Lobster Mini Season 2013 - FL Keys

So after what seems like 40 day and 40 nights of rain at home, we were finally sick of rain. I had cleaned the house, organized closets and was simply sick of being inside. If an effort to prevent mass depression we headed to the FL Keys a week early. We were blessed to have spend 13 nights in Islamorada this mini season instead of our normal 7. Yet soon after we arrived we had days of rain there. Yes, I brought the rain with me. I think we have 3 or 4 straight days of rain. Not to let the rain dampen our vacation spirits we did touristy things, shopped, visited the lower island and Key West, then Steve finally gave in an fished in the rain (and thunder and lightening...). The second week was amazingly beautiful. We spent lots of time on the water, at the pool and enjoying the company of our FL friends. 

Steve spend lots of time fixin and re-fixin his fly fishing gear until he had it just right. 

The sunsets at Kon Tiki never get old. 

Finally a rainbow and no rain on day four or something. 

I see the storms coming in fast. 

We picked the perfect rainy day to head to Key West. It was not crowded and the temp was wonderful. 

With our rain gear on we hardly got wet. 

Steve trying to get a few casts in before the storms set in for the day. 

Steve casting for the tarpon or bonefish or whatever else will bite. 

The view at Kon Tiki is always great, even from the pool.

Ahhh, K&S

Look what I caught... NOT!!!

When you hang out at the dock, you can get cool pics of other peoples fish. 

Sunset at Islamorada Fish Company.

The lobster I spotted and Steve caught. 

Hoppy the resident bird at Lorelei. 

I can certainly see why settlers would want to make Indian Key their home. 

Agave plants on Indian Key

What a beautiful day. 

Steve and his trout. 

Trash fish put up a good fight too. 

Steve looking for lobster. 

Steven got a "bug".

What a great vacation. I as always I am excited about next year!

July

July 2013

Steve and I love us some Lacey dog. 

She is almost 14 years old and I love her as much as my own kids. 

Little Aly was a princess at he third birthday party. 

Lacey wanted to be a princess too. 

Fish enjoyed her summer runs with Mommy. 

Crates is pretty sure his mommy is crazy for running so much. 

He prefers sitting in the water instead. 

River time at "Papa's River" is alway a highlight of summer.

Daddy's garden has started to thrive. 

Steve loves his water time too. 

June

June 2013

These day lilies may very well be my favorite flower in the world.  

Morning sunrise over Frogtown while running with Daddy on his birthday

I attempted surfing while at the Isle of Palms, SC near Charleston. 

Lets just say I better keep my day job and continue practicing. 

I am not to the professional level, just yet...

I may be better with my moves out of the water. 

With all the rain the water temps are still cool and the fish are on fire. 

Mexico Beach

This year we had our early summer vacation to Mexico Beach. This was a small part of the gulf that we had not explored. So off we went, top down in the Jeep, in search of adventure. 

We ventured out towards Cape Sand Blas and found lots of crabs. 

It was an early cloudy morning.

 I got a bit of a sun burn on the ride down. Good thing I turn brown fast. 

We had lots of oysters... raw, Cajun and Mexican! 

We still love Hunts the best... the price, the service, the atmosphere and food. 

Another cloudy morning that evolved into a beautiful day. 

The sky continues to fascinate me. 

We celebrated our 7th anniversary with our traditional Chick-fil-a milkshake.

Finally I had some chill beach time. It was blissful. 

On the way home we stopped by The Fish Hawk.

 They had a pretty cool fly rod from Abercrombie and  Fitch from 1969. 

I am pretty sure I can see more of the Mexico Beach area in our future. 

Spring Break 2013

Spring Break 2013 - FL Keys

We usually have a cool spring break adventure, but this year we wanted more. We said why not the keys. It would be a long drive yet it would be warmer than any other place we could reasonably drive. 

Since we were driving all night, I had to get jacked up on Mountain Dew and sugar. 

Steve is getting all the gear together while I simply enjoy the sun. 

morning runs rock

Now that is a view from a perfect morning run. 

Paddling the boats is always a highlight of the trip. 

We always see so many cool and neat fish and marine life. 

I could stay on my paddle board for hours. 

Steve found a bait fish trap that now has a permanent home on our garage floor. 

I love eating in an open air restaurant. 

Easter Sunday sunrise service on the beach was something I hope to repeat. 

Steven, on the phone, driving the boat, passing orders along to me... 

now that is multitasking. 

Sometimes poling is just too tiring and you have to rest. 

I love doggie cam. Savannah was such a good girl when we were gone. 

Kon Tiki sunset

Serious boat time

Warm, beautiful sunsets never get old...

A beautiful still evening sky. 

Finally I catch fish

More paddling time

I cannot get enough of the sun after being inside all winter

Steve likes his boat too

Steve and Robbies

And he casts and he casts and he casts some more

Then he gets bored and just looks for tarpon

I am beginning to think of this place as a second home. 

I think Steve is too. 

Yet I hear the mountains and Chestatee River calling my name... 

I must go home to them.