This is my new blog to track my adventures. I have recently decided to be a paddle boarder. I need some joy and rest in my life. My dad passed away in June and I found myself needing more out of life than the list of things I needed to accomplish. Where is the time to enjoy what God has created? Where is the time to enjoy my family and LIVE life as my pastor says with a capital L? I don’t really know, but I am trying to add some joy to my life and I love being on the water and being being active so paddle boarding is my new “thing”. It could change a million times but whose counting it’s who I am now. Follow along my journey. Could be fun, spiritual, ridiculous, but definitely an authentic adventure.

To date my mom and I are bonding as “adult” friends. We bought paddle boards the week of July 4th and have taken them out to Lake Killarney, Dinky dock at the Winter Park chain of lakes, Wekiva Island to Wekiva Springs and my very favorite Weekie Wachee. So fun recommend them a. Yes, there are gators. No, I don’t want to be eaten. However, it seems like you can still enjoy nature and the outdoors in FL without dying by gator or shark.But I do find if you don’t swim at night and you don’t mess with them gators tend to mind their own business.

Today I am spending time with my mom as we celebrate birthday month. I highly suggest trying Edison’s at downtown Disney and next we will be getting a mani/pedi at the Grove resort. \240Will update as my adventures occur.

What a gloriously tiring day! I got up and had my hour walk done by 8, got the boards in the car and to Wekiva Island by 9 and back to go pick up my girl at a party in crazy tourist O town by 1. Met friends for a lunch at yummy Mexican. Now I sit here at the beach as the sun goes down relaxed from an evening walk. I am in heaven-

The wekiva wa quiet today, the water was still and a tree had fallen since we were there last creating a new path. We enjoyed some yoga (really very little) more like can we do it style yoga. The way back I saw what I am sure was otters and Also a gator crossed my path today. We were almost done and back to wekiva island (where people were swimming and intertwining) when a 6ft ish gator swam directly in my path. It then saw us coming and submerged. Being on a paddle board does make one think. I wasn’t sure if I should paddle or glide in by. I didn’t want to hit it with my paddle and make it angry but I also did t want to be a sitting duck. My legs got a little shaky from adrenaline, but I made it back without incident. I’m sure it just saw us and got out of there but it gave me a different experience for sure. Mom had her first fall in the board, but she stayed in the middle and didn’t end up in the water.

I feel so blessed. My challenge will be to keep up my adventures as I navigate my last year of school. (Before medical school). I study so hard it’s difficult sometimes to stop and enjoy but I am determined to keep it up.

Well my adventurous spirit was grounded by Hurricane Dorian. We missed a week of school and joined the crazed Floridians in stock piling water, gas and really important things like snack foods to get us through. (Cookies, donuts, etc.

Fortunately we were spared the wrath of Dorian. He/she wobbled just enough so that we just had a bit of rain and a breezy day or two. My blue springs paddle was cancelled and I have now gone two weeks no paddle. Tonight, however, we made a trip to the beach to see the sunset and go in a walk. So a little bit more subdued adventure.

Unfortunately, Dorian slowed down and pounded the Bahamas for about 36 hours. That island may never be the same. The destruction is wide spread. Many are helping and sending supplies but it may be 10!years before it has real recovery. So sad and if you want to help there are many opportunities. My church is collecting supplies. Let me know if you need a place to donate and I can direct you.

Yesterday was amazing!! I got to get back on my paddle