At the end of the week we took family portraits. T and I traded picture taking and cameras, so every camera owner would have pictures.
Unfortunately when we were at the beach, seawater splashed my camera and now, under certain lighting, my camera blacks out part of the picture.
Above, from back-left, is my husband, me, my younger and older sons, W's niece S, niece C, W's sister, mother, and father, and niece C's daughter, who is holding Sailor.
Below is the same grouping, except I'm taking the picture and T stands between his daughters.
Niece C bought land and put a big house on it, to sell. Then the market turned. Someday it will be a hot property.
Our fishing expedition.
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You can't see them, but there were wasps. They turned out to be mellow, so we ignored them.
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Besides fish, there were turtles. They ate one or two of the worms.
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The first catch went back into the water.
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E's is bigger. It went back too.
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Almost big enough, it went back as well.
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Some of us just watched.
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Or helped with the messy stuff.
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It was a quiet afternoon.
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We arrived in Tampa late on Sunday, went to W's sister's condo, stayed up later, then slept till 8 am California time, which we kept explaining was early. As it was nearly noon in Tampa, nobody was buying.
Looking from J's patio.
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Grandpa and Grandma stayed in the recliners. The mini-pup is Sailor, perched on a favorite spot. The TV is on.
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Sitting on the patio.
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From the left-rear, niece S, G, niece C, E, and Sailor.
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We hiked along a section of trail, about 3 miles.
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Every so often along the trail are coolers of icy water. A pet bowl on the ground captures drips.
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Saw palmetto is a formidable weed. Controlled burns keep it down.
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Taking a rest.
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The trail is paved and shared.
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Unlike many California bicyclists, Floridians heed their non-wheeled travelers, slowing and maneuvering around them. Maybe the heat contributes to a sense of leisure.
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Vines.
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School vacations lined up, so we visited W's family in Florida. It was vacation in the best sense - relaxing. Most of E's cousins are older so it was great that he stayed with a cousin closer in age.
On Wednesday we hit the beach. The sun was bright, the sand white, the sky blue, the company welcome, and the water, though cool for here, was warmer than in California.
By September he'll be ready for a regular license.
At a drum recital G received "rookie of the year." He rocked.
