During our evacuation two weeks ago (thanks to Hurricane Matthew), we took some friends up on their offer and headed to North Augusta to take shelter! Even though it wasn’t a planned trip, we had a fantastic time with them. Seth and Amy graciously opened their home up to us, our kids and our pets! 

Since they are youth pastors as well & that is how we met several years ago, we usually only get to see them at youth events. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing them at conventions, events, and fine arts every year. However, you can only do so much hanging out when you are also responsible for a van or two of teenagers!! So, this time was really special for us. We really enjoyed our time with them. (And don’t get me started on their adorable Pinterest-decorated house!!!) 

Amy has come to Charleston for a little day trip a couple of times. She always jokes that there is nothing to do in Augusta and so she will just keep coming to me for our little visits.

She lied. (haha- love her) ❤️

I told our kids on the way there that this was not a vacation. I explained to them that we were evacuating and that this trip was about staying safe- not doing fun stuff every day. Well, Amy is a teacher and her school was being used as a shelter so she had the time off with us! Somehow, Seth was also off because of the storm. We ended up with four full days together! (Silver Lining for sure).

They have a 15 passenger van that they bought to use for church events. That came in quite handy!! We all piled into that van and they drove us all over town!

Our first afternoon, they took us to the North Augusta Living History Park. It was a great little community park that had a small colonial town and garden. 

Then we went to a different part of town and walked by the Savannah River. During every van ride, Seth was also giving us a driving tour and pointing out historic spots. Otis is very much into that sort of thing- he loved it!

Our next stop was Brick Pond Park to see if we could spot any alligators!

The next morning we drove around Downtown and went to the Riverwalk.

We also went to the Augusta Museum of History. I was glad to go because #1) that is where Seth and Amy held their wedding reception and I wanted to check it out and #2) now I can count this as a field trip day in my homeschool lesson book!!! Not that I needed reasons beyond learning about the actual history of Augusta! We learned lots about James Brown and golf carts!!!

This place was my favorite place of the entire trip. We went to the Augusta Canal. This place even had a bridge where people put locks like the bridge in Paris!! I loved it and wished that we would’ve bought a lock!! 

We had a wonderful Sunday as well! We went to church with Seth and Amy. If you follow me on IG, you know that I teased Otis for being the only worship leading evacuee that ends up on stage at a church the he has never been to singing with the worship team! Thus, the birth of the hashtag: #onlyOtis!!!

We finished the day with lunch after church, a little chill time, laundry, and dinner with Amy’s parents. We came home that night and got things organized to leave the next morning.

We had so much fun despite the circumstances! Our kids now want us to vacation in North Augusta and visit again very soon!