Sharks, stingrays and dolphins...OH MY!!!!!

We have returned from our week in the Bahamas! This is a photo-heavy, greyhound-less blog..but I am sure you will enjoy it!
the view from our balcony was amazing..sunrisethe first day..we hung out on the beach. Jason, Susan and I. It was the 'become painfully burnt" day! The standard toe shot everyone has come to enjoy..But I decided to shake it up and take a 'heel' shot.We got our hair braided..the ladies are quick and I felt a little like they had slipped me a 'roofie' and I came out with some jewelry and a braid in my hair! don't really remember the experience so much.We visited the famous Straw Market..each row you see...spans an entire block and is packed with easily 50-75 vendors per row and there must have been 15 rows.We enjoyed lovely evenings..the pasta restaurantthe 'fancy restaurant'and i spent an evening at the piano bar..which led to a 'slow' morning the next day..but oh wellAnd it wouldn't be a 'vacation blog' without a photo of Jason pointing to his beverage! We hit the Fish Fry (local strip of restaurants) and Jason shows off the local brew.We did a lot of excursions. We hit Atlantis' casinos and managed to come away winners. But you might be curious about the title to this blog. Well...we just so happened to have SWAM with each of those sea creatures! Oh yes..we started at Stuart's Cove where we snorkeled.. The Snorkeling really isn't great in the Bahamas compared to our vacations in Jamaica and Mexico in the past. We did see a wrecked plane and some fish even if we had to bait them with some bread.The coral sucked. I will be honest. BUT when a different bait was thrown in to the water..we attracted 20-25 8-10 foot Caribbean Reef sharks. *Disclaimer: The water was cold..like frigid. We snorkeled two previous locations and I was frozen to the core. The shark water was even colder. So..I stayed on the boat for the shark swim.* But Jason and Susan hopped in and got some pretty cool shots. but I was able to get some good 'topside' photos as well.We came out with all our fingers and toes. ;-) the next day..we moved to stingrays. We swam in a lagoon with 6 large stingrays and fed them some raw fish too!And Finally..I am sure everyone has a 'Bucket list'..those things that you really want to do before you die. I am trying to mark a few of those off the list this year. This next one is a big one. I love dolphins..and have always wanted to swim with them. so we did..and it was amazing!!!! First we met our new friends..Andy and Alex. then we hopped in the water with them! The came by for belly rubs..Then we got to have some one on one time..man..unbelievable!
Hugs..dolphin hugs are the best!!! these boys were fast movers..we moved right from pecks on the cheek right to big sloppy kisses on the lips on the first date!

then I got to feel his teethAnd finally a dance!And we ended our date..with a foot push. Basically, we floated in the water and Andy came up and put his snoot in the ball of your foot. Then he pushed you across the lagoon as you 'body surfed' on the water. Talk about adrenaline rush!!! I go first.
Andy takes a leap to get momentum..and off we go..Then Jason..susan didn't do the foot push b/c of a foot injury. But she got a special rub down session with Stormy.Swimming with dolphins..CHECK!

Silent night

For those of you who visited us at our previous house, you will understand my excitement and why I taped the 'sounds of the night'. My last house..5 rows to the left: Interstate 95, 6 rows to the front: Interstate 295. At night..we were lulled to sleep by big rig's air brakes. But the new house..well...just listen.


peaceful tranquility. ;-)
Bahama bound..

Tis the Season!

No, it isn't the holiday season..it is vacation, festival, outdoor photo season! Finally, the snow is gone, my eyes are itching, my nose is running, the windows are open..it is a SPRING!!
We had three extra hounds last weekend. Everyone remembers HemiAnd we watched Baxter for a few days. He is a big and goofy boy. And super cute!and then we packed up the herd and went to Genjiscorner for a wine festival with Flat Brutus. He will post lots of photos i feel sure.
Cali enjoyed the Eeyore on the fluffy bed.Dana spent a lot of her time in 'I see a kitty' mode..luckily they stayed on their side of the fence this time.The next morning, everyone was wiped!Dana insisted on cramming in to Parker's bed...
We are heading to the Bahamas in 2 weeks! Very excited! we have lots of great trips planned this summer. Stay tuned!!

in case you weren't sure..

Cali is a diva. Jason brought her to me at work the other day for her therapy 'work' with the veterans. We live 30 minutes away, so she had a nice long ride in the spring air..DIVA.

Destination diners

If you haven't figured it out by now, we typically focus our travels on food and wine. So it shouldn't surprise you that we drive across states simple to eat...more than once. For my 30th birthday, we traveled to Philadelphia to dine at Morimoto's restaurant. He is an Iron Chef (original and American version). This past weekend, our friend Rob had a birthday and he wanted to have the experience of Morimoto's as well. So, we did it again. We drove four hours, stayed in a hotel..for dinner. ;-)The food was great, as usual. We had fresh made tofuand a large selection of sushi that can't be found in RichmondRob seemed to enjoy his dinnerI am not a Philly fan but I will admit we stayed in a nice area. We had a nice view of the river and Independence Park
some important documents were signed here..so I have been told.But enough about our travels. Dog photos!
We also participated in the Pet Expo in Richmond. cali was 'off'..she didn't want to be there from the moment we walked in. I could hardly get her to schmooze at all. I think..she is getting a little TOO diva for the ambassa-dog world.There is this one bone that she is coveting. She carries it everywhere. it looks like she is smoking a cigarette!She was so obsessed that even Henry's antics would not tear her away!
But..they worked with Dana
Someone's birthday is coming up....
Spring has sprung here is Richmond..green photos to come!!!!