Monday, April 30, 2007

So, Where's Your Deserted Island?

That's our boat "Summer School" in the picture frame above. She's moored at a favorite sandbar on the edge of North Key. Long ago, we named that sandbar after ourselves, as in "Ourlastname Beach" because it was such a favorite spot with the kids. We've been hitting it since they were little and wonder of wonders, we were all able to go out together Sunday. No one had soccer, work, school, dates (arrggghhh), or any other conflicts. It was sweet.

So we went to sea to play.

Beyond the bar is a deep channel that runs between Seahorse Key and North Key. The boat is on the flats side of the bar where the water is shallow and perfect for playing, fishing, beachcombing, ... whatever.

There were a few watery wrestling matches and even I was pulled into the water by two mischievious mermaids. In the center pic, Katie has started something she can't finish and Jr. has just dunked her with Emma's help. It was fun to watch them being silly together. August will bring dramatic changes to this trio as Emma moves to a college dorm.

Let's talk about something else ...

Can you believe that we had this island to ourselves for almost the entire day? At one point, a boating family pulled up (on our beach!!) to let their little kids romp, but then they were off to go fishing. Later when I strolled far down the shore, I spotted one other boat beached far ahead of me. I turned around at that point as I didn't want to ruin their feeling of having the island to themselves.
There were eagles, ospreys, waders, pelicans, sharks, a mangrove mangel march, ruins, salt creeks slipping through green spartina, and evidence of recent hurricanes.
We made a full day of it. I could easily get a week's posts from this trip ... and I just might.
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20 comments:

threecollie said...

I guess I beat the text of this post, but it sure looks like everyone is having fun

Deb said...

Is this Heaven?

Anonymous said...

These pictures may be worth a thousand words. I think it is, Deb.

R.Powers said...

ThreeCollie,
Oh yeah, it was a blast!

Deb,
It is to me.

Vicki,
You guys got here while I was off writing the post. Pretty heavenly place that's for sure.

Deb said...

I was going to add to or change my comment when I saw the words...but I won't. I stand by my first post.

R.Powers said...

Deb,
:)

LauraHinNJ said...

Looks very warm there - glad you all had a nice day together.

Anonymous said...

Oh, the memories. Our deserted island was a similar sandbar called Passage Key. Until it got popular and nudists discovered it! Not a good place to take young boys. We switched to Egmont Key. Not deserted but at least people were clothed. We haven't been in a long long time. As you said, when the children get older, their activities keep you from playing together as a family. We have a week coming up where oldest will be home for a few days from college. I wonder if the boat motor even runs anymore.

Anonymous said...

"Let's talk about something else..."

I know the feeling. The pulguinha goes to Brasil for the whole summer, each summer. That's just the warm-up for big-girl school in 7 years or so. I'm already dreading it, because I already miss her when she takes off just for a few months each year.

I'm sure I'm not the only one here who can empathize.

But, as you said, let's talk about something else.

Doug Taron said...

That looks like a beautiful place and sounds like you had a wonderful day. The beash in the photos looks like it would be very interesting to explore for tiger beetles, one of my favorite groups.

pissed off patricia said...

When we had our hole in the water that we poured money into, we used to do trips like that as often as possible. Then came the day when the light bulb popped up over our head and we decided instead of pouring in that money, we could sell it and rent a boat when we wanted to use one.

Beautiful location you have for yourself.

roger said...

oooh! serious beach envy here. one of the rewards for living far from the madding crowd is...solitude. nice family day too.

robin andrea said...

Warm ocean water! Playing without a wetsuit! I forgot such a thing was possible. What a glorious way to spend the day together. I am looking forward to all of your posts from this adventure.

Anonymous said...

After seeing your pictures,I've got to get out body boarding with the kids and soon. H20 temp is up to 68 here so it may be this weekend.

Anonymous said...

I think we went to that beach with you once! It seems to me we have a video of a much younger Jr holding "something" up and you saying you don't know what it is and to just put it down! We'll have to bring the video down sometime, the kids were all so much younger then!
Lightenin

Paintsmh said...

Oh the water looks so wonderful.

Cathy said...

There's some classic painting of mermaids/nymphs - I just can't remember. The great pix of your young'uns is evocative of it. Maybe it was Ulysses and the Sirens :0)

OldHorsetailSnake said...

The young lady in the bottom picture is just getting a start on the World Championship Sand Castles program, right? She has a ways to go, looks like to me.

SophieMae said...

I am SO jealous of your private beach! (My number one fantasy is to buy an island.) And of your owl! And most of all, of your frigatebirds! One of the things I miss most about Marco is the frigatebird frequency. Amazing pics, as usual!

Still trying to get back to it up here. Just as I thought I might be getting a handle on things, I got sick. After 3 flu-ey days in bed, I just want to be OUT right now.

R.Powers said...

To All,
Forgive me a blankey thanky and a missing Tuesday post ... it was a long day and night.
I'll explain later.
Sleep .........