A WEEK IN WEEKI WACHEE 2021

 It's that time again.  Time for the annual Weeki Wachee trip.  My parents are officially "snowbirds" by the way.  Living in Ohio all winter would drive my dad bonkers.  Add in Covid and I would say that Florida definitely saved his sanity....Am I right Dad?

He needs to get outside everyday.  And that is exactly what he does in Florida for 5 or so weeks every winter. Kayak and bike and then bike and kayak some more. 

We love going down there because it's a super unique spot.  This was our 5th year and I would love to continue this tradition every winter!

Since we were road tripping, we stopped to check out Cedar Key for one night. We stayed at a cute little hotel on the water.  

We walked around town, ate some seafood, ran home in a rainstorm and played on the beach/playground in the morning before continuing the 2 hours down to Weeki Wachee. 

We did end up getting our own house this year because my parents rented a friends house that wasn't on the river.  Being ON THE RIVER is EVERYTHINGGGGGGGG!

Also, the neighbor had 4 new kittens.  And kittens make everything better. It was so nice to be able to just hop in the kayaks right in front of the cabin. 

We went out everyday and even multiple times a day.  

The boys went out by themselves a couple times, but it is definitely harder coming back up the river. We had a lucky week with MANATEES. We saw a lot! Like more than any other year.  It was amazing because they were so close to my kayak and when they went under my kayak I felt a little twinge of fear in my stomach.  They are SO BIG!  Here, take a look at these two swimming by........

The weather was pretty warm and although I didn't jump in, the water IS inviting.  It is so clear and clean. These guys couldn't resist. 

There was a lot of convincing and encouraging going on between the three of them.  

Eventually they were all jumping in...and immediately grabbing for towels. 

The kids had two days of live school classes on this trip, and so besides a launching pad, the dock also served as a virtual classroom a couple times.  

Doesn't Marcelo look thrilled?! 

I brought my painting supplies and the three ladies had a nice afternoon with our bluebirds.  

I knew my mom would enjoy painting with me and Paloma is always game for making art. Ever since Covid, my favorite YouTube channel is Let's Make Art.  Their watercolor tutorials are so fun, and I think Im really improving!

Did I go thrifting while in Florida?  Ahhh, does a bear poop in the woods?  I mean come on!!  

These lamps came home with me.  I saw them right away on a high shelf but passed by.  They were calling me though and after we went through the whole store I told my mom "I know you are going to think Im crazy, but I love these lamps!"   She did not say anything negative about them nor discourage me from buying.  She is always very open to my decorating ideas, even though they are very different from her taste.  Our common love is thrifting and we want to be 100% supportive of each other!

We had some delicious food (hello tongue tacos!) and lots of laughs. 

Also, there was ice cream and my mom made her apple crisp!  Omg...soooooo good .

Having our bikes in Florida again this year was awesome.  The house we rented was on a dead end with very little traffic and the kids were zooming up and down the street.  

One day we took a cool bike ride around Lake.  

We stopped at different points for a little climbing and splashing.

We also stopped in our tracks for this tall bird, he was beautiful and I later found him online.  He is a Sandhill Crane.  See him in the road right in front of my dad. 

We were fascinated. 

It was a beautiful ride and although we told the kids it was a short ride, we ended up clocking 6.5 miles.  whoops! I tried to focus on the views instead of complaining kids.  "Im tired. This is boring! How many more miles are we ridingggggg??"  Paloma got off her bike a few times and sat down on the trail. "Im not going any more."  Mateo's face below says it all. 

My mom has rolled her hair in the same foam rollers for years. In fact, I remember her putting them in my hair as a kid and I remember how excited I used to get in the morning.  "Grandma, can you put some in my hair?" Paloma asked.

She was so excited by her curly hair that I bought some at Target right when we got home and we have put them in several nights.  Her curls are the CUTEST!!

We played Pegs and Jokers of course.  Here Mateo and my mom are playing with Luke and Eleanor on FaceTime.  No they couldn't be with us on the trip, but they still wanted to visit. 

A few houses down from our rental there is a house that really needs some love.  I want it so bad!  

This is what it looks like from the street. 

I know what you are thinking....but imagine that wood brought back to life!  The lot looks like an overgrown jungle, but I looked up close and there are beautiful tropical plants in there.  At one time it had a nicely manicured garden . 

A neighbor told me that an older couple owns it. They live out of state and haven't been there in a long time. I want to try and contact them.  Maybe they are ready to sell?! 

Before we all took off I snapped a couple pictures, but it's so hard getting everyone together.  I know Im a picture a$$, but everyone is going to be thankful I captured all these photos when they can't remember what we did 10 years ago. 

We left about 11am and drove straight home (7 hours).  My parents are there for another few weeks. 

Because they are Snowbirds. 

THE END

A Covid Spring Break in the GA Mountains (2020)

We were hoping that this Spring Break we would meet my brother Bill's family somewhere halfway between GA and OH like we did last year.  But, yep you guessed it. Covid.

