Mini-Vacations and Fish Tales

This past weekend Hubby and I went to Cape Hatteras for a few days.  We stayed in a quaint little hotel which sat directly on the beach.  It was a much needed mini-vacation for both of us.  This will be the last chance we get to go away for the summer since vacation season (i.e. summer) brings for us loads of work in the garden and the kitchen.  So we like to take advantage of the cooler temps and better fishing and take our vacations in Spring and Fall. 

We spent some time on the beach while Hubby surf fished and I relaxed and read my book.  We also kayaked some on the sound side of the island.  Hubby did some night fishing on the beach and caught a huge Red Drum.  The biggest fish he has ever caught and one of record breaking stature.  Unfortunately for him, he did not take my advice to bring the camera along on his fishing jaunt and he didn't even have his phone.  I mean, these days, who doesn't have their phone?  Plus, being that it was pitch black on the beach and around 11:30pm there were no witnesses (I was snug in bed!).  Anyway, so he now has a tale of fishing legend that might as well be a tall tale since he has no documentation.  And, although I am not a fishing guru or a fellow fisherman, or the guy running the local tackle shop, I believe his story and well, shouldn't that be enough?  

Anyway, here are some pictures of our trip.  It was quite a success as the weather was nice, the food was good, there were fishing adventures to be had and no one got sunburned!  

The view from our room

 Climbing Hatteras Lighthouse

 

View from Hatteras Lighthouse

 Climbing down Hatteras Lighthouse

 My view most of the weekend (Book: In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith part of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series)

 

 

Red Drum, Red Drum

Hubby and I went kayaking fishing down at the coast a few weekends ago to fish for Red Drum.  These were the biggest fish I have ever caught!  Enjoy the pictures!

Just add water...

Hubby and I are pretty active folks and when we were dating and early in our marriage we spent many dates biking, hiking, climbing, challenging complete strangers to arm wrestling competitions....well maybe not so much that last one.  But, since my diagnosis of Type I Diabetes 3 years ago, being active takes a little more planning and a lot more "take the fun out of it" preparations and anxiety on my part.  Although we still continue to be active, we often find that our exercise/activity schedule does not really match up, as exercising takes a lot of planning and a pretty consistent schedule on my part.  

Lately we have struggled with finding something we both enjoy doing together.  This should be easy enough but when you want an activity that does not fit into the category or chores, housework, and tending to the many living things we have around here, and an activity that fits into my ebbs and flows of blood sugar numbers, it gets a little tough.  

So when hubby told me he wanted to get a kayak for fishing I jumped on the chance to remind him how much I enjoyed kayaking in college and I how I thought this might be something we would enjoy doing together.  Boy was I ever right!  The great thing about kayaking is that when hubby is fishing there is a lot of lulling around on the water and I drift along in my boat using as little or as much energy as I want (this works great for my blood sugar monitoring!)  So thanks to Craigslist and a trip to the local boat store here are some pictures of our newly acquired kayaks!  

My (new to me) kayak on the left, Hubby's on the right

Maiden voyage

Hubby

The view doesn't get much better!

From our trip to the coast this past weekend, Hubby in the marina

Paddling in the marsh

Paddling in the marsh, Hubby caught his first ever Red Drum.  He's been trying for 3 years to catch on on our 15 foot fishing boat, one trip out in the kayak and he bags one!

 

Up close and personal with wildlife, this is why I love kayaking!