Im taking charge- NEXT TRIP- Everglades national park- Nov-Dec

Finally the time is almost here for me to prove that i have the mental capacity for an IM… with less than 4 weeks left, I feel ready!!!

WHich means…whats our next adventure????

The lifestyle of triathlon left me dry so i say we explore our state doing other things we will like, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking…

We have a true gem in our backyard…the everglades…

Ever wondered what is beyong those mangroes on the way to the keys?? well i often did and never felt compelled to look it up, well…today i finally took out a map and was amazed to see all the hiking trails and camping sites around those areas…it looks amazing!!!I AM UBBER EXCITED!!!

So, i was gonna plan a surprise trip(Since im like really turned on by surprises!) , but i think it be best if we decide together where in the evreglades we would like to go.

They suggest a 2 night trip for starters. Camping/ kayaking/hiking…I’ve printed out all the different sites where you can reserve the different places, there is frontcountry camping and backcountry camping…you can be inside the “woods” or by the beach or elevated platforms called “chikees”.

We would also want to probably rent a kayak that you can fish in.

The idea is to have your kayak be your boat..so we can go to the different islands and explore the ones we want and not and then move on…I think this would be amazing…

Maybe you and I can do one(during wet season Nov) and then we can bring Joshy (Dry season)…i think he would really like this a lot…

Just spend a few seconds looking at the map on this site, you can play with it…:

http://www.nps.gov/ever/

anyways, I also know where we can rent the kayaks that have the fishing available…we can wither start from the keys or from florida city, obviously depends on which area we want to explore.

SOOOOO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!! we could even see FLAMINGOS IN THE WILDERNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*****ALSO, i found a site with fly fishing tours that I think we should try to convince your dad and mom to do, the gulf area, thousand Island is considered like one of the best fly fishing ever! I think that would be awesome. They have cabins and stuff…we should explore fully that way we can convince your folks to come down during winter.

Just spoke with Frankie at Flamingo Park who said we should stop by and talk to him,t aht they have a 15 min video and he can tell us about rental and best times of year to go camping/cnoeing/kayaking!!!!!!!!!!!

some of my favorite pics of S:

THESE ARE MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WIDE WORLD!!!!!!!

A

WKNDS in SARASOTA-

PART I—MAY 4 GATOR HALF- HALF IRON DISTANCE TRIATHLON-1.2 MILE SWIM, 56 mile bike ride, 13.1 miles run!!   pipe: 4:45 caro: 5:26

Tommy, caro, pipe and Anna—we had so much fun this weeknd!

TOM AND ANNA BEST PARTNERS EVER!!!!!!!!!

wetsuits YEAH!

this pic shows how much concentration u need to clip on! ha

Mile 6 and the dude is as fresh as a lettuce

hammerheads representing hahahah so cheesy

most supportive FAMILY EVER!!!!!!!!! LOVE THEMMM

PART II- TAVERNA’S WEDDING

Awesome pic of the boys

shinny pants Sean shows his skillz!!!!!!!!!! pocket size SEAN PLEASE!!!!

Tmac’s favorite picture!

ALL THE DUDES

best picture of all time!

t

I think we found a way to live in Europe. We can become Migrant Workers.

From the Frugal Traveler’s blog

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (Wwoof) is an international network of farmers who offer room and board in exchange for the labor of travelers such as myself. It spans the globe, from the Americas and New Zealand (where it’s hugely popular), to Europe and Turkey (where I visited an apple orchard two years ago). Visits can last as little as a week, or as much as six months, depending on your skills, your schedule and your relationship with your host. And except for a modest fee to join each country’s branch, Wwoof-ing is free.

The French Wwoof database (15 euros; wwoof.fr) listed hundreds of farms in every region, each of which offered its own enticements. There was an ancient stone wall that needed repairing in Bouleternère, olive trees to tend in Valbonne, and even yoga and qi gong in Fontvieille. I chose the Sarthes’ farm because they described themselves as gourmets and because their farm was in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France, which is reputed to have some of the country’s best food.

