Sunday Brant invited me on a fishing trip off Palm Beach Island. The crew included Tia, one of our neighbors, her brother Tom, her father, Brant, me and of course the charter captain (who was incredible). So we took a small boat out through some pretty heavy breakwater. Some waves were around 10ft which I completely enjoyed…others…not so much. After about 40 minutes we were beyond the breakwater and in deep enough water to start fishing.

The captain broke out the kite, which I’d never seen before. He sent a kite up (we had heavy winds so it was key) and we proceeded to set up three rods to use the system. Each line was attached to the kite line which would release once we got a bite and started to reel in. The kite keeps the line verticle in the water and allows you to fish far off the boat and easily rotate lines in and out from far to close depending on who’s got a fish on. You just have to keep your bobber/marker about 2-3 feet off the water and live bait, about 10 inches long, in the water with the ocean swells.

Brant was the first one out and got the first hit. Tom was next then me, who got the smallest fist of the three. Tia caught one on the sideline (non kite) which was just a bit too small to keep but she had a good time getting him in.

Then we reset and waited for about an hour. I was the last on the kite line so I was closest to the boat which means I was less likely to get the next hit.

BAM…I landed a 20 lb Mahi Mahi which I chased around the boat a couple times. It came in close twice and then darted off making me work my ass to bring it in. I was thrilled, shaking and excited. When we finally got it in I was beat, forearms throbbing but soooo cool. Huge fish and smiling from ear to ear. Not bad for my first fishing trip.

One thing that made it difficult was the sea was listing the boat about 6-8 ft every wave so it was a constant battle to stay upright. Constantly keeping your balance, watching the bobbers and running like mad when we got a bite. What a great day on the boat.

The ride back was fun as well, as the captain is a surfer so we had a good time surfing the big swell with the boat on the way back to the dock laughing my ass off.

Brant whipped up some cajun seasoning when we got back after the captain perfectly prepped fileted the fish for us and we headed to the grill for some well deserved Mahi Mahi.

Thanks again Brant, it was a great time! Thanks Tia, for taking such great photos.

So after a long trip back from Puerto Rico on Sunday I’m finally back in “normal” mode around here. For the better part of a month I was in the Caribbean once again. I went down for Valentine’s day and stayed till Sunday morning. Those of you who know me know why I went and for whom I went to see.

This trip was a bit different than last time. Regardless I made the trip and made it home. Now back to work.

That’s right, packing all of my winter gear for a holiday trip up to Ohio, where they are supposed to receive a bunch of snow over the next few days. I haven’t been home for Christmas since I moved here in 2004. I will not enjoy the cold weather but it’ll be great to spend time with my family and friends in the cold north.

I’m packing all 2 of my sweaters… that’s right, I only own two sweaters. I’m counting on layers (and probably some scotch) to keep me warm. Well, that and my 2.3mm wetsuit top. If I really get cold I putting that thing on for sure (under my clothes of course).

Flight leaves tomorrow morning at 10am so I’m taking the southbound Tri-Rail to Ft. Lauderdale. I should be in Columbus around 2:30. I’m sure I’ll be glad to get back to Florida weather by the time Monday rolls around. One of the many perks of living in a semi-tropical climate though it’s been cold here lately.

So, to those of you flying, driving or just heading home for the holidays, be safe and have a Merry Christmas!

After a day of recouperating yesterday I think I’m finally able to recap the trip a bit. Wow, crazy and tiring trip from the word go.

Mike and I hit the Palm Beach train station around 4am on Thursday morning after getting what I’d probably call, no sleep. It’s tough to get some rest when you know you have to get at 3am to travel for a day. After getting to the station we barely made the train, running our asses off over the terminal bridge. Two hours later we were in Miami but wow, that will wake you up at 4am.

The flight left at 7:45 though our boarding pass said “boarding at 7:45″ so guess what we had to do… that’s right, run to the damn terminal after breakfast and a couple beers. Finally on the plane we tried to get some rest. It’s not easy to sleep in the middle seat, yeash.

Once we landed off to the hotel, an easy 5 minute ride. The hotel check in time was 4pm but we got there some time around 11. They said just hang out and we’ll have it ready as soon as possible so off to the pool for a cocktail or two. We found a local grocery store after some mis-information from the bartender and picked up some booze and plastic bottles to mix out own drinks in. Grabbed a cheeseburger and waited in the lobby….

