Day and then the Shade (12.10)

Matt drove all the way from Texas to meet his newest primita Egypt. While Matt was visiting, Chris and Kellisa had to take him on some of our favorite local hiking trails. In addition, we also explored some of the areas best off road trails with Matt's new 4X4. Besides a few...many scratches to Matt's truck, everyone had a great time!

Fort Caroline National Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt Area:

(Above photo from Matt's collection)

Ocala National Forest:

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge:

Osceola National Forest:

Easter 2010

Easter weekend 2010 was spent in Texas visiting family and enjoying some local attractions.

An afternoon of gardens and museums:

An afternoon was spent hiking at Brazos Bend State Park:

Experiencing the Mate that Matt brought home from his recent trip to Argentina:

Coloring Easter eggs:

Easter baskets:

Checking out Hurrikains Blogspot:

Presents:

Family pictures:

Kellisa "camped out" in the guest bedroom:

Everglades National Park (12.06)

Matt and Seth drove to Jacksonville as part of their Christmas breaks from school. After some visiting with Lisa and Kellisa, we drove down to the Everglades. We spent a few days camping, hiking and kayaking.

One story that stands out from this trip: we stayed in a hotel the last evening so we could clean up a little and have a nice dinner at a restaurant. Our room was on the third floor. Matt was the last one to take a shower. In the middle of his shower, the hotel's fire alarm started piercing our ears. Seth and I looked in the hall and saw people starting to head for the exits. Matt was yelling from the shower, "what's going on"? We acted like we were in a panic and started yelling back to Matt that we smelled smoke. Matt took us very seriously and ended his shower. He was relieved that he didn't smell smoke, but not at all happy that we made him think we smelled smoke. Playing it safe, we headed to the lobby and found out it was just a false alarm.

Back in the Everglades, we kayaked among the resident alligators:

Matt talked to a park ranger at the Shark Valley station to inquire about the endangered Snail Kite. The ranger recommended an area to kayak where we would have the greatest chance of viewing one of these rare birds:

Snail Kite:

We have a second story that will live on from this trip. For my job, several times a year I drive across Florida's panhandle. We also made the drive several times going to and from The Woodlands, TX. Besides Tallahassee and Pensacola, there is absolutely nothing except rolling hills and pine forests. I had never seen a trooper in all my drives through the panhandle. I happened to mention this fact to Matt and Seth so they could make good time on their drive home. I received a phone call from Aunt Jo letting us know that Matt and Seth arrived home. She also mentioned that she understood that I said, "don't worry, you can speed because troopers don't patrol the panhandle". I knew right away that there was a ticket written and I was partially to blame. I won't say who or how fast...