Field Trip - Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

Today we went on a field trip to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse (close to Daytona Beach). We had a good time and learned a lot about lighthouses, the keepers and the history of that area. We climbed 175 ft. up and then back down. That is a total of 202 steps each way. 4 of the children (Morgan, Sydney and my nephew and a friend) were not afraid at all and went running up the stairs. Avery got a good ole' anxiety attack about 1/3 of the way up and we moved very slowly with Jordan the rest of the way. We talked our way through and focused ahead. By the time she reached the top, she was so glad she did. The view was incredible. Amazingly, Avery did better on the way down. Even though it is more difficult, I think she realized she could do it and she was able to keep control of herself the whole way down.
We also were able to tour the old homes of the keepers from a hundred years ago. And we went on a nature walk where we learned a good bit about the natural remedies from a number of different plants. We also some wild coffee beans (way crazier than those tame ones :).
After touring the lighthouse, we decided we needed one more tour the kids would like even better. We went to the Chocolate Factory in Daytona. They have a guided tour to show how the candy is made. We even bought a box of chocolates to share among the kids when we were done (thanks Carrie). It was a long, tiring and fun day.