What I did on my summer vacation

Ok, I know it's not summer. But it's fairly warm in the Florida panhandle (at least compared to my home area) so I thought I'd start my "book report" now.

First, I brought this home to Bob:


It's the only one I caught, and he was HUGE. I also found an enormous clam, and a smaller clam.

We've been kayaking, and having a great time.

Here's what I did last night:


We went out for dinner a couple of days ago. I'm crazy about oysters.

I met new friends:






Then, I made dinner:

Flounder fillets, fresh shrimp, wild rice, and carrots. It was great! Now, we're having a hoppy beer to wash it all down.

How was your day?

Well, I did return from a recent vacation to Yuma. I sampled Bud Light Lime for the first time and found I enjoyed it more than Bud Light Golden Wheat...which ain't sayin' much!

Hmm, your trip kicks my trip's butt!!!

YooperBrew said:

How was your day?

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Pretty darned good, thanks for asking. I made beer today!

Lorena, when did you get the reading glasses? It's a ***** gettin' old ain't it?



BTW, I am jealous of your little getaway..........

Bernie Brewer said:

Pretty darned good, thanks for asking. I made beer today!

Lorena, when did you get the reading glasses? It's a ***** gettin' old ain't it?



BTW, I am jealous of your little getaway..........

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HAHAHA- those aren't reading glasses. Meaning, I have to take them off to read. They are distance glasses. I didn't quite understand when I went for my eye exam- but what a pain they are. I only wear them for driving. But, I hate taking them off and on so I wear them whenever I'm not home, mostly so I don't lose them! I also wear them for hockey- I've scored more goals this year, and my teammates say that is because I can see the net now. I'm not sure that's the case, but I must say the net is much bigger this season.

How do you like those gorgeous oysters, though? I think they are awesome. I have to go back in a day or two and get some more.

By the way, I took the photos of the alligator, manatee, and egret in the Wakulla Springs State Park. The spring makes the water 70 degrees all year round- plenty warm enough for Yoopers. I didn't swim, though- just waded since I didn't have my swimsuit with me.

YooperBrew said:

By the way, I took the photos of the alligator, manatee, and egret in the Wakulla Springs State Park. The spring makes the water 70 degrees all year round- plenty warm enough for Yoopers. I didn't swim, though- just waded since I didn't have my swimsuit with me.

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Oh, yeah, that would've been a good idea- take a little swim right after you snapped a pic of an alligator! What the hell- they gotta eat, too!

Bernie Brewer said:

Oh, yeah, that would've been a good idea- take a little swim right after you snapped a pic of an alligator! What the hell- they gotta eat, too!

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Well, the swimming area is closer to the actual spring, and not down the river where the big alligators are. It's actually quite nice- they even have a jumping platform way up so you can jump really deep into the water. There are manatees in that area (that's where the picture was taken, by the swim area) but you just have to watch out for them so you don't scare them.

Today, we're hanging out at the rental house, doing some kayaking, surf fishing, and shelling. Then going out for dinner later.

YooperBrew said:

There are manatees in that area (that's where the picture was taken, by the swim area) but you just have to watch out for them so you don't scare them.

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Are you INSANE, manatees are extremely dangerous. Never let one of those suckers get hold of your foot!!!

YooperBrew said:

...I didn't swim, though- just waded since I didn't have my swimsuit with me...

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So, Yoopers are the official "gater bait" of the Everglades, huh?

looks like a blast, especially sleeping on a sweet couch like that.

that oyster bucket doesn't look like something you'd want to try and ferment a batch of beer in...

Looks like a great time!

*Whisper* Except for those freakin' oysters. Ack!

those oysters look great .... And I hate you winter storm warnings up all over here 10-18 inches of snow by wed .. I need a vacation bad.

Awesome oysters. We live in striking distance of Hood Canal over here so we have great local oysters. Love 'em!

Though I prefer mine pan fried. Love the taste, but they're easier to eat if they resemble a McNugget.

Man, this puts the icing on the cake. I've been looking at picture from last spring and and summer all day and now this. I NEED SUNSHINE....and green grass.

Got to love the oysters. One of my local clubs just had a big oyster roast this last weekend. I think I did more than my fair share of shucking, but thats how you get the freshest ones.

So, in summary, you went to Florida and got crabs then rushed home to give them to your hubby.

Ahhhh. Love truly is sweet.

YooperBrew said:

By the way, I took the photos of the alligator, manatee, and egret in the Wakulla Springs State Park. The spring makes the water 70 degrees all year round- plenty warm enough for Yoopers. I didn't swim, though- just waded since I didn't have my swimsuit with me.

