#keeps this short bc while i could spend all day coming up with specific artifacts i won't i'm not That insane

[doublebattled]

headcanon; man maybe someday I'll be able to write a worldbuilding headcanon that isn't the length of a short novel. So anyway, supplement to the previous headcanon, some artifacts that are on display in the museum portion of the league! Historic Costume Recreations from a few major eras of Unova's history, based off of both surviving clothing and historical artwork. A few items were added to this collection recently, as the league hosted a charity solstice masquerade ball, complete with historical costuming worn by some of the League's officials! (Proceeds from the event went towards the reconstruction of Opelucid and Lanucosa following the events of b2w2.) While many of these pieces were auctioned off (they were, after all, designed in part by Elesa). Hilda's costume featured a few reconstructed armor pieces based on what was believed to be the original Hero of Ideals' armor (the outfit itself is essentialy a black version of Zendaya's chainmail met gala dress, you know the one.) Iris' gown, based on one worn by one of the first recorded queens of Unova, is also present. Both are on display alongside the original designs and approximate illustrations of the original outfits they were based on. Some original pieces from destroyed or unsalvageable portions of the castle, largely decorative elements like carved bricks, murals, some statues that were salvaged from the garden, etc. These are displayed alongside a large archeologically-recreated blueprint of the original castle. Though the actual throne is in the champion's chamber, a recreation of it is on display here as well, with several photos of the last several generations of champions seated in it. (Hilda is still mad she wasn't allowed to wear a cardboard burger king crown in her photo.) A large section is actually dedicated to the preservation and display of Isshu culture, which has sort of been steadily declining for decades. (I mean, it's been on the decline for centuries, basically since the fall of the old kingdom, but it did remain steady for a good portion of time.) This also includes some pieces by modern Isshu artists, most created by folks from the Village of Dragons. A more recent addition to this particular section is a display detailing the reconstruction of the old Isshu language from some surviving ancient writings, including some of the original notes from the researcher who pioneered the effort, one Ardbert Blake (generously donated by his surviving family members, the Blake twins), and a bit of insight into how this was used to decipher the writing in the Abyssal Ruins. Finally, of course, is historical tools and weaponry! Like the clothing collection, they are displayed according to the era in which they originated. The crowning jewel of this collection is an ancient round shield engraved with intricate, interconnected runes. This is the Shield of Seals, the oldest known Isshu artifact left in the world. Unbeknownst to the Historical Society, however, the league is also in possession of its companion: the original Sword of Seals. While the original artifact was widely believed to have been lost following the fall of Isshu, presumably destroyed. However, some years ago—during Alder's championship—the Galarian government gifted Unova with (returned) an ancient sword, believed to have been "recovered" (stolen) sometime between the fall of Isshu and foundation of Unova. While significant for its age and the very intricate, seemingly ornamental engravings on it, there's no real way to determine that this is the Sword of Seals, as no real concrete record of it still exists.

#hilda also INSISTS that the league is haunted #this is an ongoing debate amongst the e4 #hit the books ★ { headcanon. } #anyway their dad was a college professor in opelucid #specialized in linguistics and translation #also - I LIKE MUSEUMS OKAY??? DON'T JUDGE ME FOR MY WEIRDLY IN-DEPTH FAKE MUSEUM EXHIBIT #keeps this short bc while i could spend all day coming up with specific artifacts i won't i'm not That insane

[nonbinarykai]

Great dev Kai theory time

Buckle up bc this is gonna be a LONG post

So do y’all remember that one scene in s4... goes a little like

Well a lot of people in the fandom has simply explained this scene as the staff possessing him. But personally I’ve never agreed with that statement for multiple reasons

Chen doesn’t have red eyes and he’s been holding the staff the entire time

We know from after this scene that the staff comes from these crystal caves, characters spend days in there and none of them have the same effect as Kai

Skylor has all the same powers in the staff but doesn’t go feral like Kai even when in the cave with the crystals

In s11 we see the red eyes again, it might be because of kais powers but since s11 seems to take direct inspiration from s4 I think it’s something a bit deeper then that

Ok so then if it isn’t the staff what is it then?

