Why is this the first time?

Point Clear. Why is this the first time I've been to Point Clear? Its a great place to celebrate Memorial Day and my birthday. It was right up our alley--watching evening sunsets paired with wine and cheese boards and great conversation and by day swimming at the little sand beach, boating, water skiing. Solid family fun. When we needed a break from all the activity we headed into Fairhope where one could hardly take their eyes off their stunning, perfectly structured flower beds to go inside a boutique and shop. Fortunately for their stores, they might have the most lovely sales people around because we walked out bags in hands. The kids also had a blast at the classic toy stores. It was a great way to start out my 34th year! Thank you Buss\Liebschutz family for having us, we promise to be back!

our little wet dancers - they couldnt say out of the water. 

We could have lived on the dock. 

Water skiing

the sunsets

Not your typical tourist spot

Far from the the typical summer tourist spot is the Pearl River. Home to "Caireskill" our Caire family river camp and also home to crystal-clear waters, cypress knees taller than a grown man, and the musical melody of summer sounds. Here we found reprieve from the fast-paced end of year schedules and had a magical time. We all we're kids again when we tried to catch lightening bugs and went swimming every day. There was also the experience that couldnt be recreated by Disney as we canoed through canopies of moss draped cypress trees while trying to spot the yellow headed Prothonotary Warbler after listening to its call. And then we can't forget the true sense of urgency and adventure as we to paddled in on the canoe with lighting bolts from the summer-spur-of-the-moment thunderstorm shooting down in the river. It all worked out: we made it to the screen porch moments after the rain started, but most importantly the camera was fetched and safely settled inside our bag before the first rain drop landed down atop our head.

New Orleans. A quick 24-hour visit to say hi to family was jammed packed with insects, food and more food. We started with an inspiring trip to the Insectarium, which I'll admit made me more jumppy than I ever imagined, but gave us a renewed respect to the little creatures that make this planet a good place to live---their hand in decomposition, pollination and more is critical to our livelihoods. Next stop was magazine street for a sweet treat a succre a favorite sweet spot and off to aunt Tyra's where we enjoyed a classic southern meal of fried pork chop. The next day included a two hour walk in uptown and along St Charles. With of course dining and shopping at favorites such as Fat Hen.