Let's Go Paddling

Mason and I have decided to try a new sport, kayaking. We rented kayaks twice over the past few months and decided that it would be more cost effective to just purchase two entry-level 10 foot kayaks.  We ordered them weeks ago and they finally arrived on Monday.



We took Mason's out for a spin yesterday.  Why not both?  Well, I have yet to figure out the easiest way to transport both at the same time.  One fits nicely in the back of the mini-van but the second, not so much.





I was lucky enough to see a young manatee surface as I paddled around the mangrove island pictured above. More kayaking pictures to come ... 

The Pick of the Patch

Florida's strawberry season is among us, my friends. We couldn't wait to start picking. Luckily, a new U-pick farm has opened near our home. It is much closer than the farm in last year's post.





Someone special decided to join us this year.  I just assumed that Darin had picked fruits or vegetables as a young kid. Nope, he says this was his first time ever. As you can tell from his bag, he just couldn't stop picking.  He was really enjoying it.



As an added bonus this farm has tomato fields as well.



Of course one of the best parts of picking is the free sampling.



I'm sure you have seen red peppers, green peppers and yellow peppers but have you ever seen or heard of purple and white peppers? This was a first for me.

 

Nothin' but Net

Seems like fall football just ended yet we are already into the height of basketball season.



We have spent a couple of nights in the Shark Tank at Gulf Coast High.
 

Why you might ask? Because drumline performed during halftime of course.



Mason has decided to give youth basketball a try this year.



With only one practice and one game per week it isn't too big of a commitment but yet enough for him to get a feel for the game.