For the longest while I wondered that to, it makes no sense for it to be the staff, so then where could it have come from? However when I was watching s4 for the first time, a very specific line stood out to me.

This line comes directly before the episode where Kai turns feral. And considering they both have the same eye color I don’t think this is a coincidence either. The writers where clearly hinting towards something relating between garm and Kai in s4, and I think that’s great devourer venom.

What other parallels are there between the two?

In episode one and six we probably get the best example with chen using the exact same “he did what he had to do to win” line with both of them

Lloyds character arc did seem to resolve around them, his arc was meant to be him realizing he can’t just condemn people without knowing there motives first and to try to think and forgive in the perspective of those people. It starts off with Lloyd berating Kai and ends with Lloyd forgiving garm

Chen manipulates them both in the same way, with trying to convince them to turn against there friends in return for something they deeply wanted

While sure these examples don’t directly prove that Kai is infected with great devourer venom, I think it’s meant to show that there was meant to be a story parallel with Garm and kai, and Kai going evil with the staff was meant to be there way of connecting the two characters.

What happened with s4?

Wait but if these parallels were meant to be connected then why weren’t they expanded upon past episode 7?

Great question, I think it’s the same reason that kais arc was properly resolved and why garm was suddenly killed and why morro had an appearance to the end of the season.

The ending was changed

Now this is a VERY big claim I’m throwing out with little scraps of evidence to support it. Take it with a grain of salt but this is my personal theory for why the ending of s4 seems so disconnected with the rest of the series.

I personally think that the original ending to s4 was going to have Kai turn evil, but was changed last minute because they wanted to keep him as a ninja. Episodes 8 to 10 are all reworks to try to fit there new idea better. The scrapped idea for Kai were then pushed onto morro ((which is why we see him appear in s4 despite the fact it was clear that s5 hadn’t gone so far into conception. Morro after all has the same motivation of wanting to become the green ninja and seems to have the same demanding personality that evil Kai has in s4. It would also explain why kais character arc was cut short and why there seemed to be a lot of contrived plot ideas that seem to go against the first 7 episodes and why garm was sacrificed. It would also explain this season having a shorter run time then s1-s2

So then where does it go from s4?

While it might seem like the concept for evil Kai is cut from s4. I don’t really think that the idea of him has been completely lost yet. Throughout the series we see Kai be connected with snakes multiple times. Whenever there’s a snake for a villain it always seems to tie back to Kai in some way, either from it being directly tied back to him or it effecting him majorly. Multiple times through the series we see snakes as a sort of symbol for Kai, in S1 the snake symbol on the green gi was meant to represent Kai and in s12 we have a snake directly on his avatar outfit with the Harumi face mask. Snakes have been a running theme for Kai for the longest time now.

We also get s11, where we once again see Kai return to that feral state. While many people say this is due to kais powers, I personally think this is a sort of return from evil Kai in s4. Not only because of the red eyes but because kais lines in that scene seem to reflect evil kais lines. With him directly denying anything that doesn’t go his way. Considering the forbidden spinjitzu staff and ice emperor might be taking inspiration from s4 it wouldn’t be a surprise

It would also explain why Kai doesn’t seem to be effected by evil artifacts like the staff of forbidden spinjitzu or dark matter. If you notice throughout the series, whenever there are moments of the cast turning evil due to a artifact Kai seems to be unaffected. You can’t turn someone who’s already evil, evil

So when did Kai get infected? My personal theory is that Kai got infected in Season 2 episode 7, him being thrown off screen into some pots while venom was dripping from the roof would be a great time to slip it in without anyone noticing at first.