Covid, Covid, Covid.  

Well, we were not staying home for a week, thank you very much.  We can quarantine in someone else's house, in a different location with just our immediate family.  

Ernesto found this beautiful cabin in Elijay, GA.  About 90 minutes north of Atlanta in the mountains. 

The above picture is the back of the house and, let me tell you....or better yet, show you ...the fabulous view from this deck. 

Not another person in sight. I think that meets CDC guidelines. 

The back deck was big too.  It had a fire pit, a grill, a table, rocking chairs.....and the #1 requested item...

What is a mountain get-a-way without a hot tub?!?

I think that this was the only time I actually got in the hot tub, because truth be told, that water got NASTY.  They didn't keep the jets going, which means there were no bubbles, which meant you could see the water.  Maybe it was just dirty feet water, but it also had a weird sulphur smell that I wasn't crazy about.  

Here is my little supermodel always ready to strike a pose for the camera.  That adorable bikini! 

Ernesto and I were amazed at how much relaxing we were able to do and we were convinced that the hot tub is the key to a parents' sanity while in closed quarters with high energy kids.  It was basically a pool and they passed many hours in it!  Needless to say, the deck is where we spent most of our time. 

Good thing too because this is what the boys packed (and unpacked) for themselves to wear for five days. LOL

Hey! Yes, I could've packed for them but they said they wanted to do it and I was happy to have one less item on my list.  I was sure they could handle it. Plus, in all actuality, it didn't matter what they brought on this trip.....so you know, choose your battles.   (turns out they did pack a couple pairs of shorts too, but I laughed when I saw what they hung up in the closet)

The boys headed out the first afternoon to explore the trail right behind the cabin. The roads are very hilly, so Im glad there was at least one area they could ride. 

Hanging out on the deck qualified as "outdoors" in my book. I didn't bring a lot, but I was sure to pack all of my painting and art supplies.  I have been painting so much lately and I find it so relaxing.  I'm not any good at it (yet!) but I'm trying.

Paloma loves to paint with me and I love our creative together time!

Occasionally the boys will paint too but it's mostly a girls activity.  I am on a bit of a hot air balloon kick lately, so I had everyone make there own version. 

 

Even this guy.  #isolationcreation (🤷 it's trending)

 We packed all of our food, so we wouldn't need to go shopping during our stay.  

We grilled, rolled burritos, made bacon and eggs...and of course pizza!

Everyone created their own and that was a big hit.

We DID NOT bring iPads, but we watched a lot of movies and TV together....

Such is life 'IN THE TIME OF COVID.'😂

Just down the trail from the house was a little field and pond. We trekked around and stopped whenever something looked interesting. 

While exploring the perimeter of the water (notice the muddy shoes) we discovered a baby turtle. 

Oh my gosh! So cute.  

It was pretty exciting.  That little guy may have come back to the cabin and lived in the bathtub for 24 hours. 😱  He was released unharmed though! 

One afternoon we loaded up our bikes and ventured out to Carter Lake. There we hiked a popular trail called Tumbling Waters.  The waters were actually tumbling! 

The kids climbed and jumped from rock to rock getting wet as the water splashed them.  

Also please notice Paloma's outfit.  What? You don't wear a tutu when you are hiking? Another battle not fought 😂

The trail winds around the lake and over a tall bridge above a river.

If only the clear blue-green water at Carters Lake was liiiittle warmer, Im sure we would've had some swimmers. 

My little muscle men! 

Mateo also attempted his first single track mountain bike trail (ever!) with Ernesto.  

He made it but seemed very happy it was over and never mentioned wanting to go again. LOL  

WE WORE THEM OUT!!!! 

This was a great last minute trip.  So relaxing and a beautiful place to "quarantine."

We had our first negative experience renting from VRBO though.  Nothing to do with VRBO, just the owner of the cabin.  After we checked out, he left a perturbed voicemail saying that we "left the house a wreck, please call me back". Whaaaaaaat?!?  We spent the whole morning cleaning and followed the check out list to a tee. 

When I spoke to him, he said that the cleaner found a bunch of grease spots dripped from the kitchen to the living room.  She was not able to clean them up and apparently they stained his hardwoods.  Ok, Im not saying that we didn't eat on the couch in the living room. BUT! Nothing greasy.  As a matter of fact the only thing they we ate that had "grease" is bacon and I baked it in the oven and served it at the table. When he said there were also spots in the 2 bedrooms, I knew he was full of it.  #1 Ernesto and I didn't eat AT ALL in our bedroom and the kids only ate dry cereal in their bedroom while watching tv on the bed. 

In the end, he was able to keep our $300 deposit.  This was a bargain compared to the $2000 he wanted us to pay because he was going to have to have the floors totally redone due to these spots.  

OMG!  Seriously???  Yes the house was new, but the wood was knotted wood and it looked like it had spots all over it anyway. 

Booooo!