Bradenton, FL

On our way down to the Tampa Bay area, we stopped at a vegan restaurant that we ate at a few years ago. Ethos is in Orlando and everything on the menu is vegan. One of the employees has the largest E.T. collection outside of Universal Studios. There are a few plastic figures spread out around the place.


Sheep's Pie for Rebecca and Chickun Marsala for me.


We arrived in Bradenton, Florida that night to stay with Rebecca's father. Bradenton is between Tampa and Sarasota on the gulf coast. On Saturday I woke up early and went to the Sarasota Farmer's Market.


Great market with live music, food vendors, and art for sale.


Found this guy on our van one morning. He stayed there as we drove to the pool to swim some laps.


Rebecca's dad had kayaks and an outrigger ready to go. We went out paddling 3 out of 5 days.


This beauty is an outrigger. I've never seen one up close before this trip.




While on the water we saw bald eagles, kestrels, an osprey, ibis, and many other flying creatures.



We are now in Tampa visiting friends. Photos from Tampa will be posted sometime next week.

Charleston, SC

With our van packed and ready...we hit the road.


Gear underneath and bed on top. We have 4 inches of memory foam to sleep on and just enough room undereath for our clothes, backpacking gear, climbing gear, skateboards, food, pirate's stuff, and a few other random things.




The first stop on our trip was Charleston, SC where Rebecca's mom, step-dad, and youngest sister, Katie, live.


The weather was sunny but a bit chilly, so Pirate got to break in her new fleece. Tucker's black fur was enough to keep him warm.






The day after we arrived Katie had off from work, so we planned an epic day. First, we took Pirate, Tucker, and a friend's dog, Mable, to this little beach area near downtown so they could run and play.


Tucker is an expert hole digger.




Next, we went to James Island where there is a park with an outdoor climbing wall. The wall is about 70 feet tall, which is about double the height we are used to climbing at the Chapel Hill Community Center.


Here is Rebecca warming up on something easy.




The girls went to "Bottles 'n Brushes" on Wednesday night. You get to drink wine and someone shows you how to paint a different scene or object each night. Their night was a sunset marsh scene.

Next we are off to the Bradenton/Tampa area of Florida to stay with Rebecca's dad and see some of my college friends.

Now I Want To Give Away What I've Taken Back

Walking the dogs.




Pirate got a hair cut.


This is Kyra aka Kyra Dog, Monkey, or Doggins.


In preparation for our trip, we bought Pirate a fleece to keep her warm when we take her backpacking. She wasn't too sure about it at first.


Now she loves it.


Building the loft for our trip.




Rebecca had to test it out to make sure it didn't collapse.


Sleeping stuff up top, gear underneath. We leave in a few days!

These Walls Are Paper Thin

Our buddy Shawn and his band played a show at a roller skating rink. Lacing up my skates brought me back to my elementary/middle school days when I used to fall on my butt all the time.


Rebecca and Tamara were both really excited about roller skating again.




Warren felt under dressed until he put on this outfit.


Liz and Eli got all dressed up as well.






There were hoola-hooping groupies and...


...these girls showing off some gymnastic moves.




The next day we went to Katie and Brennan's 3rd Annual Cookie Party.


Around the same time, we had a Flat Stanly sent to us from our nephew Brett in Texas. For those of you who don't know, Flat Stanley is a children's book where the main character gets flattened by a bulletin board. Being flat allows him to travel via the mail and have adventures all around the world.


He went bowling with me.


Played in the snow.


Played in ginger bread houses.


Went to a tap-dancing performance.


Rock climbed.


Played with Pirate and


Lamont.