Soaking Up One Last Day

It's the last day of our vacation and we decided to take it easy so we could soak up every last moment in the pool, jacuzzi & enjoy each others company in the quiet.

The OneThat Got Away - Excitement of the Day

You've heard about the one that got away? Well, this "catch" put a new spin on it. This trout may have been a keeper...we'll never know. But as Terri began reeling in her fish something grabbed it, flew out of the water and was gone with nearly half her trout. This photo isn't too good because there was quite a bit of excitement with everyone speculating just what it was that took a bite. And oh damn! Why couldn't it have gotten hooked?

Another Whopper Trout Trophy

Today's fishing trophy goes to Sadie! She was one happy girl with this big trout that was just shy of 24". Not a bad catch for a novice fisherman!

Oh Yes, It's Friday Night & The Feelin's Right!

Today a new batch of guests arrive to enjoy Memorial Day weekend with us. We never get to socialize with Brenda & Corey outside of work events and this was a great opportunity to finally do just that. Naturally, we kicked it off with our own happy hour. So....cheers! Here's to a great fun-filled sun n' fun weekend of a different kind :-)

Right Place - Right Time

I am so excited that I was able to capture this shot! I only wish I'd been closer so it could have been more focused. This dolphin was a part of a large pod that we spotted from our fishing spot. They were on a hunting expedition and after grabbing a bite a couple of them decided to put on a short show for us. I never tire of watching these beautiful creatures.

Chilling with the Noodles

Today we stayed at the house relaxing in the pool.

The Bite is On

Yes, the bite was on and by these guys who can lay a very painful one on you if you're not careful. We decided to get back out on the flats and try new ground and found some beautiful spots that were just scrr-eaming Redfish and Snook, but no bites from them. The only bites came from a couple of Bonnetheads and this juvenile Blacktip. But even so, it was an absolutely gorgeous day, the water was clear and we enjoyed each others company....oh yes...we did.

A Day of Relaxation

After a great week spent with company and going out on the boat for the past five days, we had the day to ourselves and decided to just hang out together and relax.

These beautiful flowers were a part of a bouquet that one of our guests brought to me. Unlike some of the other lilies in this species, these have a really nice perfume fragrance to go with their prettiness.

Top Prize of the Week

This week's prize catch goes to Bob who hooked this whopper trout today out on our favorite trout spot. Doesn't it figure....the guy who never fishes gets all the bites, lol! It was the only one we could bring home today, but it was a doozie. Great job, Bob!!

Interestingness of the Day

This would have to be one of the most interesting thing we saw. We heard the chimes of an ice cream truck as we were sitting at Woody's Restaurant on Pine Island and turned to see this former Paramedic truck. Gave us good laugh, lol.

Then, just when we thought it was safe, we were beached on Picnic Island to watch the sunset and I spotted this! We joked "Oh my God! It's an asteroid!" Actually, it was just a jet headed up...not down ;-)

First Day in the Deep

Today we headed out past Sanibel Island for the aqua waters to try for something new and it was a day of observing the beauty of nature. It has been years since I've fished out in the Gulf and to be able to do that again was so cool. With the boat we had before, it would need to be a calm day just to fish the bridges, don't even think about going out into open waters because the wakes from the yachts and cigarette boats would just soak us. Not nowwww :-) This year we've got the tri-toon and we can have to best of both worlds. The water was gorgeous! We didn't catch anything to bring home this time, but I got to see one boat hook into a tarpon and it was awesome to watch that silver king come out of the water. I tried to get a shot of it, but they were too far for it to come out clear. We also saw a couple of huge rays leap out of the water. That's when you wish you had shutters on your eyes, lol! Just can't capture that quickly enough. After getting into the small sharks and changing spots several times, we headed over to try for some snapper at the bridge. We didn't have any luck there either, but were treated to the sight of a couple of duuuuuudes......loggerhead turtles. The second one surfaced close to the boat, looked over at me with that grin and then back down he went. Another eye shutter moment.

Two for Two

I wasn't exactly optimistic for our prospects of bringing home a good day's catch after feeding the pin fish and then catching this little guy (I didn't even know I'd hooked something when I reeled it in! lol). But then we decided to leave our old hot spot for a new one that we found yesterday. It was dead for about an hour and just when we thought about leaving.....DaBullG caught a winner! And I turned around and caught one nearly as big. Baked these guys in olive oil, seasonings, fresh parmesan with diced tomatoes on top. Added sides of hush puppies, broccoli & garlic bread. Deee-lish :-) Between the two boats we caught 5 keepers, but lost one to a shark.

Success is Ours At Last

We got 6 keeper trout between us :-)....caught many more, but I swear ......there is something about 14" trout. Why are there so damned many of them when they have to be at least 15"? lol! And the catfish ratio was nice and low. Now that's a great day fishing!

Let The Sun Shine In

We finally made it out on the water Tuesday. It was still a bit windy with a light chop, but we got to wet our lines later in the afternoon. Didn't get any keepers but had some good bites. Just warming up for the good days and taking the edge off of the withdrawal symptoms :-)

Rise and Shine

I don't know why it is this year that I'm able to go to bed early and am up early in the morning without even having an alarm set. Ordinarily, I have to force myself to get to bed in the evenings and struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Must be the jacuzzi, lol! Oh how I'd love to have one at home.

Sittin' By the Dock of the Bay

Once we got her docked that's where she's stayed. This cold front brought windy conditions (25 mph gusts) and we are jones-in' big time to get out on the water. No boat on the water also brings few photo ops, so I'm having double the withdrawals. This year we aren't staying on Pine Island, but rather in Cape Coral and the differences have their pluses and minuses. It's a heck of a lot closer to get to any kind of store you may need, but you have more city noise. And there aren't any water birds around here. All I've seen so far are blackbirds and mockingbirds. Not the first egret, heron or pelican to be found. So no local unsuspecting models...well, except for the lizards, lol! Guess those that aren't from these parts might find them quite the treat to photograph.

Vacation at Last - Day 1

Vacation....ahhh. We work and we work all year long just to pay the bills and have a getaway once a year to reward my very hard working husband. We have been blessed to take a real vacation for the past 4 years and hope and pray it isn't the last for a while. The economy is changing the world and wouldn't it just have to happen when I can finally enjoy some of the nice material things? Dammit! So for now, cheers! Here's to tight lines and great cocktails by the pool!