That’s personally just my theory, I do have a lot more personal concepts and theories on how the venom work but that’s just how I think it ties into Kai. 😳

#ninjago #kai smith #ninjago kai

[2traveldads-blog]

We always love to visit places we’ve heard about but never been before.  We especially love finding the unknown side of a city or area…. like Daytona Beach.  The first thing that comes to mind when you hear Daytona is either NASCAR racing or spring break, but we were just there exploring the area and did all kinds of family friendly activities in Daytona Beach.

First off, there is so much more to the area than just the beach or NASCAR events.  We’re all about exploring the smaller towns and getting into nature so activities in Daytona Beach and the surrounding towns really made for a fun trip.  Take a look how we planned a vacation in Daytona Beach that got us into the Florida back country, showed us some history, gave a dose of science AND allowed for fun beach time.  

Getting to the Daytona Area

I wish every layover happened in the Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB).  Yes, it’s a tiny airport but it’s beautiful, clean, not crowded and so easy.  With only a few airlines flying via DAB it’s not a madhouse at all.  Also, depending on the season and day of the week DAB flights are fairly inexpensive, which is such a bonus when you’re talking about family travel.

If you’re driving, Daytona Beach lays a third of the way down Florida’s Atlantic Coast.  We paired a trip to Daytona with a vacation to St Augustine, but it can easily be added onto an Orlando trip or be its own thing.

Note:  although a small airport DAB has plenty of rental car options, including companies that will allow one-way rentals, to or from DAB.

Activities on Daytona Beach

We love beach days and we’ve done them all over Florida, most recently up and down the Florida Gulf Coast.  Activities on Daytona Beach are very different from other beach towns.  Here vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach almost everywhere and there are designated lanes of traffic.  It’s odd.

Tip:  if you want to do beach time with kids, plan it at LOW TIDE so that there is more space for them, as when the tide comes in the play space in minimized and it’s not safe for children due to the cars.

Riding Bikes on the Beach

One of the activities in Daytona Beach we enjoyed was riding beach bikes ON the sand.  We’ve rented bikes in Victoria BC and in Georgia’s Golden Isles (on both St Simons and Jekyll Island), but have never ventured directly onto the beach with them.  It’s a totally different way to experience it.  We got our bikes through Blue Coast Shop and were outfitted with trailers, helmets (optional), bike locks and storage bags.  Our bikes had big fat tires meant for riding on sand.

Biking on the beach is not as easy as biking on pavement or mountain bike trails.  On the beach you need to keep up your pace and really pay attention to where you’re riding.  There are pockets of soft sand that’ll make you tilt or over-correct if you’re not paying attention, or there are hard pressed bumps from cars being on the beach.  And then if you’re riding just off the tide line you might just have to ride through the edge of a wave if you’re not careful.  It’s really a mixed bag.  Totally fun, but if you’re looking for an easy ride, this ain’t it. This is a workout to remember and you’ll love it!

Tip:  if you want to snap pictures while riding, use a GoPro with a strap. Shore bird will fly alongside you and it’s the coolest shot if you can capture it!

Adding some Science to your Vacation

Since we get to travel so much our kids get to experience all kinds of nature and beauty and we’re so thankful for that.  With it though, we also like to work in educational stuff as much as possible and there are the perfect activities in Daytona Beach and around for that!  

MOAS Children’s Museum and Planetarium

The Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences is quite the place.  With collections of historical artifacts, Americana/memorabilia, some beautiful art galleries, a children’s museum and a planetarium, you could spend hours here wandering.  It’s actually a great idea if you’ve been spending too much time in the sun and need a little break.

If you know me in real life or just have been following our blog for awhile you know that children’s museums are an anxiety attack waiting to happen for me.  Denver has a very nice one, but the one here in Daytona was ideal.  It wasn’t too big and it wasn’t overly crowded.  The kids had a blast!  Most of our time was spent doing the cause and effect activities, but our youngest, Elliott, loved the black-light room where he could build a skeleton.  It was ridiculously silly.