After 5 hours of that… we finally had a room! Yeah, check in time was 4pm. Finally we could get some rest. Mike and I got a few hours of sleep then the real fun began…

I’m heading to Puerto Rico, baby. It looks like it’s not going to be a surf trip but it’ll be good to get out of town for a weekend. The weeks have been so busy with work and the weekends so busy with pool-side antics it’s time for a break. Though it probably won’t be much of a break from the antics.

My neighbor Mike has a free hotel room in San Juan he told me about in May so all I have to pay for is a ticket. Not bad. We’ll be back on Sunday sometime but the trip there will take some effort.

In lieu of taking a car down to Miami airport we’re taking the train from here in West Palm down. I hear it’s a 2 hour train ride, which almost how long it would have taken if drove. The flight leaves at 8 am so guess what, we’ll be on the train at 4 am just to make the transfer to the airport, customs, etc. This should be interesting…interesting but fun. Check my facebook periodically for updates. I don’t have a small camera any more after Jamie’s going away grill out so the iPhone camera will have to do.

See you when I get back!

After I finish up this home page comp and grab some lunch I’m off to Key West for the weekend to hang out with my buddy, Dan and his wife and kid. The ride should take me between 4 and 5 hours which is probably the longest I’ve ever been on a motorcycle but it should be a good ride. 240 miles from here to Key West and half of it will be in the keys.

I just really need a good weekend out of West Palm Beach; somewhere more relaxing.

As far as other things in my life, there’s no longer a cute little Brazilian girl (I know I never talk about girls on my site anymore but…) to hang out with. It feels like I’ve lost so much this year… first I made a stupid mistake and now Vinny and family are pretty much absent, Jamie moved back to England, Zack moved to L.A., Ramil is super busy so it’s been kind of lonely around here. Not that there aren’t any others to hang out with but it’s been a stretch. When best friends aren’t around it makes it kind of tough.

Anyway, stoked about the Key West trip. Now back to work…. I’ll be posting images from the trip up on my facebook page. Have a great Easter weekend everyone!

Sounds like there and back again by Bilbo Baggins but not quite. I decided to drive back to Cincinnati and see family (most importantly my Mom) and friends. The first leg was a grueling 16 hours straight through leaving West Palm Beach at 5am and ending up in Cincinnati at 9pm. Thanks so much Nicole for letting me crash on your couch, and what a comfy couch it was!

The next day was all Mom and family. The pic above is of an Amish horse and buggy outside of the Hillsboro Wal-Mart which I couldn’t resist taking.

Saturday I took off for downtown to hang with the guys and Nicole. I had a chance to see Surface’s new little girl and hang with his new family for awhile. The late night shots are uploaded on Facebook for that stuff. Here’s the full travel album for everyone else

Sunday was dinner with Mom in Eastgate then I had a chance to see my old buddy Eli and his new baby boy before heading back to Nicole’s couch.

Monday morning I took off for Atlanta to visit Matt on my way home and see his soon to be family. Thanks so much guys, that was awesome of you to let me stay a night there. Bambi looks great and is ready to have her little girl. Only five weeks left and Matt’s gonna be a daddy – good luck man I hope it’s a happy healthy baby girl.

From there is was the trip to Kissamee Florida to stop by the motorcycle dealership and check out the bike. I’ll write about that later as I need to get caught up on stuff but that’s the story for the most part.

Good trip, exhausting but good and I’m glad I got to give my Mom and my sister a big hug.

Looks like I’m heading home for the first time in over two years. I’ve decided to drive back to save a bit of money. At least that way I’ll have my car to cruise around in instead of some crappy little rental car.

For the most part I’ll be spending time with my family and making sure things are going well there. I do plan on coming into Cincinnati for Saturday night to catch up with old friends. Hopefully I’ll have enough time to see everyone I can while I’m home.

It’s going to be a working vacation as I really can’t afford to take off the necessary time but it’ll be great to see the fam.

So the plan is take off on Thursday morning sometime and head north. Hopefully I can make it one trip without stopping to nap too long. It’s a 17 hour drive so this should be interesting. I plan on being back sometime early next week.

Ok so I know it’s been over a week and I DID upload them to my Facebook Account but now I’ve finally gotten around to adding them up to my SmugMug page for your pleasure. Most of the shots are of the hotel and surrounding area and there are very few of D, Gary and I if any. The shot above was actually sent to us by a new friend down in Cancun damn is my tan kickin’. Just kidding.

Have a look at Cancun 2009 – Trip to Mexico for no real reason.