(ka)Yak Attack

Welcome home kayaks. We hemmed. We hawed. We won't ever look back. Our local kayak retailer Wind-n-Watersports made our 1st kayak purchase ez-peazy. We have simple needs, but we love all the little details we got: self-bailing, sit-on-top style, with a bungeed cargo area for storage, paddle rests on both sides, fold-down seat backs, and cup holders -- we luv us sum cup holders. They nest for ez storage and they ride oh-so-smoov. We named 'em Paxi (moon) and Inti (sun).

This weekend, we launched our new kayaks from the dock...

And we were off on an adventure yakin' to Old Tampa Bay...

Where we discovered a sandbar along the edge of a mangrove preserve...

And enjoyed a private sunset that made us smile for miles...

DIY:salvage to art

1st time making a metal sculpture...ok, 1st time making ANY sculpture. In the process, I gained aching hands and mucho respect for anyone who works with metal. It all started when M. decided to finally remove a mud-covered rope that was tied onto our seawall (yup, it's been there all this time). At the other end of that rope, we found a flat crushed derelict crabtrap that had been abandoned for who-knows-how-many years. M. hosed off the excess muck and left it to dry in the yard. I don't know how I convinced him to let me use it for a "project", but after a couple hours, we had our 1st DIY salvage art piece. If I can make a manatee wall hanging out of a derelict crabtrap, anyone can. Here's how:
1. CLEAN: Using pliers, I removed the excess debris and heavily damaged parts from the crabtrap.

2. PLAN: I stared at the crabtrap for a LONG time until inspiration hit me (ow!). Using sharpie marker on newspaper, I sketched out a simple manatee silhouette. I put the template under the crabtrap to trace the outline onto the metal.

3. SCULPT: Using pliers, I cut out a rough shape, following the manatee outline as best I could. Then, using jute rope (found at Michael's craft store), I traced the manatee outline more carefully. I tied rope knots along the way to keep the rope in place [while singing connect-the-dots-la-la-la].

4.FINISH: I used a round nose plier to bend down the pointy metal ends safely and coated the whole manatee with leftover silver spraypaint. My sis encouraged me to add an eyeball, so I sewed on an old button. Finally, I reused the line rope that once tethered it to our seawallL: I snipped it and knotted it to become a hanger so it is ready to be hung up. Voila: salvage art.

This week, my awesome sis took our manatee over to the Hillsborough County Fair where it will be displayed Nov 4th - Nov 8th, as part of the 2009 Recycled Yard Art contest. We got our fingers crossed, but are just as happy to be participating.

P.S. Safety 1st: Despite using non-slip gloves and a foam-handled pliers set, my hand were aching. I took breaks often to let my hands rest.

WEEKs 60-68: Wutzup Dock?

We got a dock! Thanks to the miracle of Craigslist, we are the proud owners of a 8 x 12 floating dock with catwalk. Although it happened sooner than originally planned, we are now wondering how we went so long without one. Does this happen to others too? Like we needed something else to encourage more procrastination (from our house to-do projects)…the dock bobs in the water, chairs at the ready, and with a railing just wide enough to set a drink on. It’s taunting us. How are we ever going to get any work done now?!

Here's the dock arriving. Yup, that is M. (left) paddling up the canal. He guided the dock and our dock guys in from the neighborhood boat ramp. Yup, he got strange looks and smiles from our neighbors:

Here is me (J.) pondering life and losing track of time:

1 tank: Anna Maria Island

After moving to Tampa, one of M.'s 1st purchases was a copy of One Tank Trips, a book based on the local news series of daytrips that could be reached with one tank (or less) of gas. Inspired by the idea that living in Florida meant we could vacation here too, we've spent some time exploring off-the-beaten-path Florida. This past weekend, we hit the road w/a half tank o’ gas. Destination: Anna Maria Island (AMI), FL, it's actually made up of 3 communities – Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. Instead of the usual hotel chains and fast food restaurants, AMI is bursting with piers, nautical antiques, fresh seafood, and a strong alliance of independent businesses. Yay!

