Hi Everyone, Welcome back!
We just finished up a custom birthday party adventure session for AdventureLauren and again wanted to wish her a very happy birthday. Lauren and her brother Andrew are repeat Adventurers and I have to say I love having them along! They are full of energy and smiles and that makes trips like this extra special for me!!! Lauren brought along 4 close friends, Adventurers Natalie, Katie, Sonam and Ariane that were equally as enthusiastic and excited as the rest of us. We were joined by two of my favorite Adventurers and camp counselors AdventureLisa and AdventureSheri.
We hurriedly boarded my Adventure Boat the “DREAM CHASER”, a custom 26′ Island Runner and off we went to begin the days adventure. On the way out we stopped along a nearby beach to do some exploring and see what we could find. We had no sooner hopped out than AdventureLauren and the gang found some very large and uncommon Spotted Sea Hares washed up at the high tide line. We collected these and placed them in a bucket of fresh sea water to revive and moved further down the beach where we discovered some nice colonies of Nerites and hermit crabs along the rocks. We also found some nice open pods of Nicker Beans full of the gray hard shelled beans openly displayed within, like tiny eggs in thorny bird nests. A cool find. Nicker Beans are what the anti malarial drug Quinine is made from and are commonly called “lucky beans”. This is the only time of year you can these pods containing seeds.
From here we headed back to the DREAM CHASER, released the now revived Spotted Sea Hares after taking a few photos of AdventureAndrew wearing one on his head like a slimy toupee, and scout the shallow sand bar for eagle rays, manatees and maybe a passing turtle. On the way to explore the shallow grass flats by Little Munyon Island we stopped at Starfish Prairie and hurriedly collected a few for a quick photo op. and then seconds later gently released them exactly where we found them. “Starfish Head” photos are always a popular attraction for a young group of Adventurers and everyone was full of smiles!
After this we motored to Little Munyon Island and AdventureSheri organized a fun game of egg toss competitions while AdventureLisa became the staff photographer for the day. We all had an absolute ball! AdventureSheri and I won once and AdventureLauren and Andrew won another time and by the time this was over and done with we all had great big smiles on our faces and egg on our hands. It was great and non stop laughter!!! We did a little bit of Seine netting and found some nice juvenile snappers and mojaras and discovered a large bed of short-spined sea urchins in the very shallows. They came in a variety of colors and sizes and we collected a few to look at, check out their tiny tube feet and spines. We turned a few over to take a closer look at their 5 tiny mouth plates, also called “Aristotle’s Lantern” then let them go.
By now we only had a short time left so we quickly donned our snorkel masks, took a shallow snorkel around the island and found tons more sea urchins, hermit crabs and a variety of shells. It was just great and everybody was excited to discover some new things. I took a look at my watch, realized it was time to go and we boarded the boat to head back. And as usual, nobody was ready to go, but Lauren’s mom, Lisa, had a nice birthday party awaiting back at the park and we couldn’t stall any longer.
On the way back we pulled out a dozen “giant bubble” tubes and left a trail of iridescent floating bubbles all the way back to the ramp. It was a great way to end the day and celebrate AdventureLauren’s birthday, and with all the smiles and laughter I heard and saw, I know everyone will remember this day, and especially me!!!
Be back soon, Spring Camps start March 31st thru April 3rd, and April 7th thru 10th. I still have a few spaces left, but not for long, and I know I just can’t wait!!! How about you? Come join us and “LET’S GO HAVE SOME FUN!!!
See you soon,
AdventureMike