We saved two trips for one post since it was the same location but different times of the year. White sand, blue water, offshore fishing, and sun was our desire, so we headed to Siesta Key/Lido Beach for our honeymoon in February 2021 and again in September for our 6 month anniversary. February was our first time there and we couldn't wait to go back!

We are always looking for new places to fish and/or kayak. A coworker told me about Kiser Lake in Champaign County just past Urbana. 

One of the many things Bobby and I have in common is that we HATE surprises, especially birthday party surprises. I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday and of course he said a nice quiet day of fishing. We haven't been able to fish as much as we would like with his new job so off we went. 

A bucket list item of mine (Kathy) was to stay on a houseboat. When I was in my early 20's (a very long time ago),  my boss owned a houseboat at Lake Cumberland and one of our employee benefits was to be able to use it for free for a week. At that time, I wasn't really sure what a houseboat was, figured I couldn't drive one anyway, so I never took him up on his offer. I quickly regretted that! 

July 24, 2021 I got to cross a houseboat off my bucket list! And drive it!
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A minnow seine (pronounced sane) is a net attached to poles to catch live bait such as minnows, crawfish, and hellgrammites. What are hellgrammites you ask (pic 1 below)? They are the larval stage of the Dobson fly. We seined in the crick, ok creek but I grew up calling it a crick. ​

After storms all night and rain most of the day, baseball was canceled so we decided to go Catfishing. Our bait tonight was cheesy hotdogs with garlic. ​