Life's A Beach Part 5

My sore and burning body was NOT going to see the sun today.

So my sore and burning body went shopping.

I thought I'd share the adventure that The King and The Princess experienced yesterday.

The Princess was bored.

Apparently the beach is not much fun when you are an only child and your parents want to nap.

Who knew?

Anyway.

The King and The Princess walked down to the little stand where you could rent a kayak for an hour.

Because doesn't it sound fun to work your bum off in the freezing cold water for an hour?

I didn't think so, either.

The Princess came running back saying, "We can rent a kayak for $10 or go parasailing for $120! I want to parasail!!"

Of course she did.

And so did The King.

"And guess what mom? You and Mimi can ride in the boat with us!!!"

Yippee.

So the four of us trekked to the kayak/ripoff stand.

We filled out the liability information, paid and were off to the boat.

Which was, unfortunately, about 100 feet out in the ocean.

Now I'm not sure that I've adequately explained the current temperature of the ocean.

Go put a bowl of water in the freezer for 15 minutes and then stick your hand in it.

The minute Mimi saw that we would have to go chest-high in the ocean...she opted out.

Wimp.

I couldn't let The Princess down. I had to get to that stinkin' boat.

Wow. It was really cold.

Let me show you the spot from which QM observed the action.

Under the orange umbrella on the left.

We launched out to sea under the guidance of our responsible captain and co-captain--the people who would also be shooting my husband and only child up into the sky.

Their years of experience totally made me comfortable.

The King and The Princess put on their life jackets and those teenagers hooked on the thin, worn looking ropes and they were off.

I was thinking they would kind of drag behind the boat.

Nope.

And they kept going...

The teenagers asked me if I'd like to pay them to take pictures. I told them no thank you, I had my own camera.

So every time I pulled out my camera they would head directly into a wave. To either knock the camera out of my hands or ruin it with water.

It was so on purpose.

And meanwhile, my peeps were heading straight into the sky...

I was completely unsettled about the fact that my 10 year old was dangling 300 feet from the ground. But then I caught what seemed to be a gesture of utter joy...she punched her arms up into the air and threw her head back with satisfaction.

And that just thrilled my heart.

When she landed (and praise The Lord that she did) she told me it was the greatest thing she had ever done.

I am so proud of her.

Guess what escorted us back to shore?

How cool is that?

The King said they were some of the most active dolphins he had ever seen in the wild.

You know, because he is a marine biologist and all.

After we returned to the house, The Princess called her grandfather to tell him about the fun of the parasailing. I heard her tell him that she would love to do it again if someone would pay for it.

It wasn't that cool.

Comments

[Lisa@take90west]

You are a good sport, Mama. I'm glad you and your camera survived the icy cold waters.
Does the King observe a lot of wild dolphins in Arkansas?

[Tammy]

Yea, ummm, 300ft above the sea? Makes me question one's sanity.

Thank the Lord someone was needed to stay in the boat for documentation purposes. And nothing like punk teenagers trying to thwart the Queen's photo session.

And, btw, you mom is cracking me up. The dating stories are marvelous.

[Heather @ Loving Our Homeschool]

You are the coolest, bravest mom ever. I'm very scared of heights, and therefore, my children are not allowed to NOT be scared of heights. LOL

Of to read the QM's blog and get in some good laughs, I'm sure. :o)

[The Roost]

I am so proud of the princess! What fun!!!! Thank God for Daddy's & mom's camera.

[Robyn]

Ooo, I TOLD you the water was pretty this time of the year! Chilly, but beautiful.
It's a catch 22 because now the water's gorgeous, but cold. In August, the water's warm, but the seaweed in the water will wrap around your ankles and drag you to a scary death. Especially if there has been a recent storm.
I think I'll take pretty and cold.

[COIMBRA]

Holidays

[Kellyn]

That is so cool! I have wanted to do that, but am way to big of a chicken. I am so glad that they had the chance.

[Fuschia]

I have a thing about heights...apparently my husband's GRANDmother does not!
She went parasailing...at the age of 75!!
Me? I'll stay in the boat and try to sabatoge the punky teenagers trying to sabatoge my photography, thankyouverymuch!

[Diane]

I love your vacation posts. That looked completely unreal. Awesomeness.

[Christie]

Your husband and daughter are WAY more brave than me. You couldn't pay me enough to fly that high in the sky out over the freezing cold ocean. I'd be with the QM sitting on a chair reading Cosmo. Way to be adventurous.

[tracey]

I LOVED PARASAILING...WE DID IT IN ARUBA!!!!!! GREAT FUN!!!

[pattik]

Go Princess Go!! Looks like a blast.
So glad everyone is having a good time.
Lovin the pictures!

[Lisa @ The PW]

Okay, you have to tell me what part of Florida you are in...We are going again this year but to a different area than usual..

[Wendi]

I am glad you were able to take your burnt little body shopping. Retail therapy can help anything...even sunburn!
Parasailing... THE BEST! We did it last year in Mexico. My husband is afraid of heights. I was not too keen on the idea. He paid for it and told me I HAD to go. I am more than glad I did. It was really incredible. I got the best view of the beaches and resorts. I got really great photos up there too. I would not want you to try something you were terrified of, but if you are just a tensy, wensy bit interested... DO IT...it really is a lot of fun!

[Janel]

That is VERY cool. My daughter would have loved it too. Kudos to you for being so brave to let her do that! I would have been a little freaky about it, I think. But, to watch that joy would have been the best!
Thanks for sharing your vacation!