Hangin' out in Cedar Key

Earlier this month, we cut our Fall travels short as Dan's glasses broke.  He needed a new prescription in order to get a new pair and we figured the best place to do this would be near our winter base in Cedar Key.  In true McGyver fashion, he was able to rig something to make his glasses work (the arms had both broken off) until he could get his new pair.  Let's just say that with zip ties and hot glue, you can do just about anything!

We just love our little piece of paradise in Cedar Key.

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We always seem to have something to do whether it is riding bikes, walking, hanging out with friends, working on projects or going on excursions.  We've been doing a lot of "excursioning" lately.

We have been talking about getting some kind of boat where we could navigate the "shallows". The waters around Cedar Key are not deep and there are tons of islands and areas to explore. We (especially I!) don't feel comfortable exploring in our blow-up Sea Eagle kayak because of the oyster beds.  Dan researched different possibilities and this is what he came up with...

Maiden Voyage

It's a Gheenoe which, as Dan says, is a canoe on steroids.  It's very similar to a canoe but much more stable.  Although the pic above shows it with a trolling motor, Dan has already upgraded to a 6.6 HP motor.  We took it out on it's maiden voyage near Shell Mound, part of the Lower Suwanee National Wildlife Refuge.  It was a gorgeous day to be on the water.

Dan demonstrating the stability of the boat to Gin

While Dan was out with Gin and Syl, I was watching the birds....

Once Dan got the motor, we took the Gheenoe out again to see how he liked it....it was another beautiful day on the water.  We explored an island...

and played with the dolphins.

We must have seen about 20 dolphins that afternoon.  Most of them were in pairs but we did see one huge pod of about 12.  The really liked coming up to the boat and playing around us.  At one point, they were about a foot away from us.  It was very cool to watch.

Yep.  I think that we will like our Gheenoe. There are so many areas around here that we want to explore and with the Gheenoe, we will be able to do that. We will still hold on to the Sea Eagle (for now) and leave the Gheenoe in Cedar Key.

We have seen some incredible sunrises and sunsets here.

Yep - it's going to be a good (and busy!) winter in Cedar Key.