Day 2 -Sinister seagulls

We thought we would spend some quality family time together today, since David will be away on Father's Day weekend. So we packed up the super cool daytripping transporter (my minivan) and headed out for the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. Mainly my choice, because I'm convinced it will be a big tar pit in the near future.

Of course we were pretty psyched that we got ready, packed and out the door EARLY - for us. We only made it about 3 miles before we had to turn back for something we forgot. Then we had the usual stops ..

*fast food - breakfast

*gas station

*thrift store - bought a handy dandy large Coleman cooler for $1
*Insulin shot - to offset all the Doritos and twix bars from the gas station

*car acting funny - turned out to be nothing
*Bathroom

*Albertson's - ended up filling the handy dandy thrift store cooler with cheap MEAT! Yummy steaks, shrimp and pork roasts. And lots of ice.

*bathroom again

*car indicator light coming on - still on, we'll worry about that one tomorrow

and were able to cover the whole 70 miles in just under 4 1/2 hours! Great time for us! We almost beat our record of 4 hours and 8 minutes.

We staked a claim on some seaside property on Honeymoon Island and hit the water! It was so warm! Like bathwater. Wonderfully blue and clear too. If you've never been to Honeymoon Island I highly recommend it. It has something for everyone - white sand beaches, plentiful seashells, snack shop, bike rentals, birds, seagulls and my favorite - RATTLESNAKES! Something for everyone.

We did not see any rattlesnakes today, but there are signs warning that rattlesnakes are common on the island. The signs alone are enough to make me panic. I still have itchy ant bites. No way do I want a rattlesnake bite.

We were however, besieged by sinister seagulls! A whole flock descended on poor Carlie as she ate a piece of chicken. They were trying to grab the food from her hands! She was scared, started screaming and running around in circles while the whole flock chased her and people were staring & pointing. The more she ran around crying,trying to get away - the more she flailed her arms with the chicken in hand and the more it excited the seagulls!

The evil beach birds won. She finally dropped the chicken leg and one snatched it up. David and I decided that was their sneaky master plan. Scare the kids until they drop the good stuff.

Seagulls do not seem to like strawberries. They prefer greasy fried chicken and Doritos, just like my boys. I was able to enjoy fresh, ripe red berries without a single ruffled feather.

Don't these look delicious? If you are in Clearwater and you stop in Albertson's buy the berries and skip the fried chicken.