Saturday, Sept 10, 2022 - Swim to Alligator Lighthouse At the start whistle, I swam out of the starting gateway with the group which began to spread out within the first 100 yards. We veered toward the first buoys where swimmers were required to merge with their support kayaks. Luckily, my kayaks spotted me quickly … Continue reading CH 5: Open Water
Category: Travel & Adventure
CH 4: Event Day
Saturday, Sept 10, 2022 - Swim to Alligator Lighthouse I knew it was vital to be rested before an athletic event but I was awake at 5:00AM and checked the clock every five minutes (ugh, adrenaline) with the uneasy, and mistaken, impression that we were late. Our phone alarms woke everyone else at 6:00AM as … Continue reading CH 4: Event Day
CH 3: Anne Beach and Amara Cay
Friday, Sept 9, 2022. One day before “race” day. Friday morning, Anton stayed in the hotel room to finish up a few things on his laptop for work while the rest of us went exploring before the mandatory safety meeting at 1:00pm. We chose to drive south on the lone road that threads the length … Continue reading CH 3: Anne Beach and Amara Cay
CH 2: Point A to Point B
Thursday, Sept 8, 2022. Two days before "race" day. Reaching the general vicinity of the venue of the Swim to Alligator Lighthouse was an endeavor in itself. Seriously. I currently live in Tampa, FL. Our destination was the village of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. I won't give you a minute-by-minute account, but I woke … Continue reading CH 2: Point A to Point B
CH 1: Swimming Adventure in the Florida Keys
I participated in an open water swimming event this past weekend in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The course began at Amara Cay Resort and took us 4-miles off the coast to Alligator Lighthouse and back. Anton (my brother) convinced Maddie (his girlfriend), Vanessa (our older sister) and me to sign up with him in … Continue reading CH 1: Swimming Adventure in the Florida Keys
A Short Hike
Thonotossasa, FL - I started at the trail head at Trout Creek Conservation Park (mile marker "0" on the map) and hiking north/northeast along the upper half of the 15 mile loop (Hillsborough County, FL). Some pics from the hike: It's beautiful out there.
Autumn Hike
Last week I went for a 15-mile hike in Thonotosassa, FL, and, I've gotta say, the scenery looked kinda like it always does. Green with palms. Well, there was a bunch of leaf litter from oaks which were looking a little lean from dropping leaves but that was the only difference from the usual. The … Continue reading Autumn Hike
Maiden Voyage
Anton bought a boat. It's a shark of a slope, less than 20 feet long with a single mast, built in the 90's. It came with a new outboard engine which had been only used for about 6 total hours by a previous owner who didn't have time to sail due to health reasons. Meet … Continue reading Maiden Voyage
Rogers Park Kayak Launch
Anton and I had originally wanted to go to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and kayak downriver and then back, but we learned that the park might be busy that time of year because it had a water park and about the fee per person to use the kayak launch. So we took the vaguely … Continue reading Rogers Park Kayak Launch
Detailing the Jeep
A while back, if you recall, the little black Jeep that had been my first car was totaled. My brother and nephew were off adventuring in it across the US in it at the time -- neither were hurt, thank God -- and the trusty little Jeep limped them back all the way to Florida … Continue reading Detailing the Jeep