Gotta Love the Keys

Can't seem to slow down long enough to catch up now that we are back. I thought we would have a quiet Summer not much planned but opportunities keep popping up so why not enjoy. We had a wonderful time in the Keys. We rented a house on Summerland Key and the water was perfect the first few days. We spent most days on the boat with a few days in Key West on our bicycles sharing the sights with the boys. Had fun fishing thought the Mahi (Dolphin) were a little elusive. Rick landed a Goliath Grouper, they are protected so we got a few pictures then sent him back to the ocean. We caught another grouper that was legal along with 2 snapper that Houston landed himself. We did some Kayaking and found an entire Lagoon of upside down Jelly fish...Reece had his little net and in the excitement got some Jelly juice on his legs...he had a few welts but we washed him off good and within a few hours he was OK...little secret... urine does help...Reece had to pee so I told him to just go in his swim suit while sitting in the Kayak then I rubbed it on his legs...he was crying before then within 10 minutes he was not complaining any more...thanks Survivor Man. The boys also had a blast just fishing off the sea wall at the house. Those of you who scuba or snorkel know the excitement jumping in to explore clear calm water. I have been diving almost 20 years and I still get a rush when the visibility is great. It's so much fun watching my boys fall in love with the water. Reece is a little fish and took to the ocean like Nemo. Houston is learning how to slow down and look for all the things that inhabit the reef..it's amazing what you will find just looking in one spot for a while. One of the most memorable dives I have experienced was a macro dive at night under a pier in Bonaire. The sea life and colors were amazing I rented a camera and took some great shots. The most amazing thing was how little everything was. I played with a baby puffer fish that was smaller than a dime, found sea horses nestled in coral fans and fed coral heads...if you shine your light briefly plankton swim to the light then you watch the coral heads eat them sounds gory but it is very cool. I also learned how to feed a Tarpon by shining little fish in the dark some of the Tarpon were over 5 feet long. I do love night diving...I figure if something is going to eat me I would rather not see it coming so at night all your attention is on what your are shining right in front of you...it is very relaxing. Have lots of pictures to share but here are a few will post more later.