Trip Planner

I disappeared for a couple of days, didn't I? I am trying to get things ready for my commitments to a co-op I will be part of in a few weeks. The biggest problem this week has been a trip I am planning. I had hoped the Environmental Science class could head to the western part of the state for a look at some environmental zones we don't see here, but the cost is too prohibitive. So, finally, today, I think I made a decision.
We are going to go to the coast and stay at a Presbyterian camp. I can get it for $12 a night if I take 16 people. With food and an extra little trip to the aquarium, the total price for three days and two nights will be $43 per person, plus gas. Several places I looked at were going to charge about $200 for that!
I enjoyed looking at all of the Environmental Educational Centers available in NC, and told Hubby that I thought they would make great vacations or day trips. He thinks I'm nuts. Really, though, the places look like fun and are very beautiful. If I can just be sure not to break any legs while I am hiking!
We are leaving for a family vacation on Sunday. We decided that we will stay in NC for our vacation this year. We made a list for the boys of all of the things we could do in NC, and then we let them choose what they wanted to do. Drum Roll Please!!
We will be going to Cherokee to see the indian village and watch a play called "Unto These Hills" about when the Cherokee hid in the mountains of NC so they wouldn't have to follow the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma. Then we are headed to a state forest to hike to waterfalls and enjoy the scenery. There are a few places you can swim under the falls, so I imagine we will cool off that way in the afternoon. The next day we head to a gold mine for a tour of the first gold mine in NC and to pan for gold! Maybe we will strike it rich and pay for our vacation- might have better luck at the casino in Cherokee! Finally, the last day we go to Old Salem to visit one of the first settlements in NC and see what life was like for the Moravians in Winston-Salem. After that we drive home.
No amusement parks or trips to Europe for my boys. They are happy to see the scenery and enjoy a little history. Sounds good to me, too.