Florida 2013

Our third trip to Little Gasparilla Island was just as dreamy at the last two.  I don't know why we only stay for a week each year!

We rented two houses, one for our family and one for Sarah's, a few houses apart.  It was magical, beautiful and brain-relaxing.  When there's nothing to do but dig, walk and search for shells for a week, it slows things down dramatically.  Namely blood-pressure.

We had 3 days in Tampa before heading down to the island to cover a few tourist basics with the kids.  We ended up with 2 extra days at the end there too, because Air Canada doesn't quite know how to manage after a snowstorm, despite being the airline for freeeakin' CANADA!

I matters not.  We had a great couple bonus days.

Here are some of my favourite shots from our trip. Between Sarah and I, we took over 2000 photos, so be glad I've edited them dramatically for you.

 I feel like this shot should be on the Busch Gardens brochure.  Happy kid watching the famous steam train go by, with the cable cars and roller coaster in the back ground.  I love a deserted theme park!

 The Florida Aquarium was really great.  The kids loved it and got to pet sting rays and bamboo shark in the touch tank.

 The Lowry Park Zoo, in Tampa, was the sleeper hit of the trip.  Affordable, super-fun and lots of opportunities for hands-on experiences with the animals, like in the above shot when Charley just about laughed himself inside-out feeding the Australian budgies.



Ahhh... and then we arrive at the island.  Per-fection.

Of course, a great deal of my time was eaten up (haha) looking for shark's teeth.  I thought that I might channel them by fashioning myself a set of chompers.  Classy!

A rare family portrait - Sunglasses style!

A super-bliss moment with my kiddo.  He is the best giggler in the world.

Another great trip that receded into memory about 12 hours after getting home.  With being delayed 2 days, we really hit the ground running once we were back, and haven't stopped yet.  How to manage a month of vacation?!  That would be about right.

Planning 2014's voyage already.  Can't, can't wait.