As the boys finished up their lunch, we began to talk about the rest of the afternoon. The usual stops were obvious, but I decided to throw in something different. While nothing they were desperate to try, the boys had both shown interest in checking out Tom Sawyer Island for quite some time. We had all agreed that it would fit best as a cooler weather activity and never really put any thought into it.
It was somewhat fresh in my mind from a TR I’d read (PirateKate's last, I think!) so I decided this should be the day. It was February now and there weren’t any “cooler” days left in our future! I thought this would be a nice way to take things a little slower and away from the crowds for Andrew, too. While he was fine that morning, I still didn't want to push him. He doesn't have much of a history of catching colds or anything, but seemed to have a rough winter.
To the Island!
The journey across was so much fun. Andrew was really interested in seeing how this raft worked, so he squeezed in as close as he could to the CM in control. He instantly added this to his list of desired WDW jobs. I find it interesting that they all seem to include transportation. He loved the short ride over anyway!
When we were back on land, I had no idea where we were going or what we’d be doing. John and I had come over here on our first or second visit, but never again. Nothing stuck out in my memory beyond a bridge and my husband taunting me to smile for a picture. It was windy that day.. But none of that matters. This would be viewed as a brand new adventure for all of us!
Blake took control and pointed us up a path. Then he spotted something that didn’t go over well with Andy-Roo..
“Blaker, noooo!!!”
Blake may not be able to read yet, but Andrew sure could! He screamed at Blake as soon as he saw it! This said to keep out and he wasn’t interested in another step! Andy-Roo stood back and tried to talk baby brother into returning to us before he got in trouble. Explorer Blake just looked back in confusion.
John and I did eventually recover from our efforts not to laugh and explained that it was okay, of course. Even so, there was no way he was going in there!
We explored more, finding interesting rocks and leaves, and even a “really cool” fence!
Maybe Andrew didn’t find the fence quite as “really cool” as Blake did? Haha..
The highlight during the first part of our fun was stumbling into a small play area. The boys were thrilled by and had fun climbing and sliding. I had no idea it was over here at all. There was a nifty little picnic area nearby. If the weather were nice, we decided this was a great little getaway spot for packing along lunch someday.
As it often happens in any quiet place where little ones can play, bigger kids invaded soon with no parents to be found. They were acting a little too wild for us and pushing each other around. We headed back on the trail to see what other fun spots this island was hiding instead..
Oooohhh.. Harper’s Mill! I’ve loved from across the water and now we were checking it out up close! Memory started coming back and I did recall walking through here before. It wasn’t all that exciting, but the boys thought the bird’s nest inside was amazing!
When the boys found those chairs soon after, break time was called! Andrew was given his camera and the boys went nuts for a bit while John and I relaxed and talked. They loved being able to run around and play for a while. It wasn’t anything super exciting, but Blake burned a lot of energy! He was really loving all this “walking boy” time at WDW!
Say Cheese!
While we were fine resting here for a verrryyy long time, the boys were ready to return to exploring. It was rough giving up those rocking chairs! We weren’t out of view before I saw another couple claim them. What a nice little spot!
We eventually found that bridge I remembered from before and watched as the Liberty Belle passed by. I loved when the boys both decided to wave at the guests!
Having such a perfect view, we decided to stay in the area and watch for a BTMRR train to pass..
I think someone wanted to go swimming!
We waited for quite a long time to catch one of those trains, but eventually decided the ride must be down. We never saw one go by at all! Realizing we were beside Fort Langhorne, the boys took off running to check it out instead!
We spent the rest of our island time in here. All those dark and narrow escape tunnels had me so nervous, but we explored every bit of the place.
They thought this guy was pretty neat!
We then made our way up into the fort and found another train watching spot. This was something I had no clue about. Andrew absolutely loved it, but I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not! We pretended to shoot trains and had a great time. He couldn’t wait to ride BTMRR again, just so someone could shoot us! Scary..
One of the guns had some issues as we left. It started firing again and wouldn’t stop! Nothing seemed stuck to keep it going, so Andrew came to the only logical conclusion.. Haunted Mansion ghosts, of course! They could totally be over here!
That was the end of our TSI adventures and we all decided it was time to get back to the rafts. On my own, I would’ve been lost over here for hours. Thankfully, my three men knew how to get us where we needed to be! We didn’t wait long before we were on our way back to Frontierland.
