7:45 am: We prepare for today’s adventure. Jesse is an awesome help getting everyone’s boats out and in the water, and then he’s the last one to launch.

Today, I’m with Mary in a “two-seater,” and we all set out toward the gulf (my personal favorite destination in this area). After the deluge of rain yesterday afternoon and evening, the morning proves beautiful with a gentle breeze. We pass by some houses and then leave those behind for tall rushes and palm trees. The tide is going out with us, so this part is easy.

We see a gorgeous rainbow as we get close to the gulf.

Mary is very gracious and paddles for both of us, while I take iPhone pictures. Since she is in the back of the boat, we turn the boat around so I can get a picture with the gulf in the background.

The gentle waves and rocking of the boat is great. We decide not to go out too far into the gulf because there are some storm clouds in the area, so we take a channel that parallels the gulf. Often the channel opens into the gulf, but we continue on to the next part of the channel. Some wade in the shallow areas. The lighting and colors are gorgeous today.

I marvel at God’s creation. He makes the tide come in and go out at certain times.

Although we don’t see any manatees today, it won’t surprise me if some passed by without us noticing. When the water is choppy, and you don’t have a clear view, that would be easy to have happen!

The rest of the day we spend doing “home projects.” We are so grateful for this special place to catch up and be ready for our last three conferences.

Sarah

“The LORD on high is mightier
than the noise of many waters,
yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.”
Psalms 93:4