Jordan Lake - A Beach Visit That's Not 3 Hours Away!

My husband teases me, as I am from Minnesota originally, that I call any area with sand by a body of water a beach. Dictionary.com, by the way, defines a beach as "the part of the shore of an ocean, sea, large river, lake, etc., washed by the tide or waves." So I was right! (Na na-nah boo-boo!)

 "Let's go to the beach, mom!" my little one woke and immediately demanded a trip to the ocean on the nicest day so far this spring. While it was supposed to be gorgeous here in the Triangle, it was pouring rain on the coast.



So we skipped the 3-hour drive and drove the 20 minutes to Jordan Lake's Ebenezer Church swimming area. The beach was nearly empty. It was clean, close to the bathrooms, very near a playground (which my kids totally ignored because they were having so much fun) and not far from a volleyball court.

Of course, the water was frigid. But that didn't stop my kids or any other kids that were there that day. We played in the sand and were up to knee deep in the water for the better part of 3 hours. It was a fantastic day, and the one cost I thought we would incur was the parking permit (which I believe is $6) but nobody was there to take our money. So it was free on Monday. Maybe it's just a weekend charge?

Anyway, we will certainly be back. My only regret is that I didn't check to see if there was a grill at the shelter, because I totally want to go back and grill out next week when it's supposed to be in the 70s!

Also, there are 3 other swimming areas open to the public (non-campers) - Seaforth, Parker's Creek and White Oak Recreation areas. I plan to visit all of those and report back. Hopefully this spring will be perfect for it!

Ebenezer Road
Apex, NC

HIGHLIGHTS: Clean water, nice sand, close to restrooms and shelter, "beach" is close to playground, lots of parking very shallow swimming area, inside the "ropes" was 5 feet deep or less.

LOW LIGHTS: No changing table in the bathroom, which was a little stinky but not terrible. their website is not particularly user friendly, the link for entrance fees is not working, and in my experience the NC Division of Parks and Recreation staff that answers the phones is somewhat unfriendly.

COST: Free plus parking charge on weekends is $6 for cars (I believe. The site was not working when I checked).

Lake Wheeler Park - So Pretty!

Lake Wheeler is so pretty, clean (looking at least) and the park has a nice newish -looking jungle gym. There are shelters, fishing areas, volleyball courts and all kinds of wonderful perks, but boy was it a drive! I kept thinking, "Did we miss the turn?"

Of course, for some it will be much closer, but for those in the Holly Springs area it's a little out there -- but worth it! This fall, when the colors start to change, it's going to be gorgeous.

I actually want to go back very soon to use the paddle boats with the girls and my husband. I am not sure I'd visit Lake Wheeler regularly, but for a special trip I will definitely return.

Perhaps my favorite part of the trip was when my youngest (20 months) made friends with the exceptionally friendly fishermen on the dock. They had caught a few fish, let the kids look at and touch the fish and check out the worms. (Pictured above, right) She had them laughing and talking to the kids while we fed the geese, easily my oldest's favorite part of the trip.

6404 Lake Wheeler Road  
Raleigh, NC 27603

HIGHLIGHTS:Wonderful park and lake - beautiful, nice jungle gym, water, dock, paddle boats for rent, boat launch, volleyball courts and wildlife.

LOW LIGHTS: For some, it is WAY out there. I think it took me 35 minutes to get there from the Holly Springs area, and the play area is all the way at the back of the park by the water; also the play area is wood mulched so you'll need sneakers for your kids for sure.

COST: Free!

A hidden Gem! Great for Little Ones

Jordan's buddy Cora playing on the climbing equipment,
and once again teach Jordan something new.

I love my mommy friends! Just when you think you are getting to know the area, someone says, "Have you been to Waverly Place (in Cary)?"

Of course I have! I shop at Whole Foods when I have money burning a hole in my pocket. (Which is never, but I know where it is and have been there just a few times in the past five years). What does that have to do with our playdate? I thought.

I quickly found out! So there is a FANTASTIC little play area within Waverly's empty shell of a shopping complex. The parking lots are almost always empty, as are the shops. But this place is wonderful once you get there. Because so few know about it, the parking was easy. I just parked around the backside (which faces Chic-Fil-A and Tryon Road). Even when I saw the place I was pessimistic. Then, Dani (17 months) goes running for the back of the fenced area. That's when I saw it! WATER!!!! D loves water. This little play area has water that shoots out from the ground. They called it the splash pad. Either way, it was amazing. The girls played for almost 2 1/2 hours. I'm glad I brought snacks and water. There was no shade.



Dani (17 months) plays in the splash pad.

We didn't take advantage, but just outside the play area was a flat, grassy area for the kids to run around. I'm sure that will make for a nice picnic area for me and the girls one day.

I LOVE this place. I will definitely go back.

I couldn't find an address, but it's on the corner of
Tryon & Kildaire Farm kitty corner from Western Wake Hospital.

HIGHLIGHTS: It's small, easy to keep track of the kids and there's water (which my kids LOVE). Also, it seems to be kind of unknown, so it's not packed.

LOW LIGHTS: It's a little hike to Cary and it's not in a shady spot.

