Rainbow Springs

I love a good adventure! Today's adventure probably tops all others. We set off this morning for a kayak trip down the Rainbow River. This is something I have wanted to do for quite some time. So when we were making plans to go to a conference in Tampa, we decided to take a day and do something. Shopping...no, what to do, what to do. So I suggested how about going to Rainbow River? So we made out plans, and today has arrived! One of the questions we asked was are there alligators? Oh, alligators should be the least of your worries. The bees, the bees are an issue so stay away from the trees on the banks of the river because they are full of bees. Okay! Directions were given, we loaded the short bus, and off we went to the State Park, bought our ticket, and off we went in our kayaks. We decided we'd go up the river first and then down. We were half way up when we stopped and chatted with a couple heading down, they talked about the waterfalls...so this impressed us so we continued up to the end of the river, and then went down just a bit to dock. Liz and Lisa got out, Candy was next, my kayak was next to the tall grass and I looked out over to my right and I am nose to snout with a ..... GATOR"!!!! What to do? Panic? Yell, Splash???? No, I took the calm route, I was afraid to disturb the critter so I just said sternly and quietly .... "get me out of here...NOW"!!! Candy tries to get closer, "no, no...go back....gator"! "Get the camera" I tell Lisa, who is now hopping up and down, "I can't, I can't" and Liz "where, where"? I don't want to hit the gator by accident with my paddle to push myself away, I don't want to splash, I don't want to yell, but I do want a picture!! Candy gets her kayak docked and Liz has reached for a paddle and is pushing me away, FINALLY they the the cameras to take pictures. The alligator is about 8 feet long! A fine prehistoric specimen! :D I make it out, safe and sound, which I had my good camera with me....we leave and the couple that left with us, is now looking at the Gator...the man is still nasty and naggy to his wife....and we walk off in search of the waterfalls. It was a peaceful walk and we enjoy the falls. We set off again, the park rangers are now looking for the gator who has now mysteriously gone, so we show our pictures as proof, and set off down river. We stop where we put in, have lunch, a swim to cool off, and head down river. It is one long river. We go past wildlife like otters, turtles, birds, etc. We pass houses some nice, others not so nice. We finally hit the darker water, and we know that we are close....we see the water lilies and we made it back safe and sound....with happy and exciting memories!!

being sick is such a waste of time...

It has been ages since I've been sick. Being sick is a waste of time! Callie has been coughing for over two weeks and Tuesday I took her to the doctor's for an upper respiratory infection. I'd been coughing and didn't think much about it. Went to the gym, worked out, came home and showered and then felt horrible. I ended up getting a prescription the following day for antibiotics and it's been all down hill, I think I am now up on the up hill climb...finally. I went to the doctor's on Friday and my lungs sounded clear at the time and I wasn't coughing until the afternoon and it got a whole lot worse. Tried to work on Saturday only to feel more ill there since they are still renovating and the air quality is nasty! So, home I went, showered and to bed, slept on and off. I called off for today, and at 0430 had a horrible coughing attach, my ribs hurt so bad. I have since been getting better, but it is a slow process. Things will get better. The weather has been lovely, and I've been sick :(   Other parts of the country had had miserable weather with many tornadoes, scary! Well, off to bed to sleep and try going to work tomorrow. Have a conference in Tampa and kayaking on the Rainbow River planned..... :D

On a happy note, my garden is blooming. Mostly roses, sunflowers and the Easter Lillies!!!

Oh what a beautiful morning.....

The days continue to roll along! One month into another! I have had the wonderful opportunity to be blessed with helping a friends daughter bring her daughter into the world! Jessica did a fantastic job laboring and the delivery was beautiful! Miss Olivia arrived under a blaze of flash photography! She has sweet rosebud lips and is so precious and perfect! I purchased the cutest headband and matching angel wings! I can't wait to get pictures!

Today was a beautiful day! It has been planned for several weeks to meet up with Judi! Debbie was unable to attend :-( We drove out to Arcadia a town that I have been through dozens of times but never really stopped in! There is a small downtown with many antique shops. On the last Saturday of the month there is an antique vendors on the sidewalks also! We had lunch at Mary Margaret's Tea and Biscuits! Omgosh!!! Yum!!! Dennis and Bruce have made this old building into a quaint restaurant! There are several types of tea, however, it differs from other places that serve tea by offering full sandwiches, soups, salad, and some pasta dishes! Judi had the Cesar salad with anchovies while I had a cup of the chicken thyme soup and the hot ham and cheese sandwich which came with a fruit salad! Delicious and filling and wonderful ambiance, we relaxed and enjoyed our visit getting caught up with our busy lives! The best part is always the side splitting laughter that we share when we are together! we did splurge on sharing dessert of white chocolate bread pudding! Scrumptious! I think i wattled out of the restaurant! I never did ask if they sell the lemon lavendar tea! Perhaps that is why i needed a nap when i got home! We stopped back at one of the antique stores to chat, then headed off to a vegatable stand, another stop for a refreshing drink and drove home with continuing chatter! Anyone with a friend is truly blessed! Another perfect day!!! :D