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lol, I was gonna say, "Where did you take a piture of a manatee!!??" I know some are native there, but I didn't think they were common.

DeathBrewer said:

lol, I was gonna say, "Where did you take a piture of a manatee!!??" I know some are native there, but I didn't think they were common.

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I don't think they're all that common, but in that area they seem to be ubiqitous. They are in the rivers this time of year, looking for warmer water, and that spring/river is a constant year round 68-70 degrees. It was awesome seeing them- we saw quite a few from youngsters to full sized adults.

Today, I went on a walk with another HBTer, Caver95. He and a buddy were diving a sink/spring, so Bob and I tagged along and enjoyed the beautiful day.

We had a ton of fresh shrimp. Well not quite a ton. Maybe a couple of pounds. I broiled them, and ate until I was stuffed.

I LOVE the food. Fresh oysters, clams, crabs, shrimp, mullet, flounder, and sheepshead so far. I have had oysters for a meal 5 times already in a week, including making a seafood marinara one night. Clams, oysters and shrimp in a red sauce over spaghetti.

Bob loves it here- we're looking at a house tomorrow. Not to buy, but to rent long term next winter. We've looked at many rivers for kayaking and canoeing, and right now the weather is perfectly bug-less.

ChshreCat said:

Awesome oysters. We live in striking distance of Hood Canal over here so we have great local oysters. Love 'em!

Though I prefer mine pan fried. Love the taste, but they're easier to eat if they resemble a McNugget.

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Yah know, I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, first 25 years of my life, and wasn't really a seafood lover. My dad and brother used to fish and catch crabs <insert joke here> all the time. I remember digging for razor clams and jigging squid. I ate the squid and would only eat the clams in chowder. Over the years I've finally begun to enjoy fish, still don't like crab. I used to only eat shrimp fried, but am more open to other cooking methods these days, but when it comes to oysters...give 'em to me raw or don't bother!

this reminds me when i used to go collect gooey ducks:

mordantly said:

this reminds me when i used to go collect gooey ducks:

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Now THOSE I remember!!

mordantly said:

this reminds me when i used to go collect gooey ducks:

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Saw that on Dirty Jobs..............

I saw that under a donkey

We'll be in FL in a week, diving in the Keys.

Once again I find myself simply dumbstruck by Yooper, cause this I know, surer than hell, if I ever gave crabs to Alice I wouldn't be bragging about it on HBT.

PTN

Gooey ducks? Gooey ducks?!? Never heard of such a thing.

Now, up here in the PNW... we have something called a geoduck clam. Looks kinda like what you have in that picture up there.

Yooper, why in tarnation would you need a swimming suit? We've all seen you behind a keg.........just take a keg into the water for "protection".:fro:

Jim Karr said:

Yooper, why in tarnation would you need a swimming suit? We've all seen you behind a keg.........just take a keg into the water for "protection".:fro:

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Well, apparently I'm much younger than other retirees that frequent this area at this time of year. There were a few "mature" people hanging around waiting for a boat. I think that me, suitless, give have given some heart attacks, not to mention nausea, in that group. Besides, I liked that place, and wasn't too thrilled to be escorted out due to public nudity!

Your pics remind me that we have 10 days on the Oregon coast at Waldport. Clamming, crabbing, sand, kayaking; And over my birthday #44, most likely spent at the Pelican Pub It's usually 70F when Boise is 90-100F.

Post more pics. I have to wait for July! I need to live vicariously through you...

r2eng said:

Your pics remind me that we have 10 days on the Oregon coast at Waldport. Clamming, crabbing, sand, kayaking; And over my birthday #44, most likely spent at the Pelican Pub It's usually 70F when Boise is 90-100F.

Post more pics. I have to wait for July! I need to live vicariously through you...

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We have hundreds more pictures, but they'll have to wait until we get home, or at least sort of settled. We're moving out of the rental house today, and taking a scenic drive to Jacksonville. There are a couple of places we want to stop on the way- possible canoe routes for next year.

Glad you like our neck of the woods, Yooper! Forgot all about you coming down, I was at Wakulla Springs myself a few days ago. Would suggest we get together, but heading out of town tomorrow. Enjoy!

tallybrewer said:

Glad you like our neck of the woods, Yooper! Forgot all about you coming down, I was at Wakulla Springs myself a few days ago. Would suggest we get together, but heading out of town tomorrow. Enjoy!

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Next time! I think we'll be there in Feb, March, and part of early April next year. We haven't really decided yet.

mordantly said:

this reminds me when i used to go collect gooey ducks:

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.... saw that on Yooper's nightstand...

You think any of us are going to believe you've been within a mile of Yoops nightstand? Please!