Monday, January 24, 2011
Manatees attack!!!
So there I am paddle boarding when a couple fellow SUPers tell me there are 12 manatees ahead. I cruise up and see them surfacing all around me. Manatees usually love to cuddle, rub and nose the SUPs so I head for the biggest group and before I know what has happened I am too close. The wind was kickin' and current much stronger than I was anticipating. I try to stop but I can't put my paddle in without hitting one of four manatees. So I crouch down and plan to just stay still when apparently the manatees decide that plan will just not work for them. The water is too shallow and I am too close and before I know what is happening all four manatees press together and begin to rapidly pump their paddle tails. They knock the board and darn near throw me off and then pump even harder and create a huge wave that shoots directly up and crashes down on me and then they are gone. I would say it was a bit shocking. Ok very shocking. I have swam with manatees since I was a little girl and never saw them be anything other than a bunch of curious, friendly water mammals. Well let it be known don't float up on an 11 foot SUP unless you want to get your backside kicked.
Favorite Sport...
Living in Florida I can't jump out on the slopes and ski or snowshoe so last year I found a new sport to love and adore. Paddle boarding. I went out just for kicks one day and that's all it took. I was caught hook, line and sinker. Within a couple of weeks I was equipped with a Jimmy Lewis Cruise control.
I can throw my daughter up there and cruise all over the place. My son is a little against the idea after we had a friend take him and he fell and hit my son in the nose with the paddle... Copious amounts of blood and a bit of ice later he has a little bit of a bitter taste in his mouth about the whole thing. I am hoping to turn that around by giving him his own paddle for his birthday.
Anyways, so now I have a board. Do a little yoga out there and just cruise around. I am planning on picking up another board for my husband for Valentine's day. Maybe a Nalu 11'4" AST. He keeps talking about surfing it. I tried that a couple of times and it is much harder than it looks.
If you haven't tried it drag a friend out and rent a couple of boards. It is great exercise and leaves you feeling energized from all the natural beauty and like you did something good for yourself without trying too hard.
It sure beats running!
I can throw my daughter up there and cruise all over the place. My son is a little against the idea after we had a friend take him and he fell and hit my son in the nose with the paddle... Copious amounts of blood and a bit of ice later he has a little bit of a bitter taste in his mouth about the whole thing. I am hoping to turn that around by giving him his own paddle for his birthday.
Anyways, so now I have a board. Do a little yoga out there and just cruise around. I am planning on picking up another board for my husband for Valentine's day. Maybe a Nalu 11'4" AST. He keeps talking about surfing it. I tried that a couple of times and it is much harder than it looks.
If you haven't tried it drag a friend out and rent a couple of boards. It is great exercise and leaves you feeling energized from all the natural beauty and like you did something good for yourself without trying too hard.
It sure beats running!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Family getaway
Well, the holidays are over. We had a very nice Christmas this year and followed it up by hitting the open road. Nothing makes me feel more free then getting in my car and driving. This time we had our sights on Blowing Rock, NC.
I am teased almost constantly because I talk about food and what/where to eat nearly all the time. I can't help it, I love food... the scent, texture, combinations... Can I help it that as I finish lunch I am already discussing dinner. No I can't. Plain and simple.
So it is not hard to believe we drove hundred of miles out of the way, stayed late in towns to be able to eat at the restaurant of my choice. A few of these stops in case you are ever near them...
Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House, Savannah, GA - I'm sure this place has to be in guide books, so you are not finding a hidden gem. A couple of pointers. Get there are 1015 or you will miss the first seating. And it is worth the wait. Also, sneaky trick they are only open M-F for lunch. But make it happen. We sat at the family style table looking out upon 19 side and 3 entrees (of course this was followed up with 2 desserts as well). The frosty cold that sank into our bones from the 45 minute wait lifted almost immediately as the warmth radiating from the creamed corn, collard greens, and buttermilk fried chicken. I lifted from my food trance to strike up conversation with the others patrons at our large table. Oddly enough, I ended up sitting beside a former sorority sister now married and pregnant with her first. My husband was beside himself. Of all the chances. We left happy and full (not stuff as you need to watch your portions or you will be laid up for the day) ready to get back on the open road.
FYI - also while in Savannah we stopped by Ex Libris, SCAD (Savannach College of Art & Design) bookstore. It was great. The kids found a couple of books to keep them happy in the car, new fancy drawing pencils, and I felt a creative burst and might figure out how to start screen printing on my own. It was good good.
