This went on for almost 2 hours while the kids slept. I wasn't sure what to do but I definitely wasn't getting out of my tent to get ready for the day just yet. Once again facebook and gmail to the rescue to distract my brain until it was over.
Once the kids woke up we played and talked in the tent for while until we had to go to the bathroom. The campground host was there cleaning so I asked him what all the noise was about and he told me there was a military base with a drill. Of course. No mad gunmen or criminal's last stand. Because that is just silly.
While I was distracting myself online I noticed the weather was going to be miserably rainy all day. Wonderful. Our only day to enjoy the beach before we leave and we'll get soaked. So I went through my list of activities in search of indoor things and let the kids decide what they wanted to do.
It was clear out for now and we'd bought firewood so I started a fire and Laney and I made berry muffins. We've gotten better making these and next time think they'll be perfect. It definitely helps having an assembly line even if it is child labor!
After some time on the playground, we headed to our first stop - a glass blowing shop! Unfortunately we weren't there on the right day for a demonstration but we did get to watch as the guy made several large Christmas ornaments.
The kids even wanted to take notes!
And just in time for a snack we stopped at the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory for a tour. We love this all natural/no preservative chips and the kids instantly recognized the lighthouse & seagull logo. I think everyone googled inside Cape Code indoor activities for kids as the line was wrapped around the building! I knew the tour was very short, so we stayed and were in (and still dry!) after about 20 minutes. Of course there are no pictures allowed there so this was all we got!
The kids chose a children's museum for our next stop, so I prepared the kids if the chip factory was crowded, this place was going to be crazy! It was a large completely open museum building so I think that helped, but it was definitely just about at maximum capacity. This was another museum more for younger kids, but they still had a bunch of fun.
The first stop was the restaurant where they served me food and more food and even more food. They just don't believe me when I tell them I'm full! How could anyone eat all this?
I was then treated to a puppet show. I'm not sure what the name of this one was but I did have to teach them if I they can see me, I can see them.
The girls were dressing up and playing music so I went to go check on Brayden. I searched through all the science and play areas, but didn't see him anywhere. I should have know to check in the library area - those kids love books! When we go to the gift shop after all these museums they all three usually gravitate to the bookshelves first.
The museum had a fun garden and farm store set up the girls really enjoyed. They planted, picked and sold veggies and fruit for an hour!
By the time we were leaving it was definitely pouring so we went in search of food. I wanted to stay in the small town we were in as there was a Cape Cod League baseball playoff game that night I had my fingers crossed to be able to see, so we found a dry, warm pizza place for an early dinner. We had plenty of time before the game so we took our time and even got to talk to Dave!
Before we left I checked on the game and it was postponed to the next day. Big bummer. Seems we had missed just about every chance at baseball by a day or two - Red Sox, Blue Jays, Little League World Series and now Cape Cod.
There was still about 2 more hours of rain so we headed to the public library. This is one place I know my kids will be completely entertained and out of each other's business while I edit pictures and write. Brayden poured over Red Sox stats and history while the girls read armloads of featured books.
Once the rain stopped we headed to find some local ice cream. Maybe that should be on our list next trip - homemade ice cream in each state? Dave would most certainly join us then!
The kids were anxious to get home so we could finally finish our book. They really enjoyed the mystery element of this book - thank you Kaci & Alison! Off to bed and a visit with a Clarke family the next day!
