Tubing the Rainbow River and Rainbow Springs State Park

Ali organized a fun day on the Rainbow River for all of us. First we spent two relaxing hours tubing, then after a picnic lunch we headed over to Rainbow Springs State Park to swim in the watering hole and explore a few of the nature trails. We did have an alligator swim right under us in the watering hole, but thankfully it must not have been hungry.

Everybody sunscreened up and and ready to catch the tram to the river.

The water in the watering hole was stunningly clear - and brisk!

Jen and me going in, kids were way ahead of us.

Josie and Anna with a much springier jump into the water.

Ready to go home after a great day together.

We stopped for drinks on the way home - the decision as to whether to have a milkshake or a slushie was agonizing - look at all the choices!

I ended up with an ENORMOUS cherry-limeade. It was so good.

This random photo is of me and some friends I went to primary school with - we've known each other forever and it was so great to catch up! I'm obviously in New Zealand now, Teresa lives in North Carolina and Alison is in Belleair just up the street from my mom.

Swimming with Manatees

This year it was a bit trickier to find time to catch up with my great friends Amy and Nancy. Amy's dad had just sold his big house near my parents, so they didn't really have a place to stay if they drove down from Georgia, and Nancy couldn't come to Clearwater either on the days that worked for us. So, knowing our time would be short we decided to meet somewhere in between, which is how the girls and I, and Ali and her girls, ended up driving up to Manatee County to meet Amy and Nancy and go swimming with the manatees. Dugald was off on a quick business trip to Bermuda so didn't get to join us. We do actually see manatees occasionally in Clearwater, but because they are endangered you aren't meant to swim with them or touch them or interact in any way. River Ventures, where we went, is one of the very few authorized to take people out to actually interact with these enormous creatures. 

This is where I decided I might have just wasted my money. The lady was emphasizing to the girls that the only way you will see a manatee is if you float very quietly and don't make noise or stir up the water in any way.

Nancy, me and Amy ready to go.

The kids all loaded up in the van - Carter and Harris were great sports spending the day surrounded by so many girls.

On board and getting geared up with Captain Rick.

This one was smallish but Nancy is 5'8" and it's as long as she is.

When it came up for air Ellie and I got a bit of a shock.

They do have the cutest faces!

We had a great time and despite my worries got to see and touch several manatees.

We had lunch here just across from Monkey Island.

The kids with Monkey Island in the back. 

Beach Day in the Bahamas

My favorite day of the cruise was the one we spent on Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. The kids were entertained with each other, swimming, hammocks, inflatables, shells and food. The adults enjoyed the sun, warm water and refreshments. Magic. 

Dinner back on the ship.

Ellie wrote a letter, put it in a bottle and threw it overboard as we sailed away. She got an email from a little girl from Freeport about a week later, very cool.