La Manche

Doesn't it just roll off the tongue? Say it with me...La Manche!

La Manche is a an abandoned settlement about an hour south of St. John's. It's been abandoned for many decades. Now there is a Provincial (State) Park, some good hiking trails, a pedestrian suspension bridge and some ruins to see in the area. And of course, some great views of the ocean!

Last week I received a hiking backpack in the mail that Avery fits in so I've been really anxious to go give it a try. She fit perfectly in it and so did Ryleigh, so I know there is plenty of room for her to grow. The weather was very cooperative today, so off we sent down to La Manche!

We took about an hour to hike in and pretty much took our time so Ryleigh could rest and we could just take in all that nature had to offer. The smell, the views, the quietness (when Ryleigh wasn't being our "nature guide") was all just awesome. We finally reached our goal, a pedestrian suspension bridge. We took a little break but the girls were getting attacked by what I call the Canadian Mosquito. These little bastards swarm like mosquitoes, but their bite is much more viscous. They really draw blood. I felt like an idiot for not bringing insect repellent, but they really were much worse than I anticipated. We have them around our house, but not by the hundreds! Avery got to take a break from being in the backpack, which turned out to be a bad idea, because she in no way wanted to get back in. The return trip was a bit less enjoyable. Jeramy carried Avery back and just tried to get back to the truck as quick as possible, ya know, screaming. I could hear Avery crying for some way, and then she either quit or they just got that far ahead of Ryleigh and I. Ryleigh's legs were starting to hurt, it was a lot for such a little girl, so I had to carry her on the up parts but made her walk on the level and down parts. We finally made it back and there was Avery waving and smiling at us, happily playing in the back of Jeramy's truck.

After the hiking trip we ate at one of our favorite family diners and then went for some Moo Moo's Ice Cream. We swung by some friends' house who were having a lobster boil tonight and scored three lobsters for breakfast in the morning! Avery got a kick out of the lobsters and loved playing with the live ones while Ryleigh wanted nothing to do with them.

All in all another great family day. This will be the last one for a while. Tomorrow we have a couple of birthday parties and next Saturday the girls and I head to TEXAS!