The next day after the lobster adventure we headed backcountry into Florida Bay and the Everglades National Park (the water part of the Park) for a different kind of adventure! The water was flat calm and clear. We saw lots of sharks and rays - and the BEST - a huge school (pod?) of dolphin (porpoise)! They came close to the boat, stayed with us, road the bow wave and played in our wake.

DOLPHIN!!!!!

Beautiful Dawnie! And her Capt. Jack -

Handsome Ross!

Beautiful Brittany!

Whew! We need a rum runner and conch fritters!!!! - taken at the Lorelei.

IT'S LOBSTER SEASON! Mini-season was last week. That is when the recreational divers get a jump on the commercial season with a 2-day season before the traps go in. We snorkeled the first day in the bay and found 5 legal. Enough to have friends over for dinner and to share with elderly neighbors. We dove oceanside on the second day in about 15-20' of water for 5 more. Regular season opened August 6 and our godchildren - now adults! - Ross, 21 and Dawn, 18 - came down for the hunt! Along with our "adopted" goddaughter, Brittany, 20. What fun to have these great kids around!

SUNRISE DOWN THE CANAL

BUBBIE AND SISSY

ROSS AND CAPTAIN JACK LOOKING FOR BUGS!

BRITTANY

DAWN

FRIENDS

DINNER!

=

A beautiful rainbow from the porch of our home. So grateful for the rain!

We just returned home from the 30th reunion of Jack's Air Force Reserve Squadron - the Makos. Jack was an original Mako flying F-4 Phantoms then F-16 Falcons. It was held at the Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne. Boy, did we put on the ritz! We enjoyed long walks on the beach, great food and renewing old friendships. (There was some celebratory drinking, too!) Someone commented that at the 40th we would be having wheel chair races! I don't think so!

It feels very strange to have a for sale sign in front of our home........

Today is July 12, 2008 and it is Dakota Kate's first birthday! Happy Birthday, Blackie! My how she has grown!!

Happy 62nd birthday, Jack! When do the Social Security checks start? I had a dinner party. Jack's Mom was here and our friends Donald and Alina Davis and Bob and Sherry Livingston.

Oh, and the beagles - a picture of Victor on the back of our couch included - King Victor we call him!!