Sports Games and Other Such Happenings

Recently I had the chance to attend another Rays game, only this time it was against the Cardinals. They were passing out puppets of DJ Kitties for kids under twelve. Ashley and I wanted one, but unfortunately, we were just a little over the age limit... But due to the puppets, they played DJ Kitten frequently throughout the game which was awesome. Here's a sample of DJ Kitten for those of you who are wondering what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awU9WRiOUnQ

I picked the one that was put to a French song just because I find it hilarious. The Rays won which always makes it more fun. I still haven't figured out what the Rays mascot is supposed to be because to me it looks like a hairy elephant or something... haha

En lieu of DJ Kitty, Ashley won a poster of BJ Sammy, player number 2, so for the rest of the game we cheered him on since he was the only one who's name we knew!

The Unknown Mascot

After the game (There was a free Wiggles concert afterward)

Our next sports outing was to a soccer (or should I say football?) game. An English team from Bolton came over to tour and set up a match against the Tampa team. We went to the field on Saturday only to discover that we had the date wrong. Instead we explored the outside of the newly rebuilt Dali Museum.

The outside of the Dali Museum

Ashley and I with the melting clock bench

I loved the lighting and these pretty glass chairs

Missing Marquette's harbor

The following Thursday, we headed out to Progress Field once more, only this time it was the correct date for the game. The Tampa team had the upper hand in being used to the intense Florida heat and took the match 1 - 0. The game was at Progress Field which doubles as a baseball field. The Tampa team had a group of fans similar to Tech's pep band. They kept up a drum beat and constant cheering almost the whole game. At half time they had a fish and chips eating contest as well.

Lining up for the national anthem

Progress Field

Mascot?

Our next outing was another trip to Clearwater beach which again resulted in sunburns. It doesn't seem to matter how careful I am with my sunscreen, I always get burnt!

Ashley with the turtle statue

Clearwater Beach

This time I brought my ukulele with me to play some beach music. It was super fun to make music on the beach and the ukulele was a perfect fit for the scenery.

Swimming with the Manatees!

Friday night a group of us went out to a country bar called The Bull. When we got there they had a live band performing. Once they were finished everyone went to the dancefloor for some line dancing. It was my first time line dancing, but I loved it! Nick knew all of the dances so we just followed him most of the time. Each song has a combo of moves that just repeats throughout the song, so once you figure that out, you're golden til the next song. Ashley's brother made it his goal of the night to try on all of the cowgirl hats that he saw and had a good success rate too!

This Saturday I had the pleasure of going on a kayaking trip to Caladesi Island with the Sacred Heart Youth Group. The water was nice and smooth and the sun was shining the whole time! We couldn't have asked for better weather!

Most of our group

We kayaked out to the island and went around to the back side of it. Once we were on the other side we saw a kayaker snapping photos of something in the water. We soon learned that there were eight manatees swimming around him close to shore. We quietly paddled over to where he was. Beneath the surface I could see what looked like huge shadows or rocks moving slowly along the bottom. They swam underneath my kayak a couple of times and I was nervous that they'd surface and capsize me, but they were very peaceful animals.

Swimming with the MANATEES!!!

He's so cute :]

After seeing the manatees we pulled our kayaks onshore and went swimming to cool off. Much to our amazement, the manatees came back. They swam right past us. At one point I wanted a little bit of a closer look and instead I ended up getting surrounded. One swam so close to me that I was scared that it would hit me when I realized there was one behind me as well. It was incredibly thrilling.

Throughout the entire trip they kept coming back to visit us. Each time I felt a little braver towards them. I touched one of their tails and then petted one on the back. It felt very slimy from the algae and you could see scars from boat motors that have hit them. Every once in a while they would stick their noses above the water. I loved being right there in the water with them. One of the girls let me use her snorkel to look at them properly underneath the water. They are so huge and beautiful! I felt so connected to nature as I watched them make their way through the water.

Shortly after that we pulled our kayaks back into the water and paddled back to the rental shop. The trip back was a little more difficult because the tide had pulled in so new sandbars had appeared and also the afternoon boat traffic was heavier than in the morning.

Once we made it back we all rinsed off and then went to a restaurant for some food. Once we had eaten everyone was ready for a nap! I tried cuban sangria for the first time which has cinnamon in it. It was really good! Then again, I tend to like all things cinnamon.