A Three Hour Tour

Lucky for us, the boats were running to Shell Island today so we hopped aboard the Captain Anderson III for a three hour tour. We had a great time playing in the surf and looking for shells. When we left the island we searched for dolphins and found a pod of them right at the entrance to the bay. I didn't get any photos because it's hard to predict where they're going to come to the surface. There must have been about 10 in the pod. It was really cool when they all breached at the same time. It was a good tour...nothing like the SS Minnow's 3-hour tour!

Then I cast on this: It's the drop stitch scarf. I've got it in my "projects" in Ravelry. More details there.

I'll leave you with tonight's sunset. Life's a beach!

Rough Seas Ahead

For the past two days two red flags have flown over the beaches here in Florida. That means the beaches are closed to swimmers because of dangerous conditions. Hurricane Dolly stirred up the Gulf of Mexico and the waves are about 4 to 5 feet. The problem isn't necessarily the waves, it's the rip current. Today a 60 year old man from Florida drowned after being caught in the rip current. Six people had to be rescued. That news pretty much stopped the boys from asking why they couldn't go into the water. Very sad.

If the boats are running, tomorrow we're going to go to Shell Island. Wheee!

Where Am I?

As one of my favorite poets says, "The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful..."
We can see the northernmost arms of tropical storm Dolly way off in the distance over the Gulf. The storm is too far away to cause us any grief, and so far the weather has been typical for Florida--hot. The surf is supposed to be pretty high today at 3 to 4 feet. I'm looking forward to good waves for boogie boarding.

The connection is very slow, so blogging must be kept to a minimum. More later!

New Flip Flops

You've got to have new flip flops for a trip to the beach. You'd think flip flops would be easy to come by this time of year. Nope. I wear a size 9, which, it seems, a lot of other women wear. I found black and red at Old Navy. I love Old Navy flip flops, but not in black or red. They're nice and squishy and the thingy that goes between your toes isn't very thick...important quality in a good flip flop. Well, anyway I was very disappointed in the selection of size 9 flip flops. Make that size 9 CHEAP flip flops. A pair shouldn't cost more than a gallon of gas. I have standards.

Beach knitting:
Question for my seven subscribers: what should I take to the beach to knit? Last year I worked on the Lorna's Laces socks. I really don't think I want to do socks this year, but I need something smallish. I'll take the Cabaret Raglan just because, but I need an official beach project. I'll be there over July 25th (think Christmas in July). Oh...and I just bought a new air conditioner/gas heat unit (ouch!!) so whatever I knit has to be something with yarn from my stash. That makes things interesting. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Beach reading:
World Without End by Ken Follett (about 1/2 way through with this, excellent so far!)
Pieceworks Magazine (pin cushion winners)
Knitter Universe (Summer 2008)
Unfortunately my best smutty beach novel is on loan...drat! (Dark Paradise by Tami Hoag)
Help! I need another book! Thoughts? Suggestions?

By the way...are there any good yarn shops in or near Panama City Beach? I know that about half way through the trip I'm going to need to get away from the testosterone!! Yarn will help.

Tonight I Blog

It seems like I have some catching up to do. I've been spending a lot of time at my computer at work so coming home to type hasn't been terribly appealing. I'm sure you can relate.

I thought about posting fiber photos, but changed my mind. Enjoy the random shots of what's been happening lately.

Wakeboarding - Old Hickory Lake, June 2008

Drumfish caught by Zack (from shore) - Old Hickory Lake, June 2008

Zack just returned from two weeks at summer camp. Yes, TWO WEEKS! He's been away from home for a week at a time but has always been connected by phone or some other means. There was no phone contact, just letters and post cards. Separation anxiety (on my part) kicked in around day 3 and left on day 4. I bought new bedding. Then I went yarn shopping. I ate sushi, read a couple of good books and played with fiber. I had a great time at home and Zack had a great time at camp! Win win!

The Cabaret Raglan is coming along very nicely. I'm starting on the front lace panel. I got the Spring/Summer Vogue Knitting magazine, and I'm finding it hard to focus on the raglan. The blue cable and lace shell is calling...loudly...I'm thinking green bamboo blend. I digress. Back to the raglan...believe it or not, I've never followed a chart before, which is the main reason I wanted to knit this sweater. The chart is pretty simple and it makes sense. Charts always looked so scary and complicated before. I feel like I've turned a new knitting leaf! Bring on the lace!

The Mama C shetland wool is now plied and off the wheel. I tried a 2-ply, navaho-ply and 3-ply. The 2-ply was too wimpy and Navaho was too inconsistent. (Navaho is basically a three ply, but you do it with one strand of yarn in an over-exagerated crochet chain stitch motion.) I settled on a traditional three ply and it's lovely! I haven't counted the yardage yet, but I have 4 pretty decent sized skeins. I'd like to get a vest out of it.

On the Ashford right now is an experiment in wool and silk. I'm loving it! I don't know if it will remain a singles, or if I'll ply it with something. Right now it's about a DK to worsted weight. I don't want it much thicker, but I think I need a "binder" to keep it all nice and twisty.

Upcoming road trip: Panama City Beach! Get out the black socks and metal detector, here I come!