Hippos Are Cool (and other aquarium adventures...)

     About three and half years ago, I took my oldest niece to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey for her very first visit. I will never forget the look of absolute surprise and thrill on her face as we walked just inside and she saw a turtle about three times her size (and I snapped a photo of the moment, so when my memory fades...there's still that...). What followed was one of our most fun days together and it has become one of my favorite memories with her.

     Since then, her and I have been successfully conquering other equally exploration-worthy destinations around the Garden State. In a way, this has sort of become our "thing" and we really do risk it all. No matter the weather, the drive distance, or even the crime rates of the general area, if there is advenure and family-friendly fun to be had in our home state, then we want to have it. Science and history museums, farm festivals, beaches, massive jungle gyms...we really should consider writing a guide book as we go along. 

     Anyway, I say all this to say that today, we finally made it back to the Adventure Aquarium for a brand new visit. It was perfect timing and such a blessing in the midst of a time in my life that's been particularly confusing and difficult. Below are some photos from the day, if you'd like to have a look.