A Little Touch of Paradise – Cape San Blas Florida

Every year we try to go on some sort of vacation. Whether it’s a trip to the lake or somewhere else like Nashville for a bachelor party, we always like to at least do one “big” thing every year. This year that “big” thing was a trip to Cape San Blas Florida. We had gone a few years ago when my daughter turned 2, so it has been a while and upon our return we had one of the best vacations we have ever had.

Playing in the waves, boogie boarding, and riding the wet bike in the Gulf of Mexico were a few highlights on the Gulf side. On the bay side we tubed, rode wet bikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more! Plus the pool, hot tub, ice cream shops, and everything else in between. We had so much fun and we cannot wait to go back to one of our favorite vacation spots.

I want to thank my wife, my kids, and the rest of my amazing family for making this trip so special. I do think we all need a GoPro so we can get even more footage, especially with my new baby niece coming soon!

Check out my travel video from Cape San Blas Florida!

Go on any vacations this year? We would love to hear about them. Share your comments below!

#TBT – Bull Shoals Family Vacation 2014

IMG_1625In 2014 we had a fantastic time at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas. We stayed at the same place we stayed at this year (2015) and we had the same cabin this time around. One cool thing about the trip this year as oppose to those in the past is that we had access to an awesome GoPro camera. So I took the liberty of taking all of that footage and pictures and putting them together to make two great videos.

This year was Alex’s first year at the lake. He was still a little guy but he had a blast. Relaxing in his little boat was probably his favorite thing to do. While I’m sure if he could’ve walked at the time he would’ve jumped off the cliffs. I’m just glad he couldn’t. Jumping off the cliffs is always a good time and I am happy we were able to capture that experience.

Here is part one, done to the tune of Kenny Chesney’s When The Sun Goes Down.

And here is part two with the sounds of Calvin Harris’ Summer.

Having Fun on Island 521

eric-textI got a text from my brother asking if I wanted to bring the family out with him and his crew on the Mississippi river. I checked with my wife to make sure our schedule was clear. It was, so I shot a text back letting him know we will be there. Friday morning we packed up the cooler with some lunch and drinks and headed out. We loaded up and after a boat ride we pulled up onto Island 521. There were not many people out as early as we were, but as the day went on the Island filled up with a good amount of boats. Of course I brought the GoPro and let my niece take control.

We didn’t get to stay out as late as we would have like too. However, we had baby Alex with us and he was getting done with the day. So my brother took us back in. It was a beautiful day that my wife and I enjoyed. Next time we will try to get a sitter for Alex. If we can’t, no worries, we still had a blast.

Check out the video below! Music by Little Big Town – Pontoon.

Our Escape to Fugitive Beach

FugitiveBeach-01Every now and then you wish you could just get away but you really can’t because you’re broke and “away” is thousands of miles and somewhere tropical… Well, this isn’t exactly that but it’s pretty awesome in it’s own regard. May I present, Fugitive Beach, which is located in Rolla, MO (about a 2 hour drive from St. Louis). My wife, daughter, niece, and myself took a little day trip to Fugitive Beach to see what it all about. It was very cool. When you enter you can immediately see this massive water slide. Then upon further inspection you can see two different platforms where you can jump into the water. There was a bar and grill there if you didn’t bring your own food. You cannot bring your own alcohol which I think is a good idea, but you can buy beer, etc at the bar there. You can also bring a cooler with food, soda, water, etc, but no glass and remember to not be a litter bug and pick up your trash.

It cost us $6 per person and we also had to sign a waiver before entering. Makes sense. This is/was a quarry. We setup our beach blanket, some chairs, and a cooler. Leaving all of that behind we took to the water. Everyone but my daughter Abby went down the slide and jumped off the cliffs. I don’t blame her. When I was her age I would only hold onto the ladder whenever I got into the pool.

Did I mention I took my GoPro? I didn’t? Then maybe instead of reading all of this you should just watch this instead…