Wow, this is already getting long. Maybe I will write a bit more tomorrow... but but but... food...
Asheville - 12 Bones - is fantastic. The corn pudding/souffle in my personal opinion is the best thing on the menu. Yes, I know Obama descended on them and the long lines are now even longer but it is GREAT and worth it. So sad when a locals spot goes presidential.
Raliegh - Yes, we drove too many hours to write out of the way to swing through Raleigh. The Pit was calling though. It was New Year's Eve and we were hitting the road for Sea Island. I have been telling my husband about the Pit for years. It is darn good and their sauce, delish. After 1.5 hours of biscuits, corn bread, chopped and pulled pork, collard greens, creamed corn, mac & cheese, pumpkin corn bread, pimento biscuits, pinto beans, and AMAZING banana pudding served warm we left smiling. I was hoping to stop by the Raleigh Farmer's Market, but we dallied downtown a little too long. So long in fact that we ended up too far away from Sea Island and couldn't make it in time.
For those of you who like to road trip... try not to do that stretch between Raleigh and Savannah late night. We ended up driving through three, yes 3 east deliverance towns trying to find a place to stay. ANY PLACE. There is now good reason for it, but they book out it seems and it is CREEPY.
My husband joked we went from the penthouse (Sea Island Lodge Suite) to the Poor House (highway hotel from hell. But happy, together and in love we were all happy to ring in the new year. Let's all have a wonderful 2011.
I am teased almost constantly because I talk about food and what/where to eat nearly all the time. I can't help it, I love food... the scent, texture, combinations... Can I help it that as I finish lunch I am already discussing dinner. No I can't. Plain and simple.
So it is not hard to believe we drove hundred of miles out of the way, stayed late in towns to be able to eat at the restaurant of my choice. A few of these stops in case you are ever near them...
Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House, Savannah, GA - I'm sure this place has to be in guide books, so you are not finding a hidden gem. A couple of pointers. Get there are 1015 or you will miss the first seating. And it is worth the wait. Also, sneaky trick they are only open M-F for lunch. But make it happen. We sat at the family style table looking out upon 19 side and 3 entrees (of course this was followed up with 2 desserts as well). The frosty cold that sank into our bones from the 45 minute wait lifted almost immediately as the warmth radiating from the creamed corn, collard greens, and buttermilk fried chicken. I lifted from my food trance to strike up conversation with the others patrons at our large table. Oddly enough, I ended up sitting beside a former sorority sister now married and pregnant with her first. My husband was beside himself. Of all the chances. We left happy and full (not stuff as you need to watch your portions or you will be laid up for the day) ready to get back on the open road.
FYI - also while in Savannah we stopped by Ex Libris, SCAD (Savannach College of Art & Design) bookstore. It was great. The kids found a couple of books to keep them happy in the car, new fancy drawing pencils, and I felt a creative burst and might figure out how to start screen printing on my own. It was good good.
Wow, this is already getting long. Maybe I will write a bit more tomorrow... but but but... food...
Asheville - 12 Bones - is fantastic. The corn pudding/souffle in my personal opinion is the best thing on the menu. Yes, I know Obama descended on them and the long lines are now even longer but it is GREAT and worth it. So sad when a locals spot goes presidential.
Raliegh - Yes, we drove too many hours to write out of the way to swing through Raleigh. The Pit was calling though. It was New Year's Eve and we were hitting the road for Sea Island. I have been telling my husband about the Pit for years. It is darn good and their sauce, delish. After 1.5 hours of biscuits, corn bread, chopped and pulled pork, collard greens, creamed corn, mac & cheese, pumpkin corn bread, pimento biscuits, pinto beans, and AMAZING banana pudding served warm we left smiling. I was hoping to stop by the Raleigh Farmer's Market, but we dallied downtown a little too long. So long in fact that we ended up too far away from Sea Island and couldn't make it in time.
For those of you who like to road trip... try not to do that stretch between Raleigh and Savannah late night. We ended up driving through three, yes 3 east deliverance towns trying to find a place to stay. ANY PLACE. There is now good reason for it, but they book out it seems and it is CREEPY.
My husband joked we went from the penthouse (Sea Island Lodge Suite) to the Poor House (highway hotel from hell. But happy, together and in love we were all happy to ring in the new year. Let's all have a wonderful 2011.
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