It was somewhat fresh in my mind from a TR I’d read (PirateKate's last, I think!) so I decided this should be the day. It was February now and there weren’t any “cooler” days left in our future! I thought this would be a nice way to take things a little slower and away from the crowds for Andrew, too. While he was fine that morning, I still didn't want to push him. He doesn't have much of a history of catching colds or anything, but seemed to have a rough winter.
To the Island!
The journey across was so much fun. Andrew was really interested in seeing how this raft worked, so he squeezed in as close as he could to the CM in control. He instantly added this to his list of desired WDW jobs. I find it interesting that they all seem to include transportation. He loved the short ride over anyway!
When we were back on land, I had no idea where we were going or what we’d be doing. John and I had come over here on our first or second visit, but never again. Nothing stuck out in my memory beyond a bridge and my husband taunting me to smile for a picture. It was windy that day.. But none of that matters. This would be viewed as a brand new adventure for all of us!
Blake took control and pointed us up a path. Then he spotted something that didn’t go over well with Andy-Roo..
“Blaker, noooo!!!”
Blake may not be able to read yet, but Andrew sure could! He screamed at Blake as soon as he saw it! This said to keep out and he wasn’t interested in another step! Andy-Roo stood back and tried to talk baby brother into returning to us before he got in trouble. Explorer Blake just looked back in confusion.
John and I did eventually recover from our efforts not to laugh and explained that it was okay, of course. Even so, there was no way he was going in there!
We explored more, finding interesting rocks and leaves, and even a “really cool” fence!
Maybe Andrew didn’t find the fence quite as “really cool” as Blake did? Haha..
The highlight during the first part of our fun was stumbling into a small play area. The boys were thrilled by and had fun climbing and sliding. I had no idea it was over here at all. There was a nifty little picnic area nearby. If the weather were nice, we decided this was a great little getaway spot for packing along lunch someday.
As it often happens in any quiet place where little ones can play, bigger kids invaded soon with no parents to be found. They were acting a little too wild for us and pushing each other around. We headed back on the trail to see what other fun spots this island was hiding instead..
Oooohhh.. Harper’s Mill! I’ve loved from across the water and now we were checking it out up close! Memory started coming back and I did recall walking through here before. It wasn’t all that exciting, but the boys thought the bird’s nest inside was amazing!
When the boys found those chairs soon after, break time was called! Andrew was given his camera and the boys went nuts for a bit while John and I relaxed and talked. They loved being able to run around and play for a while. It wasn’t anything super exciting, but Blake burned a lot of energy! He was really loving all this “walking boy” time at WDW!
Say Cheese!
While we were fine resting here for a verrryyy long time, the boys were ready to return to exploring. It was rough giving up those rocking chairs! We weren’t out of view before I saw another couple claim them. What a nice little spot!
We eventually found that bridge I remembered from before and watched as the Liberty Belle passed by. I loved when the boys both decided to wave at the guests!
Having such a perfect view, we decided to stay in the area and watch for a BTMRR train to pass..
I think someone wanted to go swimming!
We waited for quite a long time to catch one of those trains, but eventually decided the ride must be down. We never saw one go by at all! Realizing we were beside Fort Langhorne, the boys took off running to check it out instead!
We spent the rest of our island time in here. All those dark and narrow escape tunnels had me so nervous, but we explored every bit of the place.
They thought this guy was pretty neat!
We then made our way up into the fort and found another train watching spot. This was something I had no clue about. Andrew absolutely loved it, but I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not! We pretended to shoot trains and had a great time. He couldn’t wait to ride BTMRR again, just so someone could shoot us! Scary..
One of the guns had some issues as we left. It started firing again and wouldn’t stop! Nothing seemed stuck to keep it going, so Andrew came to the only logical conclusion.. Haunted Mansion ghosts, of course! They could totally be over here!
That was the end of our TSI adventures and we all decided it was time to get back to the rafts. On my own, I would’ve been lost over here for hours. Thankfully, my three men knew how to get us where we needed to be! We didn’t wait long before we were on our way back to Frontierland.
Did you do the barrel bridge? I remember that being fun too. The island is such a nice, little, out-of-the-way place to relax (in those rockers)!
Blake thought it was fun, but Andrew wanted off right away. I doubt it had anything to do with how much the rest of us had it moving, of course. 
Andrew had said that he was hungry on the raft ride back. 
Something I forgot!!
Wow, wonder what it is...
I see myself crying sooo much in a couple of weeks! Instead of working on my TR tonight, I was going through old photo albums of my little man. I know a few of you don't have children yet, but be prepared if you plan to. Time will start to fly sooooo fast! 
