Adventure Kayaking Tour

Our summer is quickly coming to an end but we found time to squeeze in one last mini road trip. We headed back to Weeki Wachee for the Adventure Kayaking Tour.



The Kayak Shack dropped us off at the top of the spring and we kayaked for 3 1/2 hours (over 5.5 miles) downstream back to our car.



This spring has the clearest water I have ever seen in Florida. Talk about cold, it is 72 degrees year round.





Along the way Mason decided to try one of the many rope swings.



Well, how do you think he did? Take a look for yourself. Video may not play on all mobile devices.

After kayaking we headed north for 30 miles until we reached Crystal River. We stayed the night at the beautiful Plantation Inn.

photo credit belongs to the Plantation Inn

We spent a few minutes exploring the town of Crystal River and then enjoyed dessert at an ice cream shop that overlooked the bay. We were all in bed by 9:30 pm in order to get prepared for our next early morning activity.





Next post: Scalloping

A "fishy" situation

We had an unexpected downpour of over 5 inches of rain last night. When Darin took Wagner for his morning walk he came upon this unusual sight.



Can you tell what it is? This should help ...




Well, it was Darin and Mason to the rescue. They relocated all five catfish on the street to one of our community lakes. They were so proud of their accomplishment until another neighbor mentioned there were 20 or 30 more catfish on the next street over.



Luckily, other neighbors helped and all the catfish were returned to their natural habitat.

Let's cruise ...

... down memory lane. The kids' first cruise was on the Disney Magic. It was a short 3 night cruise to the Bahamas. Mackenzie had just completed 1st grade and Mason was still in pre-K.





The kids' second cruise was on the Carnival Imagination. It was a 5 night cruise to the Caribbean. Mackenzie had just completed 4th grade and Mason had graduated from kindergarten.





I don't know why we don't cruise more often especially since we live in Florida and have access to numerous ports. There is now a perk to cruising with a high school-er and middle school-er, they are old enough to share their own cabin. Maybe I should start planning our next cruise now!

2013 Summer Road Trip - Gainesville

Our last stop was the University of Florida. This past spring we started Mackenzie on an "unofficial" tour of the state universities in Florida. We made a family decision to begin looking now so we wouldn't feel rushed her senior year. It is amazing how quickly we have checked a number of the universities off our list.

Florida A and M
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida State University
University of Florida
University of Central Florida
University of North Florida
University of South Florida
University of West Florida

Mackenzie was very impressed with UF and the city of Gainesville. However, she realizes that UF is the most competitive university in the state.





Next post: Cruising down memory lane

2013 Summer Road Trip - NOLA Round 2

After disembarking the cruise ship we had another 24 hours to enjoy New Orleans. The kids were able to ride their very first streetcar.





Just in case you were wondering, this is what it looks like when a hurricane blows through The Big Easy.



Mackenzie and I were able to participate in two of my favorite activities when visiting a new city. First, we took the Hop On/Hop Off tour bus. These buses are the best way to tour any city when you are short on time. Secondly, we were able to shop where the locals shop. We spent a morning at the open-air French Market.









Before leaving we had time for one last Cajun meal at a top rated restaurant, ACME Oyster Bar. In the French Quarter you don't make reservations or call ahead, you simply find a line and stand outside until it is your turn to be served. This was the line at 11:30 on a Friday morning. Can you imagine the line on a weekend night?



After lunch it was time to hit the road towards our last destination, Gainesville. We purchased the last of our Cajun rations and headed towards gator country.



Next post: University of Florida

Ports of Call

A "must see" in Mexico is the Mayan ruins, so off to Dzibilchaltún we went. This archaeological site was pretty cool because it included an underwater cave called Cenote Xlakah which the locals use today as a swimming hole. Sadly, we were unable to swim in the clear cool water because we were unprepared (we didn't bring our swimsuits). This has become a running joke in our small family of four, as much as we pack for our vacations we always end up unprepared on the spot.







I walked a distance to see the Temple of the Seven Dolls. On the Spring equinox, the sun rises so that it shines directly through one window of the temple and out the other.



Do you see that dark cloud forming? Do you remember me mentioning how we never seem to be prepared "on the spot"? I had carried my darn camera bag the entire day but decided to leave it in the visitor station while I trekked over the the temple. Wouldn't you know that after I snapped this photo it started to downpour and I was forced to sprint back to the visitor station while carrying my dslr camera under my clothing. It comes as a no surprise, once again, unprepared on the spot.

After my near camera disaster at the ruins I decided to leave my dslr on the ship while we enjoyed our second port, Cozumel. My sister in law, Karen, took us to an amazing beach club called Paradise Island. We spent the day snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming. There were other fun toys like the water trampoline, the climbing iceberg, and floating sun mat.


Next post: NOLA Round 2

The Golden Anniversary

All 14 family members of the Guske clan gathered at the port of New Orleans to board the Carnival Elation for a 5 night cruise to Mexico. Why? For a very special celebration of Kim and Suzanne's 50th Wedding Anniversary.

My sister, Deborah, along with her husband, Steve, and their children Lindsay and Hunter came from Texas. Being the most creative and crafty person, Deborah was put in charge of all the cruise decorations. This was no easy feat when you consider that everything had to fit inside her suitcase.



In a repeat performance from my surprise toast (comical poem) for the 40th, I was put in charge of the toast.



My brother, Derek, along with his wife, Karen, and their children Tanner and Taylor came from Tennessee. Derek and Karen continued the celebration with a "roast" to Kim and Suzanne.



All the grandchildren listened in awe as they learned interesting facts about their parents and grandparents.



And then the clinking of glasses began...



... and continued.



It was an awesome celebration of these two individuals who have been happily married for 50 years.



As soon as our family celebration had ended, the cruise ship staff was next on deck (pardon the pun). They serenaded the happy couple.



They invited the anniversary couple to the dance floor.



They even coaxed the happy couple into an extremely long kiss.



Congratulations Kim and Suzanne. We look forward to the 60th celebration!



Next post: Mexico

2013 Summer Road Trip - New Orleans

We made it to New Orleans just in time to catch a quick dinner and stroll around downtown. I cannot begin to describe Bourbon Street on a Friday night. Needless to say, it is a sight to be seen.



The next morning we had just enough time to eat at the original Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter.



We feasted on beignets (square French -style doughnuts) and coffee au lait.



After breakfast we were able to wander through the historic park in the French Quarter, Jackson Square.



Cinderella’s Castle was modeled after the St. Louis Cathedral. I can see similarities…can you?





Next post: The Guske's Golden Anniversary