COST: FREE!!

Turtle Park (AKA Crowder Park) is A Nice Change

Crowder Park in Apex, NC off of Ten-Ten Road is another fun park to try out. It's not my favorite, but it's pretty fun, especially the first time you go. It's pretty shaded, too, so it's a great park to go to when it gets hot.

Both of my daughters absolutely screached when they saw the turtles from the bridge that connects two sections of the park. The turtles swim up, almost right at you, and then duck under water and swim away. There's a 3-acre pond, Crowder Pond?, that runs through the park. The turtles are everywhere. We counted at least 15 when we were there last time, and we weren't there long. There are two areas with playgrounds and a couple shelters and paved trails.

Next time we go we'll pack a lunch and have a little picnic. Oh, yeah, and the squirrels were incredibly friendly and not scared of people That scared me a little bit. Wild animals and toddlers don't generally mix well, but the saving grace is that the animals run away from the kids. They didn't here. The squirrels were actually playing under the playground equipment. Dani (15 months) loved it. She chased the squirrels for 30 minutes, screaming the whole time. Needless to say, she barely made it out of the parking lot before falling asleep in her carseat.

I cannot decide if that friendly animals are a positive or a negative. But the play equipment is wonderful, and there are several areas with equipment. So if one area is crowded, just keep walking onto the next.

4709 Ten Ten Rd.
Apex, NC 27539
Phone: 919-662-2850

HIGHLIGHTS: Free, the pond loaded with turtles, lots of shelters, two separate areas with playgrounds

LOW LIGHTS: Animals may just be a bit friendly, it can get crowded because there are lots of kids groups that go there, there always seems to be some kind of construction or repairs on the equipment (not good for the very little ones)

PRICE: FREE!!!

Later Crocodiles

Busch Gardens Weekend Vacation



Jordan and her Nana getting on Prince Elmo's Spire, one of many rides available for toddlers.



Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va was a huge surprise! I cannot believe I spent a whole day in an amusement park with a 2- & 1-year-old and had a great time.

Dani playing in the water section of Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens.



There is an entire section for young children like Jordan and Dani called the Forest of Fun. It's an Elmo and friends themed portion of the park with water play, rides for really little ones and so much more. Right next to it was an animal petting area (which we never made it to because there were so many other things to do).



Jordan (2) went on several rides, by herself, and was having a blast. Dani (15 months) even rode a couple rides with her dad. It was incredible. They were smiling, clapping and begging for more despite a few lines in which they had to wait 15 minutes or more (an eternity to a toddler).

Kids under 3 are free, too! I cannot wait to get back. I want to go again before Jordan's third birthday. It was incredible. But it wasn't cheap!

HIGHLIGHTS: The rides designed for kids her age, Forest of Fun with Elmo, lots of shaded areas

LOW LIGHTS: Lines, expensive food, it doesn't open until 10 a.m. (which is 3 hours before naptime in my house), it takes 3 or more hours to get there from the RDU area

COST:  $66.99 per adult, $56.99 for children 3 and older

Later Crocodile

Pullen Park: A Stay-At-Home Mom's DREAM!

If you are the mom of a toddler or preschooler in the Raleigh area and have not been to Pullen Park, don't put it off any longer. This place is truly wonderful. When I first heard "park," I cringed. I was NOT about to drive into Raleigh from Holly Springs for a park. There are parks ALL over Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina and Apex.

NOPE, I just wasn't going to do it. But, a new friend of mine wanted to go with her daughter. Since I think she's pretty fabulous, I agreed.

We walked up to the gate and my daughters squeeled with delight as the train horn blasted "CHOO CHOO!" right in front of them. I knew I was going to love it at that moment.

I will warn you, this place is not entirely free. It can be. But you won't want it to be. There are swings (including a tire swing, which reminds me of being a kid in the midwest), jungle gyms, sandboxes (huge sandboxes), music stations, mist sprayers for the extra warm days, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. All that is free. But the train, the carousel and the boat rides all cost $1 per rider (including parents and everyone over 1 year). IT'S WORTH IT. I never spend more than $10 as the rides are pretty lengthy for the money and there is so much to do.

Pullen Park is located off of Western Boulevard in Raleigh. There is a carousel, train, a little boat ride (which I find boring but my 2-year-old absolutely loves), swings, a pond with ducks, picnic areas, shelters, food vendors, huge sandboxes, tons of preschoolers and toddlers, trails for walking & the list goes on. I love this place and try to go once a week.

HIGHLIGHTS: The view, the varity of activities available, the picnic areas & shelters

LOW LIGHTS: Parking, VERY busy on the weekends

COST: Entry is Free as well as parking, Amusements are $1 per person over age 1 (that includes ALL riding parents/grandparents/etc)

GAS: I've never calculated this. I will update later but will say TOTALLY WORTH it either way

ADDRESS:

520 Ashe Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27606

HOURS (see website for more details)

Day	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Open	10:00am	10:00am	10:00am	10:00am	10:00am	10:00am	10:00am
Close	9:00pm	9:00pm	9:00pm	9:00pm	9:00pm	9:00pm	9:00pm

Later Crocodile