*AUSTIN*

Places to go to:

1. Meet with DAVID HALL- TRLA  executive director-  on 18th!!!he works in Weslaco branch office, but he will be in Austin from 16 til 18th.
2. See the bats under the bridge
3. Sixth street
4. Run around the lake and kayak/barton spring for a swim
5. Central market!! yeah
6. Amys ice cream
7. Salt lick BBQ
8. mexican food:
   

   	Guero’s – www.guerostacobar.com – (512) 447-7688 – 60 reviews
   	Las Manitas Restaurant – www.texasmonthly.com – (512) 472-9357 – 38 reviews

MARTIN SEXTON APRIL 18th at the Old Settler’s Music Festival — http://www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org/ held at Salt Lake Pavillion (americana music festival w/ camping) — during the day then hit up throw me the statue at night?

• Friday April 18 — GOLDEN BEAR (great Austin band!!!), Throw me the Statue (The Band from Seattle with the video on Blogetheque where they are playing on the Seattle Ferry), and Transona 5 playing at the MOHAWK in Austin. THIS LOOKS AWESOME!! We should get tickets — it seems to be one of the only shows going on that night.
  • • TOTALLY YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!—->THROW ME THE STATUE SOUNDS AMAZING!!! OK,
      
    • ILOVE U
      
    • WE NEED TO MAKE A SEATTLE TRIP
      
• Great music venue for our type of music— Emo’s Austin, Texas

the cops/eagle claw /a.u.x. (inside) unwed sailor/ ryan lindsey (of the starlight mints) /tba (lounge)

17 Flaming Lips Hoot Night (Lounge) scout niblett / abby birds (inside)

18

19 Indian Jewelry/The Carnys/ST 37(lounge) Zero Boys/ the Wax Museums/ the Hex Dispensers/ Deskonocidos DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN w/ The Bled (outside)

bands: unwed sailor- instrumental-very sigur ros like- found 3 songs with singing–i loved them.Scout niblett: enjoying it…cat power esque—minimalistic..cool voice…random lyrics.Yeasayer: how they describe themselves…”Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel”.^[ enjoying them . this is on their website! ha Restaurants:-The salt lick(legemndary traditional famous BBQ): http://www.saltlickbbq.com/-Trudys?-Best mexican- that place near the T. Events on dates we are there:

11-20.     Baby BloomersMarch 24, 2008 to May 5, 2008Discover the exhibits and play in a relaxed atmosphere with other families with small children when the Museum is open exclusively for this age group.Bat WatchingApril 1, 2008 to November 1, 2008The 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that live beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge take flight in a mass exodus each night at dusk.Beat FilmApril 2, 2008 to April 23, 2008Beat Film is a series of features, shorts, and documentaries that showcase the cinematic creativity of the Beat generation.On the TownApril 9, 2008 to April 20, 2008This delightful 1944 musical tells the tale of three sailors on 24-hour shore leave in Manhattan. Join Gabey, Chip and Ozzie as they set out to see the sights and find romance in the big city. Cine Las Americas International Film FestivalApril 16, 2008 to April 24, 2008The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival showcases contemporary films from North, Central, South America the Caribbean and Spain.KGSR’s Unplugged At the GroveApril 17, 2008 to September 25, 2008Join acoustic musicians each Thursday at Shady Grove for “Unplugged at the Grove.” The restaurant’s tree-shaded patio showcases Austin’s diverse music scene.Old Settler’s Music FestivalApril 17, 2008 to April 20, 2008A nationally known family music festival held in the heart of the hill country features over two dozen of the best in Americana music as well as arts & crafts and talent competitions. Musical acts featured this year include Joan Osborne, Ruthie Foster and New Monsoon.On Your Feet: International Music and Dance ExtravaganzaApril 17, 2008An exciting evening of world class music and dance performances that are sure to keep you on your feet.Bizet’s CARMENApril 18, 2008 to April 26, 2008Immerse yourself in the treacherous world of opera’s most beloved bad girl. Mistaking Carmen’s flirtation for true love, the young soldier Don Jose forsakes everything – his adoring girlfriend Miceala and his career.Grisha! – flamenco and classical guitaristApril 19, 2008Grisha is a flamenco and classical guitarist from Russia. He will be performing at the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 8pm.