I took Wyatt to visit Bluebonnet Swamp. For those of you who don't know, it's a "walk through" swamp in the center of Baton Rouge. A nature preserve of sorts. Anyway, I wanted to play with my camera so off we went. I will go back when Wyatt is not with me. He was a little whiney. But we still had fun. Here are a few of my favorite shots.
Wyatt was a very reluctant swimmer this year. It was only his second year of swim lessons but he was still a little nervous. He was fine as long as he stayed in the shallow end, and could touch bottom. He gradually began to put his face in the water and go under for longer periods of time. The picture above shows him doing his "swim drills." This is the rocket. He had to push off of the step and glide to Mr. Lance.
This is a photo of Wyatt after he jumped in from the side of the pool. He had to come up for a breath and then swim to the opposite side of the pool to the ladder. It was slow going for him, but he tried his very best. 
Finally it was time to jump from the diving board. Wyatt would not get on the board, but did agree to jump in from the side next to the diving board. Then he had to turn and swim to the ladder to get out. I was very proud of him for attempting this. 
To give you an idea of just how much of an accomplishment this was for him, look at his face. PURE TERROR!! HE was very afraid of what he knew was coming up. But he did not give up, he tried and did more than I expected him to do. Way to go my little swim star.
I took off today on an adventure. I wanted to play with my camera. I wanted new things to take pictures of. SO off I went to the Rural Life Museum. It's a museum dedicated to the lives of people who worked and lived on farms and plantations of Louisiana. It is situated in the middle of the city, right off of an interstate. However, after driving down the long winding road, it's like stepping into a whole different world. A world of the past. The farm buildings are humble, simple examples of architeture of rural Louisiana. THe plantation buildings are set up just like they would have been during the 1800's. It was a peaceful adventure. I quickly lost track of time as I looked and wondered and thought about the past. How miserable were people living in Louisiana before the Air Conditioner was invented? What did the slaves think as they were forced to work on the plantation far from thier homes and loved ones? Did a young girl sit by the relecting pond, in a pretty dress? Did a wife or mother kneel to pray in the church while a loved one was off fighting in the Civil War? Before I knew it, I had spent 2 1/2 hours walking and taking photos. I had drained the battery on my camera. I had worked up a huge thirst and hunger. I was off to meet with Steve for lunch. I will go back there one day soon. I will take Wyatt with me. I want him to see things from the past, to see how people lived and worked back then. I want to take his picture in some of these settings. I enjoyed my day. It was peaceful, relaxing and fun. Now.. where shall I go next week?
