▼

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Vacajun on the Water

For an explanation of Vacajun, see this post. None of the events of our vacajun will be posted in order, but who cares? I have so many photos and I might get around to them before the end of the year and I might not.

This was our adventure kayaking with my daughter, Autumn, and her fiance, Jason. First timers!
Autumn got into the kayak just fine. She was a little tentative at first, but she got the hang of it pretty quickly.


Is this a Neotropic Cormorant? It looks different from our Double-crested Cormorants.

8'-10' Alligator. I asked the kids if they were scared and both said 'No.'
We had our kayaks in a semicircle around him and just watched.

Jason was all smiles from the moment he entered the kayak.

After a few minutes, already like a pro!








Thanks to the lovely Anni for the link-up!

38 comments:

  1. Buttons ThoughtsDecember 18, 2014 at 6:04 AM

    Oh Gail I am sure they are never going to forget their first time and your photos are incredible as always. Oh Enjoy the holidays and family. HUGS HUGS B

    ReplyDelete
  2. EG CameraGirlDecember 18, 2014 at 6:06 AM

    A GREAT family adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  3. eileeninmdDecember 18, 2014 at 6:13 AM

    Nice to see the family kayaking together! A wonderful day, cool shot of the gator and cormorant! Happy Thursday!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmDecember 18, 2014 at 6:35 AM

    That looks fun! I have never been kayaking, but I'm sure I'd enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Author R. Mac WheelerDecember 18, 2014 at 6:40 AM

    Great shots. Great smiles. Great time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnvilcloudDecember 18, 2014 at 7:37 AM

    It does look like fun.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The CrankyDecember 18, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    What a great adventure to share, and you've documented it so beautifully! Those happy smiles say it all. =)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bethany CarsonDecember 18, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    That is quite the alligator! Nice shots of everyone! The day was captured beautifully; looks like a neat experience.

    ReplyDelete
  9. IrmaDecember 18, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    This looks like a fun family day.
    The alligator looks pretty dangerous.
    Beautifully shot of the cormorant, Gail.
    Best regards, Irma

    ReplyDelete
  10. 21 WitsDecember 18, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    Oh Holy Gator! What great photos of place and loved ones.

    ReplyDelete
  11. TexWisGirlDecember 18, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    looks like a blast, even with the gator!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Carola BartzDecember 18, 2014 at 10:58 AM

    I never did kayak, but I would love to! I'm not sure though whether I'd really like the closeness of the alligators that much... but this looks beautiful and like a wonderful family outing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. DebbieDecember 18, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    oh that looks like so much fun!! the gator is a little scary but that's a great picture!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mitzi December 18, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    These are all awesome photos...I cannot say I would be too eager to jump in a kayak just due to the fact that there just doesn't seem to be much space between one in them & the gators. That being said...I love your adventurous spirit...I will keep on living vicariously through your lens ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Evelyn S.December 18, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    Just wonderful, Gail! I love the looks on their faces. My own son and DIL are shopping for kayaks, I believe. No alligators in western Oregon, though! (I LOVE that photo of the gator.)

    ReplyDelete
  16. hootnonnyDecember 18, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    Yall are so brave to kayak in gator-infested waters!

    ReplyDelete
  17. hootnonnyDecember 18, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    Yall are brave to kayak in gator-infested waters!

    ReplyDelete
  18. KerryDecember 18, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    Ooooh they had such a good time; that means they'll visit often! That gator is a beauty, and posing so nicely, the lazy lizard.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sallie (FullTime-Life)December 18, 2014 at 2:25 PM

    You know those two are going to want a Kayak next summer in Oregon now. But they won't get to see a gator there! What a fun fun time.

    ReplyDelete
  20. nookwormDecember 18, 2014 at 2:28 PM

    The experience will last a lifetime for the young couple. I'm sure they'll return for another kayak vacajun. Marvelous shots of EVERYTHING!

    ReplyDelete
  21. ShugDecember 18, 2014 at 5:10 PM

    This looks like so much fun!! Of course...I would have panicked when I saw the gator!! Geez, that thing is huge!! I can't swim, so I'm not so sure Kayaking would be good for me....However, you all make it look so easy!! Have fun and think of me when you go out....I know this would be tons of fun..

    ReplyDelete
  22. MichelleDecember 18, 2014 at 7:11 PM

    That looks wonderful, but the gator would have spooked me a bit!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ruth HiebertDecember 18, 2014 at 7:27 PM

    Looks like a fun time.

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownDecember 18, 2014 at 9:24 PM

    Looks like a fun day! The alligator would have frightened me...

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousDecember 18, 2014 at 11:06 PM

    WHat an adventure - and such lovely scenery.

    I love love your daughter's wedding dress from the previous post too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. diane bDecember 18, 2014 at 11:48 PM

    That looked like so much fun but I would be afraid of the alligator. Fab family photos of the kayaking experience. The swamps look magic. When we were there we were advised against going as there wasn't much water due to the lack of rain.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Spare Parts and PicsDecember 19, 2014 at 12:24 AM

    Great post, Gail! This is on my list of things to do (one of these days!).

    ReplyDelete
  28. rainfield61December 19, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    "Dance" with an alligator.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Beyond the Dog DishDecember 19, 2014 at 11:06 AM

    Amazing photos! I really loved seeing that gator up and close.... from here, so glad I was not there!! Good for you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousDecember 19, 2014 at 6:16 PM

    Beautiful shots. Looks like so much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Petra PavlátkováDecember 20, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    It must have been a great day for you all, Gail. I like the trees growing in the water and I'd surely be scared of the Alligator!

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousDecember 20, 2014 at 5:04 PM

    Happy Holidays Gail. Your weather looks nice.

    ReplyDelete
  33. JenDecember 21, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    Yep, Neotropic. It's smaller than a Double-crested, has the white triangular border, and no orange above the eye.

    ReplyDelete
  34. DeniseinVADecember 21, 2014 at 10:45 PM

    That looked like so much fun and a real special time Gail. Awesome photos! Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  35. GlennisDecember 21, 2014 at 11:35 PM

    Lovely adventure, but I would give the alligator
    a much wider berth. Kayaks are such fun.

    ReplyDelete
  36. A Colorful WorldDecember 22, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    LOVE Autumn's name. Looks like she and Jason had a blast kayaking! What a special vacajun! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousDecember 22, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    That looks like so much fun! I do think y'all are crazy to get so close to those gators, though! :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. SuzanDecember 31, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    Loving your kayaking photos!!! The kids are too young to be fearfull of the gator!! Gators move slower this time of year with the cooler air and water. surprised to see this one sunning!!

    ReplyDelete

I ♥ my wonderful readers!! Comments are a huge ray of sunshine in my day. I make it a point to visit all those who take time to share their thoughts. If you ask a question, please make sure your email address is enabled in your profile; otherwise, I cannot answer. Thanks!