The Planetarium at MOAS was also really cool.  We weren’t there during a full on space exploration presentation, but got to see a laser show instead (and it wasn’t a Pink Floyd one).  The kids loved watching the laser story of Orion’s Belt and the mythology behind it.  Totally random fun activity in Daytona.

Tip:  check the MOAS website for a full planetarium schedule including special space events.

Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center

We’ve got a few really awesome local aquariums in the Pacific Northwest, so you might say that we’re aquarium aficionados.  What made the Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center so great was the bottomless education available at every display.  From learning about pollution in the oceans to touching stingrays and hearing about each one’s individual personality, it was a treat.  There were lots of staff available for questions and hands on opportunities.

Fun story:  we asked about local bird watching, specifically looking for roseate spoonbills and the most awesome lady, Shell, gave us info, maps, and even had us pop back to her office to check for local tips online.  She and everyone else was ready and willing to play teacher and tour guide.

Turtle Recovery and Conservation

We love when an attraction type place is actually there for a purpose and not just entertainment.  The Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center is just that.  In addition to learning about the local environment and interacting with the sea life you’ll see just offshore, they also have a Sea Turtle Hospital ICU Ward.  Here they treat and nurse injured sea turtles of all kinds and sizes.  While this isn’t necessarily the “attraction” of the Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center it was the best part for us.  Veterinarians watch over the many turtles treating their wounds and conditions with great care.

There is also a bird sanctuary and recovery center.  This was a great surprise for us, with recovering pelicans, owls, hawks, and even a pair of bald eagles.  There is a good portion of the complex that isn’t accessible to the public, but we could hear the birds squawking as they were being treated.  Such a wonderful group of people taking care of Florida’s wildlife.

Tip:  if you’re traveling northward there is another cool operation in Georgia’s Golden Isles:  the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island.  Their operation is a bit bigger, servicing a very diverse ocean-going clientele.

History in the Daytona Area

Before arriving in the Daytona Beach area we know very little about the area…except for its NASCARness.  Daytona was actually settled in 1870 and has some great pockets of culture and cool sights.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse

We climb every lighthouse we come across.  We have an adorable one in our area, the Point No Point Light (it’s so tiny!), so we feed out need for nautical fun every few weeks with a visit.  The Daytona Beach area has one that’s much much cooler:  the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.  At 175 feet tall and built in 1887 it’s quite the sight.  The area surrounding the tower, once keepers quarters and utility buildings, is actually a collection of small museums all about lighthouses and the area’s seafaring past.

Tip:  if you’re traveling with little kids, this is a great place to visit as there are no height restrictions to climbing the 203 steps.  The St Augustine Lighthouse has 219 steps and has a height restriction of 44 inches tall, so not all kids can climb.  The only restriction to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is that any climbers must do it on their own; they cannot be carried.

DeLand Historic District

This spot is a bit out of the way, but if you’re venturing inland it’s a great area to stop for lunch and maybe go for a stroll.  The town of DeLand is exactly what you picture when you think of a turn-of-the-century settled town.  It’s got perfect sidewalks lined with trees, squares and greenspace, and Stetson University right in the middle of the historic district.  We stopped in for sushi and a short stroll.  It was night and day different from Daytona Beach where we’d been for the last few days.

Florida’s Back Country

When we did our epic Florida Gulf Coast road trip we got to head inland and explore some of the natural springs.  Florida has over 1000 springs and they’re all different and beautiful.  We visited two while on our Daytona Beach trip.

De Leon Springs State Park

Best breakfast ever.  What?  At a state park?  Yep, totally true.  Within DeLeon Springs State Park is the Old Spanish Sugarmill Restaurant.  Um, it was meant for us.  The tables have their own griddles in the middle and you pay per person for different types of pancake batter that you cook yourselves.  It’s the coolest and the kids had a blast.  The Old Spanish Sugarmill has been in operation since 1961 and I hope it outlives us.  The staff was so nice and truthfully, we were wishing we’d discovered it on day one in Daytona.

