By the Sea

On Friday we took off for a tourist destination by the sea and enjoyed the time spent together.  Though we have visited this historic location before, it was a great opportunity for my dad to see something he has not seen before.  

This port city was built by King Herod and became a prominent trading port in the Roman era.  Herod's work to build the harbor was an engineering genius.

The city was bustling during the Roman era and included a large ampitheathre, Roman bath, and a hippodrome for chariot races and later for gladiator fights.  Andrew and Jacob played soccer in the hippodrome area.

Much of the city was destroyed by earthquakes or floods but some of the city remains.  Here is a structure leading into the main trading district of the city.

Original mosaic floor in a section of the bathhouse.

More soccer playing!

We packed a lunch and enjoyed some time underneath a shade tree before eating some ice cream and leaving.

I think the real reason we went on this trip was so that Hap and my dad could play some baseball on a field with grass!  They have been throwing with each other and this was their last time to do it for this visit.

The boys enjoyed some batting practice.

The guys throwing around.

It was HOT on Friday and the boys had rosy cheeks!!!

A little "coach pitch" baseball.  I don't know who won the game, Hap and my dad or Sam and Andrew, but I do know that they had a wonderful time playing!

Such sweet, fun memories!