Jupiter Florida Part 2

Absolutely had a blast! That is the only way to describe my feelings about the trip. Big thanks to all those who participated - Mom, Dad, Sean, Debbie, Donna, John, Da Wifey, Amber, Seany, and Grandma Nance. Thank you all for such a blessed time that has memories to hold for many years to come. To those who could not make it, we love you and miss you.

Pictures of the trip are located in the adjacent Flickr site. Simply scroll as indicated or click for more information. Enjoy many pictures.

A little more about the trip. You heard about Sunday. Lets go from there.

Monday was much the same complete with lazy wakeups, coffee, breakfast, and a nice run. John and Sean decided to cook themselves to Juno and back in pretty stifling conditions. I chose the more junior of the run with the girls. Thank God for the shower nozzles about each 500 meters. The balance of the day was skin diving at Coral Cove. What an amazing place. Beautiful beach just over the mangroves with a limestone shelf and coral formed approximately 200 yards wide by a 1/2 mile or so. Full of sea life, dozens of fish species, coral formations, squid, shells, and many other interesting encounters. We dove off and on for at least most the day and got some great exercise and seeing more of Gods handiwork. We then headed to the condo for our end of day pool dip. At this point I believe we all were forming gills and growing webbed feet. More of swimming and relaxing and John, Donna, and Mom prepared a meal to take to the beach for a BBQ. John and I started the coals at the park and had a real blast with fellowship and shop talk about leadership and vocation. Loved it. John you are doing a fine job these days and proud of you! Well, we woofed down some great burgers in a beach hut BBQ picnic area just adjacent to the mangroves off the beach. What a day!

Tuesday was more of the same but certainly no disappointment. We checked out the inlet and then back to Coral Cove for some more exploring and just enjoying each other on the beach. Jenn's high school pal Allison and her adorable boys (Caden and Tyler) joined us and hung at the pool waiting for Jen's mother to arrive to join in the fun vacation. Amber and Seany were loving the snorkeling and really turned the corner with their water confidence. We ended the day at the pool once again and then to one of our favorite hole in the wall restaurants known as the Food Shack. Unbelievable treat of Caribbean prepared fish over a bed of greens. Loved the food but I paid for it that night cramping big time likely from the rich food, too many oysters, shrimp, beers, etc. Suppose too much indulgence! Everyone loved the food. We hit Juno Pier on the way home just before dark to see the fish below. We witnessed none other than some huge rays and a considerable sized lemon or bull shark!!!

Wed was a big time treat planned by Sean where we took to the road to visit John Macarther Park and the Loggerhead. The loggerhead was a local support facility for recovering and protecting the local loggerhead turtle population. It was a delight to see the family, Sean, and Amber enjoy learning about some of the more prominent sea creatures that have habited this area for a considerable time. The kids were curious and asking questions and learning. Loved it. We then arrived at a real South Florida jewel known as Macarthur Park. Beautiful nature preserve complete with jungle mangrove areas, estuaries, and atlantic beach front with a reef system again full of interesting sea life. Everyone enjoyed this place and we laid on the beach for the majority of the day. Cannot even describe the beauty of this coast line. Ended the day at none other than the pool dip and Sean and Debbie prepared an incredible meal of spaghetti and other fixins and we totally stuffed ourselves. We have been burning considerable calories with the daily efforts.

Thursday was again a road trip and this time we headed early south to the upper Florida Keys with our destination being Key Largo for an offshore snorkeling trip on the catamaran Quicksilver. A delightful 30 minute boat ride to the offshore coral reef and we visited two key spots for an hour a piece of snorkeling. All of us went for it! Our family is ambitious in everything and we wanted to get on the reef for maximum down time. I had to hold back to get my son going and he very bravely entered the blue with me and trusted me to take him approximately a 100 yard to the reef. When we got to the edge of the reef, Seany looked under water and immediately wanted nothing to do with the reef since it looked like a sea monster and he talked me into swimming back to the boat as he scaled my back in fear of the reef and perceived sea monsters lurking below. Luckily, Seany became pals with the young female deck hand and she had a way of entertaining Sean on the boat and the boat Captain Mike also took to him. So I was back in the blue to join the rest of the family and my brave daughter Amber. We saw alot and really enjoyed some amazing creatures including dozens of fish, barracuda, jewfish (goliath groupers!), lobster, brain coral, fan coral, and many other sea creatures and coral formations. Everyone had a blast. The boat ride back was a real treat with the captain placing both Sean and Amber at the helm of the boat complete with a skipper hat. Beers, fritos, and bean dip enjoyed by all to the chagrin of the other 20 people on the boat green with sea sickness. Woops, oh well, we just wanted to keep the fun going. We hit the next key down Islamorada to scope a restaurant and stumbled upon the best food of the trip at a restaurant called the Wahoo at Whale Bay. We had an open air balcony over the sport boat marina over looking the channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone had a blast and we got to watch the fisherman and boat captains returning. Probably the best filet of Yellowtail Snapper ever complete with a curry sauce, veggies, and rice. I was again indulging!

Friday and Saturday was more of the beach, pool and preparing for departure. Mom, Donna, and John left Friday. The balance of us left on Saturday to return home.

I have to extend thanks to everyone on this trip. Thanks to Allison, Brad, and Children for their visits and enjoyment. Big thanks to Donna, John, Sean and Debbie for making time to go on this vacation and make this trip so enjoyable. The kids love you and respect you greatly. You guys are awesome and a great blessing in our lives. Big thanks for Mom and Dad for their fun and willingness to adventure with us. You both did awesome in the dives. Thank you sincerely for raising us to take on life, adventure, and make exercise part of our lives. Donna Nance, big thanks to you for coming to Jupiter and making time for all of us. We really enjoy your company and appreciate your willingness to enjoy the adventure with us all.

Also, thanks to my precious children for going for it and trying new things. Amber, you are very beautiful, strong, and brave. Thanks for swimming the reef with me. Sean, you are really becoming a great swimmer and adventurer. Good job little man.

Thanks to God for the resources and health to enjoy his wonderful creation. What a blessing.