Tip:  if you have somebody with allergies, there are enough moms and gramas working at the Old Spanish Sugarmill that you need only mention a tiny concern and they’re on top of it! We were able to have a great time in a completely egg-allergy safe environment.

Beyond the fun restaurant there’s more. De Leon Springs State Park is the home of the Fountain of Youth.  Wait… Wasn’t the Fountain of Youth in St Augustine?  Yes, there too.

The beautiful head springs found in De Leon Springs State Park also lay claim to being the fount, Bimini.  It was a legend for the longest time and thank goodness Juan Ponce decided this was it… or the St Augustine site is it…  It’s beautiful, either way, and I swam in it.  Now you won’t see me age in our pictures.

Once you’ve dipped in the Fountain of Youth, you should head down river on an ecotour to learn more about the spring and the marshlands surrounding it.  We had a very chill naturalist lead us down river, spotting all kinds of birds and cypresses, as well as alligators and even a manatee.  The kids really enjoyed the abundance of wildlife on our ecotour.

Note:  if you’re not familiar with the term, an ecotour is a tour where you’re introduced to and learn about the ecosystem of the area, so it’s not just sightseeing; an ecotour’s purpose is to teach and inspire conservation of the delicate natural world.

Tomoka State Park

After doing several other kayak and ecotour expeditions we were ready to explore Tomoka State Park on our own.  We rented kayaks from the Tomoka Outpost within the state park and headed out.  The kids are pros at water safety so jumping in a kayak is NBD (no big deal)… but when the warning from the state park comes with “be aware of alligators and sharks in the brackish water…” we’re a little more cautious.  We talked to the kids about staying calm and keeping their hands out of the water and then set sail.

Renting kayaks at Tomoka State Park was really easy, and since we headed up river we had a very safe experience.  It’s easy to turn up each little channel and wander through the grass islands in your kayak, so having a continuous flow back out to the Innercoastal Waterway keeps you going the right way and you cannot get lost.  This is super awesome when you’re kayaking with kids because they want you to paddle up all of the most narrow waterways available.

Tip:  don’t forget your extra water on the kayak trail, as it’s hot and in the middle of the grass islands there is very little wind to cool you off.

Blue Springs State Park

Our final adventure activities in Daytona Beach landed us at Blue Springs State Park… so we save our best for last.  Much like Rainbow Springs State Park on the Gulf side, Blue Springs is beautiful beyond words.  We we directed here by some other folks on our ecotour in De Leon Springs State Park and I’m so glad we listened.

We parked in the main parking area and started hiking upriver.  I say hiking, but it was all on boardwalks.  As if the Spanish moss swaying in the tree above us wasn’t enough, we started out jaunt along the river and were completely sucked into the gorgeous water.  There was viewing platform after viewing platform as we wandered up river… and then we got to get in!!!  

Oliver, our oldest, and I got in first.  We swam around and played, but needed a better area for all four of us to get in.

After walking past the tube rental station (that’s right!) we found a great spot for all of us to get into the river and enjoy the crystal clear water.  Closer to the actual Blue Springs there weren’t any of the scary huge Florida Gar fish (harmless), so the kids got to have fun without fear.  I wish we would’ve planned better to be able to snorkel or dive at the actual head spring as it’s the deepest and most beautiful we’ve gotten to see in Florida.  Next time…

Tip:  if you can plan it out, there are great camping facilities at Blue Springs State Park.  You can have a fun Daytona Beach vacation and then move inland to immerse in nature.  Just a thought…

Four days in the Daytona Beach area was just about right, but we could’ve easy spend one or two more.  Upon our next visit we aim to camp in the Florida State Parks near Daytona.  We loved the towns we rolled through and the beauty that waited just away from the beach.  The sights and activities in Daytona Beach and around were so much fun we would happily return upon another #LoveFL trip!

Beyond Daytona Beach: exploring Daytona as a family We always love to visit places we’ve heard about but never been before. We especially love finding the unknown side of a city or area....

#beach vacation #coast #family travel #itinerary #lighthouses #loveFL #natural springs