Because of it’s beachfront location, we chose to stay at Bungalow Beach Resort. We loved the friendly staff and our poolside suite. Our days were spent cruising the annual Bayfest event and coastal shops.
And since we couldn’t come home empty-handed, I convinced M. to let me acquire 2 new pieces to satisfy a recent mermaid obsession. A white-washed wood-and-metal mermaid weatherwave from The White Egret:

And a brightly painted mermaid from Florida folk artist Rhonda K. We enjoyed meeting and chatting with the painter herself. Looking at her fun Florida art, made me wish for more walls at PMH so we could buy more of her work...

Green hope for Tampa?

Tampa isn't known as the greenest city. Actually, it's ranked pretty low compared to other cities. But there's hope! Last weekend Tampa held the Going Green Tampa Bay Expo 2009. On the first day of the expo, author/actor/environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr. was signing copies of his two latest green publications. We made it to the Expo on its 2nd day and perused a variety of eco-vendors ranging from solar installation companies to eco boutiques. We drooled over endless eco-goodies and the mack-daddy of them all: a hybrid-electric luxury boat manufactured in Clearwater, FL.

Behold the "Endeavor" which even has a bimini roof option featuring solar panels:

The Road Home

Where one road ends, another one begins. In one day, I went from the height of the Andes mountains in Bolivia...

... to the sandy horizon of the Gulf Coast.

Beyond the extreme topographical contrast, I felt a huge mental shift as I traded my wool socks for flip flops. To celebrate my return, M. took me to Honeymoon Island - a gem among Florida's state parks that features a 4-mile beach, protected mangroves, a nature trail, bike trail and a ferry. Ah, it was incredible!

Now that I'm back and somewhat rested, we once again face the long (and neglected) project list at PMH...

Shameless Plug!

We need your help and we need your votes! A few months ago, our big patio makeover landed us the honor of being the 1st winners in the summer-long DIY contest over at One Project Closer. Now, all of the weekly winners (including us) are in the running to win an even bigger prize: a $150 gift card to a home improvement store. We’re not usually so competitive, but a gift card is at stake here -- a gift card people! There is long to-do list at Pacha Mama House that can be tackled if we win that gift card. Please vote now and vote often! If you forgot what our patio makeover looked like, here’s a refresher:

BEFORE (oh no!):
AFTER (boo yeah!)

Vote for us here!

IN MEMORIAM: Snowy

I came to my mother's to help with her own health, not her cat's. So when the veterinarian looked at me to make an irreversible decision, I deferred to her. Despite the tears streaking her face, she gave her consent, rather than live with the knowledge of Nowy's suffering. He was named Snowy for his all-white fur, but we all knew him as Nowy. He lived a long and exciting life, scampering from the rooftop to the kitchen counterop. Nowy was a one-woman cat -for sure- lounging exclusively on my mother's bed or admist her clean laundry. And if anyone dared approach, he would narrow his eyes and give a long, deep hiss. Nowy was buried today in my mother's sunny garden. It seemed appropriate as he always loved taking long naps there. Although I didnt know him that well, I am aware of the unconditional love Nowy gave to my mother. For that I owe him my gratitude and a scratch under the chin...

postcard: In Hot Water

Urmiri, BO - Despite the un-paved bumpy mountain path and the occasional delay of llamas crossing the road, I found the trip to aguas calientes (hot springs) at Urmiri to be well worth the effort. I spent a day in these hot waters and my muscles continue to thank me. Bolivians from all over the country travel to the resort at Hotel Gloria to enjoy this natural swimming hole and thermal pools, which are famous for their mysterious healing powers. Approaching the hot springs, the first thing I noticed are the white curls of steam rising from the emerald-green pool. Carefully stepping down the slipperty stone staircase, I discovered the water to be a comfortable chest-height in depth. Surprisingly, the water was crystal clear; I had a perfect view of my toes and the rocky bottom. The swimming hole is fed by a tall gushing waterfall that is just shy of scalding temperatures (I learned this the hard way). Although I wasn't brave enough to try it myself, I observed many people leaning against the mountain rock that is perpetually heated by the waterfall. On this trip with a few family members, we chatted with other visitors to the hot springs. They told us tales of limbs and ailments that were miraculously healed by these same waters. I hoped, more than anything, that they might be true...

Love, J.