Eagle Island

Sunday Bryan and I enjoyed a bit of 'us' time and hit the water in our kayaks to head over to Eagle Island, while Holly and Grandpa Hawk stayed back on the beach to explore, fish, build sand castles and just hang out. The weather was amazing and the tides were low making for great sea life, a reef filled with seals galore and an easy trip. It was a nice morning trip, one we'll do again soon.

Bryan did a good job of planning out the tides for our trip, taking the easiest direction. It was pretty exciting to see the reef filled with seals. We had read about it, but seeing it was just spectacular. We kept our distance as required, hence why I don't have any great shots... that and I don't take my nice camera in the boats just our old point and shoot. But it was cool. You could hear the barks and growls fill the air, the splash as they embarked into the water and the gurgles of their tales as they dipped back under from a close visit. The seals follow you every where.

At first it is neat, then you start to realize there are tons of them around you. They pop out of the water just a bit closer and closer until you feel a bit creeped out ~ at least I did, Bryan not so much. At one point I think we had upwards of about 30 of them checking us out with more approaching. I think I got nervous once I saw a couple of them fighting in the water, there full bodies were out of water in mid air causing a stir, growling, barking and spashing like crazy. They are not small that is for sure. Cuter than anything, but not small. I still enjoyed their company though, made the trip all that more wonderful!

Weekend Fun & New Toys

This past weekend we decided to head over to Anderson Island and visit with Hawk - as well, we kayaked. It was cold, really cold - but we hit the water and enjoyed a peaceful trip around the lake together - what a nice treat!!! It is not too often we get a few moments together, but to get those moments doing something we both enjoy a lot is really nice!

We also added some new technology to our home. First of all I finally have my new camera lens - I am soooo excited! I can't wait for some good weather to get out and use it. Of course it has been super foggy and you can't do to much with that. We have also finally added a camcorder to our household. We can record our family for fun memories - too exciting. We have been playing with that already and recording some fun stuff! Holly has taken a liking to the camcorder and wants to see her footage... a movie star in the making? Ha! And finally, we have a new TV - yes a new TV. Very un-Pierce like... but it is true! It is pretty too!

36th Birthday...

This past weekend I spent celebrating my 36th birthday while camping with family - enjoying a full weekend of fun, kayaking and quadding! It was fun!!! The hard part of doing activities like kayaking or quadding is that you really don't want to take your nice camera with you in fear you'll get it wet or break it... so, we really never have photos of those activities. After this weekend I have come to the conclusion that I need to start carrying one of our older point & shoot digitals for this reason alone. So, hopefully some other moments in our lives will be recorded.

Highlights from the weekend though include taking our kayaks out for a spin. My sister in law Sue also came with us. We went over to Mason Lake and enjoyed the open waters. Even though the water creeped her out, mainly the logged filled wetland area, I think Sue had fun... and I hope that she will soon get a kayak to go out more often with us... HINT, HINT!

We hung around camp and visited, went for a few walks, took Holly to Lake Trask's annual kids carnival and ate loads of wonderful foods!

But, the highlight of my weekend was.... the blind, leading the blind! Yes, you read that right -- while quadding Sue was our lead - since we don't know the area well & she (supposedly) does! She took us all over as we had a blast. Then she ventured into a whole new area that kept getting farther and farther out, smaller and smaller trails... until she was lost. Yes, lost! We had already been out a long time and now we had no idea of where we were. After some dead end trails we found our way back out to a logging road that followed power lines. We took that for a few miles, the wrong way until it dead ended and then looped back finally crossing paths with familiarity. When Sue hit that spot - she stopped and looked at us and said "I am never doing that again, ever!". So, after about 3 1/2 hours we made our way back. We can laugh now, but I know we all had visions of walking back in the dark, LOL! It was fun though! Heck, I even went out the next day with her and let her lead again!

Kayaking, Sunshine & Fun... great combo

We spent a very fun weekend in the sun and hot weather! This kind of weather calls for water activity of some kind, outdoor time and lot's of it... so that is exactly what we did! Friday evening we spent around the yard and Saturday & Sunday we went over to Anderson Island to visit Grandpa Hawk. With us we brought our kayak. We don't get out enough in the kayak so any opportunity we can get, we'll take! Holly had a great time swimming, beach combing and visiting over the weekend! Here are some great shots to share!

Liberty kayaking

Bryan heading out to kayak

Holly on some drift wood & in the sand